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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19920203APPROVED 3/24/92 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRIIARY 3, 1992 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, February 3, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Old County Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners Stephen H. Halkiotis, 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 A. Blythe, Planner Emily Cameron, Planning Director Marvin Collins, Personnel Director Elaine Holmes, Purchasing Director Pam Jones, Budget Director Sally Kost, and Tax Appraiser Kermit Lloyd I. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - NONE 11. AUDIENCE COMMENTS A. MATTERS ON THE PRINTED AGENDA Chair Carey announced that those who want to speak to an item on the printed agenda will be recognized at the appropriate time. B. MATTERS NOT ON THE PRINTED AGENDA Carolina Becker Long, Block Captain, Timbercrest Community Watch, spoke on behalf of the Timbercrest Community which includes Timberly Drive and Moriah Hill Road, a community of 19 homes. They are interested in preventing episodes of breaking and entering. She told of an experience she had with two door-to-door salesmen walking through the woods between homes taking orders for household cleaning products. She presented a petition signed by 78 residents of Orange County, representing 52 households which reads: WHEREAS the incidence of crime in North Carolina exceeds the overall crime incidence in the United States; WHEREAS, more than 500 burglaries were reported in Orange county in 1991, most within one mile of a major highway; WHEREAS door-to-door solicitation is often used as a means of targeting neighborhoods for potential break-ins; We, the members of the Timbercrest Community Watch, petition the Orange County Commissioners to enact an ordinance prohibiting door-to-door solicitation in Orange County neighborhoods. Chair Carey stated he talked with the Sheriff and would recommend to the Board that this concern be referred to him for a solution. He told Ms. Long that he recognizes that this is a difficult problem and the Board will look into possible options that the county can exercise. Ms. Long stated that the people on Burchwood Lake have also expressed a desire to have some control on who goes door to door. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Carey read the Public Charge. III. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Insko to approve all items on the Consent Agenda except item #3 which will be considered as a separate item. A. TA% REFIIND REOIIESTS The Board approved the following 10 requests for property tax refunds NAME ACCOIINT # AMOIINT McAdoo, Harold Bruce 89000746 $ 100.00 Long, George H. 423 231.27 Pulley, William Paul Jr. 124829 383.65 Wager, Philip F. & Carolyn 12648 9.44 Scott, Mildred McFarling 7160370 1,766.13 Lucke, Barbara MacDonald 162335 75.12 Arellano, Terry C. 126863 27.11 Warren, Elvaleen Clayton 110439 60.12 Hamlett, Willie & Christerlena W. 101648 133.38 Corbett, Jean 18931 58.19 B. VACATION AND SICK LEAVE REVISION TO THE PERSONNEL ORDINANCE The Board approved the changes to Sections 5.1, 6.1 and 6.5 of the Vacation Leave and Sick Leave sections of the Personnel Ordinance as listed below: 5.1.3 Employees of the Sheriff's and Register of Deeds' departments are covered by the Vacation Leave policy in the same manner as other County employees. The Sheriff and Register of Deeds themselves may voluntarily elect to be covered by the Vacation Leave policy. Such election may be made upon initial adoption of this policy or upon election to a term of office and is in effect for the term of office. If the Sheriff or Register of Deeds elects to be covered and exhausts available Vacation Leave then his or her compensation is reduced by being placed on leave without pay for any additional vacation Leave period. This constitutes a voluntary reduction in compensation under GS152A-92b(1). 6.1.3 Employees of the Sheriff's and Register of Deeds' departments are covered by the Sick Leave policy in the same manner as other County employees. The Sheriff and Register of Deeds themselves may voluntarily elect to be covered by the Sick Leave policy. Such election may be made upon initial adoption of this policy or upon initial adoption of this policy or upon election to a term of office and is in effect for the term of office. If the Sheriff or Register of Deeds elects to be covered and exhausts available Sick Leave then his or her compensation is reduced by being placed on leave without pay for any additional Sick Leave period. This constitutes a voluntary reduction in compensation under GS152A-92B(1). 6.5.3 For permanent employees as of January 1, 1992 this transfer provision is retroactive to the effective date of any covered transfer. C. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING - STATE OF N.C. DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and considered at the end of the Consent Agenda. D. ADVERTISEMENT - FEBRUARY 24. 1992 PIIBLIC HEARING The Board approved the legal notice and items for the quarterly public hearing scheduled for February 24, 1992. E. VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) GRANT The Board approved and authorized the County Manager to sign the VOCA grant pre-application for the Orange County Rape Crisis Center. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS C. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING - STATE OF N.C. DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve this Memorandum of Understanding with the Division of Motor Vehicles for a satellite office at the Carrboro Plaza. VOTE: UNANIMOUS IV. RESOLUTIONSjPROCLAMATIONB - NONE V. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE VI. PUBLIC HEARING AND A DECISION - NONE VII. REPORTS A. STATIIS REPORT ON DEVELOPING A HUMAN SERVICES STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS Ned Brooks, Chair of the Task Force for the Future of Human Services, gave this report. He explained that this task force is a temporary Ad Hoc committee formed to advise decision-makers on ways to enable the human services community to become more proactive and effective in addressing human service needs throughout Orange County. The Task Force will present a final report with recommendations for a planning process to the County Commissioners by June. B. CABLE TV CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Robert Gwyn, Chairman of the Cable TV Citizen Advisory Committee, gave this report. The Committee has met five times. The written report in the agenda highlights the accomplishments of the committee and recommendations to the Board regarding refranchise of cable companies in Orange County. The franchises for the two cable TV companies will expire on February 24, 1996. The Committee recommends that the Board of County Commissioners plan to hold a series of public hearings on cable television service and citizen needs for the next 15 year franchise period. These public hearings should begin in 1993. The committee suggested several issues that the Board of County Commissioners may want to address in preparing a new franchise agreement. This report was presented for information only. VIII. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGIILAR AGENDA A. NEW HOPE CORRIDOR OPEN BPACE MASTER PLAN Emily Cameron presented for consideration of Board approval the proposed amendments to the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and Map and the Orange County Comprehensive Plan (Land Use Element) and Map which incorporates recommendations from the New Hope Creek Corridor Open Space Master Plan. These amendments are on pages of these minutes. Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Chairman Carey to approve the proposed amendments to the Orange County Comprehensive Plan (Land Use Element) and Map. These amendments are on pages of these minutes. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the proposed amendments to the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and Map with the effective date the date that Chapel Hill Town Council approves these same amendments. VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. SCHOOL BOND REFERENDIIM Chair Carey stated that the Board needs to decide when to place a bond referendum on the ballot and the amount of the bond. The Board talked at length about the results of the school bond survey and questioned the consultant Mr. Johnson or Johnson and Zabor concerning the statistics that would be relevant to the passage of a bond referendum. The consultants noted that the passage of a bond depends largely on what happens between now and May or November and the success of the promotional campaign. Commissioner Willhoit asked for information about the number of families who have children in school. Commissioner Halkiotis asked that this survey be compared with the 1988 survey. Earl Davis, Orange County Taxpayers Union, stated he is aware that there is a need to take care of the schools. He asked that the Board realize that there will be growth in the Orange County schools. He emphasized the importance of the Board to represent all the children and pull the county together. He asked that the real needs be determined and stated that the people in Chapel Hill want the best and questioned if the best was necessary. He asked the Board to consider waiting until November for the vote on the bond issue. John Latimore, Chairman of the TaxWatch Organization, stated he is for education but that bricks and mortar do not educate -- the teachers and staff educate. He feels there are still a lot of unknowns about the needs. He asked that enough time be allowed to educate the public about the needs and that the bond be considered in November. Madeline Mitchell stressed that the two school systems need this bond and need it in May. She feels that people are informed and pledged to work hard for the passage of the bond. Doug Breeden, Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board member, stated that he feels the school board will support a May ballot. He feels it important that the two school boards work together on this issue. He agrees with leaving the amount at 52 million dollars. He expressed the concern that November will push occupancy of the buildings back one year. He feels that a bond referendum in May would take advantage of the low interest rates and the increased activity in the economy. Ted Parrish, Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board member, stated that the survey is supportive of a May referendum. He hopes the Board of County Commissioners will follow what the survey indicates. In answer to a question from Commissioner Willhoit, Budget Director Sally Kost stated that the delay to November would mean a tighter schedule for completion of new construction but that the target dates could be met. Commissioner Willhoit stressed that a determination needs to be made on how to meet the other needs which have been identified by the two school systems. Chairman Carey stated that a long-range plan will involve policy decisions by the Board of County Commissioners. He will convene the subcommittee for addressing these long-range issues. Motion was made by Commissioner Insko, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to set the amount for the bond referendum at 52 million dollars. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Discussion ensued on when to hold the bond referendum. Commissioner Insko indicated she supports holding the bond referendum at the earliest time it will pass. Commissioner Halkiotis supports waiting until November to allow sufficient time to educate the public and involve more of the citizens so that the next bond referendum will be easier to pass. Commissioner Gordon stated she supports a May referendum because she feels there is a consensus among the elected school officials and that the survey supports a May bond referendum. Chair Carey supports waiting until November and use the extra time to educate the public on the needs of the two school systems. Commissioner Willhoit stated that the May date would not allow enough time to put together a process on developing a plan for meeting the long term needs and preparing the citizens for the need for additional bond money in future years. Motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to approve holding the bond referendum in November, 1992 and directing the staff to bring back the appropriate resolutions for formal approval. VOTE: AYES, 3; NOES, 2 (Commissioners Gordon and Insko) County Manager John Link indicated to the Board that some planning money could be provided to the two school systems to expedite the planning process for the new schools. He suggested using bond anticipation notes to speed up the funding process. He will bring back a plan for the Board's consideration. Chair Carey asked the County staff to bring back a recommendation for a bond counsel. IX. HOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the projected cost of new school facilities and asked for an explanation of professional fees and administrative costs for both school systems. He also asked what would be included in the 4.5 million dollars listed for contingency fees. He made reference to the ash in the county landfill and asked for a report on the proposed lowering of tipping fees in an effort to keep this ash in the landfill. Commissioner Willhoit clarified that no decision has been made on lowering the tipping fee for ash disposal. Commissioner Insko stated that there was good attendance at the EMS strategic planning session held last Sunday. Norman Gustaveson is chair of that committee. The outcome of this work will be the development of a master plan for EMS in Orange County. She noted that in the OWASA article written by Shirley Marshall, it was mentioned that "neither the appointing jurisdictions nor the authority boards understand clearly either the relation between them or the obligations delegated by the elected board and accepted by the appointed one". She thinks that is true and would like for the Board to address this issue. The library committee has had one meeting and has scheduled another. They will focus first on the responsibility of each regional library before addressing other issues. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the Manager's memo and the item about the Haw Creek Reservoir. She feels that they need additional time to respond to the State's proposal to reclassify this reservoir. This will be an agenda item for the next meeting. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the New Hope Corridor and asked if County staff has looked at the issue of Wal-Mart locating in this corridor. He would like to be assured that the citizens are placed first. Commissioner Gordon suggested that the staff could look at it from the point of view of the New Hope Corridor Plan and the Thoroughfare Plan. R. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT - NONE XI. APPOINTMENTS DOMICILIARY HOME ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion was made by Commissioner Insko, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the appointment of Louise Long to this advisory committee for an unexpired term ending 6/30/93. VOTE: UNANIMOUS HIIMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION Motion was made by Commissioner Insko, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to reappoint Martha Branscombe, Chris Gambill, Tarleton Davis, Mary Davison, Janice Schopler, and Barbara Warren to this commission for three year terms ending 3/1/95. VOTE: UNANIMOUS ORANGE COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to appoint Todd Dickinson to this Commission for a three year term ending 2/28/95. VOTE: UNANIMOUS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Motion was made by Chair Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to reappoint Charlene Regester, Gwendolyn Jones and Dorothy Teer to this Commission for three year terms ending 11/30/94. VOTE: UNANIMOUS RECREATION AND PARRS ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Chair Carey to reappoint Marie Tate to this Council for a three year term ending 3/1/95. VOTE: UNANIMOUS BII. MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the minutes for the January 21, 1992 - Regular Meeting as presented. VOTE: UNANIMOUS %III. E$ECUTIVE SESSION -NONE %IV. ADJOIIRNMENT With no further items for discussion, Chairman Moses Carey adjourned the meeting at 10:45 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the OWASA Community Room, Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro, North Carolina. Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk Moses Carey, Jr., Chair