1985-10-28 Special Meeting
37
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 28, 1985
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special
Session on Monday, October 28, 1985, at 7:00 o'clock P.M. in the
Assembly Room of the County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut
Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
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 Meeting to order.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ADOPTION OF BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING THE
ISSUANCE OF $10,400,000 SOLID WASTE,~EFUNDING BONDS AND ISSUANCE
OF $7,000,000 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT REFUNDING BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF
NEW HANOVER
Lucie F. Harrell, Clerk to the Board, stated the Bond Order
had been introduce~ QO Optober 11,,~985~' with publication of
Public Hearings to be held on Octobe'"r 28, 1985, and that a
Statement of Debt had been filed by the Finance Officer in the
Clerk's office.
Vice-Chairman Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Retchin to open the Public, Hearing. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Finance Director Atkinson gave background information on the
bond orders explaining the bond issue and money to be saved by a
decreased interest rate stating an approximate savings to the
County of $1,585,786 aEter expenses have been paid. -
Chairman O'Neal asked if anyone present wished to speak on
this issue. No one commented.
Commissioner Dolan, on behalf of the taxpayers of New
Hanover County, complimented Finance Director Atkinson for
and excellent job in saving the taxpayers a substantial amount of
money. '
Commissioner ,Retchin MOVED, SECONDED' by Commissioner
0' Shields to close the Publ.ic Hearing__, 'Upon 'vote,
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ' the MOTION
C "Af~er discussion, Commissione'r.~' Retchin MOVED
ommlssloner O'Shields to adopt th B' " ' SECONDED by
issuance of $10 400' 000 S 1" d W e ond .Order authorizing the
h "0 1 aste Refund1ng B d
t e MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. r . on s. Upon vote,
A3S.COPY of the Bond Order is contained in
Page Exhibit Book XIII,
"
After further discussion C . .
SECONDED by Commissioner O'Sh'. Idomm1ss1oner Retchin MOVED
authorizing the issuance of $/~OO s O~~ adopt the Bond Orde;
Refunding Bonds. Upon vote the ~OTI~N of-Public Improvement
, CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A3S.cOPY of the Bond Drder 1S t"
Page . con alned'inlExhibit Book XIII,
ESTABLISHMENT OF A CHARTER
GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED
Commissioner Ret h"
establish a Charter C c :n ~ommented on
County Attorney wouldommlsslon asking if
report on costs and
the need to proceed to
the County Manager and
legal factors involved.
County Attorney Pope stated if
of Wilmington adopt conc New Hanover County and the
urrent resolutions establishing a
City
/
38
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 28, 1985 (CONTINUED)
ESTABLISHMENT OF A CHARTER COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
Charter Commission, the City Attorney and County Attorney are
prepared to draft a proposed charter. He stated Mr. Warren J.
Wicker and Mr. David Lawrence of the Institute of Government
have been contacted with assurance they and their legal staff
will be of assistance in this undertaking.
County Manager Cooper commented -on the costs involved
stating the 1972 Charter would be~~n excellent model along with
proposed charters from Durham and Asheville; thereby, cutting
some costs. He estimated the costs should not exceed $20,000.
~... ..~ ~ __ ., 1 :) '1
I '..;.#~ _
Chairman O'Neal asked if anyone present wished to address
the issue. The "following person commented in opposi tion to
establishment of the Charter Commission:
Mr. Mike Vaughan
After further discussion, Commissioner Retchin MOVED,
SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Barfield to go on record as favoring
establishment of a Charter Commission and to invite the
Wilmington City Council to meet with the Commissioners for
establishing guidelines for creating the Charter Commission. The
floor was opened for discussion.
Commissioner Dolan expressed concern for the Ci ty of
Wilmington not funding any costs involved in preparing the
proposed charter asking why the City had not been asked to
participate or share in costs.
County Manager Cooper stated if the Commissioners wished for
the City to participate in funding they could certainly be
approached.
After further discussion, Chairman O'Neal called for a vote
on the motion by co~m~ssioner Retchin~or establishment of a
Charter ComIhission". . Upon vote; 'the MOTIO~ CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
~ ) F" .: _ ; .: ; .. 1-.':+'" :1 I. ~ _.t... ..... ..J .
