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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-04-28 Special Meeting 18 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, APRIL 28, 1986 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on Monday, April 28, 1986, at 7:30 o'clock A.M. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. I Members present were: Commissioners John Dolan: Nolan O'Neal: Claud 0' Shields, Jr.: Vice-Chairman Fred Retchin: Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Sr.: County Manager, G. Felix Cooper: County Attorney, Robert W. Pope: and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell. Chairman Barfield called the meeting to order to discuss issues to be presented to the local legislators at the Legislative Caucus sponsored by the Cape Fear Council of Governments. DISCUSSION OF REGIONAL AIRPORT FUNDING Airport Manager Shackelford commented on the idea of requesting all cities and counties in Region 0, which will be served by the New Hanover County Airport Terminal, to prepare and adopt resolutions, encouraging the N. C. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration to provide the financial support of the new terminal within the planned time frame. He commented on the crunch in State funding and stressed the importance of creating an awareness of this terminal as regional, not just New Hanover County. I After discussion, Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner O'Neal to authorize the Airport Manager to forward the proposed resolutions to the cities and counties encouraging support of the N. C. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL ONE-HALF CENT SALES TAX After discussion of the proposed one-half cent sales tax, Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner O'Shields to endorse the additional one-half cent sales tax with the funds being used at the discretion of the County Commissioners. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. DISCUSSION OF ROOM OCCUPANCY TAX INCREASE FROM 2% TO 3% After discussion, Commissioner O'Shields MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Retchin to endorse an increase in the room occupancy tax from 2% to 3% with no change in the formula for distribution since the County is commmitted to use these funds for tourism and beach renourishment. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. I DISCUSSION OF TAXING. VEHICLES AT TIME OF LICENSE PURCHASE, EXEMPTION OF HOUSEHOLD PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND STIFFER ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES After discussion of greatly increasing the efficiency of the tax office in being sure all owners of vehicles have listed and paid taxes due, County Commissioner Dolan MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Retchin to provide for taxing vehicles at the time of license acquisition. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. After discussion of the time consummed in the tax operation involving taxing of personal household property, Commissioner Dolan MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Retchin to eliminate the taxing of personal household property. Discussion was held on builders not paying property taxes until the sale of the property with the recommendation of stiffer procedures to collect the tax owed in a shorter period of time. 188 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, APRIL 28, 1986 (CONTINUED) DISCUSSION OF TAXING OF VEHICLES, EXEMPTION OF HOUSEHOLD PERSONAL PROPERTY AND STIFFER ENFORCEMENT OF TAX COLLECTIONS (CONTINUED) Commissioner O'Shields asked for an explanation of the difference between a builder or property owner expressing concern for one receiving a longer period of time to use their funds. It was the consensus of the Board for the current collection procedure to remain the same. r Discussion was held on House Representative Joe Mavretic. County North Carolina County Commissioners resolution opposing the bill. After Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by the legislators to vehemently oppose property taxes with sales taxes. Bill 1314 introduced by Manager Cooper stated the Association had adopted a further discussion, Vice- Commisisoner Dolan to urge HB 1314 for replacement of DISCUSSION OF CLEAN WATER BONDS County Manager Cooper commented on the importance of continuing a grant program to provide Clean Water Bonds. After discussion, Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner O'Neal to endorse the support of a grant for the provision of Clean Water Bond funding. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FEES TO FUND JAILS Discussion was held on increasing facilities fees to assist counties in absorbing the additional jail and court costs. After discussion, Commissioner O'Neal MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Retchin to request increasing facilities fees or other revenues to assist counties in absorbing additional jail and court costs. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. r ENDORSEMENT OF GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED INCREASE IN STATE GASOLINE TAX Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Dolan to go on record as supporting the Governor's proposed increase in the gasoline tax. ENDORSEMENT OF THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES' AND NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS TO ALLOW CITIES AND COUNTIES TO RESERVE RIGHTS OF WAY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS A lengthy discussion was held on enabling legislation for local governments to reserve rights of way for planned thoroughfares and roads. Commissioner Dolan expressed concern for reserving rights of way in advance which could deprive property owners the use of their property until official thoroughfare and master highway plans were drawn. He also expressed concern for counties competing against each other. Commissioner 0' Shields commented on legislation that was introduced by the League of Municipalities and N. C. Association of County Commissioners, recommending endorsement of this legislation since all counties and cities throughout North Carolina had agreed to the final proposal which would avoid competition among counties. r After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner O'Shields MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Retchin to support the League of Municipalities' and North Carolina Association of County Commisisoners' recommendations to allow cities and counties to reserve rights of way for the construction of roads which are located on master thoroughfare plans. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS: 18 " MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 28, 1986 (CONTINUED) DISCUSSION OF RIGHTS OF WAY (CONTINUED) . ., Voting Aye: Commissioner O'Shields Vice-Chairman Retchin Chairman Barfield I Voting Noe: Commissioner Dolan Commissioner O'Neal ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION REQUESTING ACCELERATION OF THE SMITH CREEK PARKWAY PROJECT IN THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Vice-Chairman Retchin presented a resolution requesting the N. C. Board of Transportation to accelerate the Smith Creek Parkway project in the Transportation Improvement Program with the necessary studies at the earliest possible date. He stated the City of Wilmington had already adopted a similar resolution. Commissioner O'Neal commented on the need for expert engineering advice in moving traffic from east to west whether it is Smith Creek Parkway or some other alternative route. After a lengthy discussion, Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner O'Shields to adopt a resolution urging acceleration of the Smith Creek Parkway project in the Transportation Improvement Program with a listing of priority projects. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the resolution is contained in Exhibit Book XIV, Page 22. I AUTHORIZATION FOR RESOLUTION TO BE PREPARED TO PRESENT TO LOCAL LEGISLATORS AT LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS ON APRIL 28, 1986 County Manager Cooper was requested to prepare a resolution stating the previous actions taken at this meeting to present to the local legislators at the Legislative Caucus to be held that evening. A copy of the prepared resolution is contained in Exhibit Book XIV, Page 22. DISCUSSION OF SCHOOL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1986-87 County Manager Cooper gave background information on the increased School Budget Request for the Fiscal Year 1986-87. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to request the school to furnish a personnel budget reflecting administrative and teachers salaries. ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, to adjourn the Special Meeting. UNANIMOUSLY. SECONDED by Commissioner Dolan Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 9:00 o'clock A.M. I Respectfully submitted, ~~7~ Lucie F. Harrell Clerk