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2022-11-14 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 577 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on November 14, 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 Pastor Gayle Tabor of SALT Inclusive Methodist Community provided the invocation and Commissioner Rob Zapple 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. Commissioner Zapple requested to pull Consent Agenda Items #3: Approval of an Interlocal Agreement with Cape Fear Community College and #7: Adoption of a Resolution to Dispose of Surplus Property According to Procedures Outlined in North Carolina General Statute Chapter 160A-Article 12 for further discussion and consideration. 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 remaining 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 Regular Meeting and Closed Session Meeting held on October 17, 2022. First Reading: Approval of Solid Waste Franchise for Carolina Waste & Recycling LLC – County Attorney The Commissioners approved on the first reading to authorize the issuance of a solid waste franchise to Carolina Waste & Recycling, LLC for a term of seven (7) years. Upon award, the company will provide certificates of insurance, agree not to bring outside waste into the County and to haul all waste to a County designated facility, if required by law. The matter requires a second reading. Adoption of Bank Resolutions for First National Bank and First Carolina Bank – Finance The Commissioners adopted bank resolutions for First National Bank and First Carolina Bank designating Eric Credle, Chief Financial Officer and Martha Wayne, Deputy Chief Financial Officer as employees who are authorized to transact business with each bank, including opening and closing accounts, making deposits, and signing checks or other orders for payment. Copies of the resolutions are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.1. Adoption of a Resolution to Approve of Increase in Purchase Order and Disposal Value Thresholds – Finance The Commissioners adopted the resolution to increase the threshold for requiring a purchase order from $1,000 to $2,500 and increase the threshold for disposals from $5,000 to $30,000. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.2. Adoption of a Resolution for Award of Bid for the Purchase of Cover Soil for the Landfill to 421 Sand, Inc. – Environmental Management The Commissioners adopted the resolution to award the bid to 421 Sand, Inc. for the purchase of cover soil for the County's landfill at an estimated annual cost of $641,250. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.3. Approval of the Donation of Parcel R00500-002-002-001 from the Cape Fear Council, Boy Scouts of America, to New Hanover County and Adoption of Budget Amendment 23-036 – Parks The Commissioners approved the acceptance of a land donation referred to as parcel number R00500-002- 002-001 from the Cape Fear Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA), to New Hanover County located off Old Bridge Site Road for continued public use as part of Riverside Park and adopted budget amendment 23-036. The parcel is valued at $304,800 and is adjacent to the County’s Riverside Park. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 578 A copy of the budget amendment is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.5. Approval of Release of the Levy for Tax Year 2012 - Tax The Commissioners approved the release of the levy for tax year 2012 as the 10-year statute of limitations prohibits the collector from using forced collection measures to collect the taxes. A copy of the release of levy is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.6. Approval of September 2022 Tax Collection Reports - Tax The Commissioners approved the September 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 37.7. Discussion and Approval of an Interlocal Agreement with Cape Fear Community College – Finance Commissioner Zapple stated that there is misinformation/confusion in the community about the potential purchase by the County of the building located at 319 N. Third Street for use by Cape Fear Community College (CFCC). th He stated the County is still in the due diligence period until January 15 to have all the information necessary before moving forward with the purchase. He requested County Manager Coudriet provide more information regarding the potential purchase. County Manager Coudriet stated the County has the subject site under contract, but no purchase has taken place. The closing will not take place until the due diligence report is complete and there is currently no reason to be concerned. The appraisal has come back over the fixed purchased price, which will not increase. There is a phase two environmental assessment being done on the property and if there is anything insurmountable, that will be a matter for the Board to discuss. The Local Government Commission (LGC) has no say in whether it is okay to buy the property. The LGC involvement is if the Board decides to issue debt to pay for the facility, which is a matter for the Board to consider later this year or as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 23-24 budget process. There are options for what to use to purchase the property, but issuing debt is not a requirement. However, staff does think it is the best course of action with the County’s credit rating to borrow the money for the purchase price. Commissioner Barfield stated that he and Commissioner Rivenbark sit on the CFCC Board of Trustees which is fully aware of what it is proceeding to do. Growth in any higher education facility and institution is a good thing. It shows that this community is doing its job to educate its citizens. The goal with this purchase is to help expand the CFCC Allied Health Program, which includes the nursing program, to help address not only the health care worker shortage but specifically the nursing shortage. Discussion and Adoption of a Resolution to Dispose of Surplus Property According to Procedures Outlined in North Carolina General Statute Chapter 160A-Article 12 – Finance Commissioner Zapple stated that he wanted to remind the community that if a nonprofit needs furniture, vehicles, or office equipment, to look through the surplus property lists for what will be available in the near future. Nonprofits will have access before the items are put out to bid to the public. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to approve Consent Agenda Items #3: Approval of an Interlocal Agreement with Cape Fear Community College and #7: Adoption of a Resolution to Dispose of Surplus Property According to Procedures Outlined in North Carolina General Statute Chapter 160A-Article 12 as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Additional information: Consent Agenda Item #3: The Commissioners approved and authorized an interlocal agreement between New Hanover County and Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) relating to the County’s purchase of the land and building (collectively, the “Property”) located at 319 North Third Street for the use by CFCC in expanding the nursing program and other allied health programs that was approved by the Board on October 3, 2022. It is anticipated that the interlocal agreement would be entered into shortly after the purchase of the Property, which is currently scheduled for January 17, 2023. Consent Agenda Item #7: The Commissioners declared County property surplus and adopted the resolution authorizing the sale of the equipment electronically using GovDeals or disposal by any other method authorized by NC General Statutes, including discarding. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.4. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES – THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 579 CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE 2022 ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION Chair Olson-Boseman read into the record the proclamation recognizing November 2022 as “Adoption Awareness Month” in New Hanover County. 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 proclamation recognizing November 2022 as “Adoption Awareness Month” in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Health and Human Services Social Services (HHS – Social Services) Director Tonya Jackson expressed appreciation to the Board for adopting the proclamation. In response to Board questions, Ms. Jackson stated that the HHS – Social Services annual angel tree program is underway which helps foster children. Anyone can select children from the tree to provide toys, clothes, and any other needed items during the holiday season. She is unable to state exactly how many children are in the foster program, but it is probably more than 100 at this point in time. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.8. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF PROJECT GRACE FOLLOW-UP ITEMS: BUDGET AMENDMENT TO ACQUIRE DESIGN PLANS AND RESOLUTION REGARDING INTENTIONS FOR THE EXISTING MUSEUM BUILDING Eric Credle, Chief Financial Officer, stated there are two follow-up items related to Project Grace for the Board’s consideration. One is a budget amendment that is consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County and ZAC LLC, also known as Zimmer Development, the developer of the project. When the lease agreement for Project Grace did not receive the required LGC approval the project that was originally contemplated with the developer was terminated. Upon termination, the MOU called for the County to purchase the project plans for the proposed museum and library at a price not to exceed $2.5 million. To effectuate that legal contractual obligation, the Board is being asked to approve and adopt the budget amendment for that expenditure. Upon receipt of the plans, County staff intends to allow other potential developers to review them for ideas and cost savings measures that may allow the County to resubmit a proposal to the Board for consideration in the future. One such developer, Cape Fear Commercial, has already expressed an interest to study the plans. In response to Board questions, Mr. Credle confirmed the maximum price to purchase the plans is $2.5 million as stated in the MOU. The developer provided the County with a document that shows its expenses totaled $2,620,188.95, which was all third party costs. A brief discussion was held about the $120,188.95 difference between the MOU stated maximum price and the developer’s actual expense invoice. Vice-Chair Hays stated that she feels the County needs to cover the additional expenses. County Manager Coudriet stated the Board can decide to do that but from a staff perspective, it was appropriate to recommend only the negotiated amount of $2.5 million. The secondary contract with LS3P also had a top line dollar amount that he does not believe has been fully spent. As such, access to revenue is not an issue if it is the Board’s decision after its discussion to pay the approximate amount of $2.6 million. In response to additional Board questions, County Manager Coudriet stated the Board approved an amendment to the MOU in July/August 2022 to purchase the plans because it believed in the plans and the concept and wanted to reserve the right to proceed and the negotiated purchase price with the developer was up to $2.5 million if the LGC did not approve the lease agreement. Again, he understands the developer has asked for $2.6 million, but he does not believe is it reasonable for staff to recommend that to the Board when there is a signed agreement. He further confirmed that ZAC, LLC was part of the negotiations and agreed to the $2.5 million. The LGC decision was specific to the lease agreement, not to whether the County should or should not purchase the plans and did not comment on the plans or anything else. Further discussion was held by the Board regarding paying the full amount of $2,620,188.95 to ZAC, LLC. Vice-Chair Hays stated that out of good partnership, the Board needs to address it and the County needs to pay the bill in full as the additional costs were incurred because of the County. Commissioner Barfield stated the agreed upon price is up to $2.5 million, that is the price that needs to be honored. He feels the appropriate deal to buy the plans was made with the developer. Anything spent over the agreed to price was a business decision that ZAC, LLC made, not the County. He does not think the County should pay above what was agreed by both parties and would not support giving away any additional taxpayer dollars above the agreed upon price. Commissioner Zapple stated ZAC, LLC had in its control the incoming costs and agreed to the amount of up to $2.5 million. The developer chose to let it go beyond that amount and did not request another MOU amendment. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple to adopt budget amendment 23-034 to reflect the acquisition of the Project Grace design plans in the amount of $2.5 million. Vice-Chair Hays stated she would make a substitute motion to adopt budget amendment 23-034 with an amended amount to reflect a payment of $2,620,188.95. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 580 Substitute Motion: Vice-Chair Hays MOVED to adopt budget amendment 23-034 with an amended amount to reflect a payment of $2,620,188.95. Hearing no second to the substitute motion, Chair Olson-Boseman stated that the substitute motion failed for the lack of a second. She asked for a vote on the original motion on the floor. Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple to adopt budget amendment 23-034 to reflect the acquisition of the Project Grace design plans in the amount of $2.5 million. Commissioner Barfield stated the increase in the developer’s expenses was not the County’s fault. The state treasurer decided to hold up the process. Escalating costs of housing, calls to buy, calls to borrow money, etc. have recently been seen and those are not the fault of the County, but what is happening in the world. He does not want anyone to think the County has done something to cause the cost of the plans to increase because it did not. Vice-Chair Hays stated that her comments were not meant to intone that it was the County’s fault, it was because the developer was asked to stay in it with the County. She agreed with Commissioner Barfield that it was due to the process being elongated by the LGC and the interest rates rose, as did everything else, during that period. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the motion on the floor. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED 4 TO 1. Vice-Chair Hays dissenting. Chair Olson-Boseman asked if there was a motion to adopt the resolution as presented by staff. Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to adopt the resolution stating the Board of Commissioners’ intent to continue to operate the building housing the current museum. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Copies of the budget amendment and resolution are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.9. NEW HANOVER COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT ANNUAL UPDATE Spence Broadhurst, Chair of the New Hanover Community Endowment (NHCE), stated he would give a short update on the NHCE Board activities and that William Buster, CEO of the New Hanover Community Endowment, would provide an update on what he and his team have been doing. Mr. Broadhurst recognized members of the NHCE Board that were present and expressed his admiration to his fellow board members for their dedication and hard work. The NHCE Board has spent a great deal of time asking simple questions with difficult answers such as who are we, what is our charge, are we capacity builders, are we community advocates, are we resource, are we conveners in the community, and are we relationship builders? The NHCE Board concluded that it is all those things, and maybe more. Through those methods, the members have been looking into identifying the root causes of the challenges in the four target areas that have been given to them in a deliberate, but thoughtful manner. The intention is to be transformational with the decisions being made and the grants to be issued. The mission of the NHCE is simply to improve the health, education, safety, and economic opportunity of every person in this community. The vision is to create a community transformed, where all can thrive. Board members’ focus has been on internal and foundational matters, not very headline grabbing things. It is important to ensure the endowment succeeds today, next year, and in perpetuity and is being addressed in several ways. One is from a governance standpoint of how the NHCE Board operates by ensuring there is alignment with the asset purchase agreement (APA) and the North Carolina general statutes that govern the activities of endowments. Another is the investments of which the NHCE Board has been very deliberate based on the advice received from other endowments, which has resulted in being conservative and deliberate but thoughtful in how an investment manager was chosen. It was recently announced that the NHCE decided to partner with BlackRock Investments, which is one of the leading investment houses in the world and aligns perfectly with the NHCE investment policy statement. BlackRock has already given the NHCE a lot of attention, provided resources, and has listened very carefully to the goals of not just maintaining the size of the endowment, but growing the endowment while grants are being made in future years. The next area is strategic planning, and it is important for NHCE to have a strategic plan. The County’s strategic plan is the foundation to create the one for NHCE because that is what the APA asks and requires be done. A great deal of time is being spent on strategic planning to have priority areas and be data and metric driven. The three-year strategic plan will be in place by the end of the year and will be the guide moving forward. Finally, the NHCE Board hired William Buster as the chief executive officer (CEO) and NHCE is fortunate to have him on board. William Buster, NHCE CEO, stated that upon his arrival he first worked to determine exactly what was going to be the NHCE infrastructure and hired the initial staff. In addition to himself, there is the executive vice president for programming operations, chief financial officer, and programming operations coordinator. He also started trying to better understand this community with a focus on relationship building, asking questions about the community, and meeting with community advocates, nonprofit leaders, etc. to discuss what are the things that NHCE needs to do in this community and what are the things that need to change in the community to make everyone thrive. In addition to the one on one meetings, there have been four public meetings where NHCE heard concerns and desires directly from community members. Over 100 private listening sessions were held with nonprofit leaders and community advocates to better understand the local landscape and what has worked, what has not worked, and what the community appetite is for change. All the information gathered along with the NHCE Board’s strategic plan NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 581 establishes the goals for 2023 and beyond. Also, in accordance with the asset purchase agreement (APA) the community advisory council was created and has already met twice. It is made up of community members who are nonprofit leaders, lay persons, persons who are doing work on behalf of the community in several different areas. The conversations have shared deep insight, even more insight than some of the conversations that the NHCE Board has had. The council will be a part of the strategic plan process and implementation. The other matter that has been managed in a very intentional way is to understand how to get money out into the community and what are some of the things that could be done initially. One of the items created was the community opportunity and needs grant for the initial grant awards but it will not be used in perpetuity. The grants will be awarded later this year, hopefully the beginning of December. There was an overwhelming response from all sectors and nonprofits and public entities. Future grant cycles will be unique each time in form, approach, and process. The community will be asked to help NHCE solve some very specific problems. There are some significant issues facing the community and NHCE is going to tackle the issues through intentional, collaborative actions and hopefully, in a few years it will be seen that a difference was made. In moving through 2023 and beyond, most of the time will be spent working on transformational opportunities, partnering with entities, universities, colleges, nonprofits, and even local governments to tackle some of the issues. The hope is once the strategic plan is announced during the NHCE meeting on December 9, 2022 that the community will be just as excited as NHCE. This year has been all about planning and preparation but moving forward will be about transformation, collaboration, and change in the community. In response to Board questions, Mr. Broadhurst stated that as it relates to what has happened in the financial markets and what is expected to be seen as far as dollars coming in from the investments themselves, it has been a tough year for all in the investment world. BlackRock was chosen to be the investment partner and manager as it is very forward thinking, very flexible, and has expertise in areas that other smaller firms do not have whether it is private equity or private investment. Because of BlackRock’s size, NHCE can take advantage of that expertise. There is confidence that the partnership with will allow the investments to grow over time. As far as what the return will be, 2022 has been a challenge and is why the NHCE Board has been very thoughtful in how it is has approved the initial grants. In response to additional Board questions, Mr. Buster stated that the nonprofits will be notified by NHCE st on December 1 whether they are grant recipients and will be asked to hold that information in confidence until th December 9 when it will be publicly announced along with the NHCE goals for 2023. In accordance with the APA, there must be two (2) public meetings per year. Going forward the plan is to have those meetings mid-year and towards the end of each year. There is also a desire to have two grant disbursements per year, but a decision has not been made yet. In response to further Board questions, Mr. Broadhurst confirmed that it was correct that the NHCE bylaws were amended to allow access to the corpus of the funds. The reasoning behind the NHCE Board amending the bylaws, under the direction of its attorney, was to align them with the state statutes. The wording that was given to the NHCE Board was not consistent with state statutes and the management and leadership of endowments. It basically says that the NHCE Board is 100% committed to the perpetuity of the endowment, but within that it operates as reasonable people as the market can fluctuate and as the endowment is preserved for the long run. The NHCE Board can pivot as needed but be very conservative in decisions within that. Mr. Buster reiterated that the NHCE Board will be voting at an upcoming meeting on how many grant cycles there will be in a year. The plan is for the endowment to be here in perpetuity. The issues being faced are generational in nature and the endowment will be managed towards transformation and generational change. Mr. Broadhurst concluded the presentation stating that Bill Cameron was elected as chair and Dr. Edelmira Segovia was elected as the vice-chair for 2023. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Mr. Broadhurst and Mr. Buster for the update. THE CAPE FEAR HOMELESS CONTINUUM OF CARE UPDATE Michele Bennett, Chair and Reverend Meg McBride, Vice-Chair of the Cape Fear Homeless Continuum of Care presented the following information:  Cape Fear Homeless Continuum of Care (CFHCoC):  CFHCoC is about: HUD, housing, and humans:  HUD:  Purpose: to connect the unsheltered to housing and services  Functions: Oversee grant competitions (2 per year), operate centralized assessment system (HMIS and CE), establish written standards, P&P’s, and conduct community engagement and point in time count  HUD provides zero funding  Humans:  Our task: connect unsheltered and/or individuals and families experiencing homelessness to solutions, services, and housing  Done by: CoC Staff, Board of Directors (volunteer), general membership, array of community services provides including homeless service providers, non-profits, faith based organizations, and concerned citizens  Housing first:  Proven Best Practice NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 582  = NO prerequisite for housing  Local market affects availability and affordability:  New Hanover average rent $1,404/month (https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/rising-rent-prices/)  Social Security Income (SSI) is $841/month  Requires many partners to be effective  CoC Success stories:  27 Housing Vouchers!!!  PATH Program  Covid Emergency Shelter  Disaster Response  CFHCoC needs help:  Bringing stakeholders together  Investing in centralized systems  Supporting local, grass roots initiatives  Including CFHCoC in relevant conversations  Public Education on homelessness in our region  Speaking in ways that humanize our neighbors in crisis In response to Board questions, Ms. Bennett stated that CFHCoC is housed out of the Cape Fear Council of Governments (CFCOG) office but is not a part of CFCOG. The CFHCoC has only been a working board for three years. Before that it was more resource sharing, and it has become more formal in its processes since that time. There continues to be resource sharing during the monthly board meetings with homeless providers. It is also looking for alternative housing options that exist inside and outside of New Hanover County. While the CFHCoC seeks to serve those who are the most vulnerable, which is typically those who are on disability or SSI, it is working with all of it partners to produce creative ways to solve homelessness. The CFHCoC would like to work with the County on its program to address the homelessness issue in downtown Wilmington and county-wide. The CFHCoC is comprised of many direct service partners and would be able to provide feedback to the organizers of the program and to open those communication channels. In response to Board questions, Reverend McBride stated that the CFHCoC exists to foster collaboration among community partners, oversee federal and state grant funding, collect data information, and connect persons to support services using centralized systems. Two employees support the CFHCoC board of which the members are the boots on the ground. The actual work being conducted is being done by all organizations that are CFHCoC members. In response to Board questions, Ms. Bennett stated that there is a large membership body and then there is the board of directors. Any entity can apply for grant funding that provides services to those experiencing homelessness. Reverend McBride stated that HUD and state (ESG) funding are all contracted directly with service providers. The money is not passed through the CFHCoC rather, the CFCOG is the fiscal agent. The CFHCoC did apply and received a state grant for the homeless management information system, which CFHCoC is federally mandated to operate. The grants that CFHCoC issue are done through a competitive process and are awarded based on performance with heavy oversight from HUD. If an organization is receiving funding, it is required to use the homeless management information system. If not, there is no requirement, but is highly recommended. Discussion was held about how there are many organizations trying to address the homelessness issue, but it continues to grow in the community. Ms. Bennett stated that there is no one solution and a substantial amount of time is needed to build rapport and relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness. It takes all the entities working together as well as continued education to the public about those experiencing homelessness to be effective. The people are not a group of homeless, they are individuals with individual stories, who have come to the situation in various ways. Reverend McBride stated it has yet to be seen how the pandemic has affected homelessness. One of the ways to get the information is to use the systems that collect the data, and another is to understand who is in various locations. Homelessness happens on a continuum. There are some people that are unable to self-resolve their situation and are chronically homeless for long periods of time for a variety of reasons. Others can self-resolve with some support to be in a very temporary state of homelessness. An increase in permanent supportive housing in the area for the most vulnerable would be beneficial. Ideally, the goal is to take the most chronic persons with the most issues, and put them in permanent supportive housing, which is housing that they do not have to pay for, and do not have to meet any criteria to enter. Shelter is a basic need and is the foundation to help someone move forward to meet additional needs to become more successful. A brief discussion was held about available permanent supportive housing. Reverend McBride stated that she could report back to the Board with the number of people who have been placed into permanent supportive housing. Ms. Bennett explained how a person applies for housing and the different types of available housing assistance. The Board expressed appreciation to Ms. Bennett and Reverend McBride for the work being done by CFHCoC and for the presentation. TRILLIUM HEALTH RESOURCES TAILORED PLAN UPDATE Cecelia Peers, Southern Regional Director of Trillium Health Resources presented the following information: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 583  Trillium Tailored Plan:  Trillium Health Resources:  Trillium covers 28 counties in eastern North Carolina  Total population around 1.55 million, with around 76,900 individuals on Medicaid in our region  Member and Recipient Service Line: 1-877-685-2415:  Contact Trillium staff, like care managers  Find services and providers  Send complaints  Need information or some other type of help  Visit our website at TrilliumHealthResources.org  Tailored Plan and Standard Plan:  Standard Plan - five companies were awarded:  AmeriHealth Caritas NC Inc.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC  UnitedHealthcare of NC Inc.  WellCare of NC Inc.  Carolina Complete Health  The plans are managing the mild to moderate Medicaid behavioral health recipients and started on July 1, 2021  Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plan Regions:  Trillium Infrastructure:  Approximately 500 Employees  Contract with 600 Providers for Behavioral Health and IDD  18 Different Departments: Care Management, Claims, Human Resources, QM, UM, External Operations, Network, Communications, Finance, Call Center etc.  Staff that live in almost all 28 counties  Three Regional Boards and a Governing Board  Three Regional Consumer and Family Advisory Committees  Tailored Plans:  Original date to go live with the Tailored Plan was moved from July 1st, 2022 to December 1st 2022, and recently pushed back again to April 1, 2023  Care Management provided by LME/MCO, Advanced Medical Home + (AMH+) and Care Management Agencies (CMAs)  Choice Period:  Members choose their primary care provider  Members choose their care management provider  Funding and Services:  Three funding streams - Federal Medicaid, State funds, County funds  85% Medicaid, 14% State funds, 1% County Funds  Medicaid is on a per member per month (PMPM)  State funds set by legislators  County funds  Major changes of the Tailored Plan:  Whole Person Health  Contracting with all Physical Health Providers that offer Medicaid  Managing pharmacy benefits and non-emergency medical transportation  Call Center Requirements: Nurse line, Pharmacy line, Provider Line, Member Line  Care Management for all TP members, for the whole person  Consistent Care:  “No Wrong Door” approach to members accessing services  Continued focus on innovative service delivery tailored to community needs  Addressing unmet health related resource needs  Local engagement in service planning and cross- system strategies  Contact Information:  Call Member and Recipient Services at 1-877-685-2415  Email at Info@TrilliumNC.org  Sign up for emails and text messages at TrilliumHealthResources.org  Follow on social media:  Facebook.com/TrilliumHealthResources  Instagram.com/TrilliumHealthResources NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 584  Twitter.com/TrilliumNC Commissioner Zapple expressed appreciation to Ms. Peers for providing the update and welcomed her to the community as the Trillium Health Resources Southern Regional Director. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Ms. Peers for the presentation. PRESENTATION: A FOCUS ON SUPERIOR EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Eliza Baldwin, Senior Strategy Analyst presented the following information:  Creating a “Cradle to Career” Pipeline: A Focus on Superior Education and Workforce through Strategic Initiatives:  Promote early learning that ensures life-long resiliency:  Strategic initiatives:  Pre-K Expansion:  2021-2022 County-funded classrooms overall growth by domain of learning:  3rd Grade Reading Programs:  When a Child Moves from Learning to Read to Reading to Learn  PaSS Program - Partnership with Communities in Schools Cape Fear and S.E.R.V.E Academy  Students tutored exhibited growth in reading skills  Employees provide opportunity for positive adult relationships  Funds spent YTD ~$9,650  K-3 Teacher Incentives:  Science of Reading Training:  Supplements Senate Bill 387  Additional cohort for support staff (MTSS, Instructional Coaches, Teacher Assistants, etc.)  Housing Assistance:  Two teachers at each school  Provides quarterly reimbursement ($300/month)  Available to renters and homeowners  National Board Certification Scholarship:  Five teachers at each school  Provides scholarship for NBC modules  Teachers with NBC can receive 13% pay increase from State  Annual investment: $166,000  Apprenticeship Program: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 585  Support the private sector’s need for talent to fill higher-wage jobs  Partnered with private employer and Chamber of Commerce to select graduating seniors (Class of ’21) from New Hanover HS with diverse backgrounds to participate in workforce development program  County provided tuition assistance at CFCC for school years 21-22/22-23  Initial investment: $55,000  January 2022: Partner with NC Works to hire students at NHC in Building Safety, Diversity & Equity, HHS, and Senior Resource Center  Employment with NHC budgeted through FY23  Early Outcomes:  Soft skills and “real world” skills to become independent  Students have developed measurable skills that will make them more employable in the workforce  Building framework for second cohort  Tying it all together:  What is next?  Continue to cultivate and develop partnerships  Monitor report outs and build data  Keep going! Commissioner Zapple expressed appreciation to Ms. Baldwin for the lifting report. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Ms. Baldwin for the presentation. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR FUNDING THROUGH THE FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICE’S (IMLS) MUSEUM FOR AMERICA 2023 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, AND INSTALLATION OF A NEW LATE 19TH CENTURY EXHIBITION AREA AS PART OF THE CAPE FEAR STORIES EXHIBITION RENEWAL WHICH FOCUSES ON THE EVENTS OF 1898 Cape Fear Museum Director Wayne LaBar stated the grant submission is for the redesign and redevelopment of the Cape Fear areas of Emancipation, the history that occurred here, the growth and involvement of African Americans in the community after Emancipation, and everything that led up to the events of 1898. The grant, in the amount of $250,000, would require a one-to-one cost share by New Hanover County, covered by expected salary expenses, content development, and fabrication costs, which are already budgeted for a total project cost of $500,000. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman requested direction from the Board. Motion: Chair Olson-Boseman MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to approve the submission of the grant application for funding through the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Service’s (IMLS) Museum for America 2023 Funding Opportunity. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OVERVIEW OF UNAUDITED GENERAL FUND FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR JUNE 30, 2022 AND FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS Eric Credle, Chief Financial Officer presented the following information on the unaudited general fund financial results for June 30, 2022 and Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 first quarter financial results as follows:  Agenda:  Review of Financial Results:  Fiscal Year End – June 30, 2022:  Amounts are derived from unaudited financial statements (audit is nearly complete and amounts are not expected to change)  Investment portfolio  Debt outstanding  First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023 – September 30, 2022  Overview of 2022 Fiscal Year:  Overall, the county’s financial position is sound:  General Fund unassigned balance is at the maximum of the targeted range  Results of all other funds are in line with expectations NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 586  Good debt capacity  Total General Fund revenue, excluding unrealized investment losses, exceeded budgeted amount: Unrealized investment losses recorded due to rising interest rates  General Fund expenditures were less than budgeted amounts:  Timing of payments  Operating expenses below budget  General Fund Balance Sheet – June 30, 2022:  Assets totaled $504.3 million – Up 1.7%  Liabilities of $23.5 million – Up 2.9%  Fund Balance = $480.8 million – Up 1.6%  Components of Fund Balance:  General Fund – Revenue* vs. Expenditures/Transfers Out:  *Excluding unrealized investment losses  Unrealized Losses on Investments:  Background:  County received $350 million from hospital sale:  Restricted for specific purposes:  $300 million Revenue Stabilization  $50 million in Mental and Behavioral Health  Funds not needed immediately  Experienced investment manager hired to set guidelines and strategy  Strategy: Maturity laddering (10 years) in high quality fixed income securities:  Results in higher interest income versus holding cash  Limits interest rate risk and risk to principal  FY 2022:  Interest rates rose dramatically during the fiscal year (driven by inflation expectations)  Rising interest rates result in market values of bonds declining  Accounting rules – Record at market value at period end (even if intent is to hold to maturity and fully recoup original investment)  Unrealized Losses Recorded of $26.1 million:  Revenue Stabilization - $21.2 million  Mental & Behavioral Health - $3.5 million  Unrestricted General Fund - $1.4 million  As the bonds approach maturity, market value will gradually increase (unrealized losses eventually reverse and become zero at maturity date)  No credit quality concerns – all investments expected to pay off at face value (United States/Agency securities, investment grade commercial paper)  Takeaway – No investment losses are expected to be realized  FY 2023:  Interest rates have continued to increase (may result in additional unrealized losses) NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 587  Proceeds from maturing bonds can be reinvested at today’s higher rates:  Interest income expected to exceed budget by $3.4 million for FY 2023  Also includes higher interest earned on non-invested cash balances  Debt overview:  Debt outstanding at 6/30/22 = $406 million:  $45 million in principal repayments  One issuance during 2022 for $16 million  Net decrease of $29 million  Debt capacity:  Three policy maximums:  Lowest current policy maximum is $2,200 per citizen = Appx. $510 million  Available debt capacity at year end = $104 million vs. $87 million at prior year end  Debt capacity at next two year ends projected to be similar to current amount:  Borrowings for several large projects to offset scheduled principal paydowns:  Northern County infrastructure - $26 million  CFCC Nursing building purchase + renovations - $12-26 million  Fire Rescue - $14 million  Parks - $11 million  County’s credit rating remains at AAA  First Quarter Financial Summary – FY 2023:  Overview:  Property tax rate per $100 of assessed value:  FY 2023 = 45.5 cents  FY 2022 = 47.5 cents  Property tax bills mailed in late July:  Payable by citizens without interest until January 5, 2023  Tax receipt peak period is December - January  Sales taxes:  Received in the third month following the sale:  July/August 2022 sales taxes were received in October/November  September 2022 sales taxes info not yet known  Sales Taxes – Total for July - August:  General revenues:  Debt Service Fund revenues: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 588  General and Debt Service expenditures:  Fire Services:  Environmental Management:  Stormwater Services:  American Rescue Plan Act Fund:  $45.5 million received  $19.2 million spent to date:  $1.6 million spent in the first quarter of FY 2023 (primarily on physical and mental health initiatives)  Almost all the remaining allocation has been earmarked and will be spent by 12/31/24 Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Mr. Credle for the presentation. PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY NEW HANOVER COUNTY PLANNING AND LAND USE TO AMEND THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE TO REVISE TREE-RELATED STANDARDS FOR PROPERTIES ALONG THE HIGHWAY 421 CORRIDOR (TA22-03B) Planning Director Rebekah Roth presented the request by New Hanover County Planning and Land Use to amend the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to revise tree-related standards for properties along the Highway (Hwy.) 421 corridor. This item is the component of TA22-03, the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Maintenance Amendment, which was pulled from that item at the Board’s October 3, 2022 meeting and continued to this meeting to allow additional time for stakeholder input and consideration. The amendment was identified due to challenges that the existing tree retention requirements place on the type of development envisioned for the Hwy. 421 corridor, which has been identified and invested in as one of the primary locations for industrial development in the County. At the same time, it is also the location of a long leaf pine habitat, which is not the type of tree resource the current UDO is geared towards. Since the Board’s meeting last month, staff convened a stakeholder focus group that met twice to inform the amendment that is under consideration. Ms. Roth thanked the participants who devoted a substantial amount of time in discussing and reviewing information drafts. The focus group participants included Vice-Chair Hays and NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 589 Commissioner Zapple; Planning Board representatives Chair Donna Girardot and Pete Avery; Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Sue Hays and Director Dru Harrison, Representatives of the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, Connie Parker, Sherry O’Daniell, Bill Jayne, and Jim Gregory; President and CEO of Business Alliance for a Sound Economy, Tyler Newman; Executive Director of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Homebuilders Association, Cameron Moore; Registered Landscape Architect with Paramounte Engineering, Allison Engebretson; Local developer, Burrows Smith; and Southeastern US Threatened and Endangered Species Specialist Carson Wood. One of the first tasks of the group was to identify areas of agreement regarding the context for the amendment, and this baseline of information allowed staff to identify the concepts included in the amendment. Because current tree inventory requirements are not easily understood and may be more expensive and time consuming than necessary, the requirements for tree inventories were revised. As there is a desire to provide tree protection in the subject area, but prevailing industrial development models face challenges in saving trees, mitigation requirements were removed within the development envelope if trees outside it are retained. As the trees along the Hwy. 421 corridor are likely to be smaller in size, not meeting the definition of “significant” or “specimen” that require mitigation and additional protections, incentives were added to make it more likely developers would save trees even when not otherwise required by the ordinance. To ensure the ordinance remains as clear as possible, key terms were defined, and the name of the County’s tree-related technical manual was updated. Because the mitigation and incentive amendments are based on the unique needs of the Hwy. 421 area, the amendment components only apply to the area between the Isabel Holmes bridge to the south and Pender County line to the north. The amendment makes it clear that it is not required that on every site the time consuming and expensive ground survey be required to inventory trees. A plot-sampling method as outlined by Jim Gregory, NC State University Professor Emeritus would also be possible, reducing time and money without impacting the quality of the information provided. Also, the amendment still allows for other tree inventory methods, such as an inventory conducted by aerial remote sensing. While it is unlikely that existing trees can be retained within the development envelope, the areas of disturbance required for essential site improvements, it is possible that trees outside that area can be retained in certain cases. A developer would not have to mitigate for trees designated as “significant” or “specimen” so long as trees serving a similar ecological function, based on native species, number, and size are retained elsewhere on the site. The additional street yard requirements recommended by the Planning Board at its September meeting are retained, providing for the planting of additional native species found in the forests in the Hwy. 421 area, such as long leaf pine, southern magnolias, laurel oaks, and turkey oaks. Developers can retain trees instead of providing additional landscaping or providing parking that may be in excess for the type of warehouse development that is currently being seen along the corridor to save more trees. At Planning Board’s September meeting, it voted to recommend approval of the original amendment draft, and because the revised draft was based on stakeholder input and allows for both more efficient development processes and more opportunities for tree retention than the existing ordinance, staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment. No public comments have been received regarding the amendment since it has been published, though the Board did receive a letter from the Soil & Water Conservation District regarding future recommendations for the area. Based on the discussions and research conducted during this process, staff has identified potential future actions that could more comprehensively address the concerns voiced by stakeholders but would require additional research and consideration which were beyond the scope of this project. They include:  Considering the inclusion of an industrial park approval process that would apply to other areas of the County in addition to Hwy. 421. This type of process would allow for larger sites to be pre-planned, supporting the retention of larger numbers of trees and a streamlined approval process for individual industries allowed by-right in the district.  Considering an optional set of tree retention standards tied to tree canopy (or tree coverage for long leaf forests like those on Hwy. 421), such as those used in Durham City-County and the City of Asheville.  Identifying priority habitat corridors to support future development incentives and other retention strategies, such as green infrastructure projects or nature-based solutions, outside of the development review process. Though there may remain work to be done, the amendment under consideration today should provide greater clarity and efficiency for developers and greater protection for trees in the Hwy. 421 area than the current regulations. In response to Board questions, Ms. Roth stated that except for a couple of technical changes everyone at st the October 31 stakeholder meeting seem to agree. She further confirmed the location of the two industrial parks in the County. Commissioner Barfield expressed concerns about the challenges for a company building an industrial complex to preserve all the trees on a property. He does not want to see potential industries being hampered after the enormous investment the County has made in the area. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 590 Commissioner Zapple stated that he felt the process was good. The people involved in the meetings were able to arrive at a common agreement. While there is room needed for industrial development, there also needs to be a level of sensitivity for the existing trees that can be saved along with mitigation measures. In response to Board questions, Ms. Roth stated that there are maintenance requirements in the UDO that are part of the zoning compliance efforts. Staff would have to actively enforce them if someone were not to continue with what they were required to originally put in place. She confirmed that zoning compliance efforts are generally complaint driven. Chair Olson-Boseman announced that two people signed up to speak in favor of the request and no one signed up to speak in opposition and asked the in favor speakers to provide their remarks. Connie Parker, resident of South Live Oak Parkway and representing Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, stated that she appreciated the Board delaying that vote for the stakeholders to have an opportunity to meet to reach this compromise regarding the standards for the Hwy. 421 industrial corridor. She acknowledged the work of Ms. Roth and her staff for helping the group arrive at this point. She affirmed that the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees feels the amendment will now save many trees, especially long leaf pines that are fast disappearing in the ecosystem and southeastern North Carolina. It was a very rapid process and there may be problems during the implementation that will need additional adjustments. Cameron Moore and she have agreed to work together on resolving the upcoming issues with the help of the Planning and Land Use staff. The hope is that what has been accomplished can be used and that it helps plan for the industrial areas that were discussed earlier. Cameron Moore, Executive Officer with Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association (WCFHBA), stated some people use the term compromise. That is not what this is. This is really two sides of the aisle sitting down together and creating a better product which is what is before the Board tonight. The reason for the delay was because of the millions of dollars of water and sewer infrastructure that the County has installed along Hwy. 421 and trying to make sure that there is an opportunity for many of the WCFHBA members that are already doing business out there and for future businesses. The WCFHBA is supportive of the amendment that is being presented and asks that the Board vote in favor on the request. The WCFHBA will continue to collaborate with the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees as these issues come together. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman closed the public hearing and asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to approve the proposed amendment to the New Hanover County Unified Development Ordinance to revise tree-related provisions regarding tree inventory types and standards for development along the Hwy 421 corridor. The Board finds it to be consistent with the purpose and intent of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan because it promotes business success while supporting its goals related to maintaining environmentally sensitive areas and natural habitats. The Board also finds approval of the proposed amendment reasonable and in the public interest because it balances two important community needs, economic development, and quality of place. A copy of AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER AMENDING THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, ADOPTED FEBRUARY 3, 2020 and is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.10. PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL OF A REZONING REQUEST BY MIKE BROWN WITH CAPE FEAR FOUR, LLC, APPLICANT ON BEHALF OF OFSC PROPERTIES, LLC, AMMO DUMP/LAKE +9, LLC, DANIEL TRASK, RAIFORD TRASK, JR., THE D. WEBSTER TRASK REVOCABLE TRUST, AND THE ETHEL TRASK COUPLAND REVOCABLE TRUST, PROPERTY OWNERS, TO REZONE TWO PARCELS TOTALING 23.65 ACRES LOCATED AT THE 3500 BLOCK OF BLUE CLAY ROAD SOUTH OF I-140 FROM PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT TO RMF-L, RESIDENTIAL MULTI-FAMILY – LOW DENSITY (Z22- 19) Senior Planner Robert Farrell presented the request by Mike Brown with Cape Fear Four, LLC, applicant on behalf of OFSC Properties, LLC, Ammo Dump/Lake +9, LLC, Daniel Trask, Raiford Trask, Jr., the D. Webster Trask Revocable Trust, and the Ethel Trask Coupland Revocable Trust, property owners, to rezone two parcels totaling 23.65 acres located at the 3500 block of Blue Clay Road south of I-140 from PD, Planned Development to RMF-L, Residential Multi-Family – Low Density. The application is for a straight rezoning, and as such, conditions cannot be applied to the request. The site is located at the 3500 block of Blue Clay Road and was originally zoned I-2 in the early 1970s until the subject area and the remainder of the parent parcel was rezoned to PD under a master development plan in 2006. The site is bordered by residential zoning to the west, industrial to the north and south, and the bulk of the PD to the east which includes plans for a mix of commercial and residential uses. Mr. Farrell provided an overview of aerial photos noting that the subject area consists of residential, agricultural, and forested properties with an agritourism use immediately to the east. Under the current master plan for the property the site could be developed up to 2.5 dwelling units per acre. The site is bounded by a railroad right-of-way to the west and I-140 to the north. The site has direct access onto Blue Clay Road, a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) minor arterial street. Mr. Farrell provided an overview of the estimated trip generation for the site under the existing master plan, and estimated trip generation for both attached and detached single family dwellings at potential densities NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 591 under the proposed zoning. The estimated change in the number of trips is 117 AM peak hour trips and approximately 160 PM peak hour trips. There is one traffic impact analysis (TIA) in the vicinity for the Blue Clay Commerce Park the details of which are included in the agenda packet. There is a proposed half clover interchange at I-140 and Blue Clay Road north of the site. While the project has not been funded at this time it is on the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (WMPO) transportation plan. There are several subdivisions under development in the area with approximately 400 total units between them, with approximately a third of the units built out. Based on the current general student generation rate the potential increase would result in approximately 40 additional students compared to current zoning. The site is approximately two miles from the Wrightsboro commercial node and a mile and a half from the Northchase – Cape Fear Community College growth node. The property is also near the downtown and airport economic hubs and other regional destinations. The 2016 Comprehensive Land Use Plan (Comprehensive Plan) classifies the property as Community Mixed Use. The proposed request is in line with the preferred density range and promotes the mixture of uses recommended in the place type and supports the Comprehensive Plan’s goal to provide for a range of housing types and opportunities for households of different sizes and income. No one from the public spoke in opposition at the October 2, 2022 Planning Board meeting and it voted to recommend approval of the request. No public comments have been received on this proposal. Because of the level of development within this area of the County, consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, the types of development recommended within the Community Mixed Use place type, and how the proposed zoning district could serve as an appropriate transition between the adjacent land uses, staff concurs with the Planning Board’s recommendation of approval for the application. Lastly, should the rezoning be approved, development of the site will be subject to additional development review to ensure all land use regulations are met. Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Mr. Farrell for the presentation and invited the applicant to make remarks. Mike Brown, representing Cape Fear Four, LLC and applicant on behalf of OFSC Properties, LLC, Ammo Dump/Lake +9, LLC, Daniel Trask, Raiford Trask, Jr., The D Webster Trask Revocable Trust, and The Ethel Trask Coupland Revocable Trust, property owners, stated the application before the Board is a straight rezoning request and it is recognized the decision is not based on a specific future development plan for the property. The proposed rezoning for the site is because it fits so well with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Brown provided an overview on the type and quality of work the development group has completed in the region. With the straight rezoning a community meeting was not required, though it was felt it would be wise to host one and get the feedback from the neighbors. No one attended the meeting, and no comments were received. As outlined in the staff report in the agenda package, the rezoning request pertains to a 23.65 acre parcel located on the eastern boundary of Blue Clay Road just south of I-140. The Comprehensive Plan future land use map generally proposes a Community Mixed Use place type for the site, and the requested residential multi-family low density zoning at 10 units per acre is best aligned with the targeted density requirements as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan for this area of the County. The plan for the site is to develop a townhouse style multi-family product which will serve the interwoven equity theme set forth in the Comprehensive Plan by bringing an underserved housing type to this region of the County. This will promote accessibility to housing for those residents who desire an alternative to the traditional single family residential product type which surrounds the area. The Comprehensive Plan encourages investment community infrastructure along with infill development to maximize the value of that infrastructure. The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) and the County are partnering on installation of water and sewer infrastructure, which he believes his group will be upsizing through a development agreement with CFPUA from eight inches to 16 inches and sewer is also available on Blue Clay Road. Said project would provide an immediate return on the investment by the County in cooperation with CFPUA. The requested rezoning will permit the construction of a multi- family, low density development which will encourage the planned cohesive growth for the area whereby residential and commercial development support one another and are in proximity of one another. The property is in proximity to nearby employers, educational institutions, and recreation areas. The requested rezoning supports the resilient economy theme set forth in the Comprehensive Plan by encouraging infill development of an underutilized property. It pairs well with the neighboring PD zoning and existing and proposed industrial and business oriented zoning classifications in the greater vicinity. It is well aligned with the County's planning documents and objectives for future growth and community development. Chair Olson-Boseman announced that no one signed up to speak in favor or in opposition to the request, closed the public hearing, and asked for direction from the Board. In response to Board questions, Ms. Roth stated that the interchange of I-140 on Blue Clay Road is still on the long range plans for the WMPO but is not currently funded through the state transportation improvement program. However, because it is included in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), it is eligible for other federal funding sources. In response to Board questions, Mr. Brown stated there is a force main along Blue Clay Road and an onsite booster pump will be installed to pump into that line. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Olson-Boseman asked Mr. Brown if based on the Board discussion and items presented during the public hearing, would he like to withdraw the petition or proceed with the vote. Mr. Brown responded that he wanted to proceed with the vote. Chair Olson-Boseman asked for direction from the Board. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 592 Motion: Vice-Chair Hays MOVED, SECONDED by Chair Olson-Boseman, to approve the proposed rezoning to an RMF- L district. The Board finds it to be consistent with the 2016 Comprehensive Plan because the project provides for the density and range of housing options recommended in the Community Mixed Use place type. The Board also finds approval of the project is reasonable and in the public interest because it will provide additional housing in close proximity to existing and future commercial development serving nearby residents. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF AREA 8B OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, ADOPTED July 7, 1972 is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Zoning Book II, Section 8B, Page 88. PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY NEW HANOVER COUNTY TO AMEND ARTICLES 7 AND 10 OF THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO INCORPORATE THE COUNTY’S STORMWATER ORDINANCE (TA22-04) Long Range Planner Dylan McDonnell presented the request by New Hanover County to amend Articles 7 and 10 of the UDO to incorporate the county’s Stormwater Ordinance. At the Board’s meeting in August, it approved several UDO amendments and this request is a simple addition to the UDO. When the UDO was first adopted in 2019 a specific part, Article 7, was provided for the County’s stormwater ordinance, however at that time the provisions were not intended to be incorporated until they had been coordinated with the County’s stormwater utility services program. Last year after the Stormwater Services division started, the stormwater ordinance was updated and adopted by this Board and those provisions are in effect. In addition, during the October 3, 2022 meeting the Board approved a revision to the companion technical design manual. The final step is to add the stormwater ordinance into the UDO as Article 7: Stormwater Management. In addition to Article 7, the proposed amendment includes a reference to the stormwater variance procedures and updates the responsibilities of the County Engineer in Article 10: Administrative Procedures. During the Planning Board’s October 6, 2022 meeting it recommended approval of the request. As a point of clarification, there are no new requirements being added as part of the amendment request, the stormwater ordinance as it reads today is simply being inserted into the UDO. Chair Olson-Boseman thanked Mr. McDonnell for the presentation, announced that no one signed up to speak in favor or in opposition to the request, closed the public hearing, and asked for direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Hays to approve the proposed amendment to the New Hanover County Unified Development Ordinance to incorporate the New Hanover County Stormwater Ordinance into the New Hanover County Unified Development Ordinance. The Board finds it to be consistent with the purpose and intent of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan because it will allow for more streamlined business processes and coordinated review of development proposals, as all the County’s development related ordinances will be in one comprehensive document. The Board also finds approval of the proposed amendment reasonable and in the public interest because it clarifies current stormwater regulations and practices for stakeholders and code users. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER AMENDING THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, ADOPTED FEBRUARY 3, 2020 and is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XLIII, Page 37.11. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointment to the Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees Chair Olson-Boseman reported that one vacancy exists on the Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees with four applications available for consideration. Vice-Chair Hays nominated Robert Collins for appointment. Chair Olson-Boseman seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nomination on the floor. Vote Results: Upon vote, the Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Robert Collins to the Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees to fill the unexpired term with the term to expire June 30, 2024. Appointments to the New Hanover County Board of Adjustment Chair Olson-Boseman reported that four vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Board of Adjustment with two vacancies in the Regular Category and two vacancies in the Alternate Category. Two applicants are eligible for reappointment and there are five additional applications for consideration. Vice-Chair Hays nominated Michael Keenan and Williams Mitchell for reappointment in the Regular Category and Michael Sanclimente and Ed Trice for appointment in the Alternate category. Commissioner Zapple nominated Timothy McGlinn for appointment in the Alternate category. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 PAGE 593 Vote Results: Upon vote, the Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Michael Keenan and William Mitchell in the Regular Category and to appoint Ed Trice in the Alternate category to the New Hanover County Board of Adjustment to serve three-year terms with the terms to expire on December 1, 2025. Vote Results: Upon vote, the Board voted in the majority to appoint Michael Sanclimente in the Alternate category to the New Hanover County Board of Adjustment to serve a three-year term with the term to expire on December 1, 2025. Chair Olson-Boseman, Vice-Chair Hays, Commissioner Barfield, and Commissioner Rivenbark voted in favor. Appointment to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee Chair Olson-Boseman reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee in the Faith category with two applications available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated Tammy Wynn for appointment in the Faith Community category. 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 Tammy Wynn in the Faith Community category to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee with the unexpired term to expire September 30, 2023. Appointments to the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council Chair Olson-Boseman reported that five vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council with five applications available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated Patrick Bradshaw, Lakeasha Glaspie, Richard Harris, Patrick Richie, and Cierra Washington for appointment. Vice-Chair Hays seconded the nominations. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Patrick Bradshaw, Lakeasha Glaspie, Richard Harris, Patrick Richie, and Cierra Washington to the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council with the terms to expire December 1, 2025. Appointment to the New Hanover County Planning Board Chair Olson-Boseman reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County Planning Board with eight applications available for consideration. Vice-Chair Hays nominated Kevin Hine for appointment. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Olson-Boseman asked for a vote on the nomination on the floor. Vote Results: Upon vote, the Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Kevin Hine to the New Hanover County Planning Board with the unexpired term to expire July 31, 2024. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chair Olson-Boseman stated that one person signed up to speak on non-agenda items but declined the invitation to provide remarks. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS There were no additional agenda items of business. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Olson-Boseman adjourned the meeting at 6:44 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.