2021-09-20 Regular Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 214
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on September 20, 2021 at 9:00
a.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North
Carolina.
Members present: Chair Julia Olson-Boseman; Vice-Chair Deb Hays; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.;
Commissioner Bill Rivenbark; and Commissioner Rob Zapple.
Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board
Kymberleigh G. Crowell.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pastor Ron McGee of Rock Church provided the invocation and Commissioner Zapple led the audience in
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair Olson-Boseman requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes – Governing Body
The Commissioners approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on September 7, 2021.
Appointment to The Healing Place of New Hanover County Board of Directors – Governing Body
The Commissioners approved the appointment of Louise Coggins to The Healing Place of New Hanover
County Board of Directors for a one-year term, to end at the annual meeting in 2022.
Approval of July 2021 Tax Collection Reports – Tax
The Commissioners accepted the tax collection reports of New Hanover County, New Hanover County Fire
District, and New Hanover County Debt Service as of July 2021.
Copies of the tax collection reports are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in
Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 12.1.
Adoption of Budget Amendments – Budget
The Commissioners adopted the following budget amendments amending the annual budget ordinance for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022:
Museum 22-011
Public Health 22-008, 22-009
Sheriff's Office 22-007
Copies of the budget amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in
Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 12.2.
REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE WILMINGTON AREA REBUILDING MINISTRY (WARM) FOR
25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CAPE FEAR REGION
Vice-Chair Hays stated it was her honor to read into the record the resolution recognizing WARM for 25
years of service to the Cape Fear region. She commended WARM for its continual dedication to the community and
region and read the resolution into the record.
Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board.
Motion: Vice-Chair Hays MOVED, SECONDED by Chair Olson-Boseman to adopt the resolution recognizing the
Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM) for 25 years of service to the Cape Fear region. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book
XLIII, Page 12.3.
PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
GRANT PURSUANT TO NCGS 158-7.1
Chair Olson-Boseman stated that the public hearing is to receive comments on appropriations and
expenditures for economic development and economic incentive agreements. The source of funding for the
agreements will be from the general fund of New Hanover County (County). The purposes of economic development
and economic incentive agreements are to increase the population, taxable property, agricultural industries,
employment, industrial output, or business prospects for the County. The economic development payments being
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 215
discussed are for an incentive agreement with a software development firm for Project Manage that would result in
expenditures of up to $120,000 over five years in annual payments of $24,000. This incentive is to assist Project
Manage in creating 104 new jobs over five years with an average salary of at least $80,000. She then asked for
direction from the Board to open the public hearing.
Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to open the public hearing. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chair Olson-Boseman invited Scott Satterfield, Wilmington Business Development (WBD) Chief Executive
Officer to speak on the request. Mr. Satterfield stated that WBD has been working with Project Manage, a platform
software developer and existing business in the County, which has been here for several years. The business
currently has 100 jobs and is looking to double its workforce and to pay very meaningful wages in the technology
sector. It is a great operation and excellent company with low turnover rates. WBD is excited about encouraging
them to continue to grow in Wilmington. The state of North Carolina is also agreeing to offer participation in this
project as well as the community college system. The project has been vetted through the state, which has looked
at the financials and agreed that the company is something that the state would like to pursue. Again, this is an
excellent existing industry and one WBD would like to see grow. Project Manage does have to maintain
confidentiality for reasons related to incentive agreements with the state. WBD would like for the County to
participate in a performance based incentive grant that will require the company to create the referenced number
of jobs at the referenced salary levels over a five-year period. The same request will be made of the City of
Wilmington to help encourage this project.
In response to Board questions, Mr. Satterfield confirmed that if Project Manage is unable to make the new
hires over the five year period it will not receive funds from any of the participants, including the County, as it is a
performance based incentive agreement.
Commissioner Barfield stated that job retention with companies that move to this area do not occur by
happenstance. It happens because this community has been intentional, and he has watched WBD work over the
years to put the right formula together to bring jobs to this community. He expressed appreciation to Mr. Satterfield
and his team for the work they are doing for the community by bringing jobs to the area. He also thinks it is great
that people who moved here to go to school can stay in the community due to WBD working to bring in companies
like Live Oak Bank and Castle Branch. He asked that WBD continue to work to bring jobs to the community and
employ people that are part of the southeastern region.
Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a motion to close the public hearing.
Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Chair Olson-Boseman to close the public hearing. Upon vote,
the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board.
Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to adopt the resolution approving the
economic development appropriations and expenditures based on the finding that the appropriations and
expenditures will increase the population, taxable property, agricultural industries, employment, industrial output,
or business prospects of the County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chair Olson-Boseman stated that Staff is directed to do any and all things necessary to finalize the economic
incentive agreement.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book
XLIII, Page 12.4.
PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
County Manager Coudriet recognized the following employees receiving a retirement award:
Derrick Williams, Sheriff’s Office, retiring with 16 years of service
Chair Olson-Boseman presented the retirement award to the retiree and the Commissioners expressed
appreciation and thanked him for his years of dedicated service.
County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards:
Five Years: Ruby Rhodes, Facilities Management
Francis Acanfora, Parks and Gardens
Ten Years: Amy Thornton, Cape Fear Museum
Cory Hugus, Social Services
Linda Brothers, Finance
Fifteen Years: Maria Brown, Social Services
Twenty Years: Carla Turner, Public Health
Twenty-Five Years: Susan Pless, Sheriff’s Office
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 216
Chair Olson-Boseman presented a service award to each person and the Commissioners expressed
appreciation and thanked each one for their years of dedicated service.
County Manager Coudriet requested the following new employees to stand and be introduced:
Taylor Antczak – Social Services
Brianna Holton – Public Health
DeAnna McColm – Social Services
Anna Penny – Social Services
Kimberly Van Lanen – Public Health
Marissa Wiater - Human Resources
The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new
positions.
UPDATE ON FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA, WILMINGTON NOURISHING FAMILIES
Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina Executive Director Beth Gaglione and Wilmington branch
board member Matt Rogers, Ph.D., provided the following update:
A New Food Bank at Wilmington:
Food Bank of Center and Eastern North Carolina service area and branches:
The Food Bank at Wilmington and the local need:
Partner with 100+ local partner agencies
Distributed more than 13 million pounds of food last year including 4.5 million pounds of
produce
More than 36,000 people in New Hanover County (NHC) are food insecure including 1:5
children and 1:4 seniors.
Our Partnership:
NHC is investing $375,000 over five years (FY 20/21 – FY 24/25) in the new facility
Non-County Agency Funding: $45,000
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place for the Food Bank to provide up to 5,000 hot
meals/day for NHC in a disaster
Active participation on the NHC Emergency Food and Feeding Task Force
Wilmington Strategic Initiatives:
Project Timeline:
Groundbreaking: January 2022
Construction: 10-12 months
Ribbon cutting: November 2022
Project Management: Cameron Management Company
Architect: BMH Architects
General Contractor: WM Jordan Companies
Project Funding:
$7 million committed:
$250,000 City of Wilmington
$20,000 Pender County
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 217
$1 million each from Bruce Barclay Cameron Foundation, Bill Cameron Family Foundation,
and nCino
$500,000 from Food Lion
$250,000 each from Liberty Healthcare and the Cape Fear Memorial Foundation
$750,000 in the proposed NC House budget championed by Representative Ted Davis
In response to Board questions, Dr. Rogers explained that the commercial kitchen will be approximately
2,000 square feet. In addition to being used for disaster feeding, it will operate to provide café meals, senior feeding
meals, etc. and eventually be used to teach individuals how to cook for themselves. The total property site is five
acres but not all of it is buildable as there is a creek on the site, and the facility will occupy roughly two acres of the
site. There are also plans to install a large community garden so people can also learn to grow their own food. A
partnership has been created with the local NC Cooperative Extension office to manage the garden, help to educate
people how to grow, produce, and cook foods and for sale in the grocery.
Vice-Chair Hays expressed appreciation to Ms. Gaglione, the Wilmington branch board of directors, and
volunteers for moving the project forward. It will be a great addition to the community.
