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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-14 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 14, 2021 PAGE 233 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. in the Harrell Conference Room at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, 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. Chair Olson-Boseman called the Agenda Review meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the meeting is to review and discuss the agenda items for the October 18, 2021 Regular Meeting with discussions as noted: Consent Item 3. Adoption of a Resolution to Dispose of Surplus Property According to Procedures Outlined in North Carolina General Statute Chapter 160A-Article 12. Commissioner Zapple stated he wanted to make the press and public aware that this opportunity comes up each year and the surplus items are made available to non-profits prior to being sold at auction to the general public. Regular Item 7. Community Violence Intervention Update. County Manager Coudriet stated that he will provide an update on Monday on what will have been three community meetings. The update will provide an outline of investments, both hardscape and school safety, and people centric. Regular Item 8. Consideration of a Request for Gap Financing for an Affordable Workforce Housing Project. In response to Board questions, Planning Director Rebekah Roth explained that the project is a straight rezoning that the City Council approved, not a conditional rezoning. Information is in the Board packets about the proposed site plan. She does not believe that the applicant has gone through site approval yet, which is subject to the City of Wilmington’s technical review committee. The developer will be attending Monday’s meeting. STAFF UPDATE Presentation by Alliance for a Blue Economy. Joan Keston, member of the Alliance for a Blue Economy Advisory Board, thanked the Board for the opportunity to present the information. She introduced Troy Alphin, UNCW Center for Marine Science Research Associate and Adjunct Faculty member, stating that he has over 25 years of experience studying coastal systems and will be giving the presentation on the Alliance for a Blue Economy. She also introduced Susan Bales, a volunteer who has worked for over 30 years with innovation practitioners of science, engineering, and policy in federal and private sector agencies. Mr. Alphin then presented the following information:  An Introduction and Invitation to All Blue: Alliance for the Blue Economy:  What is the Blue Economy:  The Blue Economy is sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health  The Blue Economy encompasses many activities:  Renewable Energy: sustainable marine energy can play a vital role in social and economic development  Fisheries: marine fisheries contribute more than US$270 billion annually to global GDP. More sustainable fisheries can generate more revenue, more fish, and help restore fish stocks  Maritime Transport: over 80% of international goods traded are transported by sea and the volume of seaborne trade is expected to double by 2030 and quadruple by 2050  Tourism: ocean and coastal tourism can bring jobs and economic growth. Coastal, least developed countries, and small island developing states receive more than 41 billion visitors per year  Climate Change: the impacts of climate change on oceans – rising sea levels, coastal erosion, changing ocean currant patterns, and acidification – are staggering. At the same time, oceans are an important carbon sink and help mitigate climate change  Waste Management: 80% of litter in the ocean is from land-based sources. Better waste management on land can help oceans recover  The Cape Fear Region is uniquely positioned to grow a world class Blue Economy  Lifestyle: attractive top talent, with beaches, urban atmosphere, lower cost of living, and healthcare  Education: top university and community colleges providing a skilled and knowledgeable workforce and resources  UNCW: Center for Marine Science, MARBIONC, Coastal Engineering Program, Undersea Vehicles Program  CFCC, BCC: Marine Technology and Biotech programs  Complete Transportation Infrastructure: port, airport, rain, trucking and logistics NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 14, 2021 PAGE 234  Uniquely Situated: access to multiple environments to support the Blue Economy. Major river, harbor, inland waterway, gulf stream, open ocean, rocky shores, salt marshes and mudflats, and sandy shores  Dynamic Entrepreneurial Ecosystem:  Map of new bluetech clusters:  The Cape Fear Region’s Blue Economy:  Highly active ports add$12.9 billion to the state  13,722 ocean-related jobs in New Hanover County  Globally, ocean industries to double to $3 trillion by 2030  Opportunity: New Blue Economy  A new set of ocean industries – the new blue economy – is taking shape, driven by global demand, and powered by technology. The global ocean economy will grow from $1.5 trillion in 2010 to $3 trillion by 2030. Ocean faring, ocean-related industries and sea- related defense and security are all entering a period of disruption and market growth driven by technology, new products and demands for more sustainable use of the ocean.  “By supporting the growth of the Blue Economy, we can help accelerate the nation’s economic recovery.” – Retired Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator  The five sectors of All Blue:  Marine robotics, marine biopharma, aquaculture, sustainable tourism, and coastal resilience  All Blue approach:  Regardless of the sector, one approach  Informed decision making: data and research  Leadership: standards of excellence and sustainability  Education: Blue STEM education at all levels  Community: engage the entire community  Economic Development: innovation, commercialization  All Blue: Early Wins:  $240,000 aquaculture grant “Developing Farm and Market tools for Shellfish Mariculture in North Carolina” (NOAA)  $50,000 Environmental Enhancement for Living Shorelines (NCDOJ)  $90,000 NC IDEA grant to engage NC A&T Engineering students with UNCW Marine and Business students  A&T and UNCW selected for Department of Energy (DOE) Marine Energy Collegiate Challenge  All Blue needs to engage leadership:  If All Blue is going to achieve any lasting success in the Blue Economy (developing, attracting, and retaining sustainable businesses) they need leadership at the table  All Blue week opening session on November 2, 2021 with:  Deb Westphal  Rear Admiral Laura Dickey  John Waterston NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 14, 2021 PAGE 235  Celebrating our Blue Economy Event:  November 2-6, 2021  Programs, activities, awards, speakers, recreation, and seafood  Startups developing new technologies in North Carolina: In response to Board questions, Mr. Alphin explained that the grant for living shorelines does not conflict with beach renourishment because they do not work in the same areas. UNCW has been working on living shorelines for over 18 years and this is the first year that the Division of Coastal Management has living shorelines as an option on the general permit. Living shorelines uses marsh grasses, oysters, and other materials which would be used in areas with moderate erosive forces. With beach renourishment, researchers are looking more at strong erosive forces, those with tidal forces. Living shorelines will maintain themselves and adjust to sea level rise. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Olson-Boseman adjourned the meeting at 4:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kymberleigh G. Crowell Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting.