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2022-09-06 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 PAGE 527 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on September 6, 2022, at 4:00 p.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 Shawn Blackwelder, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, provided the invocation and Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr. 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: Vice-Chair Hays 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 and Agenda Review Meeting held on August 18, 2022, and the Regular Meeting held on August 22, 2022. Approval of American Leadership Academy Coastal Request for Deputy – Sheriff The Commissioners approved one Deputy Sheriff – School Resource Officer position for American Leadership Academy (ALA) Coastal and adopted budget amendment 23-014. A copy of the budget amendment is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 33.1. Approval of Award of Contract for Both the Purchase of 2022 Harley Davidson Motorcycles and the Sale of 2019 Harley Davidson Motorcycles Owned by the County – Sheriff The Commissioners adopted a resolution to award the contract for the purchase of the motorcycles and sale of the used motorcycles to Coastal Carolina Harley Davidson in the amount of $54,411.36. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 33.2. Approval of Award of Contract to Capital Ford, Inc., for the Purchase of Seven (7) F-150 Crew Cab Police Responders for the Sheriff's Office in the amount of $247,415 – Sheriff The Commissioners adopted a resolution to award a contract to Capital Ford, Inc. for the Purchase of Seven (7) F-150 Crew Cab Responders in the amount of $247,415. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 33.3. Second Reading: Approval of Solid Waste Franchise for Seahawk Sanitation, Inc. – County Attorney The Commissioners approved the second reading to authorize the issuance of a solid waste franchise agreement to Seahawk Sanitation, Inc. A copy of the franchise agreement is on file in the legal department. Approval of July 2022 Tax Collection Reports – Tax The Commissioners approved the July 2022 tax collection reports for New Hanover County, New Hanover County Debt Service, and New Hanover County Fire District. Copies of the tax collection reports are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 33.4. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION Commissioner Zapple read the proclamation into the record. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson- Boseman asked for direction from the Board. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 PAGE 528 Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to adopt the proclamation recognizing September 15 through October 15, 2022 as Hispanic Heritage Month in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Dr. Edelmira Segovia with the Latino Alliance expressed appreciation to the Board for the proclamation. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 33.5. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Chair Olson-Boseman stated that she would move to adopt the resolution approving the proposed legislative priorities to be submitted to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. Vice-Chair Hays seconded the motion. Motion: Chair Olson-Boseman MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to adopt the resolution approving New Hanover County’s suggested legislative priorities for submission to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. 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 33.6. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DIVISION OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING Jim Iannucci, County Engineer, stated that he is present to represent Stormwater Services regarding the request to apply for an infrastructure grant through the NC Department of Environmental Quality. The grant would be used for stormwater related projects, which could be for either construction or planning projects. He noted that the agenda packet includes a list of proposed construction and planning projects. The grants are 100% grant funded with no local match required and the application is due September 30, 2022. The department will be notified in February 2023 about approval for any of these projects. The grant approved projects would be brought before the Board for consideration and possibly approval. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield, to adopt a resolution to approve the submission of a grant application for North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division for water infrastructure funding from the Stormwater Infrastructure Investments Fund. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Commissioner Barfield thanked Mr. Iannucci for his leadership and commitment to bringing the Stormwater Services division to fruition and for finding ways to reduce the burden on the taxpayers through grant opportunities. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 33.7. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER STRATEGY Jennifer Rigby, Chief Strategy Officer, presented the following information regarding the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder strategy:  New Hanover County Strategic Plan: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 PAGE 529 Ms. Rigby stated that since 2018 New Hanover County has identified preventing and reducing opioid misuse as a primary strategic objective. While some initial gains were seen in reducing overdoses and deaths, those trends have reversed, and now what is being seen is a community crisis that is rapidly developing, and it is being understood that the scope of the crisis is well beyond substance use and strongly correlated with a mental health crisis.  Real-time data (January 2022 – July 2022): Ms. Rigby stated that information was gathered around death by suicide to give a pulse on the mental wellbeing of the community. It has been found that from January 2022 to July 2022 the community has experienced 15 deaths with the majority being men between the ages of 26 to 44. Upon further investigation into the opioid related deaths, the community has experienced 36 deaths over the first half of 2022. Again, the majority being men ages 26 to 44. In terms of overdoses, 299 from January 2022 to July 2022, again with the same demographic. Because the overdose data comes from the local EMS, there is the ability to gather a lot more information about the overdoses. The peak month was in June and the highest number of overdoses occur on Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to midnight and most overdoses occur in residential areas. It is important to understand that the numbers only capture overdoses that occur when EMS is dispatched, so there are likely more overdoses occurring than what is being reported. To help develop the strategy plan, a stakeholder group was formed consisting of mental health and substance use disorder providers in New Hanover County, community partners, representatives from law enforcement and the local judicial system, Commissioners Barfield and Zapple, and staff from multiple county departments. Also included were actual consumers of mental health and substance use disorder services to ensure everyone had a good understanding of the challenges the community is facing:  Stakeholders:  Mental health and substance use disorder providers: Coastal Horizons, Delta Behavioral, RHS Services, and Novant  Community partners: City of Wilmington, Trillium, Resiliency Task Force, New Hanover County Schools, LINC, NAMI, Cape Fear COG – Continuum of Care, and Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear  Judicial system partners: Public defender and Wilmington Police Department  New Hanover County departments: Diversity and Equity, Health and Human Services, Community Justice Services, DSS – Child Protective Services, Fire Services, and Sheriff’s Office  Consumers of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services The group met eight times over a five-month span, reviewing data and trends collected by multiple agencies, while listening to consumers of mental health and substance use disorder services share deeply personal experiences. The group also consulted with representatives from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley to develop a complete understanding of the needs, gaps, and opportunities. It was discovered that there are several great resources in the community. The challenge is connecting the resources in a more efficient and effective way and increasing the capacity of the resources to fully meet the demands of the community.  Strategy process:  Key focus areas: before seeking help, while seeking help, and after seeking help Ms. Rigby then provided and overview of the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Strategic Plan: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 PAGE 530  Education and Outreach:  Educate the community on the early signs of mental health and substance use disorders so that individuals will know when to seek treatment. Staff will be measuring this on the number of community partners that receive trauma informed and resiliency training.  Develop awareness of programs and support structures to help individuals so that they will know where to go to receive the services and treatment they need. One of the strategies is a community resources web portal that can be easily accessed by anyone in the community. Staff will be measuring the usage of the portal to ensure success.  Remove stigmas and barriers related to mental health and substance use disorders so that individuals feel supported to get the services they need. Staff can measure individuals’ sentiment by analyzing the results from the County’s community health survey.  Access to Services and Treatment:  Provide immediate crisis stabilization for anyone that is experiencing a mental health crisis, or a substance use disorder crisis so that individuals have a safe place during an emergency to get the services they need. Often individuals find themselves in the emergency department for an extended period. By reducing the amount of time individuals are staying in the emergency department before they can get the treatment, their need will help determine if there are sufficient resources.  Support and sustain individuals’ stabilization and treatment efforts so that anyone in crisis has the support structure during their treatment to be successful. Measuring the percent of individuals that are connected to care within seven to 14 days out of an in-patient facility, a facility-based crisis, or non-hospital detox will help determine if people are getting the support they need.  Support and sustain individuals’ families during recovery efforts. There is a need to make sure that families have the resources they need to support a loved one through treatment. Measuring the percentage of youth that are connected to crisis management services will be important.  Sustainable Recovery and Wellbeing:  Develop a pipeline for mental health care providers so that there are enough mental health providers to fill the need. This includes psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, therapists, and social workers. Staff can measure the ratio of the health care professionals to the current population to determine when there are enough to meet the need.  Connect individuals with shared experiences to support and sustain recovery so that the consumers are connected with peers and supported. This can be measured through the number of certified peer support specialists with a case load in the County and through the usage of the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline.  Connect individuals with services to support and sustain their wellbeing so that individuals have access to housing, transportation, jobs, and the services they need to maintain their wellbeing. Staff can measure this by the number of readmissions within 48 hours of discharge from an inpatient facility.  