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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-11 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW,DECEMBER 11,2025 PAGE 729 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met on December 11, 2025, at 4:00 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;Commissioner Stephanie A.C.Walker;and 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 Agenda Review meeting to order to review items for the December 15, 2025 Regular Meeting. Consent Agenda Item#2:Adoption of Updates to the Board's Policy and Procedures for Appointments to County Boards, Commissions, Committees or Authorities. In response to questions, Clerk Crowell confirmed that the addition of a preamble and technical clarifications will be completed for the policy document in time for Board consideration on Monday. Consent Agenda Item#3:Adoption of Public Officials Bond Resolution.In response to questions about the statutory$25,000 bond requirement for the Sheriff, Senior Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau explained that state statute sets the bond amount and that it operates separately from the County's broader insurance coverage. He further clarified that the County carries additional commercial broad form coverage through its insurance umbrella,which provides$500,000 in coverage above the statutory bond and creates multiple layers of protection. Consent Agenda Item #4: Approval of Contract with ES&J Enterprises for Construction of Landfill Cells 1213/13 and Lagoon Relining. In response to questions, Recycling and Solid Waste Director Joe Suleyman confirmed that the most recent annual evaluation estimates approximately 30 years of remaining permitted landfill capacity, an increase from prior projections. He noted that operational improvements are extending the landfill's overall life. Consent Agenda Item #5: Adoption of a Resolution to Declare Real Property Surplus and Sell via Negotiated Offer, Advertisement, and Upset Bid per North Carolina State Statute 160A-269. In response to questions, County Manager Coudriet explained that the property became available after the Sheriff's Office Vice/Narcotics and Detectives Divisions relocated to a newly constructed facility. He stated that the Board approved the use of anticipated sale proceeds in the FY 2022-2023 Capital Budget Ordinance to offset a portion of the construction costs. He further confirmed that neither the County nor the Sheriff has an operational need for the space and that the item before the Board is limited to declaring the property surplus to begin the disposition process, with the Board retaining final authority to accept or reject any offers. Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle added that the capital project currently reflects a $2 million funding gap and pursuing a lease option requires identifying an alternative funding source to address that gap. The Board further discussed potential alternatives, including leasing the space out. County Manager Coudriet and Mr. Credle reiterated that leasing would involve term limitations, potential capital investment, and market uncertainty.The Board expressed consensus to proceed with staff's recommendation to declare the property surplus and initiate the formal disposition process, with the understanding that a sale will not occur without subsequent Board approval. Consent Agenda Item#6:Approval of Award of Bid for the Purchase of Two(2)2026 Chevrolet Tahoes to Donohoo Chevrolet for$113,436. During a brief discussion,the Board expressed concerns that the bid did not go to a local vendor. Deputy Chief Jonathan Hart explained that staff conducted a formal public bid process after the applicable state contract expired during vehicle production.He stated that the vehicles are specialty,upfitted Tahoes for the Sheriff's Office that local dealers do not typically carry and must specially order them, with only limited dealerships able to obtain them. He further noted that staff received no local conforming bids and selected the lowest responsive bid in accordance with procurement requirements. Regular Agenda Item #9: Consideration of Lease Agreement with Leading into New Communities, Inc. (LINC).Chief Facilities Officer Sara Warmuth provided a brief overview of the lease agreement with LINC and stated that the facility is nearing completion,that the certificate of occupancy has been issued, and that plans are moving forward toward a spring opening.In response to questions,Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle clarified project funding sources, including a state appropriation and Trillium Health Resources' role,and explained that the project includes separate crisis stabilization services operated by RHA and transitional housing operated by LINC. During the discussion regarding resident eligibility, operational structure, and facility separation, County Manager Coudriet noted that crisis stabilization referrals are expected primarily from local emergency departments and that the two operations function separately. Mr. Credle further explained that staff updated the lease agreement in the agenda notebooks to address drafting and technical corrections. At the Board's request, he confirmed that staff will invite RHA and LINC representatives to attend Monday's meeting to address Board questions. Regular Agenda Item#11:Consideration to Approve the Purchase of Property on the Western Bank:Tract 1 (1450 Point Harbor Road)- R-04700-003-006-000 and Tract 2 (1209 N US Hwy 421)- R04700-003-009-001 and R04700-003-009-000 and Adopt the Associated Budget Amendment. Commissioner Scalise stated that the NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW,DECEMBER 11,2025 PAGE 730 purchase aligns with the Board's priority to preserve the western bank of the Cape Fear River and advances that goal, noting it would be a positive acquisition for the County. Commissioner Zapple expressed appreciation that the agreed-upon price was below the asking price. Regular Agenda Item #12: Special Use Permit — (525-06 — Standard Technologies) — Request by Max Valentine and Brian Thompson with Standard Technologies,applicants,on behalf of H.Phillip Berman,Jr.and Jim Teachey,property owners,for the use of Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing in an 1-1,Light Industrial district on approximately 34.7 acres located at 4901 Las Tortugas Drive. In response to questions, Development Review Planner Ryan Beil explained that the request involves a manufacturing use classified under a NAICS category for fabricated metal products, which broadly defines allowable activities without identifying specific products. Planning and Land Use Director Rebekah Roth and Mr. Beil clarified that the approved use category is narrower than the full NAICS description and confirmed that the applicant will provide additional details regarding specific operations. Mr. Beil added that the applicant will address questions related to powder coating, air emissions, and any required state or federal permits during the hearing. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 4:38 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.