1989-12-22 Special Meeting
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, DECEMBER 22, 1989
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special
Session on Friday, December 22, 1989, at 9:00 A.M. in Room 501 of
the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut
Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, Sr.;
E. L. Mathews, Jr.; Nolan O'Neal; Vice-Chairman W. Albert
Corbett, Jr.; Chairman Fred Retchin; Acting County Manager, Mary I
Gornto; County Attorney, Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the Board,
Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Retchin called the Special Session to order stating
the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the burn-pit at the New
Hanover County Airport.
DISCUSSION OF BURN-PIT AT THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT
Director of Engineer & Facilities, Ed Hilton, presented
background information on the 30' x 50' burn-pit located on
approximately four (4) acres of land at the Airport. He stated
the pit was constructed in 1968 and used as a fire training
facility by the U. S. Department of Defense, the City of
Wilmington Fire Personnel, the Cape Fear Community College Fire
Training Program, and Airport Fire Personnel until 1979. Oil
based petroleum products were burned in the pit during this
period of time and in 1985 the County began a process to evaluate
and dispose of the wastes in the pit; however, the State Land
Application permit was denied. At a later date a federal program
was established which utilized the services of the U. S. Corps of
Engineers to evaluate and determine if sites formerly or
currently being used by the military have existing pollution
sources. The County and Corps of Engineers have been pursuing
pollution sources on the airport property which are primarily
related to underground storage tanks as well as the burn-pit. In I
September 1989, notification was received from EPA that the
burn-pit site has been placed on the national priorities list and
that the County is one of five potentially responsible parties
along with the City of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College,
CXS Railroad, and U. S. Department of Defense. CXS Railroad has
been released from the list of potentially responsible parties
due to federal regulations which state if any agency is involved
with carrying a product to the site, but is not involved with
burning of the product, that agency is not a responsible party.
Director Hilton stated a meeting was scheduled among the
potentially responsible parties immediately after notification
from EPA with designation of the U. S. Corps of Engineers to
become the lead agency in performing a Remedial Investigation and
Feasibility Study; however, due to the earthquake in San
Francisco, written authorization was never received from the
Corps. The other three potentially responsible parties requested
an extension of the Good Faith Offer deadline of December 12,
1989, with EPA granting an extension until December 22, 1989.
Director Hilton commented on the Consent Agreement being
executed by December 22, 1989, and expressed concern for the
County executing an agreement and becoming solely responsible for
the cost of the study. He recommended going into Executive
Session to discuss the legal matters concerning the costs and I
agreement.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Vice-Chairman Corbett MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Mathews to convene to Executive Session to discuss legal matters
pertaining to a contractual agreement and costs involved. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Retchin convened to Executive Session at 9:19
o'clock A.M.
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, DECEMBER 22, 1989 (CONTINUED)
767
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Motion: Commissioner Mathews MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman
Corbett to reconvene to Regular Session.
Chairman Retchin convened to Regular Session at 10:17
o'clock A.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Vice-Chairman Corbett MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Mathews to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Retchin adjourned the Special Session at 10:18
o'clock A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
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