1998-03-05 Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
WORK SESSION, MARCH 5, 1998PAGE 339
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work Session on Thursday, March
5, 1998, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320
Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Buzz Birzenieks; Ted Davis, Jr.; Charles R. Howell;
Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Chairman William A. Caster; County Manager, Allen O’Neal;
County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Caster called the meeting to order and stated the purpose of the Work Session was
to discuss project applications for the $1.8 million HUD Disaster Recovery Initiative grant so the
County can develop an Action Plan for Disaster Recovery.
Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, reported the following projects had been approved
by the Board:
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Purchase of land at the south of Wrightsville Beach $300,000
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Construction of new Fire/Police Building at Carolina Beach $250,000
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Snag and Drag Project for Storm Debris Removal $250,000
Assistant County Manager Weaver advised the Board has tentatively approved the following
project:
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Sewer assistance of low/moderate income households in the $288,000
Wilmington/Hanby Beach area*
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Total Cost of the Wilmington/Hanby Beach project is $1.6 million.
Payment will come from the General Fund with reimbursement from
property assessments.
*Assumes 90 households will be low/moderate owner-occupied.
Household Assessment $2,000
Collection Line 800
Plumbing Rehabilitation 400
Total Cost Per Household $3,200
HUD regulations require that 50% of funds must be for projects that benefit at least 50% of
low to moderate income households, and no more than 50% of the funds can be used for projects
meeting urgent needs, or used to eliminate slums or blight.
The total HUD grant was $1,853,170 with $638,586 remaining if the Wilmington/Hanby
Beach sewer project and the approved projects are submitted. After meeting with representatives
from Environmental Health, the following projects have been prioritized based upon the need for
sewer, and staff feels these areas will meet HUD requirements:
Asst. for Sewer
Sewer System Connection Other Costs Total
Myrtle Gardens $1,062,000 $104,000 $427,037 $1,593,037
Castle Hayne - I 640,800 90,000 70,000 800,800
Castle Hayne - II 573,606 52,000 91,740 717,346
Castle Hayne - III 1,187,994 65,000 66,000 2,008.004
Heritage Park 1,189,800 140,000 240,000 1,569,800
Wood Haven 901,800 42,000 161,000 1,104,800
Other projects that can be considered are as follows:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
WORK SESSION, MARCH 5, 1998PAGE 340
Project Sewer System
Weaver Acres $ 864,000
Glynwood/Brookfield $2,400,000
Brierwood
Marquis Hills $1,190,400
Maplewood $ 409,800
Discussion followed on the Wilmington/Hanby Beach sewer project and the need to move
forward with the project. It was agreed that this project should be included in the Action Plan.
A lengthy discussion followed on whether to consider the Myrtle Gardens project or the
Castle Hayne projects. Assistant County Manager Weaver noted that Myrtle Gardens was in dire
need of sewer and other improvements such as paving and drainage. He stated without some
assistance, this area could become a slum.
Commissioner Davis spoke in favor of including the Castle Hayne projects in the Action Plan
because the citizens in this area have waited a long time to receive sewer.
Discussion was held on the need to remove hurricane debris from the ditches. Vice-Chairman
Greer suggested using any remaining funds to supplement the snag and drag projects.
After a lengthy discussion of the HUD requirements and the projects presented, the Board
requested staff to prepare project applications for the following projects: Castle Hayne I, Castle
Hayne II, and Castle Hayne III with any remaining funds used for snag and drag projects.
County Manager O’Neal advised that staff will come back with a project program that will
follow the directions of the Board and meet the HUD requirements.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Caster adjourned the Work Session at 11:24 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board