Commissio~er Dolan stated for the record he was n?t ln favor
~!~~~:~~:n:o~~~!:iL:Ea~~~~~i~ 0 ~~~~;~:~~t ~~~!~~::~ae~:~::~~~~~
he had voted aye.
DISCUSSION OF NEW HANOVE~ M~MO~~;E~OS~I;~~NDED by Commissioner
Commissioner ~'~hlel ~o osal ~s presented by the Hospi~al
Retchin that the Orlg1nal P p . f New Hanover Memorlal
t for restructurlng 0 SLY
Board of Trus ees h MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOU .
Hospital be denied. Upon vote, t e
. . Vice-Chairman Barfield MOVED,
After further d1SCUSS10~, f the New Hanover County Board
SECONDED by Commissioner Ret?hln or mittee to evaluate the
. to appolnt a com . the
of Commissloners .' d re ort their findlngs to
feasibility of reOrganlzatl~~ :~d-JU~e 1986. Th~s .committee
Commissions by late May: d b the County CommlsSloners.
structure will be establlshe y .
. ed his reason for making th:s
Vice-Chairman Barfleld stat ro and con, on this issue ln
motion was to present t:-he. fac~s, 01 the County and Boar~ of
order to give the clt~Zen be well informed before maklng a
commissioners an oppo~tunlty to
deci~ion of this magnlt~de.
, ,
. .. , . l .;;-
3
..
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 28, 1985 (CONTINUED)
DISCUSSION OF HOSPITAL REORGANIZATION (CONTINUED)
Commissioner Dolan urged the Hospital Board of Trustees to
proceed with the many projects that can be initiated without
.4 .\;.;" I ': ~. . - .... -
reorganization. He stressed the importance of going forward
and not waiting on ventures that can provide better health care
to the citizens of the County.
I
Commissioner Retchin stated he felt the hospital had not
held up on any type of business ventures allowed under public
hosiptals stating the hospital has a 5-year plan.
Vice-Chairman Barfield stressed the importance of having
time to gather additional information and evaluate the
performance of other hospitals throughout the State. He stated
the motion did not mean that restructuring would be accepted. He
emphasized to the Hospital Board there was no need for the
continued high pressure salesmanship on this issue.
Chairman O'Neal called for a vote on the motion by Vice-
Chairman Barfield to appoint a committee. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman O'Neal asked if anyone present wished to speak on
this issue. The following persons commented:
Ms. Annie Mae Southerland thanked Commissioner O'Shields for
his first motion and thanked Vice-Chairman Barfield for his
second motion. She complimented both hospitals for the excellent
care and service they provide.
I
Mr. John Brett, representing the League of Women Voters,
complimented the Commissioners on the decision to allow time to
study all issues before denying or approving restructuring.
Chairman O'Neal commented on open communication between the
Hospi tal Board and Commissioners during this period time when
addressing the issues involved. He emphasized the main objective
was to provide the best health care possible for the citizens of
New Hanover County.
Mr. William Sutton, Chairman of the Hospital Board of
Trustees, expressed appreciation for the vote to allow more time
for study of this importance issue stating the Hospital Board
looks forward to working with the Committee appointed.
BREAK
Chairman O'Neal recessed the meeting for a break from 8:00
o'clock P.M. to 8:22 o'clock P.M.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner O'Shields MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Retchin to convene to Executive Session to evaluate the County
Manager and County Attorney for performance and salary increases.
I
Mr. Mike Vaughan requested the performance evaluations be in
held in open session.
After discussion, Chairman O'Neal called for a vote on the
motion to convene to Executive Session. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman O'Neal convened the meeting to Executive Session at
8:23 o'clock P.M.
Chairman O'Neal reconvened the meeting to Sepcial Session at
10:00 o'clock P.M.
JO
MINUTES OF SPECI1.\L MEETJ;NG, OCTOBER 28, -19.85 (CONTINUED)
~ I (~...
ADJOURNMENT . _ .. _ _, __ .__ .
Commissioner Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
O'Shields to adjourn the Special Meeting. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman O'Ne.al adjourned the Special Meeting at 10:00
o'clock P.M.
~ctfUl~ submitted,
<y1[~ V /~
LUCle F. Harrell
Clerk
r
I
,.
I
;. ..,
('"
!
'-