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2021-12-20 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 286 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on December 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 Reverend Thomas Nixon, St. Stephen AME Church, provided the invocation and Commissioner Barfield 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 Commissioner Zapple 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 Special Meeting held on November 22, 2021, Agenda Review Meeting held on December 2, 2021, and the Regular Meeting held on December 6, 2021. Approval of the 2021 General Records and Program Records Retention Schedules for Local Government Agencies – Governing Body The Commissioners approved the 2021 General Records and Program Records Retention Schedules for Local Government Agencies. Copies of the 2021 General Records and Program Records Retention Schedules are on file in the Governing Body office and the approval pages are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 18.1. Adoption of Revisions to County Code – County Attorney The Commissioners adopted an ordinance amending the New Hanover County Code of Ordinances per North Carolina Session Law 2021-138 that certain types of ordinances may no longer be punished as misdemeanors or infractions, and all other ordinances may be enforced as a misdemeanor or infraction if the county specifies such in an ordinance. A copy of the ordinance is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 18.2. Approval of Release of the Levy for Tax Year 2011 - Tax The Commissioners approved the release of the levy for the tax year 2011 in the amount of $558,083.77. A copy of the release of levy is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 18.3. Approval of October 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 October 2021. Copies of the tax collection reports are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 18.4. Approval of Budget Amendments – Budget The Commissioners adopted the following budget amendments, amending the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022:  Social Services: 22-020, 021, 022, 035, 036  Senior Resource Center: 22-023, 024, 037  Finance: 22-025  Sheriff's Office: 22-026, 027, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, 033  Health: 22-034 Copies of the budget amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 18.5. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 287 REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES County Manager Coudriet recognized the following employees receiving a retirement award: Annette Moore, Facilities Management, retiring with 17 years of service Lisa Worley, Health and Human Services, retiring with eight years of service Chair Olson-Boseman presented a retirement 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 employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five Years: Courtney Swain, Health and Human Services – Social Services Ten Years: Sarah Whitaker, Community Justice Services John Mills, Sheriff’s Office 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: Brandon Marion, 911 Bridgett Pagliaro, Tax Carolyn Jackson, Senior Resource Center Chelsea Williams, Finance Christie Matistic, Health and Human Services – Health Department Craig Faircloth, Health and Human Services – Health Department Ebony Edge, Health and Human Services – Health Department Emelia Agresti, 911 Eugenia Johnson, Health and Human Services – Health Department Haley Gore, 911 James Roche, Health and Human Services – Health Department Janeill Mock, Health and Human Services – Health Department Jessica Hinson, Health and Human Services – Health Department Jessyca Schismenos, 911 Kecia Eberhardt, Community Justice Services Kendra Massey, Facilities Management Laken Roxbury, Health and Human Services – Social Services Marybeth Beasley, Cooperative Extension/Arboretum Melissa Lombardi, Health and Human Services – Health Department Michael Ford, Health and Human Services – Social Services Paige Lundberg, Health and Human Services – Health Department Theatrice McClammy, Health and Human Services – Social Services Tyecsha Robbins, Health and Human Services – Health Department Tyresha Bellamy, Community Justice Services Yamitzy Lopez, Facilities Management The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. PRESENTATION OF CAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY (CFPUA) ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2021 Kenneth Waldroup, CFPUA Executive Director, provided the 2021 annual report as follows:  CFPUA 2021 Annual Report:  Year in Review:  Customer service centers reopen for in-person business; most staff return to CFPUA facilities  Board approved $91.97 million for fiscal year 2022 budget and for a third year in a row, no rate increase  Progress on Sweeney Treatment Enhancements Project  Kings Bluff Raw Water Transmission Main nears completion  Move to monthly billing for all customers  CFPUA COVID Relief Program launches with funding from City and County partners  New Executive Director hired  Serving Customers: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 288  Billing and Assistance:  May 2021: CFPUA automatically enrolls approximately 1,700 customers with delinquent accounts in payment plans  September 2021: CFPUA resumes service disconnects for delinquent residential customers after suspending them for more than 18 months. CFPUA is one of the last major water utilities in the state to resume disconnects.  September 21, 2021: Applications open for the CFPUA COVID Relief Program, in partnership with the City of Wilmington (City), County, and Good Shepherd Center  October 2021: Shift to monthly billing begins  Sweeney GAC Filters:  $43 million project to add deep-bed Granular Activated Carbon filters for PFAS treatment:  Expected reduction of PFAS in raw water: 90% total; GenX to < 1 ppt  Filters expected to come online in June 2022  6,800 cubic yards of concrete poured in 2021; pumps delivered; roof installation beginning soon  Kings Bluff Raw Water Line:  $44.3 million project to increase raw water supply for CFPUA, Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority, and Brunswick County:  Cost to CFPUA: $16.2 million (36.6%)  14-mile pipeline completed in summer 2021  Work underway on six interconnects with existing raw water main  Expected completion: April 2022  North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) Action Against Chemours:  November 3, 2021: NC DEQ determines the company is responsible for PFAS contamination in the New Hanover County (NHC) groundwater  Chemours has until February 1, 2022, to submit an action plan to test private wells and provide source of safe drinking water to any affected well owners  CFPUA is grateful for continued advocacy from County and City leaders on this important issue  CFPUA staff will continue working with DEQ to address ongoing concerns with Chemours- specific contamination in the Cape Fear River  Funding in North Carolina State Budget:  November 18, 2021: North Carolina 2021-23 budget signed by Governor Cooper  American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 funding directed to NC DEQ for water and sewer infrastructure projects:  $30 million in construction grants for CFPUA  Staff researching how $30 million may be used and will present recommendations to the CFPUA Board at a future meeting  Other Major Projects:  Richardson Capacity Expansion:  Cost: $1.05 million  Dates: October 2020 – May 2021  Richardson Water Treatment Plant’s capacity increased to 7 MGD following installation of reverse-osmosis membranes  Wells 46 and 47 Improvement Project:  Cost: $1.3 million  Dates: February – December 2021  Two emergency supply wells in the Monterey Heights Groundwater System being upgraded to active status to meet demand  Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Replacement:  Cost: $4.5 million  Dates: January 2017 – March 2021  Customer Service/Finance software upgraded for efficiency and enhanced customer service experience  Castle Hayne Water Expansion:  Cost: $1.3 million  Dates: May 2020 – March 2021  Extended CFPUA water services to the Castle Hayne commercial district  Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements:  Cost: $3 million NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 289  Dates: October 2020 – November 2021  Installation of 2,000-kW generator, addition of walkways and washdown facilities for tertiary filters  Find It, Fix It Program:  Cost: $12.5 million (includes state grant funding)  Dates: various – October 2021  Annual program including multiple projects to repair and rehabilitate lines with a history of maintenance issues  Finances:  Revenues: $92,965,615  Includes $260,774 in investment earnings and $261,954 in federal grants  Fixed water/wastewater charges: $30,682,589  Volumetric water/wastewater charges: $46,015,223  System development charges: $8,047,468  Other: $7,697,607  Expenditures: $91,070,339  Debt service: $27,552,093  Salaries and benefits: $25,057,324  Operating: $19,974,271  Capital projects: $18,486,651 Mr. Waldroup concluded the presentation stating that CFPUA appreciates the continued support of the Board. In response to Board questions, Mr. Waldroup stated he and his team were disappointed with the Newsweek selection criteria and shared their thoughts with the editor which included suggesting a reconsideration of naming Chemours as a responsible company. The team also provided long list of documented facts that by Newsweek’s own criteria would warrant removal from that list. The Board welcomed Mr. Waldroup to the community and thanked him for his hard work to assist the citizens. CONSIDERATION AND CONTINUATION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET AMENDMENT #2 APPROVAL REQUEST New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) Chief Financial Officer Mary Hazel Small stated that the funds to be transferred are from completed projects and three deferred projects to fund higher priority projects as follows:  Transfer remaining desktop replacement projects to laptops based on new technology plan.  Transfer project savings of $250,498 to establish budget for Mobile Unit Relocation.  Increase budget for Brogden Hall floor repairs by $1,459,683, by transferring project savings of $259,683 and deferring the projects listed below totaling $1,200,000:  Codington Site Repair Project - $570,000  NHHS George West Roof - $545,000  Laney Band Room HVAC - $85,000 NHCS Facility Planning and Construction Director Leanne Lawrence reiterated that NHCS is proposing that three projects be deferred to fund the Brogden Hall renovation work to make up the balance for funds needed for the project to occur now. The three projects would be placed at the top of the capital project list for next fiscal year. In response to Board questions, Ms. Lawrence stated that the Brogden Hall renovation costs have not increased and is still estimated at $2.7 million. NHCS staff is having to look at different funding options for the project. The plan is to use a combination of bond savings transferred earlier, the $600,000 lottery application that was previously approved and submitted to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and the funds being requested through budget amendment #2. Those are the funds needed to achieve and meet the $2.7 million estimated cost for the project. This is one part of what NHCS has been budgeting for all along or anticipating that could be utilized toward the budget to meet the needs at Brogden Hall. The impact to the other projects is simply a delay in time. The same work will be accomplished 12 months later than originally anticipated. It is not that NHCS had not budgeted for the project, but the additional issues of the project arose unexpectedly. The intent was only to replace the gym floor, but once it became known that there were fundamental structural issues with the floor, a plan was developed to also address the issues. This has been an anticipated part of the plan all along in the event the budget was more than originally anticipated. As the investigation continued and additional information was provided on what would be needed to correct the problem, other projects were identified that would not be as impacted if delayed a year. The other projects are not being cancelled, just delayed in order allocate those funds to Brogden Hall, as they are not as urgent and will be addressed in the next year. In response to additional Board questions, Ms. Lawrence explained that in reference to her earlier comment about the initial cost rising, there is a need to look back at the initial phase of investigating the slab, the structure, and the flooring. NHCS staff was looking a $1 million, maybe $1.2 million about a year ago, but no costs have risen, only the estimated understanding from a year ago to now, that is the only change that has occurred. Vice-Chair Hays stated that while she understands Ms. Lawrence’s explanation, the Board’s response to getting Brogden Hall fixed is at the top of its list. It needs to be completed so that students have a functioning gym NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 290 and understand they are valued, which is critically important. However, NHCS has over $100 million in covid funds from the federal and state levels. She understands that NHCS can and cannot do certain things with the funds, but NHCS can certainly figure out where to apply those funds and redirect the other funds that were in the budget to fund this project instead of putting off needed projects at Codington Elementary, New Hanover High School, and Laney High School. Those three projects are going to cost more a year down the road than they do right now. She understands that NHCS staff has an idea of where they are putting the funds and that they have to go back and make changes. She very much wants Brogden Hall completed and fixed to the best of its capability and for it to be done as soon as possible. However, she is not going to vote to detour any other projects, especially when NHCS is sitting on that kind of money of which $88 million of it is not really designated and goes into some big funds. She applauded the project savings of $259,683 but would make a motion to continue the item to the January 10, 2022 meeting to allow time for a plan to be presented to the Board that does not defer any projects and figure out where the money will be moved from. Motion: Vice-Chair Hays MOVED to continue the item to the January 10, 2022 meeting to allow time for NHCS to develop a plan to be presented to the Board that does not defer any projects and figure out where the money will be moved from. In response to Board questions, Ms. Lawrence stated there is not a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract in place. At this time, the project is being bid out in phases. The first phase of bidding is the early design package which addresses some long lead time items and came in at $70,000 under the estimated budget. There is remaining work to be bid in the middle of January. By that time, it will be known what the GMP is going to be but so far, the bidding is coming in slightly under budget. Commissioner Zapple stated that he is concerned that the $2.7 million estimate will continue to increase, which is not a complaint as he understands the nature of what is being done to make the repairs and continue to support the remainder of the Brogden Hall repairs. He thinks that the top limits of the funding have not been seen yet. As to the three projects and there being no impact beyond time, a great deal was learned after Hurricane Florence especially with the roof issues at the schools, which became shelters during and after the storm. He respectfully disagreed with Ms. Lawrence that any roof issue with school buildings is not impactful and he understands that on paper delaying for a year makes sense. However, he cannot support the request. If there is a problem that has been identified, and both are major issues at the same high school, the roof needs to be fixed as well to be ahead of the next long rain event, hurricane, etc. None of the projects should be deferred and he understands that when the projects are brought forward that need to be done, it is not done lightly. He also feels the money is there in the school system and the work needs to be done to protect the buildings and provide the best quality education possible. He believes that is what is being done but disagrees with deferring the other three projects for a year. He further stated he would second the motion on the floor. Motion: Vice-Chair Hays MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple to continue the item to the January 10, 2022 meeting to allow time for NHCS to develop a plan to be presented to the Board that does not defer any projects and figure out where the money will be moved from. In response to Board questions, Ms. Small stated that regarding the $88 million, the BOE made commitments for a budget plan for most of the funds. NHCS staff is going through the process now that there is a state budget including established salary schedules, and there are positions finalized in the cost estimates for the next three years, based on the recent changes. After the budget amendment was taken to the BOE, there was an increase in lottery funds available for next year or hopefully, within this year, which could possibly be used for some of these projects. NHCS does not have access to the funds yet. She asked for the Board’s consideration to approve the request so work could continue to release the bids to award contracts for the projects that are the highest priority for Brogden Hall first, and then bring the matter back to the Board for consideration. There is a list of projects that are going to be under consideration that deal with specific health and safety issues, not just general funding. If any project can meet the criteria as established by DPI and the legislature for the use of the funds, NHCS certainly will bring that forward for consideration. Vice-Chair Hays stated that she understands there are ties to the funds, but the County has reworked its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and continues to do so. She further understands that DPI must approve NHCS’ requests. If those funds cannot be used for this project, then NHCS needs to figure out what they can be used for and what was budgeted for those projects can be used for this project. She is very much in favor of getting Brogden Hall done but will not support continuing to push projects out. Commissioner Barfield stated that if time were of the essence, he would encourage Ms. Small and Ms. Lawrence to return to the BOE to discuss and re-prioritize what is important with what has been done with those th specific funds in order to return to the Board on January 10. th Commissioner Zapple stated that he hopes by January 10 there will be more information on what the GMP will be for the Brogden Hall project. He is concerned that it will continue to rise and there is a need to see where that is going to settle out as it will drive a lot of this, financially. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board on the motion on the floor. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 291 CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A NEW SENIOR DENTAL PROGRAM COORDINATED BY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE SENIOR RESOURCE CENTER THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH ACCESS DENTAL CARE AND BUDGET AMENDMENT 22-038 David Howard, Health Director and Amber Smith, Senior Resource Center Director, presented the following information on the senior dental program request:  Senior Dental Services in New Hanover County:  Oral Health Problems in Older Adults:  Untreated tooth decay: 1 in 5 people aged 65+ have untreated tooth decay  Gum disease: a high percentage of older adults have gum disease  Tooth loss: Nearly 1 in 5 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 your 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:  Limited dental insurance for retirees (not in Medicare)  Provider availability is challenging even when a low-income senior has Medicaid  Low Medicaid reimbursement  High cost of oral health care  Low-income seniors with little discretionary income  Transportation and independence limitations  Communications, technological, and other challenges  Older Adult Demographic:  Access Dental Care:  A non-profit portable dental provider created by the NC Dental Society in 2000 to serve as a model of special care dental services  Focus:  Continuity of Care: the same quality and frequency of care received from a regular dental office  Comprehensive Care: the complete range of dental services typically available from a dental office  Compassionate Care: care that considers patient behaviors, concerns of responsible parties, particular challenges facing patients, and routines of facilities  Anticipated days of service per year is 150 and average cost per patient visit is $244 based $4,400 daily minimum and 18 visits per day:  Project Timeline:  Phase One - December 2021 – June 2022:  December 2021: Approval of Program by County Commission  January 2022: Contract with Access Dental; NHC Coordinator job description of duties and recruitment; Access Dental team recruitment; and Access Dental equipment orders  February 2022: NHC hires Coordinator; NHC and Access Dental meet with local stakeholders; NHC develops eligibility criteria; and Access Dental continues recruitment NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 292  March 2022: NHC Coordinator trains with Access Dental; NHC and Access Dental meet with potential sites and partners; and NHC and Access Dental create evaluation  April 2022: NHC Coordinator begins enrolling initial patients; NHC and Access Dental finalize schedule  May 2022: Coordinator continues enrolling and scheduling; Access Dental conducts screening events  June 2022: Further enrollment and screening events; Set initial treatment appointments  Phase Two July 2022 and beyond:  July 2022: Treatment visits begin in earnest on a regular schedule In response to Board questions, Mr. Howard stated that Access Dental operates as a portable operation meaning that all the equipment is portable. The service will only be for people from NHC. Ms. Smith confirmed that the SRC will be one of the sites but the service will not be to go to homes. The SRC will work with partners to establish other strategic locations to make the service accessible for older adults. The SRC will also work with HHS partners to help verify who are County residents, how long they have lived in the County, how they qualify for Medicaid services, and/or other like services that help determines residency. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to adopt the new senior dental program coordinated by Health and Human Services and the Senior Resource Center through a contract with Access Dental Care and budget amendment 22-038. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of budget amendment 22-038 is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 18.6. FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2022-23 BUDGET PROCESS PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF STAFF TO SCHEDULE THREE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS WITH THE BOARD FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET PROCESS Michelle Daniels, Budget Officer, presented the following information on the FY22-23 budget process:  FY22 Budget Recap:  Priorities:  Revaluation  Teacher supplements and $3,434 average daily membership (ADM) rate  American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)  Operational capacity  County people investments  $485 million budget (all funds)  Tax rates and fees:  Ad Valorem - 47.50 cents  Fire Service - 7.25 cents  Tip Fee - $48/ton  Stormwater Fee - $12  FY23 Budget Process:  Priorities – External:  Community violence and school safety  Community development  Education: Teacher assistants as identified at the most recent joint meeting  Priorities – Internal:  Continuation budget targets  Budget equity  Linking strategy to budget  Financial audit update  Strategy reports out  Preliminary projections:  Revenue and expenditure trends  Fund balance and debt  Capital projects  Continuation budget  Budget development updates  Recommendation preparation:  Formal presentation from departments  Revenue projections updated NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 293  Salary projection updated – market considerations  Inflation monitoring  Enhancements finalized with staff  Work sessions and meetings with Commissioners  Adoption Preparation:  Community feedback  Board debate and direction  Finalize revenue and expenditures  Adoption  Next Steps:  Strategic Plan Report Out late January/early February  Budget work session recommendation and discussion:  Preliminary budget work session – late January/early February: level-set  Mid-cycle budget work session – mid to late March: continuation and enhancement review  Final budget work session – early May: shore-up In response to Board questions, County Manager Coudriet confirmed that staff is asking for the Board to hold not less than three budget work sessions of the full Board. A brief discussion was held about the ADM. County Manager Coudriet stated that the ADM of $3,434 is the number budgeted and it has gone up because there were fewer students. As such, staff will not bring to the Board as a baseline the new number set in October 2021. He asked if it was correct based on what he has heard that the Board does not want to begin at an ADM of $3,434 but something lower. Chair Olson-Boseman confirmed that was correct. County Manager Coudriet further stated that he will resend to the Board the final ADM number information and the number of students enrolled with the school system. Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Ms. Daniels for the presentation. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMITTEES FOR 2022 Chair Olson-Boseman request that Commissioner Zapple read the 2022 list into the record. Commissioner Zapple read into the record the list of 2022 Commissioner appointments to various boards and committees. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to approve the appointments of the County Commissioners to various boards and committees for 2022. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the 2022 appointments of the County Commissioners to various boards and committees is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 18.7. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointment to the New Hanover Community Endowment Chair Olson-Boseman reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover Community Endowment with one application eligible for reappointment and five additional applications available for consideration. Chair Olson-Boseman nominated Stedman Stevens for reappointment. 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 reappoint Stedman Stevens to the New Hanover Community Endowment with the term to expire December 31, 2024. Appointments to the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council Chair Olson-Boseman reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council with two applications available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated Andy Almeter and Nikki Bascome for appointment. 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 Andy Almeter and Nikki Bascome to the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council with the terms to expire December 1, 2024. Appointment to the New Hanover County Plumbing Board of Examiners Chair Olson-Boseman reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Plumbing Board of Examiners with one application available for consideration in the Journeyman Plumber category and one application available for consideration in the Master Plumber category. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 20, 2021 PAGE 294 Commissioner Zapple nominated Thomas L. Crittenden, Jr. for appointment in the Journeyman Plumber category and Randall Siegel for appointment in the Master Plumber category. 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 Thomas L. Crittenden, Jr. to the New Hanover County Plumbing Board of Examiners in the Journeyman Plumber category and Randall Siegel to the New Hanover County Plumbing Board of Examiners in the Master Plumber category with terms to expire December 1, 2024. Appointments to the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority Chair Olson-Boseman reported that four vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority with one application available for consideration in the Wilmington Hotel (+150) Owner/Manager category, one application available for consideration in the Bed and Breakfast Owner/Manager category, and one application available for consideration in the Restaurant Owner/Manager category. Vice-Chair Hays nominated Zachery Brigman for appointment in the Wilmington Hotel (+150) Owner/Manager category, Charles Pennington in the Bed and Breakfast Owner/Manager category, and Angela Rhodes in the Restaurant Owner/Manager category. 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 Zachery Brigman to serve the unexpired term, expiring December 31, 2023 in the Wilmington Hotel (+150) Owner/Manager category, Charles Pennington to serve a three- year term with the term to expire December 31, 2024, and Angela Rhodes to serve a three-year term with the term to expire December 31, 2024 in the Restaurant Owner/Manager category for the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chair Olson-Boseman stated that one person signed up to speak on non-agenda items and invited the speaker to provide remarks. Gayle Major, resident of Canal Drive, stated that she is a child advocate, with an education background representing the children, and that the people in the community are concerned about the education process in this county. She expressed appreciation for the Board’s approach concerning the NHCS funds, particularly with the forthcoming budget process. Also, in this state there are no fingerprinting laws in the education system. The issue was tabled by the NHCS Board of Education due to the lack of funds and further tabled by the school superintendent and is now before the sheriff. This state is one of seven that does not have fingerprinting laws in the education system. Fingerprinting is needed in addition to the background checks for the NHCS system. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS County Manager Coudriet stated per the Board’s earlier request for information on the ADM, it was budgeted at 26,796. The actual number that the budget ended up being set at was 26,517 and was based on the number of students who are enrolled across the County, including charter schools. As such, the ADM increased from $3,334 to $3,472. Based on the number of students who appeared, the Board could have set approximately an appropriation that is $1 million less than it did to achieve its goal with ADM of having the highest paid supplement in the state. The information was previously sent to the Board in October 2021. Commissioner Zapple commended the work of the Parks and Gardens department on the ninja challenge course, full size basketball court, the small basketball court for kids, and the installation of lighting for the various memorials at Long Leaf Park. Commissioner Barfield wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Vice-Chair Hays thanked Airlie Gardens staff for their hard work with Enchanted Airlie. It continues to be one of the most favorite attractions of the holiday season in the community. She wished everyone a wonderful holiday season and thanked everyone for their hard work. Chair Olson-Boseman wished everyone a wonderful holiday season. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Olson-Boseman adjourned the meeting at 10:36 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.