1991-03-06 Special Meeting
389
~
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 6, 1991
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Special
Work Session on Wednesday, March 6, 1991, at 12:00 noon in Room
501 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320
Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
.
Members present were:
Robert G. Greer; William H.
Jr.; Chairman Fred Retchin;
Attorney, Robert W. Pope;
Harrell.
Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, Sr.;
Sutton; Vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews,
County Manager, Allen O'Neal; County
and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F.
Chairman Retchin called the meeting to order.
County Manager O'Neal stated Architect Herb McKim, a partner
of Ballard, McKim & Sawyer Architects, PC, will present and
review options for expansion of the jail. He respectfully
requested the Board to direct Staff as to whether an action plan
should be developed for proceeding with the jail expansion after
review of the options available.
Commissioner Barfield expressed concern for proceeding with
the jail expansion with the shortfalls being experienced in state
and federal funding and inquired as to the feasibility of such a
project at this time. County Manager O'Neal stated the upcoming
year can be utilized as a planning year for developing an action
plan so that the project can move forward once the economy
rebounds.
.
Commissioner Sutton commented on the possible merger of the
Wilmington Police Department with the Sheriff's Department and
inquired as to the impact of this decision on the jail expansion
as well as usage of the police building. Architect McKim stated
if the merger should occur space needs will have to be addressed
in the entire downtown area and that one possible use for the
police building would be for expansion of Cape Fear Community
College. He stated regardless of whether a merger of law
enforcement occurs within the County, the jail overcrowding
problem must be addressed.
PRESENTATION OF JAIL OPTIONS
Archi tect Herb McKim presented the following options for
expanding the jail:
Option 1: Expansion of the existing New Hanover County Law
Enforcement Center by 120 beds with 29,500 sq. ft.
of additional new space allocated as follows:
-Support Service Division
-Patrol Division
-Vice/Narcotics Division
-911 Division
-Detectives Division
-Employee Facilities
-Jail/Custody Division
Total
1,100 sq. ft.
1,245 sq. ft.
500 sq. ft.
480 sq. ft.
930 sq. ft.
500 sq. ft.
24,745 sq. ft.
29,500 sq. ft.
.
Projected Cost: $7,000,000
Option 2: Expansion of the existing New Hanover County Law
Enforcement Center by adding 10 beds plus con-
structing a new BO-bed facility on county owned
property located on Division Drive.
-The basic concept would be to build a jail that
is expandable (modular) beginning with 80 beds
and expanding to 240 beds.
-The food preparation for both jails could be
housed in the new facility using a serving
kitchen in the existing Law Enforcement Center.
,
~
( .3 9 ~NUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING. MARCH 6. 1991 (CONTINUED J
-The Patrol Division would be housed in the new
facility which would free up space for expansion
of support services and the Sheriff's administ-
rative space. In addition, some vehicles would
be removed allowing for additional parking in
the lower level of the Law Enforcement Center.
-Only minimal additions would be required for the
existing Law Enforcement Center as follows: (1)
a serving kitchen, new service entry and elevator;
and (2) a staff lounge and expansion of the ID
section.
()
-The present weekend minimum security center would
be eliminated with staff being assigned to the
new facility.
-As space demands grow for additional court facili-
ties, the Sheriff's Dept. and jail could be removed
from the existing Law Enforcement Center with that
building being utilized for courtrooms and offices.
Projected Cost: $6,250,000
After discussion of a remote jail facility, it was
determined that the following disadvantages would outweigh the
advantages of moving to another site: (1) the cost of operating
two jail facilities; (2) the security of prisoners when
transporting to the courts; and (3) the inconvenience of a remote
location to attorneys representing inmates.
option 3: 172 bed expansion of the Law Enforcement Center and
renovation of the WLI Building
This option did .not receive support due to the fact ()
that a neighboring church had already been informed .
by the City that they would have the first opportunity
to purchase the WLI Building when and if the property
was offered for sale.
option 4: Expansion of the Law Enforcement Center and constru-
ction of an office building on Division Drive: This
plan will provide 241 beds with enough space remain-
ing for an additional 120 beds.
-Relocate Patrol and Detective Divisions to the new
new facility on Division Drive with an indoor firing
range; relocate Vice/Narcotics, 911 and Emergency
Emergency Services convenient to the Sheriff's
office; locate 911 adjacent to Emergency Services
with both on dedicated emergency generator.
Projected Cost:
Renovation of Law Enforcement Bldg.
Division Drive Remote Building
Total
$4,600,000
1,600,000
$6,200,000
The schematic design an?-ll drawingfs of Optio~ 4 fwehre 0
presented. The proposed plan Wl allow uture expanslon 0 t e
jail and judicial functions with the possibility of connecting
the buildings and closing Fourth and Princess Streets for
development of a Government Plaza.
A lengthy discussion was held on either filling or removing
the outside wall. Architect McKim stated the wall could be
removed, but as a matter of history, the Board of Commissioners
in office at that time, voted to add the outside wall.
i
I
~
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 6, 1991 (CONTINUED)
391 ~
.
Commissioner Sutton recommended construction of a four-story
building on the 73 ft. square which would eliminate the outside
wall and provide for more beds. Archi tect McKim stated using
this area for construction of a four-story building will not
function well due to the location of the jail control station
which must comply to state and federal regulations. Commissioner
Sutton inquired as to whether the jails can be joined on the
second floor by using the existing space for jails with the
administrative portion being located in the remaining part of the
structure. Architect McKim stated from a cost-effective
approach, if you construct in this area, you are building new
space which is more expensive and that Option 4 as proposed is
using the maximum renovation and the minimum expansion which is
the most economical method of construction.
Discussion was held on state regulations governing the
following types of detention spaces:
1. Single Segregated Cells: In Option 4, twenty (20)
single segregated cells have been included.
2. Single Cells: Cells connected to a day room. No
single cells are included in Option 4.
3. Multiple Occupancy Cells: Four persons to a cell
and a day room. In Option 4, 100 multiple occup-
ancy cells are included.
4. Dormitories: Much less costly to construct. A
dormitory can contain as many as 40 inmates and
modular cells can be utilized.
After discussion of dormitories being less expensive to
construct, Sheriff McQueen expressed concern for deputies having
to enter a room with 40 inmates and requested placement of only
20 inmates per room if dormitories are considered.
.
A lengthy discussion was held on whether the jail expansion
as proposed under Option 4 would be adequate for future needs and
if the jail should remain downtown. Vice-Chairman Mathews
emphasized planning for future needs as well as present needs and
stated this factor should be considered when selecting an option.
Commissioner Greer expressed concern for the present
shortfalls in state and federal funding and questioned proceeding
with new construction. He also expressed concern for the manner
in which inmates are not allowed to perform community service
work and stated he is not in favor of expanding the jail facility
until it is absolutely necessary.
DISCUSSION OF LONG-RANGE SPACE PLAN
Archi tect Herb McKim presented
preparing a long-range space plan
office space needs:
the following proposal for
for the County's downtown
Purpose:
To provide the County Commissioners a tool to
assist in planning for both a long-range personnel
policy and space policy.
.
Goal:
To prepare a document outlining the long-range
needs by the departments occupying the New Hanover
County Administration Building, the New Hanover
County Annex Building, plus space for the Clerk of
Court, District Attorney, Register of Deeds, Judges
and the Sheriff.
Objectives: Outline an annual history of workload, staffing
location, and space.
Establish space standards for New Hanover County.
Develop a final plan.
Process:
Research records of historical data.
~
( 39~S OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 6, 1991 (CONTINUED)
I
,
I
~
Interview Department Heads, the County Manager
and others.
Survey all facilities for effectiveness of use.
Tabulate findings and develop recommendations.
Time:
Completed within 6 months.
Cost:
To be negotiated.
()
Discussion was held on the County's space needs and the
availability of various buildings in the downtown area.
Commissioner Sutton emphasized the importance of county offices
being located in the downtown area and stressed the importance of
investigating all buildings available before moving to other
locations.
Architect McKim stated it may be possible to use the County
Administration Building to meet the needs of the Sheriff
Department which would centralize the entire jail complex.
Motion: After further 9iscussion of studying the downtown area,
Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Mathews to
direct Ballard, McKim & Sawyer to proceed with the downtown space
study as proposed for New Hanover County administrative offices
and to include in the study the use of any available buildings in
the downtown area for the jail expansion and/or county offices.
The County Manager was authorized to negotiate a cost for
performance of the study.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Retchin adjourned the Work Session at 2:10 o'clock
P.M.
o
Respectfully submitted,
~V~
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
o