HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19751211Commissioner Walker stated that he felt that the contract must be
put out fox the lowest bid, and that since the Board of Commissioners
had heard from several architect tonight regarding the proposed Facility
Study that an architect for renovation of the Northside School as a
Mental Health facility should be pursued in the same fashion.
Commissioner Gustaveson spoke of the professional relationship
involved. He stated that the County had received professional services
at no cast and that the decision had already been made by the Mental
Health Board and that the Board of Commissioners should accept the
Mental Health Board's recommendation.
Mr. Webb stated that his proposal was not binding and that Mental
Health was free to look at other architect, however, there would be
a penalty involved. He stated that information had been provided that
could not be passed on to another architect. _
Commissioner Whitted pointed out the need to get .started on the
Mental Health Facility.
Commissioner Pinney moved that the Board approve the Contract with
James Webb to perform architectural services for renovation of the
Northside School as a Mental Health Facility at a fee of 9~$ of the
construction cost.
Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion.
Discussion ensued. Commissioner Walker stated that he felt the
Board was moving hastily and in a fashion not in keeping with haw the
County's business should be conducted. He stated that he was not in
favor of hiring an architect without putting the contract out for a
fair low bid.
The Chairman called for the vote.
Voting aye were Commissioners Garrett, Gustaveson, Pinney and
Whitted.
Voting nay was Commissioner Walker_
The Chairman declared the motion passed.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Agatha Johnson, Acting Clerk Flora R. Garrett, Chairman
ORANGE COUNTX BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
December 11, 1975
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in special session on
Thursady, December 11, 1975, at 7;30 p.m., in the Commissioners' Room
of the Orange County Courthouse
Members present were Commissioners Flora Garrett, Norman Gustaveson,
Jan Pinney and Richard E. Whitted.
Members absent was Commissioner Norman Walker.
Others present were S. M. Gattis, County Administrator; Neal Evans,
Fiscal Officer; A. B. Coleman, Jr., County Attorney; and Betty June
Hayes, Clerk to the Board.
The Chairman referred to Stem #~3 on the Agenda: Mr. E. J. Edge, Jr.,
Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners of Cumberland County, has
submitted to the County a Resolution for Study of Local Tax Revenue.
1~~4
"Those who serve in Local Government earnestly plead for
Counties and Cities to be provided with additional sources
of revenue as a means to meet the multitude of needs for
proper urban development. Home rule is of little conse-
quence unless Local government has the mews to do the job
the home folks want done.
Local Government is expected to provide such basic services
and facilities as water supply, sanitary sewer lines, trach
and garbage disposal, police and fire protection, ambulance
service, hospital facilities, public health, mental health
programs, libraries, parks and recreation, and good schools.
These are things essential to daily living. They are basic
needs, not luxury items. In this age of affluence, the
people demand that some level of government in this great
nation meet these simple needs. The people feel that they
are being heavil~ taxed, but that their tax money is not
being used to meet their greatest needs. National surveys
show the the great frustration and discontent of people with
their government arises out of the failure to do the thing
- which effect the quality of daily life.
Historically, Local Government, which is closest to the people,
has properly been given the task of meeting these needs.
However, Counties and Cities have not been given sources of
revenue sufficient to meet these needs.
Until recent years the power to levy ad valorem taxes was
virtually the only means available to Counties and Cities in
North Carolina to obtain funding. The advent of Revenue Sharing
and the one-cent (1C) local option sales tax have helped, and
may have pointed the way to proper solution to the problem.
In any given locality there are a limited number of property
owners and property taxpayers. Usually the number is only a
small part of the total population. Therefore, to require
property owners to carry all of the burden of funding Local
~ Government is unfail and unrealistic. zn self-defense, property
owners must become anti-progress. They fear being taxes out of
home ownership to pay for services demanded by non-property owners.
The Experience in Cumberland County is that of any community
where there has been extensive urban development. Here the needs
for revenue have been severe and frustrating. Resistance to
further increase in ad valorem taxes have became intense. The
one-cent (14) local option sales tax was approved by a large
majority in a referendum. It is regarded as a fair and equitable
balance to the ad valorem tax.
