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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19961104APPROVED 12/2/96 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 1996 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 4, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. at the Northern Human Services Center in Cedar Grove, 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 Rod Visser and Albert Kittrell and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below} NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. ALL RECORDING TAPES OF THE MEETING WILL BE KEPT FOR FIVE u YEARS. 1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA -NONE 2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS a. Matters on the Printed Agenda Chair Carey said that citizens who have indicated a desire to make comments will be recognized at the appropriate time. b. Matters not on the Printed Agenda -NONE 1. Community Concerns - -NONE PUBLIC CHARGE The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Halkiotis noted that the ninth case of rabies has been found in Orange County. He asked what the County is doing to educate the public about rabies. John Link said that news releases are going out with information on what to do if rabies is suspected. Each time a case of rabies is found, the Animal Control officers go out into the neighborhood to report to the neighbors and to encourage them to get their pets vaccinated. Commissioner Gordon said that there is an ongoing educational program in the schools and in neighborhoods. Commissioner Halkiotis expressed disappointment about the lack of lighting in the meeting room (cafeteria) at this center. He feels that the needs of the schools are taken care of at the expense of County projects that need to be done. He also would like something done about the lighting in the Planning and Extension Service building. He asked the County Manager to look into a zoning violation on property adjacent to the Efland Methodist Church on Highway 70 west. John Link will report back on this situation. Chair Carey announced that election results will be on the intemet via Orange County's home page. The address is http://.www.co.orange.nc.us/Orange/ 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT -NONE 2 5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS -NONE 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS -NONE 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS -NONE 8. ITEMS FOR DECISION -CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve those items on the Consent Agenda as listed below: a. Appointments The Board approved the following appointments: Human Relations Commission -William Wolford for an unexpired term ending 12/31/98 Commission for Women -Karen Bennett for an unexpired term ending 6/30/99 Recreation and Parks Advisory Council -Ricky Hill for an unexpired term ending 3/30/99 Youth Services Advisory Council -Theresa McDonald for a term ending 9/30/99 and Carol Oldham for an unexpired term ending 9/30/98 Orange County Arts Commission -Daniel Green for an unexpired term ending 3/30/99 Human Services Advisory Commission -Jan Schopler for an unexpired term ending 3/30/99. b. Minutes The Board approved the minutes for May 16, June 17, 24, 27, August 19, September 3, 17 and 30 1996. c. Lease Renewal -Solid Waste Collection Site The Board approved renewing the lease for property at Highway #57 in Hillsborough Township which is used as a Solid Waste Collection site through March 31, 2001 at a cost of $150.00 per month, and authorized the chair to sign the lease. d. Petition for Addition -Victoria Drive The Board approved a petition from NCDOT to add Victoria Drive in Hillsborough township to the State-maintained Secondary Road System. e. Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 1997 The Board approved the schedule of Board of County Commissioners meetings for calendar year 1997 as presented. f. Orange/Chatham Criminal Justice Partnership Pro ram Grant Acceptance The Board accepted and authorized the Chair to sign the grant award from the N.C. Department of Correction for the continued implementation of the Orange-Chatham Criminal Justice Partnership Program. g_ CJPP Contract: OPC Mental Health The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign a contract with Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health Center for substance abuse services for persons sentenced to intermediate sanctions. The contract in the amount of $100,941 provides for the continuation of amulti-county substance abuse program for this targeted population. h. CJPP Contract: OrangelChatham Altemative Sentencing The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign a contract with Orange/Chatham Altemative Sentencing for the implementation of the Pre-Trial Release Program. The contract in the amount of $70,000 provides for continuation of the pre-trial release program for this multi-county effort. 