Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19781002721 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 2, 1978 The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, October 2, 1978, at 10:00 a.m., in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Members present: Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Donald Willhoit, Norman Walker and Jan Piney. Commissioner Richard Whitted was absent. In Chairman Whitted's absence, Vice Chairman Gustaveson assumed the chair. Vice Chairman Gustaveson opened the meeting by asking if any member of the Board wished. to add additian'al items to the agenda. The following items were added to the agenda: Agenda Item 15: Various Proposed Meetings Agenda Item 16: Discussion of Energy Coordinator's Request for Additional $18,D00 Agenda "tom 17: Report on Narthside f4ental Health Center Agenda Item 18: Swalin Driveway Agenda Item 14, IIa: Rezoning Petition of Clarence Gates Mr. Gates requested his petition be postponed until Commissioner Whitted had a chance to look at his property. He thanked Commissioners Walker, Gustaveson and Willhoit for taking time to visit his property. _ Commissioner Gustaveson asked this item be placed on the agenda for the first Monday in November. Agenda Item 2: Minutes of September 5, 8, 19 and 25, 1978 tlinutes of September 5, 1978 were approved after correction. Minutes of September 8, 1978 were approved. P~inutes of September 19, 1978 were approved after correction. Minutes of September 25, 1978 were approved after correction. Agenda Ttem 3: Unnamed Street off State Road 1328 Commissioner Willhoit asked the County Manager if the petitioners would be informed that the Highway Department did not recommend this road be added to the State road system. The County Manager said he presumed the Department of Trans- portation sent notice to the petitioners as they did to Orange County. Commissioner Willhoit was concerned the petitioners understand their options and eligibility for the participating paving program. He said the petitioners might want to make improvements themselves through the assessment program so that the road could be taken over by the state. He wanted the petitioners to be aware that the county does have a program to provide some assistance and it is possible to spread repayment over several years. Vice Chairman Gustaveson directed the County Manager to write a letter to the petitioners telling them what assistance the county tries to provide and what they need to do to work with the system. 722 Agenda Item 4: Resolution Requiring Minimum and Maximum Tem erature Settin s in Count Buildin s The Energy Coordinator submitted a resolution to establish an Orange County Energy Policy. Commissioner Pinney asked far the word "thermostats" to be changed to "temperatures". Commissioner Willhoit asked for time to review the resolution and proposed to take action at the third Tuesday meeting. Commissioner Walker asked Ms. Fitzgerald how the county would measure minimum and maximum temperatures. Ms. Fitzgerald told the Board the county had five maximum- minimum thermometers. Agenda Item 16: Discussion of Ener Coordinator's Re uest for Additional 18,000 The Energy Coordinator asked to reduce the request of $18,000 to $16,718. She told the Commissioners the county could expect a return of 23% a year on their in- vestment. Commissioner Gustaveson asked how long it would take to order thermostat controls and get bids on insulation. Ms. Fitzgerald said it would take about two weeks to get bids on insulation and one week to order and receive thermostat Controls. Comrnis.sioner Gustaveson asked that bids be sought as soon as possible so.a decision cc.ud be made and installation could begin irrenediately. Commissioner Walker asked where this money would come from. The Manager responded, "out of the cohtingency fund". The Manager said some of this money might come from the existing public works budget, but we need to leave enough money in that budget to support buildings maintenance through the next 9 months. Commissioner Walker moved, seconded by Commissioner Pinney, to make appropriation for this expenditure out of the contingency fund. Commissioner Willhoit asked to amend the motion so that the appropriation would be contingent on bids being within the estimated figures given to the "County _ Commissioners and that all bids be submitted to the County Commissioners for final approval. Commissioners Walker and Pinney accepted this amendment. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, o. The County Manager asked if the Board wanted the entire package bid or just the major items. Commissioner Gustaveson replied, the major items should be bid first and this task would be left to the judgment of the County Manager and Energy Coordinator. Commissioner Willhoit wanted the items that give a more immediate return on the county's ihvestment to be looked at first so the contingency fu~rd money would be free far use elsewhere. Agenda Item 5: Announcement of Vacancies to Council on Ain Commissioner Willhoit requested recommendations for nominations from the Council on Aging. Commissioner Gustaveson said these vacancies would not be filled before the October 12th meeting; therefore, Ruth Cooper would continue to serve. Commissioner Willhoit asked the County Manager's office to work on modification of the appointment resume form. He had a list of the various boards the County Manager could use in redesigning this form. Agenda Item 6: Bud et Amendment for Social Services The Director of Social Services addressed the Board. He said when Social Services estimated its budget for 1978-79, they included a .10% increase in revenue from indirect costs. Revenue from this source will increase more than 200%. They recommend this revenue estimate be raised from $13,389 to $39,115. Commissioner Willhoit asked if this would be a real cash payment by the State. The Finance Director said that it would. 723 Commissioner Gustaveson asked if the 1977-78 payment would go into surplus for reallocation to Social Services. The Finance Director said the money was county revenue. He said it was indirect cost and had nothing to do with allocations to Social Services- He also said this would have the effect of increaseing our Title XX allocation as money from the first two months of this year and all of the 1978 increase would not be charged against the county's 1979 Title XX allocation. Commissioner Pinney moved, seconded 6y Commissioner Walker, to amend the Social Services budget submitted to the State showing the additional local expenditure. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 7: Medicaid Matchin Formula Passed b General Assembly The County Manager told the Board this year's county budget had been approved before the General Assembly, changed the medicaid matching formula. Corrunissioner Gustaveson expressed his concern over the tremendous impact this kind of thing had on the county. He asked to have this item postponed until after the Board had a chance to talk with its legislative delegation. Commissioner Willhoit said he would like to notify Dr. Sarah Morrow of the impact this had on the county. He said he would like to ask how a county could bring about a shift of patients from skilled to intermediate medical care. Agenda Item 8: Expenditure of $1,4D0 for Installation of_ a Pump Station at W lmore Electronics Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Pinney, to approve the Manager's recommendation of $1,400 expenditure for engineering fees to install a pump station near Wilmore Electronics. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 9: Contract for Le al Services to Social Services Department Commissioner Walker said he would like to see how these over charges were credited to the county. The Finance Director said he could have the information ready for Commissioner Walker's review in a few minutes. Commissioner' Walker said he would like to delay action on this item until the next meeting. Agenda Item 10: Month-to-Month Extension of Lease on Space a_t__ East ate 5ho in Center Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Pinney, to authorize a month-to-month extension of the lease on space at Eastgage Shopping Center currently used by the Health Department. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 15: Various Meetings Commissioner Willhoit told the Board about the meetings he and the County Manager attended on developmental disabilities. He said the Developmental Disabilities Council is willing to provide help to the county in meeting the needs of persons with developmental disabilities and suggested the Board have a luncheon meeting with Hal Walker, Regional Representative of this Council. Cam~issioner Pinney asked, "Why not wait until after January?" Commissioner Willhoit expressed his desire to move ahead with this now. The County Manager told the Board it was implied during the meeting with the Developmental Disabilities Council that there were grants available to develop service progrems. Commissioner Gustaveson asked the Commissioners to give the Clerk two convenient luncheon dates so she could arrange a meeting with Mr. Walker. Commissioner Willhoit said he would also like to meet with the legislative delegation to discuss county problems. Commissioner Gustaveson suggested November 14 for a night meeting in Chapel Hill. Commissioner Willhoit also wanted to seta date in October for a work session with the new Planning. Director and the Planning Board. October 30 was the suggested date if convenient with Commissioner Whitted and the Planning Director. 724 Agenda Item 11a: A eal of Austin Ldatts, Tract 5819 Commissioner Pinney moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to make no change in the tax valuation of Mr. Watts' property. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 11b: A eal of Austin Watts, Tract 5816 Commissioner Pinney moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to reduce physical depreciation on the motel building of Mr. Watts to 35% for building (1) and 30% for building (2). Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item llc: Appeal of Percy H. Quinlan, Tract 2571 Commissioner Pinney, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, moved to appraise Mr. Quinlan's land in conformance with correct dimensions as given in the deed. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 12: CETA Report Mr. ~7oe Bradshaw told the Board we are now under one system operating out of the Office of. Community Employment in Raleigh. As of Friday, the existence of a consortium was recognized and we are entering into contracts on behalf of Orange County and Durham County. The Office of Community Employment is providing funding for two weeks while they are waiting final allocations from the Department of Labor. Mr. Brads"air believes the county will receive an allotment similar to the one received in fiscal year 197-77. LJe have hired Ronnie Warner as Director and we are looking at office space on Churton Street in Hillsborough-and Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Orange County has net lost clients in the transition to the Orange-Durham operations. Tn Title I, persons are continuing classroom training at Alamance Tech and at Durham Tech. In Title VI, there will be approximately 33 people continued for the next two weeks. We expect everything in Title VI to remain at its present level. Currently, approximately 28 people are working on Title VI. We are getting money for 33 slots, but administrative costs are taken'~from these funds. Mr. Bradshaw said today we needed to set up a priority system that would take effect after release of the hiring freeze. Commissioner Pinney asked what would happen if action was delayed again after this two week period. Mr. Bradshaw replied, we should establish our year long priorities. Currently, we h.ave•a general idea of funds available for Titles I and III, but we will not be able to tell about Title VI until the hiring freeze is lifted. Commissioner Pinney asked how we could establish a priority system without knowing the number of jobs we would be allowed. Commissioner Gustaveson said we should be allocated between 1 - 33 positions. If we determine priorities and allocations to participating units, they will have some idea how to plan. Commissioner Willhoit asked haw guidelines for division between municipalities and counties were developed. Mr. Bradshaw replied there is no central policy far governmental unit distribution. Commissioner Willhoit asked if administrative support should be considered before job slots. Mr. Bradshaw said these slots would be funded one way or the other; thus, he recorrunended funding through regular CETA client money. Commissioner Willhoit said he .felt administrative costs should come out of the base program instead of the participants share. The County Manager said we can spend only 15~ of the grant on administrative processes. As the overall budget is small, this is somewhat of a safety valve that helps us come within administrative guidelines. 725 Commissioner lillhoit said if only 29 positions are dppraved, support may not be sufficient to maintain an office full time in Durham County. Thus, Orange will end up providing a secretary or clerk typist to hold a Durham office open. If Durham wants a full time office, they should allocate administrative support from its Title VI allocation. Mr. Bradshaw said position No. 32 was a sanitation driver and positions 30 through 33 are in support of other titles. Concerning the non-governmental slots, Mr. Bradshaw said JOCCA needed to provide crew leaders and Title VI would provide assistance. He said JOCCA positions were approved only through September 19 but worked until September 29. JOCCA must be responsible for paying the men after September 19. Commissioner Pinney moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to approve 26 positions, leaving two positions unallocated and to accept the funding priorities recommended except for the two JOCCA positions, which will be transferred to "unallocated" as they are currently vacant. This will afford us options between staffing and program. We can reallocate when final allotments are known. Vote: ayes, Comrnissioners Walker, Pinney and Gustaveson; noes, Commissioner Willhoit. Mr. Bradshaw said that final legislation did specify exact wage guidelines. The County Manager said the previous guideline is a $7,$00 wage average. Commissioner Willhoit said the House passed an amendment to lower this guideline to $7,000. Agenda =gem 12c: Co_unty_Personnel Ordinance, Amendment Commissioner Pinney moved, seconded by Corranissioner Willhoit, to authorize the County Manager to prepare a resolution amending the personnel policy to the effect that CETA program participants shall not become members of the local Governmental Employees Retirement System. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. The Board recessed for lunch. Commissioner Pinney was excused from the afternoon session. - Agenda Item 13: Introduction of New County Planning Director The County Manager introduced the new County Planning Director, Mr. Jim Polatty, who came to Orange County from Guilford County where he was the Assistant Director in charge of Advanced Planning. Mr. Polatty told the Board he was looking forward to starting work with Orange County. Agenda Item 14a: Ti_mberlyne, Phase II, Section II Mr. Eddie Kirk, Subdivision Administrator, told the Board Timberlyne is located in Chapel Hill township off of Weaver Dairy Road, contains 66 lots, has state maintained roads, water and sewer. He said the Planning Board recommended the following: 1) Lots 74-76 must have adequate water pressure and water supply before these lots can be developed. 2) A disclosure statement must be provided for lots 71-73, 75, 76, 139-149 stating individual holding tank and house pump will be required. 3) Drainage easements must be approved by erosion control officer. 4) Basswood Court must have maximum grade of 12% or less. 5) Developer must maintain all open space until homeowners association or equivalent takes over_ 6) Kingston Drive should be extended to lot 141. 7) Fire hydrant locations must be approved by Chapel Hill Fire Department. Mr. Kirk advised the Board this area is in the transitional area. Mr. Jim Allen told the Board that the Chapel Hill Planning Board had reviewed and commented on this plan and all their comments were adopted by developers and the County Planning Board and incorporated into this list of 7 recommendations. Mr. Kirk said principal concern of Chapel Hill were 20,000 square foot lots and fire hydrants. Commissioner Walker moved, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, to adopt the Planning Board's recommendation including the 7 restrictions. Vote: ayes, 3; noes, 0. 726 Agenda Item 14b: Jimm and Gloria Gates Subdivision i4r. Kirk explained Mr. Gates' property was located in Chapel Hill township and Mr. Gates wanted to subdivide 4.9 acres from a 41 acre tract. This property is located off Highway 54 close to Carrboro and has been approved for septic tank. There. is an existing 40 foot right-of-way to the property. Mr. Gates is requesting a variance from the 60 foot right-of-way requirement. Mr. Gates said that his father built the road about 40 years ago and he has been maintaining it since: He has a signed, written agreement from other property owners that they will now help maintain the road. Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to waive the requirement of a 6D foot right-of-way. Vote: ayes, 3; noes, 0. Agenda Item 14 II b: Cedar Hills Mr. Kirk told the Board this petition requested rezoning of 4.39 acres off Weaver Dairy Road i.n Chapel Hill township from residential to general commercial. He said the Planning Board did not recommend this zoning change. Commissioner Willhoit told Mr. Kirk he would like to know the reasons the Planning Board uses to decide a request, not the numbers voting for and against. Conm~;ssioner Willhoit moved, seconded. by Commissioner Walker, to deny the request ~ rezone 4.39 acres from residential to general commercial. Vote: ayes, 3; noes, 0. Agenda Item 14 II c: Timberlyne Mr. Kirk said this petition requested rezoning 92.9 acres located north and south of Weaver Dairy Rgad in Chapel Hill township from residential to general commercial. Commissioner Gustaveson asked if the Planning Board had received any communications from Chapel Hill concerning this proposal. ri. Mr. Kirk said they had received minutes but no other communication. He said their minutes did not show any problems with this area becoming commercial and no recommendations against rezoning were made at the public hearing. He said Chapel Hill had requested this area be included in its alanning area. Mr. Bob Page told the Board the proposed first tenant in the general commercial area would be the WCHL Corporation. Preliminary and final subdivision plans have been approved and he wanted final approval before houses were constructed here. One of the reasons he wanted 93 acres was to insure low density commercial. He said the proposed plan is before the Planning Board and Chapel Hill says if we rezone 6 acres on the south side of the road, it will conform to their land use plan. He said prime commercial zoning was mare restrictive than general commercial. Commissioner Willhoit said he was not interested in acting on the total request until the Chapel Hill planning jurisdiction issue was resolved. 'He asked Mr. Page how many acres must be rezoned to allow this project to move forward. Mr. Page replied, 6 acres was the minimum. Commissioner Willhoit asked the County Attorney to clarify the restrictions on prime commercial. The County Attorney said if a change in zoning resulted in higher density, you cannot do it; however, there does not seem to be any density difference betwee general commercial and prime commercial. The difference lies in the kinds of enterprises permitted. If this is the case, the Board can change to prime even though it was advertised as general. Commissioner Gustaveson asked the County Attorney if we could divide the request into two phases, Phase I being 6 acres and Phase II being 86 acres which could be considered at some future point within the frame work of this public hearing. 7?7 Commissioner LJillhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Ldalker, to rezone Phase I of the request area described as that area na more than 6 acres to the north of LJeaver Dairy Road bounded 6y Sedgefield Subdivision to. general commercial. Vote: ayes, 3; noes, 0. Agenda Item I7: Northside Project The County Manager said final inspection of the building was scheduled for Friday of this week. He said we will probably have a check list of things to be ~ done but Mental Health could move if the check list is not too lang. The County ~ Manager invited the Commissioners to attend this inspection. `f~ Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Walker, to authorize the County Manager to act for the Board at the final inspection of the Northside project. Vote: ayes, 3; noes, 0. ' Agenda Item 18: Swa1in Driveway Commissioner Gustaveson asked the County Manager to write a letter to the Department of Transportation to see what could be done to improve this driveway.- Mrs. Barbour asked if we would be able to 'find out actual cast of Northside so we could compare it to Grady Brawn renovation. Commissioner Walker said that should not be•any problem. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Norman Gustaveson, Vice Chairman Mary Lou Bouley, Clerk ,~.,r, . i