1989-09-21 Emergency Meeting
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SPECIAL EMERGENCY MEETING, SEPTEMBER 21, 1989
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in a
Special Emergency Session on Thursday, September 21, 1989, at
9: 00 0' clock A.M. in Conference Room 318 in the New Hanover
County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, Sr.;
W. Albert Corbett, Jr.; E. L. Mathews, Jr.; Vice-Chairman, Nolan
O'Neal; Chairman, Fred Retchin; Assistant County Attorney, Wanda
Copley; Assistant County Attorney, Kemp Burpeau; Acting County
Manager, Mary Gornto; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Retchin called the Special Emergency Session to
order stating the purpose of the meeting is to decide if a State
of Emergency should be declared with the threat of Hurricane
Hugo. He requested the Director of Emergency Services, Dan
Summers, to brief the Board on the latest weather advisory.
ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR NEW
HANOVER COUNTY
Emergency Services Director Summers presented the latest
advisory on Hurricane Hugo. He recommended the following action:
(1) Declare a State of Emergency for New Hanover County; (2)
request the Board of Education to dismiss school at 12: 00 noon
today; (3) evacuate beaches and low lying areas, if warranted,
beginning at 2:00 P.M. in order to have persons safely lodged
before dark; (4) establish a curfew at 11:00 P.M. until 6:00 A.M.
Friday morning; and (5) provide transportation for evacuating
persons from Bowden's Nursing Home, Neilson's Nursing Home and
home health care patients.
Motion: After discussion, Commissioner Corbett MOVED, SECONDED
by Commissioner Barfield to adopt a proclamation declaring a
State of Emergency. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the proclamation is contained in Exhibit Book
XVII, Page 31.
Motion: After further discussion of the possibility of the
hurricane varying to the north, Commissioner Barfield MOVED,
SECONDED by Commissioner Mathews to authorize the Emergency
Services Director, Dan Summers, to direct and proceed with
evacuation procedures and opening of the Emergency Operations
Center if deemed necessary. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Discussion was held on allocating funds for preparedness and
recovery after the storm. Acting County Manager Gornto
recommended authorizing funds in the amount of $50,000 out of
contingencies to be used for preparedness and recovery.
Motion: Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Mathews
to authorize use of funds in the amount of $50,000 from
contingencies for emergency use as recommended by the Acting
County Manager. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Discussion was held on ambulance charges for evacuation of
nursing home and home health care patients. Acting County
Manager Gornto recommended levying a charge for a one-way trip
instead of a round trip.
Commissioner Barfield and Vice-Chairman O'Neal recommended
that no fee be charged since the Board has ordered the
evacuation.
Motion: After discussion, Commissioner Corbett MOVED, SECONDED
by Commissioner Barfield to waive transportation charges for
utilization of the County's Emergency Medical Services Unit and
Volunteer Rescue Squads when evacuating nursing home patients and
home health care patients. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
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6 ~ES OF SPECIAL EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 21, 1989 (CONTINUED)
Discussion was held on collection of debris. Director of
Engineering & Facilities, Ed Hilton, stated consideration should
be given to authorizing the County Staff to contract with
independent haulers and individuals for the collection process,
if necessary.
Consensus: After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board
to delay making a decision on debris collection until the
landfall of the hurricane can be more accurately determined.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS
Acting County Manager Gornto announced the lead Public
Information Officer would be Director of Engineering &
Facilities, Ed Hilton, with Director of Public Services, Mike
Waters, and herself as assistants.
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ANNOUNCEMENT OF OFFER BY MR. RUSSELL EDMONDS FOR USE OF HOTELS IN
FAYE'rl'EVILLE AREA
Chairman Retchin stated the Executive Director of the
Chamber of Commerce has informed the Commissioners that Mr.
Russell Edmonds, Manager of the Hampton Inn, in Fayetteville,
North Carolina, has offered the use of 700 rooms in Fayetteville
with no charge to persons evacuating from the coastal area.
ACCEPTANCE OF FAA GRANT FOR PURCHASE OF AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND
FIREFIGHTING VEHICLE
Acting County Manager Gornto requested the Board to accept a
Federal Aviation Administration Grant in the amount of $277,704
for purchase of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle for
the New Hanover County Airport.
Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman
O'Neal to accept the FAA grant in the amount of $277,704 subject
to FAA conditions as specified in the agreement and contingent
upon review and approval by the County Attorney. The Chairman
was authorized to execute the documents. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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A copy of the grant agreement is contained in Exhibit Book
XVII, Page 31.
MEETING RECESSED
Chairman Retchin recessed the Special Emergency Session at
9:55 o'clock A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
ADJOURNMENT OF RECESSED MEETING
After polling each County Commissioner, Chairman Retchin
declared the State of Emergency cancelled on Friday, September
22, 1989, and adjourned the Emergency Session at 9: 45 0' clock
A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Clerk to the Board
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