A brief discussion was held about the facility being in a food desert and the new grocery model. Dr. Rogers
explained that the Food Bank serves its partner agencies. There are times when a person may come in who needs
food and that need is met at that time, but they are directed to the appropriate agency to be able to access that
resource on a more stable basis. The community is not served by the Food Bank in that manner; however, the grocery
model is new for the entire food bank industry.
Commissioner Zapple commended Ms. Gaglione, the Wilmington branch board of directors, and volunteers
for their work. Regarding his questions about volunteer opportunities continuing in the new facility, Ms. Gaglione
stated not only will that continue, but the space will be much larger than the current facility. It has its own area and
will not be in the middle of where the food is being moved around the facility. Volunteers are currently coming in
four to five days a week and the hope is to expand that to a regular set of five days a week. Refrigeration will be nine
times what is available in the current facility, the racking will be multi-story, etc. The facility is going from 12,000
square feet to 30,000 square feet and as such, and the pallet space is enormous.
Commissioner Barfield thanked Ms. Gaglione and her team for the update on the new facility. He noted
that he has visited the current site many times to see the work that is being done. It made perfect sense for the
County to invest $375,000 for the new facility and for that investment to be used as leverage and encouragement
for other organizations to make investment in the new facility. He has been impressed that it is the hub for its area
partners to make sure that the food is distributed throughout the County so that those in need have access to it. It
is expensive to buy healthy, fresh, and good quality food and he appreciates the Food Bank’s help to fill the need.
The addition of Marlowe Foster as the Senior Vice-President of Development and Business Strategy to the
organization is wonderful and he has truly been a tremendous advocate for the Food Bank prior to joining it. The
Food Bank is doing great work and he looks forward to the County working with the organization going forward.
Ms. Gaglione expressed appreciation for the opportunity to provide the update and for the County’s
support. Although food banks have been about feeding the line and have been for a long time, the aim is to shorten
the line and be about solutions to hunger. The marketplace spoken about earlier is believed to be a focused effort
to be a part of the solution. It is understood the organization will need to be flexible in the effort. She acknowledged
recent comments in the community that some people are not looking for a charitable solution necessarily, but for a
market solution. The hope is that the Food Bank can provide both well and she and her team continue to look to the
County for its support and guidance in doing that.
Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Commissioner Zapple for spearheading this effort and Ms. Gaglione, Dr.
Rogers, and their team for their work to bring the new site to fruition.
UPDATE ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION, INTERVENTION AND SUPPRESSION
Chair Olson-Boseman recognized New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) Board of Education member
Stephanie Kraybill and asked County Manager Coudriet to provide the update.
County Manager Coudriet stated that he does not have a formal presentation and he does not think there
is enough to offer yet. However, it was committed to the Board when it made available some of the $350 million
held in escrow, that staff would keep the Board and by extension, the community, informed of conversations that
have taken and will take place. One of the more obvious topics was the one where, from a staff perspective, persons
who were convened last week were felt to have content expertise in school safety, both hardscape and people
centric. There were 31 people in the room, inclusive of parents, principals, teachers, not just the traditional
administrators, to ensure that what is being created is an opportunity to hear from those that are most directly
associated with operating a school daily. It was made clear in that meeting that while the conversation was specific
to schools that day, no one is framing this as a school safety problem in and of itself. What happened three weeks
ago at New Hanover High School (NHHS) was a symptom of a larger community problem, and that is how staff is
framing it and that is clearly the directive of the Board. It was felt it would be irresponsible to not convene a
conversation specific to schools because it did happen, and there is a recorded history in this country of violence in
schools. Improvements can be made and there are things that could and should be done.
County Manager Coudriet further stated that he wanted to ensure that the Board and community
understands that there are community engagement conversations taking place. He has been party to any number
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 218
of conversations other community leaders in the nonprofit space have had, which are ongoing conversations. Also,
without putting too much of a light on it, staff did have an organized community meeting the evening before the
school safety specific meeting. He will not be reporting out on it, because of the need to make sure that staff is
creating the right space for people to come forward and tell their lived experiences and understand that the solutions
to these problems are going to be led by the folks who have the most direct involvement in that lived experience.
There will be a regular cadence to that type of meeting that will continue, but there will also be organized community
meetings to ensure that the Board and others have an opportunity to hear regularly and consistently from the
community at-large about what they view the problems to be and what the solutions are. As it relates to last Friday's
meeting, he and NHCS Superintendent Dr. Foust agreed the focus of the conversation should be on the hardscape
improvements, people centric things, what more can be done, and what is not being done for students, teachers,
etc. inside of schools.
As it relates to hardscape opportunity, the group was reminded during Friday’s meeting that there is a
safety audit that the school system has done on more than one occasion and by the observation of most, the
appropriate number of resources probably have not been applied over the course of time. In years past bond
proceeds, capital funds, and lottery funds have been used to make school improvements. He does not know that
anyone could set forth the idea that the safety audit done by experts in that field has then been worked by the teams
to be able to say “...these are the things that we can do on the perimeter of our schools working inward to keep
them safe and secure.” County Manager Coudriet noted that Chief Facilities Officer Sara Warmuth stated during
Friday’s meeting, “We can have beautiful facilities that are also safe and secure for the people who live in them or
work in them.” This does not necessarily mean the obvious things that people are defaulting to such as metal
detectors and fencing. He also noted that Judge Corpening was clear in saying those solutions would have moved
the problem slightly within the space that it occurred, but it was not preventive in and of itself. To that end, the
st
security audit needs to be reviewed to make sure that things being funded in the mid-21 century are what work for
mid-21st century risk. It will be worked on; he has a copy as provided by the superintendent and it will be made
available to the Board. However, he does not view that it as a public document so he is declaring that upfront
because staff is not interested in sharing the playbook with people who may intend or want to do the community
harm. While it will not be shared publicly, it will be made available to the Board.
One thing that was also discussed as a hardscape improvement is communication within the school system
at-large, and how to monitor what is happening on school campuses, and what is happening in near proximity to
school campuses. With all sorts of available technology, it is not always that someone picks up the phone and lets
you know of a pending crisis. It happens, but there are other forms so, the question becomes how to build a platform
and a system that allows for monitoring of pending threats and crises that are oriented towards the school, but also,
can be seen happening. This is being framed as communication, not in the traditional sense, but awareness and alert
around what is happening at school facilities. During the meeting he observed something that no one disagreed
with, and others validated it in discussions, which was that there were individuals who knew that something was
going to happen on that Monday morning. Not that it was going to rise to the level of someone being shot, but in
fact, there was chatter on social media. Officials need to be aware of that and understand that the traditional way
of informing someone of a problem is not what it used to be when someone could report a problem to their parent
or principal. Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Linda Thompson has emphasized we have to look at social media as
the platform where people are posting what is happening. Insight is being given on the front end and it should be
monitored so action can be taken. He believes there is an emphasis in working with the Board on how to build that
system. It will take people and it is going to take systems.
The other element that became very pronounced in the conversation is in the middle of an event, whether
it is what happened Monday three weeks ago, or what happened on Friday during the meeting, or other things that
require or prompt a school to go on lockdown, there are communication limitations because of technology.
Principals and administrators need to be put in a position to always be able to keep their children and teams safe
and secure, but to also make sure they understand the criticality of sharing and communicating outward with parents
and others what is happening and done in real-time. There are actual structural communication challenges because
of how the facilities are built in that they are large and thick, and some of the technology is not necessarily equipped
to make that as easy as it should be. It is believed there will be a very pronounced discussion amongst the group of
31 and others about what things can and should be recommended to the Board. It is important to note that these
priorities came mostly from the individuals that are closest to these occurrences daily. Again, the composition of the
group was created to give those individuals the microphone, to take charge, and to set the frame and content of
those discussions.
County Manager Coudriet explained that as it relates to people-centric and what was discussed Friday is in
most ways exactly what was discussed Thursday evening, from a different lens, but nonetheless, people-centric,
problem identification, allocation of resources, solutions, driven by people who understand that lived environment
daily as compared to others who that are administrators. It is good to have administrators, but administrators are
not the problem solvers. What was clear is that there are systems of support across this community and there would
be no one to suggest otherwise. What must be done is a better job of unifying those systems of support that exist
for varied reasons, for different problems, but nonetheless, need to be addressed. The best description he can offer,
which he heard on Thursday as opposed to Friday, but it is the same idea, there is need to have that unification of
services with a focus on case management to ensure that families and children who are identified for support service
and make it easy for them to access, give them the platform to follow up, and continue to access those resources.
