1998-10-01 Special Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 1, 1998,PAGE 716
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Special Meeting on Thursday,
October 1, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. in the New Hanover County Administration Building, Room 501, 320
Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioner Buzz Birzenieks; Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.;
Commissioner Charles R. Howell; Chairman William A. Caster; County Manager, Allen O’Neal;
County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer was absent.
Chairman Caster called the meeting to order, and he stated the purpose of the Special Session
was to consider the filing of a grant application to the N. C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
He asked the Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, to discuss the grant application.
PRESENTATION ON REVISED GRANT APPLICATION TO THE N. C. CLEAN WATER
MANAGEMENT TRUST FUND
Assistant County Manager Weaver reported that the changes requested by the Board of
County Commissioners at the Work Session held on September 21, 1998, have been included in the
revised grant application. The application is formulated to obtain funds from the N. C. Clean Water
Management Trust Fund to implement measures to protect estuarine water quality, including the
purchase of Airlie Gardens. The application contains the following major points:
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The program covers a five-year period.
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The program will provide clean water measures for major estuarine streams.
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The cost to the county over the five-year period will be $11,580,000 with $9,650,000
obligated for the first year when the County purchases Airlie Gardens. It be should be noted
that $405,000 of the total is already being funded by New Hanover County. The changes to
the original application will stretch out the County’s contribution to subsequent years, which
could make it possible for the project to coincide with any approved bond referendum for
greenspace acquisition.
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The Trust Fund is requested to provide $6,000,000 over five years with $2,000,000 for the
first year.
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Other agencies, e.g., the City of Wilmington, will probably contribute smaller amounts.
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The application supports establishing an Advisory Board composed of citizens and/or elected
officials to help establish priorities and demonstrate the County’s commitment to the program.
In closing, Assistant County Manager Weaver explained that in order to meet the deadline for
filing the grant application, the resolution would have to be adopted today. He advised that Mr.
Patrick Lowe, the Assistant Planning Director, would review the changes in the grant application.
Mr. Lowe explained that the items mentioned at the September 21, 1998 meeting had been
included in the plan under the following sections of the grant application:
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The Pages Creek Drainage Study has been properly referenced on Page 5 under the section
entitled, “Total Funds Required and Other Funding Sources,” which reads as follows:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 1, 1998,PAGE 717
The Pages Creek Study is the first storm water drainage plan of an entire sub-basin.
It provides the foundation for water quality improvement measures that can hopefully
be adapted for Bradley Creek and Howe Creek.
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The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) Master Plan for the Detention
Pond has been properly referenced on Page B as a committed project, which reads as follows:
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington has in its Master Plan the
establishment of a large scale storm water detention pond at the edge of the campus
located in the Bradley Creek Watershed. This pond is being designed to meet
environmental protection goals as well as being used as a teaching tool for students
in the Environmental Sciences and Marine Sciences degree programs. The North
Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and UNCW are presently cooperating on a
project funded through the EPA 319 Program which is aimed at working with area
golf courses (Duck Haven) to reduce nutrient loads to the tidal creeks.
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Language has been included in the grant application to show that New Hanover County will
cooperatively work with landowners for riparian buffer development as referenced on Page
B under the third section, which reads as follows:
In addition, the County will explore opportunities for riparian buffer
development/restoration and wet detention pond sites through the proposed drainage
studies, based upon cooperative purchase agreements with landowners.
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Reference to a bond referendum has been included on Page B, under the third section, which
reads as follows:
A bond referendum is also under consideration by the Board of County
Commissioners at this time, which will provide for open space and green way
acquisition as well as water quality protection and enhancement.
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Composition of the Advisory Board has been referenced on Page C under section two, which
reads as follows:
The proposed Advisory Board for the Tidal Creek Watershed Management Program
will monitor progress, prioritize projects, and ensure the continuing commitment of
the County. While the work program is well defined for the first two years, the
Advisory Board will play a major role in formulating and selecting projects. As the
scope of the program grows, the Advisory Board may propose additional elements
for funding consideration by the N. C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
Although the composition of this board has not yet been determined, it is
recommended that a Clean Water Management Trust Fund member from this area be
appointed, along with a combination of citizens and/or elected officials.
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In an effort to reduce County funding during FY 1999-2000, the $1,000,000 appropriated for
buffer acquisitions and $1,000,000 appropriated for water quality enhancement projects for
Bradley Creek and Howe Creek have been reduced to $750,000 each. Also, the funding
appropriated for implementing limited dredging projects for water quality has been reduced
by $125,000.
Chairman Caster asked if anyone present would like to comment.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 1, 1998,PAGE 718
Attorney Camilla M. Herlevich, Director of the N. C. Coastal Land Trust, complimented the
Board of County Commissioners for providing the necessary leadership to move forward with
preserving Airlie Gardens and protecting other environmentally sensitive areas.
Dr. Michael Mallin advised that UNCW faculty members and Chancellor Leutze were very
supportive of acquiring greenspace.
Ms. Marian McPhaul commented on the commitment of the Society of Masonboro for the
protection of water quality in the sound and fishing areas, and she complimented the Commissioners
for taking a positive step to preserve the natural resources of New Hanover County.
Chairman Caster called for a motion to adopt the resolution.
Motion:
Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Howell to adopt a
resolution authorizing the filing of a grant application in the amount of $6,000,000 to the N. C. Clean
Water Management Trust Fund contingent upon the following conditions if the grant is awarded:
1.New Hanover County will contribute $11,580,000 over the next 5-year period, as outlined
in the Tidal Creeks Water Quality Enhancement Project grant application.
2.Creation of an Advisory Board to prioritize projects, allocate funds, and provide project
oversight for the Tidal Creeks Water Quality Enhancement Project.
Chairman Caster, on behalf of the Board, expressed appreciation to Assistant County
Manager Weaver and the Planning Staff for the work given to prepare the grant application.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in
Exhibit Book XXIV, Page 30.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion:
Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Howell to adjourn.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED by a 4 to 0 vote.
Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board