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Home My WebLink About1985-10-28 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 ;. .., ('" ! '-