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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-16 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 331 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met September 16, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in Regular Session in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, 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; Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell; and County Attorney K. Jordan Smith. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Associate Pastor Natalie Raygor, First Presbyterian Church, provided the invocation and Commissioner Barfield led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Chair Rivenbark requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. MOTION: Commissioner Scalise MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield 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 Board approved the minutes of the August 29, 2024 Agenda Review Meeting and the September 3, 2024 Regular Meeting. Discussion and Adoption of Budget Amendments – Budget Budget Officer Amanda Kostusiak responded to Commissioner Zapple’s request for additional information on budget amendment 25-007, confirming that the amounts reflected are correct and rolls the remaining Fiscal Year (FY) 23 and FY24 capital contributions to FY25. Commissioner Zapple expressed concerns about the funds not being spent and the need to clarify for the public that the County is providing the funds. County Manager Coudriet commented that he believes this is why County staff recommended not appropriating capital funds for FY25. At the time, there was $11 million of unused capital. While there is a plan to spend it, the flow of work and timing of obligations have delayed its use. The budget amendment supports said recommendation and the Board’s decision not to allocate additional capital, as over $9 million is still available for ongoing work. Deputy Chief Jonathan Hart responded to Commissioner Zapple’s request for additional information on budget amendment 25-012, confirming the vehicles are Sheriff’s Office vehicles. Assistant Public Health Director Michelle McGrath responded to Commissioner Zapple’s request for additional information on budget amendment 25-012, stating that the decrease is an adjustment to match the actual state allocation and will not affect operations. The $15,000 for the peer counselor is being reclaimed because it was never used, and there are already funds to cover the part-time position. The Board adopted the following budget amendments amending the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025: Finance 25-006 Education 25-007 Parks and Gardens 25-008 Sheriff 25-009, 25-010, 25-011, 25-012, and 25-013 Health and Human Services - Health 25-014 Copies of the budget amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLV, Page 17.1. Second Reading: Approval of Solid Waste Franchise Agreement for Bin Butler LLP – County Attorney In the second reading, the Board authorized the issuance of a solid waste franchise agreement for Bin Butler LLP. A copy of the franchise agreement is on file in the legal department. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five Years: James Brown, Veterans Services Sara Dousharm, Recycling and Solid Waste Ten Years: Kimberly Andrews, Health and Human Services (HHS) – Social Services William Coston, Information Technology Linda Gould, HHS - Public Health NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 332 Twenty Years: Jodi Kerwin, Sheriff’s Office Twenty-Five Years: Tangy Jones, HHS – Social Services Chair Rivenbark presented each person with a service award, and the Commissioners expressed appreciation and thanked each one for their years of dedicated service. County Manager Coudriet then requested the following new employees to stand and be introduced: Lauren Gallagher, Sheriff’s Office Jennifer Moore, HHS – Public Health Adam Lewis, Information Technology Paulina Romero, HHS – Social Services Victor Majano, Strategy Lisa Thomas, HHS – Public Health David McCune, Facilities Management The Board welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION WEEK PROCLAMATION Commissioner Scalise read the proclamation into the record recognizing September 17 through 23, 2024, as Constitution Week in New Hanover County. Lynne Ashcraft, Regent of the Stamp Defiance Chapter, NSDAR, expressed appreciation for the proclamation and reported on the group’s activities in recognition of Constitution Week. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark asked for direction from the Board. MOTION: Commissioner Scalise MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield to adopt the proclamation recognizing September 17 through 23, 2024, as Constitution Week in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLV, Page 17.2. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF SMART START MONTH PROCLAMATION Chair Rivenbark read the proclamation into the record recognizing September 2024 as Smart Start Month in New Hanover County. Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Gallo of Smart Start of New Hanover County expressed appreciation for the proclamation and reported on Smart Start activities. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark asked for direction from the Board. MOTION: Commissioner Scalise MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield to adopt the proclamation recognizing September 2024 as Smart Start Month in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLV, Page 17.3. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION Commissioner Zapple read the proclamation into the record recognizing September 15 through October 15, 2024, as Hispanic Heritage Month in New Hanover County. Dr. Edelmira Segovia, Director of Centro Hispano and Co-Chair of Latino Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina, expressed appreciation for the proclamation and reported on the group’s activities. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark asked for direction from the Board. MOTION: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Barfield to adopt the proclamation recognizing September 15 through October 15, 2024, as Hispanic Heritage Month in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLV, Page 17.4. PRESENTATION OF THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY HISPANIC LATINO COMMISSION REPORT Dr. Edelmira Segovia, Director of Centro Hispano and Co-Chair of Latino Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina, and Joseph Casares, Director of Radiology at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, and Board Member on the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Latin American Business Council, presented the following update: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 333  New Hanover County Hispanic Latino Commission (NHCHLC) inaugural update:  2023 inaugural year  The NHCHLC serves as an advisory body to the Board of Commissioners, focusing on Hispanic/Latino community issues and promoting inclusiveness and equality  11 members, including one (1) representative from the UNCW Latino Alliance  Inaugural year progress:  Orientation with New Hanover County Office of Diversity and Equity and legal counsel  Community needs assessment outreach  Letter of acknowledgement: Career Readiness Academy at Mosley  Guest speakers:  Governor's Advisory Council on Hispanic Latino/Affairs  Boy Scouts of America  Language needs survey for non-profits (in progress)  Identification of key focus areas/subcommittees  NHCHLC table at the 2023 Cape Fear Latinos Festival  NHCHLC table at the 2024 Hispanic Latino Resource Fair  Subcommittees: Information and Civic Engagement, Advocacy for Public Education, and Language Equity  New Hanover County’s Hispanic community:  About 14,000 Hispanics live in New Hanover County  6% of New Hanover County’s population identifies as Hispanic  62% of Hispanics in North Carolina are US-born  Second-year outlook and recommendations:  Work with County entities and local organizations to implement recommendations noted in the 2024 Annual Report  Nominations for new leadership  Language Access survey  Draft resolution in support of NC Governor’s Support of immigrants  New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Latino Citizens Academy  Increase awareness of NHCHLC A brief discussion ensued about the presentation and the Commissioners expressed appreciation for the update. PRESENTATION OF 2024 TRILLIUM HEALTH RESOURCES ANNUAL REPORT Cecilia Peers, Southern Regional Director of Trillium Health Resources, provided the annual report on Trillium Health Resources highlighting the following:  Trillium Health Resources Annual Report for New Hanover County:  Trillium Health Resources is an LME/MCO responsible for the management of serious mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD) services in eastern North Carolina  Trillium covers 46 counties in eastern North Carolina  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 the website at TrilliumHealthResources.org  Medicaid in North Carolina:  Standard Plans (SP) are commercial health plans that manage physical health and behavioral health benefits and services for those with mild to moderate behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disability needs  Tailored Plans (TP) are public health plans that manage physical health and behavioral health benefits and services for those with severe behavioral health and I/DD needs  Medicaid Direct: LME/MCOs manage behavioral health benefits for those who are carved out of SP/TPs, such as Medicare/Medicaid dually enrolled individuals  Behavioral health services: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 334  Basic services (SP and TP): outpatient treatment and medication management, substance abuse intensive outpatient and comprehensive outpatient treatment, child first early intervention  Enhanced services (TP only): child/adolescent day treatment, intensive in-home, multi- systemic therapy, assertive community treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation, ambulatory detox  Residential services (TP only): psychiatric residential treatment, group homes, substance abuse medically monitored residential treatment, intermediate care facilities  Tailored Plan launch:  Launched July 1, 2024:  Completed the NC Medicaid Transformation plan  Whole person care: coverage of both physical and behavioral health/intellectual and developmental disability care  Other benefits covered: non-emergency medical transportation, pharmacy, durable medical equipment, and long term services and supports  Tailored care management:  Whole person care management  Provided by health plan (Trillium), care management agency or advanced medical home+  Develop member centered plan of care  Identify and connect with needed providers, services, and social determinants of health resources  Regularly assess progress of plan and adjust support accordingly  Care team includes behavioral health and physical health expertise  Tailored plan services:  Services/Benefits available exclusively through the Tailored Plans include innovations waiver services, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) waiver services, 1915i services, state funded behavioral health services, state funded I/DD services, and state funded TBI services  