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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19980930APPROVED MAY 18, 1999 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met with the Orange County School Board for a work session on Wednesday, September 30, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Government Services Center, Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Margaret W. Brown, and Commissioners Moses Carey, Jr., William L. Crowther, Alice M. Gordon and Stephen H. Halkiotis. 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) ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS: Susan Dovenbarger, Rick Kennedy, David Kolbinsky and Delores Simpson ORANGE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT: Dr. Randy Bridges NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. ALL RECORDINGS OF THE MEETING WILL BE KEPT FOR 5 YEARS. INTRODUCTIONS Introductions were made. OPENING REMARKS Superintendent Bridges made opening comments. He explained the handout which included information on the following topics: • ABCs Results • Workforce Development • North Carolina Partnership for Excellence • System Wide Transition Plan • Technology and Media Accomplishments • New Elementary School 1. SCHOOL OPERATING/CAPITAL ISSUES UPDATES a. Schools and Land Use Council Discussions John Link said that nine months ago the County Commissioners, the two school boards and local municipalities agreed that we should work together on issues of mutual concern. Two groups were formed called "School and Land Use Councils". The focus of communication would be local governments relaying information on land development activities to the schools that could have an impact on their facility needs; and school systems relaying information on future facility needs/plans to local governments well in advance so as to promote better coordination of activities and resources. Interim Planning Director Gene Bell explained the process which has allowed sharing of information on what is happening with development, looking at GIS and how the growth or development would impact the school boundaries. One major item that all jurisdictions agreed with was an interlocal agreement which formalizes the process of colocating facilities. 2 Gene Bell handed out information that he summarized. The first document was the resolution of intent concerning the role of the Schools and Land Use Councils. He said that item "b" of this resolution sets the stage for what we are doing on these councils. It states that "the process shall be one that elevates these outcomes of information to the board level of each jurisdiction so that board consideration can be made on issues such as the following:" • capital improvement plan and potential forjoint capital plans • plans for infrastructure • siting schools with other public facilities • siting schools appropriately in a development or in a geographic area Gene Bell distributed a memorandum which outlined the possible structure for communication. Three relevant areas were identified: roles of municipal/county government related to processing development proposals, tracking cumulative development, and the role of the two school systems in keeping local governments apprised of their activities. Susan Dovenbarger asked if the municipalities have agreed to this process and the framework. Commissioner Gordon said that we are not sure that Hillsborough has bought into this but she feels everyone else has. In answer to a question from Commissioner Halkiotis about any planned subdivisions, Gene Bell said that the Lawrence Road Project could provide 250 units. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he would like to know of any planned subdivisions and asked that he be provided that information on a monthly basis via a-mail. John Link agreed to provide information on concept plans. Discussion ensued on development and the donation or bargaining for a school site and the responsibility of the developer. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested going out to Magnolia Place and counting the number of children living in the 40 houses and to also take an area of Chapel Hill and do the same. b. Process for sitin new schools The County Commissioners and the Orange County School Board discussed at length different processes for siting new schools. They discussed several figures being used. for children per household. Additional information on student generation numbers will be forthcoming to the County Commissioners. Susan Dovenbarger said that the biggest hurdle for them when looking for a site is the availability of water and sewer. c. Planning/timetable for new elementary and high schools Randy Bridges made reference to the projection as included in the packet. He said that they hope to open a new elementary school in August 2000 and a new high school in August 2001. d. Use of fund balance in operating budgets Randy Bridges said that they wanted to discuss this since this issue was raised in last year's budget process. He needs to know if this is going to be a standard practice to use fund balance or if they should use their fund balance to fund needed items. John Link made reference to a memo dated June 22 in which he suggested parameters for appropriation of school fund balance. After a brief discussion, it was decided that the County's Finance Director would meet with the two School Board finance directors to discuss the policy on fund balance. 3 e. OCS Staff/Program/Facility initiatives with potential future budgetary impacts John Link said that it is important to know what is happening that may have a budgetary impact. If they have information ahead of time they can make better decisions at budget time. Commissioner Gordon asked if it is possible to move up the time that the school board presents their budget. She asked if they could move their schedule up by two weeks. She explained that since the schools budget is such a large portion of the County's budget that everything else depends on this information. Randy Bridges said that two issues that may have a budgetary impact would be an increase in their local supplement and the implementation of an alternative school. They are also talking about providing transportation for their year round school. School Board member Rick Kennedy feels that reducing class size is an issue that needs to be addressed. Upgrading their sport facilities and offering band and foreign language in elementary schools is important. He feels that there needs to be an effort to identify and help with literacy and that they need to do more before the children get to school and that it should not be the sole responsibility of the school system. Regarding reducing class size, Superintendent Bridges said that they cannot reduce class size because classroom space is not available. Maybe, the following year when the new elementary school is opened, it may be possible to reduce class size. 2. JOINT PLANNING AGREEMENT _ PROVISIONS FOR TEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT MORATORIUM John Link said that the Carrboro Board of Alderman is holding a public hearing this Tuesday to consider continuing the moratorium for Carrboro's small area plan. Under the present rules, unless the County Commissioners object to this continuation, it would be approved. Geoffrey Gledhill said that during the public hearing held in April, an amendment to the Joint Planning Area Agreement was presented for comments. This amendment indicates that if the Towns want a moratorium, they have a public hearing and present their request to the Orange County Board of Commissioners for their approval. The Board of County Commissioners makes the final decision. The second moratorium for Carrboro's small area plan ends tonight. In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Geof Gledhill said that if Carrboro attends our meeting on October 6 and tells us what comments were received, the Board of County Commissioners does not need to act on their recommendation. The moratorium does not go into effect until the County Commissioners approve it after Carrboro has the public hearing. . A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the proposed amendment to the Joint Planning Agreement that would preserve the status quo pending the consideration of a land use ordinance amendment designed to address exigent circumstances or the results of a study. It would allow for adoption of a moratorium of no more than six months that could be extended one time for an additional six months. The amendment was approved by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on May 26, 1998 and by the Chapel Hill Town Council on June 8, 1998. VOTE: UNANIMOUS It was decided that a member of our planning staff will attend the public hearing and report back to the Board of County Commissioners next Tuesday evening. 3. CLOSED SESSION • 4 A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adjourn into Closed Session to establish the County's position and to instruct the County Manager and County Attorney on the negotiating position regarding the terms of a contract to purchase real property by authority of NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5). VOTE: UNANIMOUS 4. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to discuss, Chair Margaret W. Brown adjourned the meeting. The next meeting on the regular meeting schedule will be held on October 6, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. in the Judge F. Gordon Battle Courtroom, Hillsborough, North Carolina. Margaret W. Brown, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk