2009-12-30 Agenda ReviewNEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, DECEMBER 30, 2009 PAGE 723
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for Agenda Review on Thursday,
December 30, 2009, at 4:05 p.m. in the Lucie F. Harrell Conference Room at the New Hanover County
Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Jason R. Thompson; Vice-Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.;
Commissioner Robert G. Greer; Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley;
Deputy Clerk to the Board Teresa P. Elmore; and County Manager Bruce T. Shell.
Commissioner William A. Caster was absent.
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the meeting
is to review and discuss the Boards January 4, 2010 Regular Session meeting agenda.
The Board discussed Consent Agenda Item 3 Ratification of Issuance of Special Use Permit (S-
13) as Directed by Judge Gary Locklear. County Attorney Copley explained that the Court Order
required immediate issuance of the Order Granting the Special Use Permit Amendment. Chairman
Thompson signed the order on December 16, 2009, and ratification by the Board is needed for entering
into the minutes.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 9 Presentation of Plaque to Commissioner Ted
Davis, Jr. for His Service as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Past Year. Chairman
Thompson will make the presentation.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 10 Public Hearing and Possible Board Action
Regarding ABC Board Policies, Procedures and Actions. Chairman Thompson suggested that the Board
hear public comments in 15-minute increments with individual comments limited to 3 minutes. County
Attorney Copley gave each Commissioner a notebook from Attorney George Rountree that contained
responses to the Commissioners request for information from the ABC Board.
Planning and Inspections Director Chris OKeefe presented an overview of the following
Planning Department items and answered questions from the Board:
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 11 Public Hearing - Text Amendment Request by
Staff to Amend Section 69.17, to Expand the Standards for Telecommunication Towers (A-382 12/09).
Mr. OKeefe said the proposed regulations should address past concerns of the Commissioners in
regulating the placement of cell phone towers.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 12 Public Hearing - Text Amendment Request by
Staff to Amend Article VII of the County Subdivision Ordinance to Add Two New Private Road
Certificates (A-383 12/09). Chairman Thompson noted that the Planning Board had voted 4 to 0 on both
Planning items. He believed that these Planning items were important issues and should have the full
Planning Board consideration. He requested to receive the attendance records of the Planning Board
members.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 13 Trails End Boating Access Facility Progress
Report and Consideration of Proposed Rules for Use. Parks and Gardens Director Jim McDaniel
provided an overview of the proposed rules for use. Staff had negotiated with neighboring property
owners for a requirement to post a sign with the suggested park hours of sunrise to sunset in order to
assist the Sheriffs Office in patrolling the area.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 14 Update on County Parks. Parks and Gardens
Director Jim McDaniel will present an update on County Parks with a focus on capital projects. The
presentation will include existing projects as well as future projects.
The Board discussed Regular Agenda Item 15 Consideration of Southeastern Center Facility
Authorization to Design and Construct. Assistant County Manager Chris Coudriet reviewed the funding
mechanism for the project. The majority of the Commissioners agreed that approval may be contingent
upon whether Pender and Brunswick Counties Boards of Commissioners approve the project at their
meetings on January 4, 2010. Commissioner Greer did not support proceeding with the project because
of the current economic downturn.
County Manager Shell announced that Closed Session Item 17 has been postponed until February
1, 2010.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
AGENDA REVIEW MEETING, DECEMBER 30, 2009 PAGE 724
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
·
County Manager Bruce Shell reported that he is negotiating with Paul Shumaker with Capital
Communications, Inc. to conduct a baseline survey regarding the sales tax referendum. The
survey with county voters would seek to determine whether the 1/4-cent sales tax referendum
would pass in May 2010. He estimated the cost to be $11,000 to $12,000. Mr. Shumaker was the
pollster and lead consultant for the Catawba County Sales Tax Referendum in 2007. The
Commissioners discussed the merits of having a consultant to assist the County in promoting its
needs for the additional revenue source.
Consensus:
The Commissioners agreed to move forward with contracting with Capital
Communication to perform the survey to determine whether county voters would support the 1/4-
cent sales tax referendum.
·
Chairman Thompson invited the Board and Staff to join him in participating in the Polar Plunge
to be held on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at Carolina Beach, NC. The event is a fundraiser for
the 2010 Special Olympics.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Thompson adjourned the Agenda Review meeting at
5:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa P. Elmore
Clerk to the Board