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1986-12-22 Special Meeting 378 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, DECEMBER 22, 1986 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on Monday, December 15, 1986, at 8:00 o'clock A.M. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, Sr.; W. Albert Corbett, Jr.; Fred Retchin; Vice-Chairman, John Dolan; Chairman, Nolan O'Neal; County Manager, G. Felix Cooper; County Attorney, Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell. , Chairman 0' Neal called the Special Session to order stating the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed Downtown Conference Center. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED DOWNTOWN CONFERENCE CENTER Chairman 0' Neal welcomed members of the City Council expressing appreciation for their attendance. Mr. Robert Murphrey, Director of DARE, Inc., presented sketches and details on the proposed Downtown Conference Center stating the total project cost was estimated at $6,250,000 with the following financing: First Mortgage UDAG Loan Equity $4,450,000 1,000,000 800,000 He stated the proposed project would include the following major items: , 1. Retail Shops 2. Offices 3. Restaurant 4. 51 Room Inn 5. Railroad Museum 6. Convention Center (12,000 sq. ft.) 7. Riverfront Park Mr. Murphrey stated in order for the project to become a reality, the developer had requested assistance from the City and County for incurring operating losses of the convention facility for the first five years. A summary of proposed income and expense was presented with an estimated loss of $100,000 per year. The County was requested to commit to $50,000 per year for a period of five years. Discussion was held on the economical benefits received by both the County and City, particularly the downtown area. County Manager Cooper commented on the additional tax base that would be derived by the County within a period of five years estimating approximately $212,500. He also commented on the 100 jobs that would be created to minimum and low income families. County Manager Cooper recommended approval of this request. , Discussion was held on funding for the five-year period wi th the option to continue funding of the facility or discontinue funding based upon operating costs. Mr. Frank Conlon, Chairman of the New Hanover County Convention and Visitors' Center, urged support of the facili ty in order to promote tourism and economic growth along the Cape Fear River. After facility, developer, a lengthy discussion of the location of the the investment of $6,250,000 by a private the basis on how charges will be MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, DECEMBER 22, 1986 (CONTINUED) 37 ,;. determined for use of the convention facility, and cost analysis of revenue and expenses, Vice-Chairman Dolan MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Retchin to support the Downtown Conference Center with the County funding operating losses, if they occur, in an amount not to exceed $164,000 for a period of five years. The Chairman was requested to write letters of support for the UDAG Grant application as requested by the City of Wilmington. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1 DISCUSSION OF CONSOLIDATION CHARTER Commissioner Retchin commented on the need to address the proposed Consolidation Charter. He stated the County Attorney and City Attorney were in the process of editing the report presented by the Charter Commission and the edited copy would be ready for distribution to Council Members and Commissioners the first week in January. Commissioner Retchin recommended establishment of a joint city/county committee to study changes and suggestions made by members of both governing bodies. He recommended that each Council Member and Commissioner, upon receipt of the report, carefully read the document making any changes they feel necessary forwarding these comments to the joint city/county committee for study and incorporation into the proposed charter. The Study Committee will then present a proposed charter to both governing bodies for discussion and review. Commissioner Barfield expressed concern for alteration of the document before holding a joint meeting. I' Mayor Berry Williams recommended establishing a committee consisting of three (3) Council Members; three (3) County Commissioners, the County Manager, City Manager, County Attorney, City Attorney and Chairman of the Charter Commission. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to place this item on the agenda for January 5, 1987. DISCUSSION OF NON-EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR NEW HANOVER COUNTY County Manager Cooper stated Mr. Ed Harris, Executive Director of Comprehensive Home Health Care, Inc., had requested discontinuance of non-emergency ambulance service to New Hanover County and cancellation of the current contract within 60 days due to the financial drain of this service on his company. County Manager Cooper gave background information on the non-profitability of this type of service when provided by private companies. He stated rescue squads were not interested in providing the service and recommended merging of this ambulance service into the EMS service. County Manager Cooper stated he would be glad to prepare recommendations for this service to become a part of EMS for presentation at the January 5, 1987, meeting. I Commissioner Retchin recommended utilization of the current EMS service and requested a study on the possibility of raising fees. Vice-Chairman Dolan commented on collection of fees charged asking what percentage was being collected. County Manager Cooper stated he would be glad to present these figures at the January 5, 1987, meeting. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to direct the County Manager to prepare recommendations for discussion on January 5, 1987. 380 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, DECEMBER 22, 1986 (CONTINUED) CHANGE OF TIME FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF JANUARY 5, 1987 County Manager Cooper commented for the meeting of January 5, Commissioners would like to begin instead of 7:00 o'clock P.M. on the lengthy agenda 1987, asking if the at 4:00 o'clock P.M. After discussion, it change the time of the January 5, 1987, to 4:00 beginning at 7:00 o'clock was the consensus of the Board to regularly scheduled meeting for o'clock P.M. with Public Hearings P.M. r DISCUSSION OF ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 421 Vice-Chairman Dolan commented on the accident which occurred on Highway 421, South expressing two concerns: (1) inadequate coordination of the agency directly in charge of rescuing victims from vehicles wheth0r the vehicle is on fire or not; and (2) the lack of heavy duty equipment to rescue vicitms when trapped under trucks. Larry Ray, Director of Emergency Medical Services, commented on the incident expressing concern for a lack of coordination stating this problem was being addressed by he and the Sheriff. Mr. Ray commented on the costs involved in purchasing and maintaining heavy duty equipment stating most counties contract with various local companies owning this type of equipment for use in emergency rescues. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board, for the Director of Emergency Medical Services to address the concerns expressed. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Corbett MOVED, Barf ield to adj ourn the meeting. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. SECONDED by Upon vote, Commissioner the MOTION .r P.M. Chairman O'Neal adjourned the meeting at 10:23 o'clock Respectfully submitted, ~Vy~ Lucie F. Harrell Clerk MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 5, 1987 I ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, January 5, 1987, at 4:00 o'clock P.M. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, Sr.; W. Albert Corbett, Jr.; Fred Retchin; Vice-Chairman John Dolan; Chairman Nolan O'Neal; County Manager, G. Felix Cooper; County Attorney, Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell. The invocation was given by Reverend Duane Cook, Pastor of the Cape Fear Gospel Mission. Chairman O'Neal called the meeting to order.