Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19781017728 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 17, 1978 The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October 17, 1978, at 7:00 p.m., in the Commissioners' Room of the Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Members present: Commissioners Richard Whitted, Norman Walker, Donald Willhoit - Norman Gustaveson and Jan Pinney.. Chairman Richard Whitted opened the meeting by asking if any Board member wisheu to add additional items to the agenda. The following items were added to the agenda: Agenda Item 7: old Chapel Hill Post Office Building Agenda Ttem 8: North Carolina Association of Count Commissioners Legis ative Conference Oecem er 6 - 7 Chairman Whitted then asked if any member of the audience had additional items to be added to the agenda. Mrs. Josephine Barbour asked the Board to determine who was responsible for cleaning the old courthouse. The Chairman requested the staff look into this. Agenda Item 2: Mi nutes__o_f October. 2,-1978 The minutes of October 2, 1978 were approved after correction. Agenda Item 3: Land Title Records Project The Register of Oeeds told the Board that Orange County was one of ten counties selected to participate in a $200,000 land title management grant from HUD to the State of .North Carolina. The purpose of the grant is to create a multi-purpose model for land data. She cited examples of land data such as tax assessments, tax collection, zoning restrictions, building permits, deeds, judgments, easements, etc. HUD will use model systems as a major demonstration project and Orange County has systems that can be adapted to a master file concept wF~ich will provide campasit source data through a parcel identification system. HUD requires a show of good faith which would require the County Commissioners to agree to a $50,000 allocation over a two year period - $25,000 during budget year 1979-80 and $25,000 during budget year 1981-$2. Orange County would also be required to employ a project manager to insure the system will be ongoing. The grant may cover all expenses except office space and office furniture and the time and effort of county personnel. The Tax Supervisor expressed his enthusiasm for the project. He said the county would be able to incorporate planning and zoning information into the assessment system and mapping and other information would be available for appraisal purposes. He said since the county had a computerized appraisal system, it would not take much to transfer to a land parcel system. The. Planning Director expressed his enthusiasm for the project. The Tax ~ollector told the Board although his data was already computerized, this system woul keep it up-to-date. The Finance Director said the county's primary commitment would be a direct cash outlay of up to $50,000 for computer equipment. This would probably be about $30,000 a year for the first two years of the project - $25,000 plus space and equipment. He felt with Orange County's present computer system and terminals, the cost would probably be less than same other counties. Keith Brooks told the Board the additional hardware needed probably would be a digitizer and additional terminals. Commissioner Gustaveson asked the impact this system would have on attorneys. 729 The Finance birector told the Board the State Bar Association had written a letter in support of the project. The Register of heeds told the Board the commitment of $50,000 which the Board must endorse for the county to be eligible for the grant would not be due until after July 1, 1979. Commissioner Walker said that would make it possible to appropriate money in next year's budget. . Commissioner Gustaveson said he would like to give a letter of support and endorsement but not give final commitment until the Board had time to review the bottom line of the final grant. The Register of heeds said the State would require this type endorsement from counties interviewed as a'show of good faith. Commissioner Gustaveson, seconded 6y Commissioner Walker, moved a strong letter of endorsement accompany the grant proposal for this project with the intent to show good faith to support our commitments for 1979, 1980 and 1981. Vote: ayes, 4; noes, 0. Agenda Item 4: Extraterritorial Zoning Jurisdi„ction of Town of Chapel Hill~~ Commissioner Whitted brought the audience up-to-date on the series of events that had transpired up to this point. He said one of the issues to be considered was the treatment of mobile homes in the Chapel Hill zoning ordinance. He said the Chapel Hill Planning Board had recommended the ordinance be amended to conform with the Orange County ordinance as it pertains to mobile homes and they had made this recommendation to the Board of Aldermen. Mrs. Barbour told the Board of Commissioners that Chapel Hill Planning Board -_ would not make its recommendation before November 14th to the Board of Aldermen and it was her understanding that mobile homes would not be tolerated except in the rural transition area. Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, moved the County Attorney prepare a mutual reciprocal resolution to transfer the planning .jurisdiction from Orange County to Town of Chapel Hill describing an area beginning 300 feet west of the center line of Highway 86 at the present jurisdiction line, north to the midpoint of the power line easement, east along the power line easement to the existing district line and that the resolution include Chapel Hill's zoning ordinance be amended to permit mobile home parks in this area subject to the Town's special use procedure and that Chapel Hill township's land classification map be amended to designate this area as transition area. Commissioner Walker said he did not want to make a decision on this issue with one commissioner absent. He felt the entire Board should be involved. Cortanissioner Whitted was concerned about the phrase, mobile home