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2021-11-15 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PAGE 261 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on November 15, 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 Imam Abdul Rahman Shareef, Tauheed Islamic Center of Wilmington, provided the invocation and Vice- Chair Hays 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 Barfield 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 Agenda Review Meeting held on October 28, 2021 and the Regular Meeting held on November 1, 2021. Ratification of Issuance of Special Use Permit as Directed by the North Carolina Court of Appeals – County Attorney The Commissioners ratified the issuance of Special Use Permit S19-02 as directed by the North Carolina Court of Appeals and signed by Chair Olson-Boseman on November 4, 2021. A copy of an order granting a Special Use Permit and listing the findings of facts is contained in SUP Book IV, Page 90. Approval of New Hanover County Board of Education Application for NC Education Lottery Funds - Finance The Commissioners approved the New Hanover County Board of Education’s application for NC Education Lottery Funds for the urgent repairs needed for New Hanover High School’s Brogden Hall gym floor. The total for the application is $610,000. The unallocated balance of the Public School Building Capital Fund after this action is $1,229,192. The application will be sent to the NC Department of Public Instruction and once approved, a budget amendment will be sent to the Board of Education and the Board of County Commissioners for approval. A copy of the application is on file in the finance department. Adoption of Budget Amendment – Budget The Commissioners adopted budget amendment 22-019 for the Sheriff’s Office, amending the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. A copy of the budget amendment is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 16.1. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES County Manager Coudriet recognized the following employee receiving a retirement award: April MacAlpine, Health and Human Services, retiring with 27 years of service Chair Olson-Boseman presented the retirement award to Ms. MacAlpine and the Commissioners expressed appreciation and thanked her for her years of dedicated service. County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five Years: Alexandra Glynn, HHS - Social Services Kristin Stupansky, HHS - Social Services Ten Years: Valorie Hatten, Senior Resource Center 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: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PAGE 262 Emma Atkins, Parks and Gardens Brianna Davis, Library Sadie Howard, HHS - Social Services Christine Ingram, Library Maggie Kelley, HHS - Health Luisa Martin, Senior Resource Center Katherine May, Planning and Land Use Robert McCaskill, Sheriff’s Office Emily McFarland, HHS – Health Chris Molnar, HHS - Social Services and Health Haiven Pearce, HHS - Social Services Tanya Ray, Tax Christopher Seng, Information Technology Ebony Troy, HHS - Social Services The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY OPERATIONS AT WILMINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Chair Olson-Boseman welcomed Donna Girardot, Airport Authority Chair, and asked her to make remarks on the resolution request in support of military operations at the Wilmington International Airport (ILM). Ms. Girardot stated that ILM has been designated as strategically important to the military's live fire exercises and national preparedness. The military's use of ILM contributes significantly to the local economy through not only fuel sales and keeping small businesses afloat during the pandemic, but in hotel rooms, rental cars, and restaurants in downtown Wilmington. However, the current issue is the hot refueling, which is a rapid refueling option that is extremely advantageous to the military. It decreases the risk of mechanical stoppage due to shutting down the engine and increases air crew training time as refueling times drop from 90 minutes to less than 30 minutes. It also decreases the maintenance burden on aircraft by 66%. These military aircraft produce more noise and vibration than general aviation or commercial aircraft. For every complaint received, ILM receives two to three times as many e-mails and phone calls in support of the military using the airport. To address the issue, ILM has facilitated three meetings between the fixed base operator (FBO), the tower, the military, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to find a solution that will accommodate and be beneficial to all parties. The military has committed to immediately altering flight patterns and speed, setting altitude limits for certain power settings and operations, and other protocols considered proper to resolving the issue. The FAA has also agreed to aid in the endeavor. The military and FAA have already drafted a letter of agreement to move forward on the protocol and flight pattern changes. Statements like, “whether or not it is ultimately determined by the courts or by other agencies that the presence of military assets at ILM is even appropriate at all” and “whether or not federal and state laws have been violated in this case, the determination rests in the hands of the courts, the state preservation agencies, and the defense logistics agency, and others” are not helpful. The resolution is being requested because when the military heard these statements, its first reaction was to immediately shut down all military operations at ILM. Ms. Girardot further stated that she does not think this is the reputation the County wants to have at the local or national levels or within the military community. It was only through the knowledge and context of an