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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19750320MINUTES OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS X9'7 Thursday, March 20, 1975 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 1975 in the Commissioners Room at the Courthouse in Hillsborough. All members were present, Chairman Garrett called the meeting to order and requested Mr. John Klink representing the New Hope Rural Fire Department, to present a resolution requesting the Orange County Board of Commissioners to czeate a County Fire Cortanission. Mr. Rline took the floor, presented the resolution to the $oard of Commissioners, and introduced Mr. Jerry Grimes from the North Carolina Department of Insurance, who would review the resolution and answer questions posed from the floor or from. the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Grimes started by saying this resolution was designed in order that protection might be extended to members of the almost one thousand volunteer fire companies that serve in North Carolina today. With the adoption of this resolution and its implementation, a Volunteer Fire Company in Orangge Gounty might become rated and thus achieve far its members certain life insurance and workmens compensation benefits afforded by the State to rated • Volunteer Fire Companies. A lengthy question and answer session followed in which members of the Volunteer Fire Department were able to get answers to some of the questions they posed concerning policies of the North Carolina Fire Insurance Rating Bureau about department ratings, the moving of equipment from a rated area.ty a non-rated area, what would be the actual authority of the County Fire Commission and was it mandatory Eor a department to cooperate with the County Fire Commission. Several persons from the audience brought up questions concerning specific provisions of the resolution itself. At the conclusion of the question and answer session, Chairman Garrett asked each Volunteer Fire Department to signify its assent or opposition m the proposed resolution. Mr. Chandler Cates, Chief of the Hillsborough Department, stated he felt this resolution or one of this sort was necessary, Representatives of the Eno Fire Department stated they would go along with the proposed resolution. Representatives of the Efland Rural Fire Department stated they would gp aing with the resolution, however, they had some misgivings about this action. The Orange Grove Rural Fire Department stated they would agree to County adoption of the proposed resolution but they also had some misgiving about the proposal. Chairman Garrett then asked the'County Association of Fire Chiefs if they would review the resolution and offer any comments they felt necessary. Commissioner Norman Gustaveson moved the adoption of the following resolution; "RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY PROVIDING FOR THE ES- TABLISHMENT OF THE ORANGE COUNTY. FIRE COMMISSION AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR RATING REQUIREMENTS AS SET BY THE N.C. FIRE INSURANCE RATING $UREAU WHEREAS G.S. 153-A-233 empowers a Board of County Commissioners to provide for the organi- zation, equipment, maintenance, and government of fire companies and fire departments, and WHEREAS, the Board of County Cottmtissianers of Orange County is of the opinion and has found and determined that it is for the best interest and necessary for the protection of the citizens of said county and their property (a) to encourange and aid in the equipment, maintenance, and government of fire departments in the county in order that these depart- vther cro erttect public school buildings and other county buildings, as well as homes and organization to work withaandstofsupplementythebOrangesCauntyhCivpl~Defense Organizationg and (c) in general to provide for the more adequate and efficient protection of life and property in the rural areas of Orange County and to provide a trained body of men to assist the urban areas of the county in case of emergency; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Gounty Commissioners of Orange County: .-- Section 1. There is hereby created the Orange County Fire Commmission to be composed of five (5) members as follows: (a) One member of the $oard of County Commissioners of Orange County, to be appointed by the said Board and to be known as the Fire Commissioner; (b) Two active volunteer firemen who shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. (c) Two members at large who shall be citizens of Orange County and who shall be appointed by the Board of County Gommissioners. As soon as possible after the adoption of this resolution, the Board of County Commissioners ~a11 a point the members of the Fire Commission. These members will serve for the terms of ~' ane (1) year. The Fire Coaanissioner shall be the chairman of the commission, and the commission shall choose its own secretary, 49~ The duties and powers of the Commission shall be as specified in this resoultion, and the Commission shall make rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution. i The Gommission,~from time to time, review the provisions and requirements contained in this resolution, and it shall recommend to the Board of County Commissioners amendments or changes which the Gommission may deem advisable. Section 2. A rural volunteer fire department, or a municipally-operated Eire department desiring qualification under this resolution, shall make application therefore to the Board of County Commissioners, Upan receipt of such application,the said Board will notify the Fire Commission, and the commission shall inspect the fire department, its .- equipment, personnel organizatior; and method of operation. As soon thereafter as possible, the Commission shall file a written report with the Board signifying whether such department meets the minimum standards herein contained, Section 3. The Fire Commission shall, make regular inspections of each fire department ' under this resolution. At least one (1) inspection shall be made annually, but the Commission may make such other inspections as it deems advisable. During the course of any such inspection, the Fire Commission shall determine whether the department is con- tinuing to meet the minimum standards as herein specified, and the findings of the Com- mission shall be reported to the Board of County Commissioners. Section 4. If the deficiency occurs in a department which has previously met the re- quirements of the North Carolina Fire Insurance Rating Bureau, the Fire Commission shall ratify the Bureau es to the conditions that exist in the Department causing the deficiency. Section 5. Each fire department desiring to qualify for under this resolution shall meet the following minimum standards: - (a) A rural Volunteer Fire Department shall be incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina. A Municipal Fire Department shall be organized under an ordinance of the governing body of the incorporated city or town. (b) Each Fire Department shall have a Fire Chief, an Assistant Fire Chief, and Wither necessary officers and men, with a minimum of nineteen active members. A list of all members and their addresses and phone members must be given to the Fire Commission on or before January 1 of each year. (c) All active members of a Fire Department in good standing shall have some identification, such as a card, badge, hat, or car plate to identify them as 'bona fide firemen.' No one other than an active member of the department in good standing shall be allowed to have this identification in his possession. (d) Each Fire Department shall have as minimum equipment that egtinpment specified by the North Carolina Fire Insurance Rating Bureau as necessary £or Grade 9-A Communities. The equipment shall be kept in good condition and operative at all times. The Fire Commission shall have authority to accept minor deviations from the specified equipment, when such minor deviation will not affect the ability of the department to fight fires. (e) Each department shall carry liability insurance on. its firemen and equipment, leaving the County free from any responsibility for damage or claims resulting from the activities of its-firemen or from the operation of its equipment. Each department shall also carry workmens compensation insurance on its active members, in order to provide those members with the benefits of the Workmens Compensation Act, (f) Each Fire Department shall carry out an organized training program, which shall be specified by the Fire Commission. The training program shall include the training and qualifying of fire truck drivers. Each department shall partici- pate in a minimum of one drill each month, and each fire truck shall be operated at least once each week. (g) The Fire Chief of each department is responsible for stressing 'safety' throughout the department and throughout all phases of the department's activities. Em- phasis shall be placed on the safe driving of firemen's own automobiles to the scene of the fire, as well as on safe practices while fighting a fire. Only. qualified drivers shall drive the fire truck, and the names of qualified drivers shall be posted at the fire station and furnished to the membership of the department. Drivers mall drive with caution at all times, and they shall allow no one but active members of the fire department to ride the truck when it is on call to a fire or to other emerggency. (h) A properly manned telephone shall be available at all times during the day and night to receive fire alarms and notify members of the Fire Department shall be mounted within the community for the adequate notification of all fireman, and it shall be installed so that it can be operated from a public place and so that it will be audible to a majority of the active members of the department. (i) Each Fire Department shall respond to the call of the Fire Cocrauissioner, It - shall be the duty of the Fire Commissioner to take such steps as are necessary to make sure, in the event of such a call, that the District of a Department answering a call shall not be left unprotected. (j) The Fire Chief within whose area the fire is being fought will be the final authority at the scene of the fire, or where a fire occurs in an area outside the area of any organized department, the Fire Ghief of the Department first arriving at the fire shall be the final authority. A Fire Chief, otherwise responsible, may grant permission to any other person more qualified to assume the direction of fighting the fire, or dealing with the emergency, if such other person is willing to accept the responsibility, In such cases, other persons working under the direction of the Fire Chief shall be immediately infgrmed of the change of authority, 49~ (k) The Fire Chief, or the senior officer of the Department having responsibility present at the scene, shall make a full investigation of each fire to determine, i£ possible, the cause of the fire. If any evidence of arson develops, the Fire Commissioner, and other local and State authorities shall be notified. (1) All Fire Chiefs are responsible for keeping adequate and accurate records of all fire calls as well as other records and reports that may be required. A regu- lotion fire record book shall be maintained by each department. The Fire Chief will also be responsible for filing with the Fire Commission any additional reports which are required by the Fire Commission or by the North Carolina Fire Insurance Rating Bureau. (m) Each Department shall designate a traffic section, composed of at least one captain and three members, who shall be trained in the proper handling of traffic shall Section 6. The various Fire Departments in the County/by mutual agreement, determine the areas in which each will give basic fire protection, and within which each will solicit ~ funds. Anpp disagreements shall be resolved by the Fire Commission. For those Departments which may be approved for insurance rate reductions, the area of basic fire protection shall be determined with reference to the requirements of the North Carolina Fire InsurancE Rating Bureau. Section 7. Each Fire Department shall prepare an annual budget, providing for the receipt and expenditure of County assistance and other income and revenue. A eDpy of the budget shall be presented'by the Fire Commissioner by April 30th of each year. Section 8. Whenever a Fire Department has met the requirements of the North Carolina Fire insurance Rating Bureau, for providing fire protection to a Grade 9-A or Grade 9..-AA Community, afire district ma upon application by the Fire Department, thereupon be designated by the Board of ~nty Commissioners. The boundaries of the district will be fixed according to the requirements of the Fire Insurance Rating Bureau. Adopted this the day of 19 Commissioner Jan Pinney offered a second to the resolution. Vote: Ayea 5, Noes 0. Motion declared passed. Mr. John Kline then suggested the Board of Commissioners request the County Associatic of Fire Chiefs be allowed to submit nominations for four members of the County Fire Com- mission. The fifth member he pointed out should be a County Commissioner. The Board of Commissioners agreed with Mr. Kline's suggestion and requested the Chiefs to submit their nomination before the Board's meeting on April 15, 1975. Mr. Kline then submitted a description of a three mile fire district the New Hope Fire Department was requesting the Board of County Commissioners approve. "BEGINNING at a point where State Road 1718 intersects with the Orange County- Durham County line; thence with the Orange County-Durham County line South to a point where said line intersects with the City Limits of the Town of Chapel Hill; thence with the City Limits of the Town of Chapel Hill as the same meanders in a westerly direction to a point where the City Limits intersect with Estes Drive; thence with Estes Drive westerly to its intersection with N.C. Highway 86, thence with Highway 86 North to a point where said Highway is inter- sected by State Road 1777; thence with State Road 1777 westerly to a point where said road is intersected by the South Orange Fire District line; thence with the South Orange Fire District in a Northwesterly direction to its intersection with State Road 1009; thence with State Road 1009 in a Northerly direction to its inter- secGon with State Road 1723; thence with 1723 in a Northeasterly direction .to its intersection with N. C. Highway 86; thence with Highway 86 in a Southeasterly directic to its intersection with State Road 1718; thence with State Road 1718 in an Easterly direction to the place and point of beginning. THERE IS EXCEPTED from the above described fire district so much of the Greater 'chapel Hi11 Fire District as lies within the above described area." Commissioner Norman Gustavesott moved the Orange County Board of Commissioners approve the application by the New Hope Fire Company to the North Carolina Fire Insurance Rating Bureau for a 9-A-3 mile fire district that conforms to the description previously recorded. Commissioner Richard Whitted offered a second. Vote. Ayes 5 Noes 0. Motion declared passed. Mr. Burch Compton, Commander of the Prange County Rescue Squad, made a brief report ~- to the Board of Commissioners concerning the construction costs of the building just built by the County Rescue Squad. Original estimates indicated the building costs would be around $80,000. Its actual cost was $90,000. The unanticipated $10,000 was made by depleting the Squad treasury. The Squad, therefore, was unable to complete the paving of the drive and parking area around the building. The Squad, therefore, was requesting the County to provide funds to pave the drives and parking area around the building. The total cost of this work would be $5, 00. Commissioner Norman Walker moved these funds be allocated for this purpose from the Contingency Fund. Commissioner Jan Pinney offered a second. ~ vote: Ayes 5 Noes 0. Motion declared passed. 530 Mr. Dick Buchanne sppke to the Board of Commissioners briefly about the recently allocated funds by the State Department of Natural and Economic Resources to Orange County for certain Rescue Squad equipment on condition the County provide a 50% matching contribution. 'T'hrough the Regional E. M. S. Council Orange County had been provided $4,560 and the Joint Orange-Chatham Emergency Medical Services Council has agreed to provide the matching $4,560 if Orange County decides to accept this state grant. Commissioner Richard Whitted moved the County accept the State grant of $4,560 and the matching contribution of $4,560 of Johnson Foundation money. Commissioner Pinney seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes 5 Noes 0. Motion declared passed. Revered Richardson appeared before the Board in regards to a possible summer recreation program and requested the County proceed as rapidly as possible to develop the specific details for this plan. He also suggested this plan involve maximum use of exist- ing facilities. After a discussion of the question of whether or not to renew the Manpower Consortium Grant with the City of Durham, Durham County, and the Town of Chapel Hill, Commissioner Richard Whitted moved the Chairman be authorized to sign the new proposal on condition it provided additional personnel in Orange County: 1 Professional Secretary 1 Adult Training Counselor 2 Youth Training Counselors 1 Overall Orange County Project Coordinator Commissioner Norman Gustaveson offered a second to this motion. Vote: Ayes Noes Motion declared passed. In non agenda items Commissioner Norman Walker moved the plat entitled Kings Way Subdivision be approved. Commissioner Jan Pinney offered a second. Vote: Ayes 5 Noes 0. Motion declared passed. There being na further business the meeting was adjou d. Flora Garrett, Chairman S. M. Gattis, Acting Clerk x , os l l5 , 30 ~/ s~4gp,9 ~, 3 3 7 !U~ , %l ~ dXE.2Sd~ ~i ~o ~ /S, 3 d ~