1998-08-18 Continued Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
CONTINUED MEETING, AUGUST 18, 1998PAGE 652
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in a continued meeting from August
17, 1998, at 4:30 p.m. on August 18, 1998, in Room 501 of the New Hanover County
Administration, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioner Buzz Birzenieks; Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; 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.
Commissioner Charles R. Howell was absent.
Chairman Caster called the continued meeting to order.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION OFFERING TO PURCHASE THE COLLECTIVE WATER
SYSTEMS OF CAPE FEAR UTILITIES, INC. AND QUALITY WATER SUPPLIES, INC.
Discussion was held on placing some wording in the resolution that would allow the County
to assign its interest to the City if a water and sewer entity was created at a later date.
County Attorney Copley advised it was not necessary to include additional wording, but she
would be glad to amend the resolution to state that New Hanover County reserves the right to assign
its interest to a joint City-County water and sewer entity if, or when created.
Motion:
Vice-Chairman Greer MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Birzenieks to adopt a
resolution offering to purchase the collective water systems of Cape Fear Utilities, Inc. and Quality
Water Supplies, Inc. in the amount of $22,000,000 with the addition of Section O., which states the
County reserves the right to assign its interest to a joint City-County Water and Sewer entity, if or
when created. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 to 0.
Attorney Shanklin presented a list of the assets that will be removed from the corporation.
Chairman Caster, on behalf of the Board, expressed appreciation to Attorney Shanklin and
the Dobo family for the effort given to reach an agreement.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in
Exhibit Book XXIV, Page 28.
REPORT ON NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER ACQUIRING
COLUMBIA CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Commissioner Birzenieks informed the Board that he met with County Manager O’Neal;
County Attorney Copley; Finance Director Bruce Shell; Trustee Sylvia Rountree, President Bill
Atkinson, Attorney Dumay Gorham, and Dick Jones to review the acquisition of Columbia Cape Fear
Memorial Hospital by New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
After discussing the details, it was determined that a Work Session should be scheduled with
the Medical Center Board of Trustees on Thursday, September 17, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the
major issues involved with the purchase.
Commissioner Birzenieks informed the Board that Administrative Staff of the Medical Center
would be appearing before the Attorney General to address the issue raised by a consumer group
from California on the acquisition of Columbia Cape Fear Memorial Hospital. The group felt it would
be helpful for the Board of County Commissioners to adopt a resolution of support for the purchase
of Cape Fear Memorial Hospital.
Commissioner Davis questioned whether wording should be included in the resolution to state
that Columbia Cape Fear Memorial Hospital will become a County asset.
County Attorney Copley advised that in order to issue revenue bonds Columbia Cape Fear
Memorial would have to become a County asset.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
CONTINUED MEETING, AUGUST 18, 1998PAGE 653
Motion:
Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Greer to adopt a
resolution in support of New Hanover Regional Medical Center acquiring Columbia Cape Fear
Memorial Hospital. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED by a 4-0 vote.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in
Exhibit Book XXIV, Page 28.
DISCUSSION OF CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF WILMINGTON TO
DEVELOP A JOINT WATER AND SEWER ENTITY
Commissioner Davis asked if the Board should vote to direct County Staff to work with the
City in developing a joint water and sewer entity.
Motion:
Commissioner Davis MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Birzenieks to direct Staff
to proceed to work with the City in developing a joint water and sewer entity. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED by a 4-0 vote.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board