3 I. CJPP Contract: Freedom House The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign a contract with Freedom House, Inc. to assist with the architectural costs associated with the construction of a men's halfway house to accommodate Criminal Justice Partnership Program clients. L Housing Rehabilitation Contract Award The Board approved awarding one housing rehabilitation contract to J.D. Grinstead Construction Company for roofing repairs at the Chase Park Apartments in Chapel Hill in the amount of $5,750; and another to CFW Construction Company of Raleigh, North Carolina in the amount of $60,610. k. Landfill ti in Fee Revisions The Board approved the increase in the mixed solid waste and construction & demolition debris tipping fees from $31.00 per ton to $33.00 per ton, effective December 1, 1996. I. Appointment of Bond Counsel The Board approved appointing the Sanford Law Firm to serve as bond counsel for the Southern Village Elementary School project financing. m. Amendment to Jail Plan -Fee for Routine Service The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign an amendment to the Health Plan for the jail to allow the Sheriff to charge for non-emergency medical care for inmates at the Orange County Jail. n. Cancellation of November Quarterly Public Hearing The Board canceled the November 25th Quarterly public hearing and scheduled a public hearing at the December 17 meeting for the proposed ordinance amendments related to the Stoney Creek Small Area Plan. o. Classification Plan Amendment - PC Su ort Specialist/Computer Operator The Board amended the Classification and Pay Plan by changing the class title of Computer Operator/Programmer to PC Support Specialist/Computer Operator. ~ Gable Franchise Fee Audit The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign an agreement between Orange County and TJCOG for cable franchise fee audit contingent on the review by the County Attorney. g Economic Development Fundin ~ the General Assembly The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign the resolution as stated below which releases funds that were appropriated to Councils of Government by the General Assembly. A sum of $48,015 was appropriated to each COG to assist local govemments in their economic development activities. Of that amount $7,123.60 is due the COG based on Orange County's population. RESOLUTION 96/97 BY ORANGE COUNTY WHEREAS, in North Carolina the Lead Regional Organizations, as voluntary organizations serving municipal and county govemments, have established productive working relationships with the cities and counties across the state; and WHEREAS, many counties and cities continue to need assistance in pursuing economic and community development opportunities, but federal assistance in the form of intergovernmental revenues has been severely curtailed in recent years; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly continued to recognize this need through the appropriation of $864,270 to help the Lead Regional Organizations assist local govemments with grant applications, economic 4 development, community development and to support local industrial development activities and other activities as deemed appropriate by their local govemments; and WHEREAS, these funds are not intended to be used for payment of members' dues or assessments to Lead Regional Organization or to supplant funds appropriated by the member govemments; and WHEREAS, in the event that a request is not made by a unit of govemment for release of these funds to our Regional Council, the available funds will revert to the State's General Funds; and WHEREAS, in Region J funds in the amount of $48,015 will be used to carry out the economic development plan approved by the COG Board of Delegates and especially to improve the economy of the counties and towns of the Region by strengthening ties to and consequently benefits of the Research Triangle Park. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Orange County requests the release of its $7,123.60 share of these funds to the Triangle J Council of Govemments at the earliest possible time in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 324, House Bill 229, section 9.4 of the 1995 Session Laws. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION _ REGULAR AGENDA a. New Hope S rp ings' Section Two -Amended Phasing Plan Planner Emily Cameron presented for consideration of Board approval a revised phasing plan for New Hope Springs Subdivision Section Two. The Preliminary Plan for New Hope Springs, Section Two was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on September 6, 1994. In accordance with the provisions of Section III-D-2-f of the Subdivision Regulations, the Planning Department re-approved the Preliminary Plan in September 1995, since neither the subdivision design nor any condition of approval had changed. The administrative re-approval expired on September 12, 1996. The applicant is now requesting an amendment to the Phasing Plan to allow additional time for completing road improvements and recording final plats for four (4) phases in Section Two. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the amended phasing plan for New Hope Springs, Section Two as stated below: Phase A to be completed by September 30, 1997 Phase B to be completed by September 30, 1999 Phase C to be completed by September 30, 2001 Phase D to be completed by September 30, 2003 VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Universi Manor Phase II Preliminary Plan Planner Mary Willis presented for consideration of Board approval the Preliminary Plan for University Manor Phase II. On May 20, the Planning Board approved afour--phase revised/consolidated Concept Plan for 595 acres in the Stoney Creek Basin, in the vicinity of North Carolina 10, New Hope Church Road and University Station Road. The consolidated Concept Plan included a total of 281 residential lots, a 30-acre park site to be dedicated to Orange County, and 167 acres to be preserved through conservation easements. Phase II contains 118 acres and is located south of Rigsbee Road west of University Station Road and the Southern Railroad. Sixty-one residential lots are proposed. Discussion ensued on the location of the park and its proximity to the railroad tracks. It was clarified that the park does fall within the Master Recreation and Parks Plan. Mary Willis noted that this is not a designated area for mass transit. Commissioner Gordon questioned the type of recreational activities that could be provided since the site is not flat. The developer indicated that the slope is about 3%. Mary Willis said that the School Board indicated they were not interested in this site for a school. The estimated cost per dwelling is $275,000 with .33 children projected per house. For the record, Commissioner Crowther does not feel that the park site is located appropriately next to the railroad. 5 Since it was evident that additional information was needed about the park and the slope of the land, the developer gave his consent to carry this item forward to the next meeting. This will allow time for the Recreation and Parks Director to walk the site. Also, the County Commissioners want to know if there is another site that would be more appropriate for the park away from the railroad. Commissioner Gordon expressed a concern about the provision of water. Additional information will be provided on the number of lots which will perk and suitable for wells. She also asked 'rf the parkland dedication could be done at one time instead of waiting until the end of the time when all the lots are developed. Commissioner Willhoit also wanted to know how many trains run on these tracks per day. Answers to the above questions and concerns will be on the next agenda. c. Proiect Homestart Agreements John Link presented three agreements with Interfaith Council for Social Services regarding Project Homestart. Chris Moran, Executive Director of Interfaith Council summarized where they are with this project. Director of Purchasing and Central Services Pam Jones showed on a map where the temporary easement would run across County-owned property for an OWASA forcemain and pumping station that will serve Project Homestart. Commissioner Gordon has previously requested that the sewer line be routed to avoid any sites suitable for future county buildings. As a result, the alignment of the temporary easement was changed, with the concurrence of the Interfaith Council, to skirt known buildable areas. The County Attorney will modify the agreement to reflect this change. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the three agreements with two amendments for Interfaith Council for Project Homestart. VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. Use of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's Emergency Watershed Protection Program to Remove Hurricane Debris from Coun 's Rivers, Streams and Waterways John Link provided the Board with information about the US Department of Agriculture's Emergency Watershed Protection Program and its potential to assist in clearing storm debris from the County's waterways. He explained that once the State and Federal funds are approved, the County's responsibility will be to provide local coordination of debris removal efforts. Commissioner Halkiotis said that it is important that there be one person responsible for administering this program and dealing with the people in Raleigh. Commissioner Crowther asked that the Soil and Water Conservation Board also be included in this process and was told they would be notified and included as they so desire. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve the following recommendation including the Soil and Water Conservation Board in the process: • approve the County's participation in the EWP program using the Federal Contracting Option • authorize the Chair to sign, on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, the official "Request for Assistance" • authorize the Chair to sign, on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, the official "Appointment of Liaison" letters designating the County Engineer as the liaison; • authorize the Chair to sign, on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, the official letter of assurance of availability and commitment of twenty-five percent local (County) funding share • direct staff to: 1) draft, for the Chair's approval and execution, the letters designated above; and 2) proceed with the EWP site identification, coordination and mitigation process as required. r 6 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 10. REPORTS -NONE 11. APPOINTMENTS ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to make this appointment at the same time the other Planning Board appointments are made for those whose terms are expiring in March, 1997. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 12. MINUTES -NONE 13. CLOSED SESSION -NONE 14. ADJOURNMENT With no further items for discussion, Chair Carey adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on November 19, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. in the OWASA community meeting room, 400 Jones Ferry Road in Carrboro, North Carolina. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk