1984-09-17 Emergency Meeting
676
MINUTES OF CONTINUED EMERGENCY MEETING, SEPTEMBER 17, 1984
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in a
Continued Emergency Meeting on September 17, 1984, at 10:11
o'clock A.M. in the Assembly Room, New Hanover County
Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North
Carolina.
- 'Members present were: Commissioners Donald P. Blake; Nolan
O'Neal; Claud 0' Shields, Jr.; Chairman Karen E. Gottovi; County
Manager, G. Felix Cooper; County Attorney, Robert W. Pope; and
Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Smith.
Members absent were:
due to an illness.
Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Sro
Chairman Gottovi called the Emergency Session to order
welcoming Senator Charles Rose.
DISCUSSION OF DEBRIS REMOVAL AFTER HURRICANE DIANA
Senator Rose stated FEMA personnel should have contacted the
County Staff and should be in Wilmington stressing the fact that
this agency could be of great assistance to the County in picking
up debris. He stated he was planning to take a helicopter tour
of the County to ascertain the amount of damage and return to
Washington, D. C. in the afternoon.
Chairman Gottovi gave background information on damages
suffered in the private, commercial, and low-income sectors
stating the Commissioners had requested Governor Hunt to declare
New Hanover County as a disaster area on Thursday, September 13,
1984, and as of this date the Governor had not received an answer
from President Reagan. Chairman Gottovi stated that debris
removal was the largest problem confronting the County at the
current time.
County Manager Cooper stated the County did not own or have
the necessary trucks or equipment to pick up debris but that once
the debris was placed in the proper landfills the County was
capable of disposing of the materials. He requested assistance
from Senator Rose's office for federal assistance available to
local governments under its own authority independent of a
federal disaster declaration such as the Military Assistance to
Civil Authorities Program where the Army can assist in removal of
debris. Senator Rose stated he could begin the process
immediately and contacted Col. Stan Bontier, Deputy of
Installations at Ft. Bragg reporting that assistance could be
obtained from the base and that Col. E. V. Parker would contact
the County Manager within the next hour. Senator Rose stated if
this was not the assistance needed, to contact him for further
help.
City Manager Bill Farris commented on the chippers owned by
the City of Wilmington for bulk reduction stating trucks were
badly needed.
Chairman Gottovi commented on the City of Wilmington's
Ordinance requiring a valid permit for the burning of trash
within the City Limits stating she felt the County should adopt a
similar regulation in order to prevent tremendous problems
created by smoke for Volunteer Fire Departments, the Airport and
people with lung diseases. County Attorney Pope stated legally,
under the Emergency Powers the County could amend the County
Burning Ordinance to prohibit burning of debris until the state
of emergency does not exist. After a lengthy discussion, it was
the consensus of the Board to delay making a decision on permits
being required for burning trash in New Hanover County.
Chairman Gottovi stated the Department of Social Services
was implementing a program with the assistance of volunteers to
provide help to the elderly, handicapped and low-income
individuals.
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677
MINUTES OF CONTINUED EMERGENCY MEETING, SEPTEMBER 17, 1984
DISCUSSION OF DEBRIS REMOVAL
Senator Rose stated he would check into the disaster
declaration and keep the County informed.
I
DISCUSSION OF WATER RESOURCES ACT
Senator Rose commented on the Water Resources Act that
pas~ed the house six weeks a'go with an authorization for
expansion of the Wilmington Harbor and the transfer of the Hopper
Dredge, the Hyde, to the County stating these bills are now in
the Senate with a good chance of moving through before the Senate
adjourns on October 1, 1984.
Chairman Gottovi, on behalf of the Board, expressed
appreciation to Senator Rose for attending the meeting and his
assistance in obtaining help for debris removal.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to wait
until Col. Parker contacted the County Manager and then call a
joint meeting of members of the County Staff, City of Wilmington
Staff, and representatives of the towns of Carolina Beach,
Wrightsville Beach, and Kure Beach to discuss and work out the
logistics of debris removal.
I
DISCUSSION OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY HURRICANE PLAN
Commissioner Blake commented on the outstanding cooperation
between the news media, organizations, and volunteer workers in
implementing and carrying out an excellent plan stating that Ed
Hi 1 ton and Andy Atkinson were to be commended for their
outstanding job performance during this crisis. He complimented
Chairman Gottovi for the excellent manner in which she
coordipated and handled the emergency situation expressing his
appreciation for the many hours given and decisions made wisely
under pressure.
Chairman Gottovi expressed her appreciation to the Emergency
Services Director, Dan Summers, complimenting him on an excellent
job.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to hold
a debriefing session to discuss the problems encountered with the
plan and modify accordingly in order to perform more effectively
and efficiently in future crisis.
County Manager Cooper commented on overtime pay to County
employees who worked during the storm and asked the direction of
the Board. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board
to have the Manager come back to the Board with a recommendation.
RECESS OF EMERGENCY MEETING
Chairman Gottovi recessed the Emergency Session at 11:15
o'clock A.M.
I
Respectfuly submitted,
~V~
Lucie F. Smith.. .
Clerk to the Board