2021_2_17_NewHanover_Minutes
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New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meeting held in Wilmington, NC.
FY Meeting Number #9 Date: February 17, 2021
Supervisors Present: Others Present:
Bill Hart, Chairman Dru Harrison, NHSWCD Director
Sue Hayes, Vice-Chairman Amy Renfranz, NHSWCD Program Coordinator
Frank Meares Haley Moccia, NHSWCD Conservation Technician
Matt Collogan Lilly Triolo, NHSWCD Intern
Evan Folds Joshua Davis, USDA NRCS Supervisory Soil Conservationist
Kristina Fischer, Eastern Region Coordinator NCDSWC
Was this meeting held during a meal: No
Chairman Hart called the monthly board meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. The meeting was held virtually on Zoom.
CALL TO ORDER
A. Approval of Agenda
➢ Motion: Approve the agenda with an amendment by Hayes to add “Stream Care Guide
Committee Meeting Report” to the Meeting Agenda. In addition, Hart amended that both the
minutes from the Special Meeting on January 13, 2021 be added to the consent agenda and for
the Staff Reports to be removed from the Consent Agenda and added to the Meeting Agenda.
• Motion: Hayes
• Second: Meares
• Vote: Passed unanimously. Motion approved.
B. Introduction of Attendees.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Consent Agenda
➢ Motion: Move for approval of consent agenda.
• Motion: Hayes
• Second: Meares
• Vote: Passed unanimously. Motion approved.
SUPERVISOR AND STAFF REPORTS
A. Staff Reports.
1. Director’s Report.
• Hart inquired about a line in the Director’s Report regarding the reported “Watershed
Roundtable.” Harrison reported that Pages Creek was identified as a priority and that
drones will be used by the NHC Engineering Department to map streams throughout the
area.
• Hart also pointed out a necessary correction to the Director’s Report, re-titling a committee
named within the report to the “Community and Urban Resource Policy Group.”
• Hart prompted Harrison to facilitate a discussion with the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees
regarding support for an urban forest in the new county administration building area.
• Folds reported that he and other leaders met to explore ways that a group representing
various governmental and non-profit entities could be helpful to communities affected by
flooding around Greenfield Lake.
• Hart mentioned an effort led by Linda Moore to work with HOAs to establish LID and
BMPs in communities.
• Collogan reported that Keep New Hanover Beautiful has been awarded a grant to
purchase trees and is planning a tree planting on March 13, 2021.
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• Hart inquired from the Director as to who is leading the Lower Cape Fear Stewardship
Development Coalition. Harrison reported that Dylan McDonnell from the NHC Planning
Department is the Chair.
• Hart inquired from the Director if there is still energy behind pulling together a group of
citizens from the Pages Creek watershed. Harrison reported that there is. Renfranz shared
that, as a community member of that area, she could be of assistance.
• Folds inquired about the representation of businesses within the Earth Day Passport
Program. Harrison shared that the program is currently being created, but that businesses
that have been vendors or sponsors in the past will have a way to participate again this
year.
• Folds inquired of the Land and Water Fund and asked Harrison to forward a contact name
to him.
2. Program Coordinator’s Report.
• Hart and Folds expressed support for rain barrel sales at the Tidal Creek Farmer’s
Market and for the Watershed Wednesday video series.
• Folds expressed interest in learning more about the development of an education
program for 4th graders in New Hanover County.
3. Technician’s Report.
• Hart inquired of the Technician regarding clarification of numbers and the process taken
during site visits. Moccia shared that she leads initial site visits, makes BMP
recommendations, and then ranks applicants based on the project’s potential to reduce
stormwater impacts. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list or may not qualify for
programs based on funding or type of project.
• Hart expressed that Moccia’s hard work and presence has generated more interest in
the BMP programs. Harrison shared that the Technician position may become a full-time
position in future months.
4. Hart recommended and Folds concurred that Staff Reports not be included in the Consent
Agenda in the future.
➢ Motion: Move for approval of the staff reports.
• Motion: Hart
• Second: Hayes
• Vote: Passed unanimously. Motion approved.
B. Chairman’s Report (See Addendum for Full Report).
1. Hart reported that an ad-hoc committee has formed within the Commission to research the
possibility of requiring a representative from agriculture on each Board of Supervisors.
2. The NC Coastal Federation, PEW Charitable Trusts, the NC DEQ, and the NC Governor’s
Office are developing a document, “Action Plan for Nature-Based Stormwater Strategies.” The
initiatives mirror the strategies of Heal Our Waterways and other Soil & Water programs.
3. UNCW and the NC Division of Water Resources have created a NC Water Education Online
Module.
4. Hart expressed concern regarding the CCAP program and districts within urban areas. He
suggested a rewrite of Chapter 139 as a possible solution. The rewrite would change the name
and scope of the districts to specifically include a charge to work in urban, suburban and rural
areas of the State. Hart recommended that the new director of the Conservation Division in the
State of Washington be a resource, possibly at the next School of Government, to help draft a
revision of Chapter 139. Harrison is going to reach out to Bryan Evans, NCDSWC, and her
contacts within the State of Washington to initiate a discussion.
