1996-05-23 Special Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 25
SPECIAL MEETING, MAY 23, 1996PAGE 407
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work
Session with the Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees on
Thursday, May 23, 1996, at 5:30 P.M. behind the College on Water
Street in the Riverwalk Park.
Members present were: Commissioners Sandra Barone; William A.
Caster; Vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.; County Manager, Allen
O'Neal; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Members absent were: Commissioners William E. Sisson, Jr.;
and Chairman Robert G. Greer.
Members present from the Cape Fear Community College Board of
Trustees were: Oscar A. Graham, Robert S. Rippy; James E. Vann;
Charles Agnoff; William C. Taylor; Jon W. Rosborough,; Carl A.
Byrd, Sr.; Stephen H. Davenport; Fred J. Jackson; and Dr. Eric
McKeithan, President of Cape Fear Community College.
Vice-Chairman Mathews called the meeting to order and
expressed regrets for Chairman Robert G. Greer, who could not
attend the meeting due to a prior commitment.
Dr. Eric McKeithan, President of Cape Fear Community College
(CFCC), welcomed everyone present and presented the following
status report on the growth and projected future growth of the
College.
Enrollment: From 1985 to 1995, enrollment at CFCC has increased
from 2,180 to 3,566 representing an average headcount increase of
5.1% and a FTE increase of 4.6%. This growth has placed a demand
for more buildings and parking spaces.
Parking: There are 655 parking spaces currently owned by CFCC.
Based on enrollment growth projections, nine additional acres of
space will be needed to accommodate parking by 2005, and 21 acres
by 2015 will be needed to provide adequate parking for the
facility. These assumptions are based on no parking decks, 70
parking spaces per acre, three-story buildings and minimum space
for sidewalks, service areas, and landscaping. Leasing the
Neuwirth property will provide an additional 100 parking spaces for
five years from July 1996 through July 2001. Currently, there are
327 parking spaces being provided on-street, or off campus.
Space Needs: Unfortunately, the $21 million bond issue for CFCC
will not resolve the square footage space needs for the projected
growth in enrollment. By the year 2005 an additional 111,000 gross
square feet of space will be needed to accommodate the students.
Currently, there is gross square footage of 124,530 plus the CP&L
addition of 13,570 for a total gross square footage of 138,100.
This space yields 63.7% of assignable square footage of the
academic facilities.
The Planning Committee is in the process of trying to address
the future space needs. Several years ago, the Cape Fear Community
College Board of Trustees decided to allow the main campus to
remain in the downtown area; however, several options will have to
be considered such as property acquisition for parking and
buildings; satellite campuses in New Hanover County; expanding the
Pender County satellite campus; and the possibility of moving the
campus in the distant future. A plan will be developed by the
Committee and presentations will be made to the Board of County
Commissioners about how these needs will be met.
Discussion was held on the excellent curriculum offered by
CFCC. The manufacturing training programs have enabled high school
graduates to move into jobs with good pay. The Nursing Program is
one of the top programs in the Country, and the Dental Assistant
Program is excellent. Many outstanding honors have been received
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 25
SPECIAL MEETING, MAY 23, 1996PAGE 408
by CFCC for these programs, and it is felt this record will
continue to grow.
Discussion was held on previous audit reports. Dr. McKeithan
stated unfortunately an error occurred in the placement of a
decimal point, which created the problem with the audit submitted
to the State a few years ago. Since that time, the College has
received a clean audit from the State for the past three years.
These problems have been resolved, and the financial reporting is
in excellent condition.
In closing Dr. McKeithan expressed appreciation to the Board
of County Commissioners for continued support of the College. He
emphasized the importance of everyone recognizing that money
appropriated to the College is truly an investment in the community
because the area will offer a better trained workforce to encourage
new industry to move into the region.
Commissioner Barone reported as a member of D.A.R.E, she was
aware of the positive impact of the students to the downtown area,
particularly to eating establishments and retail shops. She
expressed appreciation to the Cape Fear Community College Board of
Trustees for leaving the main campus downtown, which in her
opinion, is a great asset to the City. She also emphasized the
importance of having a well trained workforce to bring more
economic development and industry into the entire region.
Vice-Chairman Mathews expressed appreciation to Dr. McKeithan
and the Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees for an
informative presentation. He commented on the tremendous progress
made by the College and complimented the Board of Trustees and Dr.
McKeithan for the outstanding leadership that has provided one of
the best community colleges in the country.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chairman Mathews adjourned the meeting at 6:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board