The Federal Grant Program represents the most complicated method
of providing local funding. Since the extent and duration of
these grant programs is always doubtful, Counties and Cities
often cannot fit them into effective fiscal planning. Additionally
since many of these are so-called seed grants, they are deliber-
ately designed to put the Local Government in the position where
it is forced to add the funding of these grant programs to the
local tax base when the grants expire. This only intensified the
dissatisfaction of people with political officials. There is con-
siderable waste of time and money in many of these grant programs.
Some are only polit programs and experimental in nature to begin
with. Another just criticism is that in grantmanship the race is
to the swift and often to the least in need.
The Federal Revenue Sharing Program is unique in the recent
history of governmental affairs. It is a single example of
where the Federal Government (Which admittedly has the best
sources of revenue) directly shared this revenue with Local
Governments with no strings or guidelines attached. This is
a most effective means of giving strength and aid to Local
Government as it seeks to meet the '.daily needs and demands of
the people. It is the way around the deadly drag of monsterous
centralized bureaucracy by which the American people feel
severely oppressed.
1~~
The Board of Commissioners of Cumberland County respectfully
urge every properly concerned official commission, committee,
and concerned organization to carefully study and evaluate the
economic plight of County and City governments to the end that:
a. Revenue Sharing be continued.
b. Certain additional sources of taxes be made available
to the Counties and Cities (such as a 50-50 division on sales
taxes). As the State and Federal Governments reduce taxation,
the authority of Counties and Cities to tax can be extended.
c. New sources of tax revenue be made available to ~.
Counties and Cities (on local option basis) for designated
purposes."
The Board reviewed the letter and Resolution and upon motion of
Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner Gustave.son, the Board
moved and adopted that the Resolution for Study of Local Tax Revenue
be sent to the Senators, Congressmen and members of the General -
Assembly.
The Chairman referred to Item #4 on the Agenda: Request of
Caswell Center far a Christmas contribution.
The County Manager advised the Board that citizens of the Orange
County area were not served by the Caswell Center but by the Murdock
Center. The letter received from Mr. Rouse was a form letter sent to
all counties.
The Board did not take any action on this matter.
The Chairman referred to Item #2 on the Agenda: A Resolution
to convey to the Town of Carrboro two parcels of land on Starlight
Drive for the sum of $2,755.65. Mrs. Garrett informed the Board that
these two parcels of land had been obtained through tax foreclosure
and the Town of Carrboro had indicated an interest in purchasing the _
land for recreational purposes. Through an agreement between the
County and Town Managers and the County and Town Boards, it had been i
decided to convey the two parcels of land to the Town of Carrboro
for the sum stated.
The County Administrator presented to the Board a Resolution to
this effect.
"IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that Orange County through and by its
governing unit pursuant to North Carolina General Statute
160A-274 (b) will sell and convey to the Town of Carrboro, North
Carolina, two tracts of land lying and being in the Chapel Hill
Township, Orange County, North Carolina, and more particularly
described as follows:
I. Bounded by lands of George Durham, Joe Durham, and a new
street unnamed, and BEGINNING at an iron stake on said unnamed
street, Joe Durham's Southwest corner; running thence North 3
degrees 42' West 164 feet with the said Joe Durham's line to an
iron stake; thence South 3 degrees 42' East 165 feet to an iron
stake on North side of said street; thence South 89 degrees East
50 feet to the BEGINNING, same being part of the George Durham
tract of land.
22. All that certain lot or parcel of land with improvements
thereon, situated lying and being on the South side of a new
street in the Town of Carrboro, North Carolina; BEGINNING at a _'
stake in the South property line of the said street in the East
line of the property formerly belonging to Herbert Lloyd and
running thence along the South property line of the said street
South 89 degrees 00' East 50 feet to a stake, a corner of George
Durham property; running thence with the line of the George
Durham Iieirs line property South 3 degrees 42' East 182 feet to
an iron stake and North 89 degrees 99' West 50 feet to an iron
stake in the said Lloyd's line; running thence with the line of
the Lloyd property North 3 degrees 42' West 182 feet to the
BEGINNING, and being the same property conveyed by George Durham
Heirs to Green Durham.
1.~~6
The consideration for aforesaid transfer shall be that:
1. All costs and expenses associated with the foreclosure
action instituted by Orange County pertaining to the previsouly
described parcels of land and;
2. Any cost and expenses incurred by and in conjunction with
this transaction to be borne by the Town of Carrboro, said
purchase value being that the amount of $2,755.65."
Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner
Whitted, it was moved and adopted that the Resolution to convey to
the Town of Carrboro the two parcels of land on Starlight Drive
far the sum of $2,755.65.
The Chairman proceeded to sign the Resolution.
Chairman Garrett referred to Item #5 on the Agenda: The
Finance Director has prepared a Budget Amendment necessary prior
to actual implementation of the Child Support Enforcement Program.
The Finance Director stated that these presented recommendations
had been discussed with the County Administrator and the Social
Service Director. He stated that he had not included any income
from this program for the County.
CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROPOSED BUDGET Jan. 1
Annual to
"Personnel Jun. 30
Social Worker I
Grade 6 $ 8,868 $ 4,434
Typist I (~ Time)
Grade 53 5,640 2,820
Social Security (5.85) $49 424
Health Insurance 397 199
Retirement (5.19) 753 377
Personnel Total 16,507 $,254
Travel
1,OD0 miles/month @ .15/mile 1,800 900
Supplies
Estimate 15D 100
Equipment
2 desks $ 600.
1 Steno. Chair 100.
1 Executive Chair 100.
1 Typewriter 400.
2 Arm chairs 120. 1~y320 1,320
Total 19,777 10,574
Revenues -
75$ Personnel, Travel, Supplies 13,843 6,940
50~ Equipment 660 660
Total Revenues $ 14,503 $ 7,60D
County Share $ 5,274 $ 2,974."
The County Administrator informed the.Bpard that .the salary for.
this position .was. recommended by -the .State Personnel O~f~:ce -and
should be the equivalent of that of a Social Worker I or Social Worker II.
x.47
Discussion ensued.
Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner
whitted, it was moved and adopted that the Board take $2,974.00 from
the Contingency Fund to fund the Child Support Enforcement Program from
January 1, thru June 30, 1976.
Commissioner Pinney was requested by the Finance Director to amend
his motion to include the total amount of $10,574 for budget purposes.
Commissioner Pinney did so agree.
The Finance Director was requested to prepare a Budget Amend-
ment for the Child Support Enforcement Program.
Chairman Garrett referred to Item #6 on the Agenda: The State
Department of Insurance approved seven additions'.to the list of
optional amendments permissable to the State Electrical Code. The
Department of Insurance recommends Counties and Cities adopt these
amendments.
The County Manager stated that William Laws, Tax Supervisor would
review the proposed amendment to the State Electrical Code with the
Board.
"(1). All wiring on or in permanent buildings or structures
located within a defined first (number or primary) fire district
hall utilize approved raceways or metal jacketed cables such as
MI, ALB, CS or Metal Clad Type MC (Type A.C. not allowed)
where permitted by the National Electrical Code.*
(2). All wiring on or in permanent buildings or structures,
herever situated, which are required to have T e I Emer enc
Power Source as listed in Table 1125 of the State Building Code
shall utilize approved raceways or metal jacketed cables such as
CS, Mi, ALS or Metal Clad Type MC (Type A.C. not allowed) where
permitted by the National Electrical Code;--except that all -
portions of the required emergency lighting system for the entire
building and all power and lighting wiring within an assembly
area of 1,500 sq. ft. or more shall be wired in metal raceway,
Type ALS,.Type MT, Type CS or Type MG cable where permitted by the
National Electrical Code. The Total area of any specific place
of assembly shall include the area of connecting rooms with
movable partitions and balconies.*
(3) All permanent buildings, wherever situated, which are required
to have a Type II Emergency Power Source as listed in Table 1125
of the State Building Code, shall have the service entrance con-
ductors enclosed in approved raceway; and in addition to the
above, all portions of the required emergency lighting system for
the entire building and all power and lighting wiring within an
assembly area of 1,500 sq. ft. or more shall be wired in metal
raceway, Type ALB, Type MI, Type CS or Type MC cable where per-
mitted by the National Electrical Code. The total area of any
specific place of assembly shall include the area of connecting
rooms with movable partitions and balconies.*
Exception: Non-metallic sheathed cable,~Type AC metal-clad
cable, and rigid non-metallic conduit shall be permitted for
feeders and branch circuits of power and lighting other than
emergency when the assembly area is 5,000 sq. ft. or less and
is in a building of single story construction..
(4) A11 permanent buildings or structures, wherever situated, ___
utilizing voltage exceeding 250 volts to ground for power and
lighting systems (services, feeders, and branch circuits, etc.)
shall require in all systems, regardless of voltage,, the use
of approved raceways or metal jacketed cables such as MY, ALB,
CS or Metal Clad Type MC, where permitted by the National Elec~
trical Code.*
Exception to Rules 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Sound Equipment, Communication Circuits, Class 2 and Class 3
remote control and signal circuits, and fire protection signal-
ing circuits as permitted in the National Electrical Code.
..~ __ i~8
(5) Each individual gasoline pump, dispenser, lighting stand-
ard or other electrical devices located where gasoline or other
volatile flammable liquids or liquefied flammable gases are
transferred to the fuel tank of any motor vehicle shall be
supplied through an individual rigid metal conduit. The above
is not intended to prohibit the consolidation of such individual
conduits outside of the hazardous area, or consolidation within
an approved junction box flush with the dispensing island surface.
(6) Service Equipment shall not be located in any attic, clothes
closet, kitchen storage cabinet, bathroom, toilet room, coal or
trash bin.
(7) All panelboards which have spare pole spaces or spare aver-
current devices and are set flush in masonry, or finished walls
shall be provided with at least one 1" approved raceway or other
equivalent provision for future extension. Such raceways when
required, shall be installed to the basement, crawl space,
accessible ceiling space or attic, or to a junction box in ceil-
ing or side wall at ceiling line.
The Tax Supervisor stated that he and the Electrical Inspector,
Otha Evans, were recommending that these amendments be adopted.
Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner
Whitted, it was moved and adopted that the seven amendments to the
State Electrical Code be adopted and to become effective January 7,
1976.
The Board deferred from the Agenda to recognize Ervin Dobson,
Planning Director, who presented to the Board a proposal to hire
Hal Minis for work in the Program Development Division of the
Orange County Planning Department. Mr. Dobson stated that Mr.
Minis had been working as a part-time employee while finishing
his graduate work at Duke and UNC, and that Mr. Minis is an
important part of the Planning team. Mr. Dobson spoke of Mr.
Minis' value to the Planning Department in developing the system
of land classification and other elements of planning. Mr. Dobson
proposed that 2/3 of the 701 Grant Funds be expended for Mr.
Minis' salary for the first six months; with a transfer of funds
- with the Planning Department to the Personnel Fund amounting to
$1,100. which would total $3,880. This salary, with an additional
sum from the County of $740., would be comparable to the other
salaries in the Planning Department.
Commissioner Pinney moved that the Board transfer $1,100.
from the Air Condition and Drafting Supplies of the Planning Depart-
ment to the Personnel Fund and that $740.OO.be appropriated from
the Contingency Fund; plus the rebudgeting of the 701 monies of $2,780.
to fund this position thru June 30, 1976.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Whitted.
Voting aye were Commissioners Garrett, Gustaveson, Whitted and
Pinney.
The motion was declared passed.
The Planning Director recited different areas of his work which
were nearing completion and stated that he proposed a joint meeting
of the Planning Board and Staff with the County Commissioners
within the next two months. The Board agreed to set the time for this
meeting at the first Monday's meeting in January.
_ The Chairman referred to Item ~l on the Agenda: The Chape l
Hill-Carrboro Board of Education to request the Board of Commissioners
signify their willingness to make an appropriation of $404,430.15 for
new construction available to their system in the County's 1976-1977
fiscal years budget.
Chairman Garrett recognized members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro
School Board, Norman Weatherly, Edwin Caldwell, James Riddle and Dr.
Charles Rivers. Mr. Weatherly presented a model of the proposed
Cultural Arts Building and plans for the building as well as a re-
vised Capital Outlay expenditures program for the next five years.
x:49
Mr. Weatherly reminded the Board that all of the School Board's
documentations must be presented to the State Board of Education in
Raleigh by December 19th which included a letter of comtnittment from
the County Berard of Commissioners for the requested $404,430.15.
Commissioner Gustaveson asked for a report of the Energy Task
Force of their analysis of the proposed Cultural Arts Building.
Dr. Joe Straley of the Orange County Energy Task Force was asked
to comment on the Energy Task force's findings for the proposed
Cultural Arts Building. He pointed out that the programmer for the
Cultural Arts Building had attempted to be conservative in the use of _
energy which turns out to be poor efficiency to burn oil as against
using electricity. He stated that all electricity brought into a
building is surrendered in heat where by when oil is used, under the
kind of use pattern of a school building, one-third is surrendered in
heat and the remainder is lost. He stated that basically the all-
electric energy was the best type of energy to be used.
Tom Donnelly of the Energy Task Force discussed with the Board
the cost of fuel to be used in the Curlutal Arts Building during the
winter and summer months. He estimated that the fuel bill for the
proposed building would be at least $25,D00. per year, however, he
agreed that "electricity had an edge over fuel oil."
Discussion ensued between members of the School Board and the
Board of Commissioners concerning ways in which the School Board had
attempted to conserve energy when developing the Cultural Arts Build-
ing's plans.
Further discussion ensued regarding using buses to provide a
shuttle service between the schools and towns and how this would re-
late to conserving energy.
Commissioner Pinney moved that the Board commit the appropriation
of $404,430.15 for the new Buildings and Ground Fund which would be
part of the Capital Outlay appropriation for the fiscal year of 1976-
1977 for the Cultural Arts Building for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro
School System.
Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion. -
The Chairman called for the vote.
All members present voted aye.
The Chairman declared the mota.on passed.
Dr. Hanes, Superintendent of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School
System, will talk with the County Administrator regarding the letter
of commitment to be submitted to the State.
The Chairman referred to Item #7 on the Agenda: Selection of a
person or firm to conduct the County Facilities Study.
The Chairman stated that proposals had been presented in detail
and she asked if there were further questions or discussion concerning
any of the architect?
Commissioner Gustaveson stated that from the presentation of the
architects he basically felt "it boils down to two proposals: City
Planning and Architectual Services and Joseph Nassif."
Commissioner Pinney stated that the difference between these two -'
proposals was the fee and the difference of the two was '~ percent and
$1,000. He stated that he would go with Mr. Nassif.
Chairman Garrett stated that she felt both architects had had
considerable experience.
Commissioner Whitted stated that while all the proposals sounded
the same, they were different. He stated that for the facility Study
he thought it was hard to look at just one and to say that this one is
better than the other; however, he thought the two firms already men-
tioned were in tune to the County's needs.
~.5Q
Discussion ensued regarding the source of the funds for the
Facility Study.
Upon motion of Commissioner Whitted, seconded by Commissioner
Gustaveson, it was moved and adopted that the Board accept the pro-
posal of Joseph Nassif and employ, Mr. Nassif to do the County's
Facility Study with monies to be expended from the Building Fund.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the
meeting was adjourned.
- ~~~~~
Flora R. Garrett, Chairman
Betty June Hayes, Clerk
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
December 16, 1975
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session
on Tuesday, December 16, 1975, at 7:3Q p.m., in the Commissioners
Room of the Courthouse.
Members present were Chairman Flora Garrett, Commissioners
Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Richard E. Whitted.
Members absent were none.
Others present were 5. M. Gattis, County Administrator; Neal
Evans, Fiscal Officer; A. B. Coleman, Jr., County Attorney; and
Betty June Hayes, Clerk to the Board.
The Chairman referred to Item #1 on the Agenda: Recognition of
persons present and not on this Agenda desiring to speak with the
Board.
Tom Ward, Social Services Director, presented to the County
Board of Commissioners a Contract entitled "Orange County/Joint
Orange-Person-Chatham Provisions for Legal Aid Services." Mr.
Ward advised the Board that he had just received the material and
had not read the Contract norany of the attachments, however, he
was of the opinion that it was the same type of Contract that was
being presented to all County Boards of Commissioners.
The Board requested Mr. Coleman to reva.ew the Contract and he
and Mr. Ward left the room far that purpose.: The Board agreed to
defer action on the matter until December 19, 1975.
The Chairman referred to Item #2 on the Agenda: Approval of
Minutes of prior meetings.
The Board reviewed the Minutes of December 1, 1975, and dis-
cussion ensued concerning the presentation of the Social Services
Director. Mr. Ward was requested to review his recollection of
action taken.
Discussion ensued. The Clerk was instructed to make certain
corrections on the December 1, 1975 Minutes
Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner
Walker, the Minutes of December 1, 1975, were approved.
The Minutes of December 9, 1975 were reviewed.
Upon motion of Commissioner Whitted, seconded by Commissioner
Pinney, it was moved and adopted that the Minutes of December 9,
1975, be approved.
Commissioner Pinney moved that the Board not schedule any more
meetings between now and the Christmas Holidays, except for the