5. Folds reported that he has seen the proposed City of Wilmington code that mirrors Winston-
Salem’s Code of Urban Agriculture. There is a designation for urban agriculture in the proposed
change in the code which would allow homeowners to grow and sell produce. He encouraged
the district to become involved. Hart encouraged the district to become further involved in a
rewrite of the city and county’s Unified Development Ordinance.
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Break from meeting at 9:25 a.m. Reconvened at 9:35 a.m.
C. NRCS Report.
1. Davis reported that there are no Conservation Stewardship Program or EQIP applicants in New
Hanover County. The deadline to apply is typically mid-March, but that may be delayed due to
COVID.
2. NRCS will soon launch a Conservation Incentive program. Details are still to come.
3. Folds reported that the producers on Dawson Street have received an FSA number and have
expressed interest in signing up for programs. Davis stated that they can be entered into the
system as soon as possible. However, due to timing, they are unlikely to receive funding during
this cycle. It is more likely that they will receive funding in the next cycle.
4. NRCS is interested in pulling together a regional Work Group/Team Meeting in the Spring (late
April). They will be sending out a survey to interested individuals throughout the region to
determine the topics to be discussed. This meeting is a requirement of NRCS to help determine
programs to address local issues.
5. Folds suggested an additional meeting to address building energy and interest in NRCS
programming in New Hanover County. Davis asked for Folds to call him after the board meeting
to discuss next steps.
6. Wildlife Habitat Planting is on the cost list this program year – it can be implemented if
individuals apply. The local Work Group meeting is where initiatives are added or removed from
the cost list.
D. Division Report.
1. Fischer shared that she appreciated participation in the School of Government training by three
district supervisors.
2. The Commission will have a Special Meeting next week. They will be looking at technical
assistance allocations for the coming year which support the technician’s salary in each district.
They will be creating a weighted average: districts which put more practices on the ground will
be awarded more funding. Fischer anticipates that NHSWCD will lose funding as a result. Hart
and Meares voiced concern regarding the change – stating that less funding would result in
even fewer practices installed on the ground in New Hanover County. Harrison requested that
Fischer report the outcome of the meeting by March 9th due to budget planning.
3. At the Commission’s March meeting, there will be reallocation of funding specifically for
agricultural cost share programs.
4. Area 6 has the opportunity this year to nominate the Association’s next President at the Fall
Meeting. Nominations will need to be made in advance of the Fall Meeting. This is a four-year
commitment that should expect 50 days of travel per year.
5. Hart expressed concern regarding the Commission’s possible decision to require the Board of
Supervisors to include someone involved in agriculture. Hayes volunteered to draft a letter to
the Commission that expresses this concern -- due to the urban nature of the district. Hayes and
Hart agreed to work on the statement at a later date.
6. Boland inquired about the Master Agreement between the Division and the district. Harrison
stated that she will be mailing the Master Agreement to the Division this week.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Tick List. From January 20, 2021.
1. Send info on county cistern to Mike Brown – Dru
2. Clarify NRCS resources - Josh, Evan and Matt
3. Develop timeline for soil scientist to visit NHC and schedule presentation on hydric soils at
March 17 board meeting – Josh, Bill and Dru
4. Investigate maps of New Hanover creeks for stream guide – Sue and Dru
5. Edit and send letters regarding CCAP funding to Legislators and Governor – Bill, Sue and Dru
6. Develop process for County Commissioner meetings with supervisors – Sue, Dru and Amy
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7. Contact Kirsten Dixon, Brunswick County Planning Director, regarding our interest in rezoning
our property on Eagles Island from Industrial to open space or recreation – Dru
8. Send goals to supervisors for review in April/May – Dru
9. Send info on High Performance Leadership Academy to supervisors – Dru
On-going Projects:
10. Develop database of New Hanover farmers and identify list of farmers for EQIP program – Josh
and Evan
11. Propose edits to county tree ordinances – Bill
12. Develop process for use of trees for stormwater management as a District BMP – Dru
13. Develop Water table management seminar – Bill, Evan and staff
14. Develop priority list of projects for grant proposals and identify grant-writing assistance -
supervisors and staff
B. Hart inquired about the process by which the Supervisors will meet with the County Commissioners.
Hayes shared that the goals of those meetings and process will be addressed during the Strategic
Planning Meeting.
C. Strategic Planning. The strategic planning meeting will be March 31st between 10am-12pm in the Harrel
Conference Room at the NHC Government Center.
D. Stream Care Guide Committee Report. A draft is being worked on and Table of Contents will be
finalized by March 2, 2021.
E. Hayes requested that Dr. Mike Mallin present to the Board of Supervisors at the April meeting. Harrison
will reach out to him.
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Area 6 Spring Meeting, March 9th, 2021. Must register by February 25th.
ADJOURNMENT
• Motion: Without objection, the meeting was adjourned.
➢ Adjourned at 10:44 am.
The next regular board meeting is set for March 17, 2021 at 8 a.m. on Zoom.