park. Commissioner Willhoit said mobile homes would be permitted in the rural transition zone. Individual mobile homes would not be permitted in the transition zone. Commissioner Pinney arrived. Commissioner Willhoit felt the definition of mobile homes needed clarification. He said there are two ways to fasten mobile homes down: 1) strap them down, or 2} bolt them to a foundation. He said Orange County's zoning ordinance is not as good as Chapel Hill's in its ability to deal with urban-type commercial develop- ment. He said the subdivision standards are different. Chapel Hill requires curb and gutters, thicker road base and review by departments of public works, police and fire. He said the transition area is likely to become part of the municipality or become urbanized in five to ten years. He said he would like to see the Orange County Planning Council get back on tract to deal with major issues in the county and appoint some ex officio members to the Planning Board. Commissioner Walker felt Orange County should make its ordinance adequate if it were not adequate. He also said the people living in the extraterritorial area did not want to live where they had no voice in their government. He felt it was premature to act before Chapel Hill took action on the things Orange County has requested. Commissioner Walker moved the Board table this item until proper . ~.. .. ... _. ~2 -. 730 procedures were followed. Motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Pinney said the resolution would not take effect until Chapel Hill amended its zoning ordinance. Commissioner Willhoit said he did not address the question of individual mobile homes within the transitional zone because it was a moat point. Currently, there are only seven mobile homes in the proposed extension area and market/ economic factors will preclude further mobile home additions. He said it was _ his understanding that Chapel Hill intended to amend its zoning ordinance to make it consistent with the county's in dealing with mobile homes in the rural trans- ition area and to bring their mobile home park regulation up to the county's. Mobi'.,. home parks will be permitted in transition as well as the rural transition area. Commissioner Whitted expressed concern about individual mobile homes presently in the rural transition area, the effect of government vs. non-government and vrhether, after the transfer, individual mobile homes would be allowed on lots. He said he had no problem with the wording, mobile home parks, but he would like to see individual mobile homes incorporated into the motion. Commissioner Pinney said the resolution should require Chapel Hill amend its ordinance before land is turned over to them. If the land is turned over to Chapel Hill before they amend the ordinance, mobile home parks will come in non- conforming. Commissioner Gustaveson said there had been many technical delays and the problem continued to remain critical. He wanted to go ahead and act in good faith that Chapel dill would amend its zoning map and ordinance. Mrs. Chi to'.d the Board the mobile home issue was not the only issue residents of the area were concerned about. She said residents do not want to be governed by a regulatory group over which they have no authority. The residents feel the Co!.!nty Commissioners are their only representatives. Upon questioning, it was determined that Mrs. Chi did not live within the extension area proposed in the motion on the floor. Commissioner Whitted told the audience representation and mobile home issue had been predominant in the Commissioner's discussions. Mrs. Barbour said Chapel Hill was not voting until November 14 and action by the Commissioners would be premature and against the wishes of the people. She felt two public hearings and the Planning_Board meetings were both negative. Commissioner Willhoit indicated that no one in the proposed area spoke against the extension and,. in fact, at the second public hearing there was a mass exodus of residents of Cedar Hills and Countyside who spoke against the rezoning, which indicated their lack of opposition to the extension. Ms. Joyce Cutlow, representing the League of Women Voters,. spoke in favor of extension. Ms. Cuttino, a representative of Cedar Hill subdivision spoke in favor of extension. The County Attorney said even though Chapel Hill may have requested extension of the planning jurisdiction, the resolution requests they look again. He said the resolution takes in all recommendations of the .j.oint committee. Commissioner Willhoit's original motion was amended as follows: The County Attorney is to redraft a mutual reciprocal resolution that describes an area beginning 300 feet west of the center line of Highway Bfi at the present jurisdiction.. north to the midpoint of the power line easement, east along the power line easement to the existing planning jurisdiction. Vote: ayes, Commissioners' Gustaveson, Willhoit, Whitted and Pinney; noes, Commissioner ldalker. Commissioner Gustaveson said he would like the County Attorney to present a resolution at the fourth Monday meeting. Commissioner Willhoit said he would like to consider appointment of ex officio members of the County Planning Board at the fourth Monday meeting. 731 Agenda Item 6: Review Allocations of Title VI Position for FY 78-79 The Finance Director submitted a memorandum to the Board giving Manager's approval of Town of Chapel Hill's request to change two carpenter trainee positions and one laborer I position to three maintenance trainee positions to be assigned to the Chapel Hill Housing Authority. He said funding for this change is within the amount previously allocated. This request also included one community resource coordinator as approved. The Mayor of Garrboro said he felt the Town of Carrboro should have been able to set priorities instead of the County Manager. He said Tawn of Carrboro would supplement any additional costs. The Finance Director told the Board the Manager followed guidelines submitted by the Town of Carrboro. 'He said the two positions in question exceeded the average $7,200 wage. Joe Hackney, representing Orange County branch of JOCCA,told the Board if their recommendation was upheld, JOCCA's housing weatherization program would be gutted. He said the priority was to train people to do .jobs to help the poor. He felt there was little coordination with respect to the Advisory Council and the Orange County staff had acted without full knowledge. He said people in the field at large were JOCCA people. Commissioner Whitted told htr. Hackney that Title VI had always been under the Commissioner's authority and not under authority of the Advisory Council. Commissioner Gustaveson said the Board had acted quickly to try to guarantee S10t5. Commissioner Willhoit said there were two JOCCA positions which were picked up and four positions which were not picked up. He said he would like to have the CETA staff. see if there could be some reimbursement from the state for the four positions which worked from September 19th to Dctober 1st. Wes Hare told the Board JOCCA had zero persons working in Prange County right now. He said JOCCA was not getting clear policy directions. Commissioner Pinney said the Board had approved two positions for JOCCA after the hiring freeze was lifted. Dr. Willis expressed her concern that the top housing program had-been gutted. Commissioner Pinney told the audience no one had a copy of the. final law or regulations so any adjustment would be premature. Wes Hare told the Board Mr. Joe Bradshaw had agreed to assign two employees to JOCCA who were now assigned to the Tax Supervisor. Commissioner Whitted said the Board still did not know the amount of funds available for Title VI. Commissioner Whitted asked Mr. Hare, if ~QGCA has three supervisors in Orange County which you are funding, and the Board of Commissioners allocated two.Tit1e VI slots, how many other positions do you need? Mr. Hare told the Board JOCCA needed four additional slots. The Mayor of Carrboro told the Board he would like for the Town of Carrboro to have its priority of slots changed around or have the job titles changed. -. Commissioner Willhoit suggested the Board agree to the changes requested by Chapel Hill and Carrboro subject to these changes meeting new guidelines. The Finance Director said only the positions now existing can 6e worked until the hiring freeze is lifted. i Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Pinney, to permit changes ~ in position titles requested by Chapel Hill and Carrboro if they meet new guidelines and are within the budgeted amount. Vote: ayes, 5; noes, 0, - _ 732 Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Pinney, to permit changes in position titles requested by Chapel Hill and Carrboro if they meet the new guidelines and are within the budgeted amount. Vote: ayes, 5; noes, 0. Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, to assign the two slots originally allocated to JOCCA back to JOCCA. Vote: ayes, 5; noes, 0, Commissioner Pinney moved, seconded by Commissioner lillhoit, to assign the two persons currently assigned to Orange County Tax Supervisor to JOCCA. Vote: ayes, 5; noes, 0. Agenda Item 5: Consideration of Grady Brown Renovation The Board considered the Manager's memorandum which listed the fallowing alternatives: 1) rebid total project, 2) rebid buildings B & C, 3) redesign project around building A and remove building B, and 4) new construction in governmental complex. Mr. Joe Nassif was in the audience to discuss possibilities with the Board. Commissioner Whitted asked whether there would be additional bidders if the project were rebid and Mr. Nassif replied, yes. Mr. Nassif indicated it would be the first or second week in December before he could report the bid results back to the Board. He suggested the Board ask the electrical and plumbing contractors to hold their present bids where they stand. Commissioner Pinney asked if the County would be obligated to accept these bids if the contractors held them. Mr. Nassif said, No. If they wish to hold their bids, they can extend the time. Commissioner Whitted asked Mr. Nassif where the county stood with the proposal to provide more space far court and upgrading jail facilities. Jdr. Nassif said we would be able to see what funds were available after the decision was made on Grady Brown. Commissioner Pinney asked if Mr. Nassif was prepared to bid the .jail at the same time. Mr. Nassif replied, no. Commissioner Pinney said if we bid the jail we could see how far off we were on the jail estimate. Commissioner Walker said it would not be a serious bid because the county does not have the money. _ Commissioner Gustaveson moved, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, to request the County Manager and Mr. Nassif to prepare rebidding of the Grady Brown project, to determine if the plumbing and electrical contractors are willing to hold their present bids and, if not, to rebid the total package. Vote: ayes, 5; noes, 0. Agenda Item 7: Old Post Office Buildin in Cha el Hill Commissioner Willhoit asked the County Manager to look into estimate bids for the old past office building in Chapel Hill as a prospect for county offices. Agenda Item 8: Legislative Conference Commissioner Whitted told the Board the Legislative Conference was set for December 6 - 7 at the Hyatt Regency, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Commissioner l•Jhitted felt taxation and tax reform issues important to pursue for the county's survival in key areas. Commissioner Whitted said the Farm Credit Services stockholders meeting would be on Tuesday, October 31. Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson that the Chairman attend this meeting. Vote: ayes, 5; noes, 0. There being no further business, th~,me n was ad' ur, ed yf ~~.~ -- ~ '~ Richard Whit e~, Chairman Mary Lou Bouley, Clerk