Identified needs and capacity building (5 years): Ms. Rigby concluded the presentation stating that within the first five years of the opioid strategy through 2027 there will be the need to make an estimated $25 to $26 million in investments. Of that dollar amount, there is approximately $8.5 million in opioid settlement funds. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 PAGE 531 Commissioner Barfield expressed appreciation to Ms. Rigby and her team for their work on the strategy. The sheer number of lives that have been lost throughout the country and more importantly in the local community and having witnessed this himself in his own family, drove him to want to be a part of the conversation but also to be a part of the solution. The strategy and roadmap to saving lives will provide individuals with a second chance and, if needed, a third chance. In response to Board questions, Ms. Rigby stated that all aspects that have been presented are what will be targeted over the next three to five years. The $8.5 million in opioid settlement funds have many rules and regulations around how the funds can be utilized. Staff is still working out exactly how those can be allocated, but the idea would be that it would be spread out throughout the entire strategy. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield, to adopt the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Strategic Plan as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING THROUGH THE FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM-DIRECT ATTRIBUTABLE (STBGP-DA) FUND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A 10-FOOT MULTI-USE PATH AS PART OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (NCDOT) PROJECT W-5703C MONKEY JUNCTION PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF CAROLINA BEACH ROAD FROM THE INTERSECTION WITH ANTIONETTE DRIVE TO THE NORTHERN WALMART DRIVEWAY Planning and Land Use Director Rebekah Roth stated that the request is for approval to apply for a Surface Transportation Block Grant, direct attributable funds administered through the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO). Approximately six years ago, a pedestrian safety project was envisioned by NCDOT for the area of Carolina Beach Road northwest of the Monkey Junction intersection in response to several pedestrian deaths and injuries. There have been seven bicycle accidents and 16 pedestrian accidents (six resulted in deaths) within the past ten years. Ms. Roth presented an aerial of the proposed project site: In January 2017, the County committed to ongoing maintenance of the pedestrian facilities included in the project. The proposed project is one a long time in coming. Since that time, both bicycle and pedestrian accidents have continued, though the project has been delayed. The current design of the project includes curb and gutter along both sides of US 421 from Antionette Drive, a sidewalk on the west side of Carolina Beach Road from the Royal Palms Mobile Home Park to Antionette Drive, high visibility crosswalks and lighting at the intersections at the northernmost Walmart Driveway and Antionette Drive, and a ten-foot multi-use path on the east side of Carolina Beach Road from Antionette Drive to Willoughby Park Court. The multi-use path replaced the sidewalk proposed earlier in the project to reflect long term bicycle and pedestrian plans in the area. Due to a rise in construction costs, the federal funding allocated to this project is no longer sufficient to cover the cost of the 10-foot multi-use path. The current estimated shortfall is just over $575,000, with most of the additional funding required being due to additional right-of-way acquisition required for the multi-use path versus a sidewalk. The STBGP-DA fund is the only available source of additional funding. Because both the fund and the pedestrian project use federal sources, the County would be required to provide the match for the grant, if awarded. The match would provide substantial value for the County due to its alignment with recommended projects in the area and since NCDOT would be managing the project and acquiring the right-of-way. The required grant match is not currently budgeted for this fiscal year, so staff will coordinate with NCDOT and the WMPO if the grant is awarded to allocate the funds in fiscal year 2024. The grant application deadline is September 15, 2022 and the WMPO funding award is anticipated in October. In response to Board questions, Ms. Roth stated that there are two different intents of the sidewalk, both in terms of the crosswalks and people are getting hurt as they travel down the side of the roadway. She has not looked at all the pedestrian injuries, but most of the bicycle injuries are people trying to travel with traffic and are being hit. This would solve both the problems of the crosswalks and being able to go along the right-of-way safely. The one in the north is the one right at the Wal-Mart driveway. The one closest to the Monkey Junction intersection comes through based on the strip center and is south of the Wal-Mart. The project itself would add a crosswalk with NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 PAGE 532 some of its high visibility light fixtures, but she will double check the northern crossing and how it will be visible to drivers. Commissioner Barfield expressed appreciation to Ms. Roth for bringing the matter before the Board. He is certain that people who live and work in the areas will appreciate the project coming to fruition. Commissioner Zapple stated the project cannot happen fast enough. He does share Commissioner Rivenbark’s concerns about the planned crosswalk coming across the Willow Pond area in the northern most driveway of Wal-Mart. He feels there needs to be, at the minimum, a flashing yellow light installed. He also hopes the City of Wilmington will take the County’s lead from this project and start the process to have this type of work done for the Starway apartments project. In response to Board questions, Ms. Roth stated that one of the issues related to some of the pedestrian injuries is that there is no designated place for people to pass across the road. They are passing across the traffic in multiple locations where drivers do not expect to see them. In addition to the crosswalks, there will be ways to block them from going across in places that are not marked. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, to adopt a resolution authorizing the Planning and Land Use Department to apply for the STBGP-DA fund in the amount of $461,949. New Hanover County will provide the required local cash match of $115,488, for a total project cost of $577,437. 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 33.8. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chair Olson-Boseman stated that one person signed up to speak under public comment on non-agenda items and invited the speaker to make remarks. Michael Werner, resident of Running Brook Terrace, stated that he wanted to share his concerns about the Healing Place and the facility’s present program. He is speaking based on his 32 years’ experience around addiction recovery and collaborating with the top people in the field. The Healing Place Program is fine for a target market it serves for those seeking a halfway house. It is a type of 12-step Alcohol Anonymous (AA) sober living house on steroids and not a full service recovery facility. It is a one-trick pony, and all the research shows multiple methods are needed for a diverse population. There is no right way but there are better ways, more effective ways. According to several high courts of appeal, it is a religious program despite people saying contrary. It is settled law. He believes the County needs to stay away from any ideology that could end up in a first amendment lawsuit. Also, people, in general, need more options and most are resistant to going to an in-patient treatment program. The most effective addiction treatments are not part of the Healing Place's methods. As it stands, it is neither inclusive nor scientifically justified. There is a need for a full service public treatment center with multiple options. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS Commissioner Zapple stated he has been contacted by numerous citizens regarding dissatisfaction with Novant Health’s emergency department and services. The multiple hour delays to see medical personnel are resulting in unnecessary pain and suffering. This is not what citizens anticipated or were promised with the sale of the hospital. Novant Health promised at the time of the sale that the excellent healthcare system in place with New Hanover Regional Medical Center would continue or be better under their management. That has not happened and there does not seem to be a publicly presented plan being communicated on how Novant Health is to fix and make better the problem. It appears to be a management issue. Doctors and nurses are doing their best but are not supported by the Novant Health network nor management. He requested that County Manager Coudriet and staff review the asset purchase agreement (APA), Schedule 4(k) where it stated that the Corporation (Novant) shall continue to provide the same or similar services with surgery, obstetrics, outpatient and emergency treatment, including emergency services, for the indigent that the hospital facility provided prior to the lease, sale, or conveyance and Section 5, where the Corporation (Novant) shall prepare an annual report that shows compliance with the requirements of the lease, sale, or conveyance. As a County, we need to do better for the citizens and what is happening currently in the hospital. He would like for staff to report back to the Board with answers and solutions. County Manager Coudriet stated that he knows the Board received an email on Friday from someone describing an issue or a series of issues within the emergency department. He has shared it the leadership at Novant Health, and they have provided during this meeting a response that he has forwarded to the Board. He wants to assure the Board that he has been in discussions with hospital leadership and knows that members of the local hospital oversight board have also been communicating with Novant Health in Charlotte and Winston-Salem. The complaint he has heard is directly with the emergency department and he is not aware or privy to some of the information alluded to by Commissioner Zapple. The emergency department is the front door for many people entering the hospital and unfortunately right now, the front door is not working as well as they want it to for the community. However, he wants to again assure the Board that there is regular communication with the leadership at the hospital central to the emergency department, because that is the level of concern that is shared with him. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 PAGE 533 Commissioner Zapple stated he was alluding to the nursing shortage, which he understands is a statewide and nationwide issue. He knows more can be done and be done better. He requested that someone from the leadership at Novant to come before the Board to address the citizens’ complaints and concerns. Commissioner Rivenbark reported on his visits to various schools in the County. He thinks the Board’s support with the increased supplements has helped the school district turn the corner. In response to Board questions, County Manager Coudriet stated that as he understands it Wake and Mecklenburg counties modified their appropriations to the school systems to increase their supplements after this Board approved its budget. Based on analysis, staff believes the County remains in the number one position on school supplements. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Olson-Boseman adjourned the meeting at 4:56 p.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.