2023-12-07 Agenda Review
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36
DECEMBER 7, 2023 AGENDA REVIEW MEETING PAGE 61
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met on December 7, 2023 at 4:00 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; County Attorney K. Jordan Smith; 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 December 11, 2023 Regular Meeting but that the Board will first
need to conduct a closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
Chair Rivenbark stated that a Closed Session is needed pursuant to North Carolina General Statute (NCGS)
143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with the county attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the
county attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged.
Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Scalise to enter into a Closed Session pursuant
to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with the county attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege
between the county attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chair Rivenbark convened to Closed Session at 4:02 p.m. and stated that all persons not Board members or
specifically designated staff were to leave the meeting room.
CONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Chair Rivenbark called the meeting back to order at 5:26 p.m. and reported that pursuant to NCGS 143-
318.11(a)(3), the Board concluded its consultation with its legal counsel. He then opened the floor for discussion
about the December 11, 2023 Regular Meeting agenda items.
Consent Agenda Item #3: Approval of Legion Stadium Turf Replacement. New Hanover County Schools
(NHCS) Assistant Superintendent - Operations Eddie Anderson responded to questions stating that the underground
tanks are not leaking but are getting close to their end of life. The project was funded for the current year, but the
bids came back $70,000 over budget so the project will be put back into the capital request for the next budget year.
Consent Agenda Item #4: Adoption of Revision to the Board Resolution to Direct the Expenditure of
Opioid Settlement Funds. Chief Strategy Officer Jennifer Rigby responded to questions stating that Monday’s
presentation will provide an update on the strategy for the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder program. The
staff is working to update individual program requirements and sought to get the funding from the initial program
allocated first and then fill in the gaps. The amendment will establish a new strategy for the D.A.R.E. program. In
response to questions regarding the twelfth strategy for public service announcements, Ms. Rigby stated that the
strategy is still being developed and her office is working with the County’s communications team.
STAFF UPDATES
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Maintenance - Temporary Lane Closer Schedule. Emergency Management
Director Steven Still be present at Monday’s meeting to provide an update on the project.
Public and private street requirements. County Manager Coudriet stated that this item will be heard at a
future agenda review meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 5:34 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.