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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19911119 i y a APPROVED 12-2-91 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1991 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 19, 1991 at 7:30 p.m. in the OWASA Community Room on Jones Ferry Road in Carrboro, North Carolina. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:. Chairman Moses Carey, Jr. , Vice-Chair Stephen H. Halkiotis, Commissioners Alice M. Gordon, Verla C. Insko and Don Willhoit. COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT:, Geoffrey Gledhill STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr. , Assistant County Managers Albert Kittrell and Rod Visser, Clerk to the Board Beverly Blythe, Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes, Purchasing Director Pam Jones, Land Records Manager Roscoe Reeve, County Engineer Paul Thames, and EMS Director Nick Waters. NOTE: All documents referred to in these minutes are in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office. BOARD COMMENTS Chair Carey stated for the record that he received a letter from Sheriff Pendergrass about the Perry Hills Community and the citizens concern about crime in that area. This included a petition signed by 104 citizens. Chair Carey asked that the Sheriff and the County Manager work together to form an ad hoc task force including one or two people from the Perry Hills community. Commissioner Halkiotis stated his willingness to work with this task force. He stated that this neighborhood has extremely poor street lighting. He feels Duke Power should be contacted to see if they can help. Commissioner Willhoit stated that one of the communities that the PPP organizations visited charged a service fee for street lights. That may be an option. Chair Carey noted, that because the County may receive additional requests of this kind, a process for addressing this issue needs to be developed. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT - NONE I. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - NONE II. AUDIENCE COMMENTS - NONE PUBLIC CHARGE Chairman Moses Carey, Jr. dispensed with reading the public charge. III. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Insko, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to approve those items on the Consent Agenda as listed below: A. TAX REFUND REQUESTS The following tax refunds were approved: NAME ACCOUNT # AWAW Lynch, Bobby Raeford, Jr. 89000718 $ 118.50 Chambers, Leonard Jerwood 89000278 15. 15 Neumann, Ulrich & Patricia 128212, 829462, 9029767 29.60 Reines, Cindy Robin 8939244 36.42 Thorn, Don 55619, 9041126, 9142395 240.63 Anna Bell Lloyd 137012, 24552, 9125390 159.92 Ernest A. Dollar 128419, 8916821, 9011174 284.70 Prevette, Robert Allen 158604 5.54 Edwards, Robert Etal & Doretha E. Mason 42232, 90112082, 9112543 4.80 Shain Arthur & Thelma 62472, 8632704, 9036891 458.97 Robert H. Chandler 104346,F 8912717, 8726494 219.46 B. ON-THE-JOB TRAINING CONTRACT, The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign a contract with JOCCA for on-the-job training services for participants in the DSS Job Opportunities and Basic Skills program. Funding will be provided by $46, 197.93 in Federal funds and $2, 514.07 in local funds. C. BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #6 The Board approved the following amendments to the 1991-92 Budget Ordinance: GENERAL FUND Source - Intergovernmental $ 17,763 Appropriation - Contribution to Outside Agencies $ 17,763 (To budget for State arts grant for the Orange County Arts Commission) Source - Miscellaneous $ 1,408 Appropriation - Community Maintenance $ 1,408 (To budget for funding assistance for Cabarrus County) D. RENCHER STREET CDBG PROGRAM The Board approved setting a public hearing for December 2, 1991 to receive citizen comments prior to official closeout of the Rencher Street Community Development Block Grant Program. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS IV. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS, A. RESOLUTION - REPRIORITIZATION OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET Motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve a resolution to show the support of the Orange County Board of Commissioners for a reprioritization of the Federal Budget. The Resolution is stated on the next page. A RESOLUTION TO SHOW THE SUPPORT OF ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR A REPRIORITIZATION OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET WHEREAS, dramatic improvements in global relations have lessened the need for United States military expenditures to continue at present levels; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Orange County and the rest of the United States are in need of improvements in programs which provide education, housing, and medical care to the public; and WHEREAS, grants--in-aid to state and local governments have declined dramatically as evidenced by the 44 percent reduction in real dollars between fiscal 1980 and 1991; and WHEREAS, the United States is currently burdened by a crushing national debt which consumes over twenty-five percent of the federal tax dollar in interest payments alone; and WHEREAS, the elimination of the national debt and the provision of more human services should be the federal government's priorities; and WHEREAS, neither of the aforementioned goals can be achieved without the federal government reducing its military expenditures; and WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties adopted a resolution on July 16, 1991, supporting "reductions in defense spending to a level commensurate with improved global relations" and urging that "shifts in federal spending be allocated to deficit reduction and restoration of funding for critical domestic priorities"; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS that: 1. The federal government should reexamine its military expenditures toward the end of guaranteeing that all such expenditures are necessary to meet the threats now offered by other nations and that any unnecessary military spending be eliminated. 2. The federal government should assure that any savings derived from cuts in military spending be directed toward retiring the national debt and funding such domestic programs as education, environmental protection, infrastructure, housing, health care, social services, transportation, employment and job training, as well as assisting those industries, workers and communities most affected by military spending reductions. 3 . Copies of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States and our congressmen. IN WITNESS THEREOF, this 19th day of November, 1991. VOTE: UNANIMOUS NOTE: Commissioner Willhoit made some suggestions to the text of the resolution which will be incorporated into the resolution for next year -- if one is considered. Y. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE VII. REPORTS A. PUBLIC INFORMATION NETWORK Mr. Bill Hutchins stated that the group he is working with on the PIN still hopes to implement a system in Orange County. They • have just incorporated and obtained non-profit it 5 01C status tatus so that they can obtain grants and support the PIN concept. They are contacting local businesses in the hope Y g pe of obtaining funds. They are proposing a very elaborate bulletin board system which will provide a wide range of facilities to everyone who has a personal computer g p omputer and modem and uses a local phone system. The services they plan to rovide for a fee would d include access to public data, both state and local, information ion f roxa schools, a chat line, etc. Terminals would be available in public p l aces for the c iti z ens to access des i red information. People will be able to post bulletins, including job postings. There are over g 90 possible sources that can be used with the PIN. They have a professional video tape which describes the PIN that the County Manager ger will make available to the County Commissioners. Commissioner Insko questioned the twelve telephone lines and Mr. Hutchins indicated these would serve ten or twenty users each day. in Y Y One group of users can call in and read everything and this takes up p one of the phone lines. The other group includes people who are registered. These people would post or write notices on the screen. Most eo le P p just read rather than post messages. Commissioner Insko asked how much it would cost to use this system. Mr. Hutchins indicated that there are many alternatives. There would be a charge for using the PIN facility. Commissioner Willhoit asked about setting ng thzs up on a 1-900 number and was told that the experience showed that unless these services are free to the public, the use is drastically reduced. Commissioner Insko asked about the private-sector business that started this system. Mr. Hutchins stated this is Y in Peoria and it is sponsored by different businesses and individuals. Chair Carey asked about the help from County Y staff and Mr. Hutchins indicated that they would like just approval and for the County staff not to work against them. Commissioner Willhoit feels that it would be more appropriate for the private sector to promote this kind of system. Commissioner Insko noted that this service will be used by people who can buy a computer and who would be able to pay for this service. The County has a responsibility to those citizens who need other services Commissioner Insko would like for this to be included in the goals for the Commissioners goal settin g retreat on December 7. Mr. Hutchins indicated that this system would also tie together the different county offices. $ E911/CAD STAT Y8 The Commissioners received a progress report on implementing p p g Enhanced 911 (E911) and acquiring Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) capabilities, and the integration of the Geographical Information System (GIS) into this emergency response management system. John Link stated that within the next month, the staff will be presenting a proposal for hardware. Land Records Manager Roscoe Reeve demonstrated how the system works. This is the first of three parts of this system for the implementation of E911. Southern Bell has worked with the County to develop a data base of addresses. The reason for putting GIS and CAD together is a need for quality system that will respond not only with a telephone number and a location but also where this location is on the earth. This integration has not been done anywhere in this Country. In the process of putting this together after a year's study of emergency response, it was determined that there are a number of other things that 1 must also be coordinated. They also need access to other data bases. The technology is available. The equipment is available to handle the entire County. Roscoe Reeve illustrated by using overhead projections how the CAD system integration will operate. The system will take in information and then allow the appropriate dispatch to take place. John Link stated that the challenge is to merge these two systems which will require integration by outside consultants. No one has integrated these four functions into one. A proposal will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 2 which will include the cost to integrate these two systems. The funds have been included in the budget. Commissioner Insko asked for a report on the system and asked for background information which Rod Visser will present at the next meeting. Commissioner Insko asked what the classification "roadway characteristics" would include and Roscoe Reeve said this includes roads under construction, dead end roads, one way streets, and etc. John Link recommended a work session to further illustrate the need for outside support for this integration. It was the consensus of the Board to set a special meeting for 6: 30 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 1991 in the Commissioners' Library in the Court Street Annex, Hillsborough, for the purpose of viewing a demonstration of and asking questions about the CAD software that would likely be recommended for purchase by the County. C. BOND EDUCATION COMMITTEE PROCESS The Board received a report on the bond education process that took place in the Summer of 1988 for the bond referendum that was approved by Orange County voters in November, 1988. The report outlined the major elements of this process. John Link asked that the Board take leadership in developing a strategy for promoting a bond referendum. Chair Carey suggested appointing a group of interested people to begin work on a bond issue. Some members of the CIP committee have indicated an interest in serving on an educational/promotional committee. He would like to have this committee appointed in December. The Board of County Commissioners must still decide on a bond package that will be taken to public hearing. John Link will bring to the Board of County Commissioners the absolute deadlines for the bond process. The Board directed the Clerk to advertise for members of this bond promotion committee. The Board will also recruit volunteers for this committee. D. WATERSHED COMMENTS FROM ADJOINING JURISDICTIONS The Board received an update on EMC watershed public hearing comments and requests from adjoining jurisdictions in the Upper Neuse River basin. Planner David Stancil summarized this report. He distributed an additional chart which showed the other seven jurisdictions and their watershed designations. On a map he showed the final recommendation of the other jurisdictions involved in the eleven watersheds. He referred to the LUP and a map showing the state's watershed classifications. Commissioner Gordon asked about the original recommendation for Jordan Lake. Stancil indicated that the County recommended WS2, but because it was recognized that this is a regional lake and the State would classified it as WS4, the County accepted this classification. Chatham County requested WS3 . The Chair indicated he would entertain a motion that would modify the recommendation sent to the State. Various questions were asked by Commissioner Gordon that • were answered by David Stancil. Chair Carey stated he feels the Board needs to discuss with the Durham Commissioners intrawatershed tradeoffs. Commissioner Gordon suggested that the Board consider the implications that the bordering counties have imposed upon Orange County as a result of their recommendations for watershed classifications. Commissioner Willhoit suggested having Kimberly Brewer convene a meeting so that these issues can be discussed. Also, DEM needs to be invited to the meeting. The equity issue needs to be discussed. John Link indicated that the staff will do some brainstorming on incentives that can be provided to Durham County for their cooperation with Orange county's goals. E. REGIONAL SOLID WASTE TASK FORCE - The Board received a report on the status of the Durham- Orange Regional Solid Waste Task Force. It has been determined that a detailed study of solid waste reduction strategies for Orange and Durham Counties will not be pursued. The elements of such a study preferred by the local governments in each county were sufficiently divergent. Commissioner Willhoit reported that one consultant said that composting and landfills were more of a single county entity, but incineration would be more meaningful to a two-county jurisdiction because of the trash volume and capital investment. Incineration is not popular in Orange County. Composting and recycling are more popular with Orange County citizens. The Board agreed that composting and recycling are better ways to go. Orange County representatives feel they should stay with a proven technology. VIII. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA A. EAS - REQUEST FOR PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION Motion was made by Commissioner Insko, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve authorizing the County Attorney to submit the request for reconsideration to the North Carolina Utility Commission. VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. CULBRETH PARK INTERIM ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM The Culbreth Park Community Development Corporation has requested that the County forgive $12,564. 04 in administrative costs associated with the Culbreth Park Interim Assistance Grant Program. Motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to deny this request for the reasons stated in the agenda abstract. VOTE: AYES, 4; ABSTENTION, 1. Commissioner Insko abstained because of a possible financial conflict of interest. ) C. DUKE FOREST MOBILE HOME PARK SEWER FORCE MAIN A petition was received from the owners of Duke Forest Mobile Park requesting Orange County to agree to take over ownership of a sewer force main so that NCDOT will allow the force main to be installed within the highway right-of-way of US 70 and Old NC 86. The North Carolina Division of Environmental Management (DEM) has required the mobile home park to replace its existing sewage treatment system which is currently operating in violation of its permitted limits and discharging a very low quality effluent into a receiving stream. ~ i Motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Insko to decline this request to accept ownership or maintenance responsibilities for the proposed force main, at least until all of the following conditions have been met: 1. NCDOT absolutely and finally refuses to allow the line to be installed within the right-of-way without County ownership. 2. The mobile home park owners prove that they cannot purchase sewer easements from the owners of properties which would be impacted by the necessary easements at any price. 3. DEM indicates that they will not allow any other waste treatment option other than pumping waste to the Durham system. 4. The BOCC makes a determination that the continued operation of Duke Forest Mobile Home Park contributes to the public health, safety or welfare. VOTE: UNANIMOUS D. PUBLIC HEARING ON SCHOOL CAPITAL NEEDS Motion was made by Commissioner Insko, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to set a public hearing on the matter of school capital needs priorities and funding for December 11, 1991, at 7:30 p.m. in Superior Courtroom, 106 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough. VOTE: UNANIMOUS XI. APPOINTMENTS - NONE XII. MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve the minutes for the November 4, 1991 regular meeting as corrected. VOTE: UNANIMOUS XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE XIV. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to consider, the Board adjourned the meeting at 11:12 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, November 25, 1991 at 7: 30 p.m. in Superior Courtroom, Hillsborough. Moses Carey, Jr. , Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk