1999-09-30 Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
MINUTES OF WORK SESSION ON CAPITAL PROJECTSPAGE 532
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work Session on Thursday,
September 30, 1999, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration
Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were Commissioner Buzz Birzenieks; Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr;
Commissioner Charles R. Howell; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Chairman William A. Caster;
County Manager, Allen O’Neal; Finance Director, Bruce Shell; Budget Director, Cam Griffin; and
Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Caster called the meeting to order and stated that the Work Session had been called
to discuss Capital Projects and the impact of these projects on the FY 2000-2001 budget.
County Manager O’Neal passed out a spreadsheet identifying all Capital Projects that are
underway and the ones that will begin in the next fiscal year.
Discussion was held on the following Capital Projects:
BUILDINGS
Historic Courthouse Assembly Room:
The renovation of the Assembly Room has been completed.
The October 18, 1999 meeting of the Board will be held in this room. The project was approved in
July 1998 and completed in October 1999.
Northeast Branch Library
: The design phase has been completed except for the portion to be leased
to UNCW. The lease contract will be presented for approval by the Board on October 4, 1999.
Once UNCW works with the architect on how the space should be designed, a separate bid package
will be prepared and awarded at one of the meetings in December 1999.
As of this date the Northeast Branch Library Fund Raising Committee has raised $950,000 of the
$1,000,000 commitment. The Committee feels the additional $50,000 can be raised.
Administration and Annex Buildings:
The feasibility study began in March 1999 and will be
completed in October 1999. Then a series of decisions will have to be made by the Board concerning
the Administration Building, the Annex Building, and the Law Enforcement Center as they relate to
a new County Administration Building. Selection of a new site for the Jail will impact decisions
about space needs for the Court System and Law Enforcement Center. The contract with Sharpe
Architects was expanded by an additional $32,000 to $34,000 to look at the use of the current Law
Enforcement Center for uses other than a jail. This study should be completed in October, and Staff
will formulate a recommendation to the Board.
Judicial Building
: There are two versions of the design: Design # 1 is the 4th floor revision, and
Design #2 is the 5th floor revision. Design #2 is recommended. Although this design is more
expensive, the additional space is greatly needed. The parking issue will not be resolved with this
plan, and there is an outstanding issue with the Wilmington Historic District Commission. Bidding
and construction cannot begin until the exterior facade is approved by the Commission. At this point
there is some hesitancy by the Commission to support the design and height of the structure.
Scheduling another meeting with the Wilmington Historic District Commission, County Staff, Court
Officials and two County Commissioners may be needed to reconcile any concerns.
The cost to provide security and renovate the 5th floor will be approximately $2,200,000. Security
is an important component of the new space, and the existing space will have to be retrofitted to
accommodate the new security system. Construction of this expansion will take 1 ½ to 2 years. A
Special Use Permit will have to be approved by the Wilmington City Council in December 1999,
after the Wilmington Historic District Commission meets in November. Construction documents
should be ready by May 2000, and the bid should be awarded by July 2000.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
MINUTES OF WORK SESSION ON CAPITAL PROJECTSPAGE 533
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
Parking is still an issue. It relates not only to the expanded Courthouse space but to the
Administration Building and any change in use of the Law Enforcement Center. Discussion has been
initiated with the City Manager about shared parking space between the County and the City during
construction of a parking facility. Building a parking facility on the Library site would meet the
requirements for distance from the Judicial Building and at the same time accommodate the
Administration Building . Approximately 500 parking spaces will be required. If the parking facility
is built in the Central Business District rather than the Historic District, the restrictions will be
different.
Future space needs for the Courts will still be a concern. Court Officials have said the new Judicial
Building expansion will give them enough space for only a few years, and they have questioned how
future expansion would be handled. It was suggested that because the Law Enforcement Center is
connected to the Judicial Building with a tunnel, it would be an obvious choice to expand the court
facilities to that building.
Emergency Operations Center:
A location and time frame are needed for this project. Staff would
like authorization from the Board to immediately investigate funding and location. There is a
possibility that FEMA and State money may become available. The State has suggested that the
County should consider a stand alone facility for use as a County Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) and staging and storage center for the region. During the last storm, it was apparent that
more space is desperately needed for the operation of the EOC. In order to take advantage of
funding from FEMA or the State, the Board will have to make a decision regarding the location of
the EOC. Discussion has been held on the idea of locating the EOC near the new jail, or utilizing
space in the Law Enforcement Center if the jail is moved to another site.
Funding in the amount of $600,000 has been appropriated in the FY 1999-2000 budget for the EOC.
Jail Facility:
This is a priority item with Staff. The Sheriff recommends building on existing county-
owned property on Blue Clay Road. Staff recommends construction of a single-cell facility in
maximum security areas with relocation of all the Sheriff’s functions except civil processing. The new
facility should be designed to allow for phased growth. Completion of the first section will eliminate
the need to transport inmates to other jail facilities. Approximately $412,000 has been spent during
the first four months to transport and house prisoners in other facilities. The target date for
completing the first phase of the new facility is January 1, 2001.
Completion of Smith Creek Parkway will necessitate relocation of the firing range and tower. The
Blue Clay Road site is large enough to accommodate the buildings, firing range and tower. Some of
the property owners and residents living near the Blue Clay Road site will be opposed to using this
property for a jail site.
County Manager O’Neal asked the Board to decide if the new jail should be placed on the Blue Clay
Road site and to authorize staff to proceed with soil borings and the design phase of the jail. This
parcel of land is comprised of 288 acres, and in order to know how much land will be needed for the
jail, the design phase will have to be completed. At that point, the Board can decide how the
remaining property can be used, whether for soccer fields or other needs.
Consensus:
It was the consensus of the Board to locate the new jail on the Blue Clay Road site and
to authorize Staff to proceed with the preliminary site work.
Federal Point Volunteer Fire Department Station:
Budget Director, Cam Griffin, reported with
$700,000 from the Fire Tax and $250,000 from the sale of the old building, she would suggest
following the recommendation of the Fire Commission and build a new station in the Federal Point
area.
The Commissioners concurred with Budget Director Griffin and noted that official action has been
taken to endorse the recommendation of the Fire Commission.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
MINUTES OF WORK SESSION ON CAPITAL PROJECTSPAGE 534
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
PARKS AND GARDENS
Airlie Gardens:
The Commissioners were requested to review and approve the Airlie Gardens
Master Plan when it is completed. Landscape architect firms have been interviewed, and a
recommendation will be presented to the Board in October 1999. It is hoped that the landscape
architect firm will begin the work in December 1999 and complete the Master Plan by May 2000.
The short-term financing is in place. The long-term financing will be financed through certificates
of participation.
Chairman Caster spoke on moving the fence and said after walking the area, he felt the fence could
not be moved 10 feet from its present location. If the fence is going to be used, it will have to be
moved inside the vegetation line that is located inside the existing Corbett chain link fence.
Assistant County Manager Weaver suggested not moving the fence until the Master Plan has been
completed in June. The Board can then request the landscape architect to decide where the fence
should be relocated to fit into the overall Master Plan for Airlie Gardens.
County Manager O’Neal requested the Commissioners to meet with Gary Rzepecki, Superintendent
of Airlie Gardens, to see the rose-colored string indicating where the exiting fence could be relocated.
He said this will be helpful to the Board in making a decision.
Green Space Bond Referendum:
The survey has been completed and will be presented to the
Board on October 18, 1999. A “soft” number of $40 to $60 million is being discussed as an
estimated amount of the bond referendum.
Veterans Park
: The following cost projections were presented:
Soccer Fields - $763,000: Staff recommends funding this project in the FY 2000-2001 budget.
Infrastructure - $7,200,000: This funding was appropriated in 1999. At this time, Staff does not
have a recommendation. Staff is developing bid drawings and will manage the construction process.
Remaining Projects - $3,400,000: The schools in Veterans Park are scheduled to be ready for the
2001 school year, but the park space will not be finished.
Vice Chairman Greer asked if the Board should consider coordinating the County’s portion of space
development to coincide with the opening of new schools. For example, when the school installs four
tennis courts and the County has space for eight tennis courts, he asked if it would be more cost
effective to install eight tennis courts at one time.
Project Engineer, Greg Thompson, advised that money would be saved in construction costs and in
the bidding process if the courts were built at one time.
Budget Director Griffin reported that funding for parks was appropriated in the FY 1999-2000
budget as follows:
Completion of Ogden Park$740,000
Castle Hayne Park$160,000
Veterans Park$650,000
County Manager O’Neal advised that Staff would check into the possibility of constructing the tennis
courts at one time and report back to the Board.
Other Park Projects
Eaton Soccer Fields: With the need to complete these soccer fields, Staff needs authorization to
proceed with soliciting bids with the $70,000 that has been tentatively approved for the project.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
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Additional funding will be needed to complete the project. The estimated project cost is from
$150,000 to $200,000.
CFCC Soccer Fields: The County has an opportunity to work with Cape Fear Community College
(CFCC) to develop approximately 11 soccer fields at the CFCC North Campus site located off
Highway 132 North. Staff would like to make this a priority since the fields need to be completed
by the fall of 2000. The Master Plan for the North Campus includes a 5-year site and 20-year site.
The proposed soccer fields will be built on the 20-year site.
Staff requested direction from the Board so plans can be developed for utilizing the North Campus
site for soccer fields.
Ogden Park and Castle Hayne Park: With funding appropriated in the amount of $740,000 in the FY
1999-2000 budget, Ogden Park will be completed. This project includes a football field, maintenance
facility, tennis courts, picnic areas, equestrian ring, and paving.
With funding appropriated in the amount of $160,000 in the FY 1999-2000 budget, Castle Hayne
Park will be completed. This project includes tennis courts, a soccer field, and paving.
Hugh MacRae Park: Discussion is being held about the 50th Anniversary of Hugh MacRae Park and
the need to make improvements estimated at $2,000,000 by December 2003. In order for these
improvements to occur, design money in the amount of $160,000 is needed to begin the process. The
plan is to upgrade the Park to make it aesthetically more pleasing since it is the central park for the
community. Discussion is being held on the need to provide underground utilities, add sidewalks,
curb and gutter, upgrade existing baseball fields, and upgrade picnic shelters and restrooms.
Vice-Chairman Greer stated that with the many unmet needs in the County, it would not be
appropriate to spend $160,000 to re-design Hugh MacRae Park at this time. He suggested allocating
$160,000 to Veterans Park to speed up this process and address the improvements to Hugh MacRae
Park at a later date since any improvements will have to be approved by the MacRae family.
County Manager O’Neal suggested developing a master plan that could be implemented over a 5 to
10 year period, rather than spending $160,000. This type of plan would delineate needs for this park
and provide the information necessary for engineering drawings to be completed.
Vice-Chairman Greer asked why there was a need for curb and gutter.
Parks Director, Neal Lewis, informed the Board that Hugh MacRae Park does not have a stormwater
plan. Stormwater runoff from Parkway Drive and Long Leaf Hill Drive collects in certain areas of
the park, which has become a concern because of the number of pedestrians that use the park.
Chairman Caster asked if the proposal for Hugh MacRae Park was discussed by the Parks &
Recreation Advisory Board.
Parks Director Lewis responded that the 50th Anniversary Celebration was discussed by the Advisory
Board and it was generally felt that Hugh MacRae Park should be upgraded for this occasion.
Vice-Chairman Greer suggested requesting the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to provide some
direction on what improvements are needed at Hugh MacRae Park for the 50th Anniversary
Celebration. He said as a member of the Advisory Board, he would be glad to present this item to
the Advisory Board and report back to the Commissioners.
Wrightsboro Park: This is undeveloped property consisting of 15 acres located on Highway 117.
Space is available to provide a multi-purpose athletic field, playground, parking, utilities, and picnic
area. A more detailed presentation will be made when funding in the amount of $150,000 is discussed
for the FY 2000-2001 budget.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
MINUTES OF WORK SESSION ON CAPITAL PROJECTSPAGE 536
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
PLANNING
Clean Water Management Trust Fund Activities:
The projects agreed upon by the County when
accepting the N. C. Coastal Water Management Trust Fund grant for the purchase of Airlie Gardens
will be included in future budgets. The Tidal Creek Advisory Board will meet on October 29, 1999
to recommend projects dealing with (1) watershed and stormwater management; (2) riparian buffers
and conservation easements; and (3) construction of water quality projects.
HUD Disaster Recovery Initiative Programs:
Funding in the amount of $1,800,000 has been
received from the HUD Disaster Recovery Initiative Program. This funding has been broken down
into the following uses:
Castle Hayne Sewer Construction: Funding in the amount of $431,586 has been allocated to a
revolving loan fund to help low to moderate income households in the Castle Hayne sewer project
area and the Wilmington-Hanby Beach project area to perform rehabilitation work and hook onto the
water and sewer line that will be built. An engineer has been selected for the Castle Hayne sewer
construction project.
Beach Projects: Funding in the amount of $250,000 has been appropriated to help the Town of
Carolina Beach build the Federal Point Volunteer Fire Department. The remaining $300,000 will be
appropriated to the Town of Wrightsville Beach to acquire some properties on the south end where
the beach has been building up, before the lots are considered buildable lots.
Hurricane Debris Removal Snag & Drag Projects: Funds in the amount of $376,414 were intended
to be used for snag and drag projects. Since there are eleven to twelve separate projects requiring
environmental assessments, Staff is concerned about the money not being effectively used for this
purpose. Instead, Staff recommends re-allocating the money to the Castle Hayne Sewer Project, to
enable more work to be done in this area. This re-allocation of funding is acceptable to HUD, but
approval will have to be received from the Board of County Commissioners.