Recorded By: Amy Renfranz
Approved By: ____________________________________________________________
ADDENDUM
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
1. Construction of the Consent Agenda. From the number and length of my comments on the collection of staff
reports, I think that the consent agenda should not include staff reports. There simply is too much either
going on or not going on that should at least be open to board question and comment. Minutes of past
meetings, the Treasurer’s report (unless there are significant abnormalities), and partners’ reports, if they are
not present, ought to constitute the consent agenda.
2. Continuing to think about the future of North Carolina Soil and Water Districts:
a. Item in Kristina’s report: “(The N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Commission) Appointed an ad-hoc
committee to research the possibilities of requiring an agricultural connection on each board.” I think
that this means that the long time leadership of the NCASWCD is committed to keep the districts
small farmer oriented within the institutional and financial lines of agriculture in a rapidly urbanizing
state with stormwater problems growing in partnership with population growth. When the Commission
was a part of the DENR and Manly Wilder as Division Director and later Under Secretary, and there
was funding possible from a robust Clean Water Management Trust Fund, there was a possibility to
William J Hart (Mar 19, 2021 17:34 EDT)
William J Hart Mar 19, 2021
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move significantly toward a major nonpoint source pollution role for the districts. The reorganization
to DACA and the drying up of the CWMTF made that sort of reorientation much more difficult.
b. Our Coast for January, 2021: “In mid-December … the North Carolina Coastal Federation, The Pew
Charitable Trusts, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and the Governor’s Office met to press
forward with an innovative plan for managing stormwater runoff. … At this meeting, the Coastal
Federation briefed attendees on the nearly complete ’Action Plan for Nature-based Stormwater
Strategies,’ (sic)a plan that, when implemented, will change how North Carolina approaches
stormwater management, from the mountains to the sea.”
“The Coastal Federation’s partnership with Pew began after the passage of EO 80 conference held
to outline what the State should include in its resilience plan.” The only thing mentioned in the nature-
based stormwater strategies that are not in our approved Best Stormwater Management Practices is
large scale restoration of wetlands.
In short, this is all regurgitated stuff right out of Heal Our Watersheds. Do you hear Division of Soil
and Water Conservation, DACA, or, Lord forbid, Soil and Water Conservation Districts. We’ll have
to check with Bryan to see if he was invited to sit at the table.
(This has implications for the proposed letter to Governor Cooper causing another rewrite of the text
from requesting to urging.)
c. “Greetings watershed leader!” from the NC Watershed Stewardship Network. The email dated the
15th of February reports that “… UNC Wilmington and NC Division of Water Resources … are teaming
up to develop a NC Water Education Online Module … to be used to connect members from the
general public with resources to understand water resource management and build confidence to
get water-based projects off the ground.” Do we know about this? Have nothing to contribute after
working with the problem? Christy Perrin ought to know better: she has done at least two urban
demonstration watershed projects: Burnt Mill Creek and Crabtree Creek, but clearly she does not
associate agricultural districts with the perspectives that are needed or that districts can play a
leadership role.
d. At the end of the Supervisor Training earlier this month, the last item on the agenda asks for ideas
and suggestion for the future. The only screen that lit up and had anything to say was mine.
Apparently, no one is thinking about an urban involvement by the districts.
3. The bottom line: the CCAP concept is flawed. A lot of success has come from retrofitting public buildings
that requires a partner to foot the 25% match and we’re encountering problems with maintenance of those
installations. The size of projects is too small and there is no way to agglomerate many of them in one place
to make a difference. As we forecast, it is labor intensive – look at the difference having Haley has made.
There is no way to be aggressive with LID. And look at what years of intensive effort to obtain even $1.5
million when the program needs $6.5. Anyone seen a champion?
4. Where do we go from here: The fact of the matter the urban role for districts is regressing not progressing.
In 2006 there was leadership in the division/department from Manly and Lynn Sprague, and on the
Commission from Tom Davidson and a supervisor from Orange who passed a resolution of support of CCAP.
(Do you think you can get the current Commission to pass such a resolution in support of CCAP financing
after making a factual case for the role of urban areas in deteriorating water quality?)
5. An idea that I have been floating is to change the legislative charge of the districts, i.e., a rewrite of Chapter
139. It would contain a specific charge to the districts to deal with urban, suburban and rural soil and water
issues. For us it could include management of hydric soils, for example. The best one I’ve seen is from the
State of Washington. There is a new, female, director of the Conservation Division. Perhaps we can agree
to seek funding for her to visit the School of Government and start Richard drafting a new 139. But this really
is a job for the Association. Bryan heard my pitch, but I don’t think he has a prayer of gaining leadership
support let alone initiate change.
6. So you have two months thinking. I confess that at t he end I don’t see a good way forward. With the
background above, you give it a try.
MINUTES_2_17_21
Final Audit Report 2021-03-19
Created:2021-03-19
By:Amy Renfranz (arenfranz@nhcgov.com)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAA3wd-6uoSYRYnUGSm1-hty_x8bQPkNJ_G
"MINUTES_2_17_21" History
Document created by Amy Renfranz (arenfranz@nhcgov.com)
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Document emailed to William J Hart (bhswcon1126@gmail.com) for signature
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