HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19910204 Approved Feb. 19, 1991
1
1
2 MINUTES
3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
4 REGULAR MEETING
5 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1991
6
7
8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session
9 on Monday, February 4, 1991 at .7 : 30 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Old
10 Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina.
11
12 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Moses Carey, Jr. , Vice-Chair
13 Stephen Halkiotis, Commissioners Alice M. Gordon, Verla C. Insko and Don
14 Wilihoit.
15
16 COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill
17
18 STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr. , Assistant
19 County Manager Albert Kittrell, Deputy Clerk to the Board Kathy Baker,
20 Clerk to the Board Beverly Blythe, Finance Director Ken Chavious,
21 Planning Director Marvin Collins, Enforcement Officer Jim Hinkley,
22 Personnel Director Elaine Holmes, Tax Collector John T. Horner,
23 Purchasing Director Pam Jones, Planner Mary Scearbo, Social Services
24 Director Marti Pryor-Cook, Land Records Manager Roscoe Reeve, County
25 Engineer Paul Thames, Budget Management/Analyst Donna Wagner, and EMS
26 Director Nick Waters.
27
28
29 I. BOARD COMMENTS
30
31 Chairman Carey asked that the appropriate staff person attend the
32 public hearing held by the Wildlife Commission on February 11 in Graham
33 or to write a letter to let them know the Board will be considering a
34 request to limit spotlighting in the County. He asked that the
35 hunting/fishing ordinance as proposed by the Sheriff be considered at
36 either the February 19th or March 4th meeting.
37
38 II. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT
39 County Manager John Link referred to the goals and objectives as
40 formulated by the Board and indicated that they are now in final form
41 for their review. These will be placed on the February 19th agenda for
42 discussion and approval.
43
44 III. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - NONE
45
46 IV. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
47
48 A. MATTERS ON THE PRINTED AGENDA
49 Those who have indicated a desire to speak will be recognized
50 at the appropriate time.
51
52 B. MATTERS NOT ON THE PRINTED AGENDA - NONE
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2
3 V. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA
4 Motion was made by Commissioner Insko, seconded by Commissioner
5 Halkiotis to approve those items on the consent agenda as listed below:
6
7 A. CALDWELL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT GRANT APPLICATION
8 The Board authorized the County Finance Director to act as
9 Fiscal Agent for the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department for grant
10 purposes. The Fire Department has applied to the Greater Triangle
11 Community Foundation for $1,521 of the Foundation' s 1991 discretionary
12 Grant funds.
13
14 B. UNPAID REAL PROPERTY TAX LIEN ADVERTISEMENT
15 The Board, in accordance with General Statute 105-369,
16 received from the Department of Revenue a report as stated below of the
17 unpaid taxes that constitute a lien on all Real Property for the year
18 1990:
19 COUNTY $ 2, 458, 372 .49
20 CHAPEL HILL 819, 006. 07
21 CARRBORO 173 , 217. 59
22 HILLSBOROUGH 57 , 616. 28
23 T O T A L $ 3 ,508, 212 . 43
24
25 The Board set the Tax Lien Advertisement date for May 8, 1991.
26
27 C. $100 MOTOR VEHICLE PENALTY
28 The Board approved a request for a refund of $100 motor
29 vehicle penalty for Cathy L. Terry, Account #89001092 .
30
31 D. PETITION FOR ADDITION - BAYWOOD PLACE IN NORTHWOOD SUBD.
32 The Board approved a petition from NCDOT for approval of the
33 addition of Baywood Place in Northwood Subdivision to the State
34 Maintained Secondary Road System.
35
36 E. JAIL INSPECTION REPORT
37 The Board approved the jail inspection reports for the past
38 two years. No corrective action is required at this time.
39
40 F. PURCHASE OF NEW FIRE TRUCK - ORANGE RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NO.
41 1, INC.
42 The Board approved the resolution as stated below which
43 approves the financing contract between Orange Rural Fire Department No.
44 1, Inc. and Central Carolina Bank.
