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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19750715~~ Commissioner Jan Pinney then moved the meeting be recessed until the other engineers had been contacted and asked to attend. This motion ' died for lack of a second. Mr. Pinney then stated he felt that all or none of the engineers should be allowed the opportunity to attend and if this were not done he felt he could not participate further in the meeting. Ydr. Pinney then left the group. Pearson Stewart then observed a quorum of the Board of Commissioners was not present and he felt the meeting should be adjourned to a day definite at which time all engineers should be present. •. Mayor Cates then stated he weuld be willing to meet again when it was agreed that Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough would joint- ly select the engineering firm to do this work. Fie was not willing to delegate any portion of this responsibility to the Council of Governments. If he could not secure this agreement he was not willing to meet again on this subject. Commissioner Norman Gusta.veson stated in closing he was very dis- tressed at what appeared to be. a total disregard of the main issue here which is not the individual independence of each board but the over-riding issue of the common good of all persons residing within the 201 study area. For witzout this study State and Federal participation in the cost of sewer outfall lines constructed within the defined area is not possible. The meeting recessed at 9:00 p.m. ~~a~ ~ Flora R. Garrett, Chairman S. M. Gattis, Acting Clerk ORP~~7GE COWTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS July 15, 1975 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 15, 1975, at 7:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Room at the Courthouse in Hillsborough, N. C. Members present: Chairman Flora Garrett, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, :dorman walker, and Richard E. Cdhitted. Members absent: Commissioners Jan Pinney. S. M. Gattis, County Administrator; Neal ;vans, Fiscal Officer; A. B. Coleman, Jr. and Steve Bernholz, County Attorneys; and Betty June Hayes, Cleric were also present. Chairman Garrett referred to Item #1 on the Agneda: (Public Hearing) Orange County is considering acquiring about 6~.acres on the East side of Jefferson Drive in the Oakdale development to be used as the site of a motor vehicle repair and maintenance facility. This parcel of land might also be used as the site of an animal pound; however, a final decision on location of this facility has not been reached at this time. Chairman Garrett stated that pursuant to notice duly published, this - was the place, date, and time for a public hearing on a proposed site for an Animal Pound. Chairman Garrett informed the group that she' had been contacted by Roger Dale Stephens, Developer of Sunshine Acres, and that P~Ir. Stephens opposed the site of the dog pound in the Sunshine Acres area. Chairman Garrett then inquired if there were any present who wished to speak in opposition to the proposed Dog Pound and Garage site. 11 Joe Diggs, a resident of Sunshine Acres, inquired as to the exact location of the proposed site. Tt was determined that the site was owned by James Freeland and located where Jefferson Drive runs out. Mr. Diggs stated that he was opposing the proposed site and that Bruce Gornto, who also lives in the area, had requested that his opinion be voiced. Sue Williams, a resident of Sunshine Acres, stated that the pro- posed site would be located approximately one-half lot away from her property and she felt that all property value in the area would be decreased if the Animal Pound and Maintenance Garage were place d. in - the area. Hilda Brody of Hillsborough inquired if there was a possibility of the County going with Chapel Hill in securing a proper Animal Shelter. Chairman Garrett advised 24s. Brody that the matter would be dis~ cussed later in the meeting. Glenn Gardner, a resident of Sunshine Acres, stated that he and his wife were opposed to the location of a Dag Pound and Maintenance Garage in the area. He suggested that since the County owned other property on the Orange Grove Road that the Dog Pound and Maintenance Garage be located behind the new Grady Brown School. Johnny Horner reported that the County had investigated the possibility of locating the facility behind the school but that land was not available. Roger Date Stephens, a resident of Sunshine Acres stated that his wife was allergic to dogs and he had .recently invested $43,000. in his property...;. He_has four young daughters under 10 years of age, therefore, he was opposed to the location of the Animal Shelter and Garage. Wayne Kendrick spoke in opposition to the Dog Pound and Garage. Mrs. Glenn Gardner stated that many residents of the area have young children and that the increase in traffic in the area gave cause for anxiety concerning the safety of their children. Ms. Gardierstated that all the residents felt the Dag Pound was needed, however, the County should seek other sites. Chairman Garrett inquired if there were any persons present to speak in favor of the proposed site. She stated that she knew there were people present who wished to speak in favor of the Dog Pound. Kitty Murphy of Hillsborough spoke in favor of securing an adequate facility for