HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19801201 MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DECEMBER 1, 1980
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on
Monday, December 1, 1980, at 10:00 A.M., in the Commissioner's Room. Orange
County Courthouse, in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Commissioners present: Commissioner Richard Whitted, Chairman, and
Commissioners Anne Barnes, Norman Gustaveson, and Don Willhoit.
Commissioners abt ent: Commissioner Norman Walker.
Chairman Whitted called the meeting to order and noting the absence of
Commissioner Walker suggested that the Board act first on Agenda Item 5,
submission of the Minutes for November 3, 1980, and November 18, 1980.
Agenda Item 5: -Submission of the Minutes of November
33.1980, and November 18, 1980
Commissioner Gustaveson moved and Commissioner Willhoit seconded to
approve the Minutes of November, 3, 1980. Commissioner Barnes asked the
Clerk to insert the word "report" after the word "status" on page 4, line
22. Commissioner Barnes asked the Clerk to record the vote on Agenda Item
10 (Cable Television Franchising)). The vote to approve the Minutes of
November 3, 1980, as corrected, was: Ayes, 4; noes, 0 (Commissioner Walker
still absent).
Commissioner Barnes asked the Clerk to attach the inspection report
Sheriff and Public Works Director based on their October 21, 1980, tour
of the Orange County Facilities, to the Minutes of November 18, 1980.
Commissioner Barnes directed the Clerk to include the motion on Agenda Item
12, the schedule of meetings for the Proposed Zoning Ordinance. Commissioner
Barnes moved to approve the Minutes of November 18, 1980, as corrected;
Commissioner Willhoit seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4, Noes, 0 (Commis-
sioner Walker still absent).
Agenda Item 1: The Clerk of Court Administers the Oath
of Office to Commissioners Elected Nov-
ember 4, 1980.
The Clerk of Court administered the Oath of Office to Commissioners
Richard Whitted and Don Willhoit.
Chairman Whitted, noting the absence of Commissioner Walker, suggested
the Board delay action on Agenda Items 2-4 and 6 (the election of new Board
1° Officers, and appointments of Clerk to the Board, County Attorney, County
Manager and Acting Finance Officer) pending the arrival of Commissioner Walker.
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Agenda Item 7: Modification of::Agenda �.
Chairman Whitted requested an Executive Session to discuss a per-
sonnel matter.
Commissioner Barnes added an item to Agenda Item 25, Appointments. •
noting that appointments need to be made to the Senior Citizens Board. -
Commissioner Barnes noted that the Board also needed to designate a voting
delegate to the Legislative Board's Conference.
Agenda Item 8: Comments
A. There were no comments from the audience about matters on this
Agenda.
B. Assistant County Manager Joe Bradshaw .informed the Board that at
its next meeting there were some PSE requests which should be dealt with.
Agenda Item 9: Heritage Hills Residents Present a 1.
Petition Requesting Coverage in the
South Orange Fire District. •
Commissioner Willhoit presented a petition to the Board on behalf of
the Heritage'Hills residents requesting that they be included in the South
Orange Fire District. Commissioner Willhoit commented that the Heritage Hills
area was now under a 'verbal agreement with the North Chatham Fire District,
a :contract which would expire July 1, 1981. The Board, after much discussion, --
noted that residents of Morgan Creek Hills subdivision was also in the pro-
cess of gathering a petition for the same purpose. The Board noting that
the Carrboro Town Board would need to be approached for fire protection to
the previously named subdivisions, asked the Clerk to collect information
on the Trustees of the South• Orange Fire District. Action was deferred on
the Heritage Hills•petition until such time as the residents of Morgan Creek
Hills subdivision submitted its petition for inclusion in the South Orange
Fire District; at this time, the Board felt it would have the needed infor-
mation to deal with the requests simultaneously.
Agenda Item 10: Presentation of the Orange County Guide
to Family Resouces 1980-81.
Harriette Hitt, Chair of the Commission for Women, presented the
1 Orange County Guide to Family Resources 1980-81 to the Board and thanked
S 2 the Board of Commissioners for their support. Ms. Hitt also thanked several -
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Agenda Item 14: Resignation of Dr. William Mayes
From the Board of Health,
Dr. Mayes submitted his letter of resignation from the Board of Health.
The Board of Commissioners directed the Clerk to make this vacancy known in
dental circles as it must be filled by a dentist. The Board asked that a
letter of appreciation be written to Dr. Mayes.
Agenda Item 15: Fee Increase for Procedures Performed
In Board-of Health Dental Clinics
The Health.Director submitted a memorandum outlining the fee increase
and recommendations at proposed (see..page 4 / of this book). Commissioner
Wil1hoit moved that the Board adopt the fee schedule as submitted by the
Health Director; Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion. Commissioner
Whitted asked if the fees would have to be increased again when the new clinic
opened in Hillsborough. Mr. Robinson replied that he couldn't be sure but
he felt good about these fee increases and did not anticipate an additional
increase when the new clinic opened., now scheduled for February. The vote
on Commissioner Wilihoit's motion was: Ayes, 4; noes, 0 (Commissioner
Walker still absent). Implementation as soon as feasible.
Agenda Item 16: Manager Recommendation that the Board
Accept an Additional Family Planning
Grant
Commissioner Gustaveson moved to accept the Manager's recommendation that
the County accept a family planning grant fund of $10,767 to be utilized
for clerical support and other departmental funding problems. Commissioner
Barnes seconded the motion.. Vote: Ayes, 4, noes, 0 (Commissioner Walker
still absent).
Agenda Item 17: Health Director Requests an Additional
$2,920 to Cover Funds Which He Thinks
Should Have Been Encumbered in Last Year's
Budget.
Health Director Robinson stated that these funds were committed to
patient before he discovered the encumbrance of moneys. County Manager
and Kathy Battern, Assistant Finance Officer, recommend that the Commissioners
wait and see if later the funds need to be appropriated and do so then if
needed. Commissioner Gustaveson asked why the emcumbrance was not identified
earlier. Mr. Gattis replied that it came from a very general fund labelled
"professional services" and that it would be redirected into a very specific
account restricted to assistance in payment for delivery service to the hospi
hospital . Commissioner Whitted stated the Board's agreement with the Manager's
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recommendation of later action if needed. Commissioner Willhoit moved to
delay action to a later date _if necessary and then appropriate the needed
funds; Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4, noes,
0 (Commissioner Walker still absent).
Agenda Item 18: The Board of Health Recommends the County -
Begin Billing Third Party Paters for
Services Which Medicaid Will Reimburse
Health Director Robinson said that billing third party payers for
services which Medicaid reimburses would enable the Health Department to
recapture some of the costs incurred by having 80% of its patients in the
lower income brackets. Medicaid would be billed only for those patients
eligible for the service.
Commissioner Barnes motioned that the Board adopt the recommendation
of Health Director Robinson to begin billing third party payers for ser-
vices that are Medicaid reimbursable; Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the
motion. Vote: Ayes, 4, noes, 0 (Commissioner Walker still absent).
Agenda Item 19: Authorization of a County Official to
Sign a Memorandum of Understanding With
The States Division of Medical Assistance'
Chairman Whitted recommended that the Chair of the Board of Commisioners
be authorized to sign a memorandum of understanding with the State's Div-
sision of Medical Assistance so that the County may begin billing Medicaid
for eligible persons. Commissioner Willhoit so moved in accordance with
Chairman Whitted's recommendation; Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion.
Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0 (Commissioner Walker still absent).
Agenda Item 20: Manager Recommends the Execution of Two
Contracts: .A. One With North State
Legal Service to Provide Leal Services
for Senior Citizens; B. One With JOCCA To
Provide for Transportation for Certain
Senior Citizens
A. Mr. Passmore stated that this money was $1,500 under the Older
Americans Act, Title 3 B which should be used to fund legal aid to senior
citizens. Commissioner Willhoit asked a question regarding Part 1, Section
d, (see page , J1 , of this book for a copy of the contract) "in each County;"
1 Mr. Passmore replied that that was a typographical errc,• that it should read
"in the County." Commissioner Barnes voiced deep concern over the possibility
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of North State Legal Service and the County finding themselves in a
potential conflict of interest. The North State Legal Service representative
stated that the amount of money was so small that it shouldn't concern
the Board. Chairman Whitted replied that the Board did not base decisions
on the amount of money involved. After much discussion Commissioner
Gustaveson moved to adopt the Manager's recommendation that the Board
authorize execution of this contract; Commissioner Willhoit seconded.
Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0 (Commissioner Walker still absent).
B. Mr. Gattis stated that the Orange County was already obligated
to provide this transportation to certain persons but that costs had
changed and that was the reason for the contract. Commissioner Gustaveson
moved to adopt the Manager's recommendation to contract with JOCCA to
provide transportation to certain elderly citizens; Commissioner Barnes
seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes,:'4; noes, 0 (Commissioner Walker still
absent). •
Agenda Item 12: The Social Services Director Explains
the Energy Assistance Program
•
Mr. Ward explained the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (see
page 2 3?of this book). Mr. Ward explained that they hoped to add
approximately six hundred (600) additional households this year.
Commissioner Barnes requested that families who apply for this Energy
Assistance program and who are eligible for Food Stamps but are not now
receiving them be made aware of their Food Stamp eligibility. The Board
asked Mr. Ward how the costs of administering this program was ascertained.
Mr. Ward replied that the staff kept daily time sheets recording the amount
of time spent on tasks directly related to this program. The Commissioners
said this program should be administered with no cost to the County.
Commissioner Willhoit requested that Mr. Ward compile his estimates of ad-
• ministering this program and forward a copy to the North Carolina Association
of County Commissioners.
The Chairman requested that Mr. Ward give the Board a further status
report on this program after it had been in operation for a short while
and actual figures on its costs were available.
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to repair twenty-four (24) houses the first year of the Program. Mr. Griffin
said they had $8500 allocated to accomplish the necessary repairs on each
house. He reviewed priorities and safeguards regarding the qualification
of contractors for the actual work.
Commissioner Barnes moved to authorize the Chairman of the Board to
execute the lease for the office space needed by the Community Development
staff; Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes,
0 (Commissioner Walker still absent).
Chairman Whitted adjourned the meeting for lunch and said the meeting
would resume at 2 P.M.
Chairman Richard Whitted called the meeting to order at 2 P.M. follow-
ing the lunch recess.
Commissioners present: Commissioner Whitted, Chairman, and Commissioners !`r:i`'
Barnes, Gustaveson and Willhoit.
Commissioners absent: Commissioner Walker.
Chairman Whitted made a statement to the Board. Chairman Whitted said
that he would not be a candidate for re-election as Chairman. He stated that
he had been gratified to serve as Chairman and thanked his colleagues for
their support in the past four (4) years.
Agenda Item 2: The Board Should Elect a Chairman To Serve
Until December 7, 1981
The Board unanimously chose by ballot, Anne Barnes to serve as Chair of
the Board of Commissioners until December 7, 1981.
Agenda Item 3: The Board Should Elect a Vice-chairman To
erve Until December 7, 1981.
The Board unanimously chose by ballot, Richard Whitted to serve as Vice-
chairman of the Board of Commissioners until December 7, 1981.
Agenda Item 4: The County Manager, County Attorney and
Clerk to the Board, Serve At The Pleasure
Of the Board
Vice-chair Whitted moved that the County Manager, Mr. Sam Gattis, and
the County Attorney, Geoffrey Gledhill , be re-appointed and Commissioner
Willhoit seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0.
Vice-chair Whitted moved that the Clerk, Paulette Pridgeii-Pond, be
appointed retroactive to November 24, 1980, and for the incoming period;
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04'1.411
Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0.
Agenda Item 6: The Manager Recommends Ms. Kathy Battern
Be Named Acting Finance Director And A
Iwo Step Salary Increment Be Added To Her
Current Salary'While She Continues In That
Capacity
Commissioner Gustaveson moved that the Board accept the Manager's rec-
ommendation of Ms. Kathy Battern as Acting Finance Director at a two step
salary increment while in..that capacity. Commissioner Willhoit seconded
the motion but amendediithe motion to grant Ms. Battern the same salary grade
and step classification as.Finance Director (Grade 78, Step 1). Commissioner
Gustaveson accepted Commissioner Willhoit's second as a friendly amendment.
Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0.
Agenda Item 22: The.,Managqer Recommends Creation of An
A itional Cook's Position At The County
Jail To Provide a Hot Mea'I At Nfght
Commissioner Whitted moved to:•accept the Manger's recommendation of
an additional cook at the County?Jail in order to provide a hot evening meal;
Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0.
Agenda Item 23: Budget Amendments
-- A. Reflect revised method of processing ,..
encumbrances explained by the Auditors
November 24, 1980
' Commissioner Gustaveson moved to accept the Manager's budget amendment
to reflect a different method of processing encumbrances as explained by
the Auditors on November 24, 1980; Commissioner Whitted seconded the motion.
Vote: Ayes 4; noes, 0.
B. Record Community Development Budget
Commissioner Gustaveson moved to record the Community Development Bud-
get; Commissioner Whitted seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes,0.
C. Record CETA Budget.
Commissioner Willhoit moved and Commissioner Gustaveson seconded, the
Manager's budget amendment to record the CETA Budget and contracts. Vote:
Ayes, 4; noes, 0.
D. Record Social Services Budget Amendments.
Commissioner Gustaveson moved to accept the Social Services Budget
Amendments as submitted by the Manager; Commissioner Willhoit seconded the
motion. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0.
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Agenda Item 1.1: Manager Recommends Reclassification of
. Part-Time Clerical Position (06240)
To Full-Time Position
The Manager recommended that one part-time clerical position in the
Social Services Department be reclassified to a full-time position to handle
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increased client demands. Mr. Ward stated that the telephone system was
inadequate for the purposes of the Department and required that two persons
staff the telephone. Commissioner Willhoit stated that if the system was
inefficient it should be altered to make it more efficient. Mr. Ward stated
that a work .increase of 147% was associated with the Food Stamp Program.,
Commissioner Gustaveson moved that the Board accept the Manager's
recommendation changing the part-time clerk position (06240) in the
Social Services Department to a full-time position; Commissioner Barnes
seconded the motion. • Commissioner Barnes asked possible sources of funding 1
for this position and was told that there was no problem with funding through
this fiscal year. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes 0 (Commissi
oner Walker still absent).
Agenda Item 13: Board Consideration of Matching. Funds
From the Salvation Army (500) to Provide
Fuel for The Needy Through the Human Ser-
vice Agencies
--The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Salvation Army offered to increase by $500
its appropriation to the Department of Human Services for fuel for the needy
if the Board would match it with an additional $500. The Board asked Mr.
Ward if the Department of Social Services was refusing aid to needy persons.
Mr. Ward replied it was not but that it was limiting the amount of aid in
order to stay within budget. After some discussion Commissioner Willhoit
moved to accept the $500 from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Salvation Army for
fuel assistance and to match it with an additional $500; Commissioner Barnes
seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0 (Corrissioner Walker still
absent).
Agenda Item 21: The Manager Recommends Execution of a
Lease for Office Space To Be Used Bx the
Community Developmer:. Staff
Mr. Willie Griffin, Community Development D'.rector, gave thc- Board an
oral presentation on the accomplishments and goals of the Community Develop-
ment Program. Mr. Griffin said the surveying was completed and they hoped
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Agenda Item 24: The Orange Soil and Water Conservation
District Requests $3400 to Enploy a
Technician for the Remainder of this
Fiscal Year
The Orange Soil and Water Conservation District requests a techincian
at the cost of $3400 to enable them to meet commitments already made.
Commissioner Gustaveson moved to allocate the $3400 from the Contingency
Fund to the the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District for a technician
for the.remainder of ttis fiscal year. Commissioner Whitted seconded the
motion. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0.
Agenda Item 25: Appointments
A. Vacancy on the Resource Conservation
and Development Steering Committee.
Commissioner Gustaveson asked the Clerk to advertise this position.
Mr. Gattis asked if there was a term 'of office attached to this position.
Commissioner Gustaveson moved to declare,the term of off ice for the vacancy
on the Resource Conservation and Development Steering Committee a three (3)
year term; Commissioner Willhoit seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes,4; noes,
0.
B. Vacancy on the Board of Health
The Board noted that this vacancy must be filled by a dentist and
directed the Clerk to make the vacancy known to the local Dental Society.
C. Vacancy on Senior Citizens Board
The Board directed the Clerk to advertise for this Board.
D. Designation of a Voting Delegate to
the Legislative Goals Conference
Commissioner Willhoit moved that the Chair designate a delegate to the
Legislative Goals Conference and Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion.
Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0.
Chair Barnes asked Commissioner Willhoit if he would serve as the voting
delegate to the Legislative Goals Conference and he accepted the appointment.
Agenda Item 26: Screening Process for Financial Officer
The Board asked the Personnel Director where the ad for the Orange
County Finance Officer had been placed. Ms. Whitehead said the position
was advertised in the National Finance Association, the Raleigh News and
Observer, the Durham,Morning Herald, the Chapel Hill Newspaper, and the
News of Orange; she further stated that it had beef,advertised at a
Finance Conference in Winston-Salem. The Board agreed that two of its
members would work together with the County Manager and Personnel Director
to screen applications for the vacancy.and.bring recommendations back to
the Board. Commissioner Gustaveson suggested the Chair appoint the two
(2) members to work with the Manager and Personnel Director.
Commissioner Gustaveson moved that the Board adjourn and reconvene
in Executive Session to consider personnel matters. Commissioner Wilihoit
seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes, 4; noes, 0.
Chair Barnes noted that today was Cynthia Thompson's last day to cover
the Board meetings and on behalf of the Board wished her well in her new
ventures and asked that she return to visit. Ms. Thompson introduced her
• replacement, Ms. Dianne Webber.
The Board then convened in Executive Session. •
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Anne Barnes, Chair
Paulette Pridgen-Pond, Clerk