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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 20020319APPROVED 6/6/2002 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING March 19, 2002 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Barry Jacobs and Commissioners Margaret W. Brown, Moses Carey, Jr., Alice M. Gordon, and Stephen Halkiotis COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill and S. Sean Borhanian COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser, and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. 1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Item 8-j was added to the consent agenda - "Scholarship Funding for Youth Leadership Conference." There is also a substitute item for 7-c. The closed session was replaced with a different closed session. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Jacobs dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 2. CITIZEN & AUDIENCE COMMENTS a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda -NONE b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered as the Board addressed the items on the agenda below.) 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Carey asked about the letter from the Cable TV Advisory Board and if this has been discussed with the County Manager. Chair Jacobs said that he plans to set up a meeting with the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the County Manager and the Chair of the Cable TV Advisory Board because there are many issues and tremendous frustration. John Link said that he feels we need to give the Cable TV Franchisee an opportunity to tell us how they are going to respond to citizen requests. The second issue to address is the status of the franchise itself. He feels we need to discuss whether or not to have a franchise and if this does not work, find a way to have a public venue where people who have problems with Cable TV can come and talk about it on TV. Commissioner Carey would like for the County to develop a strategy to address problems and a strategy that the Cable TV companies agree to implement. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he would appreciate it if the Manager would say "Time Warner" instead of "franchisee" because he does not want the viewing audience to confuse Time Warner with the wonderful people from the Peoples Channel. He said that in 1986 there were also many cable TV issues and nothing has changed. He said that there was no way to change the situation because the vote came down from Washington, D.C. Commissioner Carey informed the County Commissioners that he and Commissioner Brown have been working with the Greene Tract work group to move the discussions along toward an agreement on the future uses of the tract. Hopefully, all of the affected boards will be able to make a decision in a timely manner to meet the terms and conditions of the Interlocal Agreement. The date in the agreement is April 17tH Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to a letter from District DOT Engineer Mike Mills in which they have indicated that, as of March 7, 2002, the State Board of Transportation has finally approved the two-phase traffic signal at Cedar Ridge High School, site improvement at the intersection of Arthur Minnis Road and New Hope Church Road, a flasher at US Business 70 and Lawrence Road, and a guardrail on both sides of University Station Road at Spring Creek south of US 70. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to US 70 east from Hillsborough to I-85. This past Friday night, two people lost their lives once again near Wayside Baptist Church where US 70A merges onto US 70 at Palmer's Grove Church Road. This makes three fatalities in this immediate area in the last two years. This road was never designed to handle the amount of traffic that is on the road. He requested that the County Manager get with the Sheriff and the Highway Patrol and get data on all the accidents and schedule a meeting with the DOT Engineer or take our concerns to Raleigh. It is not safe driving out there. He said that the County Commissioners need to go on record to let people know that this is a concern we have. Commissioner Gordon made reference to a Smart Growth meeting that will be held tomorrow from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Triangle J COG offices. The topic will be how our region can advance the recommendations of the NC Smart Growth Commission Report. Commissioner Gordon said that this is Women's History Month. She along with Commissioners Brown and Halkiotis attended the meeting this weekend. She mentioned that the first woman Commissioner was Flo Garrett, who served from 1972 to 1976. Since then, there have been five other women Commissioners. Five out of six of the women have been Chair. Commissioner Gordon spoke about the Schools and Land Use Council meeting on March 13tH They went over the workings of the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. They also received the updated school capacity and membership numbers, which the County Commissioners received on March 6tH Commissioner Gordon made reference to the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting and noted that DOT Division Engineer Mike Mills was there and spoke about the resurfacing projects that are scheduled for this summer. There is a possibility for bicycle accommodations. Chair Jacobs announced that there will be a memorial service for Matthew Burke from the Peoples Channel who passed away several weeks ago this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Bible Church on the corner of Sage and Erwin Roads. Chair Jacobs made reference to a meeting that he attended last week with the Durham-Chapel Hill-Orange Work Group. The main issue was to develop a joint planning agreement between the Town of Chapel Hill and Durham County one-mile in width along the border between Chapel Hill and Durham. Chair Jacobs said that he was interested to see that Hillsborough had taken away some of the parking around the Whitted Building and he suggested that there be a meeting to coordinate what is happening. John Link said that he had a meeting with the Town Manager and Director of Purchasing and Central Services Pam Jones today and the outcome of the discussions was positive. Perhaps as we are pursuing the paving of the parking lots at Whitted, we can also improve the shoulder on the street in order to create six additional parking spaces. Chair Jacobs said that there are a lot of people with limited mobility who are trying to get into this building. To remove spaces that are closest could be disadvantageous to those people. Chair Jacobs said that items 11-a and 11-b address the Planning Board and the Commission for the Environment appointments. Since there are so many applicants for the Commission for the Environment, he suggested looking at the applications this meeting and making a decision at the next meeting. It could be one of the first items on the regular agenda for April 2nd. Meanwhile, we should really try to recruit for the Planning Board. 