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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-17 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, APRIL 17, 2025 PAGE 485 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met on April 17, 2025, 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 Dane Scalise; and Commissioner Stephanie A.C. Walker. Members absent: Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell; and County Attorney K. Jordan Smith. Chair Rivenbark called the meeting to order, stating that the purpose was to review and discuss agenda items for the April 21, 2025 Regular Meeting. Regular Agenda Item #6: Consideration of the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Funding Recommendation. County Manager Coudriet stated that Judge Corpening was not present for the agenda review meeting but will be present on Monday. Regular Agenda Item #11: Animal Welfare Report Out and First Reading: Amendment to Animal Control Ordinance and Fee Schedule. Chief Strategy Officer Jennifer Rigby reported that following public concerns raised in the fall regarding animal welfare, community members met to identify specific issues. Staff are recommending updates to the ordinance to align various sections with state requirements. Major Chris Smith from the Sheriff’s Office explained that there is a panel addresses matters involving dangerous/potentially dangerous dogs. The department maintains an open dialogue with citizens, even though the citizen review committee was removed when the Sheriff’s Office took over operations. County Attorney Smith added that the ordinance requires a second reading due to its criminal penalties. Regular Agenda Item #12: Consideration on Proposed Not-to-Exceed $22,000,000 Installment Financing of Capital Projects and Adoption of Approving Resolution. Mr. Credle stated that everything is on course for the bond sale. ADDITIONAL ITEMS County Manager Coudriet reminded the Board about the budget work session on April 21st, which will follow the regular meeting. He mentioned that the budget team has prepared a slide deck focusing on the school system, Cape Fear Community College, and the recommended budget and tax rate. The team will send the presentation to the Board later today. The presentation outlines the development of current recommendations and provides options for adjusting the proposed tax rate. Commissioner Walker stated her desire for a review of the County’s ordinance concerning e-bikes, which the current ordinances do not define as motorized vehicles. She commented on the recent incident at Smith Creek Park involved a gas-powered dirt bike but noted that the broader concern revolves around the safety risks posed by fast-moving and heavy e-bikes on narrow trails. A brief discussion ensued with questions being raised about the differences between e-bikes and traditional bicycles, enforceability, and potential regulations' impact. Parks and Gardens Director Tara Duckworth clarified that current signage prohibits motorized vehicles in parks but does not specifically address e-bikes. It was acknowledged that there are challenges in enforcement, such as the lack of visible indicators on modified e-bikes and the narrow width of existing trails, often eight feet wide instead of the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) recommended ten feet for shared use. The Board further discussed the need for consistent regulations across jurisdictions, including coordination with the City of Wilmington and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Ms. Duckworth confirmed ongoing conversations with these partners to align rules and clarify usage policies. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 4:21 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.