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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19850204t { l MINCES . C1aANCE C(~i~'Y B4AHD QF CCMMISSI4NER5 RBGULAR MEETING F~~RUARY 4r 1985 ~ ry The drange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tues- . day, February 4, 1985 at ,'7:80 p»m. in the Commissioners.' Roam, Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina» , ,w~ ~ Cammissaoners Present: Chair Don Willhoit, and Commissioners Shirley Marshall, Ben Lloyd and Moses Carey. Commissioner Absent: Norman Walker. A~tarney present; Geoffrey Gledhill» . ~ Staff present: County Manager Kenneth R» ~'hompsan,~EMS Director Bobby L. ~. Baker, Clerk and Administrative Assistant to the Board Beverly A» Blythe, ~~ Financial Analyst Donna Clayton, Planning Director Marvin E. Collins, Finance Director Wallace H» Harding, Director of Revenue Johnny T. Hamer, Assistant . County Manager William T. Laws and Economic Development Director Sylvia Price. . ~ ~~~ ~ NONE Sharlene Pilkey requested to comment on Item El-Efland Sewer. . Dr. Ira Trollinger, Assistant Superintendent far Instructional ~-: Services, requested a delay of item E~-School Merger until the school board . ~ ~ members arrive» Chair Willhoit indicated this .item will be moved on the agenda ... as necessary, ~~ . Mata,on was made by Com~.ssioner Marshall, seconded by~Commissioner Carey to approve the January 7, 1985 minutes as~ corrected» voT~: ~ANIM~vs: Motion was made by~Commissioner Marshall, seconded by Commissioner Carey .,~., to approve the January 15, 1985 minutes as corrected. vCY.~'E: UJ~ANl"MDUS» .Motion was made by Car~nissianer Carey, seconded by Commissioner Lloyd to approve the January 2~, 1985 minutes as corrected. vC~TE: UNANIMDU5» S _ Commissioner Marshall requested tie inclusion of the Conmu.ssioner's remarks that may have an impact an the upcoming budget. The minutes wall be revised and submitted for eansideration» . _ .. ~~~ .. ,~ :, ~ w.--•~ Motion was made by Caxr~.ssioner Carey, seconded by~ Corra~.ssioner Marshall to appaint,Betty Eidenier to represent Hillsborough Township. . ~ vCYIE: t]NAN:CMDUS. . ~~~ ~~~ County Manager Kenneth R. ~hompsan reported 188 complete applica- bons and seven applications in process. , Com~.ssioner Marshall questioned the status of the agreement with Hillsborough and the figure of 21~ and was told by Thompson that a meeting is scheduled with the Town and the agreement will be placed an the next Board 4~' <, S ~ I/~ . 1 IAM; agenda. He noted the Board agreed to pay a blanket tap fee for 212 customers; the Town of Hillsborough indicated they would waive their tap fee above 212. Chair Willhoit clarified that the $15,aoa blanket tap fee would allow 2l2 to tie onto the sewer; the $2a ~ aoa blanket tap fee would allow 233 to tie ''~ ~ On. Attorney .Geoffrey Gledhill c~.arified that anyone signing after . ~~ ~ ~ February ~ will have to pay the County's tap fee of $6aq; those who sign up . ~, ~ after 212 will be subject to pay both the County and Town tap fees. ~~ Commissioner Lloyd requested a waiver of the County Tap ,fee. He felt . .~.~ ~...: some people had not been contacted about the sign-up period and the subsequent ~. , ~ consequences. Thompson pointed out that the initial sign-up period ends February ~ ~~~` '';' ~- unless the Board of Ccmm~%ssaoners extend that date. ~~ Chair Willhoit noted that the number of signed contracts had exceeded . 179 the number set by this Board as the minimum necessary to make a decision ~. ~~ about proceeding with the project. , Sharlene Pilkey reminded the Board that the Planning Board requested ~; ~ the~Baard not to accept the previous three ~3~ engineering reports. ~~ ~: ~ Chair, Willhoit.indicoted the three engineering reports will be discussed at a future meeting. ~. ~ Barbara Page asked about the project's connection with the survey of ~~ ~ ~~ . ~ the law income in the project area« Chair Willhoit indicated the income survey ~, was conducted to determine if the project would be eligible for FNMA grant ..~ ~ money and that the grant applies to the project and not to any individuals . ability to pay. Motion was made by Commissioner Marshall, seconded by Commissioner ~. ~ Carey to proceed with the Efland Sewer Project. NO~.'E: CQMMISSIQNER I,LQYD BFQUES':~`ED ABST~TIQN FROM v~TING WHICH WA5 AG~.EII3 UPaN BY THE BQARI~ Mme. .. ~ ~ ~ V(n:'E; AYES, 3; NQES, a; ABSTENTICN, 1 tCommissioner Lloyd. ~. ~ ~ ~~ ~ Commissioner Carey commended Albert Kittrell, Ann Hadley, and the ~~ other workers for their diligence and hard work in getting the contracts ~. signed. ~~ ~ Commissioner Lloyd expressed endorsement of the. project and requested .~ an extension of the February 4 deadline to allow up to 212 people to sign contracts. ~ . Chair Willhoit indicated the deadline was set to allow time for a decision to be made in order to meet the consent order from Environr~ntal Management. A sufficient number signed up to make it~a viable project; no financial incentive to the County exists to extend the time period. Commissioner Lloyd contended that the project wall be mare cost , ~ ~ effective with additional people to repay the loan. -~--~ Chair Wi~.lhait disagreed, indicating that collecting tap fees to ~: reduce the enterprise fund loan would be more cost effective than retiring the ,, operating expense. , .~, .. Chair Willhoit clarified that contracts which are. in process of being completed will be .included in the original sign-up period. Commissioner Carey stated that while he has no problem with allowing people to sign up to the 2~.2 figure, he felt it unfair to those who have made a ~. special effort to meet the deadline. .=~. Commissioner Marshall stressed the importance of meeting deadlines ,. that are set and opposed extending the February 4 date. F~ . FNC~~~TNC A[~RE~EFLAN~ SEWER ~i~~ ~~ 3 Motion was made by Commissioner Marshall, seconded by C~.i,ssivner .:~ Carey to authorize the Chair to enter into a contract with Hazen and Sawyer, ~~ P.C. Engineers, on behalf of the~Board when that contract is approved by the ~~ County Attorney as to form and the Farmers Home Administration as to its re- quirements for contract inclusiveness. v~ i C7NAN~MQU~7r See permanent agenda file for descriptive . -.--. narratives, Commissioner Carey pointed out an addition an page z of the abstract. ~~ ~ ~'he retainer fee for Mecklenburg County for L982~-8~' is $42,DDD; 198-Sa, . .. ~ $46, 2D9; and for 1984.85 $50, BAD. ,~ Commissioner Lloyd indicated he has no problem with the present legal representation ~- only with what it is costing Urange County. He handed out several. different schedules of a.nformation in which he listed eleven counties ,~ eight of which are involved in land use .planning and zoning. He emphasized that legal services should be cost effective as well as~p~ovide satisfactory N legal service. 'fie study prepared by Commissioners Willhoit and Carey compared , ' ~ ~ ~ Grange County with four other counties -all of which have a~larger population and tax base than orange County. Lloyd presented a schedule in which he ~; compared cysts for a full time staff attorney with the cost of continuing the present services. the figures were obtained from local attorneys. He noted a ~~. savings of $3D,DDD to $4D,ODD a year. ~.~ ~ Chair Willhoit questioned the inclusion in the figures presented by ~~ ~ Cozrnn~.ssianer Lloyd of other necessary expenses incurred in the operation of an ,~ . ~ office andCommissioner Lloyd indicated the figures include all expenses for a . _.~. staff attorney. Commissioner Marshall questioned the inclusion of legal services far ~~.~ ~ social services and Cc~missioner Lloyd stated his figures include this attorney cost» ~~. Commissioner Carey expressed satisfaction with the attorney used by ~~~ the Health Department and questioned the determination of the amount spent an legal services on the tax base. ~He emphasized the importance of spending ~, ~ .whatever i.s necessary to keep the County out of litigation and provide the . routine services, Chair Willhoit Hated that a senior attorney will cost in excess of ~~.: the $3D,DDD estimated by~Cc~missioner Lloyd. Commissioner Lloyd, in summary, indicated that if the county funds . ~ are cut from the state .evel, a savings of $30,DDD to $4D,DDD may become . necessary. Commissioner Marshall indicated that if the county ever lost their ~~~~~~, present legal services, that, at that time, an indepth study should be con- ~, sidered to determine the feasibility of hiring a staff attorney. . - .-~ _ U ~.~ Planning Director Marvin Collins presented a recommendation which ,~ requested Chair Willhoit to ~~.~ contact NCDdI` to request thoroughfare plan ~~~~ preparation for the County with particular emphasis on the point plann~.ng area . and {Z y to authorize the Planning Department to contract with Focusgroup, Inc. .~ for the preparation of a public opinion survey involving 34D-400 respondents. the survey~will be used tv find out the concerns about growth and development .. within Chapel Hill Township and again i.n particular in the joint planning area. these authorizations are needed because efforts an the preparation of the joint ~~ ~~ .i i .~~.~ planning area plan through the cooperative effoxts of Chapel Half Carrboro and Orange County are moving foxward. Meetings were held between the plarming . staffs and managers and the approach worked out which wi11 provide a land use plan for the point planning area. Because of the June ll public hearing and ~'~ the tame invol~red in finishing the works outside consultants are necessary. NCBDT indicated a thoroughfare plan can be prepared for the entire area with~.n a three month period. By giving the point planning area top priority the plan ~~~ could be prepared within one and one half months. After several contacts, . ~ Focusgroup, znc. would be the best group to do the survey. ~`~ ~....~~ Commissioner Marshall asked if the proposal had been discussed with the Planning Board. Collins indicated that because of the time constraints and ~- the cancellation of the last two planning meetings there had not been an . opportunity far discussion with the Planning Board but that they would be in- ~'~ ~ ~ valved throughout the entire process. The managers and the planning staffs ~~, ~ ~ reached a general consensus on the approach. ~~~ Commissioner. Marshall indicated her concern of by-passing the Plan-- . Wing Baird and part of the process because of a tight schedule. . .~ ln~response to Commissioner Corey's question about the June l1 dead-- line, Collins explained that when the doint Planning Agreement was adopted in September, 1984 it was understood between Chapel rill and Grange County that the work be completed within one year. By holding the public hearing June 11~ .. ~~ it would be ready to present to the Board of Com~na.ssianers in September. . ~ ~ Cha~.r Willhoit expressed concern about the source of the growth predictions. xe stressed the importance of the public survey to address ..... Current problems instead of concerns about the long term growth or the nature ' of the devela~nent. .Commissioner~Carey agreed with the procedure of using NCDDT and the survey for developing goals and objectives but expressed his desire to have ,~ ~~ input from the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Planning Boards about the overall proposal and approach. ~~ ~ ~ ~ Marvin Collins indicated a delay of two weeks would make at very ~~ ~~: difficult to meet the dune ll deadline. . ;~ ~ ~ Chair wil.hoit requested a delay in order to receive more input from the Towns and to allow time for the Planning Board to review th~.s item. ~. ~: Motion was made by Camm~.ssioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Marshall to table this item. .. vDxE; C~ANIMO~S. ~: Marvin Collins presented for review, the 1ega1 advertisement far :~. matters to be presented to public hearing on February ~5, 1985 requesting '~ ~ ,.. approval of the form only. B'e requested approval of a resolution stipulating ., ; ~ that no special use permit applications for extractive uses be accepted until ~. ~.. ~~-~-~- after June 1, 1985 in order that the proposed amendments may be acted upon. ~, In ~ 11 of the public ,notice, C~i.ssioner Marshall requested the .. ~ addition of the definition in GS 15~A-335 that is applicable. ~~ , ~ ~~ Chair Wa.llhoit questioned the Residential-l category in ~4. 'I~a~.s ~- will be revised. Motion was made by ~ssioner Marshallr seconded by Cornma.ss~.oner .~ Carey to approve the resolution as presented by the Planning Staff with the ~.. inclusion of the two corrections suggested by Comm~i.ssioner Marshall and Chair . ~ Willhait. . V4~'~: ~1ANxMUUS. 41C ~6 ~ see permanent agenda file for narrative Chair willhoit summara.zed the purpose and gave his reasons for the formulation of a study commission on~merger of Orange County school systems. He identified specific items that the study comamisison should consider and suggested a 10 member commission plus the superintendents and Chairs of the Schaal boards or~their designees. Commissioner Carey agreed with the establishment of a study commis- sion and suggested adding to the charge a study of the tax implications. Commissioner Marshall expressed endorsement of a study commission and suggested adding to the charge consideration of population and geographical equities of the merged school board. ~- Norman Haithcock, Chair of the Orange County School Board, indicated that the orange County legislative delegation had.nat expressed any interest in consolidating Orange County Schools. He requested a delay in appointing a study commission until the School Board has an opportunity to meet and discuss the implications. He questioned if the formation of a study commission would cause a delay in the capital improvements plan approved by the Board of Commissioners. He pointed out he felt there was a lot of opposition to consolidation from both ends of the County. Chair Willhoit assured Mr. Haithcock that this initiative would not have any immediate impact on plans that were previously approved. `here is specific information which is needed in order far the Board to be in a better position to respond if the issue does occur in the General Assembly. On the long term there is a need to look at the issue and the~impacts..With I-~0 and an increase in growth there will be a change in the pattern of development. Specific information is needed so the Beard can understand and ressond to such issues and needs. He emphasized this is not a proposal far implerr~ntatian of merger. Brenda Alexander, citizen of Orange County, asked several questions about the~proposal for the study commission. the requested information about the procedure that will be used to select those to serve on this ca~m~issian. Also, she~questioned haw the Schaal supplement tax which is paid by Chapel Hill Carrboro Sc~oals would affect those who live in Northern Orange County. Chair Willhait indicated that the Board of Commissioners would appoint the commission members taking into consideration geographical balance. In answer to the question about the tax rate, he indicated one purpose of the study will be to l~.st the monetary advantages and disadvantages taking into consideration the potential savings that will be realized due to sharing pro grans and facilities. Alexander read a statement indicating disagreement with the proposal to form a study c~ission for the merging of the two school syster~s. Co~mU.ssioner Lloyd indicated opposition to the study commission but indicated he may, in the future, upon the recommendation from the two school boards endorse such a commission. . Commissioner Carey agreed that the school boards should be directly involved in any decision to proceed on any information that such a study commission would provide but that the focus must be based on fact. Commissioner Marshall pointed out the study ccm~mission is to get information and facts for discussion. there is no preconceived determination on the merger but a desire for additional information. the school boards will be given an opportunity to respond to the~find~.ngs of the commission, r~ r... ~' ,~ Chair Willhoit pointed out two wads far merger to occur: ~l~ special act of the general assembly, o~ =23 for the school boards to vote that they want to. merge which wauld then require approval by the County Com~n~.ssioners and approval by the Department of Public Instruction. Be suggested having a ,~ meeting with the two school baards~ the Board of Commissioners and inviting a . ~ person from the Department of Public Instruct~.on i n ~al.e~.gh. Bonnie ~'noke, Chapel-Hi~.l Carrbora School District, spoke in support of the study commissa•an saying it would give the two school systems a chance ~. r. '~ for better understanding. ~,....,. ~ Haithcock indicated, the importance of the .two school boards meeting ~, separately to do some fact finding before a general meeting is scheduled. Commissioner Marshall favored a specific process as a starting point. Co~rnnissioner Carey noted that while he wants to cooperate with the school boards he also has a responsibility to ~pravide the citizens of grange County with more factual information on the subject of merger. . Motion was made by Chair Willhoit, seconded by Commissa.aner Marshall that the Board request a~~aint meeting with the two school boards and request . that they invite personnel from the State Department of~Public ~:nstruction to discuss the Mate of the art of merger.. The meeting should be held within the neat 30 days if possible. ` Vt7:~: Cl'NANIMQUS. ~ ~ lo:~o - 10:50 ... ~. ~~ E'MS Director Bobby Baker presented for consideration a petition for . ~ •the establishment of a fare district to be named ~'hite Cross. The 255 petitions received from residential free holders exceeded the 35~ legal requirement. With this apprava~, there will be a referer~lum in May which could lead to a tax vote by duly 1. Mohan was made by Commissioner Marshall, seconded by Camm~.ssioner ,~ Carey to~approve the petition request from the residential freeholders and ask the County Board of elections to seta date, time and place to conduct an .~ election within the proposed district., "~: UNANIM4[~S. Tax Collector, dahnny Horner, reported ~8~0~255,B3 in outstanding ~~ taxes as a lien on real estate and recommended the date of May 8~ 1985 for the advertising of the tax lien. Motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Cc~ssioner ~~ Marshall to approve the recammendata.on of the tax collector. V[~E: ,UN~,NIMDUS. , ~...:.. .. 8 8 Ren ~'hompson presented the budget calendar for 1985•-85. The annual service plan was added to the schedule under item ~8. The 'agency" ~.n £8 . .. includes cam~wnity agencies. Commissioner Marshall noted that the cawl.endar does not fit in with the General Assembly schedules and this information is necessary to finalize and approve the budget. Chair Willhvit would like to have,the budget later than specified an .~ the schedule because revenue information is more actual. The work sessions are more valuable if the presentations are made without the reco~tm~ended cuts from ~-ha MananPr. Ap nrpfpr~ i-n ac~hPrP to the Ld1S~.at].vL deadlines of MdV 15 for ~~ ~ ~ L i the receipt of the budget from the two school boards and June 1 for the Board to receive the budget. Conn~.ssioner Marshall expressed a desire to hold the wvrk~sessians for the schools before the revisions are made by the Manager. phis would allow the manager the advantage of having the rationalization from the schools and input from the Board. Chair willhait suggested having the public hearing an June ~ at ?:30; meeting on~the complete revisions to the budget on June l?; public hearing 'on the revised budget an June 18 and adoption of the budget the week~of June 24th. After further diso~ussians there was a consensus to tentatively set the date for the adoption of the budget for June 19th, with the understanding that legislative action may clay this meeting to the last week in June. Additional discuss~.on wall be held on Policy issues at a later date. ~-14 MTL'~ Motion was made by~Com~,ssioner Lloyd, seconded by Chair Willhoit to approve the reco~'m~endation of the Finance D~.rector to reduce the reimbursement rate from $ .22 to $ .205 and set future increases to follow ~R5 rate. v4'E: UNANIMOUS. ' Mot~.on was made . by ~ Comrn~.ssioner Lloyd, seconded by Cornmissianer Carey to approve the bids as listed below and appropriate $19,320 from the undesig- nated County Capital Fund toward the project. General Canstruction~-Par Construction ~ $ 27,876.00 Electrical-Lawrence Electrical Ca. $ 19,350.00 Heating and Air Conditioning -Doug ~'hitt H&AC $ 16,168.00 Plumbing _ Sparrow and Sans Plumbing $ 14,412.1D v4`I'E: UNANIMOUS. ..g Motion was made by Camma.ssivner L~.ayd, seconded by Com~i.ssianer Marshall to approve the resolution creating an Orange County Arts Commission. vas: r~~IMavs. see descriptive narrative in pern~anent agenda f ilea Motion was made by Commissioner Marshall, seconded by Commissioner Lloyd to~approve the recommendation of the Purchasing Director. vC~'E: UNANZMOUS. ~. Mvtian was made by Comma.ssioner Lloyd,~seconded by Coma~.ssioner Carey to award the bid for the purchase of 18 8-yard greenboxes to ~abco, Inc. at $502/box for a total. award of $9, 436. . vO~E. UNANII!~USR see descriptive narrative in pernaanent agenda f i1e~ Mot~.on was made by Comma.ssioner Carey, seconded by Comm~issianer Marshall to approve the rerrr~mendation of the Assistant County Manager. YC~i ~~U~.7r ~- see descriptive narrative in permanent agenda file} Motion was made by Commissioner Marshall, seconded by Camma.ssioner Carey to approve the recommendation of the Departm°nt on Aging Director. vt7rE: ~ UNANIMOUS. • ~ Q . -l see descriptive narrative ' ~.n permanent agenda file} . Nation way made by C~i.ss~.oner Marshall, seconded by Commi.ssivner Carey to enter four ~~~} programs into the N~Co Awards Competition as recomr- mended by the County Manager. VC~'B: UNAN~~"~DUS. ~ 1.l 1.,7 Motion was made by Commiss~.oner Carey, seconded by Commissioner ~: ~ ~ Marshall to reschedule the March 7 regular Board meeting to Wednesday, March ~, .y ,,, ',. .~.,! VJ. ~i VLY~~4fAJ. . ~ ~C~ ~~ Chain~an Willhoit adjourned the meeting at 11:5 p.m. Next meeting; February l9, 1985 7;3D p.m. Old Fost Office, Chapel H~.11~ North Caral~.na. Don Willhoit, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk i. i . i f .. 1 ' ~ I r I