MSD Advisory Committee Meeting - November 17, 2022

The Wilmington Municipal Service District (MSD) Advisory Committee met on November 17, 2022, to discuss budget adjustments for street outreach salaries, review police and ambassador program updates, and receive city project status reports. The meeting began at approximately 3:45 PM and included a unanimous vote on salary increases.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the minutes from the September 22, 2022 meeting (corrected from the originally listed June 22, 2022 minutes). The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Budget Adjustment for Street Outreach Salaries: Christina (WDI) presented a request to increase salaries for Jack Morse (Street Outreach) from $43,680 to $55,000 annually, and for James Slay (Operations Manager) from approximately $56,600 to $60,000 annually, plus associated billing rate costs from Block by Block. The total increase of $19,836.86 would be funded by shifting $10,000 from alleyway activation, $6,000 from weather-related events, $2,000 from landscaping, and using surplus hours from the ambassador program. Christina noted that New Hanover County DHHS is offering similar roles at $55,000, creating a retention risk for Jack Morse. Committee members expressed strong support for retaining Jack Morse, citing his success in engaging the homeless population and improving downtown livability. Some questioned whether a 20% increase was necessary, but ultimately agreed to match the county rate to prevent losing him to the county. Discussion also covered long-term sustainability, with Chance noting that increased property tax revenue from Brownfields agreements and the MSD fund balance (approximately $300,000) could support the raises in future budgets. The committee also discussed the need for a budget subcommittee and clearer budget presentations next year.

Police & Operations Reports

• Police Report (Lieutenant Nichols): Reported on a cleanup under the Third Street Bridge (collaboration with NCDOT, county, and social services), increased graffiti and B&E incidents downtown, ABC enforcement (10 inspections, 50 citations, mainly underage alcohol violations), new mounted unit and e-bikes (grant-funded), and manpower improvements (10 new officers released next week, 15 in BLET training). Clarified that the two MSD-funded officers are dedicated day-shift officers.
• Ambassador Program Report (Christina): Detailed ongoing cleanups under the Third Street Bridge (scheduled for Dec 1 and Jan 5), a new off-season schedule to increase visibility, a 50% increase in graffiti removal (weekly reports to police), and an estimated 70 unhoused individuals sleeping downtown. The facade improvement grant program has $2,000 remaining (out of $25,000), and the microloan program has issued $90,000 in loans with $7,500 remaining.
• City Updates (Chance): Front Street project expected to open for the December 11 holiday parade (minor streetscaping to follow). Bijou Park permanent lighting to be operational by Thanksgiving; the green wall damaged in a tropical storm is under review by the city’s risk insurance department. Second Street parking deck rehab near completion (stairwell rebuild, LED lighting). Parking meters on Front Street will be reinstalled in January; soft enforcement of two-hour limits with warning citations for first offenses ($25 citation for repeat offenses).

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Approve Salary Adjustments: The committee voted unanimously (all in favor, none opposed) to approve the budget adjustment increasing Jack Morse’s salary to $55,000 and James Slay’s salary to $60,000, with funding shifts as proposed. The motion carried.
• Next Steps: Christina will provide a full presentation on facade improvement grant awards at a future meeting. The committee will consider forming a budget subcommittee to prepare for the FY24 budget cycle (baseline $562,682). The police department will address skateboarding complaints at River Place. The next meeting is expected in December.