unwanted animals. Pat xennedy of Chapel Hill spoke in favor of a joint shelter with the County joining with Chapel Hill. She stated that the Humane Society was willing to meet with representatives from the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrbaro, Hillsborough and the County for the purpose of pursuing the project and she spoke further of the advantages of an Animal Shelter instead of the old concept of a Dog Pound. Commissioner Gustaveson inquired if it were true that the town of Chapel Hi11 planned to move in the next month by purchasing approxi- mately 40 acres of land for a Dog Pound site? He was advised that this was the understanding of the Humane Society. Commissioner Gustaveson suggested that perhaps the Board should make inquiries concerning the plans of the town of Chapel Hi11. Hilda Brody suggested that if the County was in favor of a joint shelter then she would urge all units of government cooperate on this point a1d coordinate their efforts. The County Manager was instructed to contact the town of Chapel 'rIill in order to determine what plans, if any, they have to puzchase land for an Animal Shelter or what plans they have relative to an Animal Shelter. g~ Commissioner whitted suggested that the County continue to look for an acceptable site and to also move further out into the County with the understanding the city water is no longer a consideration. Chairman Garrett referred to Item #3 an the Agenda: (A.Ii.A. Tr7illiams: To. review with the Board coverage of a proposed comprehensive liability policy). A.H.A. Tnlilliams of Collier Cobb and Associates filed the following letter with the Board. "We are glad to offer you Public Official Liability Policy which - will indemnify you individually or collectively, for any claim or claims made against you for a wrongful act. The policy also extends _ itself to cover your executors, administrators ,. or assigns for which you shall become legally obligated to pay'. The policy also covers the Board (a public entity) for any wrongful act for which the Board may be required or permitted by law, to indemnify you. Lass is defined as meaning any amount which you are legally obligated to pay for a claim or claims made against you for a wrongful act, and shall include but not be limited to damages, cost of investigation, and defense of legal actions, claims or proceedings and appeals there- from, premiums on bonds to release attachments; however, such sub- ject of loss shall not include fines and penalties imposed by law. This is a 'claims made' type of insurance policy, and will respond to any claim made during the policy year. At the expiration of the policy year (or term), the succeeding policy would be the instrument which would respond to a claim. In the event that a Public Official Liability Policy was not in force at the time of the claim, no insur- ance would exist. The policy does not cover bodily injury, or damage, or destruction of any tangible property; personal injury (false arrest, libel, slander, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, wrongful eviction, assault, or battery); continuous discharge or release of pollutance, but this exclusion does not apply to such discharge if the escape is sudden and accidental. Based upon the application submitted and for limits of $250,000. any one occurrence, and $1,000,000. aggregate applying to each policy year, and to include a self-insured retention (deductible) of $2,500. per occurrence, th'e three year premium paid in advance is $11,875. A three year policy may be paid annually at a premium of $4,354. per year. ;de 'will be glad to put this insurance in force for you immediately upon your firm order, and eve'respectively solicit such an order." Mr. Williams reviewed the insurance coverage being offered. A question and answer period ensued and a copy of the proposed policy was given to the County Attorney for his review. Action was deferred until ta'~e first Monday in August. Chairman Garrett referred to item #4 on the Agenda: (Triangle Housing Development Corporation) Ms. Ruth P4ace will review for the Board the new rent supplement program and how it will effect Orange County. Ms. Ruth Mace, representative from the Triangle J Council of Govern- ment, filed the following Fact Background sheet with the Board. County Total Chapel Remainder of 1. Existing Situation Hill County Population in Housing Units* 61,762 21,188 40,574 $ 100 34~ 66$ No. of Occupied Substandard Unitsa 2,109 299 1,810 ~ 100$ 14~ 86~ Chapel Count Total Hill No. of Assisted Units b 451 ~ 100$ TI.Section 8 Funds Allocated for FY 74-75, by population c $258,200 No, of Assisted Units (Range) 295 65~ $87,788 1U4-127 35-43 Remainder of _ County <:_'~ 1.~ ;.a: . 156 35~ $167,830 69-84 III.Responsibilities of a Public Housing Agency under the Existing .Section 8 Program: i These include advertising the availability of housing assistance for lower income families; inviting Owners to make units available for leasing under the program; issuing and notifying Families of their Cerificates of Family Participation; informing eligible families o:E fhe housing quality sta{~dards and inspection provisions and landlord-- tenant responsibilities; determining amounts of the Family Gross Con- tribution and Housing Assistance Payments, making the latter such pay- ments; inspections prior to leasing and annually thereafter; assure contract enforcement; authorization of evictions; and compliance with the equal opportunity requirements. IV.Anticipated Administrative Money for First Year Operation of a Section 8 Existing Housing Program in Orange County outside Chapel Hill: A. With 84 Units under Existing Housing Program: Start--up Allowanoe:d $23,100 Management Income: a 12 067 Total 35,167 V. Application Procedure to become a Public Housing Agency. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will invite eligible Public Housing Agencies (PHA's) in North Carolina to apply to parti- cipate in the Section 8 Existing Housing Program. Invitations are expected to be issued around August 15th and applicants wS.ll have at least 30 but not more than 6D days to respond. The application from a PHA desiring to participate in the existing program shall include: 1) Types of existing housing (elevator/npn-elevator) likely to be utilized in the proposed program and whether authorization for use of recently completed housing is desired. z) Number of units by unit (bedroem) size and approximate number for occupancy by elderly and handicapped. 3) Consistency with local Housing Assistance Plan, 4) Qualification of applicant as PHA. 5) Statement of housing quality standards to be used. 6) Conformity to an equal opportunity housing plan. 7) Proposed schedule for Utilities Allowances. 8) Proposed time schedule (number of units to be leased by the end of each 3 month period). * As of December 31, 1974, TJCOG estimate a As defined in Housing Assistance Plans as part of Community Development applications. Figures have been updated from the 1970 Census. b This includes public housing, FHA and Farmers Home Administration assisted housing on the ground or under construction as of January, 1975. These figures include some estimates. ~~=' e It is understood from conversations with officials at HUD in Greensboro that the intention is to distribute Section 8 funds within counties according to population distributions. d $275 per unit is allowed for start-up costs e $.5~ of total monthly Fair Market Rents (k'MR) is allowed for management costs. Total figure is based on FMRs for two-bedroom units for ten months." Nate: For non-elevator units in Orange County, Fair Market Rents are .lumber of Bedrooms 0 1 2 3 4 - FMR $125 $143 $169 $195 $213 Ms. Mace advised the Board that Community Housing funds were begin- ning to flow from Congress and she requested the Board to constitute a Committee from members of the Board to review and discuss housing needs in detail. The Board agreed to meet with the Towns of Chapel Bill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough on t4onday, August 11th, at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the Rent Supplement Program. Chairman Garrett referred to Item # 2 on the Agenda: (Title XX: -- The Social Services Director will report the latest information that has been made available to him.) Chairman Garrett recognized Tom Nard, Director of Orange County Social Services. Mr. Ward reviewed the initial Proposal submitted by the County i:n April for Title XX. This proposal had been requested by the State in order to determine local needs. A detail application for each Contract prepared must be submitted to the State. Mr. Ward stated that he was of the opinion the State does not have sufficient staff to screen all Contract Proposals sa the program by necessity will be one that will be phased in gradually. P4r. Ward added that the State will allocate up to $4D3,000 in Federal funds to Orange County. Currently, the County is spending $202,000 of Federal funds and this means that there should be substantial funding for non-county operated programs. Mr. Ward stated that he felt after August 1st, the County should be in the position to discuss with any potential Contractees the details of any Contracts, however, guide- lines for Contracts have not yet been released to the Social Services Department. He. stated that the most outstanding feature of the State plan is the income limitation feature that restricts even the purchase of service by persons whose income is above the State Median Income Level. In effect this means that Social Services has overestimated the amount of Federal matching funds that will be coming to the County as Title XX reimbursements for the current fiscal year. Commissioner ?valker requested the Board to move to Ttem #9-C on the Agenda (A review of the appointment of Ms. Mae McLendon to the Social Service Board in light of the Attorney General's ruling) since Mr. T.~ard was present. Commissioner Walker referred to a copy of°`the Attorney General's ruling on the appointment of Mae McLendon to the Social Services Board. According to the ruling, the State Social Services Commission has the authority to set rules and one of their current policies and/or rules is that no citizen can sit as a member of a Social Services Board if a member of their family is a recipient of funds from the Social Services Department. Mr. Ward advised the Board that he was bringing the matter to their attention solely for the purpose of making sure that the County has a properly constituted Social Services Board. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he was concerned about the rule and that he questioned the constitutionality of the ruling and that he would like the County Attorney to investigate. 15 Commissioner Walker stated he would like to place the name of William Breeze in nomination as a member of the Social Service Board since Ms. McLendon was not eligible to serve. Chairman Garrett stated she would like to see the appointment stand until a ruling could be secured from the County Attorney. Steve Bernholz stated that this was a serious matter and that since he was not acquainted with the facts he could not rule on the matter and that in order to present a proper opinion all the facts concerning the appointee would have to be revealed by the Social Services Department. Further discussion .ensued. Chairman Garrett stated that no official notice had been received by the Board from the State Commission of Social Services. Commissioner Walker requested that Tom Ward inform the State Commission of Social Services of the County Appointment to the local Social Services Board. Further discussion ensued. Chairman Garrett stated that she felt it was Mr. Ward's proper duty to notify the State Commission of the appointment and that in her opinion it was clearly upon the State Commission to respond to this notification. She stated further that she felt the Board needed to find from the State if they rejected the nomination and if proper notification is received, then the matter should be brought before the Board on August 4th. Commissioner Walker asked to be excused from the meeting due to a severe headache. Chairman Garrett referred to Item #5 on the Agenda: (Betty June Hayes: to review with the Board of Commissioners the progress of the Durham Technical institute Advisory Committee). Betty June Hayes, Chairman of the Durham Technical Institute Task Force, advised the Board that this greup had been working on a Question- naire that Durham Technical Institute had agreed to mail. However, she felt that prior to mailing this Questionnaire the Board should be inform- ed of the fact that if the County decided to make a'Contract with Durham Technical Institute then a commitment for space, lights, heat; and general maintenance of a facility would be required-and that she felt the County should be appraised of this fact prior to pezmitting Durham Technical Institute to mail the Questionnaire. Ms. Hayes was requested to furnish each member of the Board with a copy of the proposed Questionnaire. Chairman Garrett referred to Item #6 on the Agenda: (Report from the County Attorney:) A. Variances: This matter was not reviewed. B. Easements: Steve Bernholz, County Attorney filed a written opinion relative to easements. Mr. Bernholz proceded to review the opinion and stated that the Chi plat does meet the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. __ Chairman Garrett referred to Item # 7 on the Agenda: (Capital Improvements Study: Haw shall we procede?) The County Manager advised the Board that an architect had been employed and a preliminary investigation had been conducted on the old Grady Brown School Structure. The investigation had revealed that the facility would have to be rewired, extensive improvement to the heating system would be required; elevators installed and provisions made for the handicapped. However, that could be done at less expense ~s than would be required to build a new facility. Mr. Gattis estimated that there would be 62,000 square feet of usable space in the two buildings and 19,000 square feet of usalale space in the gymnasium. Tie stated that it might be feasible to move everything out of the Courthouse except the Gaurts. Discussion ensued concerning the possible uses by the various County Departments. The Board authorized the County P4anager to procede with the securing of a proposals for a Feasibility and Architectual Study of the Old Grady Brown School property and all County properties and space needs. Chairman Garrett referred to Item #8: (Approval of Minutes of prior meetings). Action was deferred until the August 4th meeting. Chairman Garrett referred to ltem #9 on the Agenda: (Appointments) A. Orange County Planning Board _ The terms of Leon Yates and A. J. Altemueller have expired. Upon the motion of Gommissioner ~4hitted, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, it was moved and adopted that Leon Yates and A. J. Altemueller be reappointed as members of the Orange County Planning Board. B. Ms. Jean Anderson has asked to be relieved of the position pf First Alternate on the Orange County Board of Adjustments. Action was deferred on this matter. C. Commissioner Norman Walker has requested a review of the appointment of Ms. Mae {1cLendon in the light of the Attorney General's ruling to Dr. Tull concerning eligibility standards far Social Ser- vices Board Membership. Ghairman Garrett referred to Item #11 on the Agenda: (session of the Board of Equalization and Review to deliberate cases already presented to the Board. Chairman Garrett recognized 4.7illiam T. Laws, Tax Supervisor. The Board agreed to meet as the Board of Equalization and Review at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, 1975. Chairman Garrett referred to Item #10 on the Agenda:(Executive Session: To review with the County Attorney matters relating to civil litigation). The Board went into Executive Session. There being no further business to came before the Board the meeting was adjourn®d.to reconvene in Executive Session. ~~~C~ ~ Flora R. Garrett, Chairman Betty June Hayes, Clerk `I