1985-09-30 Special Meeting
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MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 30, 1985
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special
Session on Monday, September 30, 1985, at 7:00 o'clock P.M. in
the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Administration
Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
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Members present were: Commissioners John Dolan: Claud
0' Shields, Jr.: Fred Retchin: Vice-Chairman Jonathan Barfield,
Sr.: Chairman Nolan O'Neal: County Manager G. Felix Cooper:
County Attorney, Robert W. Pope: and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F.
Harrell.
Chairman O'Neal called the Special Session to order stating
the Public Hearing had been scheduled to give the general public
an opportunity to discuss the proposed Governmental Units
Consolidation Study Commission Report. He welcomed all members
present from the Consolidation Study Committee.
Ms. Karen Gottovi, Chairman of the Governmental Units
Consolidation Study Commission, introduced Mr. Roy Little and
Peter Fensel, Jr. of the Study Committee, and gave background
information on the report.
PUBLIC HEARING
Chairman O'Neal opened the Public Hearing. The following
persons commented in opposition to the proposed consolidated
government:
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Mr. J. F. Hart
Ms. Madleyn Jones
Ms. Ellen Williams
Mr. Jimmy Davis
Mr. Jeff Tripp
Mr. Leonard Long
The following person commented in favor of a consolidated
government:
Mr. William C. Howard
After a lengthy period of discussion, it was the consensus
of the Board that the following questions and concerns expressed
by the public should be addressed with factual data provided by
the Charter Commission when established:
1. How will taxes be kept under control?
2. Can you project what the tax rate will be?
3. How can you combine Law Enforcement and
avoid political involvement when the Sheriff
is an elected official?
4. How will you combine City and County employees
with all being treated equally?
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After further discussion, Ms. Gottovi stated the above
questions can be resolved by a Charter Commission with factual
materials available to the public before the referendum. She
stressed the importance of hiring a staff person with legal
expertise to head the Charter Commission and the importance of
selecting qualified persons to serve on this Commission from the
various parts of the County. She respectfully requested adoption
of the resolution for establishment of a Charter Commission.
Chairman O'Neal closed the Public Hearing.
After a lengthy' discussion of the importance of the
selection of members to serve on a Charter Commission,
Commissioner Dolan MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Barfield to
defer adopting the resolution until the County Attorney could
furnish more information on the legalities of establishing a
Charter Commission and the County Manager could research the cost
of setting up the Charter Commission. This item is to be placed
on an agenda within the next 30 days.
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MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING & SPECIAL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 30, 1985
(CONTINUED)
ADJOURNMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING
Vice-Chairman Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Retchin to adjourn the Public Hearing and convene to a Special
Session. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman O'Neal adjourned the Public Hearing at 8:01 o'clock
P.M. and reconvened to Special Session at 8:02 o'clock P.M.
POSTPONEMENT OF DISCUSSION OF TRANSFER OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES RESPONSIBILITIES FROM THE CITY OF WILMINGTON TO NEW
HANOVER COUNTY
County Manager Cooper stated after a meeting with the City
and County officials he was not ready to discuss this issue and
would place this item on the agenda for October 7, 1985.
APPROVAL OF ORDER FOR DEFIBRILLATION EQUIPMENT
Mr. Dan Summers, Director of Emergency Services, presented a
Defibrillation Program Funding request in the amount of $18,000.
He stated the purchase of this equipment is required for the EMT-
AI program.
County Manager Cooper stated this order would have to be
advertised for bids recommending authorization by the
Commissioners to proceed advertising with the final award of bid
and appropriation of funding being presented for approval at a
later date.
After discussion, Commissioner Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by
Commissioner Dolan to authorize advertising for bids on
defibrillation equipment as requested. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Commissioner Dolan commented on the increase of costs from
$630,000 to $1.5 million at this stage of development in
providing this type of EMS services to citizens of the County.
He stressed the importance of informing taxpayersupfront of the
true costs of improved services whether EMS or fire protection.
APPROVAL OF LEASE BETWEEN NEW HANOVER COUNTY AND MONSANTO COMPANY
County Manager Cooper presented a lease between Monsanto
Company and New Hanover County for the use of a paved area on
abandoned Runway 9/27 for the purpose of assembling astroturf
soccer fields to be exported. The rental rate is $100 per day.
Vice-Chairman Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Dolan to approve the lease as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AUTHORIZATION FOR FIREWORKS SHOW - RIVERFEST - CITY OF
WILMINGTON - PARKS & RECREATION
Commissioner Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Dolan
to authorize the Wilmington Parks & Recreation Department to
conduct a fireworks show on the Cape Fear River Banks on October
4 and 5, 1985. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner O'Shields MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman
Barfield to adjourn the meeting. The floor was opened for
discussion with the following person commenting:
Mr. Allen Tiller, representing the Ogden/New Hanover Rescue
Squad, expressed concern for no input or information being
forwarded to the volunteer rescue squads on the purchase of
defibrillation equipment. Emergency Services Director Summers
stated this subject was discussed at the last Audit Review
Meeting and once the equipment was purchased, certainly the
rescue squads would be involved in training and all other aspects
of implementing the program.
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MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING AND SPECIAL MEETINGr SEPTEMBER 30r 1985
(CONTINUED)
Commissioner Barfield stressed the importance of including
the rescue squads in all phases of the program.
Group discussion broke out on the floor. Chairman O'Neal
called for a vote on the motion for adjournment stating this
item had not been listed for discussion on the agenda. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
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Voting Aye: Commissioner O'Shields
Vice-Chairman Barfield
Chairman O'Neal
Voting Noe: Commissioner Dolan
Commissioner Retchin
Chairman O~Neal recessed the meeting at 8:25 o'clock P.M.
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Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk
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