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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19780919713 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARp OF COMMISSIONERS SEPTEMBER 19, 1978 The Orange.County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 19, 1978 at 7:30 p.m., in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina. h1embers present: Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman ldalker and Donald Willhoit. Commissioner Richard Whitted was absent. In Chairman Whitted's absence, Vice Chairman Gustaveson assumed the chair_ Vice Chairman Gustavesgn opened the meeting by asking if any member of the Board wished to add any items to the agenda. He then asked if there were any persons present who were not listed on the agenda who had matters to bring to the attention of the Board. No one came forth. Agenda Item 2: Erasion Control at Pine Knob, Stage Coach Run and Robin's Wood Subdivisions Mr. Ray Freeman, Erosion Control Dfficer, addressed the Board. He stated that the Pine Knob Subdivision, which is being developed by Bruce Crumpton, was brought into compliance with county erosion control standards on September 13. Mr. Freeman stated that he had notified the County Attorney and Chairman Whitted of the new status of this subdivision. Mr. Freeman also stated that the Robin's Woods Sub- division is now in compliance with the county erosion control ordinance. He informed the Board that Stage Coach Run, awned by Mr. Charles Davis, has not been brought into compliance. Mr. Geoffrey Gledhill, County Attorney, stated that at the last meeting the Board decided the civil penalty against the Stage Coach Run development for non-compliance with the county erosion control ordinance would be $10.00 a day which would begin on the 20th day of August and run until compliance was achieved. For. Gledhill also stated that he had delayed filing an action for injunctive relief against the dev- eloper of Pine Knob until this meeting and recommended this action not be taken since the project was now in compliance. The Board then directed Mr. Gledhill to direct the previously approved demand for payment letter to Mr. Crumpton and to notify the County Manager of any response. Commissioner Willhoit stated that he would like to see more permanent measures taken to insure long-time compliance with the county erosion control ordinance during the planning stages of subdivisions. Mr. Freeman assured Commissioner Willhoit the measures taken by Mr. Crumpton would insure long-term compliance here. Agenda Item 3: Change Orders for Northside Mental Health Project Commissioner Willhoit stated that he would like to pursue provisions for appealing the State's new requirement since the State approved the plans and speci- fications two years ago and has now changed its mind. Commissioner Pinney stated he was worried that this appeal would delay building occupancy. The Mental Health Center is now renting at $750 a month while waiting for occupancy of the rest of the building. This appeal could possibly delay occupancy. Commissioner Willhoit moved the Manager be authorized to accept a change order for $320 for certain plastering that will not be done and execute a change order for $2,736 to instal fire retarding dampers in the duct work. This motion received a second from Co;mnissioner Gustaveson. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. The County Attorney stated the county could request the State provide some of this money. 714 Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, the Manager initiate a request to the State for additional funding to cover the cost of these change orders. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 4: Legislation Requiring the County Name a. Nursin Home Advisory Committee Representative Patricia Hunt addressed the Board stating new legislation requires the County Commissioners to name a committee to develop a system of standardized, uniform care for nursing homes throughout the county. This committee will have five members. Nursing home administrators are to name two members of this committee within 45 days. If the nursing home administrators have not made their appoint- ments at the end of this period, the authority to appoint is passed on to the County Commissioners. The other three members of the committee would be appointed by the County Commissioners. All members of the committee must be residents of Orange County. The committee will elect its own chairman. None of the members of the committee are allowed a financial interest in nursing homes, nor are they allowed to be employees of nursing homes or to have family members in nursing homes. The committee members are not to be paid but their expenses may be reimbursed by the county. They are to report to the Division of Aging, Department of Human Resources, and will be trained by this department. She stated that the committees must be appointed by January 1, 1979. The first members will serve until February 29, 1978, at which time members will be named for a three year term. Commissioner Gustaveson requested the Clerk contact Jerry Passmore to get a list of organizations within the county concerned with nursing homes and send each a letter inviting nominations to this committee. He also asked the Clerk to send letters to each of the nursing home administrators soliciting their nominations to this committee. Commissioner Gustaveson asked if there were objections to moving to Agenda Item 7 or 8 at this time. There were no objections. Agenda Item 7B: Eugene A. Conti and Jennifer Wingard 7ax_ Refund The Tax Supervisor explained that Ms. Wingard and her husband came before the Board of Equalization and Review in 1978. She is asking for a tax ref~pd for 1977. Mr. Laws introduced Ms. Wingard. Ms. Wingard stated that she was not aware that the valuation on her property had changed until she received the tax bill at the end of 1977. By this time, the Board of Equalization and Review had adjourned for 1977 and she had to wait until 1978 to appeal. Commissioner Walker moved, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, to refund $86.00 to Eugene A. Conti and Jennifer Wingard_ Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item SB:. Perc H. Quinlan and Carol uinlan Assessment Appeal P4r. Quinlan submitted a private appraisal of his property to the Board. He stated there was an error in the tax redords showing the front footage of his property. After correcting this error, which reduced his tax assessment $7,000, Mr. Quinlan still feels the tax appraisal is tov high. Commissioner Walker inquired about the front footage valuation of other properties along this street. The Tax Supervisor replied the front footage valuation of Mr. Quinlan's property was in line with other property values on his street. Commissioner Walker asked the Tax Supervisor if he recommended correcting the frontage. - ~~ ~~ Mr. Laws responded, Yes . Commissioner Gustaveson told Mr. Quinlan that the Board would make a decision at a later date and the tax office would inform Mr. Quinlan of the decision. Agenda Item 7A: Elizabeth F. Gervais Tax Refund The Tax Supervisor told the Board that the Gervais' house was incorrectly listed as masonry instead of frame in 1976 and in 1977 the Gervais added a garage and deck which were also incorrectly listed. 715 Commissioner Walker, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, moved to refund $15.47 to Elizabeth F. Gervais. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 7E: Edward Thomas Rice Tax Refund The Tax Supervisor stated that by the NADA book, Mr. Rice's car had been over- valued in 1977. Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to refund $6.21 to Edward Thomas Rice. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 7C: Bill B. S arrow Tax P,efund The lax Supervisor explained that the new construction on this property was erroneously lis±ed on the appraisal cards as being 100% complete on January 1, 1977, but should be listed as only 50% complete. Cammissioner Gustaveson moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to refund $162.49 to Billy B. Sparrow. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 7D: Ralph F. Whitfield, Jr. Tax Refund The Tax Supervisor stated that the tax notice was sent to Mr. Whitfield at the best address the tax office had on record. Mr. Whitfield did not receive the notice and requests refund of $4.25 in interest. Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to deny Ralph F. Whitfield's refund request. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 7F: Cha el Hill Communities Tax Refund The Tax Supervisor stated that this property was listed twice for 1977. Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to approve - refunding to Chapel Hill Communities, Inc. the sum of $60.21. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 5: CETA Activities Review ~- Mr. Joe Bradshaw revieti~ed for the Board recent CETA activities. He stated that, to date, there is no firm estimate of monies available for this program. The Balance of State counties are advised to plan for 80% of the present allocation; however, neither Durham County or Orange County have Balance of State allocation at present. P~1r. Bradshaw stated that upon notification that the City of Durham was termin- ating the consortium, the State awarded transitional money to plan far the rest of the year. These funds were supposed to be available by September 10, but on September 19, .they had not been released. They will not be released until final endorsement of the new Durham-Orange group by the State Council. Current Federal legislation concerning CETA expires October 1. Continuation of this program depends upon congressional authorization and funding. At present, no CETA program elements are funded beyond September 30. Mr. Bradshaw stated that interviews for the top personnel have been concluded and recommendations have been given to the County Manager. Commissioner Gustaveson inquired what the contingency plan would be if CETA funds were curtailed. The htanager replied that same money had been set aside in the county budget for this purpose. He stated a further report would be made next week. Mr. files Hare expressed his concern for the crew supervisors responsible for carrying nut the weatherization program loosing their positions. Commissioner Willhoit stated that JOCCA should consider making these persons permanent personnel. 716 Agenda Item 8A: Austin Watts Assessment A eal The Tax Supervisor stated that Mr. Watts owns a motel that seems to be valued correctly except, perhaps, for depreciation. Commissioner Gustaveson asked that decision on this item be reached at the fourth Monday meeting. Agenda Item 6: Pro osal b Ener Conservation Officer Ms. Carol Fitzgerald addressed the Board. Ms. Fitzgerald stated her first _. objective was to start an in-house conservation program to save energy dollars in all buildings and vehicles awned by Orange County. Ms. Fitzgerald presented the format of.a program designed to enable the county to operate with greater energy efficiency. This program would include an operations and maintenance element, an employee awareness element, an energy accounting element and a capital improve- ments element. She submitted a proposal explaining each of these elements. She also submitted recommendations for physical improvements to various county buildings and estimates to savings if these improvements were installed. She asked the Commissioners to endorse a 68 degree winter - 78 degree surrmier temperature setting for county buildings. Commissioner Willhoit asked Ms. Fitzgerald to draft a resolution setting forth recommendations for maximum and minimum temperatures in county buildings. He also asked that this be put on the agenda for the first Monday in October: Commissioner Willhoit stated he would like to make appointments to the Board of Adjustment and Planning Board at the fourth Monday meeting. Commissioner Gustaveson announced that September 27th is the date of the Triangle J Council of Governments annual dinner meeting. Mr. Gattis spoke to the Board regarding the parking facility at the Northside Mental Health facility. He stated that at present topographical surveying was underway and that James Webb was working on the design of the lot. Mr. Gattis stated we would probably be able to gravel and curb and gutter the facility soon, but the possibility of having it paved before winter was very slim since gravel;,.and asphalt are almost unavailable at this time. The meeting was then adjourned. ~~~ Norman Gustaveson, Vice Chairman Mary Lou Bouley, Clerk