45
46 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINANCING CONTRACT BETWEEN ORANGE
47 RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NO. 1, INC. AND CENTRAL CAROLINA BANK
48
49 WHEREAS, the Orange Rural fire Department No. 1, Inc. has
50 represented to the Board of Commissioners of Orange County that it needs
51 a new fire truck more specifically described in action agenda item
52 abstract number V-F; and
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J 1 WHEREAS, Orange Rural Fire Department No. 1, Inc. , is not able
2 to pay for this fire truck entirely with funds on hand; and
3 WHEREAS, Orange Rural Fire Department No. 1, Inc. is able to
4 borrow funds to complete the purchase of this truck at a favorable
5 interest rate if the loan is approved by the unit of local government
6 with which the fire .department contracts to provide fire protection; and
7 WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners desires to approve a
8 financing contract between Orange rural Fire Department No. 1, Inc. and
9 Central Carolina Bank;
10 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
11 Commissioners of the County of Orange that the financing contract
12 between Orange rural Fire Department No. 1, Inc. and Central Carolina
13 Bank is approved.
14 VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS
15
16 VI. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
17
18 A. RESOLUTION OF REMEMBRANCE FOR JAY THOMAS
19 Commissioner Halkiotis read and presented this resolution to
20 Mr. and Mrs. Phil Thomas. Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon,
21 seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the resolution as stated
22 below:
23
24 RESOLUTION OF REMEMBRANCE
25 for
/ 26 JAY THOMAS
27
28 WHEREAS, Jay Thomas entered the Navy in 1984 and just recently
29 reenlisted for his second term achieving the rank of Second
30 Class Petty Officer, and
31
32 WHEREAS, Jay Thomas served as a Navy Aircraft Technician and was a
33 lifelong resident of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and
34 a student of Chapel Hill High School, and
35
36 WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has learned with deep
37 regret of the death of Mr. Jay Thomas, on January 6, 1991,
38 and
39
40 WHEREAS, Jay Thomas was the first soldier from the Raleigh-Durham area
41 to be taken from our midst in Saudi Arabia, and
42
43 WHEREAS, Jay Thomas served the citizens of the United States
44 faithfully and honorably in the military.
45
46 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
47 Commissioners on behalf of all the citizens of Orange County
48 wish to present this Resolution to Mr. and Mrs. Phil Thomas,
49 the parents of Jay Thomas, as an expression of sympathy and
50 loss to our community, and as a remembrance of his dedication
) 51 to serve his country, and,
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4 r- — —
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the minutes
2 of this meeting as a reminder to those who come after this time of Jay
3 Thomas' human compassio*, and willingness to give his life in the
4 service of his country.
5
6 Adopted this 4th day of February, 1991 in Orange County, North Carolina.
7
8 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
9
10 VII. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE
11
12 VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
13
14 IX. REPORTS
15
16 A. COUNTY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
17 John Link presented an overview of the 1991-96 .Capital
18 Improvements Plan (CIP) . He asked that the Board consider holding a
19 public hearing either February 19th or March 4th.
20 Commissioner Gordon asked about the discretionary funds and
21 why they would only be received for 1990-91 and not for other years.
22 John Link stated that this is the amount of funds committed for that
23 particular year. These funds are allocated for emergency needs that
24 schools identify annually.
25 Commissioner Halkiotis asked if there was any thought on
26 combining the Law Enforcement Services Center with additional
27 administrative offices. Chairman Carey stated that there is a need to
28 more clearly identify the needs of the court system. He feels a study
29 on court facilities needs to be completed before forming a citizens task
30 force to study the courts particular need for space.
31 John Link explained that the money allocated for the water
32 and sewer at the New Hope Elementary School is for a potential need that
33 may not occur.
34 Commissioner Willhoit made reference to the items which are
35 new to the CIP and asked that a work session be scheduled to receive
36 additional information on these items and to further discuss these items
37 and alternatives that may be available.
38 It was the consensus of the Board to hold a work session and
39 at that time set the date for the public hearing on the CIP.
40 Commissioner Willhoit feels the subject of merger needs to
41 be discussed early before a bond referendum is considered. The money
42 for future planning for facilities needs to be in the CIP now. Chairman
43 Carey asked that the staff estimate the impact for Orange County if the
44 State decides to fund only one school system per county.
45 Commissioner Halkiotis questioned the authority of the
46 Hillsborough Fire Department in assuring that certain fireflow
47 requirements are the same for Orange County Schools as for Chapel
48 Hill/Carrboro Schools.
49
50 X. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA
51
52 A. CHILD DAY CARE SUBSIDY
5
1 John Link summarized the child care subsidy crisis in Orange
2 County. He stated that six non-profit community day care centers which
3 have historically served subsidized children are in serious financial
4 crisis and are in jeopardy of closing because of a lack of children who
5 can afford to pay the cost of care. The United Way, Day Care Services
6 Association, Town of Chapel Hill, Village Companies Foundation and
7 concerned individuals have raised or contributed approximately $22, 000
8 for child care subsidy in the past two months. These efforts have not
9 been able to fully meet the need.
10 Social Services Director Marti Pryor-Cook distributed information
11 on the current child day care situation in Orange County. She stated
12 that the problem is a lack of funding. In 1988-89 they received
13 $517,000 to purchase child care for low income families. Of that amount
14 $91, 269 was County funds. In 1989-90 they received $474 , 000 to purchase
15 care while in 1990-91 they received $354, 000 which is a 32% decrease in
16 funding. Relief in the form of federal dollars is expected. It is
17 anticipated that more than twenty-two million dollars will be available
18 for the subsidy program and for child care in general in North Carolina.
19 The children on the waiting list will be first to receive these funds.
20 Orange County has approximately 600 on the waiting list. This act will
21 also expand the number of working poor who will be eligible to receive
22 subsidy dollars. Marti Cook explained the recommendation that state
23 subsidy dollars be maintained "minimally at the current level" means
24 that they would like the State to maintain their current efforts -- a
\25 maintenance of effort.
�26 She just received a copy of the State' s plan for the new child
27 development block grant funds and will read and assess this to determine
28 if the state dollars have been maintained minimally.
29 Commissioner Willhoit pointed out that although it is known that
30 federal funds are forthcoming, the local delegation should encourage the
31 State to use their resources in combination with the federal funds to
32 serve all the children on the waiting list regardless if it is a
33 maintenance of effort or not. The goal should be that the State serve
34 all the kids on the list at a level that the day care centers can
35 survive on.
36 Motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by
37 Commissioner Halkiotis to approve (1) a $20, 000 one time emergency
38 allocation from contingency funds for the DSS child care subsidy program
39 for the remainder of Fiscal Year 1990-91, to enable low income families
40 to secure and maintain employment, (2) support the Day Care Resources
41 Task Force in developing long-range strategies to address the need for
42 day care subsidy, and (3) to urge the legislative delegation to give
43 priority to funding children on the waiting list and to increase the
44 subsidy to more fairly reflect the cost of providing the care.
45 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
46
47 B. ZONING ENFORCEMENT CASES (CIVIL PENALTIES)
48 Jim Hinkley, Zoning Enforcement Officer, asked that the Board
49 consider making written demand for payment of civil penalties in four
50 respective cases. Two property owners - the McDuffies and McMillans
)51 were given an extension of time by the Board until January 17, 1991.
52 In both cases little or no additional perceivable progress to correct
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1 the violations was observed as of January 23 . Civil penalties have been
2 assessed by the Planning and Inspections Department for ongoing
3 violations of the Zoning Ordinance by Christy B. Merritt and Albert E.
4 Davis, and Carl Swanson.
5 Carl Swanson spoke on his behalf. He explained that the
6 noncompliance stems from an accumulation of property over a twenty year
7 period. He has not been able to clean up the property because of
8 illness and his work schedule. He feels he- has-made- an honest effort
9 and will continue to work to remove those things that have been
10 identified. He does not like the process and only talked with Mr.
11 Hinkley on two occasions. He realizes it is a problem and stated he
12 needs an additional thirty days to clean up his property. He is not
13 clear on what is expected.
14 Motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by
15 Commissioner Insko to make written demand for payment of civil penalties
16 upon (1) Nathan D. and Lori B. McDuffie for $13 , 300, (2) Gayle and Chris
17 McMillan for $22,400 and (3) Christy B. Merritt and Albert E. Davis in
18 the amount of $7 , 000, and to make written demand for payment of civil
19 `penalties upon Mr. Carl Swanson in the amount of $7 ,700 if he has not
20 come into compliance within 30 days.
21 A substitute motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded
22 by Commissioner Halkiotis to make written demand for payment of civil
23 penalties upon Nathan D. and Lori B. McDuffie, Gayle and Chris McMillan
24 and Christy B. Merritt and Albert E. Davis and that Mr. Carl Swanson be
25 given an extension until March 4 to clean up his property. The staff
26 will report to the Board on March 4 whether the property has come into
27 compliance and make a recommendation on this case.
28 VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION: UNANIMOUS (The substitute motion becomes
29 the main motion) .
30 VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION: UNANIMOUS
31
32 C. ADVERTISEMENT - FEBRUARY 25, 1991 PUBLIC HEARING
33 Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by
34 Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the advertisement for the February 25,
35 1991 Quarterly Public Hearing as proposed in the agenda abstract.
36 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
37
38 D. MANAGER'S PARTICIPATION IN AIRPORT RELOCATION PROCESS
39 Chair Carey stated that each time the discussion of airport
40 relocation has been discussed by any group he has made clear the Board's
41 position on the issue. He recommends that the County Manager be
42 authorized to participate in examining process options for relocation
43 of Horace Williams Airport.
44 Commissioner Willhoit reiterated his support for relocating
45 the Horace Williams Airport. He has no problem with the Manager
46 participating on the committee.
47 Chairman Carey stated that the Board dropped the process to
48 site an airport because it was the decisiop of the Board that none of
49 the sites being considered at that time were suitable for an airport.
50 The Board has repeatedly stated that they would not play a significant
51 role in any future relocation process.
52 Discussion ensued on the process-that-was followed with the
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1 initial effort and to what extent the County should participate at this
2 time. The Board agreed they had no problem with the Manager serving as
3 a resource person on this committee but that the County was not taking
4 the lead on the relocation of the Horace Williams Airport.
5 Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by
6 Commissioner Halkiotis that the Manager be authorized to participate in
7 an Airport Work Group whose scope is broadened to include a study of the
8 need for an airport in Orange County, rather than limiting the group to
9 an exploration of alternative process models for relocation of the
10 existing airport. This work group would address such questions as the
11 purposes for which an airport would be used and whether or not there is
12 a need for an airport in Orange County (whatever its location) to serve
13 these purposes, as well as a description of the type of airport needed
14 to satisfy the identified purposes.
15 The Manager would participate on the condition that the work
16 group deliberations acknowledge the following County positions:
17 1. The relocation of the existing airport is not one of the
18 goals of County government
19 2 . The County does not intend to play a significant role in
20 - such an effort
21 3 . The County's capital improvement plans do not include an
22 airport
23 4 . The efforts of this group would not constitute a search
24 for a new airport site
25 The role of the Manager would be to serve as a liaison between the
) 26 Commissioners and the work group members, and to convey to the work
27 group the information on airports previously gathered by the County.
28 The Manager would report periodically on this group's work to the
29 Commissioners. No airport search would commence without approval by the
30 Orange County Commissioners. At the conclusion of their deliberations
31 the work group would report their recommendations to their elected
32 boards and the CCC.
33 Commissioner Gordon stated that she feels the Board should
34 cooperate, share the information, make clear the County's position and
35 broaden the scope to not assume that the search is for a relocation of
36 Horace Williams Airport. The process would start with asking what is
37 the purpose of the airport, what kind of needs there are for an airport
38 and if there is a need for an airport, what kind of airport is needed.
39
40 VOTE: AYES, Commissioners Carey, Gordon and Halkiotis;
41 NOES, Commissioners Insko and Willhoit.
42
43 XI. APPOINTMENTS - NONE
44
45 XII. MINUTES
46
47 Motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by
48 Commissioner Gordon to approve the minutes for January 22, 1991, regular
49 meeting as corrected.
50 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
) 51
52 XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE
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2 XIV. ADJOURNMENT
3 With no further items to be considered by the Board, Chairman
4 Moses Carey adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting will be
5 held on Tuesday, February 19, 1991 at 7:30 p.m. in the Franklin Street
6 Post Office District Courtroom in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
7
8 Moses Carey, Jr. , Chair
9 Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk
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