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT John Link made reference to the immigration status of some of our citizens. Some have lost their jobs and might not be able to stay here. He and Economic Development Director Dianne Reid will be looking into these issues and will report back to the Board as soon as possible in April about how the Board can be proactive in this issue. 5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS a. American Red Cross Month The Board considered a proclamation designating March 2002 as American Red Cross Month. Chair Jacobs recognized those in the audience from the local Chapter of the American Red Cross. Commissioner Carey read the proclamation. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation as stated below. PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH 2002 AS AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH WHEREAS, the American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by a visionary woman named Clara Barton and chartered by Congress in 1905 to act in times of need; and, WHEREAS, the Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross was founded in 1917, and now responds to more than 25 disasters in Orange County each year; and, WHEREAS, the American Red Cross is one of the nation's oldest, most-recognized humanitarian organizations and is woven tightly into the fabric of Orange County, providing health and safety training to hundreds of Orange County residents and compassionate care when disasters and other crises threaten to overwhelm and/or destroy residents' lives; and, WHEREAS, at times of disaster and crisis, Americans trust and rely upon their local Red Cross chapters to provide services for families robbed of their loved ones, homes, livelihoods or dignity; and, WHEREAS, the American Red Cross maintains Disaster Action Teams that are on call 24-hours a day to provide food, clothing, shelter, health and mental health services to those affected by events and to rescue and recovery workers, with the Orange County chapter having provided over 50 volunteers that were assigned to national and regional operations, including "Ground Zero" in New York and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack recovery; and, WHEREAS, the Red Cross also responds to international emergencies, including helping to create and administer America's Fund for Afghan Children, and has already prompted the shipment of one million dollars' worth of essential supplies and medicine to Afghanistan; and, WHEREAS, the American Red Cross provides hospitals with half the nation's supply of blood and blood products for lifesaving medical treatments and routine medical procedures, with the Orange County chapter supplying over 6,000 units of blood and plasma to the Carolina Blood Region in 2001; and, WHEREAS, Red Cross workers across the nation and in Orange County are working around-the-clock to fulfill a historical role of keeping military personnel and their families in touch and offering other small comforts to ease the strain of being far from home; and, WHEREAS, the Orange County chapter responded to 25 fires and flooded homes and apartments in Orange County and provided 236 people with financial assistance that included motel rooms, food, clothes, and other assistance, and further provided food, hot drinks, and support to hundreds of local firefighters and emergency personnel; and, WHEREAS, in 2001, Red Cross clubs were established at Chapel Hill High and East Chapel Hill High and the Orange County Red Cross chapter initiated the first National Teen AIDS Hotline in the nation; NOW THEREFORE, do we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, hereby proclaim March 2002 as American Red Cross Month and encourage Orange County residents to support the American Red Cross and specifically the Orange County chapter's humanitarian mission with a gift of time, blood or money. This, the 19th day of March 2002. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Mr. Ellis, Vice-Chair of the Local Chapter said that he wanted to let the citizens of the County know that no matter what happens, the Red Cross will be there to render aid. b. Resolution Honoring General Electric Mebane Plant The Board considered a resolution recognizing the GE Mebane Plant for its recent award from the North Carolina Department of Labor as a "N.C. Rising Star" for the plant's worker safety and health programs. Chair Jacobs read the resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution as stated below: RESOLUTION HONORING GENERAL ELECTRIC MEBANE PLANT WHEREAS, General Electric Industrial Systems opened a manufacturing facility in Mebane in 1973 which produces electrical distribution equipment; and WHEREAS, the General Electric Mebane plant is the largest private employer in Orange County, with over 700 employees; and WHEREAS, the General Electric Mebane plant pays consistently above-average wages for this area; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Labor has awarded the General Electric Mebane plant a "North Carolina Rising Star" award in recognition of the plant's comprehensive and ongoing safety and health programs; and WHEREAS, this award is the 100th time that General Electric has been recognized as an Occupational Safety and Health Voluntary Protection Program Star for one of its plants; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners recognizes and honors the commitment of the General Electric Mebane plant to the health and safety of its workforce. This, the 19th day of March 2002. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Plant Manager Paul Idarosa and Human Resources Manager Julie Taylor were present along with several other people from the GE plant. Plant Manager Paul Idarosa said that on behalf of the 720 employees, he wanted to thank the Board of County Commissioners for this resolution. They are very proud to be the 100th Star sight in the General Electric Company globally. He said that this is not amanagement-driven program, but employee-driven. He introduced Paul Taylor, head of the committee on safety awareness; Sydney Rogers, Manager of Shop Operations for 2nd shift; and John Lee, head of the Audit Committee for Housekeeping and Safety for 2nd shift. 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. Human Services Advisory Commission (HSAC) 2001 Forum Report The Board received a report on the 2001 HSAC Forum. Rosetta Wash, Co-Chair of the Human Services Advisory Commission, summarized the report. The topic was "Poverty in Orange County: The Issues that Remain." The recommendations are listed below: • County Commissioners consider this as an ongoing issue of great importance in the County and that the status of the community is reviewed periodically. • Support for a centralized information and referral system and enhancing the local transportation system; specifically, there appears to be a lack of knowledge and coordination about available services in the community. There should be a concerted effort among the County and private non-profit agencies to utilize and promote access to the information available from the United Way's 211 system. • An assessment of the current transportation system and the development of a plan of action to include an expansion on routes and pickup locations, especially for the northern and southern connections; and a marketing strategy to increase public awareness about the pickup locations. Commissioner Carey said that he was in Washington today and at one of the meetings a comment was made that it was hazardous to your health to be poor. He said that poverty affects people in many ways. He said that he hopes we can make some progress in breaking the cycle of poverty in Orange County. Commissioner Brown said that one thing she noticed about the report was the lack of knowledge of the services that are available in Orange County. While there are lots of gaps, there are a lot of services available. Commissioner Halkiotis said that, as a person who has worked in the schools for a lot of years, he is familiar with hungry children. For some children, the only balanced meals they get are in the school lunch program. There are a significant number of children on free or reduced priced lunches. While we are one of the top 10 wealthiest counties in the state, there are a lot of children in both school systems that are poor. Chair Jacobs thanked the HSAC for all they do and asked that they keep the County Commissioners informed on the many issues they address. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. NCDOT Rural Operating Assistance Grant Funding This item was presented for the purpose of receiving public comments and considering approving a FY 2002-2003 Rural Operation Assistance Program (ROAP) fund application in the amount of $96,131, and a FY 2002-2003 Discretionary Rural General Public (RGP) fund application in the amount of $116,684. Department on Aging/Transportation Director Jerry Passmore said that this is continuation funding for which there is a requirement of a public hearing. He explained the programs that the monies would fund. There is a local match for these programs, and the funds will come from the budget. Commissioner Brown made reference to the Hillsborough inter-city route and asked for an explanation of the importance of this route and what the next phase may include (i.e., Efland into Hillsborough). Jerry Passmore said that there is a senior citizen route that goes to Efland two times a day. They did see this as a need and passed it on to the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) to encourage TTA to establish a route from Efland to Durham. Commissioner Gordon said that she is happy to see the addition of the midday route from Hillsborough to Durham and the coordination with TTA. Also, the marketing is so important and the joint route brochure should be pursued with vigor. Chair Jacobs suggested doing a cover letter and sending copies of the applications to our legislators. There was no one signed up to speak on this item. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to close the public hearing. VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve the application for Rural Operating Assistance Program funds for FY 2002/03 and to approve the Rural General Public discretionary fund application for FY 2002/03 and authorize the Chair to sign the Certified Statement of Participation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. NCDOT Community Transportation Program Capital Grant The Board held a public hearing and considered approving a FY 2002-2003 Community Transportation Program (CTP) Capital Needs funding application to the N.C. Department of Transportation Public Transit Division in the amount of $197,037 with a $21,893 local match. Jerry Passmore said that annually he makes an application for capital assistance for vehicles. This year, the vehicles are in good shape and no funds are needed. This is the first time that the State has encouraged capital requests for other things besides vehicles. The primary request is to purchase a modular unit for OPT administration. The long-range plan is to move OPT administration out of the Whitted Building area and locate it somewhere in the Public Works area. All of the vehicles would be housed there as well. There was no one signed up to speak to this item. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to close the public hearing. VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the Community Transportation Program Capital Needs Application for FY 2002/03 and authorize the Chair to sign the Certified Statements of Participation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS c. FY 2002 CDBG Program -IDA Program (Revised Abstract) The Board held a public hearing regarding the development of a FY 2002 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for an Individual Development Account (IDA) Program. Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes said that IDAs are dedicated similar in structure to individual retirement accounts that can be used only for purchasing a first home. The actual savings accounts are held at local financial institutions. This program is offered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and there is $500,000 available statewide. Commissioner Carey asked if the current project administered by the Women's Center is a two to one match and Tara Fikes said that it is actually a five to one match. Commissioner Brown said that she attended a Social Services Board meeting today and it was announced that the TANF monies were used as intended Chair Jacobs suggested sharing this information with the School Boards when we meet with them next Monday evening because this program could apply to teachers that are just starting out. Patty Hammond, Program Coordinator of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service for the Women's Center in Chapel Hill, said that she currently administers the TANF IDA program. By the end of this program, there will be 30 families served. At this time, every family is required to save a minimum of $35 a month. This is monitored and families are called if they have not made their deposits. They also receive economic literacy training during the course of the program. If there is debt, then this is discussed. The Women's Center is very interested in continuing this program. 8. ITEMS FOR DECISION -CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve those items on the consent agenda as stated below: a. Change in Board of County Commissioners Meeting Schedule The Board amended its regular meeting schedule by changing the start time of the regularly scheduled April 3 meeting to 6:30 p.m., and adding a special meeting April 4, 7:30 p.m., at the Government Services Center, 200 S. Cameron St., Hillsborough for the purpose of holding a closed session "to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment of conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee," NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6). b. Classification Plan Amendment -Open Space Design Specialist This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. c. GIS Data Sharing Agreement with the State of North Carolina The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign an agreement with the State of North Carolina to share GIS data. d. Contract with OCR, Inc. (Orange County Speedway) The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign a contract with OCR, Inc. to provide EMS coverage at speedway events and races. e. Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP) Contracts This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. f. Establish Recreation and Parks Management Director Position This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. g_ Appointment to Personnel Advisory Board This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. h. Reappointments to the Historic Preservation Commission This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. i. Reappointments to the Human Services Advisory Commission The Board reappointed Mary Bowe, representing the Board of Social Services; Melvin Hurston, representing the Orange County Board of Health; and Rosetta Wash, representing the Interfaith Council for Social Service to the Human Services Advisory Commission for a full term to expire March 31, 2005. L Scholarship Funding for Youth Leadership Conference The Board approved a request to fund scholarships in the amount of $1,680 for three youth and one adult leader to attend a leadership conference in San Antonio, Texas from April 4-7, 2002. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA b. Classification Plan Amendment -Open Space Design Specialist The Board considered amending the Orange County classification and pay plan to add a new class of open space design specialist at salary grade 71, with a hiring range of $37,351-$45,397. A question was asked by Commissioner Brown and answered satisfactorily by the staff. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to amend the Orange County classification and pay plan to add a new class of open space design specialist at salary grade 71, with a hiring range of $37,351-$45,397. VOTE: UNANIMOUS e. Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP) Contracts The Board considered approving service delivery contracts for the Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP). Commissioner Brown asked about the organization that will provide self-esteem building. Sharron Hinton said that this is a new program and it would be a condition of probation. The Probation and Parole Department would make referrals to the agency, McCauley Family Learning Center. There was a representative from McCauley Family Learning Center present to answer questions. Jerry Horton with McCauley Family Learning Center said that they have been a learning center in Burlington, NC for four years. As an outgrowth of some of the work in Burlington, they have been asked to do some proactive work to help Hispanics become acclimated to life in the United States before there are problems. As an outgrowth of this program, there is the program for building self- esteem, which is designed to work with people who have been in trouble with the law. It can be used as partial sentencing also. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve and authorize the Chair to sign service delivery contracts for the Criminal Justice Partnership Program. VOTE: UNANIMOUS f. Establish Recreation and Parks Management Director Position The Board considered a proposed staff realignment in the Recreation and Parks Department, the creation of a new position to head recreation and parks management, and addition of the class title of Recreation and Parks Management Director at salary grade 75. This position will support the organizational structure and resource needs to implement the County's plans for parks. Commissioner Brown made reference to the language, "develop a concept plan", and asked if this would go to public hearing and she was told that it would. She noted that the abstract indicates that this person would be in charge of construction and she suggested that we add that the Parks and Recreation Management Director would work with a construction manager to build the parks. Chair Jacobs said that he has no problem with making some kind of reference to coordinating with an appropriate construction manager. He suggested keeping it a little more general. He suggested the following language: "Would help coordinate park construction and development." The Board agreed to this language. Commissioner Brown suggested the language, "would oversee and initiate the park programming, operation, and maintenance." This is located on page two, the second check mark. Commissioner Gordon stated that we should affirm the role of the Environmental Resource Conservation Department, and suggested language that the Board agreed to include in the motion. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve (with the changes as stated above) the staff realignment in Recreation and Parks; a new permanent full-time position of Recreation and Parks Management Director at salary grade 75; an amendment to the classification and pay plan to add the class title of Recreation and Parks Management Director at salary grade 75; and to affirm that the County's Environment and Resource Conservation Department will retain its current role in park/open space site selection, land acquisition, park concept planning, and stewardship of natural portions of parks as well as addressing any environmentally related issues in park planning and management. VOTE: UNANIMOUS g_ Appointment to Personnel Advisory Board The Board considered one appointment to the Personnel Advisory Board. Commissioner Carey asked to postpone this appointment to get some applicants that may provide some diversity on the board. The Board agreed. Chair Jacobs said that he would like to ratify the Director's suggestion that it might be better called the Personnel Hearing Board for the sake of clarity. h. Reappointments to the Historic Preservation Commission The Board considered three reappointments to the Historic Preservation Commission. Commissioner Gordon said that there is one person that is listed as an applicant for the Historic Preservation Commission, the Orange County Planning Board, and the Commission for the Environment. This person is Renee Price. Commissioner Gordon has talked to her because a citizen can only be on two boards. Ms. Price said that she really wanted to serve on the Commission for the Environment. She would like to pass on the Planning Board, but she would be willing to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission also. Commissioner Gordon would not like to exclude her from the Commission from the Environment. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to reappoint Chuck Cooper and Renee Price to first full terms and Heath Aldridge to a second term on the Historic Preservation Commission each with a term ending date of March 31, 2005. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION -REGULAR AGENDA a. Approve Funding for Design and Construction Phase of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) Elementary School #9 Located at Meadowmont The Board received from Budget Director Donna Dean an update on the status of Elementary School #9 and considered allocating November 2001 bond funds for the design and construction phase of the new school. She said that the November 2001 bond included $12.8 million to construct Elementary School #9 in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School district. On February 21, 2002, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Board of Education approved a bid award to Resolute Building Company to construct the school that would be located at Meadowmont. The contract totaled $10.9 million and included costs for site work, grading, and construction of the school. This amount does include $750,000 for the community gym that Chapel Hill requested that the schools include, and $824,000 for the playing fields. The Town of Chapel Hill has agreed to reimburse the school system for the $750,000 for the gym and East West Partners will reimburse the school system for the $824,000 for the playing fields. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is requesting that the Board of County Commissioners allocate the bond funds totaling $12.5 million, which would include construction costs, site work, grading; and amounts for equipment, technology, furnishings, and one time start-up costs. John Link commended the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools for bringing this project within the budget. He recommended that the Board approve the ordinance that would appropriate the funding. Commissioner Brown stated that this school is in an inappropriate environmentally bad location. She hopes that in the future, that if there are any problems with the school being built where it is, that the school board needs to accept responsibility. She said that this project will tear up wetlands and she has never liked this site. She hopes in the future that we have standards that take into consideration these environmental issues. Commissioner Halkiotis requested that the school system keep the County Commissioners apprised on how the single prime contract construction bid goes. He thinks that this can be a very valuable learning experience. Chair Jacobs said that the Board has been responsive and this school is going to open on time. He feels that this is another success in a long line of successes. He thinks that when the next school project is being advocated for, that students and parents can rest assured that this Board will be responsive and that we will work with both school systems to provide the best possible education for all of the children in the County. He also stated that he would hope that when they reconvene the School Construction Standards Committee that this committee will look very closely at environmental issues in these standards. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adopt the Elementary School #9 Construction Capital Project Ordinance, which is incorporated herein by reference. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Heritage Hills Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Completion Options The Board was asked to provide feedback to staff on options for the disposition of two lots and houses acquired by Orange County under the federal- and state-funded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Rod Visser said that about 2 %2 years ago Orange County suffered some damage resulting from Hurricane Dennis and Hurricane Floyd. In the Heritage Hills subdivision there was flash flooding and several homes sustained extensive damage. Shortly after, the residents in the subdivision came to the Board and asked for any help that the County could provide. The staff has made significant progress in helping out two homeowners that applied for hazard mitigation grant funds. The County now owns those properties and the families have relocated. The County needs to make decisions about how to proceed with restoring the lots, which was one of the requirements in accepting the grant funding. The options include (1) removal and relocation of the houses, (2) deconstruction, (3) donation to an entity willing to remove the homes at no cost to the County, and (4) demolition. If they were to move one of the houses to the Little River Park location it would cost $83,000. If the other one were moved to a vacant lot in Pine Knolls, it would cost $88,000. Federal and State funds of approximately $30,000 were included in the approved grant to the County to pay for the demolition option. If the demolition option were used, the estimated cost is $25,000 and if they were deconstructed, the estimated cost is $35,000. He is asking for feedback from the County Commissioners on these options. Commissioner Gordon asked about trying to compare the cost of moving one of the houses to how much it would cost to construct a caretaker's house at Little River Park. Public Works Director Wilbert McAdoo said that if the same house (1895 square feet) were built at Little River Park, it would cost $145,000. If it were built new at Pine Knolls the cost would be $94,000. If the house was moved it would be $88,000 minus $11,000 which would be paid by federal funds for deconstructing the portion of the house that cannot be moved and for clearing the lot. He said that with both properties they would be able to get approximately $11,000 for each one from the federal funds for deconstructing the portion of the house that cannot be moved and for clearing the lot. Commissioner Gordon would like both of the homes to be permanently affordable. For example, they could be given to the Land Trust. Commissioner Brown said that she supports moving one house to Little River Park and using the other house for affordable housing in Pine Knolls. Commissioner Carey agreed with Commissioner Brown. He supports contributing to the affordable housing stock and contributing to a direct County need. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the concept of deconstruction has not yet arrived in Washington and Raleigh, but Orange County carries with it the award achieved by our state organization of the ultimate recycling -deconstruction. He spoke about a meeting that he, the Chair, and the Manager had with the Congressman, urging him to take this idea to Washington and to Raleigh. Commissioner Halkiotis agrees with Commissioner Brown that this is an opportunity to do something at Little River Park and also at Pine Knolls. Chair Jacobs asked if any of the money from the park development grant could be used to move the house to Little River Park. Rich Shaw said that the grant money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund did allocate $10,000 for relocating a house to Little River Park. Chair Jacobs said that he feels that we should see if we can apply some of the money for developing Little River Park for rehab, moving, or setting up a foundation in order to bring the cost down further. Commissioner Gordon verified that the existing building at Little River Park was dilapidated. Commissioner Carey asked if any of the adjoining property owners were approached about purchasing the land, and Rod Visser said that they had not pursued this yet, but they will. Chair Jacobs said that he would like to see the property stay in as natural a state as possible because it is in a floodplain. John Link said that he has shared with Durham County the concept of moving this house and he will share with them the County's interest in placing one of the houses in Little River Park to see if they will participate since the park will be for both counties. c. Proposed Joint Grant Application to N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund -Upper Eno Watershed Protection The Board considered submitting a joint grant application with the Eno River Association to the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund for protection of lands in the Upper Eno Watershed. Environment and Resource Conservation Director David Stancil said that the proposal tonight is to submit a joint County-Eno River Association (ERA) application for funds from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund to acquire land (riparian buffers) and conservation easements in the Upper Eno watershed. The objective would be to further protect water quality and wildlife habitat in the critical area of the Upper Eno Protected Watershed. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to authorize the joint submittal of a grant application to the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund prior to the June 1, 2002 deadline to include asking the Town of Hillsborough to participate. VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. Legal Advertisement for Joint Planning Area Public Hearing -April 17, 2002 The Board considered a legal advertisement for items to be presented at the Joint Planning Area public hearing scheduled for April 17, 2002. Craig Benedict said that there are five items on the agenda with only one item for public hearing. He summarized the five items as listed in the agenda -Joint Planning Agreement Amendment (public hearing), Joint Planning Agreement Timeline, Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, Land Use Element -Orange County Comprehensive Plan, and Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan Amendments for the Northwest Area. Thomas Tempia, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor, was introduced. He will be helping to develop the updated comprehensive plan. Commissioner Brown asked why we do not have on this agenda the area that Chapel Hill removed from the urban services boundary. Craig Benedict said that Chapel Hill has not prepared an item for this agenda. We do need to bring forward what will be done in the southern triangle where the urban service line has retracted by virtue of Chapel Hill's comprehensive plan. There could be a discussion about this item at the April 17th meeting. Commissioner Brown said that she understood that this amendment was in the County's court. She would like to add this as a discussion item (non-public hearing item). Chair Jacobs suggested that item B-4 have two sections with the first being Chapel Hill's request and the second being the issues involved with the adoption of the Chapel Hill 2000 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Commissioner Gordon asked about the presentation of the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. Craig Benedict said that this would be an opportunity for questions and it would not be an elaborate presentation because all of the jurisdictions have heard the formal presentation. Commissioner Gordon would like the presentation to include the school membership and capacity information and the key elements of the memorandum of understanding that need to be decided upon. John Link recommends that this information be shared with the two school boards next Monday evening, the 25th to resolve any questions that the two school systems may have. Several language changes were made by the County Commissioners and were so noted by Craig Benedict. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve a legal advertisement for items to be presented at the Joint Planning Area public hearing scheduled for April 17, 2002 with the changes as stated above. VOTE: UNANIMOUS e. Comprehensive Plan Land Use Committee (CPLUC) The Board considered a resolution to form a Comprehensive Plan Land Use Committee. Craig Benedict summarized the information in the agenda. In summary, he said that the purpose of this item was to develop a countywide land use plan committee for the planning jurisdiction of Orange County, which would not include the towns. The committee would discuss some of the growth scenarios for the new comprehensive plan. The staff suggests getting representatives from other boards and commissions in the County to serve on this committee before setting up a course for public outreach in late spring and summer. Comprehensive Planning Supervisor Thomas Tempia explained the map of the small area plan boundaries. He said that these boundaries are based on three things including watersheds, residential densities, and utility service areas. The land use element will serve as the foundation of the updated comprehensive plan. He said that the staff would like the Board to agree on formulating the countywide committee and consider the possibilities for appointments and who would make them -the County Commissioners or the boards and commissions. Commissioner Gordon made reference to page three, which listed the locations for outreach and asked what would be the content of the outreach programs. Thomas Tempia said that they are planning for an open house with adrop-in session for questions and then a formal presentation of the comprehensive planning update. John Link recommended that the staff let the County Commissioners see what is going to be presented to the committee and the citizen groups before it is presented. He suggested bringing it back to the work session on April 3~d, before the first committee meeting. Craig Benedict said that the staff has not prepared any specific information for outreach because they are not to that point yet. Commissioner Gordon said that if they hear the presentation on April 3~d and then the committee meets the next evening and starts soon thereafter to distribute this information, that does not leave any time to review and revise the information. She feels that additional time is needed and Commissioner Halkiotis agreed. Craig Benedict said that the schedule could be revised. Chair Jacobs suggested discussing the other details and waiting to make any decision until April 3~d. This will be placed on the April 3~d work session agenda. 10. REPORTS a. Non-emergency Ambulance Transport The Board was to receive a report on non-emergency ambulance transportation services. However, because of limited time, this item was postponed. 11. APPOINTMENTS a. Reappointments and Appointments to the Oranae County Plannina Board The Board was to consider three reappointments to the Orange County Planning Board. However, this item was postponed. (See Chair Jacobs' comments under "Board Comments) b. Appointments to the Commission for the Environment The Board was to consider three appointments to the Commission for the Environment. However, this item was postponed. (See Chair Jacobs' comments under "Board Comments) 12. MINUTES -NONE 13. CLOSED SESSION A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to go into closed session "To consult with an attorney retained by the Board in order to preserve the attorney- client privilege between the attorney and the Board," pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) in the case of Orange County versus Nuclear Regulatory Commission. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The Board was to go into closed session to discuss the County's position and to instruct the County Manager and County Attorney on the negotiating position regarding the terms of a contract to purchase real property," NCGS § 143-318.11(a)(5). However, this item was postponed. 14. ADJOURNMENT With no further items for the Board to consider a motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The next meeting scheduled is a Special Meeting on March 20, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Chair Barry Jacobs Beverly A. Blythe, CMC