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Home My WebLink About2025-09-11 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 PAGE 658 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met on September 11, 2025, at 4:03 p.m. for Agenda Review in Conference Rooms 137-139 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 Rob Zapple. Members absent: Commissioner Stephanie A.C. Walker. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell; and County Attorney K. Jordan Smith. Chair Rivenbark called the Agenda Review meeting to order and stated its purpose was to review items for the September 15, 2025 Regular Meeting. He stated that Commissioner Walker is unable to attend the meeting and asked for a motion to excuse her. MOTION: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Scalise to excuse Commissioner Walker from the meeting. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED 4 – 0. Chair Rivenbark stated that before proceeding, the Board will receive a staff update. STAFF UPDATE Sustainability Manager Madelyn Wampler presented the following update about the North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program:  NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP):  Administered by the NC Division of Coastal Management  No-cost technical assistance to identify risks, set resiliency goals, and design/implement priority projects, no match required, and no fund management  RCCP program phases:  Focus area: Upper Smith Creek Watershed:  Repetitive flood loss, frequent work orders and complaints, and vulnerable populations and infrastructure NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 PAGE 659  Previous resilience initiatives:  2021 Hazard Mitigation Plan  2023 Countywide Resiliency Study  Stormwater Services  RCCP Phase 1 and 2 deliverables:  Resilience strategy:  Community vision and goals  Review of existing efforts  Risk and vulnerability assessment report  Project portfolio:  Minimum of five priority projects and action items  Key partners:  Technical contractor: Moffatt and Nichol  RCCP Community Action Team  NHC Engineering Stormwater Services  NHC Planning and Land Use  NC Division of Coastal Management  Other local RCCP 2025 recipients: City of Wilmington and Town of Carolina Beach  Next steps:  Strategic Plan goals related to resilience: In response to questions, Chief Project Engineer Derek Shrewsberry reported that Stormwater Services is accelerating work by completing studies to guide fixes. The team has finished four watershed/hydraulic studies, one large study that identified multiple projects, and completed 12 projects in the area since Stormwater Services began. He outlined four additional studies (some queued, others pending funding), a five-year plan covering watershed studies and creek assessments, and multiple active projects. He further reported that Stormwater Services has a consultant’s proposal to provide a condition assessment of seven miles of creek/stream along the Smith Creek watershed this coming year, with a larger plan for the Torchwood area in the same period. Over the past four years, the team has mapped 400 miles of open channel and identified 300 miles eligible for County assistance. He stated the program is moving at a good pace. Regarding doing phase one and phase two in a way that ensures successful completion to move to phase three, Ms. Wampler stated that having a successful contractor with a record of completing these projects is key. She noted the technical contractor, Moffatt & Nichol, has helped multiple communities complete the first two phases and secure design and implementation funds. She added that following the state handbook and producing quality deliverables increases success, and she has not heard of challenges advancing when a community chooses to proceed. Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark moved the meeting into the review of the agenda items for the September 15, 2025 Regular Meeting. Consent Agenda Item #3: Approval of Proposed Amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority (CFPTA). In response to questions, Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau confirmed that NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 PAGE 660 approval of the proposed amendment formalizes that the County and City representatives be a County Commissioner and a City Council member. He further confirmed it was the original intent and the City of Wilmington (City) asked to formalize the process. A brief discussion addressed adding a service user to the CFPTA Board. Commissioner Zapple commented that service users speaking briefly under public comments is different from having a seat at the table. Commissioner Scalise said meetings include robust public comment. County Manager Coudriet provided a historical overview of the County withdrawing from CFPTA and later re-engaging under an interlocal agreement requiring professional administrators and elected officials; adding a rider seat would require reopening the agreement with the City. Commissioner Scalise then noted that moving from nine to ten members could invite split votes; alternatives (removing one or adding two) may not be in CFPTA’s best interest, and the board’s composition must reflect stewardship of City and County funds. As to financial stability, County Manager Coudriet confirmed stabilization and Commissioner Scalise added that the County has increased funding. Vice Chair Pierce suggested creating a rider advisory committee rather than changing board composition. County Manager Coudriet reported CFPTA’s shift from a coverage model to an efficiency model, with RideMICRO offsetting gaps; routes were reconfigured around January 5, several now run every 30 minutes (down from 60), and ridership is trending up. Commissioner Zapple cited concerns about underutilization and route-fit but agreed not to delay the item. Commissioner Scalise said he would surface the composition discussion. Consent Agenda Item #4: Adoption of Budget Amendments. Staff provided the following information in response to questions regarding budget amendments (B/A) 26-007, 26-008, 26-009, 26-011, 26-012, and 26-013:  26-007: In response to questions, Senior Resource Center Director Amber Smith stated the Senior Resource Center’s caregiver education and respite program focuses on supporting family caregivers so they can continue caring for their loved ones. Services include in-home respite (temporary home- health assistance so caregivers can run errands, attend appointments, or take personal time), support groups and education, and limited supply assistance (e.g., incontinence supplies and liquid nutrition) to reduce caregiver costs.  26-008 and 26-009: In response to questions, Sheriff’s Office Business Officer Donna Seal stated that training and supplies covers items such as the recent purchase of a K-9 and related equipment, as well as training and travel costs. Also, the Sheriff, chief, and majors use these funds to attend the Sheriff’s Association legislative update sessions.  26-011: In response to questions, Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle stated that the $750,000 is a rollover from the Special Purpose Fund, primarily unspent library donations. The amendment re- budgets the funds to make them available for future Culture and Recreation needs.  26-012: In response to questions, Mr. Credle explained the $8.9 million capital allocations rollover (26- 0012): $6.7 million is for New Hanover County Schools, with roughly two-thirds for New Hanover High School structural repairs as final invoices come in. The remaining $2–$3 million are prior-year school capital balances now being spent on projects including a Winter Park Elementary sewer lift station ($386,000), Title Nine improvements at New Hanover High School and Hoggard ($529,000), and technology switch gear at the Carolina Beach location ($393,000).  26-013: Commissioner Zapple congratulated those involved for completing the new turf project, which was nearly $200,000 under budget. Consent Agenda Item #5: Approval of New Hanover County Board of Education Applications for Public School Building Capital Fund and Public School Building Repair and Renovation Funds. In response to questions, Dr. Rob Morgan, New Hanover County Schools Assistant Superintendent of Operation, stated that the Carolina Beach Elementary project has not started and the scope does not include asbestos removal. As to the repairs at Holly Tree Elementary, the work is to seal moisture-intrusion points and Dr. Morgan commented on dehumidification improvements. Dr. Morgan also reported on the planned HVAC upgrades for Holly Tree Elementary due to the current system being overworked. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 4:46 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.