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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19950206APPROVED 4J3J95 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 1995 A special meeting was scheduled for February 6, 1995 at 5:30 in the Planning/Cooperative Extension Building on Revere Road in Hillsborough, North Carolina for the purpose of meeting with the Community Child Protection Team Members to discuss "Placement Issues and Difficult Children". COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and William L. Crowther COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioners Alice M. Gordon, Stephen H. Halkiotis and Don Willhoit COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Budget Director Sally Kost, Social Services Director Marti Pryor-Cook and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe COMMUNITY CHILD PROTECTION TEAM MEMBERS PRESENT: Co-Chair Joyce Moore and members Sandy Fletcher, Eileen Kugler, Gloria Williams, Ralph Wenger, John Turner, Donnie Phillips, Bonnie Davis, Chris Nutter, Gretchen Aylsworth and DSS Team Members Marti Pryor-Cook, Denise Shaffer, Patricia Clarke, Sharon Lee, and Gloria Taylor NOTE: SINCE THIS WAS NOT AN OFFICIAL MEETING, THESE MINUTES WILL BE PLACED IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE AND NOT IN THE OFFICIAL MINUTE BOOK. A report from the Community Child Protection Team is in the permanent agenda file. AGENDA INTRODUCTION Joyce Brown, Co-chair of the Community Child Protection Team, said that they were created in 1991 by Executive Order. It was required that all counties established a team. This committee has been meeting since January, 1992. They have three purposes: 1. look at specific cases of children in the County where there are issues of abuse, neglect and dependency, 2. look at any deaths which are contributed to abuse, neglect and dependency, and 3. look at gaps in services, needs and where things do not fit together for these children BEHAVIORAL CATEGORIES OF HARD TO PLACE CHILDREN (33 in Orange County) Sharron Lee, DSS Supervisor for Child Protective Services, talked about the hard-to-place children. She noted that most of these children have problems which are chronic and longlasting. She talked about the five categories for hard-to-place children. 1. Chronic running away behavior leaving school leaving home - several hours to several weeks 2. Aggressive behaviors to self and others -- homes are resistant to taking in these children because of the 2 liability fighting with peers in home or at school physical aggressiveness with individual in position of authority, teachers or foster parents self-injurious, suicidal behaviors 3. Destructive to property because of angry outburst taking car without permission, frequently causing damage, deliberate planful destruction of property, fire-setting 4. Sexualized behaviors -- sexually terrorizing younger children, often combined with run-away and aggressive behaviors, indiscriminate sexual contact in the community and inappropriate sexual behaviors with foster family members 5. chronic drug/alcohol abuse - often combined with run-away and aggressive behaviors including chronic lying and stealing PLACEMENT CATEGORIES OF HARD TO PLACE CHILDREN Gretchen Alysworth, Coordinator of the Guardian Ad Litem Program, summarized the four profiles included in the material that was distributed: 1. young children with serious psychological/emotional problems 2. teenagers who run away 3. children with dual diagnoses of retardation and psychological problems 4. teenagers with anti-social behaviors, some make a career of running away One problem is the definition of juvenile in that DSS is responsible for a child until they are 18 years old. However, they may quit school when they turn sixteen. PLACEMENT RESOURCES Sandy Fletcher, Director of the Children and Youth Services at Orange Person Chatham Mental Health, said that the problem faced by a community in trying to serve these children is their diagnosis. They are not receptive and it is a real struggle to try to contain them in the community. The question of whether or not it is safe to keep them in the community is a big one. These children require 24 hour care. They have a hard time dealing with authority figures. It is a hard struggle to find the right kind of placement because foster homes are not qualified to handle these kinds of behavior problems. Another problem is accessing services when they need them. There is a waiting list for these placements with many denials occurring. They need high management homes which are not available or are limited. All have very long waiting lists. They know what the children need but either cannot access the services or do not have the resources to do what is necessary. Marti Pryor-Cook mentioned that prevention must begin when the children are small before they have a chance to escalate out of control. Smart Start hopes to be able to address this issue. There are two classrooms operating for behavior problems and they have a waiting list for 3 three more classrooms. HARD TO PLACE CHILDREN AND SCHOOLS Ralph Wenger, Coordinator of Student Services in the Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools, said there are educational deficiencies. Children with chronic problems are very unlikely to succeed in school. These children are not in a school setting long enough to pick up the skills they need. Another real problem. that they bring to the school is lack of connectedness. They feel they have no one who cares if they do well or not. They are in the system for such a short period of time. and a lot of the time they are in special education classes but they don't stay long enough to learn anything. There are very limited resources to deal with these children. They do have some self-contained classes but these kids need more than what those classes provide. There are very limited resources. They need programs that can mirror residential programs. SUMMARY OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS Joyce Moore said that the team proposes a forum comprised of both state-level and local Human Service leaders with the following agenda: 1. Access current resources for hard-to-place children with the goal of gaining more efficient access to these resources, 2. Examine the need for and means of creating new, community- based resources for hard-to-place children, 3. Explore the possibility of pooling financial resources among human service systems, 4. Advocate through appropriate legal channels for increased funding for resources, and 5 . Address the ambiguity of the definition "minor" with the goal of making that definition uniform. The problem is that while the Counties are waiting for the State to address some of these things, the local community and the County must provide for the education of these children and treatment for their emotional and psychological problems. In response to some questions, the cost at Elon Home is $1800 a month which is the least amount with the maximum of $7,000 a month and the County must, depending on the individual case, pay half or all of this amount. The Team asked that the County Commissioners work through the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners for funding for some kind of residential facility. Well over half of the 33 children are from low income families. Everyone agrees that this is a desperate situation that needs to be addressed. Because the resources must be used for crisis situations and to deal with the problems of today, there are no resources to be used for prevention. Dr. Turner said that success depends on having adequate resources to reduce the number of kids that fall in this category. He would like for . .1 4 someone to look at the correlation with family income and problems of child abuse and neglect. He feels the lack of adequate money is a serious contributing factor. He feels the County should take another look at how these families at risk can be put to work. There is no easy answer. He hopes the County Commissioners will discuss this and do whatever they can to help. John Link feels that one thing the County can do is to challenge the community at large, the State and legislators to look at what is being expended and how these funds can be used differently to address the problem. In answer to a question from Chair Carey, Marti Pryor-Cook said there are no models in how to treat these cases - it is a crisis situation nationally. These are the "throw-away" children and the ultimate answer must be in prevention by working with the young children and families. There must be some intervention before the point is reached where the child needs these very expensive treatments. KidsScope is very effective and is being expanded but more needs to be done to work with young children and families. Everyone is struggling to find an answer. Chair Carey noted that this discussion has been enlightening to him. He feels that this situation needs to be addressed. ADJOIIRNMENT With no further comments or discussion the meeting was adjourned. . ~ ~ 1 APPROVED 4/18/95 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 1995 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 6, 1995 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Old County Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners William L. Crowther, Alice M. Gordon, Stephen H. Halkiotis and Don Willhoit COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Managers Albert Kittrell and Rod Visser and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (other staff members are identified appropriately below) NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. ALL AMENDMENTS TO COUNTY ORDINANCES WILL BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE ORDINANCE BOOK IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. I. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - NONE II. AUDIENCE COMMENTS A. MATTERS ON THE PRINTED AGENDA Chair Carey announced that citizens who have indicated a desire to speak will be recognized at the appropriate time. 8. MATTERS NOT ON THE PRINTED AGENDA - NONE PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Carey dispensed with the reading of the public charge. III. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Halkiotis told about the conference on solid waste he attended in Charlotte. He presented the Board members with a packet of compost from the Charlotte program. He feels the County is not addressing solid waste issues fast enough and that waiting on funds from tipping fees and holding down the tax rate is not a viable option. He would like to see something accomplished over the next four years to move the County forward. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested that the County develop a way to recognize citizens for heroic acts of bravery. The County Manager and Clerk will bring back a proposal for Board approval on March 21, 1995. Commissioner Willhoit said that the Landfill Owners Group budget will be discussed later this month and he will inform the Board of County Commissioners of the LOG's recommendation for increasing the tipping fee. Commissioner Crowther asked that a letter be sent to DOT requesting that they investigate the need for a turn lane on Highway 57 into the County's waste convenience center. He also asked if anything could be done about the outside noises that are heard in the courtrooms. John Link responded that the Justice Facility Committee looked into soundproofing these rooms and decided not to do anything with the present facilities. He will share this concern with the Committee at their next meeting. 2 IV. COUNTY MANAGER~B REPORT -NONE D. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS - NONE VI. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT. PROGRAM Tara Fikes, Director of Community Development, presented for citizen comments the proposed FY1995 Community Development Block Grant Application for Orange County. No public comments were received. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the resolution as stated below authorizing submission of the CDBG application by February 15, 1995 and to authorize the Chair to sign the application document on behalf of the Board contingent upon approval by the County Attorney: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS VOTE: UNANIMOUS NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, than an application for Community Revitalization Grant Funds from the N.C. Department of Commerce is hereby authorized. Specifically, funds will be requested for housing rehabilitation of approximately 16 dwelling units located in various areas of the county. The amount to be requested will not exceed $500,000. The application will be submitted on or before February 15, 1995. VIII. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve those items on the Consent Agenda as listed below. A. APPOINTMENTS The Board approved the following CARRBORO PLANNING BOARD James Thomas Bateson for 1996 PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCIL Onie Lea-Cameron for an 1995 TRIANGLE SPORTSPLEX Melinda Marlette for an grant appointments: an unexpired term ending March 1, unexpired term ending June 30, unspecified term B. MINUTES The Board approved the minutes for January 17, 1995 as presented. C. BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #6 The Board approved the following budget ordinance amendments and project ordinance: GENERAL FIIND Source - Intergovernmental $ 107,205 Appropriation - Human Services 107,205 (to budget for State reallocation of day care funds) Source - Miscellaneous Revenue 19,000 3 Appropriation - Human Services 19,000 (to budget for unanticipated foster care donations) Source - Intergovernmental 3,623 Appropriation - Human Services 3,623 (to budget for additional State Environmental Health funds ) Source - Licenses & Permits Appropriation - Human Services (to budget for Wastewater Treatment program) Source - Intergovernmental Appropriation - Human Services 30,826 30,826 Monitoring 4,666 4,666 (to budget for Triangle J Area Agency grant for CAT) HIV TESTING PROGRAM GRANT PROJECT_ORDINANCE Source - Intergovernmental - HIV Testing 31,533 Appropriation - Human Services - HIV Testing 31,533 (to budget for 1.00 full-time equivalent Communicable Disease Specialist) D. JAIL INSPECTION REPORT The Board received the jail inspection report for January 6, 1995 from the North Carolina Department of Human Resources showing compliance with standards. E. INDIRECT COST PLAN CONTRACT The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign a contract with David M. Griffith & Associates for preparation of the Indirect Cost Plan at a cost of $8,500. F. RESOLUTION TO APPLY AND ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH N.C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT ACT (FTA) SECTION 18 CAPITAL.. AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign the resolution as stated below to apply for Federal Transit Act Section 18 funds for administration and capital and approve the FY 95-96 NCDOT agreement. RESOLUTION APPLICANT SEEKING PERMISSION TO APPLY FOR SECTION 18 FUNDING ENTER INTO AGREEMENT~WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY ASSURANCES WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has received a grant from the US Department of Transportation authorized by Section 18 of the Federal Transit Act of 1991, as amended, to provide assistance for rural public transportation projects; and WHEREAS, the purpose of these transportation funds is to provide grant monies to local agencies for the provision of rural public transportation services; and WHEREAS, Article 2B of Chapter 136 of the North Carolina General Statutes and the Governor of North Carolina have designated the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) as the agency responsible for administering funds received through Section 18 of the Federal Transit Act of 1991; and WHEREAS, the County of Orange hereby assures and certifies that it will 4 comply with the Federal Statutes, regulations, executive orders, the Special Section 13 (c) Warranty, and all administrative requirements which relate to the applications made to and grants received from the Federal Transit, as well as the provisions of Section 1001 of Title 81, U.S.C. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners is hereby authorized to submit a grant application for funding under Section 18 of the Federal Transit Act of 1991, make the necessary assurances and certifications and be empowered to enter into an agreement with the NCDOT to provide rural public transportation services. G. C.A.T. AGREEMENT ADDENDUM The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign the C.A.T. Agreement Addendum with Orange Enterprises, Inc. to provide a driver for the southern Orange route. H. NAME CHANGE FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY C.A.T. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM The Board approved to change the name and acronym from Coordinated Area Transportation (C.A.T.) to Orange Public Transportation (OPT). I. COMMUNITY-BASED PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE, YEAR THREE GRANT The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign the contract between the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and the Orange County Health Department to fund year three of the Community-Based Public Health Initiative. J. LEASE RENEWAL - CARRBORO PLAZA DRIVER LICENSE BUREAU This item was removed and considered immediately following the Consent Agenda. R. ENGINEERING CONSULTANT AGREEMENT - WHITTED BUILDING The Board approved an agreement with Gary Merritt, PE in the amount of $4,400 for consulting engineering work associated with the Chiller and Boiler Monitoring Project at the Whitted Building and authorized the Purchasing Director to execute the paperwork necessary to support this agreement. L. PETITION FOR ABANDONMENT OF MAINTENANCE - DUKE FOREST ROAD CHAPEL HILL TOWNSHIP This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and considered immediately following this item. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA J. LEASE RENEWAL - CARRBORO PLAZA DRIVER LICENSE BUREAU Commissioner Halkiotis mentioned that he has had a request from a business in the northern end of the County to provide this service. The County Manager's staff will investigate and report back to the Board on the possibility of designating a site in northern Orange. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the lease renewal for the space used by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles as a satellite Driver License Bureau. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 5 L. PETITION FOR ABANDONMENT OF MAINTENANCE - DUKE FOREST ROAD CHAPEL HILL TOWNSHIP This item was corrected to indicate that this is not an extension of Murphy Road as stated in the agenda. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to approve the abandonment of maintenance on a portion of Duke Forest road, SR 1716 from the State- maintained road system. VOTE: UNANIMOUS IX. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA A. RESCUE SOUAD GRANT MATCHING FUNDS The Board was requested to consider a request from the Orange County Rescue Squad and South Orange Rescue Squad to provide matching funds for rescue equipment grants approved by the Department of Insurance. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve a "Rescue Equipment Capital Project", to be funded with an appropriation of $30,000 from County Capital Project Fund Balance with $10,000 designated for each rescue squad and $10,000 to be used for high priority rescue equipment/training to support the "centralized resource" concept outlined in the September, 1994 staff report. VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. APPOINTMENTS TO STONEY CREER BASIN PLANNING GROUP Commissioner Gordon noted that she was pleased that the commissioners were going to appoint citizens to this group. John Link suggested that after appointments are made that a smaller group be appointed to work out the details. This group could include two County Commissioners, two Town of Hillsborough members and the two Planning Board Chairs. After extended discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to ask the Town of Hillsborough to confirm their participation on this Planning Group and to approve the appointments of the following elected and appointed officials: Stephen Halkiotis, Don Willhoit - representing BOCC Clint Burklin and Cherie Rosemond - representing the Orange County Planning Board (Clint Burklin will remain on this committee after his term expires on the Planning Board) Bob Hall - representing the Economic Development Commission Keith Cook - Orange County School Board Judson Edeburn - representing Duke Forest Bill Bracey - representing Triangle Land Conservancy Commissioner Gordon offered an amendment to this motion to separate the vote on the appointments from the request for Hillsborough to appoint two members from their Board and two members from their Planning Board. VOTE ON THE APPOINTMENTS: AYES, 3; NOS, 2 (Commissioners Willhoit and Halkiotis) VOTE ON THE REQUEST TO HILLSBOROUGH: AYES, 4; NOS, 1 (Commissioner Halkiotis) A motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to appoint the following neighborhood representatives to this Planning Group and to authorize Commissioners Willhoit and Halkiotis to appoint other neighborhood representatives and the At Large members of this Group to provide a balance to the group. Steve Price -Colonial Hills Bobby Nicholson - Joppa Oaks Michael Warner, Trish Rafalow - New Hope/Powder Mill Area 6 John Ringland - Old NC 10 North Gary Hanker - Old NC 10 South Meg McKean, Dan Kenan - Stoney Creek Dan Teichman, David Yelton - Strayhorn Hills Curtis Bane - University Station Road Dean Zehnder, Amy McBride - Wyngate VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner Willhoit suggested that Planner Gene Bell convene the work group and that a facilitator with experience working toward a consensus be used. C. CABLEVISION INDUSTRIES COST OF SERVICE RATE APPROVAL After a summary of the proposal, a motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve the CVI cable TV rates and authorize the Chair to sign the Order Approving the Cost of Service Rate, deleting the fourth WHEREAS, as attached to these minutes on pages VOTE: UNANIMOUS NOTE: No public comments had been received by the Cable TV Advisory Committee. D. CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION The Board was requested to consider a grant application to the NC Department of Correction for the development and implementation of the Orange-Chatham Multi-County Criminal Justice Partnership program, subject to the Ratified House Bill 281. Deborah Giles, consultant hired to facilitate the application process, presented an overview of the two programs. The pre- trial release program would expedite the pre-trial release of certain low- moderate risk offenders prior to trial, thereby relieving jail crowding and enhancing the management of that limited resource. The substance abuse program would be comprehensive and designed for persons sentenced to intermediate sanctions. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve and authorize the Chair to sign this grant application for $181,841. VOTE: UNANIMOUS %. REPORTS A. EMERGENCY FAMILY SHELTER AND SUPPORT TASK FORCE REPORT The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gave conditional approval in December, 1994, to the Inter-Faith Council grant application for $1,783,162 in Supportive Housing Program funds for Project Home Start Supportive Transitional Housing for Homeless Families and Victims of Domestic Violence. Final notification is expected within a few days. Mr. Chris Moran of the Inter-Faith Council (IFC) explained the project and described the grant received from HUD. One condition is that IFC acquire site control of the necessary acreage within 60 days after final notification is received. Mr. Moran later clarified that it was possible to take a full year, until December 1995, to obtain site control but that the IFC cannot proceed with the project until they acquire such control. From the perspective of getting the project underway as soon as possible, Mr. Moran indicated that the County's property on Homestead Road is the most viable 7 choice. The reason is that, while a Special Use Application and permitting process would still be required of the IFC/Task Force, the property is already appropriately zoned. Ms. Susan Rogers, Executive Director of the Orange/Durham Coalition for Battered Women, described their plans which involve locating their home either at the same site as the housing for .the homeless families or on a potential site in northern Orange County. To build the housing both for the homeless families (two units) and for victims of domestic violence (one unit), the IFC/Task Force is requesting three acres of land. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to approve a long-term lease for a site located on the County's property on Homestead Road for the specific purpose of transitional family housing, that a preliminary long-range plan for generating the revenue required of the projected 1.5 million dollar operating expenditures beyond FY 1997-98 be provided to the Board of County Commissioners and the specific site plan be brought back to the Board for their approval. Commissioner Gordon suggested that the Board delay voting on the matter so that the commissioners would have time to think about alternative sites. VOTE: AYES, 4; NOES, 1, (Commissioner Gordon) AT THIS POINT OF THE AGENDA, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED. B. BOARD3 AND COMMISSIONS RESEARCH This item will be placed on the next agenda. C. HAZMAT ORDINANCE r This item will be placed on the next agenda. RI. APPOINTMENTS Appointments to the Skills Development Program will be considered at the next meeting scheduled for February 21, 1995. XII. MINUTES - NONE RIII. CLOSED SESSION - NONE %IV. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to be considered, Chair Carey adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 1995 at the OWASA community meeting room, Carrboro, North Carolina. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk