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2023-06-15 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 JUNE 15, 2023 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING PAGE 802 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met June 15, 2023 at 4:06 p.m. for Agenda Review in Conference Rooms 138-139 at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present: Chair Bill Rivenbark; Vice-Chair LeAnn Pierce; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Dane Scalise; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau; and Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell. Chair Rivenbark called the Agenda Review meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the meeting is to review and discuss the agenda items for the June 19, 2023 Regular Meeting with discussions as noted: Consent Agenda Item #2: Adoption of Budget Amendments. Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle explained in response to questions regarding budget amendments (B/A) 23-062, 23-075, and 23-077:  B/A 23-074 and 23-075: The term “other financing source” is a place holder for revenues. The budget amendments are for leases and software. The items do not have any impact on the fund balance but are accounted for as if they were purchased with debt, so the B/As reflect assumed debt issuance proceeds. There will be a similar B/A brought forward each year for compliance with accounting standards.  B/A 23-077: This is an end of year B/A to make sure the County does not go over budget on any of its functions related to public safety. Regular Agenda Item #5: Consideration of Juneteenth Proclamation. Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Linda Thompson stated that Juneteenth is on Monday, so the proclamation is appropriate. Regular Agenda Item #6: Consideration of Resolution Recognizing the Williston Legacy Graduation. Ms. Thompson stated that Ulysses Slade, who is the class president for the class of 1969, will be present on Monday to make remarks if there is time. Regular Agenda Item #7: Presentation of Proposed Workforce Housing Services Program Year Two – FY2024. County Manager Coudriet explained that the presentation will be to propose the Workforce Housing Services Program for year two, and based on the Board’s feedback, staff will finalize the evaluation criteria, hold an information session, and develop a public release plan in coordination with the Communications and Outreach staff prior to issuing the Request for Proposal (RFP). Commissioner Zapple proposed setting aside $500,000 of the $3 million annual allocation for an urgency fund to help complete existing affordable housing projects that have unexpected costs outside of the normal RFP period. He feels it would give more flexibility to the program for projects such as Canopy Point, a senior affordable housing project, which has stalled due to environmental issues with the site that will cost more than expected to correct. Senior Long Range Planner Rachel LaCoe stated in response to questions during discussion of Commissioner Zapple’s proposal that there were two projects funded last year, each at $1.5 million. One of the projects was senior affordable housing, but both were low income housing tax credit projects. She added that the RFP is written with an emphasis on affordable rentals. Discussion ensued regarding senior housing and workforce housing. County Manager Coudriet stated that any change in the framework is a directive that would need to come from the Board. Planning and Land Use Director Rebekah Roth explained that the framework does not specifically address senior affordable housing, but those projects can apply for funding unless the Board directs otherwise on Monday. Ms. LaCoe explained in response to Board discussion that the RFPs can be written in several different ways. For example, there could be an RFP in the fall and one in the spring, so the funds are not all allocated at one time. The funding level per project can also be reduced. The RFPs are also written for projects that need gap funding to get them over the finish line. A subcommittee comprised of staff from Finance, Strategy, Health and Human Services (HHS), and members of the Workforce Housing Advisory Committee (WHAC) review and rate the projects. Ms. LaCoe stated in response to questions that for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, the $3 million appropriated for workforce housing is helping construct 152 new units. The funding also leverages low income housing tax credits and other additional funding. County Manager Coudriet reiterated that any changes to the framework will require a directive from the Board. After further discussion, the consensus of the Board was to receive the presentation on Monday. STAFF UPDATE Strategic Plan Update. Chief Strategy Officer Jennifer Rigby provided the following update:  Strategic Plan Update:  Strategic Plan: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 JUNE 15, 2023 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING PAGE 803  Focus areas:  Sustainable Land Use and Environmental Stewardship:  Workforce and Economic Development: Ms. Rigby explained in response to questions concerning the cradle to career pipeline that there is a desire to provide the pipeline for the children of New Hanover County. Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) would be involved in the strategic objective from the aspect of providing people the education to be trained for a new career path.  Community Safety and Well-being: A brief discussion ensued about how New Hanover County has changed in recent years, noting that it is not the same community it was five years ago. Ms. Rigby stated in response to questions that the targets will be provided in the next few weeks. Staff is looking at historical data and trends to make an informed decision on the targets. Chair Rivenbark thanked Ms. Rigby for the update. ADDITIONAL ITEMS Chair Rivenbark stated that earlier this week, the ABC Board presented thirteen $1,500 scholarships to New Hanover County graduating seniors who submitted essays about the negative effects of underage drinking. He also stated that the Healing Place is full, with 90% of the residents being residents of New Hanover County. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 4:58 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.