Airport Authority member that the shutdown did not happen and there was no interruption of the military using ILM while all agreed to work toward a solution. It will take time to implement the changes. It is important that the military hear from this community and elected officials that they are respected, supported, and welcomed at ILM. Natalie English, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, stated that there is direct economic impact from what is happening with ILM and the FBO. There is also an indirect impact of the image that is painted with economic development and business retention. Recent events could have led to this community not being seen as friendly to business, which would create challenges moving forward to grow jobs and increase the economic capacity in the community. She urged the Board to adopt the resolution. Commissioner Barfield stated that when this request was brought forward, he questioned it because this community is one of the most military friendly communities in the state. There is a Veterans Affairs clinic, one of the few Veteran Services departments within county government, and a national cemetery in this County. There are also many other organizations in the community that represent, and support, retired and active military. It challenges him when someone thinks that this community does not support the military. He served in the Navy at the naval air station in Key West, FL. During that time, he does not recall ever hearing fly overs in downtown Key West where tourists were. This issue is about taking care of people, not about whether people are patriotic or not, support the military or not, or American or not American. He is glad a solution was reached, but it should have been done a long time ago. The Airport Authority could have worked to find a solution when the complaints first started. The noise level has concerned him as well as others. The issue is not hot refueling, it is about changing the flight paths to reduce the effect on residents and trying to make it good for everyone. The military also has a responsibility to be a good citizen within a community, which means everyone needs to work together to find a win-win solution in everything. As this community thrives and grows, the military can get its operations and training satisfied to a level that is agreeable to all, but to do so requires having conversations, not putting up a wall and not listening. The community has an ability to have a voice in what businesses it does or does not want here. It is important to listen and make sure that the sectors grown here are what are desired. He expressed appreciation for Airport Authority member NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PAGE 263 Jason Thompson’s work with the military to find a solution, his support for the military being here, and the military working with everyone involved to improve the situation through quality and process improvements. Commissioner Zapple thanked Ms. Girardot and Mr. Thompson for their work to reach a positive resolution on the matter. He would like to see the aviation industry grow, as well as Modern Aviation, and another FBO come to ILM in the future. The ongoing growth is positive for the entire community. There has never been any doubt that the County is in full support of the military and growth of the airport. He appreciates the willingness of the military to collaborate with all parties to find a solution. Vice-Chair Hays stated that she is in full support of the military and thanked everyone involved for arriving at a solution that helps the community. Ms. Girardot confirmed for her that conversations to find a solution started with the FAA and military back in April. She further explained that ILM does not have a contract with the military. The FBO, Modern Aviation, holds the contract with the military, so the only available avenue was to work behind the scenes and bring all the parties together to facilitate an outcome. 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 in support of military operations at Wilmington International Airport. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chair Olson-Boseman thanked the Airport Authority and ILM staff for their work on this matter and for recently bringing $125 million of economic investment to the community. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 16.2. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF UPDATED FIRE INSURANCE MAP FOR NORTHERN NEW HANOVER COUNTY Fire Chief Donnie Hall stated that in August 2021, the NC Department of Insurance - Office of State Fire Marshal rated the New Hanover County Fire Districts resulting in a Class 2 rating. During the rating process, the County was made aware of changes needed to the Northern Fire District Insurance Map. The previously approved map reflected areas beyond five road miles from a fire station in New Hanover County as being part of the Pender EMS and Fire Insurance District. Changes in the Insurance Rating System now allows the County to include all current areas within New Hanover County in the Northern Fire Insurance District. The updated insurance district boundary map will reduce district confusion and allow property owners to receive maximum allowable benefits from the rating improvements. The Board thanked Chief Hall for the work he and his team do to continuously improve the fire safety for the unincorporated County resulting in better fire district insurance ratings and financial savings for the citizens. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield, to approve the updated New Hanover County Northern Fire Insurance District Map. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STRATEGIC PLAN Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Donna Fayko explained the process HHS staff worked through with the Office of Strategy to develop a five-year strategic plan that fits with the County’s strategic plan. As a consolidated agency, HHS staff presented and received endorsement of the plan from the HHS Board on October 19, 2021:  Health and Human Services Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2022-2026:  Process with Office of Strategy:  HHS Objectives, Desired Outcomes, and Targets: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PAGE 264 In response to Board questions, Public Health Director David Howard stated that the department does have health educators that partner with the schools, teen clinics, etc. to deliver sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) education and services, deliver private services to the patients who need services right away as well as educational services to limit the transmission. Each high school has a clinic, and the department is working to hire health educators to increase these types of programs soon. As to the environmental health permits, he feels the department has enough inspectors to meet the target of 95% of the permits being processed within seven days. Over the past year, 99% of all environmental health inspections were processed despite the limitations and challenge due to the pandemic. Vice-Chair Hays commended the HHS team for its work on the strategic plan. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Vice-Chair Hays MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, to approve the Health and Human Services Strategic Plan. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION UPDATE County Manager Coudriet provided the community violence intervention update as highlighted below:  Community Violence Interruption: th  Since October 18:  Identified \[possible\] funding alternatives to using principal from the $350 million revenue stabilization and Mental Health, Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse escrows  Identified a proposed funding plan and timing strategy from April 2022 through June 30, 2025  Debriefed community members (leaders and service providers) team on proposed funding plan and strategy:  Calibrated the approach based on team input  Set a hardscape strategy for funding in consecutive fiscal years between the Board of County Commissioners and Board of Education  Alternative Funding Options:  $37.1 million through June 30, 2025:  $9.3 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) redirection  $14.4 million in fund balance (over 21 percent available)  $6.1 million in escrows’ interest  $7.3 million in organic revenue growth (property and sales tax)  The Strategy and Timing:  Priority 1 – Wraparound Services (FY 22)  Priority 2 – Community Communication (FY 22)  Priority 3 – Relationship Building and Elimination of Education Barriers (FY 23)  Priority 4 – At-risk Training and Intervention (FY 24)  Proposed Investments:  Wraparound Service (FY 22):  Community Resource Coordinators, Elements’ expansion, Too Good for Violence, case management, SROs at focus elementary schools, Community Care Coordination, and fixed facility designs  Community Communication (FY 22):  Community Call Center and Threat Assessment  Relationship Building and Elimination of Education Barriers (FY 23):  Pre-K expansion, non-profit capacity building, elementary SROs, and school transportation supports  At-risk Training and Intervention (FY 24): NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PAGE 265  Full cost of attendance support for career and technical certifications, boarding school capital (post design), and boarding school operations (post construction)  First Ask:  December 20, 2021:  Redirected ARP funds  Post approved audit fund balance proceeds  $3.3 million for remainder of FY 22:  Priority 1 – wraparound services  Priority 2 – community communication County Manager Coudriet concluded the presentation stating that the first of two virtual public forums will be held this evening with the focus on community violence. The second public forum will be November 17, 2021 with a focus on school safety. In response to Board questions, County Manager Coudriet confirmed that the funding for the Bull City th United (BCU) program will fall under the Community Care Coordination and will be a part of the December 20 request. At that time, staff will also request Board permission to start the solicitation process to identify investments for Community Resource Coordinators. The fixed facility designs are specifically to begin working with LINC, Inc. to find the design team and help LINC achieve its vision to use the former fire department on Princess Place Drive as a place for a boarding school focused on continuing education, life skills development, etc. The City of Wilmington granted the building to LINC. The building will need to be renovated and it was proposed to the Board that the County partner in the funding of it. The other item is the need to outfit the fourth floor of the 320 Chestnut building as some positions will be County-based, specifically the Community Care Coordination part as it relates to the County’s version of BCU. The Elements program has been in place since at least mid-2005/2006 and originally was funded via the Governor’s Crime Commission program. The County has continued to fund it. He thinks that what happened at New Hanover High School in the fact that the child was part of the Elements program is an indication of the need to ensure the program has the capabilities to remain involved in the life of a child and the family. The program is comprehensive when the capacity allows it, and the interest is there to fully engage in a child’s life and work with the family. Commissioner Barfield thanked County Manager Coudriet and his staff for their work on this matter. He feels this will be a top notch program and help to save lives in the community. In response to Board questions, County Manager Coudriet stated an update on the Elements and Too Good for Violence programs will be provided at an upcoming December agenda review meeting. Vice-Chair Hays thanked County Manager Coudriet and his staff for their work on this matter. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman thanked County Manager Coudriet for the update. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointment to the New Hanover County Board of Adjustment Chair Olson-Boseman reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County Board of Adjustment with one application eligible for reappointment and four additional applications available for consideration in the Regular category. Commissioner Zapple nominated Maverick Pate for reappointment in the Regular category. Vice-Chair Hays seconded the nomination. 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 Maverick Pate to the New Hanover County Board of Adjustment in the Regular category with term to expire December 1, 2024. Appointment to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee Chair Olson-Boseman reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee with two applications available for consideration in the Civil Rights Community category. Commissioner Barfield nominated Fawn Rhodes for appointment in the Civil Rights Community category. Commissioner Zapple seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nomination on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted unanimously to appoint Fawn Rhodes to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee in the Civil Rights Community category with the unexpired term to expire September 30, 2024. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PAGE 266 Appointments to the New Hanover County Commission on African American History, Heritage and Culture Chair Olson-Boseman reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Commission on African American History, Heritage and Culture with two applications available for consideration in the Business Community category and two applications available for consideration in the Education Community category. Commissioner Zapple nominated Crystal Pellom for appointment in the Business Community category and Lowell Davis in the Education Community category. Chair Olson-Boseman seconded the nominations. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nomination on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted unanimously to appoint Lowell Davis to serve the unexpired term to expire August 31, 2022 in the Education Community category and Crystal Pellom to serve the unexpired term to expire August 31, 2024 in the Business Community category for the New Hanover County Commission on African American History, Heritage and Culture. Appointments to the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council Chair Olson-Boseman reported that six vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council with three applications eligible for reappointment and two applications available for consideration. Vice-Chair Hays nominated Gabriella A. de Souza, Paul Jefferson, and Jennifer Keeling for reappointment and Anna Campbell for appointment. She further asked that the Clerk to the Board readvertise the remaining vacancy. 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 Gabriella A. de Souza, Paul Jefferson, and Jennifer Keeling and to appoint Anna Campbell to the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council with the terms to expire December 1, 2024 and to direct the Clerk to the Board to readvertise the remaining vacancy. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chair Olson-Boseman stated that two people signed up to speak on non-agenda items and invited them to step forward to provide their comments. Carin Bruchs, resident of Chestnut Street, stated that she wanted to address the protection of the downtown historic districts and thanked Representative Deb Butler for helping constituents in the downtown area. A petition is being circulated that has, to date, 275 supporters to save the historic districts and is supported by the Historic Wilmington Foundation. The advisory council on historic preservation is also investigating the military failure to adhere to the section 106 review process for initiation of new military fighter jet activity based out of ILM. She further stated that the Board failed the downtown residents through the lack of transparency, accountability, unresponsiveness to community concerns, and unwillingness to address the situation. th Brendan O’Donnell, resident of North 15 Street, stated that he wanted to address the non-agenda item of airport noise as the agenda item had to do with supporting military operations. He and his neighbors object to the noise caused by the military operations on the surrounding community. There was an improvement over the weekend. He thanked the Airport Authority, the military, and other parties that managed to make that happen. He expressed appreciation to all who worked to make that happened and Representative Butler for her efforts. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS Commissioner Barfield expressed appreciation to Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Linda Thompson and her team for their work on the 1898 Massacre and Coup D’état events held this month. Vice-Chair Hays wished everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season. Commissioner Zapple thanked the HHS staff for their work and HHS Board for its deliberations and decision th on the Covid-19 mask requirements during the November 12 meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Olson-Boseman adjourned the meeting at 10:27 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.