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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19780516~:- ~_e MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 16, 1978 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 16, 1978, at 7:30 p.m., in the commissioners' Roam of the Courthouse in Hillsborough. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, ,Ian Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. Staff personnel present were 5. M. Gattis, County Manager, Geoffrey Gledhill, County Attorney, members from the Planning Staff, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk to the Board. _ Item l: Does any member of the Board desire to add additional items to this agenda? Items added were: Discussion of the Durham-Orange Employment and Training Service. Request for a Fireworks Display Permit Road matters Legal Notices Scheduling of budget hearings for the next two weeks The Chairman referred to Item 2: Minutes of the May 1, 1978 Board meeting are submitted for consideration. Upon motion of Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, the minutes of May 1, 1978 were approved. Commissioner Willhoit asked that a letter be sent to Dr. Barnett Parker, explaining in more detail the reason why his request for release from a late penalty was denied by the Commissioners. Chairman Whitked stated that he would write such a letter. Item 3: Mr. Louis G. Freeland, Jr., President of the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association, requests the Board establish the position of County Fire Marshall, appropriate the necessary funds and appoint a quali- fied person to fill the position within the 1978 calendar year. The agenda :attachment which was prepared by the Fire Chiefs Associa- tion stated that Orange County is in dire need of a Fire Marshal to coordi- nate all fire prevention programs and activities within the County. His work would involve creating effective volunteer fire-fighting companies and conducting an inspection program. Considerable judgment, initiative, and tact must be exercised in training and leading volunteers, developing the avexall program, and dealing with the public under emergency and routine conditions. Work is performed under general direction and is evaluated in terms of the success and effectiveness of the overall program. The Fire Chiefs Association also recommended the Fire Marshal also be appointed the Civil Preparedness Officer. But he should not be obligated to any other positions. In the dual capacity as Fire Marshal and Civil Preparedness Officer, the Fire Marshal will be in the position to effective- ly plan and execute emergency actions, utilizing the county fire equipment in order to render assistance to county citizens. ~ Commissioner Gustaveson asked about the possibility of combining the duties of a Fire Marshal with the Civil Preparedness Coordinator. John Forrest of the Orange Fire Department stated that fox' the first year a Fire Marshal would have more than enough to do and a Fire Marshal's duties should not infringe upon the Civil Defense Coordinator's job. Commissioner Willhoit inquired about how a Fire Parshal's duties would interface with the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Fire Departments. Chief Swiger of the Carrboro Fire Department stated that the position would be most helpful to the two fire departments, to the rural fire depart- ments and to the Emergency Medical Service of the County. I3e added that 99 percent of the Fire Marshal's time would be spent working with rural fire departments in the County. er Walker stated he felt it important that the Fire Marshal Commission the County's fire departments. be someone reCOrnmended by felt a Fire Marshal The g funding of the position must be considered. eneral consensus of the Board was that t ey and recommendation. is needed in the County, however, Manager for study This request was referred to the County reciation to the County Chairman Whitted expressed the Board's app firemen for their efforts in service to the communities. Ms. Marilyn resented to the Board a regofsMaby23, 1978, Commissioenr Willhoit P exmit fog' the evening y Boultan for a fireworks dispmaYand 11:00 p-m- between the hour of 10:00 p- Commissioner ted to grant a fireworks display Permit to Upon motion of Commissioner Willhoit, seconded Y be under the super- Gustaveson, it was moved and adop Ms. Marilyn Bculton under the condition that the display vision of the New Hope Fire Department- Tnc., to g, Wayne Btitt, President of Son-Shine GrErosion Control Item 4: Mr- discuss a civil penalty levied for violation of the Coun y Ordinance. Gradin Britt who stated thaTO ectSO.s ahsmall shop The Chairman recogniasdcMr~ged. He stated the p 7 rode Incorporation was guilty The site is on a steep g ping center under construction by Brendle's. ond, Adverse weather uite a lot of drainage from property bey an from and receives q zoblems which has kept the Grhasnno~°had two conditions have caused the p He has installed finishing their work on schedule. He stated his campansr~tt asked the Board consecutive weeks of work on this site due to bad weather. an has temporary controls which have worked fon h~mhil~e stated his camp Y enalty imposed up Lan, but has not to remove the civil p tried to implement the conditions set out in the orj,gina p been successful. ril 11th, the The Erosion Control oowidue toftheerecen $rain.thAs ofeAplte is ~n a state of non_compliant however, bad weather washed out dams which had been - site was in compliance, constructed. ril 11th, has been penaltized $2600 for his viola- . Mz, Britt, as °f Ap ased at the present time. tion. A penalty is not being imP Mr. Britt stated to the Board that permanent structures would be 90 percent completed by May 17th. enalty Discussion ensued. Commissioner Walker stated he felt t e p Britt is attempting to bring the project into should be waived, since Mr. compliance- felt the penalty should Both Messrs. Penney and Willhoit stated they be enforced until Mr. Britt's project is in compliance. ro riate to dalmcounsel, to Mr. Willhoit added that hehasl~ncurred cost through leg civil penalty since the County bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Britt. ain at the The consensus of the Board was to discuss this matter ag the status of the project again fourth Monday's meeting. after reviewing with Mr. Freeman. Item 5: Appointments: p., The Recreation and Parks Advisory Council zecomn-ends Ms. Rachel - that Council to fill a vacancy created by the resigna- _ Best be appointed to tion of Mr. gaieford Thompson. Best is not a Gounty The Board of Commissioners were informed that ointment to this Council. resident and is therefore not eligible for app The Clerk was asked to request from the Chairman of theCouncilry Council other recommendations from Bingham Township tc the Advisory B, Dr. J. Logan Irvin's term on the Orange County Board of Adjustment has expired. This item was deferred until the first Monday's meeting in June. h .~ es - .y C. A vacancy exists on the Carrboro Planning Board. This appointment was deferred until recommendations are received from the Carrboro Planning $oard. Item 6: The Board of County Commissioners should designate a voting delegate for the State Legislative Conference. Upon motion of Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, it was moved and adopted that Chairman Whitted serve as the voting delegate to the State Legislative Conference. Item 7: Review pf an engineering analysis of the Northside Multi- Purpose Center Building. The County Manager presented to the Board a report from M. Ray Harden, a consulting engineer, regarding the Multi-purpose Center. He reported that the Engineer finds the building to be basically sound in structure, but sadly in need'of mechanical facilities. He stated the report did con- tain an estimate cost for performing the seventeen items listed. The first seven items on the report are necessities which include: 1) Reroof the entire building, 2) 8" to 12" blown-in insulation, 3) new ceiling the throughout, 4) new glass, weatherstrip and adjacent existing windows, 5) new double 3' X 7' doors, weather-stripped @ closers, 6) weatherstrip existing doors and add closers, and 7) new plexiglass storm windows. Mr. Gattis explained to do these necessities would cost approximately 522,000. Gloria Williams, staff member with Joint Orange Chatham Community Action, presented to the Board a list of renovations the JOCCA Board wished to recommend. She stated their major concern was to provide space fvr the JOCCA staff. She asked that these renovations be incorporated into the engineering report. Commissioner Willhoit suggested that the requests from JOCCA be incor- porated into the engineering report of Mx. Harden, and at the same time look at the renovation needs of the Cedar Grove School building. He asked the County Manager to decide which repairs could be performed by County or CETA workers now and which should be phased in at another time. Commissioner Gustaveson suggested that a plan be developed for use of the Cedar Grove School. That letters be sent to the Social Services Department, Health Department, Recreation Department and JOCCA and ask that they indicate their interest in the school building. He suggested further that an engineer. prepare a basic analysis of the school building. Mr. Gattis replied that the major problems with the Cedar Grove build- int is the need for a new roof, some plumbing repairs and the for the floors. He was asked to obtain a figure for the cost of this work. The consensus of the Board was to request the County Manager to incor- porate the renovations of the Multi-purpose Center and the Cedar Grove. See what can be done with County staff or CETA work crews. A letter should be sent to the various agencies interested in the Cedar Grove building to develop some plan for the structure. This item will be discussed again during the budget deliberations. Item 8: Discussion of p],ans for a dedication of the Northside Complex. Chairman Whitted explained to the Board that he felt the Commissioners should handle the dedication of the entire Northside Complex and not just for the Mental Health building. It is anticipated that the Mental Health building will be ready for open house by the 5p ring of 1978. Commissioner Gustaveson suggested that a committee be organized to begin working on plans for the dedication, consulting about a name for the complex and investigating an appropriate plaque for the Stroud family. He suggested that Phillas Sockwell, Chairperson of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board, be asked to submit one name from the School Board to serve on this committee. Further, he suggested that the Clerk write, Eulas Mason, President of the Northside Advisory Council, and ask for recommendations of persons from the Northside area who would be helpful on the committee. He further suggested that one County Commissioner serve on this committee which should meet by early July. r,- - _~ v .y: Item 9: The Manager recommends a contract between Orange County and Coleman, Bernholz, and Dickerson for legal services to the Orange County Social Services Department be continued. The County Attorney presented to the Board a contract which extends the contract of July 1, 1976 through today and renews the contracts through 1979. He stated that a certain portion of the legal fees associated with the Department of Social Services are 75 percent pay back to the County. This contract is to provide special services to Social Services which are mostly far custody matters. He stated that Mr• uarter~z Thismincludes sorrel fees for custody matters to be about $1500 per q one time expense (training sessions ) and will not reoccur. Commissioner Walker raised the question of legal fees which even several paid to the County Attorney's firm. He stated that he had been g' figures and did not know ehich figure was correct. He is a member of the