2021-10-28 Agenda Review
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 28, 2021 PAGE 248
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday, October 28, 2021
at 4:00 p.m. via in-person and remote 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.
(remote); 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 November 1, 2021 Regular Meeting with discussions as
noted:
Regular Item 11: Public Hearing - Request by New Hanover County to amend Articles 2, 3, and 5 of the
Unified Development Ordinance to Update Height Standards and Setback Requirements for Multi-Family and
Nonresidential Structures and Provide for Additional Height Allowances to Accommodate Changing Construction
Standards and Structure Types Envisioned for Multi-Family, Mixed Use, and Nonresidential Zoning Districts. In
response to Board questions, Planning and Land Use Director Rebekah Roth explained that the intent of the text
amendment is to allow four-story multi-family structures in multi-family districts. It will allow structures that are
served by elevators a certain number of stories, by scale, as is indicated in the Comprehensive Plan. The structures
will increase access for senior residents and those who have mobility issues. One issue found by staff is that there is
a maximum foot height allowed. Also, as construction standards change the same number of building stories cannot
be obtained today as compared to a couple of years ago. The proposed amendment will provide some flexibility and
is generally what the Comprehensive Plan outlines for those areas within the unincorporated area. Staff ensured
that taller buildings would not impact existing residential neighborhoods. Public comment periods have been held
for stakeholders and no additional public comments were received during the last Planning Board meeting.
STAFF UPDATES
Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development Presentation. Annette Lewis with the Mt. Calvary Center
for Leadership development presented the following information:
Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development:
Jimmy T. Tate, Ed.D, President:
Dr. Tate is the former President of Roanoke Chowan Community College and Chief of Staff at
North Carolina Central University; he served nearly 10 years as an elected official on the
Pender County Board of Commissioners, serving as Board Chair, and on numerous Boards and
Commissions including the Pender Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and Southeastern
Economic Development Commission. He is extremely dedicated to help rural communities
reach their full potential. He has served as a Board of Trustees Member with Elizabeth City
State University and Cape Fear Community College as well as many boards and commissions
locally, statewide, and nationally including previously serving as a member of Duke University
Medical School Rural Health Advisory Board. In 2019, he was appointed by the North Carolina
Senate to serve on the State of North Carolina Minority Advisory Committee. Dr. Tate has
conducted extensive research and lectures on rural leadership development. He teaches in
the Political Science Department at the University of North Carolina and serves in various
other capacities.
Mary Lisa Robinson, M.H.A., Executive Director:
Ms. Robinson is a longtime native of the rural community of Willard. She also invested most
of her career in the State of Maryland, where she served in the field of Healthcare
Administration Fiscal Services Management. She is a proud graduate of Bowie State
University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Healthcare
Administration. Ms. Robinson, is also a member of the Wallace Chamber of Commerce Board
of Directors, representing the Business Community.
History:
The Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development was developed through a group of leaders
of Mt. Calvary University. Several southeastern North Carolina grassroots community leaders
came to the university seeking help to train and promote competent and aggressive local
leadership. Historically, many communities have had to address many challenges but lack an
abundance of trained leadership aimed at their interests. The university accepted the
challenge and immediately began to develop the Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership
Development, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The Center serves mostly low income and rural communities with high unemployment and
low educational achievement. There are several who desire leadership positions, but most
lack the skills for leadership. This is not because of a lack of aptitude but the lack of training.
We believe that training at the grassroots level will enhance the quality of leadership and in
turn will enhance the overall status for a community that has been locked out of the equation.
Mission Statement:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 28, 2021 PAGE 249
The Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development’s mission is to educate, enable, and
prepare grassroots persons to become better individuals and advocates for economic,
political, and social change for the betterment of the community.
