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Home My WebLink About2026-01-15 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, JANUARY 15, 2026 PAGE 740 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met on January 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.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 LeAnn Pierce; Vice Chair Dane Scalise; Commissioner Bill Rivenbark; Commissioner Stephanie A.C. Walker; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staﬀ present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell; and County A?orney K. Jordan Smith. Chair Pierce called the mee?ng to order and announced that staﬀ would provide an update, followed by a discussion of the agenda items for the January 20, 2026 Regular Mee?ng. STAFF UPDATE Landfill Waste Diversion Discussion. Recycling and Solid Waste Director Joe Suleyman presented the following information:  Overview of Recycling and Solid Waste:  New Hanover County (NHC) Landfill: Remaining capacity as of May 2025 is estimated at 30 years at current disposal rates:  Landfill challenges:  Average NHC per capita disposal rates are 1.6 tons per person per year  National average is 1.05 tons per person (Global Waste Index 2025)  Impact of tourism on waste generation and recycling and a growing population  No opportunities for expansion exist  Waste diversion and recycling:  Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D) recycling  Food waste composting  Yard waste, scrap metal, and oyster shell recycling  NHC Materials Recovery Facility (operated by Sonoco Recycling)  Industry-leading landfill efficiency:  Compaction rates have consistently been in the 1,800-2,000 lbs./cubic yard range  Industry standard is 1,200-1,600 lbs./cubic yard  Use of GPS technology in landfill equipment  Goal and recommendation:  Strategic goal: target a waste diversion and recycling rate of 60%, to extend the life of the landfill to approximately 70 years  Recommendation: Engage a third-party consultant through an RFQ to evaluate current programs and help identify a range of sustainable solutions, excluding privatization or out-of-county waste disposal (to be funded in FY27) In response to questions, Mr. Suleyman stated that the County last engaged a third-party consultant in 2015, when CDM Smith evaluated, as part of the study, vertical expansion using mechanically stabilized earthen berms. He explained that the study found the cost per cubic yard to be prohibitively high and not viable for the site. He noted that landfill life projections assume aggressive use of airspace and referenced the current 170-foot operational cap and the 270-foot permitted height, which requires Board authorization to exceed. Mr. Suleyman stated that staff annually evaluate significant landfill subsidence as potential recoverable airspace. He explained that subsidence results from waste decomposition, varies by organic content, and is managed through waste blending and annual flyover surveys. He noted that subsidence of approximately 18–20 feet across several acres warrants further evaluation as recoverable airspace. He also reported that the mobile shredder operates at the customer convenience site to improve safety and efficiency and has contributed to compaction rates exceeding 2,000 pounds per cubic yard during a partial year of use, with higher rates anticipated. He also stated that the proposed RFQ will not allow out-of-county waste transfer or privatization proposals. After a brief discussion, there was Board consensus to include funding for the RFQ in the FY27 budget. Chair Pierce thanked Mr. Suleyman for the update. Consent Agenda Item #3: Approval of the Order of Approval for Special Use Permit (S25-06). In response to questions, County Attorney Smith explained that state law requires Board approval of written special use permit orders and the matter is placed on the next agenda because it cannot be completed during the same meeting. Consent Agenda Item #6: Adoption of Budget Amendments. In response to questions, Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle stated that the interest amount listed in Budget Amendment 26-025 brings the account current. He explained that the interest rolls into the capital project fund and remains available to complete the facility. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW, JANUARY 15, 2026 PAGE 741 Consent Agenda Item #7: Adoption of Resolution Approving the Award of Bid for the Purchase of Two (2) 2026 Chevrolet Tahoes to Modern Chevrolet for $107,814. In response to questions, Mr. Credle confirmed that local vendors were encouraged to submit bids but did not. Regular Agenda Item #10: Special Use Permit – (S25-05 – Big Apple RV Park) – Request by Jonathan Washburn, applicant, on behalf of Joseph Burke “Burke” Freedland with HBD Partners and Dorothy “Dotty” Freedland with Market Street Partners, LLC property owners, for the use of Campground / Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park in a R-15, Residential district on approximately 27.32 acres located at the 8600 block of Stephens Church Road. In response to questions, Development Review Planner Amy Doss stated that public comments received can be sent to the Board prior to the meeting. CLOSED SESSION Chair Pierce stated that a Closed Session is needed pursuant to North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 143- 318.11(a)(3) and (a)(5) to consult with its legal counsel in order to preserve the a?orney-client privilege between legal counsel and the public body. Mo?on: Vice Chair Scalise MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple to enter into a Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3) and (a)(5) to consult with its legal counsel in order to preserve the a?orney-client privilege between legal counsel and the public body. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chair Pierce convened the Closed Session at 11:28 a.m. and ordered that all people, except Board members and speciﬁcally designated staﬀ, leave the mee?ng room. CONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION FOR AGENDA REVIEW Chair Pierce called the mee?ng back to order at 12:52 p.m. and reported that the Board had concluded its closed session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Chair Pierce adjourned the meeting at 12:53 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.