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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19900123 PAGE 1 APPROVED 2/20/90 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 23, 1990 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on January 23, 1990 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the old Post Office in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Moses Carey, Jr. , and Commissioners Stephen Halkiotis, John Hartwell, Shirley E. Marshall and Don Willhoit. ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr. , Assistant County Managers Ellen Liston and Albert Kittrell, Deputy Clerk to the Board Kathy Baker, Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe, Finance Director Ken Chavious, Planning Director Marvin Collins, Purchasing Director Pam Jones, Recreation and Parks Special Population Supervisor Wilma Tinney, Budget Director Rod Visser and Budget Analyst Donna Wagner. NOTE: All documents referenced in these minutes are in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office. I. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the Rural Character meeting held last week. He expressed concern because of the anger that was present and because of the significant amount of misunderstanding that was present. He stated that the process may be moving too fast and the educational process may need to be expanded. This and watershed protection need to be explained in a very simplistic fashion. He referred to the long-term problems associated with the Carden Mobile Home park and asked that the County Engineer meet him at the site to evaluate the situation. Commissioner Hartwell shared the concerns expressed by Commissioner Halkiotis. He feels it essential that everyone understand the issues. He feels the people in the affected areas should be able to vote on what happens in their township or other defined area. Commissioner Marshall questioned if a referendum could target a specific group of people and exclude others. She reported that the Research Triangle Regional Public Transit Authority met. Her term on the Authority is for two years. One of their primary issues is funding the authority. The Commissioners reaffirmed that they did not want to use any of the advalorem property tax money for the transportation system. Commissioner Willhoit commented about the crowd at the meeting last week and noted there have been other crowds just as hostile. He does not feel the topics should be categorized as extremely complicated. There is a lot of information, but not a lot of it is technical. He feels the County should provide a fairly short concise informational sheet on various topics and circulate it through the Country Store circuit. Chairman Carey expressed concern that what happened at the meeting last week went beyond the educational process, the public policy and the political process. A few people infringed upon the rights of others who attended the meeting to listen to a report and to learn. Chairman Carey announced that an Orange County Assembly of Local Governments meeting will be held on February 21 at 5:30 at the Exchange Club in Hillsborough. PAGE 2 II. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT John Link reported that the County had a very successful Adopt a Highway effort on January 13. Last evening Albert Kittrell made a presentation to the Orange County Board of Education about the efforts on the part of the County to develop a community center and a small park on land owned by the Board of Education. The proposal was to lease a portion of land and utilize it for these two purposes. Albert gave a report as follows: REPORT ON THE SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER/PARK AT EFLAND CHEEKS Albert Kittrell stated that the County asked the School Board to lease to the County 8.5 acres of land. Five and one half acres would be used for the community center and park and the remaining three acres would be used as pedestrian trails and future expansion for the school. The school board offered to lease to the County a parcel 300' by 300' located in the upper most northwestern part of the site. It was the consensus of the Board to pursue looking at how this particular parcel can be used in concert with parcels of land adjacent to it and determine if it is feasible to proceed at this site. III. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA 1. Under VI add a proclamation for SCHOOL AMERICA DAY 2. Under IX add a report from Dick Helwig on Extended Area Service as Item 9B and move Item 9B to 9C. IV. AUDIENCE COMMENTS A. MATTERS ON THE PRINTED AGENDA Chairman Carey announced that those who have indicated a desire to make comments will be recognized at the appropriate time. B. MATTERS NOT ON THE PRINTED AGENDA Karen Christian presented a petition with 201 signatures. It referred to the hazardous speed limit of 50 miles per hour on Whitfield Road and asked that it be reduced to 35 miles per hour. The petition was received by the Board and is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office. The County Manager will write a letter to DOT about the situation and contact the Sheriff's Office and State Highway Patrol. PUBLIC CHARGE Chairman Moses Carey read the public charge. V. ITEMS FOR DECISION--CONSENT AGENDA Item B was removed for separate consideration. Motion was made by Commissioner Marshall, seconded by Commissioner Hartwell to approve item A on the Consent Agenda as stated below: A. AIDS TESTING GRANT PROJECT ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Adopted the proposed grant project ordinance amendment as stated below and authorized the Chairman to sign the Local Health Department Budget Revision. PAGE 3 GRANT PROJECT ORDINANCE AIDS TESTING PROGRAM Be it ordained by the Board of Commissioners that pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina the ordinance adopting the "AIDS Testing Program" is hereby amended as follows: Section 1. Section 3 of the above mentioned ordinance is amended to read as follows: Intergovernmental $ 37,350 AIDS Testing Section 2. Section 4 of the above mentioned ordinance is amended to read as follows: Human Services $ 37,350 AIDS Testing VOTE: UNANIMOUS. B. FIREWORKS PERMIT-UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA. CHAPEL HILL Motion was made by Commissioner Marshall, seconded by Chairman Carey to approve a fireworks permit for the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, for February 3, 1990; contingent upon submission of a certificate of insurance naming the County as additional insured; contingent upon approved site inspection by the Town and County EMS; contingent upon the submission of a "Certificate of Compentency"; and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. VOTE: AYES, 4; NOES, 1 (Commissioner Halkiotis) VI. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS As SCHOOL AMERICA DAY Motion was made by Commissioner Hartwell, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to proclaim January 27, 1990 as "School America Day" as stated below: WHEREAS, the family is a gift from God, the richest of all blessings, the foundation upon which our future rests; and WHEREAS, the purpose of SCHOOL AMERICA is to establish literacy as a value in every family; and WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta, a public service sorority, in response to Barbara Bush Foundation for family literacy has developed SCHOOL AMERICA, a program to address this problem; and WHEREAS, national organizations and local communities in cooperation with our national government must work together to raise the literacy level of our children, their families and thus our nation; and WHEREAS, children should be read to -- it helps their growth; and WHEREAS, all citizens have a responsibility to our children and they must encourage them to excel to the heights of their potential, NOW, THEREFORE the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim January 27, 1990 as "SCHOOL AMERICA DAY" in the County of Orange and urge all citizens to make a commitment to family literacy. VOTE: UNANIMOUS. PAGE 4 VII. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE IX. REPORTS A. ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION REPORT Chair of the Arts Commission Joan Cohen thanked the Board for their support. Chairman Carey handed out to the recipients checks totaling $6,850. He commended the Arts Commission for their hard work. B. REPORT ON ADOLESCENTS IN NEED Betty Compton reported on what is happening with the Adolescents in Need Project and the challenges they face. What is happening this year is that the referrals are being received from younger teens in the earlier grades at Stanford and Stanback. The referrals have increased drastically in these schools. She noted they would like to increase at least by one day the services that are presently being provided at these two schools. This cannot be done without additional money. Motion was made by Commissioner Marshall, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve appropriating $5,000 from the Commissioner's Contingency for the Adolescents in Need Project. VOTE: UNANIMOUS. C. UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE TRIANGLE WIDE TOLL FREE CALLING PLAN Dick Helwig, Chair of the TJCOG Telephone Committee, gave background information on the extended area service study. This issue is to come before the Utilities Commission in late February or early March. The Utilities Commission is the sole regulatory body and they will decide what the service should be, what the costs of the service should be, what the rates should be and how the process will be worked out. The citizens will have an opportunity to speak at this hearing. He asked the Commissioners to please plan to attend. The tentative outline will include hearings to take place in May or June. These hearings will be regional and cover rate increases and the order establishing these hearings. It is important that the citizenry of Orange County support this issue at these public hearings. Extended area service may need to be revised to exclude the Durham-Raleigh leg and combine this with the Research Triangle and the airport calling area to cover the entire triangle. John Link will work with Dick Helwig on a public statement that will be presented to the Board for their endorsement. He will also send out letters to other agencies asking for their support. Dick Helwig will make a presentation to the EDC committees. D. COUNTY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM The County Manager presented the Capital Improvement Plan for 1990-1995. He stated that the plan meets the County's greatest needs from a capital investment point of view over that period of time. This plan will be updated annually. New projects and new revenue will be reviewed at that time. New initiatives this year include landscaping of the Old Courthouse and major improvements to the solid waste management system. Ellen Liston and Rod Visser used overhead transparencies to show the individual elements of the CIP. These elements are included in the CIP document and in a document that was distributed to the Board. Commissioner Halkiotis questioned again the projected growth in the PAGE 5 school population noting that the County is not growing as rapidly as predicted. John Link stated that the population projections issue will be studied by a committee made up of school officials, county officials and other agencies in the County. The Commissioners questioned the increase in cost for the new elementary school for Orange County. Orange County schools will be requested to give an explanation for this increased cost. Commissioner Marshall again emphasized the need for a swimming pool in northern Orange County. With a new high school, the pool could be large. However, a smaller pool for northern Orange County would be sufficient. John Link indicated that the CIP next year will include monies for a pool. X. ITEMS FOR DECISION--REGULAR AGENDA A. RESOLUTION--TJCOG REGIONAL LAND USE GUIDELINES Marvin Collins presented for the Board's consideration of adoption a resolution pledging Orange County's participation in the Triangle J Council of Governments Regional Land use Guidelines. These guidelines were presented at the September 14 JPA Public Hearing. The Land Use Guidelines report calls for regional cooperation in assembling policy documents, analyzing the implications of the land use guidelines, generating a common classification of land uses throughout the region, and participating in a regional database. Motion was made by Commissioner Hartwell, seconded by Commissioner Marshall to adopt the resolution for the TJCOG Regional Land Use Guidelines as stated below: BE IT RESOLVED WHEREAS, the Triangle J Council of Governments has presented a report entitled "Triangle J Council of Governments, Land Use Guidelines, " containing certain information and findings, and WHEREAS, the purpose of said report is to present information about the region, share information among the counties and municipalities, and achieve cooperation, coordination and compatibility among the growth policies of the counties and municipalities within the Triangle J Region, and WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina recognizes that the increasingly urbanized and complex nature of the Region requires regional cooperation in order to preserve and protect those qualities that make the Triangle J Region a unique and desirable place to live, NOW THEREFORE, we pledge the following efforts: 1. assemble those documents which set forth our current policies related to growth (direction, intensity, and pace) , housing, critical environmental and natural areas, infrastructure, open space and economic development, analyze and summarize the documents, and provide the summary to the Triangle J Council of Governments, 2. an analysis of the local implications of implementing the recommendations in the TJCOG report, 3. cooperation with the Council of Governments and the municipalities and counties in the Region in arriving at a common classification of existing and proposed land uses that is suitable for urban as well as regional planning, and 4. participation in the development of a regional database initially involving PAGE 6 semiannual reports to the TJCOG as described in the attached "Regional Data Base Proposal. " The initial phase of the database is to be operational by April 1, 1990 to coincide with the decennial Census of Population and Housing. FURTHERMORE, we will participate with the Triangle J Council of Governments and the municipalities and counties in the Region in a continuing program to achieve coordinated growth policies. VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. COMPLETION AND PRESENTATION OF RURAL CHARACTER STUDY STRATEGIES Marvin Collins presented to the Commissioners a proposed schedule for completion and presentation of the proposed rural Character Strategies. The proposed schedule is listed below: 1. Rural Character Subcommittee - Completes review of proposed Kendig strategies and presents recommendations to full Study Committee. 2. Rural Character Study Committee - Prepares preliminary recommendations regarding strategy options. 3. Township Advisory Council Meetings - Preliminary recommendations are presented at Township Advisory Council meetings for purpose of obtaining citizen views regarding various options. 4. Rural Character Study Committee - Prepares final recommendations based on comments received at Township Advisory Council meetings and forwards to Planning Board. 5. Planning Board (April 16 1990) - Reviews Study Committee recommendations and forwards to Board of Commissioners with any comments. 6. Board of Commissioners (May 1 1990) - Receives report on recommended strategies and schedules public hearing for May 29, 1990. Municipalities are subsequently notified of proposals and asked to submit comments prior to or at the public hearing. 7. Public Hearing (May 29 1990) - Rural character strategies are presented and citizens are provided opportunity to ask questions and comment on proposals. 8. Following the public hearing - proposals may be referred to the Study Committee and Planning Board for final recommendation. Discussion ensued on the rural buffer and how the strategies may impact on those areas. It was decided that although some parts of the study may be referred back for further study that it is important to follow through on this schedule at this time. Motion was made by Commissioner Hartwell, seconded by Commissioner Marshall to approve the schedule as shown above. VOTE: UNANIMOUS PAGE 7 XI. APPOINTMENTS The following appointments were confirmed by the Board: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING COMMITTEE - TOM MOORE - news media representative OPC MENTAL HEALTH BOARD - JUDY BURKE - Attorney Representative EDITH HUBBARD - Citizen Group MARTINA LIVELY - Developmental Disability Rep. VICTORIA WATKINS - Private Consumer DR. PETER J. RIZZOLO - Mental Illness Rep. XII. MINUTES Delayed until next meeting. XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE XIV. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to be considered, Chairman Moses Carey adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on February 5, 1990 at 7:30 in the courtroom of the Old Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina. Moses Carey, Jr. , Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk 611111=1 . ...111.••=1.111