Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-01 Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW,APRIL 1,2026 PAGE 803 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met on April 1, 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 Attorney K.Jordan Smith. Chair Pierce called the Agenda Review meeting to order, explaining that the purpose was to review and discuss agenda items for the April 6,2026 Regular Meeting. However,the Board would first hear a staff update. STAFF UPDATE Stormwater Services Overview and Performance Update. County Engineer Akin Akinola provided the following update: • Stormwater Services Overview and Performance update: • What Stormwater Services does: Respond to flooding and drainage complaints; build and maintain asset inventory; maintain critical drainage infrastructure; design and construct drainage improvements;and study watersheds to identify long-term solutions • Goal: Protect public safety and reduce drainage/flooding impacts • Background: • Established in December 2019 (Fiscal Year [FY] 2020): Rate was calculated in 2018 and approved at$5.65/month/Equivalent Residential Unit(ERU) • Began operation in July 2020 (FY 2021): No fee was collected due to COVID-19. Work was completed utilizing Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) grant money resulting from Hurricane Florence. • Staff and equipment added in July 2021 (FY 2022):The $5.65 rate was partially offset due to American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA)funds awarded to the County.As a result,the rate that was collected was$1/month/ERU. • Began full rate collection at$5.65/month/ERU in July 2022 (FY 2023) • Rate was increased to $6.14/month/ERU in July 2024 (FY 2025):This rate was anticipated to remain for five years • Stormwater Services staffing: • Engineering(Project Management and Design): 1 Chief Project Engineer,1 Associate Engineer, 1 GIS Manager/Data Analyst,and 2 Engineering Specialists • Field Crews(Project Implementation and Maintenance): 1 Superintendent,2 Crew Leaders, 6 Full-Time Technicians,and 2 Temporary Technicians • Performance—Stormwater Maintenance: • >1,600 citizen calls responded to and investigated; 350 citizen calls FY 2026; average of 50 to 60 calls per month • 400 resident-generated maintenance projects completed during FY 2024 and FY 2025;90 have been completed to date for FY 2026 • 200 miles of ditches and creeks maintained; 30 miles have been completed in FY 2026 • Intake process leverages Salesforce 311/AI/Asset Essentials • Performance—Stormwater Engineering: • Requires engineering evaluation • 6,000 feet of pipe replaced/repaired; 1,900 feet in FY 2026 • 30 capital improvements completed; 10 of these have been completed in FY 2026 • White Road culvert replacement spanned approximately four months • Major project list includes 150 current major projects: 30 major projects in the process of design or construction • Infrastructure/asset data collection: • Watershed mapping: • 420 miles of streams,creeks,and ditches have been mapped: • 60%of open channel infrastructure in the unincorporated County has been mapped • 300 miles of the mapped open channels are classified as eligible for maintenance by the County • Estimated that 80% of the open channel infrastructure eligible for maintenance by the County has been mapped via desktop GIS methods • 90 miles of pipe systems have been mapped: 12%of pipe is County maintained • 20 miles of culverts have been mapped: 17%of pipe is County maintained • Watershed Studies purpose:verify infrastructure/asset data; condition assessment of assets; hydraulic and hydrologic modelling; and proposed improvements: • Current Watershed Studies: • Acorn Branch=2,050 acres(grant funded) • Pumpkin Creek= 1,730 acres(grant funded) NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW,APRIL 1,2026 PAGE 804 • Dunbar Feasibility=205 acres(grant funded) • Queens Point= 160 acres(Completed FY 2026) • Heritage Park= 140 acres(Completed FY 2026) • Anchors Bend North=330 acres • Upper Motts Creek=800 acres • Method of choosing watershed areas: Density and history of reported issues and Grant opportunities • Stream Gauge program: • Stream water surface elevation data: • Currently 18 gauges installed and incorporated in the NC Flood Mapping and Alert Network(FIMAN): Brittany Road—Upper Smith Creek,1-40—Big Gum Branch, ILM Culvert —Acorn Branch,NC-133—Prince Georges Creek,NC-117—Prince Georges Creek,Blue Clay — Prince Georges Creek, Sidbury Road—Island Creek, Middle Sound Loop—Pages Creek, Boat Ramp — Pages Creek, Heritage Park — Wildcat Branch, Castle Hayne Road — Ness Creek, Oakley Road — Ness Creek, Hedgerow Road —Whiskey Creek, Silva Terra Drive— Barnards Creek, Monkey Junction—Mott Creek, MGPC—Upper Mott Creek,Tarin Woods —Everetts Creek, and Myrtle Grove Road—Everetts Creek • Currently two (2)ground water monitoring gauges installed: Veterans Park and Hanover Pines • Stormwater Engineering five year plan: • Designed to operate within current staffing and ERU rate • Approximately 12-15 projects delivered per year • Balanced across project types and priority scoring • Includes both smaller improvements and larger multi-year efforts • Watershed studies inform long-term project pipeline • FY 2026 Projects: 1. 7664 Market St Pipe Upsizing(dual 170-foot x 24" pipes) 2. 3615 Stumpy Court Pipe Upsizing(130 feet of 24" pipe) 3. 7225 Retriever Pipe Replacement(300 feet of 24" pipe) 4. 3421 Lynn Ave Culvert Upsizing(dual 30-foot x 36" culverts) 5. 2606 White Road—Rothbury Pipe Replacement(300 feet of 48" pipe) 6. Sandybrook Road Ditch Reconstruction (1,700 feet of ditch grading) 7. 1070 Navaho Trail Culvert Replacement(dual 60"culverts for emergency) 8. 4720 Stillwell Road Pipe System Upsizing(740 feet of 30" pipe for emergency) 9. 4910 Richardson Drive Pipe Replacement(170 feet of 36" pipe) 10. 243 Yulan Drive Culvert Replacement(20 feet of 24"culvert for emergency) The 10 completed projects above so for in FY 2026 represent over 2,000 feet of pipe installed;1700 feet of ditch graded. 11. Horndale Road Outfall Improvements(grade 600 feet of ditch;30 feet of 30"culvert;250 feet of 36" pipe) 12. 7161 Carolina Beach Road Pipe Installation (install 400 feet of 18" pipe) 13. Orpin Court Culvert Upsizing(dual 200-foot x 30"culvert) 14. Courtney Pines Water Main Relocation (300 feet of water main in preparation for culvert replacement) 15. Stillwell Road Repaving(500 feet of roadway to complete the pipe system upsizing) • FY 2027 Planned Projects: 1. Courtney Pines Culvert Upsizing(large culvert replacement) 2. 7507 Peters Lane Culvert Upsizing(dual 60-foot x 24"culverts) 3. Horn Road / Long Branch Road Improvements (grade 1,400 feet of ditch; dual 50-foot x 30" culverts) 4. 156 Homestead Court Pipe Upsizing(80 feet of 24" pipe) 5. 313 Windsong Pipe Replacement(200 feet of 36" pipe) 6. 6314 Stearman Court Pipe Install (100 feet of 36" pipe in existing ditch) 7. Vowel Drive Culvert Upsizing(large box culverts or parallel pipes) 8. Rothbury Court Pipe System Replacement(200 feet of 48" pipe) 9. South Channel Haven Pipe Outfall Improvements(bulkhead plunge pool) 10. Colchester Place Ditch Improvements(1,100 feet of ditch reconstruction) 11. Sentry Oaks Pond Outfall Improvements (3,000 feet of ditch reconstruction and two culvert crossings to upsize) 12. Country Place Ditches and Culvert(3,000 feet of ditch reconstruction and one 200-foot pipe) 13. Battle Park Drainage System Improvements(in design and easement acquisition) 14. Tesla Park Drive Culvert Upsizing(design in queue) 15. Mason Harbour/5115 Old Myrtle Grove Road (design in queue) • Proposed FY 2027 Enhancements: • Convert the two temporary stormwater technicians to permanent employees: • Additional funding requested is$26,000/yr(fringe benefits$13,000/employee) • Allows employees to operate a broader range of equipment,expanding their operational role • No rate increase associated with these requests NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW,APRIL 1,2026 PAGE 805 • Path forward: • Continue transition to proactive stormwater management • Expand preventative maintenance coverage • Improve system understanding through mapping and data • Deliver a consistent pipeline of capital projects • Continue building a sustainable, practical stormwater program • Closing: • Stormwater Services provides critical infrastructure and public safety functions • Program has made strong progress in a very short time • Work is structured, prioritized, and aligned with community needs In response to questions, Mr. Akinola confirmed the department could complete FY 2026 projects 11 through 15 by the end of the fiscal year. He agreed that completing the mapping is critical to identifying nonfunctioning ditches, needed culverts, and undersized or collapsed infrastructure, and said staff would report back on anything that could accelerate the process. He reiterated that the program applies only to unincorporated areas,that the City of Wilmington does not pay into the utility, and that municipalities are not part of the program. Regarding the limited percentage of mapped culverts and pipes, he stated staff could not determine whether major repairs like White Road would arise because staff does not yet know what is happening on the ground and many projects arise as emergencies. He also stated that the current ERU rate is sufficient for normal operations and the current level of project delivery, but agreed future discussions would be needed as mapping and studies continue. In response to further questions,Stormwater Services Chief Project Engineer Derek Shrewsberry stated that the White Road emergency project took about four months to complete, staff completed it in-house, and it cost about$800,000. He said staff does not anticipate handling another project of that size in-house. He also stated that the Courtney Pines Road project is estimated at about$1.5 million, and staff plans utility relocations in the current fiscal year and culvert work in the next fiscal year. He added that staff expects the project to fit within the budget, but it would likely consume most of the available funds. Chief Project Engineer Galen Jamison added that White Road required the department to borrow from the General Fund, and repayment is now reflected in debt service. Regarding staffing, Mr. Shrewsberry stated that the engineering side is small and relies on on-call consultants for a number of projects, with approximately $500,000 to $600,000 budgeted for contract services. He added that the operations side also contracts out some construction when projects exceed internal resources. In response to questions, Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle explained that the ERU appears as a separate line item on property tax bills. County Manager Coudriet added that the fee applies only to property tax bills in the unincorporated county and does not apply to undeveloped land such as forest or timberland. He further stated that residents in municipalities do not pay the fee because the municipalities have their own stormwater programs. In response to questions,County Manager Coudriet explained that the County is somewhat unique in having this program and that he is not aware of another county with a comparable model.He stated that the state regulates stormwater quality, while the County chose in 2000 to regulate stormwater quantity through its stormwater ordinance,from which this program evolved. He added that Hurricane Florence demonstrated the need for a more formal county oversight model. He also stated that residential units in the unincorporated county pay one ERU regardless of square footage,while commercial properties may pay multiple ERUs. In response to questions, County Manager Coudriet stated that, like Fire Rescue and Recycling and Solid Waste, Stormwater Services has its own capital improvement plan and that the General Fund CIP does not include enterprise-funded programs.Regarding whether the$6.14 rate could support larger projects,he stated that the plan assumed some unknowns and that the proposed rate supports the identified five-year stormwater CIP. He explained that another White Road-type emergency would require a significant adjustment if the Board wanted the utility to absorb the full cost within one year. He reiterated that White Road was paid for through the General Fund,that the Stormwater Utility is repaying the General Fund, and that repayment is built into the CIP and proposed ERU for the next four years. He added that, if the Board believes the scope of work is insufficient, staff and the Board would need to discuss what additional work is needed and what level of ERU would support it. He confirmed that staff believes the system is scaled appropriately for the work going forward. A brief discussion ensued regarding the Board's preference for staff to return with updates as major issues are identified and as mapping, culvert review, and feasibility work continue so Commissioners can prepare for significant future expenses.Commissioners also noted that adding the second field crew two years earlier improved the program's responsiveness to citizen concerns. Consent Agenda Item #4: Second Reading: Approval of Solid Waste Franchise Agreement for Waste Industries LLC DBA GFL Environmental. In response to questions, Recycling and Solid Waste Director Joe Suleyman stated that franchise agreements are issued for seven-year terms and that this item renews the prior agreement with Waste Industries. He confirmed that the renewal covers all GFL operations, including acquisitions made over the past seven years, and stated that staff reviews financial stability, insurance, operational performance, and customer complaints as part of the renewal process. Consent Agenda Item #6: Adoption of Resolution Supporting State Funding for Road Improvements. In response to questions, Intergovernmental Affairs Manager Tim Buckland stated that, based on information from Division 3 Engineer Trevor Carroll, the project primarily involves installing a couple of traffic signals in the area to NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 36 AGENDA REVIEW,APRIL 1,2026 PAGE 806 improve safety and reduce congestion, with funding expected from state transportation contingency funds. He added that he would ask Mr.Carroll to have someone available on Monday to address the matter. Regular Agenda Item #15: 2026 Comprehensive Plan - Destination 2050 Staff Update. In response to questions, County Manager Coudriet stated that the Destination 2050 item was on the agenda as an update only, not for Board action, and that the presentation would focus on changes and comments received to date. He stated that meeting invitations had been extended and that some Commissioners had met with Planning and Land Use Director Rebekah Roth. Ms. Roth stated that the presentation would address Commissioner and public comments received since the February public hearing,outline technical clarifications staff plans to incorporate,and ask whether the Board wants any additional changes before setting a future public hearing date. She added that, although staff had not anticipated a request for a redline version, the revisions could be clarified by showing the old and new language. Regarding the timing of the update, County Manager Coudriet stated that the matter was placed on Monday's agenda to update the Board on comments received and confirm whether that feedback aligned with the Board's direction. He added that staff could adjust the timing or format of future updates based on the Board's preference. Ms. Roth stated that her presentation would take about five minutes,with the remaining time reserved for Board questions and comments. Regular Agenda Item#16: Rezoning Request(Z17-05M)-Request by Cindee Wolf with Design Solutions, applicant,on behalf of Robert Perkins with 6144 Carolina Beach Road,LLC,property owner,to modify the existing 3.19 acre(CZD) B-2, Regional Business district located at 5301, 5307, and 5311 Castle Hayne Road to allow more uses including general retail, vehicle sales, and other limited uses, provide a shared stormwater management system,and expand the outdoor storage areas. In response to questions, Development Review Supervisor Robert Farrell stated that no issues exist with Lot 5307. He explained that when the property was originally rezoned to its current conditional B-2 district,the rezoning did not allow development on that lot. Because the existing conditional rezoning prohibits development there,the applicant must amend it to develop the vacant parcel.The modification would allow outdoor storage, limited uses, and relocation of the stormwater pond to the middle lot. He also confirmed that the southernmost lot is adjacent to Garden Place Drive. Regular Agenda Item#17: Rezoning Request (Z26-03)—Request by Cindee Wolf with Design Solutions, applicant, on behalf of Joseph Jacobus with CHR Properties, LLC and Wrightsboro Business Park, LLC, property owner,to rezone approximately 8.36 acres located at 3508 Harnett Avenue from B-2, Regional Business and AR, Airport Residential to a (CZD) B-2 district for retail sales,contractor office,and other limited uses. In response to questions, Development Review Planner Ryan Beil confirmed that legal access to Harnett Avenue must be secured before Technical Review Committee approval and would not be in place by Monday's meeting. Regarding truck traffic, he stated that the applicant had not specified the types of trucks that would use the site,but because loading bays are shown adjacent to each warehouse building, some truck traffic would be expected. He added that tenant needs would likely determine the specific types of trucks. He also stated that the Planning Board and the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization discussed traffic concerns extensively during the review process, and that the applicant would be prepared to address those issues further on Monday. Regular Agenda Item #18: Rezoning Request — (Z26-02) — Request by Angela Roseman with SMI Development Services, applicant, on behalf of Ohnmacht Properties, LLC, property owner, to rezone approximately 0.58 acres located at 7037 Market Street from R-15, Residential to B-2, Regional Business. In response to questions, Mr. Farrell confirmed that the Planning Board asked why the request was not submitted as a conditional zoning district and that the applicant explained its reasoning and would be prepared to address it further during Monday's presentation. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Chair Pierce adjourned the meeting at 11:57 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Kymberleigh G. Crowell Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes ore not o verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting.The entire proceedings ore available online of www.nhcgov.com.