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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 199512041 APPROVED 2/12/96 SPECIAL MEETING ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1995 5:30 P.M. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Monday, December 4, 1995 at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of receiving information on Welfare Reform and its impact on families and children in Orange County. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners William L. Crowther, Stephen H. Halkiotis and Don Willhoit. COUNTY COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Commissioner Alice M. Gordon COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Albert Kittrell and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be recognized appropriately below) NOTE: All documents referred to in these minutes are in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Social Services Director Marti Pryor-Cook said that she is not sure about the timeline for the welfare Work First program. She is preparing her staff for what they feel is going to be the impact of this plan. Jan Schopler, Chair of the Social Services Board, thanked the County Commissioners for this opportunity to present information on what they see as the impact of funding cuts on young children and their families. She said that while they don't know the specifics of welfare reform, they do know the direction it is going and feel the community needs to be involved in working out the specifics for welfare reform. She introduced the other members of the Social Services Board. They are Rutha Brooks, Phil Cook, and Bill Crowther. PROFILE OF RECIPIENT POPULATION Gwen Price summarized and compared the profile of recipient population in Orange County to that of North Carolina. This included AFDC, Medicaid, S/CSA and Food Stamps. She noted that there will be a large impact upon the AFDC population with the implementation of the Governor's new Work First program. With regard to Aid to Families with Dependent Children in Orange County, the average household size is 2.32 and the average payment is $223.36. The average monthly number of recipients is 1,990 and the average monthly number of cases is 858. The average duration of payments is 16 months. In Orange County 83.6% of the recipients are high school graduates which is higher than the state 70%. She continued with the age and race breakdown of the AFDC recipients. With regard to the JOBS program, Orange County has 267 active participants. It is projected that the Work First participants will increase this number to more than 600 in 1996 and 1100 in 1997. Gwen Price continued with some AFDC recipient profiles. OVERVIEW OF MAJOR CHANGES Marti Pryor-Cook stated that the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services supports a welfare reform program that will help people move from welfare to work, strengthen 2 families through work and promote personal responsibility, however, they want to ensure that the program keeps children safe and fosters family stability. Marti Pryor-Cook emphasized that welfare reform means that there will be major changes in how Social Services are administered in this Country. One of her challenges is to look at how they function as an agency, a community and a government. It requires a different way of looking at things which is the real challenge. Marti Pryor-Cook gave an overview of the NC House Plan (HB 5) for welfare reform and also the Governor Hunt/Senate Bill (SB 35). This information is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's office. She listed the °Carrots" of each plan and the impacts of each plan. She noted that a crisis in Medicaid could be imminent. The House bill would only permit Medicaid growth of 15 percent for the period between October 1, 1994 and October 1, 1996 whereas North Carolina Medicaid has grown by 23 percent in half that time. IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN John Walker noted that with welfare reform there is a need to develop new ways of doing business. Collaboration will be needed in order to achieve the outcome they desire. Their focus must be on what they hope to achieve from the programs they can afford to offer. Collaboration is vital to the outcome. People who have talent, experience and resources must be brought together for the purpose of achieving something they cannot achieve by themselves. Welfare Reform is too big to be taken on by only a few people. The process must include people bringing whatever resources they have to the table. Michele Rivest, Executive Director of the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, (Smart Start) summarized the funding cuts for young children and their families. She said that block grant reductions and restructuring are likely to have significant negative impact on the lives of young children and their families in Orange County and North Carolina. Young children are likely to experience multiple impacts, and will be hit hardest in the areas of child care, child safety and child health. She feels that emphasis for priority services must be placed on programs and services that achieve measurable outcomes for young children and their families. OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE DELIVERY Marti Pryor-Cook talked about opportunities for collaboration. She said that there are many changes in how they do business which presents many challenges to her and her staff. NEXT STEPS/COMMENTS Commissioner Crowther, member of the DSS Board, thanked everyone for their participation in this presentation. He feels that the information will help the County Commissioners to set goals for this coming year. He emphasized the importance of being ready to implement the changes in service delivery when the state and the Federal Government finalize their bills. By being prepared, it will help the Board to plan the budget for next year. He feels it is very important to find out what the community wants as the outcome from welfare reform. He suggested setting up a 90-day task force to pull in all the stakeholders in this process to address what needs to happen in order to address what is necessary to reach the desired outcome in Orange County. He asked that the County Commissioners help in this process. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the information presented is really depressing. The needs are real and he supports a committee to work on addressing what will be necessary to reach the desired outcomes of the community. Commissioner Willhoit suggests that the services currently provided by DSS need to be listed in priority order, starting with mandated services. This will help in determining how to apply available funds. He would also like an estimate of the reduction in administrative workload if the client population is reduced as the result of changes in eligibility requirements. Marti Pryor-Cook said that the time saved with simplified forms will give her staff adequate time to do the people work that will be required of welfare reform. Within her department, she is looking at major reorganization and training needs for her staff. Commissioner Willhoit asked if there were any models in terms of impact on the organization and if there could be a shift of funds that are now going for administration. John Link said that everyone will have to do their own model. The County should approach welfare reform as a social tornado or hurricane. It is a matter of pushing the state in terms of giving the local counties as much latitude as possible. He supports the idea of a short term task force using the people resources in Orange County . It was the consensus of the Board that a charge and composition for this task force will be on the first agenda in January for Board consideration. ADJOURNMENT With no further comments, this special meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting of the County Commissioners is scheduled for December 4, 1995 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Old County Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Moses Carey, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk APPROVED 2/12/96 1 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting December 4, 1995 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on Monday, December 4, 1995 at 7:30 p. m. in the courtroom of the Old County Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Carey, 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 Rod Visser and Albert Kittrell and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (all other staff members will be identified appropriately below) NOTE: ALL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ALL ITEMS REFERRED TO IN THESE M{NOTES IS IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE 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 anyone who would like to speak to an item on the printed agenda will be recognized at the appropriate time. B. MATTERS NOT ON THE PRINTED AGENDA -NONE PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Carey dispensed with the reading of the public charge. A. BOARD ORGANIZATION 1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Chair Carey was elected Chair until the first meeting in December, 1996. The vote was unanimous. Commissioner Halkiotis was elected Vice-Chair until the first meeting in December, 1996. The vote was Commissioner Halkiotis -four votes and Commissioner Gordon -one vote. 2. Designation of Voting Delegate for all NCACC and NACo meetings for calendar year December 1, 1995-1996 A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to designate Commissioner Willhoit as the voting delegate for all NCACC and NACo meetings for the next twelve months beginning December 1, 1995. VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. APPOINTMENTS 1. Manager A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to appoint John M. Link, Jr. as County Manager. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 2 2. Clerk to the Board A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to appoint Beverly A. Blythe as Clerk to the Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 3. County Attorney A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to appoint the law firm of Coleman, Gledhill and Hargrave for legal services. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 4. Board Member Appointments and Other Appointments The Board decided they would discuss some of the appointments at their Goal Setting Retreat on Saturday. They felt there is a need to redefine the role of a County Commissioner serving on some of the boards where it is not mandated that a Commissioner serve. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to adopt the list as presented in the agenda. VOTE: UNANIMOUS III. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Gordon noted she is the Commissioners' liaison on the University of North Carolina Planning Panel for planning the Horace Williams tract and the Mason Farm tract. The Consultant has presented a plan and the Panel will meet this Friday to prepare a response. She made reference to the area adjacent to the proposed Human Services Center on Homestead Road and said that the plan is to have a road to the west which will access the northern part of the tract. Under potential uses they have included visitor services which will provide health services for people who are visiting in the area. Another use would be for research. She feels the uses would be quite compatible with the County's facility. She asked that the County Commissioners let her know of any comments they want her to make. She made reference to the last item on the agenda and said that the State's School Capital Construction Study Commission will be coming to Chapel Hill for a public hearing on school construction issues. This is for the purpose of determining the role of the County and State in funding school construction. IV. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT John Link made reference to the Goal Setting Retreat scheduled for Saturday and said that there will be a dedication ceremony for those citizens who made contributions so that the Homestead Center could become a reality for the community. He also distributed a youth guide that had just been published. This was a collaboration between the Youth Services Advisory Committee and his office. V. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS -NONE VI. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS A. Presentation -Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reaorting John Link said that Orange County has been awarded the Government Finance Officers' Association Certificate of Achievement each year since 1982. Each year the eligibility standards for the award become more stringent. 3 The County Commissioners congratulated Ken Chavious and his staff for their dedication and hard work necessary to win this award each year. The staff members present who were congratulated were Debbie Smith, Joyce Refiners and Howard Fitts. VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS -NONE VIII. ITEMS FOR DECISION -CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve those items on the Consent Agenda as listed below: A. MINUTES The Board approved the minutes for October 17, 1995 as presented. B. EXAMINATION OF BONDS The Board approved the bonds for officials pursuant to G.S. 109-5 at their current levels listed in the abstract. The bonds ire written for the following amounts: Sheriff $ 25,000 Register of Deeds 25,000 Finance Director 250,000 Tax Collector 30,000 All County Employees (for faithful performance) 250,000 C. SECTION 8 SOFTWARE CONVERSION The Board approved a Software License Agreement with Creative Computer Solutions for the Section 8 Existing Housing Assistance Program and authorized the Chair to sign the document upon approval of the County Attorney. D. CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM DISCRETIONARY GRANT AWARD ACCEPTANCE The Board accepted the grant for $166,320 which will be used to assist in the expansion of Freedom House and authorized the County Manager, if necessary, to make minor changes to the contract within the approved contract amount. E. UNIVERSITY MANOR -PRELIMINARY PLAN This was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed under items for decision because the Planning Board approved this proposed subdivision by a 7-1 vote. F. TUPELO RIDGE, PHASE TWO -PRELIMINARY PLAN This property is located in western Chapel Hill Township on the east side of Union Grove Church Road south of Albert Road. The total acreage of Phase Two is 40.84 acres. Approximately 12.62 acres are in Orange County's jurisdiction. Twelve new residential lots are proposed in Phase Two. The Board approved the Resolution for the Preliminary Plan as per the Planning Board recommendation. G. ORDINANCE RESTRICTING THE DISPOSAL OF CORRUGATED CARDBOARD The Board adopted °An Ordinance Restricting the Disposal of Corrugated Cardboard at the Orange County Regional Landfill" and approved the resolution imposing the penalty fees for violations of the ban as stated on the next page: 4 RESOLUTION ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AN ORDINANCE RESTRICTING THE DISPOSAL OF CORRUGATED CARDBOARD AT THE ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL LANDFILL WHEREAS, the Landfill Owners' Group has recommended that the local governments in Orange County adopt ordinances banning from disposal at the Orange County Regional Landfill clean, recyclable corrugated cardboard from non-residential generators; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that as much as 4,000 tons of such cardboard could be removed from Orange County's annual waste stream, thereby extending the life of the current landfill by up to eight months and assisting in progress toward the statewide 40°~ waste reduction goal; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THAT: Section 1. Disposal of recyclable corrugated cardboard is restricted and regulated per the following conditions: a) Disposal of recyclable corrugated cardboard from non-residential sources is prohibited at the Orange County Regional Landfill. b) Disposal of recyclable corrugated cardboard in mixed solid waste receptacles maintained throughout Orange County is prohibited, provided that incidental disposal of such material by residential generators at staffed solid waste convenience centers maintained by Orange County shall not be subject to such prohibition. Waste reduction and recycling of clean corrugated cardboard by solid waste convenience center users will be encouraged, and any visible clean corrugated cardboard will be removed from convenience center waste receptacles prior to transport of their contents to the landfill. All bulk waste containers within Orange County shall be labeled with a permanent visible sign, prominently displayed, stating that recyclable corrugated cardboard is prohibited from being dumped. These signs shall be in place by March 1, 1996. c) Any hauler of non-residential waste to the landfill shall be subject to this prohibition. The disposal prohibition applies to all non-residential loads of waste delivered by haulers to the landfill including mixed loads that contain both residential and non-residential waste. All waste delivered to the landfill in small quantities by pick-up trucks, vans, small trailers and automobiles will also be subject to this prohibition. d) For the purpose of this prohibition, non-residential waste includes, but is not limited to, waste generated by: (I) the commercial, institutional, industrial, construction, and multi-family sectors; (ii) waste collected from bulk containers, including dumpsters, compactors, roll-off containers, and delivered to the landfill in bulk container collection vehicles, except for those bulk containers provided for at staffed solid waste convenience centers maintained by Orange County, and; (iii) all other waste generated by the non-residential sectors that is delivered to the landfill in any type conveyance. e) For the purposes of this prohibition, recyclable corrugated cardboard refers to all corrugated cardboard that is deemed recyclable by current industry standards. Any cardboard that is not recyclable due to contamination at the source (e.g. saturated with food) or due to its nature (e.g. waxed boxes) is exempt from the corrugated cardboard ban and the penalty imposed by this 5 ordinance. Cardboard contaminated by action of the generator or hauler is not exempt from the penalty fee imposed by this ordinance. Section 2. Haulers found in violation of Section 1 are subject to a penalty fee as adopted, and periodically revised, by the owners of the Orange County Regional Landfill. Section 3. The penalty provisions in Section 2 shall be effective March 1, 1996. The remainder of this ordinance shall be effective upon adoption, this 4th day of December, 1995. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A PENALTY FEE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF NON-RESIDENTIAL RECYCLABLE CORRUGATED CARDBOARD AT THE ORANGE COUNTY LANDFILL WHEREAS, the Landfill Owners' Group has determined that a prohibition on landfilling of clean, recyclable corrugated cardboard in the Orange County Regional Landfill will extend the life of the landfill by at least eight months, and WHEREAS, recyclable corrugated cardboard has steady recycling markets easily available to Orange County, and WHEREAS, corrugated cardboard is aloes-density, easily identifiable material which takes up considerable landfill space, and WHEREAS, ,recyclable corrugated cardboard has been successfully collected and recycled throughout the County by public and private haulers for the past seven years, and WHEREAS, alternatives are available to those affected by the ban who do not wish to hire a service to remove recyclable cardboard for recycling, and WHEREAS, Orange County finds that it is in the best interest of all the citizens and would promote the public health if corrugated cardboard is not accepted for disposal at the Orange County Regional Landfill, and WHEREAS, Orange County has adopted an ordinance which prohibits the disposal of non- residential recyclable corrugated cardboard at the Orange County Regional Landfill; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that ;the penalty fee for haulers violating the ordinance banning disposal of non-residential recyclable corrugated cardboard at the Orange County Regional Landfill shall be equal to twice the prevailing tipping fee per ton, or $25.00, whichever is greater, effective March 1, 1996. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS IX. ITEMS FOR DECISION -REGULAR AGENDA A. CONTRACT APPROVAL FOR JAIUCOURTHOUSE PROJECT The Board considered approving a contract with Trafalgar House Construction Company for construction of the Jail/Courthouse project. The final contract price with Trafalgar House is $3,482,968. This will leave approximately $225,000 for contingency. Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about the 10 month time period. He does not think it can be finished within 10 months. Purchasing Director Pam Jones will keep the Board informed of the progress on these projects. A motion was made by Chair Carey, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve the contract with Trafalgar House Construction Company for the construction of the Jail/Courthouse 6 project in the amount of $3,482,968 contingent upon Attorney and Staff review and authorize the Manager to execute change orders as may become necessary to the extent of the project budget, and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. BID AWARD -OLD COURTHOUSE PAINTING AND MAINTENANCE WORK Pam Jones asked that the Board consider awarding a bid and approving a contract to Trafalgar House Construction Company for maintenance work to be done at the Old Courthouse. The work involves painting all exterior trim, replacing gutters and reglazing windows. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to award the bid for maintenance work to be done at the Old Courthouse and approve the contract contingent upon Attorney and Staff review to Trafalgar House Construction Company in the amount of $107,100 and authorize the Manager to execute change orders as may be necessary to the extent of the project budget and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GOALS The Landfill Organization and Financing Options Work Group has been meeting throughout 1995 to consider options for reorganizing the management of solid waste in Orange County and its municipalities. During a series of meetings, the work group discussed and refined a list of proposed solid waste management goals and a mission statement designed to help the group establish a foundation for the future governance of the landfill and other solid waste management activities. In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Commissioner Willhoit stated that the Orange Solid Waste Management Group is a citizen group which has been meeting for several years. Wilbert McAdoo is the County staff support for this group. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adopt the solid waste management goals and mission statement as presented in the agenda. VOTE: UNANIMOUS D. VOLUNTARY DUES -THE GREATER TRIANGLE REGIONAL COUNCIL Chair Carey asked that the Board consider approving an allocation of $3,000 in voluntary dues for the Greater Triangle Regional Council. The Council has very low administrative fees and they have received grants from different businesses. He said that the Council is focusing on three strategic directions: 1. the project to examine regional development choices 2. the Triangle Universities Research Consortium on Youth at Risk, and 3. regional wastewater management alternatives Commissioner Gordon noted that this was a group created and sponsored by Triangle J Council of Governments. When it was created, it was thought that resources would be raised privately. She feels this item needs to be considered as part of the budget process. Her major concern is that there are so many regional organizations that governments are trying to fund. She also questioned if it is appropriate for this group to be working on a regional land use plan. After additional discussion, the Board decided to consider this request during the regular budget cycle. ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA 7 E. UNIVERSITY MANOR _ PRELIMINARY PLAN The property is located on the south side of NC 10 east of New Hope Church Road. Forty-seven residential lots are proposed on the 95-acre portion of the property located on the west side of Stoney Creek. Individual on-site septic systems are proposed. Water will be provided by community wells. Approximately 23 acres (24%) of the subdivision are contained within an open space area to be owned by the homeowner's association. Commissioner Gordon questioned the location of the two community wells. Planner Mary Willis said that the two community well sites have been approved by the Orange County Environmental Health Division and the Public Water Supply Branch of the NC Division of Environmental Management. If they drill and find no water, they would need to find alternate sites. Before the subdivision can receive 1'tnal approval, the well system will have to be completed. The wells will be owned by the homeowners association but conveyed to a utility company . Mary Willis said that the schools reviewed the plan in June and showed no interest in a school site. Also, the Stoney Creek Planning Group reviewed this project. This needs to be approved by January 18, 1996. Commissioner Gordon asked that #4-B on page 7 be deleted so that the community water system must be constructed according to the plans approved by DEM's Public Water and Sewer Branch with no other choice. Commissioner Halkiotis asked how many community water systems there are in Orange County. This information will be provided before the next meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to table this item until December 19, 1995. VOTE: UNANIMOUS X. REPORTS A. JOHN JEFFRIES _ OCCANEECHI RE UEST FOR STATE RECOGNITION Mr. John Jeffries distributed a map which showed the Indian attractions in North Carolina. It also showed the proposed Occaneechi VillageNisitor Center for Hillsborough. After a brief discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve the resolution of support for state recognition as stated below: RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR STATE AND FEDERAL RECOGNITION WHEREAS, the ancestors of the Occaneechi-Saponi were an ancient people who collectively called themselves Yesah or the people who originally came from lands to the west, over the Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains in an area known today as the Ohio River Valley, and WHEREAS, nearly one thousand years ago, the Yesah came under attack from a powerful enemy and were forced to migrate over the mountains to their east and settle in what is now the piedmont of Virginia and North Carolina, and WHEREAS, as a result of their power, the influence of the Occaneechi and of the Yesah peoples were spread far and wide and both the general language of trade and the rituals of the indigenous religion of the region were spoken in the Occaneechi dialect, and WHEREAS, in May of the year 1676, the independence of the Occaneechi and of the Yesah peoples came to an abrupt end, when Nathaniel Bacon led his militia into the land of the Occaneechi in the spring of the year and forced a fight .which ultimately broke the power of the tribe and scattered the Yesah people, and 8 WHEREAS, after being attacked by Bacon's militia, the Occaneechi were forced south and settled along the Eno River near present day Hillsborough, North Carolina, and WHEREAS, in 1713, the colony of Virginia and Great Britain signed a treaty of peace with the Yesah and the Occaneechi returned to Virginia where they were joined by their cousins the Saponi, Tutelo, Stuckanocks, and Meiponsky, and WHEREAS, all the tribes joined together and adopted the name of the Saponi and were thereafter known as the Saponi Nation, and WHEREAS, by the mid 1700's the tribe had resettled in what is now Greensville, Brunswick, Mecklenburg and Northampton counties on the Virginia/North Caroilna border, and WHEREAS, they stayed there until the 1780's when in response to increasing pressure from neighboring whites, the community began moving back to the area near the Eno River where they had once lived, settling in the northeast section of Alamance County and adjoining Orange County and WHEREAS, since that time, some of the people moved to Ohio and Indiana but the bulk of the Saponi people remained in "Little Texas" forming an independent Indian community which was based on small scale farming, and WHEREAS, the Saponi people formally reorganized in 1984 as the Eno- Occaneechi Indian Association, Inc. with a Tribal Board of Directors which represents the tribe at the local, state and national level and which deals with problems facing the community, and WHEREAS, in February of 1995, the Tribal Board of Directors voted to amend the name of the tribe to the OCCANEECHI BAND OF THE SAPONI NATION to more accurately reflect the ancestry of the tribe. NOW, THEREFORE, THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS does hereby recognize the OCCANEECHI BAND OF THE SAF'ONI NATION as a Native American tribe indigenous to Orange County and FURTHERMORE, THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS does hereby support the OCCANEECHI BAND OF THE SAF'ONI NATION in their request for State and Federal recognition. VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. REPORT ON VOLUNTEER FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN Executive Director of the Volunteer Families for Children Juanita Clemmons explained that the Volunteer Families for Children organization recruits, trains and licenses volunteers who then make their homes available on an emergency basis to children and teenagers who do not fit other programs' guidelines and thus have nowhere else to go. This is the only organization which does this on an emergency basis. They receive funding from the Department of Social Services and CBA. She asked that the County Commissioners consider an allocation of $15,000 to help pay for a full-time Social Work Coordinator. John Link suggested and the Board referred this request to the administration to review this request and bring back to the Commissioners a recommendation. Commissioner Crowther suggested that the Human Services Advisory Commission also review this request. C. ORANGE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM The Board received a proposal to develop an Orange County Small Business Loan Program. A verbal agreement has been reached with the bankers to participate in a 3-year, one half million dollar loan pool. This program would provide market-rate loans to local small businesses. The banks would provide all initial capital at cost. The County would manage the program and provide a 30 % loan loss reserve. 9 Commissioner Gordon said she is generally in favor of this program but asked if priority could be given to those who presently live in Orange County . She feels that the program should encourage small businesses for those who now live in Orange County. Chair Carey feels it is an excellent idea. However, he does not think the program should be limited to applicants who reside in Orange County. He is concerned with jobs for Orange County citizens and not so much where they originate. Karen Raleigh, Chair of the Economic Development Commission, answered various questions about the Loan Committee which will consist of 6 representatives from the participating financial institutions and 2 representatives appointed by the County. Commissioner Gordon asked that there be an appeal process for banks which are not chosen to participate in this program. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to direct the staff to develop the legal documents to start the program and bring back this item for final approval. VOTE: UNANIMOUS D. FINAL REPORT OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM BOARD The Board received a report from the Orange County Skill Development Program Board. The findings and recommendations from the 23-member workgroup are included in the agenda. Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the space at the Northern Center and was told that it was all being used for other programs and that with increased usage of this center, the infrastructure would need to be renovated or replaced. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he feels there must be existing facilities somewhere which could be used and asked that the County look at what is in place before looking at another facility. He is interested in doing whatever is necessary to keep kids out of jails. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to receive the report as information. VOTE: UNANIMOUS E. REPORT _ JUSTICE FACILITY STUDY GROUP FINDINGS The Board received information as presented by Mr.Fripp who worked with the Justice Facilities Study Committee to formulate recommendations for future facility needs. The summary and recommendations were included with the agenda and on file in the Clerk's office. Mr. Fripp said that they considered demographics and transportation and came up with a primary and secondary facility. He summarized what kind of functions would take place at each location, a primary facility in Hillsborough and a secondary facility in Chapel Hill. Commissioner Willhoit indicated he would like to challenge the assumption about the demographics which were used and the report's conclusion about the location of the primary and secondary facility. Commissioner Gordon asked about the recommendation to contract for site selection if the County decides to use County-owned property. Mr. Fripp said that this was included in case the County Commissioners wanted to look at other sites. John Link said that the next step will be to share this report with the municipalities because building a facility of this magnitude will have an impact on traffic. They want to receive input from these entities before proceeding. He suggested that if a site is purchased, some of that site could be used for private businesses until the County needs it. 10 A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to receive the report as information. VOTE: UNANIMOUS F. CURRENT FORESTRY PRACTICES AND WOOD PROCESSING The Board received a report on current forestry practices in the County and wood processing plants. Brad Bowling, County Forest Ranger, said that these plants use a 100-mile buying radius. The report in the agenda outlined the current practice and the impact of new oriented strand board mills. The Board received this report as information. G. PUBLIC HEARINGS -SCHOOL CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION STUDY The Board received information on a series of nine meetings and public hearings planned across the state to gather input on school construction needs and ways of paying for these needs. The session for Orange County schools will be held on December 12. It was the consensus of the Board to develop a statement to be read at the public hearing. This will be reviewed at the Commissioners' Goal Setting Retreat scheduled for Saturday, December 9. XI. APPOINTMENTS -NONE XII. MINUTES -NONE XIII. CLOSED SESSION -NONE XIV. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to be considered, Chair Carey adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on Saturday, December 9, 1995 at 8:30 a.m. at the Homestead Community Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk