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2022-04-18 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 18, 2022 PAGE 405 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on April 18, 2022, 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 Bo Dean, Senior Human Resources Analyst, provided the invocation and Chair Julia Olson-Boseman 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 items on 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 and Agenda Review Meetings held on March 31, 2022 and Regular Meeting held April 4, 2022. Adoption of the Quasquicentennial Anniversary Celebration of North Carolina Sorosis Proclamation – County Manager The Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing April 24, 2022 as “Quasquicentennial Anniversary Celebration of North Carolina Sorosis” in New Hanover County. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.1. Second Reading: Approval of Solid Waste Franchise for JPM Services Inc. – County Attorney The Commissioners approved the second reading to authorize the issuance of a solid waste franchise agreement to JPM Services, Inc. Second Reading: Approval of Solid Waste Franchise for Port City Containers, LLC – County Attorney The Commissioners approved the second reading to authorize the issuance of a solid waste franchise agreement to Port City Containers, LLC. Approval of The Healing Place of New Hanover County Furniture Purchase Award – Facilities Management The Commissioners approved the award to PMC Commercial Interiors, Inc. for the furniture needed for the Healing Place of New Hanover County. Approval of the Acquisition of 6816 Springer Road Property – Engineering The Commissioners approved the request to acquire 6816 Springer Road at no cost and directed County Legal to record the deed. Adoption of Women's Health Month and Women's Health Week Proclamation – Health and Human Services The Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing May as “Women’s Health Month” and May 8 – 14, 2022 as “Women’s Health Week” in New Hanover County. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.2. Adoption of Adoption of Elder Abuse Awareness Month Proclamation – Health and Human Services The Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing May 8 – June 19, 2022 as “Elder Abuse Awareness Month” in New Hanover County. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.3. 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: Health 22-060 Sheriff 22-069, 22-070, 22-071 Social Services 22-059, 22-062, 22-063, 22-065, 22-066, 22-068 NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 18, 2022 PAGE 406 Copies of the budget amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.4. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF STELLAR AWARD TO LIBRARY AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES County Manager Coudriet stated that Library and Facilities Management employees are being recognized for their courageous and selfless acts while responding to an incident at the downtown Main Library. On Saturday, April 2, 2022 a patron was found unresponsive, and staff on duty at once stepped in to perform lifesaving techniques while awaiting the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). While the patron was unfortunately unable to be resuscitated, staff took all measures to help the individual and followed all proper protocols while responding. In recognition of their efforts, they have been nominated for a Stellar Award for the demonstration of the County’s shared value of Professionalism. Commissioner Barfield commended the staff and shared the story of the patron, Malcolm, as shared with him by Malcolm’s sister and that she was very appreciative of all who tried to help her brother. He further stated that people seen on street corners have names, histories, and stories. It is not just about substance use disorders, some of the people are dealing with mental illness. County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive their stellar award: Brianna Davis, Senior Librarian Mike Kilgore, Facilities Management Custodian Paige Owens, Library Director Frances Reyes, Library Associate Jamie Schrum, Children’s Librarian Joe Sheppard, Local History Associate Chair Olson-Boseman presented a stellar award to each person and the Commissioners expressed appreciation and thanked each one for their efforts. PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES County Manager Coudriet recognized the following employees receiving a retirement award: Susan Swinson, HHS – Health, retiring with 15 years of service Cindy Smith, HHS – Social Services, retiring with 30 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: Franchesca Doblado, Sheriff’s Office Hakima Mobley, HHS – Centralized Support Swanza Rhodes, Facilities Management Ten Years: Thomas Brown, Facilities Management Jodi Rich, Parks and Gardens Fifteen Years: Steven Person, Community Justice Services Twenty-Year: Jennifer Warren, HHS – Social Services Twenty-Five Year: Regina James-Boston, HHS – Centralized Support Thirty-Year: Cindy Smith, HHS – Social Services 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: Ian Appling, HHS Pandemic Operations Cedric Harrison, Port City United Steve Barnett, Port City United Anna Koerner, Fire Rescue Harris Black, Port City United Autum Larson, HHS - Public Health Keishon Bordeaux, Port City United Louis McDonald, Fire Rescue Sharon Braxton, Port City United Jessica Miller, HHS - Public Health Anthony Brumm, Port City United Jessica Moody, Social Services Craig Bullock, Port City United Kendria Patrick, HHS - Social Services John Carpenter, Sheriff's Office Heather Riesenbeck, HHS - Social Services Heather Colasanto, Social Services Tyreek Robinson, Port City United Robert Farrell, Planning & Land Use Sonya Rugh, HHS - Social Services Rashad Gattison, Port City United Lennard Waddell, Port City United Jarett Gattison, Port City United Theresa Yardley, HHS - Public Health Elizabeth Graham, Port City United The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 18, 2022 PAGE 407 CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING HONOR FLIGHT OF THE CAPE FEAR AREA Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area President and Trip Leader Ruth Ravitz Smith presented the requested resolution recognizing Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area. Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area is a recently established hub of the national Honor Flight Network, which honors the nation’s veterans with an all-expenses paid trip to the military service memorials in Washington, D.C. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the chance to share their experiences with other veterans and remember their friends and lost comrades. Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area will make their inaugural flight on April 30, 2022, and the resolution recognizes this group and celebrates their important milestone. She also introduced Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area board members Sergeant Herbert Lee Young, Korea War Veteran, US Army, Retired, and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Ross Geraci, Vietnam Veteran, US Army, Retired. The Commissioners spoke about their own and/or family members’ military service and expressed appreciation to Mr. Young and Mr. Geraci for their service to this country. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson- Boseman asked for Board direction. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Chair Olson-Boseman MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to adopt the resolution as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.5. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Kim Hufham presented the request for the Board to adopt a proclamation recognizing May 1-7, 2022 as “Travel and Tourism Week” in New Hanover County. Ms. Hufham expressed appreciation to the Board for supporting travel and tourism in the area. The theme for the th 39 Annual National Travel and Tourism Week is “The Future of Travel”. As the travel numbers increase each year, the impact on the County can been seen and travel does matter here in New Hanover County. Ms. Hufham invited the Board to Travel Rally Day on May 5, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for Board direction. Motion: Vice-Chair Hays MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple to adopt the proclamation declaring the week of May 1-7, 2022 as “Travel and Tourism Week” in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.6. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE FOSTER CARE AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION HHS - Social Services Director Tonya Jackson presented the request for the Board to adopt a proclamation recognizing May 2022 as “Foster Care Awareness Month” in the County. In response to Board questions, Ms. Jackson confirmed there are 300 in the foster care through the HHS – Social Services department. The department receives approximately 400 calls per month for child and foster services and takes in approximately 60% of those that it can help to keep those children safe. When the department does take children into custody the goal is always to seek reunification. If that is not attainable, staff works on a plan for adoption. Currently there are 80 foster homes and approximately 93 other agencies that help. There is always a need for foster parents. People interested in becoming foster parents are welcome to call or stop by the HHS-Social Services department to learn more about the program and start the process to become foster parents. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for Board direction. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to adopt the proclamation declaring May 2022 as “Foster Care Awareness Month” in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.7. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY ECONOMIC MOBILITY – 2022 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC UPDATE PREPARED BY GREENFIELD CONSULTING Robin Spinks and Mary Lilley with Greenfield Consulting presented the New Hanover County Economic Mobility – 2022 Economic Development Strategic Update as follows:  New Hanover County Economic Mobility, 2022:  Goals: increase tax base, align target business sectors to existing economic conditions, and promote higher wage jobs while regrowing middle income opportunities  Key findings/analysis:  Unbalanced economy:  Workers and wages concentrated in higher and lower levels:  The manufacturing middle has decreased NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 18, 2022 PAGE 408  Need to re-create the upward Economic Mobility pathway for entry and lower-level wage workers  Growing but aging population: need to develop the younger future workforce  COVID-related work disruptions - created new opportunities:  Remote Working – has boosted population growth  The Great Resignation – many new businesses created  Supply Chain Disruption – reshoring  Limited land for long term industrial and commercial development: must identify and protect  Primary assets, support assets, and limitations:  Target Sector Recommendations:  Basis for target recommendations:  Achieve economic development goals  Opportunity for high and middle wage jobs  Traded sectors which bring dollars into the community  Business service sectors whose operations support companies in any location  Growing sectors  Sectors that best match the local assets and are not affected by the limitations  Primary Targets: existing business expansion, warehouse and logistics, life science manufacturing/pharmaceuticals, digital technology companies, offshore wind, and film industry  Other Target Sectors: boat building and repair, aerospace, Blue Economy companies, and building materials  Other Recommendations:  Product Development:  Identify and protect potential industrial and commercial sites  Encourage brownfield sites reuse  Workforce Development:  Recruit comprehensive / integrated engineering school at UNCW  Continue to develop early connection between students and careers  Marketing:  Encourage “Play here, Stay here” model  Palm Beach recruitment method  Create demographics data sets that represent the full labor market, not just the Census Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).  Create a brand identity that clearly separates Wilmington, NC from Wilmington, DE  Business Support: support existing business startup, scale up, and succession Ms. Lilley stated that the items presented are recommendations from Greenfield Consulting, but it is the County’s report just like the Garner report was the County’s. The County can prioritize, move the recommendations around, or do whatever it wishes. As to the data, the Census data is now released in percentages instead of the actual numbers used and she used what most are using as the standard numbers. Discussion was held by the Commissioners about their takeaways from the report. In response to Board questions, Ms. Lilley stated she was impressed by the breadth and depth of the innovation cluster in the area, which includes the contract research organizations (CRO). The County has many small assets and not as many larger companies. Real estate availability provides opportunities and one of the latest trends in the Southeastern US is to have campus settings or hybrid workspaces. These types of workspaces might be possible with the Thermo Fisher building but will depend on things such as the sale price and if the zoning will stay the same. Between the County staff and economic development partners, the Board has the staff that can manage what is coming into the community as they know the area markets very well. Ms. Spinks added the life science manufacturing/ pharmaceuticals sector was included because it was felt it was an opportunity to vertically integrate what is already in the community. Land availability is the only limitation of bringing in the larger manufacturing/pharmaceutical facilities due to a 100-acre site typically being too small for them. In response to Board questions, Ms. Spinks stated that the economic development organizations in the area such as Wilmington Business Development, Wilmington Chamber, the Southeastern Economic Development Commission, and others are top notch at what they do. The County has done an excellent job with having the organizations better coordinate between each other. She further explained that Blue Economy companies are those that have everything to do with the ocean. The companies harvest things out of the ocean and use it as the platform for what they do such as marine robotics or bio-assets that can be used in the pharmaceutical industry. Offshore NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 18, 2022 PAGE 409 wind will help elevate those types of companies and fits perfectly with what UNCW and Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) have been doing for years, both of which are significant assets. In response to further Board questions, Ms. Spinks stated that the traded sectors, such as the film and television industry are a bit different from manufacturing in that they use many local products, so the sales tax issue is a big item because they are buying local. However, manufacturing brings in dollars in from the outside, and though they may or may not being buying items locally, they are paying high wages and those wages are circulated in the area. As for area entrepreneurs, the innovation network provides a whole support system for those who are trying to start from nothing. The many pieces of the innovation network are fully discussed in the report. She noted that the word “innovation" was used in the report rather than entrepreneur. As to being able to hire qualified people for various jobs, one of thing heard from all manufacturing companies is about the extreme difficulty in finding engineers but not in finding production workers. That issue was the reason for recommending that an engineering school be brought into the area. Another part of that discussion was about how there are not as many young families in the County. It is not a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) issue as much as it is a New Hanover County issue due to the younger families living in cheaper places such as Brunswick and Pender counties and commuting into this County. It is one of the important reasons to pay close attention to the kids that are in the k-12 school system to help the families figure out how to stay here. The hope is that by bringing in a wide, diverse array of middle and high-income jobs people will be able to stay here. Ms. Lilley added that the residential and employee issues are national problems, not issues just in this County and efforts are already being made to address both at the local level. A brief discussion was held about the Garner report providing a checklist to help elected officials and economic development organizations see what progress has been made over time. Some Commissioners expressed a desire to have such a checklist added to the Greenfield Consulting report so that what is accomplished can been seen over time as well as what still needs to be done. Ms. Spinks stated that an effort was made to compile recommendations into a simple, concise, and easy to accomplish list format by stating who needs to oversee making them happen. The only thing not done was prioritization as that is the Board’s job to do because what can be done quickly and what can be done easily may not be the same thing. There are a substantial number of people who have moved here who are not familiar with the past, have not lived here all their lives, like the area as it is today, and do not want it to change. Therefore, it was felt to be critical to explain to the Board why the recommendations were made as presented. She hopes the recommendations will provide some support for making hard decisions that sometimes the public may not understand. A brief discussion was held about the need to recognize and celebrate the companies that have been a part of the foundation in getting the County to where it is today as well as the importance of elected officials to not lose sight of those that are currently making tremendous impacts on the economy. Ms. Spinks stated that is why supporting existing businesses was put at the top of the recommendation list. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman expressed appreciation to Ms. Spinks and Ms. Lilley for the update and asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Vice-Chair Hays MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield to adopt the resolution to adopt the New Hanover County Economic Mobility - 2022 Economic Development Strategic Update prepared by Greenfield Consulting, to direct staff to return to the Board with a prioritization level list based on the report, and to have periodic updates on the prioritization list. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.8. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A COMMAND UNIT FOR MULTI-AGENCY USE AND ADOPTION OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 22-072 Emergency Management Director Steven Still presented the request of the New Hanover County Emergency Management, Sheriff’s Office, and Fire Rescue to purchase a replacement command unit to perform as a mobile command center which will be used to ensure effective communication and decision-making coordination for partner agencies during critical incidents or special events. The current command unit, a repurposed bus, is at the end of its useful life and lacks the capability to take advantage of current technology and communication functionality. The unit also lacks sufficient HVAC and has had intermittent generator failures. Some substandard technologies include a lack of onboard camera feeds, inefficient mapping capability, and ineffective internet connectivity resulting in the lack of situational awareness and hindrance of swift decision making. The substandard functionality of the current unit was experienced during a recent school violence incident. The incident highlighted the need for a ready-state package unit providing mobile command center capability for coordination of a multi- agency response ensuring community and responder safety. Following that incident, a cross-sectional work group was formed with representatives from Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Office, and Fire Rescue to compile required specifications and effective layout for optimal use. The vendor, Atlantic Emergency Solutions, has been selected to construct the unit using a competitively solicited cooperative purchasing program that meets state purchasing and procurement guidelines. Funding for the proposed new command unit will be split between the General Fund (two-thirds) and the Fire Services Fund (one- third) using available fund balance. The total construction price of the command unit is $1,607,000 with a construction timeline of twenty-one months. The vendor offers a pre-pay option that will bring the cost of the unit down to $1,562,000. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for Board direction. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 18, 2022 PAGE 410 Motion: Vice-Chair Hays MOVED, SECONDED by Chair Olson-Boseman, to approve the purchase of a command unit for multi-agency use and adopt budget amendment 22-072. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the budget amendment is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.9. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL FUNDING RECOMMENDATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 Assistant County Manager Tufanna Bradley provided a brief overview of the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) purpose and functions and stated that the JCPC unanimously recommended during its February 18, 2022 meeting to request that the Board of Commissioners approve the allocation of $547,770 in state JCPC funding for fiscal year 2022-2023 as follows:  JCPC Administration: $9,900  Youth Empowerment Services (Psychological Assessments, Counseling and Community Service programs): $406,345  Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP): $39,180  Communities in Schools (Teen Court and Mediation programs): $92,345 The recommendations meet the JCPC funding priorities of Psychological Assessments, Counseling, Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment, Community Services and Restitution, Teen Court, Parent/Family Skill Building Program, Interpersonal Skill Building, Home-Based Family Counseling, Substance Abuse Prevention/Education, Mediation, and Vocational Skill Training. Judge J. H. Corpening, II, JCPC Chairman, stated that some of the programs that are funded through the budget request are unique such as Youth Empowerment Services (YES) and is like nothing that is done anywhere else in the state. The psychological services part empowers him to get kids assessed immediately rather than having to work through Trillium to get an appointment with a provider that is unknown, and kids and families are served on the ground floor of the Department of Juvenile Justice building. Also, the community service part of YES is a fabulous program where kids are working in environments where they learn and get job skills training. Communities in Schools is in the first year of running Teen Court and doing an exceptional job. In response to Board questions, Judge Corpening stated that Teen Court is fully funded with the funding allocation request. Chair Olson-Boseman expressed appreciation to Judge Corpening for his work and commitment to the community. Hearing no further discussion, she asked for Board direction. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays, to approve the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Juvenile Crime Prevention Council’s Funding recommendation. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE BID FOR THE CONVENIENCE CENTER REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT Environmental Management Director Joe Suleyman presented the request for the Board to approve the bid award for the customer convenience center redevelopment project to Port City Builders, Inc. in the amount of $3,485,426.00 as follows:  Consideration of Bid Award for the Customer Convenience Center Redevelopment:  Identifying the need:  Over one half of the approximately 700 landfill customers each day use the customer convenience site  The convenience site is designed for residents and small businesses that hand-unload their vehicle and need the space and time to unload in a safe environment  The original site is located too close to the scale house, causing a bottleneck for outbound traffic during peak hours  Redevelopment allows the opportunity to incorporate an efficient layout, enhanced safety features (OSHA compliance), and separation between County equipment and customer vehicles  Features:  Treated timbers stacked between I-beams allow for quick replacement of damaged wall sections  Combination of asphalt paving and heavy-duty concrete work surfaces enable easy clean-up, efficient access  Attendant office with restroom replaces plastic storage shed and port-o-let, and provides secure storage for tools  Increases the number of container bays by two and thereby minimizing wait time for customers during peak hours  Location:  The new Customer Convenience Site will be located at the existing C&D sorted product storage area. Portions of the existing infrastructure (concrete slab, metal storage building, loading dock) will be retained and repurposed. Existing operations will be relocated to the “lower level” of this two-tiered layout. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 18, 2022 PAGE 411 Commissioner Barfield expressed his support of the project and stated that the improvements will provide even better service to the citizens using the site. In response to Board questions, Mr. Suleyman stated that discussions were had with the potential lowest bidder as the bids received were widespread in price. The lowest bidder verified and confirmed that the amounts included in the bid were correct. Commissioner Zapple stated that the improvements will be much appreciated by all the customers who use the convenience center on a regular basis. 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 resolution authorizing the award of the contract for the convenience center redevelopment project to Port City Builders, Inc., at a cost of $3,485,426.00, and authorize and direct the County to negotiate and execute a contract, the form of which shall be approved by the County Attorney. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 25.10. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointment to the New Hanover County Inspections Department Advisory Council Chair Olson-Boseman reported that one vacancy exists in the Engineer category on the New Hanover County Inspections Department Advisory Council. One application has been received and is available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated Adam Sisk for appointment. 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 appoint Adam Sisk to the New Hanover County Inspections Department Advisory Council, filling the unexpired term in the Engineer category with term to expire July 1, 2024. Appointments to the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee Chair Olson-Boseman reported that four vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee. Two applications have been received and are available for consideration. Vice-Chair Hays nominated Dorothy L. Grime for reappointment and Teresa Bevin for appointment. Commissioner Zapple 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 reappoint Dorothy L. Grime to a three-year term expiring April 30. 2025 and appoint Teresa Bevin to an initial term with the term to expire April 30, 2023. Appointment to The Healing Place of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors Chair Olson-Boseman reported that one vacancy exists on The Healing Place of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors with one application eligible for reappointment and one application available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated Louise Coggins for reappointment. Vice-Chair Hays seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman called for a vote on the nomination on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Louise Coggins to The Healing Place of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors, with the term to expire April 30, 2025. PUBLIC COMMENTS 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 stated that he would like to provide an update to the Board and make the public aware of the County's plan for increasing compensation for its front line first responders. The Commissioners were individually briefed and as discussed with them the plan is to implement the compensation adjustment plan for the th County’s first responders beginning with the April 19 pay period. It will provide a salary increase of 12.2% for employees in the 911 Center and Sheriff’s Office, including the detention center. In Fire Rescue, it will increase pay for firefighter positions by 29.89%; firefighter/apparatus operator and fire captain positions by 23.71%; and fire battalion chief positions by 17.82%. The plan will positively affect approximately 670 of the County’s employees. The increases are based on an in-depth internal analysis by the County’s Human Resources and Finance teams and are directly in line with what the market currently demands. It will also ensure the County remains competitive with other public safety organizations across the region. The individuals who serve in these three departments are some NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 18, 2022 PAGE 