Board, a member of the Audit Committee, yet he feels he has had difficult in obtaining information he feels is needed to answer questions of his con- stituents. He asked that the Board delay signing this contract until the County is billed up to date by the County Attorney's office. He suggested that it may be cheaper for the County to employ a full time attorney instead of going with the firm of Coleman, Bernholz and Dickerson or statingrthis He questioned the $5D.00 rate set by the County Attorney, by was one of the highest fees paid by any County in the State. Mr. Gledhill stated that since he has. been performing the bulk of the County's work, the fee has always been set at $50.00 anti the fee of $40.00 far the 1V-D Program. He added that he recalled when the firm was first employed, there was a fee of $75.00 for in court time and $50.00 for out of court tame, however, this schedule has been dropped. He suggested that if the County wants to continue with the firm of Coleman, Bernholz and Dickerson, that they enter into a contract for these services. Mr. Walker asked the County. Attorney's office bill the County up-to-date and to spell out the cost for each specific program: The Chairman to the - Board asked the Finance Director to prepare a report of the legal charges for the County's legal work. Commissioner Gustaveson asked that Commissioner Walker stated fox the record the specific date which he made a request of the County Finance Officer for information on attorney fees and was denied this information. Mr. Walker stated he would have to go back to the minutes, that he asked far this information in a public meeting and was given a figure, however, it was a wrong figure. Mr. Walker stated that he did not say he was refused the information, but that he was given the wrong information. The Chairman asked the County Attorney to bill the County up-to-date and requested the Finance Officer to prepare a financial statement of the cost of legal services for the various County programs. Item 10: Commissioresentnrefusescollection arrangementuusedhatpthel bility of changing the p landfill entrance. Commissioner Pinney stated that after the landfill gate closed each day, people used green boxes which are located near the landfill entrance. A chain has been put across the driveway to the green boxes to encourage people to walk to the boxes and deposit their trash, however, when the boxes are filled, people leave the trash by the boxes or else deposit it up and down the road. He suggested to the County staff the possibility of installing a dinosaur box in addition to the existing green boxes presently there. Johnny Horner with the County staff presented tc the Board two pro- posal for rental of a dinosaur box and the charges for emptying the box twice a week. He stated far the first year, the Ccunty would need $5,42D for site preparation, renting a container and for pulling it twice a week. Discussion enused concerning the best method to handle the problem. The Board agreed to discuss this matter further during the budget hearings. v :~ ,L ztem il: The Durham-Orange Employment and Training Consortium. Chairman Whitted explained to the Board that on P2onday evening the Durham City Council had voted to not continue as a member of the Durham- Orange Consortium and this action dissolves the consortium effective September 30, 1978. He explained that reasons Mayor Cavin, of the City of Durham, stated were: (1) that administratively the CETA Program is a "ripoff" and (2) there is a mismanagement of appropriations. Mr. Whitted informed the Board that compared to the State average of administrative cost far DOET, the Durham-Orange Program is the lowest in the State. The State Manpower Office reports that Durham-Orange is one of the best programs in the State. One concern that Mayor Cavin has pointed out is that funds are not used more in the private sector. Mr..Whitted stated that this is a problem nationwide, and not just in Orange County. He added that one option the County has is to go with the balance of State which means the State Government will administer the program and Durham and Orange Counties can then enter into a consortium agreement. The admin- istrative cast should be expected to increase. Mr. Whitted added that the Board needed to decide what to do as soon as passible in order to be ready to go into the program October 1, 1978 without a gap in services. The consensus of the Board is to move posthaste to enter into a consortium agreement with the County of Durham and to have the State as the prime sponsor. Letters are to be sent to the Durham County Board of Commissioners indicating the County's interest and asking far an early response in working out an agreement. Further, letters are to be sent to the Mayors of the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough soliciting their ideas and indicating the need to discuss plans as decisions are being made. Commissioner Gustaveson brought to the Board's attention a road matter regarding Jones Ferry Road. The Clerk was asked to contact the Highway De- partment regarding this matter. The County Manager informed the Beard that the regular Planning Board Public Hearing would be scheduled for Tuesday, May 30th, since the last Monday in May is a holiday. Budget hearings which were scheduled are: Wednesday, May 21, with the Orange County School Board, Thursday, June 1 with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Berard, and the regular fourth Monday night's meeting will be a dutch dinner meeting with the Health Board. The meeting will be held at_Poppa Joe's at 6:30 p.m. Commissioner Willhoit requested the Clerk send to him copies of all legal notices which are advertised in the newspapers. He also requested the Clerk formulate a list of all policies which have been officially or unofficially set by the Board of Commissioners. The meeting was then adjourned. -_ ~ n i -, ~- -, f~l~ ~~~ / Gil ~~~ Richard ~. Whitted, Chairman Agatha Johnson, Clerk