Tailored plan eligibility:  Eligibility considers both an individual’s diagnosis and use of services including:  Use of/need for a service covered exclusively by the Tailored Plan  Qualifying diagnosis and admission to a state psychiatric hospital or alcohol and drug abuse treatment center (ADATC)  2+ visits to an emergency department for a psychiatric need, psychiatric inpatient stay, or use of BH crisis services  Auto-enrollment determined by DHHS algorithm based on paid claims  Other beneficiaries not eligible for auto-enrollment were able to join via open enrollment prior to launch  Members encouraged to select primary care physician and auto assigned if no selection made  Medicaid members in New Hanover County:  Trillium covers 32% of Medicaid recipients in New Hanover County:  14,760 Trillium Medicaid members  5,025 Tailored Plan members  9,735 Medicaid Direct members  Standard Plans cover 68% of Medicaid recipients in New Hanover County:  31,143 Standard Plan members  Initial findings from tailored plan launch:  Initial impacts from Trillium’s TP launch:  Increased call volume – June = 9,426 calls, July = 17,031 calls  Increased claims – June = 265,364, July 284,605*  Transportation: some members are experiencing disruption to regular transportation schedule  Pharmacy received 10,000 claims: $1 million in claims during the 2nd week of launch  Performance measures related to launch changes:  72.8% of calls answered within 30 seconds, 4.15% abandonment rate  100% Medicaid and State claims paid within 30 days NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 335  During the last week of July, Trillium staff contacted 900 members who received at least weekly trips that had not been scheduled for the following week  Addressing unmet health-related resource needs:  Approximately 80% of health is related to non-medical needs:  Housing, transportation, food access, interpersonal safety, education/employment, social integration  Trillium connects members to resources through two programs:  Healthy Opportunities Pilot: a program using Medicaid funds to cover health non- medical resource needs, available in 13 Trillium counties with plans for expansion  Neighborhood Connections: Trillium team that assists Medicaid recipients in connecting with community resources  Other ways to get involved:  Consumer and Family Advisory Committee:  The Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) is an advisory group devoted to enhancing care for individuals with mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders.  Training, event sponsorship and reducing stigma:  Trillium offers training opportunities such as Mental Health First Aid, Question- Persuade-Refer, Community Crisis Intervention, and others. Found on the events calendar: https://www.trilliumhealthresources.org/news-events-training  Trillium sponsors events around the region focused on awareness and inclusion  My Learning Campus: online learning portal includes self-assessments, health management techniques, Safe Schools Healthy Kids curriculum  Community newsletters:  You can join the community newsletter distribution list to get quarterly newsletters through email.  How to get information:  The Member and Recipient Service Line: 1-877-685-2415 for services, treatment options, or behavioral health crises. Access to this line is M-S 7AM-6PM  Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 1-888-302-0738 Available 24/7 for those who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis and need to be connected to care immediately  The Administrative and Business Line: 1-866-998-2597 Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., closed on holidays and can be used for general questions, business matters, to register a complaint/compliment or to request a printed copy of materials  Trillium Website: https://www.trilliumhealthresources.org  Provider information, member information/handbook, member services, news, events, training opportunities, and provider recruitment can be located on the Trillium website A brief discussion ensued about the presentation. Ms. Peers stated that the County has two mobile crisis providers: Integrated Family Services and RHA Health Services. These teams can be contacted directly, through Trillium, or via 988 for in-person response to behavioral health crises. If it is not a safety issue but a mental health crisis, it is a valuable option for support without needing hospital care or law enforcement involvement. It is also an insurance blind service that is available to all. Chair Rivenbark thanked Ms. Peers for the update. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING EMERGING CONTAMINANTS GRANT APPLICATION FOR CFPUA WATER EXTENSIONS Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) Chief Engineer Gary McSmith presented the following information:  Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in New Hanover County (NHC) private wells:  PFAS in NHC private wells is widespread as detected in sampling by Chemours and provided to the NC Department of Water Quality  Chemours is obligated by a Consent Order to provide granular activated carbon (GAC) or reverse osmosis (RO) filtration or connect to a safe water supply if the PFAS is identified as originating from their Fayetteville plant  Some PFAS is outside of the scope of Chemours obligations (legacy PFOA and PFOS)  All private well owners connected to CFPUA water are responsible for paying monthly bills  Existing projects for connections or to extend water mains:  NHC-funded Rockhill pilot project to connect private wells to adjacent water mains: Construction awarded and can be expanded to other areas. No cost to NHC if well has Chemours exceedance.  Chemours-funded project to connect private wells to adjacent water mains: construction awarded and extends across all NHC  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emerging Contaminants Small and Disadvantaged Communities (BIL-EC-SDC) approved grants:  Rockhill Area: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 336  Grant funds to be supplemented by NC Reserve and Chemours contributions for service connections where wells are contaminated by Chemours contaminants  Alandale Area:  Grant funds to be supplemented by Chemours contributions for service connections where wells are contaminated by Chemours contaminants  Large-diameter Bayshore Transmission Main, previously programmed in CFPUA Capital Improvements Plan for FY26 to improve system operation, moved forward a year. Essential for future opportunity to serve Bayshore.  Bayshore transmission main CFPUA capital project:  CFPUA Capital funds to be supplemented by Chemours contributions for service connections along the route where wells are contaminated by Chemours contaminants.  PFAS in Private Wells Prioritization Study:  Funded and authorized by interlocal agreement between NHC and CFPUA  Hazen is performing as part of Water System Master Plan scope  Hazen recommended guiding principles to NHC Health Director for concurrence  Prioritization Guiding Principles:  Legacy compounds not otherwise mitigated by Chemours are of highest concern for water main prioritization based on contaminant concentration  Disadvantaged areas as determined by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Justice 40 census blocks are higher priority than non-disadvantaged areas  Where similar legacy PFAS concentration levels occur in equivalent census blocks, areas with greater population density will be prioritized higher than areas with lower density to maximize the benefit  Highest concentrations of legacy compounds:  Comparative PFOS levels are shown as a representation of legacy PFAS in private wells  Each red circle represents a single private well PFOS exceedance not otherwise mitigated by Chemours  The Garden Place grant area would address the private wells with the highest contamination  Garden Place Area in Proposed Grant Application:  Grant application for $2.1 million  Grant funds to be supplemented by NC Reserves if necessary to complete project NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 337  Chemours to pay for service connections where wells are contaminated by Chemours contaminants  Connects to water mains to be constructed by others  Typical CFPUA Grant Application: Arlington Drive:  Grant application for $1.5 million  Grant funds to be supplemented by NC Reserves if necessary to complete project  Chemours to pay for service connections where wells are contaminated by Chemours contaminants  Proposed Projects Following Prioritization:  CFPUA is nearing the maximum of $5 million BILEC-SDC grant funding per recipient this year. Only $5 million total is available in the September funding round statewide. CFPUA would be eligible for approximately $1.5 million additional which should be sufficient to fund Arlington Drive if that grant is awarded.  The odds of grant approval for Garden Place are higher if NHC submits a grant application for $2.1 million given the funding constraints  Next steps:  Submit NHC and CFPUA grant applications in September  CFPUA advertise three design-build contracts based on funding sources:  Federal BIL-EC SDC grants  NC Reserve funding  Other funding not from state or federal sources  NC Reserve funding can be used to augment federal grants or elsewhere in accordance with prioritization document being developed for NHC under ILA  CFPUA funding for Bayshore Water Transmission Mains, any Chemours funding for water mains and other funding not from state or federal sources can begin to address Bayshore and other areas  This is a good start, but more funding will be needed to solve the problem across NHC Commissioner Barfield stated he would make a motion to adopt the resolution. MOTION: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Scalise to adopt the resolution approving the submission of a county grant application to NCDEQ on behalf of CFPUA for Emerging Contaminants Funding. A brief discussion ensued on the matter. Mr. McSmith confirmed that no County funds would be expended for the project. CFPUA will fund any additional costs that exceed the grant amount out of what it is allowed to access from the NC Reserve funds. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark asked for a vote on the motion on the floor. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLV, Page 17.5. PRESENTATION AND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025 SCHEDULE OF VALUES Chair Rivenbark stated that at its August 19, 2024 meeting, the Board heard a presentation on the proposed 2025 Schedule of Values and approved the scheduling of the public hearing. He opened the public hearing concerning the proposed values, stating that the notice of the public hearing was published in accordance with state statute. The Board will hear the presentation from the tax administrator and then receive public comments. Each public comment speaker will be allotted three (3) minutes to provide comments. Tax Administrator Allison Snell reported that this item is part two of the three step process for adopting the 2025 Schedule of Values. Chair Rivenbark stated that no one signed up to speak under the public comments portion of the public hearing and closed the public hearing. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark asked for Board direction. MOTION: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple to approve the 2025 Schedule of Values be placed on the Board’s October 7, 2024 meeting agenda. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 338 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointment to the New Hanover Community Endowment Chair Rivenbark reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover Community Endowment with eleven applications available for consideration. Vice-Chair Pierce nominated Wiliam Blair for appointment. Commissioner Scalise seconded the nomination. Commissioner Zapple nominated Sheree Darien. Commissioner Barfield nominated Carl Brown. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Rivenbark asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor. Vote Results: A majority of the Board voted to appoint William Blair to the New Hanover Community Endowment for a three-year term that expires September 30, 2027. Chair Rivenbark, Vice-Chair Pierce, and Commissioner Scalise voted in favor. Appointments to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee Chair Rivenbark reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee in the At-Large and Civil Rights Community categories, with one application eligible for reappointment and two applications available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated Fawn Rhodes for reappointment in the Civil Rights Community category and Javar Avery for appointment in the At-Large category. Commissioner Scalise seconded the nominations. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Rivenbark asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Fawn Rhodes in the Civil Rights Community and to appoint Javar Avery in the At-Large category to the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Community Relations Advisory Committee to serve three-year terms with the terms to expire September 30, 2027. Appointments to the New Hanover County Inspections Department Advisory Council Chair Rivenbark reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Inspections Department Advisory Council. One application is eligible for appointment in the At-Large category, and one application is eligible for appointment in the Electrical Contractor category. Commissioner Zapple nominated Kirby Trundle for appointment in the At-Large category and Andrew Ward for appointment in the Electrical Contractor category. Commissioner Scalise seconded the nominations. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Rivenbark asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Kirby Trundle in the At-Large category for a three-year term that expires July 31, 2027, and to appoint Andrew Ward in the Electrical Contractor category to fill an unexpired term that expires July 31, 2025. Appointments to the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Chair Rivenbark reported that three vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council in the At-Large category with two applications eligible for reappointment and one application available for consideration. Commissioner Zapple nominated Zachery Mitcham and Brittany Patterson for reappointment and Clyde Lynn for appointment in the At-Large category. Vice-Chair Pierce seconded the nominations. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Rivenbark asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Zachery Mitcham and Brittany Patterson and to appoint Clyde Lynn in the At-Large category to the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council for two-year terms that expire September 30, 2026. Appointments to the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors Chair Rivenbark reported that two vacancies exist on the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors, and four applications are available for consideration. Commissioner Scalise nominated Ligon (Wood) Flynn and Walter Whaley for appointment. Vice-Chair Pierce seconded the nominations. Hearing no further nominations, Chair Rivenbark asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 339 Vote Results: Upon vote, the Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Ligon (Wood) Flynn and Walter Whaley to the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, Inc. Board of Directors to serve three-year terms with the terms to expire June 30, 2027. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chair Rivenbark stated that the one person signed up to speak under public comment and asked that the speaker provide comments. Bernard Williams, resident of Rock Hill Road, Castle Hayne, NC, stated he is speaking on behalf of the Rock Hill community regarding the ongoing effort to bring water and eventually sewer services to the community. The grant approval has been received along with the approval to conduct a flood study and water sampling to support the need for the utilities. He thanked the Board for its assistance efforts. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS  Postponement of the September 16, 2024 Joint Meeting with the Planning Board. County Manager Coudriet provided an update on the unnamed storm moving through the area. Emergency Management Director Steven Still has recommended postponing the joint meeting scheduled for later in the day due to the ongoing rain and localized flooding. Citizens are being advised to avoid traveling if possible and schools are in the process of being dismissed so students can return home. After a brief discussion about the situation, the Board agreed to postpone the joint meeting with the Planning Board. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 10:39 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Kymberleigh G. Crowell Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting. The entire proceedings are available online at www.nhcgov.com.