Programs administered by Mt. Calvary:
VIC Academy:
Mt. Calvary launched a Vocational, Industrial, and College (VIC) Preparatory Academy in
the Spring of 2021. This academy's focus is on low-income, marginalized, and minority
youth with career exploration, industrial trades, and college preparatory skills. Health
science will be embedded in the curriculum with a major focus on diversity, equity, and
inclusion for underserved, minority populations. VIC will serve both middle school and
high school cohorts. VIC will also focus on helping youth better understand their self-
worth, interests, and abilities to aid in personal and professional development through
the incorporation of technology. Students will learn about various career opportunities
and sustainable professions within the region through mentorship opportunities since
Mt. Calvary believes positive role models can successfully help high poverty and at-risk
students be successful. With that in mind, a major emphasis will be placed on recruiting
students from low-income communities.
Mt. Calvary Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force:
The Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development is responding to the urgent needs of
communities by bringing diverse groups together, understanding differences, celebrating
commonalities, and uniting as Americans.
Leadership Development Programs:
Opportunity To Lead (OLP) Youth Development Program:
The primary goal of the At-Risk Youth Leadership Development Program is to help
referred participants improve their interpersonal and professional skills and reduce
the rate of school dropouts and recidivism. Key components of this program focus on
self-assessment and goal setting, career readiness and entrepreneurship, community
engagement, leadership and management fundamentals, resume creation and
employability skills, and internship opportunities. Program instructors and facilitators
include psychologists, college instructors, faith-based leaders, and business
entrepreneurs.
Adult-Community Citizens Leadership Program:
The Adult-Community Citizens Leadership Program works to expand and develop
emerging leaders to support our local community. Participants receive instruction
from highly certified facilitators who come from throughout North Carolina and bring
strong experience to the classes that they lead. Program topics include areas such as
leadership and communication, team building and cohesiveness, goal setting and
accountability, personal growth objectives and innovation, and many other emerging
topics critical for 21st century leaders. All participants complete a capstone paper
that highlights a project or initiative that they would like to see developed to pro-
actively impact their community or workplace.
Natural Disaster Relief Outreach Program:
Our region was severely affected by Hurricane Florence costing millions of dollars in
damages and leaving many parts of the area in peril. Many residents continue to suffer
the effects of Hurricane Florence. Many are without homes, or they continue to live in
damaged homes. Some people lost their business as a result. Unfortunately, many of
those hurt by Hurricane Florence lack the knowledge of the resources to re-build their
lives.
The Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development seeks to connect people with natural
disaster relief and informational resources to assist people with their restoration efforts.
Mt. Calvary partners with several agencies in government, business, education, and other
areas to serve as a hub of information for those seeking hurricane relief. Many Mt. Calvary
friends are first responders and emergency personnel and are taught to prevent injury
and loss of life. Mt. Calvary trains leaders to provide information about the basic human
needs such as shelter, food, water, and medical services. Mt. Calvary trains students with
smart preparation and direct relief response. This includes work assisting people prior to
the hurricane and responding after the hurricane. The training at the Mt. Calvary
Leadership Development Center will benefit the first responders and the communities
they serve.
Community Health Initiative:
The Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development is pleased to be one of several
vendors granted funding from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human
Services to hire and employ professionals in Pender, Brunswick, Hoke, New Hanover,
Robeson, Scotland, Bladen, Columbus, and Sampson counties to work with local health
departments in working with people impacted by COVID-19. Workers will carry out
contact tracing and make sure individuals know the resources available if they need things
like supplies, housing, transportation, mental health support, and even legal help.
Community health services provided in New Hanover County:
Vaccine clinics: 18
People served: 2,115
Three community health workers
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 28, 2021 PAGE 250
Contact Information:
Pender County center:
Address: 405 US Hwy 117 South, Burgaw, NC 28425
Phone: (910) 300-6322
Duplin County center:
Address: 414 North Norwood St, Wallace, NC 28466
Phone: (910) 665 – 1352
www.mcleadership.org
Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Ms. Lewis for the presentation.
Senior Resource Center Dental Update. Senior Resource Center (SRC) Director Amber Smith and Health
Director David Howard provided the following update:
Senior Dental Services in New Hanover County (County):
Oral health problems in older adults:
One in five people aged 65+ have untreated tooth decay
A high percentage of older adults have gum disease
Nearly one in five of adults aged 65 or older have lost all their teeth. Complete tooth loss is
twice as prevalent among adults aged 75 and older (26%) compared with adults aged 65-74
(13%). Having missing teeth or wearing dentures can affect nutrition health.
Oral cancer:
Cancers of the mouth are primarily diagnosed in older adults; median age at diagnosis is
62 years
Chronic disease and comorbidities:
People with chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, heart diseases, and COPD may be
more likely to develop gum (periodontal) disease
Physical and cognitive limitations:
Inability to maintain daily oral health routine such as brushing and flossing
Barriers to accessing oral health care:
Living on a fixed income
Cost of oral health care
Limited dental insurance for retirees (not in Medicare)
27% of dentists in NC participated in Medicaid in 2014 versus 42% nationally
Limited dental programs that offer affordable services
Mobility and transportation limitations (homebound and seniors in skilled nursing facilities)
Limited location access and specialist providers
Community snapshot:
Number of dental providers in the County: approximately 250 dentists
Four area dental clinics
Average cost of annual preventative dental care:
$350-$520 per clean (includes two per year)
$180-$400 per filling
$215-$300 for a non-surgical extraction
$1,500-$3,500 per denture set
Medicaid:
Approximately 44,000 County residents receive full Medicaid (unknown how many are
aged 55+)
Per the NC Department of Insurance, approximately 6,000 Medicare beneficiaries are
eligible for Medicaid
There are approximately 475 residents receiving Medicaid as a qualified Medicare
beneficiary.
Master Aging Plan – community assessment
Advocacy (proposed Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2021)
Rehab Retired Mobile Dental Unit (MDU):
A cost and feasibility assessment are currently in progress. Below are estimated costs:
City permitting approval is to be determined
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, OCTOBER 28, 2021 PAGE 251
In response to Board questions, Ms. Smith stated there are other potential options for the program such as
supporting existing community dental programs, a dental voucher program, and a portable dental program such as
Access Dental. Access Dental is a non-profit organization supported by several different foundations. Commissioner
Zapple stated that having a set unit at the SRC is a very visible sign of what the County is doing and allows people to
come to it. This would also allow the County to have control over the hours. He spoke on the interest in the
professional community to help with the program.
A brief discussion was held about the retired MDU. Facilities Management is working on repairing the
electrical issues. As soon as that is repaired, the vendor servicing the current unit, as well as the vendor servicing the
new unit, would perform a full system check and be able to give more detail of what needs to be repaired. Facilities
Management is currently coordinating with vendors to evaluate the cost for plumbing and electrical as the site for
the MDU is 30 feet away from the building.
Staff asked for direction from the Board on how it wants the program to move forward. Ms. Smith stated
that by placing the MDU at the SRC, it would reduce available parking. She suggested the possibility of County staff
looking at other alternatives such as portable equipment which could be utilized by volunteer dentists and staff can
still coordinate with them. Assistance from hygienists would probably still be needed but allows for the service to
become mobile, allowing for visits to senior housing complexes. Due to the age and repairs needed to the retired
MDU, the Board directed staff to look at the portable dental option. County Manager Coudriet stated the matter will
be brought back to the Board as a budget amendment to purchase the service through Access Dental. The package
would be the nonprofit provider, under contract to do work at the SRC, but to also be the mobile provider and
identify other places in the community. The County would not be in the business of purchasing dental equipment or
anything and have the responsibility of finding dentist(s), etc. The County will be coordinate scheduling the older
adults and the provider through a nonprofit.
Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Mr. Howard and Ms. Smith for the presentation.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chair Olson-Boseman adjourned the meeting at 4:53 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.