2004-11-18 Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 30
WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 18, 2004 PAGE 177
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work Session on Thursday, November 18,
2004, at 5:10 p.m. in Room 501of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Robert G. Greer; Commissioner William A. Caster; Commissioner
Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley and Clerk to the Board,
Sheila L. Schult.
Vice-Chairman Julia Boseman and Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr. were absent.
Elected Officials present were: Mayor Dennis Barbour, Town of Carolina Beach and Mayor Betty Medlin,
Town of Kure Beach.
Others present were: Assistant County Manager Pat Melvin; Assistant County Manager Dave Weaver;
Finance Director Bruce Shell; County Engineer Greg Thompson; Emergency Management Director Warren Lee;
Information Technology Director Leslie Stanfield; Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau; Budget Director Cam
Griffin and Wave Transit Authority Director Albert Eby.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the Work Session was to
hear updates on the 800 MHz System and the Wave Transit Authority.
UPDATE ON 800 MHZ SYSTEM
Emergency Management Director Warren Lee reported that the County is currently at a crossroads with
regards to 800 MHz radio system technology. APCO Project 25, the newest federal standard that governs two-way
radio systems requires that all 800 MHz systems provide for interoperability in the future. Radios from the County’s
system must be capable of “talking” to radios from any other 800 MHz system. New Hanover County’s analog
trunked system has performed to specification since it was first brought on line, but in its current form it does not
meet the new federal standards for compatibility. Current issues facing the County are:
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Inadequate coverage in certain areas
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System “busy signals”
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Limited migration path towards newer digital technology
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Compliance with APCO Project 25 standards
Director Lee reported that long-term project goals are:
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Better county-wide coverage
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Addition of a second transmitter site at the south end of County
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Tuning of Flemington site for enhanced coverage in the northern end of County
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Transition path to digital technology and new APCO Project 25 standards
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Expand number of channels to minimize “system busy” occurrences and accommodate future
growth
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Interoperability with North Carolina’s state-wide radio trunking system (VIPER)
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Retain full compatibility with the 911 Communications Center and other system users
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Simulcast capability – every radio works everywhere
Information Technology Director Leslie Stanfield reported that there are three avenues that can be pursued
that will provide for the migration path from analog to digital technology.
System Options:
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Upgrade of existing system
Add a second Motorola trunked site in the south end of the County for enhanced coverage
o
– simulcast
Expand the number of channels available
o
Introduce digital technology on a limited basis
o
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Replacement of existing system
Open bid process for replacement of equipment
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Must include replacement of mobile and portable units, if necessary
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Must include equipment necessary for operation of the Public Safety Communications
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Center
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Gateway System - bridging the existing system with a new system located in the south end of the
County
Patches existing Motorola system with a disparate system on a tower in the south end of
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the County
Limited number of interoperable channels
o
Limited functionality between systems
o
Radios cannot roam outside of their coverage area – every radio does not work
o
everywhere
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 30
WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 18, 2004 PAGE 178
Director Stanfield continued that with the technology changing rapidly and New Hanover County’s need to
expand its current system, critical decisions have to be made. It is nearly impossible for County staff to be expert in
all of the new technologies and the offerings of the vendors in the 800 MHz arena. These offerings change rapidly
with existing products being replaced by newer product lines that meet the new Federal standards.
Director Stanfield stated for these reasons, Staff recommends that an engineering firm be engaged to
analyze the current system and to make recommendations for moving forward in the most economical and efficient
way. There are independent firms that specialize in studying the public safety radio market and follow the products
from multiple vendors very closely. The same engineering firm engaged to do the initial analysis could oversee the
acquisition and installation of the upgraded system to ensure that the expectations of the system users are met.
If proposals are solicited in November and a contract awarded in December, the impact on the overall
schedule of upgrading and installing the system would be minimal. A specification for the upgrade could be
completed by February along with a cost estimate to complete the work. Once an order is placed for the system,
manufacturing will take approximately six months. Installation of the new equipment will take place in the
following two months, providing a full-functional system by the end of 2005.
Discussion followed on the urgency of getting a system in place to cover the south end of the County.
Chairman Greer stated that the Commissioners would continue discussion of this item at Monday’s Regular
Board Meeting.
UPDATE ON WAVE TRANSIT AUTHORITY
WAVE Transit Authority Director Albert Eby reported that merger the between New Hanover
Transportation Services and Wilmington Transit Authority created Wave Transit. Wave Transit is an independent
entity via Interlocal Agreement and joint resolution of the City and County, governed by an eleven member Board of
Directors appointed by the County Commissioners and City Council. The Board of Directors establishes policy for
Wave Transit, supervises its employees, and determines appropriate fares and routes. Services that are being
provided include:
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Fixed route public transportation
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Specialized transportation for the disabled, blind, elderly, and low income
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Downtown Trolley
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UNCW Seahawk Shuttle
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Out of town medical trips
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Brunswick Connector
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Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC)
Director Eby reported that progress to date includes:
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Uniformity of fleet vehicles and employees
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Integration of voice and data system with single phone number
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Site recommendation study for new transfer/maintenance/administration facility
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Expanded service offerings including evening and Sunday service and service to Shipyard
Boulevard
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Continued increases in ridership and passenger revenue
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Created 21 full-time positions with benefits since February 2004
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Received North Carolina Advocacy Network’s Excellence in Transportation Award
Director Eby reported that over the past twelve months ridership has increased 44.78%; and during the
current fiscal year fixed route ridership is up over 48%. Changes to the UNCW Seahawk Shuttle have produced
ridership increases of over 100% for the fall semester. The Authority constantly strives to increase outside sources
of funding. Initiatives in progress include:
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Full route restructuring based on centrally located transfer facility with service to the beaches, and
the northern and southern portions of the County.
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Long-term contract with UNCW for the Seahawk Shuttle.
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Preparing strategy for FTA and NCDOT to provide funding assistance for the downtown
multimodal center.
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Preparing RFP for single management contractor to operate the system.
Commissioner Pritchett stated that the Wave Transit Authority requests the Board’s support for designation
of the Authority as Grantee of Federal Transit Administration and North Carolina Department of Transportation
funds; support for legislation at the state level to create a local act to allow the Authority to collect a five-dollar
vehicle registration fee; continued support for the annual operating assistance; and support for a 10% local match for
the downtown multimodal transportation center.
Commissioner Pritchett commented on the necessity of public transportation for the elderly and low-income
residents of the County and stated she felt the fees would encourage public transportation to be used more to ease
traffic congestion.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 30
WORK SESSION, NOVEMBER 18, 2004 PAGE 179
Discussion followed on the support for the designation of the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority as
recipient for all federal and state funds designated for public transportation within the Wilmington MPO planning
area of New Hanover County and northeastern Brunswick County, legislation at the state level to create a local act to
allow the Authority to collect a five-dollar vehicle registration fee and for a 10% local match for the downtown
multi-modal transportation center.
Commissioner Pritchett suggested removing the request for a 10% local match for the downtown multi-
modal transportation center from the presentation to be made at Monday’s Regular Board Meeting.
Chairman Greer stated that the Commissioners would continue discussion of this item at Monday’s Regular
Board Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer adjourned the Work Session at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board