412 of the most resolute and selfless people in this community. Their work is hard, stressful, and critical and they come to work every day ready to serve and the salary increase is well deserved. County Manager Coudriet further stated that he is pleased that the increase can start now, which equates to about $974,149 for this fiscal year, as opposed to waiting on the start of a new fiscal year. As work continues to prepare a recommended budget to bring forward, it will be inclusive of these pay plan increases and staff also plans to include a market adjustment for all other eligible County employees, outside of these three departments, starting in July 2022. That increase is about 8.6% for each employee and is based on inflation and the consumer price index for this region, the southeast US. He thinks it is better to address inflation costs as part of a new spending plan, so that is why this adjustment is being recommended in the budget, to begin in July. Staff is also recommending an increase to the County’s minimum wage from $15.30 per hour to $16.35 per hour, and an increase of 6.86% to the overall pay plan as part of the recommended budget. The County is already preparing for a pay and classification study that the Board approved as part of this year’s budget. A consultant has been selected and the hope is to have the study completed in the beginning of 2023 to help inform any pay scale changes that might be needed in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. He believes this is a well-informed plan in place that updates the pay scales for the County’s front line first responders in a way that is needed more immediately, and a recommendation for the upcoming budget that provides pay increases for all other employees, directly in line with what the market demands, funds the Board’s priorities, and meets the policy goal stated by the Board to lower property taxes. Chair Olson-Boseman expressed appreciation to County Manager Coudriet, Chief Human Resources Officer Mark Francolini, Chief Financial Officer Lisa Wurtzbacher, Budget Officer Michelle Daniels, and Human Resources Manager Cheryl Knips for their work to analyze front line first responders’ compensation and develop a plan to ensure the County remains competitive and provides employees with what they need and deserve. She further recognized Sheriff Ed McMahon, Fire Rescue Chief Donnie Hall, and 911 Communications Director Hope Downs and thanked them for all they do to lead their teams and protect the community. She fully endorses and supports the pay increase for employees in the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue, and 911. They serve this community every day, putting their lives and safety on the line in so many cases. They are the first call, connection, and line of defense for people. They help keep this community safe and are passionate and dedicated to helping others. They are true public servants, and everyone is grateful for what they do and all they give. Chair Olson-Boseman further stated that with inflation, the current job market, and the in-depth analysis that was done, she believes the County has a solid plan that gets the employees up to where they need to be, and the fact that the County can cover this as part of this year’s budget and make it happen now is even better. County employees who are not in these three departments are also incredibly resolute and cannot be overlooked and she appreciates staff being thorough and including a salary increase for them as part of the recommended budget. She knows staff has heard from most of the Board about the desire to cut to the tax rate and appreciates the diligence in developing a balanced budget that takes care of the employees while also cutting the rate. This way, the taxpayers are not paying any more out of their pockets for these much-needed increases. She hopes her fellow Commissioners will agree that these pay increases are needed given the current economy and job market, and to ensure all the employees are being provided with the right and best compensation possible. She is proud to be part of an organization that is committed to ensuring County employees have the best benefits, a highly competitive pay, and a culture that values, respects, and appreciates their hard work every day. She further thinks this announcement is a direct reflection of that and ties into discussions about the need for workforce housing. The County increasing its minimum wage and salaries will help to ensure living wages and access to housing that is more affordable in this community. She reiterated her appreciation for the quick work of management and foresight on this and appreciates the support of her fellow Commissioners. The Board is incredibly lucky to have the employees it does, and she hopes many of them are watching so they hear directly from this Board about how much it appreciates them, recognizing the incredible work they do every day, and that this pay increase is well deserved. Sheriff McMahon, Fire Chief Donnie Hall, and 911 Director Hope Downs expressed appreciation for work done by County Manager Coudriet, Mr. Francolini, and the team to help their departments remain competitive in the hiring and retention of people and for the continued support of the entire public safety team. Commissioner Zapple stated he thinks the pay increase is long overdue and what is not often recognized is whenever an employee leaves County employment all the money, time, and effort that goes into training that person is lost. The plan provides a full defensive system to address the retention issue problem and the County can move forward. It makes the entire County and all the departments that much stronger. He expressed appreciation to all County employees for the work they do every day and stated that he supports the action. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Olson-Boseman adjourned the meeting at 11:23 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.