Vice-Chairman Greer spoke on receiving a letter regarding property that is in desperate need of debris
removal from a ditch behind UNCW at Duck Haven running down to Clear Run Creek. He
expressed concern for the Board making a commitment to perform snag and drag projects after
Hurricane Fran, and stated he felt these projects would help to reduce flooding in many areas of the
county.
Chairman Caster agreed and said there are several major projects that will cost a great deal of money
to correct.
Vice-Chairman Greer said he was not referring to large projects where environmental studies have
to be performed in order to use backhoes to dig out brush and sedimentation debris in ditches and
creeks. A small project would be defined as going into a neighborhood where the residents have
requested the County to remove limbs and fallen debris resulting from Hurricane Fran.
County Manager O’Neal suggested that Staff should visit and identify the areas referenced by Vice-
Chairman Greer to see if assistance can be provided. However, if one snag and drag project is
performed in a neighborhood, it will be difficult to say no to another group of residents who want
assistance.
Assistant County Manager Weaver informed the Board that ten to twelve areas have been identified
for snag and drag projects to remove debris from ditches. If any group requests assistance for
removing growth or sediment, an environmental permit will have to be obtained. The HUD funding
was received after Hurricanes Fran and Bertha; therefore, the emergency proclamation is no longer
in effect. This means that easements will have to be obtained from the property owners to work
along a stretch of ditch. This can be a problem in some areas.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
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A lengthy discussion followed on the cost and extent of work that might have to be performed in
neighborhoods to correct the flooding problems. Further discussion was held on how snag and drag
projects should be prioritized.
Consensus:
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to request Staff to provide
a list of identified areas where snag and drag projects can be performed with an estimated cost for
each project. Once the list is prepared, the Board will decide how to move forward with the projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Burn Pit
: This project is on track.
Clean Water Management Trust Fund:
The wetland cells project is on track.
Mason Inlet Relocation:
This project is in the permitting phase. Staff is requesting assistance from
the federal level to insure a fair project review by regulatory agencies.
Capital Items Needed in 2000-2001:
Capital needs for cell closures, trash compactor, dozer
replacement and partial re-tubing of Boiler #2 will be part of the funding for FY 2000-2001.
WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS
Northside Treatment Plant:
A status report will be presented to the District Board on October 18,
1999.
Greenbrier Sewer Connection:
This project will begin in April 2000 and be completed by October
2000.
Middle Sound Sewer:
This project will begin in September 2000 and be completed by April 2002.
Wilmington-Hanby Beach:
This project will begin in April 2000 and be completed by April 2001.
General Projects
River Road Force Main: The developer has not performed the work according to the contract.
Another contractor will be hired.
Flemington and Walnut Hills Water Systems: This project should begin in January 2000 and be
completed by June 2000. The project will need to be bid.
Dal-Har Water Tank: This project is in limbo. The developer is not proceeding as planned.
ISSUES FOR REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
Pay and Classification Study:
This study will be completed in a few months, at which time the
Commissioners will be asked to approve or deny the plan.
Drainage:
Staff is waiting for the recommendation from W.K. Dickson, Inc.
Solid Waste Collection:
Discussion by the Solid Waste Advisory Board continues about a self-
supported solid waste collection system. If this type of system could be implemented, the General
Fund transfer to Environmental Management Department would be eliminated.
Strategy for Funding Schools:
The Commissioners can consider the following options:
(1) Consider allocating a percentage of General Fund Budget to the schools each year.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
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SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
(2)Agree on a percent increase per average daily attendance based on the Consumer Price Index.
(3)Approve or deny future school bond referendums.
Staff recommends continuing to meet with the Board of Education to discuss the best way to meet
the needs of the students with a reasonable tax rate. A formula could be used as a guide in
developing the budget. The formula would need to be clearly defined to avoid confusion or
disagreement on the terms. The Commissioners could consider departures from the formula based
on particular one-time circumstances such as start-up cost for new facilities.
In concluding the presentation, County Manager O’Neal advised there was not enough time to
discuss future projects. He presented a list of capital projects for the Water and Sewer District
through the year 2027.
Chairman Caster expressed appreciation to Staff for an excellent presentation, and he requested each
member of the Board to thoroughly review the information presented on capital projects so discussion
can be held on these projects during the FY 2000-2001 budget process.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Caster adjourned the Work Session at 12:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board