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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19780724n.~ ., L MINUTES OI2P.NGE COUNTY BOARb OF COMMISSIONERS . JULX 24, 1978 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, July 24, 1978 at 7:30 p.m., in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Wil.lhoit. Others present were 5. M. Gattis, County Manager; Neal Evans, County Finance Director; Jae Bradshaw, Administrative Assistant, and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. Chairman Whitted opened the meeting by asking if any member of the Board wished to add any item to the agenda. Mr. Whitted then asked ii there were pex'sons present wha wished to address the Board regarding any matter not printed on the agenda. No one came forth. Item 2: Minutes of the Board meetings held June 12 and July 3, 1978 were submitted for consideration. Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, it was moved and adapted to approve the June 12th minutes as corrected. Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, it was moved and adapted to approve the ,7uly 3, 197$ minutes as corrected. ' Item 3: Chairman Whitted will announce receipt of a Community Development Grant by Orange County. Chairman Whitted proceeded to read a memorandum from Joe Bradshaw which stated that the County Manager on July 20th receive.d.;a mailgram from Congressman L. H. Fountain stating that he had been advised that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved the Commun- ity Development Block Grant of $499,870 to improve public facilities affecting Health such as water and sewer lines for Orange County. An official notification from the Area HUD Director arrived on July 24 and clearly spells out the status of the grant proposed. Remaining steps to be executed in this process are to submit a full application by August 30 which would include: 1) Develop Housing Assistance Plan, 2) Submit summary of a 3 year plan which identifies our community development and housing needs and describes a comprehensive .strategy for meeting those needs, 3) Community Development Program to be under- taken with Block Grant monies. A 60-day. review period by regional HUD officials will follow and it is expected that funds will be released after November 1, 1978. Bid procedures will be initiated thereafter. The memorandum stated that several supportive activities will be con- ducted simultaneously with the aforementioned timetable. The County staff will gather the appropriate data to be included in the full application, the County Manager's office will move forward on engineering studies and planning staff will. compile an environmental impact statement concerning the proposed project activities. Commissioner Gustaveson stated he felt' the Board should go on record by expressing their thanks to the County Manager's staff, the Planning Staff, the Health Board and Staff .and the Community Development Task Force far their efforts in putting together the Community Development Grant Application. The County Manager informed the Board that he had failed to mention one item that needed to be added to the agenda which is regarding a Law Enforcement Gram. This item will be item 12. Item 4: The Tax Collector recommends the Board approve a release of $100 on the tax bill of Evans Enterprises. The agenda attachment contained a letter from E & E Developers of Chapel Hill and said letter requested that a $100 penalty be removed as their records show that a check was mailed to the Tax Collector on December 29, 1977 in order for it to reach the Tax Office before the end of the year to avoid the 2~ penalty. _ ;_~ Upon motion of Commissioner [7alker, seconded by Commissioner Pinney, it was moved and adopted to accept the Tax Collector's recommendation to release the $100. penalty of Evans Enterprises. Item 6: The llcting Planning Director will review a tentative recommendation from the Orange County Planning Board concerning extra- territorial zoning jurisdiction of the Tawn of Chapel Hill. The Chairman recognized Hal Minis from the Planning Department. Mr. Minis stated that a subcommittee composed of Chapel Hill and Orange County Planning Board members has met on four occasions to consider a -mutually acceptable solution to the Chapel Hill request. The committee discussed development problems in the planning area extension, the dif- ference between town and county ordinances, and land use plans that have been made by both jurisdictions. The results of the discussions include a proposal for extension of ,Chapel Hill's planning area north to Eubanks and Whitfield roads and recommends actions for Chapel Hill regarding mobile homes. Mr. Minis reviewed for the Board a map which indicated the boundary of the proposed extension. Mr. Minis stated the County Planning Board, after considering the proposal, unanimously adopted the following resolution: "The Planning Hoard endorses the compromise solution and forwards the proposal including all proposed actions by the Town of Chapel Hill to the Board of Commissioners. The Planning Board feels that the area could be effectively managed by either jurisdiction under the terms of .the compromise, including the treatment of mobile homes and the proposed area. Before a final Planning Board recommendation is made, however, the Board urges that the proposal be brought before the public at the quarterly public. hearing in August." Upon motion of Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Gustavesan, it was moved and adapted to call far a public h~;aring on the preliminary proposal far August, 1978. The public hearing should be in the southern part of the County, preferably in the Chapel Hi11 High 5choal Cultural Arts Building. Mr. Minis informed the Board of the status of a situation which existed in Chapel Hill where a mobile home operator had been informed that he is in non-compliance since he does not have a special use permit _ to operate his mobile home business. The mobile home operator has appealed to the Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen and the appeal has been tabled. Item 5: Mr. Daniel R. Koenigshofer will present a report, "An Energy Conservation Program for Prange County and Chapel Hill". The Chairman recognized Mr. Koenigshofer who presented to the Board Volume 2 of the report, which is a summary and Volume II which is a more detailed report of the energy program. Mr. Koenigshofer stated that the report is a follow up of the work performed by the Energy Task Force. The first part of the program was to look at the County's and the Town of Chapel Hill's public buildings to see haw much energy the buildings are using and for what purposes. The evaluation then makes certain recommendations for conserving energy in these buildings. The second part of the program was to attempt to set up an energy accounting system in order to keep track of the amount of energy being used and far what purposes. Mr. Koenigshofer reviewed portions of the report and pointed out certain pertinent facts regarding energy use in the County Courthouse. He stated that the bulk of energy used is for natural gas and one-fourth of energy used is far lighting. He stated that there is a lot of waste in the use of lights in the Courthouse. Fifty percent of heat lass in the Courthouse is from air leakage. Mr. Koenigshofer stated that is a maintenance problem as no one seems to have the responsibility of keeping the building in order. He stated the attic of the Courthouse is not insulated which results in a great heat loss. The report contained a list of recommendations of what can be done to conserve energy in all County buildings. ,~ ,. , ~~a ,;_. The second part of the energy conservation program was to attempt to set up an energy management system which sets guidelines for evalu- ating an energy program. An attempt is also being made to develop a system for energy cost accounting in the use of county vehicles. An outreach program is anticipated to help citizens save energy and can also be used in the County's subdivision regulations. Mr. Koenigshofer stated there is a real need to get energy conservation in new structures being designed. In answex to a question of Commissioner Gustaveson, Mr. Koenigshofe„ stated a tremendous amount o£ management support is needed to get people to implement conservation measures and additional staff is needed to tak care of things which need to be done. The Board asked the staff to look at the energy reports and the recommendations and to see what can be implemented before winter. Commissioner Gustaveson asked that the Energy Coordinator and the Public Works Director be prepared to present to the Board their plans for conservation of energy, especially in county buildings and the building inspection area. Item 7: Commissioner Pinney will review a proposal for an additional special education teaching position in the Chapel Hill- Carrboro School system. Mr. Pinney stated this request came from the Youth Services Needs Task Farce. That Tree House, Janus House and Shaffer House are located within the Chapel Hill school district and the school system is educating the young people who live in these residences. Most of the young people come from outside the school district and it is felt special reimbursemen~: should be made from the State. Mr. Pinney suggested that the County writ~•: a letter to the Division of Teacher Allotment and request an additional special education teaching position in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system. Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner Wi11h~ it was moved and adopted that a request be made to Dr. Dan 'ones for a teaching position to provide services for students with special problems. Item $: The Department of Transportation has recommended funds programmed for the paving of sR # 1561 (Lawrence Road) be diverted to pave SR #1727 (Eubanks Road). The Chairman stated this was included on the agenda far the Board's information. He added that Lawrence Road was not being paved due to a right of way problem. Lawrence Road will remain on the priority list in the same position until the roads are rerated, so if the right of way becomes available, the road can be paved. Item 9: The directors of the Efland Volunteer Fire Department and the New Hope Fire Department have requested the Berard of Commissioners certify to the Department of Insurance a list of members of those departmer_ts. Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson it was moved and adopted to approve the certification of members to the Efland Volunteer Fire Department. Upon motion of Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded by Commissioner Pinney, it was moved and adopted to approve the certification of member to the New Hope Volunteer Fire Department. Stem 10: The Finance Dizectar has requested the Board of Coi~~niissioners release certain uncollected 1967 taxes. The agenda attachment stated this action is in keeping with the established policy of the County to carry receivables only l0 years for unsecured personal property taxes and it is recommended that the Board release the 1967 personal property taxes. i~ Upon motion of Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, it was moved and adopted tv accept the recommendation of the Finance Director to release certain .uncollected 1967 taxes. "Whereas the Orange County Board of Commissioners has determined that the 1967 personal property taxes outstanding at June 30, 1978 are uncollectible; therefore, be it resolved by the Orange County Berard of Commissioners' meeting in regular session on July 24, 1978 that the unsecured taxes on personal property for the year 1967 be released from the records of the Orange County Tax Collector and the Orange County Finance Office .to be effective as of June 30, 1978." Item 12: The County Manager brought to the attention of the Board a subgrant application for training of local law enforcement officers. The grant is for $1,436 and requires $72.00 local match. Upon motion of Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded by Commissioner Pinney, it was moved and adopted to approve the resolution to apply for grant monies through the North Carolina Division of Crime Control. For copy of said resolution, see page 681 of this book. Item 11: The Health Director will review with the Board: p,, The 1978-1979 line item budget of the Health Department. Chairman Whitted recognized the Health Director, Jerry Robinson, the Chairman to the Health Board, Dr. William Mayes, and other members of the Health Board who were present. Mr. Robinson stated that the $472,306 appropriation ta.the Health Department for 1978-1979 will pay far the existing staff in the Department. He added this is a tight budget and it will be exceedingly easy to get into an overexpenditure state, particularly in the non-personnel area. Mr. Robinson stated his department would not be able to expand or implement programs which had been described to the Commissioners but the department would be in a hold-the-line status. Mr. Robinson stated he had submitted a revised budget to the Finance Officer. The consensus of the Board was to request the Finance Officer to prepare a formal budget amendment of changes to the Health Department's budget and this amendment will be presented at the first August meeting. B. An amendment to the budget considered in A above to reflect an additional state grant of $15,000 to fund a teenage pregnancy program. Mr. Robinson informed the Board that his department had received a State grant to fund a teenage pregnancy program in Orange County, requiring a local match of $15,000. Two clinics will be established, one in Chapel Hill and one in Hillsbarough~ to deal with teenage pregnancy problems and efforts will be directed toward educating teenagers regarding pregnancy. Commissioner Walker stated this area was one in which the Commission for Women has been working. He added there appears to be a duplication of effort and suggested that there be better coordination between the Commission fvr Women and the Health Department. Upon motion of Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, it was moved and adopted that the Finance Officer prepare a budget amendment to reflect an additional State grant of $15,000 to fund a teenage pregnancy program in the Health Department. Commissioner Walker voted against this motion. t,_~a _ ~ ~,-.: G. Reallocation of Health Department personnel involved in its school health efforts. Dr. Mayes spoke of the need to increase school health services in the two school districts. He stated that in order to provide equal services to both systems, the Health Board had pulled the school health nurse out of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system and now this nurse will divide her time and services equally among both the County school system and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system. Dr. Mayes has been informed by Dr. Hanes, Superin-.. tendent of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system, that his Board will take this situation under advisement as soon as other pressinc matters are taken care of. The Health Director suggested that should the Board decide to implement a fee far environmental services and that these fees be used to provide school health service to both school districts. D. New clinic space in the Chapel Hi11-Carrboro area. The lease on its existing space expires September 30th. Mr. Robinson informed the Board the Eastgate location was not set up to do clinic work, the clinic does not provide con- fidentiality for patients and is not in a good location for clients. Also, the facility is not in compliance with the new mandated law of providing access for the handicapped. .He stated that he had found new space in the Carr Mill Mall which i.s located next door to the County Social Services Department. The area would provide 3,880 square feet which is an increase of over 880 square feet at the Eastgate location. There is a possibility of leasing the space at $6,50 per square foot, which would include utilities and custodial service. Commissioner Walker spoke against leasing the space. He state he felt the Health Department should live within the budget allo- cated in June and this lease should have been addressed during the budget deliberations. .The concensus of the Board was to authorize the County Manager to negotiate a lease with Southland Association for 3,880 square feet of space at Carr Mill Mall. Terms of the lease should coincide with the lease of the Social Services Department. Mr. Gattis was authorized to look at the different options for leasing the space and will present these to the Board for their consideration. E: The issue of fees for certain environmental services. Chairman Whitted stated the Board has talked on different occasions about the possibility of charging fees for environmental services in the Health Department. At the July 3rd meeting, the Board decided to put this item on the July 24th agenda for discussion and action. C..:=iutrissioner Walker stated he was opposed to charging fees far these services and he felt this was an improper time to take action regarding a fee schedule since there is a lot of public opposition to these fees. Commissioner Willhoit stated he had received a lot of comments for support of the charging of fees and he then moved that the Board adopt a fee schedule of $65.00 for environmental services as recommended by the Health Board. Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion. Discussion ensued among members of the Board and persons fxom the audience regarding the charging of fees. -, Chairman Whitted stated he had some difficulty in tying the fees 'system in with the direct cost that would change from year to year. He stated he felt it is appropriate to charge some fee but he did not want to tie a fee into direct cost. He suggested the Board discuss a fee less than $65.00 and then proposed a fee of $25.00. Commissioner Pinney stated the problem he had with the $65.00 fee is that it makes na differential between a mobile home and an expensive house. Discussion continued about what an appropriate fee should be for these services." It was pointed out that developers who are speculating would require the initial service most often. Two types of land are to be considered in the four step process: The lots of record and raw land. The lots of record would require the Health Department services to see if a structure can be built on the site. This charge should be so set so that this is the only charge the owner would have rather than bearing the cost for other services the owner would not receive. The raw land would require a four step process and would cost more. It was suggested that the Board consider an acreage charge as stage one and then the next three stages would fallow if appropriate. The proposal the Board felt was mast appropriate was to charge $10.00 for the first step, plus $3.25 for each additional acre where services are required. The second step charge would be $15.00 for soil analysis. Third charge for step three would be $10.00 and step four would require a fee of $10.00. Commissioner Willhoit withdrew his motion and Commissioner Gustaveson withdrew his second to Mr. Willhoit's motion. Commissioner Gustaveson then moved that the Board adopt the schedule of $10.00 for step one, $15.00 for step two, $10.00 for step three and $10.00 for step four. The County Manager and the Health Director are to develop a clear picture of. the 5=chedule and steps and the County Attorney review this and determine haw step one will effect a minor subdivision. This information will be presented to the Soard at their August 7th meeting and a date for implementation will be decided upon. Commissioner Willhoit seconded the motion. Commissioner Pinney stated he felt $45.00 charge was too expensive. The Chairman called for a vote on the motion and voting aye were Commissioners Whitted, Gustaveson and Willhoit. Voting nay were Commissioners Pinney and Walker. The motion was declared passed. Mr. Robinson informed the Berard of a new structure which is being built on the University Lake Watershed in Chatham County. The two family dwellings will have only one septic system which is a matter of concern far the Orange County Health Board. • Therefore, the Board has passed a resolution requiring that sewage disposal system be required for each residence, each building, each mobile home and for each unit within a multi- family dwelling and that a minimum 40,000 square foot lot be required for each facility in the disposal system, and that these regulations be extended to include all of Orange County not just within watershed areas. Mr. Robinson stated he has sent a letter to the Orange Water- 5ewer Authority regarding this matter; however, no reply has been received. The Board asked Mr. Robinson to consult with the County Attorney regarding the possibility of some legal actions in this matter. R. A possible $500,000 through Memorial Hospital and the UNC Dental School to conduct dental ,clinics in Chapel Hi11 and Hillsborough areas. ~., ,, rJ j .J Mr. Robinson informed the Board that North Garolina Memorial Hospital is the grantee of a $500,000 grant for four years. The grant comes from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the purpose is to strengthen the residents in training program for dentists. The U.N.C. Dental School is the second party involved by providing manpower and guiding the process. The third party involved is the County Health Department, whose responsibility is to establish two clinics., one in Hillsborcugh and one in Chapel Hill. These clinics would concentrate an child health. He stated he would like to include appropriate space in the Carr Mill for this clinic but that monies cannot be used from the grant to establish a facility. Mr. Robinson stated he needed from the Board their support to bring this grant to Orange County. A grant application must be prepared before September 15, 1978 and the Department should hear by October that the grant has been funded, which is final commitment time. Upon motion of Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded by Commissione- Willhoit, it was moved and adopted to enthusiastically endorse the proposal presented by the Health Board and that they work with North Carolina Memorial Hospital and the U. N. C. Dental School in developing a grant application to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Mr. lobinson informed the Board that the SHAC Clinic was very interested in locating in better facilities than what they presently have. The Board decided not to get into this discussion at this time. Chairman Whitted asked the Clerk to make copies of a Manpower - Proposal from JOCCA to distribute to members of the Board. This proposa will be discussed at the first Monday's meeting in August. ,;. The Board asked the Health Director to prepare a proposal for letting certified engineers do same of the environmental services which are presently assumed by the Health Department. Mr. Whitted asked the Board to be thinking about some mechanism for appointing a person to the County A.B.C. Board. This appointment must be made jointly with the Health Board and the Board of Education. This item will appear on the August 7th agenda. The meeting was then adjauxned. /~\ /~~ . ~.~., ' / " ~ ~. y% .. , `_ Richard Whitted, Chairman " Agatha Johnson, Clerk w r; C, ~, ~, \.C. -iv:ision of Crirae~ Control Atrach;~ent F rh~PEL LOCAL COVEP ;'MENTAL RFSDLUTIO:: P, o. Itor. 27687 tnleiph, t7orth Carolina 27611 (See reverse sidc for policy stateWent • herein called the l;iiEREA5, the Oran a Count Bo r (Governing Sody of Unit of Goverment) $ lication "pp;+lieant" has thoroughly considered the problem f dressed in theanduhasareviewed the entitled Tzainin fo ~~ r ° project described in the application; and S;kEEr,EA5, under the terns of Public Law 9D-351 as amended, the United States of America has a~wthoriaed the Law Enforce:anent Assistance Administration, through the ;forth Carolina L:r: and Order Section to Hake federal grants to assist local govern.5ents in the iaprove- r^ent of the criminal justice system, NOW 3EtrREFORE EE IT RESOLVED EY THE Oran e Cou t ~ °rs (Governing Eody of Unit of GoverraaeniNotth Carolina, IN OPEN ,fEETIhG ASSETU3LED IN THE C19 OF H~ FOLLO SOll a r TF1IS 24th DAY OF ~7L1~ ~y.r_. ~~ 1. That the project referenced abo-+e is in the best interest of the Appiicant and the general public. be authorized to file, in behalf cf z. That Kn • ' f (N tae and Title of Representative) the Applicant, an application in the form prescribedtpYbehmadeatontheApnlicantotofor a subgrant in the amount of $~-~Z9z (federal dollar request) vlication. This assist in defraying the cost of the project described in the ap_ individual shall act as the authorized representative of the Applicant in tonne r tion with all aspects of the application process. 3. That if the subgrant is made, th= Appiicant shall provide or make arrangeaents to as provide, a local cash tzatching contribution in the count of $72.00 (local Cash 1^aCCh) required by the rost~current guidelines. L•. That to the full extent tt~e law allows, the applicant agrees that upon subr..ission of an application for this subgrant. the applicant intends to continue the pragraa at its own expense and to appropriate funds therefore subject only to budgetary limitations should the program be useful, effective and pertiication in no way 5. That applicant understands that approval of the subgrant app implies or coam.its the United States of America, the Lev Enforcement Ada:.nistra- tion or the Law and Order Section to approve any application fvr continuation funding or to provide any continuation funding whatsoever; rather, applicantlica- understands that continuation funding will probably not be available and app tions therefore will only be considered, if at all, under Qtly unusual circ~a- stances. 6. That the Project Director designated in the application form shall furnish or ma e arrangeaents for other appropriate persons for furnish such inforaation, data, documents and reports pertaining to the project, if approved, as ray be required by the Law and Drder Section. 7. That certified copies of this resolution be included as part of the application referenced above. 8. This resolution having been read cloud in its entirety at the meeting above mentioned, shad be effective upon its adoption and shall be recorded in its entirety in the tainutes o£ Orange County Board of Commissioners (Governing Eody of Unit of Goverment) I the undersigned (Clerk) (Secretary) of nra*+rte CO_ t4! Boar O~ COIfL^l~_1~S10nEY'5 (Governing Sody of Unit of Government) do hereby Certify the Foregoing is an exact espy of a resolution read aloud and adapted by the Orange Count Board of Commissionerson the 24th day of July 1978 as (Governing Sody of Unit o£ Govenx~ent) by law provided. _ (Still) .L" yp(.C~~i.l~ i /tJi{-7-:'~/Ll (Gle•~) (Secretary) of trace of Unit of Government