That is case management and there is the need to ensure wrap around support, that the children and families are
being followed throughout the entire journey and linking them with the resources that are there and are necessary.
It was felt that with mental health support services among others, but with the keen focus on mental health, that a
good job is being done and County Manager Coudriet thought that the people directly with the school system would
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 219
acknowledge a good job is being done as it relates to children in the facilities. A better job can be done of continuing
the support when they leave school, but the attention has not been put on the whole family unit to ensure that
parents have access to the resources that they need to help deal with their own family trauma and certainly those
of their children. The third element is to be much more intentional about including diversity of students and faculty
at the table to identify opportunities in school plans. More intentionality must be done to ensure there is diversity
in plans that are created, and there is engagement with a diverse set of persons, both students, families, and service
providers on feedback about what is working and not working. County Manager Coudriet thought that reflects the
people-centric things that were discussed.
Chair Olson-Boseman thanked County Manager Coudriet for the update and open the floor to Board
discussion.
Commissioner Rivenbark stated that one of the most interesting statistics he has heard is that
approximately 80% of the people that are in the NHC jail did not graduate from high school. He felt if help could be
given to people to get them to graduation, they could go on to take courses such as the ten-week lineman course at
Cape Fear Community College. Recently 46 people graduated from the program and right after the ceremony went
across the hall to be hired by companies with most starting off with a $50,000 salary. It is important to help people
get to that point.
Commissioner Zapple asked that County Manager Coudriet explain what the next steps are and when will
there be some specific initiatives. He and others in the community are looking for some specifics. County Manager
Coudriet responded that the team has been very aware and clear on that guidance and at each meeting talked about
how there is a need to be viewed as doing things. A lot of studying has been done and that is why no one is suggesting
that we go back and start over on any of these things, but to take what is known and move forward. The things that
do not work, set those aside. As it relates to the security audit, a review of that began on Friday and at the end of
the meeting he was in a position to receive a copy of it. He feels that it will be sooner rather than later that he and
the group will be able to talk about what some of those investments look like and the security audit is probably
where the most obvious investments will come from to begin with. There is a lot of coordination, particularly as it
relates to services that must take place. One of the things not only from Friday, but also Thursday, which was
acknowledged is the need to get the service providers in the room to talk about what are they doing, where is the
overlap, and is the overlap appropriate? Also, what needs to be discussed is how to take the friction out of it if it is
not appropriate and ensure that everybody understands the things that are being done. He thinks that is another
immediate step that will probably happen in the next couple of weeks and will likely not play out in the public square.
What can be done immediately is a much better job of coordinating services and understanding what is there. He
also thinks as it relates to some of the monitoring and what is happening on the campuses, everyone must get really
clear on what are the technology abilities, what is it that the schools need, and what others does it involve. It does
not have to be a school based function, but it is focused on school security. The longer term investments are
generally in the people-centric place. He does not know when the group will be able to lay out an immediate strategy
on that, but he feels good about where the group is. A lot more is known today than three weeks ago. Again,
immediate work can begin on some things and if someone wants to create a deadline, they will work to that.
Chair Olson-Boseman stated she along with Commissioner Zapple attended to observe the meeting and she
was encouraged by the progress that has been made. The truth of the matter is that most of the specifics cannot be
discussed in public beyond general terms to not only keep children safe but the entire community. The open and
honest dialogue and already developing solutions moving forward was very encouraging and she expressed
appreciation to County Manager Coudriet for him and his team’s work and getting the group together. County
Manager Coudriet responded that he appreciated Chair Olson-Boseman communicating what was said in that room.
He fears that the community is going to think nothing is being done because the fact is that several people involved
in the discussions have no interest in participating if it means a camera is in their face and judgment on them and
their ideas. There are some safety components that cannot be publicly discussed, and he is sensitive to that and
expressed appreciation to the Board for what it is doing. When it is obvious, it is going to be obvious. All are going
to have to take on perspective of being comfortable not saying what is being done differently. There is going to have
to be an element of trust in the people driving the discussion. He is not asking the Board to trust a county manager
or a finance officer or anyone else, but to trust the people who are framing and guiding these discussions. If one
believes in the principals, teachers, and the people who lead the nonprofit community, and he thinks that all involved
do, then trust that they are giving what they believe is appropriate and necessary to stabilize to then use other
resources long-term to grow and move as the community grows and moves.
Vice-Chair Hays expressed appreciation to County Manager Coudriet for what she considers to be a very
good overview. As she sees the support and element of this is safety in the schools and safety in the community.
This is a community and issue and needs to be addressed as such. She feels he has laid out a short-term focus, a mid-
range focus, and a long-term focus and is the correct approach. She understands people want to see action, but she
believes that the group is moving that forward. There will be some tangible items that they can see, but first and
foremost, it needs to be understood that this is about safety and with that comes some confidentiality.
Regarding County funding, Commissioner Barfield stated that he thinks the media picked up one statement
and then ran with it saying the County is spending $350 million. The reality is the County is not spending $350 million,
it is accessing the funds to put towards this matter. Every time he turns on the news, he hears this and either
somebody was not or were not listening. He is also glad to hear County Manager Coudriet talk about diversity and
inclusion with the people at the table. The thing that was glaring to him during Friday’s joint meeting was that of all
the people sitting at the table, there were only two people of color sitting there, himself and the superintendent.
Everyone must be intentional about making sure that there is true representation of all ethnic groups and
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 220
backgrounds during these discussions in this community. It is important that everyone listen as well, and he fully
believes that the young man's parents did reach out to someone but were rebuffed. It is important to always listen
intentionally, and not allow intentional bias or implicit bias to guide our directions. It is important when people say
things to you that it is taken to heart because one never knows when someone is reaching out and crying out for
help. It is important from law enforcement to school administrators, to teachers, to boards that make policy, that all
are listening intently and intensively to make sure that what is being heard is what is needed to be heard and then,
act appropriately and not just rebuke people when things happen. He is glad to see the County is getting there, but
he is looking for action. He would like for the County to look at the Durham/Bull City model to advance the needle
for young boys and girls in this community to provide other opportunities for hope and to engage with those families.
Also, part of the next steps is having people work with them to help get from point a to point b and having community
engagement and helping people. He knows that with the elementary schools that were recently built, such as College
Park and Blair, based on the assessment several years ago with safety measures in place to keep visitors out, the
wrong folks out and the right people in. Again, he appreciates the work County Manager Coudriet is doing. His
discussion with County Manager Coudriet prior to Thursday’s meeting was about his concern there would not be
any elected officials there. However, he tries not to go to those things so as not to influence the conversation one
way or the other. He appreciates the work that was done and looks forward to the next steps.
Chair Olson-Boseman stated that she does not think people talk much about the LGBTQ+ community. She
is counting on Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Linda Thompson on this front and has personal experience as her
son is in middle school and has told her he refers to himself as he, him, they. She is working to try to understand it
but is so concerned with the bullying and what may happen next. She hopes these children will not be forgotten.
She feels it is important to not forget that it is not just color. All means all, and she requested that County Manager
Coudriet not forget about everyone else, too.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Appointment to the New Hanover County Adult Home Community Advisory Committee
Chair Olson-Boseman reported that up to nine vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Adult Home
Community Advisory Committee with one application available for consideration.
Chair Olson-Boseman nominated Shirley T. Fowler for appointment to the New Hanover County Adult Home
Community Advisory Committee. Vice-Chair Hays seconded the nomination.
Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor.
Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Shirley T. Fowler to the New Hanover County Adult Home
Community Advisory Committee with term to expire March 31, 2024.
Appointments to the New Hanover County Board of Examiners of Electricians
Chair Olson-Boseman reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Board of Examiners of
Electricians with two applications available for consideration in the Independent Electrical Contractor category.
Chair Olson-Boseman nominated Russell F. Carlson and William Loeber for appointment to the New
Hanover County Board of Examiners of Electricians in the Independent Electrical Contractor category. Vice-Chair
Hays seconded the nomination.
Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor.
Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Russell F. Carlson and William Loeber to the New Hanover
County Board of Examiners of Electricians in the Independent Electrical Contractor category with terms to expire
September 1, 2023.
Appointments to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee
Chair Olson-Boseman reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington
Community Relations Advisory Committee in the categories of At-Large and Civil Rights Community with one
application eligible for reappointment and ten additional applications available for consideration.
Chair Olson-Boseman nominated for reappointment Liz Carbone in the At-Large category. Commissioner
Zapple seconded the nomination.
Chair Olson-Boseman directed the Clerk to the Board to readvertise for the Civil Rights Community vacancy.
Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nomination on the floor.
Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Liz Carbone in the At-Large category to the New Hanover
County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee with the term to expire September 30, 2024.
Appointments to the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
Chair Olson-Boseman reported that six vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime
Prevention Council in the categories of Business Community, Faith Community, and At-Large with one application
eligible for reappointment and five additional applications available for consideration.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 221
Commissioner Barfield nominated for appointment Edwrin Sutton in the Faith Community category. Chair
Olson-Boseman seconded the nomination.
Commissioner Zapple nominated for reappointment Wanda Marino and for appointment Justin Ovaska in
the At-Large category and Vernita Ozolins for appointment in the Business Community category. Chair Olson-
Boseman seconded the nominations.
Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor.
Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Wanda Marino and appoint Justin Ovaska in the At-
Large category, appoint Vernita Ozolins in the Business Community category, and appoint Edwrin Sutton in the Faith
Community category to the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council with the terms to expire
September 30, 2023.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Olson-Boseman stated that no one signed up to speak on non-agenda items.
ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS
County Manager Coudriet reported that last week was a tough week in terms of overall COVID-19 numbers.
It was one of the highest numbers of deaths in the community and two of those being people most in this room
knew both personally and well and who had direct influence on county government. However, there are early
indicators that things are starting to improve a bit. The percent positive in August was over 14% and at the end of
last week/start of this week was just a little bit above 11%. While still high, the trend is in the right direction. By close
of business tomorrow, 80% of County employees will be vaccinated against COVID-19. The required weekly testing
started last week for about 343 persons, and they need to be tested every seven days. The County has the testing
system in place with the intention to make it as easy as possible on the employee. It is taken very seriously and if an
employee is not vaccinated, that employee must submit to testing. Due to being a big enough pool, he can share
that because of testing, someone was identified as positive that works near others who are critical to the ability to
do an important function of county government. The testing protocol has saved the organization in one department
just in a week.
In response to Board questions, County Manager Coudriet stated that he understands that as of this
morning the hospitalization numbers have reduced from a high of 136 to 63. It is another metric that is being
watched. Primarily being watched are the percent positives, hospitalizations, and then the overall pervasiveness in
the community.
Commissioner Barfield stated that his thoughts and prayers go to the families of NHC Sheriff’s Office Captain
MacAlpine who passed away on Friday due to COVID-19 and former Assistant County Manager Patricia Melvin who
served the County extremely well for several years. He encouraged those in the community that have not been
vaccinated to take it seriously. He has lost several people he personally knows from COVID-19 who were averse to
getting the vaccination. It is very important for people to take it seriously, protect themselves, and their families.
Family members are being left behind trying to figure out how to move forward.
Chair Olson-Boseman expressed appreciation for the chair of The Healing Place of New Hanover County
Board, Inc. speaking with her. She attended her first board meeting last week and the board is excited about the
prospects for the new executive director that should be hired before the end of this year. Construction is running
behind, but otherwise everything else seems to be moving forward very well.
Commissioner Zapple reported that the USPCA National Patrol K9 trials are taking place here for the first
time and being hosted by the Sheriff’s Office and run through Thursday of this week. Also, Governor Cooper and
Secretary Cohen visited Cape Fear Clinic where the monoclonal antibody treatment is being administered. It is a
treatment for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or been a close contact. The treatment can reduce or
eliminate COVID-19 symptoms if received in the first 10 days of exposure. There are 186 treatment centers in the
state. No insurance is necessary and ability to pay is not considered.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chair Olson-Boseman adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kymberleigh G. Crowell
Clerk to the Board
Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
meeting. The entire proceedings are available online at www.nhcgov.com.