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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19820316 tiU MINUTES MARCH 16, 1982 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday March 16,1982, at 7:30 P.M. in the Nutrition Rrm at the Northside Multipurpose i Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Cmmissicners present: Commissioner Richard E. Whitted, Chair, and Corr missioners Norm Gustaveson, Shirley E. Marshals, Norman Walker (who arrived at 7:50 P.M.) and Ion Will.hoit. A. Camrits from.the Board: Chairman Whitted deleted consideration of the approval of the Minutes of the March 8, 1982, Public gearing to allow more time for review and said Item D, the Public Hearing on Northside mould be the first item on the agenda. Commissioner Gustaveson added consideration of an item from DOT. D. Public Hearing on Space`Allocation at the Northside Multipurpose Center. County Manager Ken Thompson presented a brief review of the history of the canplex and somY Introduce some procedures the County would implement. He said the building would cost about $150,000 to renovate and agencies occupying the building would be charged for utilities on a square.foot basis and charged rent - if..the-'agenriec were--able<to-1 ay. _He said the County position is to be a good neighbor, not impose agencies in the neighborhood, not to put in activities that weld increase traffic problems and parking problems in the neighborhood and tv provide rent free space for County agencies. He then reviewed the proposals. listing advantages and disadvantages of each. The Board asked that those who were speaking for the Community School for People under Six to speak following remarks frcm. the other agencies. Mr. Bill Baxter, Director, OPC Mental Health, said the Mental Health Depart— I meet had received a grant to renovate the Cafeteria Building for a Day Care- Hosp- ital and that if a decision was not made quickly the funds could be lost. He argued that the Cafeteria was phi�losophhically deeded to the Mental Health Center. Ms. Carol Mead, JOCCA South Orange Director, read and presented a letter to the Board of Commissioners from the South Orange AdO sory Council (a copy of that letter is on page of this book). Li i Mr. Keith Aldridge, representing the Inter Faith Council, while not making i a recommendation from the Council,spoke to the quality of services rendered by i agencies located.in the building. He felt that the level of service could be improved by better space allocation, perhaps a different configuration of space for those agencies. He said the inter-Faith Council supported the location of such services in the neighborhood. Mr. Willie Cleris , of the Community School, said the plans were dis- ruptive as drawn and suggested keeping the.Commin i ty School. for_People Under- Six _. at one end of the building and putting in soundproofing. Mr. Thompsorf, County Manager, responded that this was what was intended. Ms. C:::Watson, of Hillsborough, spoke to the Orange Industries in Hills- borough. Chairman Whitted told her this was not a public hearing on that operation but on Northside. Mr. Wilson McKerrow, representing the Senior Citizens Board, said this place was the ideal facility for a Senior Center in south Orange. He added that people had expected this to be a Senior Center and spoke to the advantages for locating the Department of Social services in this building. He feels that the Community School for People Under Six is an asset to the community; he feels v that it is unwise to use the cafeteria for the. Willie M. program. Ms. Lane Cook, of the Department of Social Services, said losing over 300 sq. feet of space would affect service delivery to people in south orange. Ms. Rose Breedlove, a resident of the area, spoke to the problem of traffic and parking spaces sufficient to handle the increased vehicles. The County Manager said additional parking spaces were planned for the side of the building. Mr. Ernie Patterson, of the Town of Carrboro, wanted to know if the building would be air conditioned, The Manager replied yes, Ms. Martha McClendon (?), feels that it is bad for disturbed children to be near Senior Citizens. She is in favor of sending the Community School to the cafeteria building and reserving the main Northside building for Seniors. She is opposed to the Willie M. program being located in the neighborhood. Ms.. Josephine Barbour, asked if there was anyone who could explain the Willie M. program. I Ms. Scott, of the Mental Health Center, did so, saying it was for emotionally disturbed children who could not stay in school. she said there was a high 0U0,, Professional staff to student ratio and the children were closely supervised- Ms. Scott responded to audience questioning saying that perhaps one or two children would be from Chatham County,the remainder coming from Orange County. She said this is a classroom therapy setting. Mr. Bill Baxter said the deadline for.obligating the money for renovation or a new building is dune 30, 1982,'otherwise the funding may be lost. Ms. Scott said the Mental Health Center had been searching for a site for a six months. Mr. Caldwell, of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board, said that the School Board had deeded the property to the County for the County to use as appropriate, whatever use is made of the property should be conducive and com- patible with the community. He said the feeling from the schools is that the cafeteria building was committed to Mental Health. He also felt the county could have a tax office at Northside to benefit the seniors, Ms. Belinda Jones, representing the Board of.-Directors of the Community School--for People Under Six, presented a petition with about 800 --signatures requesting that:the School not lose space in the building. She said the school bridged the gap between black and white. She also said that they accepted low income applicants; she said of all the children there (about 50) only nine families pay full tuition. Other day care centers pay little or no..utility costs: Ms. Zones said if the space allocated to the Community School is reduced, twenty children would be eliminated at the outside and nine at least. The option allocating the cafeteria building to the School is very "appealing" to the School; however, they do not have money for renovation or moving equipment. (See Petition #4 in Clerk's permanent file) Ms. Barbara Green. said that 53% of the women were employed outside the home. Major concerns of these women were: 3) quality of care for their child- ren; 2) cost of the care; 3) and the proximity to the homes of such care. She added that the Community School was very important; that it has a quality staff and environment. Ms. Patti Paddock, Director of the Community School, asked the County to maintain the current space allocation. she then provided some statistics on the i children served. Ms. Susan Cobb, a resident of the area, spoke to the expected traffic in-flow to the area. _ •.;;:;. - . . .. _ Mr. Steve Kridell,representing the Parents' Board of the Community School, said the square footage allocated was directly correlated with the number of children the school could serve. If the space is reduced his child won't be per- mitted in the school. He feels that a reduction in space will represent a back- down from the Board of Commissioners'-previous stand on daycare. Ms. Joyce Holloway, a parent, said she has three kids in the day care center.-._- and she ' is consistently impressed with the quality of care her children receive. —- — here. It is conveniently located. one of her children will be eliminated if the space is,reduced. Dr. Michael Sharp, Chair of the Human Services Needs Assessment sub-committee 0-6, asked the Board to consider the process in arriving at a decision on space allocation. i Unidentified Woman, said the United Fund provided some funds to the school. Ms. Mary Bridges, Director of another day care center in Chapel Hill, said there were 363 children on waiting lists to get into day care centers. She I . said day care is an essential service for the community and deserves community support. - 'Ms. Eva Caldwell, a resident of the area, said its a pleasure to see tiie kids in the school, and that parents brought their kids on their bikes to leave them. Mr. Bob Drakeford, a parent with a child in the School, said it was a loving environment.and there was a need for day care centers. Ms. Betty (unknown last name), said plans to decrease the space allocation would affect the quality of care, number of children served, the income of.the school, and the programs offered. Ms. Linda Hargrave, said she had been involved with the school for about eight years-from a health standpoint. She said the school arranged free screening for each child once a year; knowing that early detection can deflect future problems_ Ms. Gatha Lassiter, representing the Senior Citizens Board, said that due to the problem with transportation County agencies were needed in this building. i She suggested that perhaps the County could provide transportation to Durham to I the Employment security Commission. She is in favor of the Community School being i located in the area. I Ms. Rosemary Rudd, a teacher's aide, said she has two children under six I who are in the school. The school provides enormous relief to her in proViding .,.- r�.r this care. r ..ck�sl L (Joub Ms. Margaret Shepherd,said the school provided stability for the children in a comfortable environment. She has three children, two of whom are enrolled in the school; the eldest is a latch key child. Ms. Jo Ann (last name unintelligible), a dental student, said the school's location is good and the school offers a variety of life styles and emphasizes the importance of the individual to the child. Both she and Ms. Shepher asked that the space allotment be maintained. Mr. Ernie Pattersgn, asked that the portion of space allocated to Day Care be expanded in..order to;provide infant care. He also addressed favorably.the issue of space for the Department-of Social Services. Ms. Patsy Barber, also spoke favorably for space allocation for the day i care school. Unidentified woman, said she didn't worry about her child when he was at the school and she dial when he was under the care of a babysitter. The peace of mind afforded by the school allows her to concentrate on her job. Ms. Diane Drakeford, who is on the Advisory Council for Day Care, said she has two children here in this school. She is happy with the care they receive saying it's the same care she would give them. She added that her 'son had been diagnosed early, as a result of being in the school, as having a speech problem. Mr. Ted Receptozi, a citizen, spoke to horrors of inadequate child care and in favor of expansion to infant care. Mr. .Francis Coil, a parent with children in this school, said his childrW s-. behavior had improved after being placed in this school. He is in favor of the added or maintenance of space allocation for the school. Mr. Bob Haddock, a new resident, spoke to the excellent care received by the children; he also addressed favorably the space question. - Ms. LuAnne Browler said the leaders of the Day Care Center are devoted people who work hard with the children. She said that handicapped and emotionally impaired children need help too. Ms. Mary Greer and Mr. Bob Greer, both spoke to the excellent quality of day care at this school and said the amount of space was insignificant com- pared to the number of worthy programs provided. Mr. Greer specifically felt better arrangement and allocation of space could be worked out; i.e., confer-- I ence rooms are not efficient use of space. zl- - ,T_ There was some discussion of the number of square feet required per child and Commissioner Willhoit noted that the Federal Government mandated these space requirements at the.same time.it was reducing funding for the program. He urged those concerned about this issue to write to the State Representatives, Congressmen and Senators about these cutbacks to County government. Commissioner Marshall agreed and expanded on Commissioner-Willhoit's statement saying that sufficient-and quality day care is an area of greatest need over the country. — Following this hearing, the Board took a short break and resumed dis- cussion.on the agenda with all members present. . B.• Pubic Comments: There were no further citizens who wished to comment on items either on the agenda or not on the agenda. I E. Board Decisions: 1. , Professional Services and Grant Application contract. Commissioner i Willhoit moved to approve the contract with the John McAdams Company /for engineering services on the Clean Water Bond Grant Application for the Efland Estates Subdivision/ and to empower the Chair to sign it; motion seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0. -`2. Resolution. Commissioner Gustaveson moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, to adopt the Resolution of Support for the Title V Senior Employment Program (see page of this book). Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0. Resolution: Commissioner Gustaveson moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, to adopt the Resolution declaring March ]4-20, 1982, as Employ the Older Ameriaan blench. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0. The Board aske&the Chair to write letters to Congressmen Andrews and Fountain endorsing HB 278 which would fund the Title-V Senior Employment Pro- gram. 3. Vehicle Purchase. .Commissioner Walker moved, seconded by Commis- sioner Whitted, to approve the Manager's recommendation to purchase three vehicles (two for the Sheriff's Department and one for Motor Pool, according to specifications submitted by the Purchasing Department) from Ray Motor Com- pany for a total price of $24,619.00. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0. 4. Budget Amendment and Project Ordinance: Commissioner Walker moved, I seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, to approve the Project Ordinance for CETA and the budget amendments (see pages of this book). Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0- V-,§r 5. Board of Equalization and Review. Commissioner Gustaveson nominated Mr. Ed Tenney; Commissioner Willhoit nominated Mr. Tom Heffner, seconded by Com- missioner Marshall (who asked that his service on the Chapel Hill Housing Author- ity be added to his resume); and Commissioner Whitted nominated Mr. Eddie Mann i to serve on the Board of Equalization and Review. The votes are as follow: Mr. Mann--5 votes Mr. Heffner--3 votes (Commissioners Marshall; Whitted and willhoit) Mr. Tenney--2 votes (Commissioners Gustaveson and walker) Therefore Mr. Mann and Mr: Heffner were appointed to fill the two remaining seats on the Board of Equalization and Review. The Board asked the Clerk to contact .those members of last year's Board i j of Equalization and Review to ascertain their willingness to serve as Chair of I this year's Board. This will be returned to the agenda of the 22nd of March. i DOT added Item. The Board asked that Mr. Weston, the Recreation Director, I be contacted regarding his willingness to coordinate the County's participation i i in the Department of Transportation's Clean-Up Litter Campaign. The Board asked that Mr. Ebert Pierce of the Agricultural Extension Division be contacted to ascertain his willingness to help Mr. Weston. Ms. Josephine Barbour congratulated the Board on whomever had installed the P.A. in the Superior Courtroom in Hillsborough, 6. Executive Session. Commissioner Gustaveson moved, seconded by Com- _..missioner willhoit,to convene in executive session for legal matters. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0. Following the executive : session, Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, to adjourn thi's meeting to follow the work session scheduled for March 17, 1982; in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Vote: Ayes, 5; noes, 0. The Board of Commissioners adjourned this meeting until 'March 17th following the work session on the Water Resources Task Force Report. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Wed- nesday, March l7th,following the Water Resources' Task Force Work Session, in the Commissioners' Room, Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina; this session was adjourned from xhe regular meeting of March 16, 1982. i Commissioners present: Chairman Richard E. Whitted, Commissioners Norm Gustaveson, Shirley E. Marshall, Norman Walker and Don Willhoit. . .. .... ..... ....... .t.. -�J�.��.� .. __ - . .. -.. ._.:. .. ._• -. .. ..... .e .. ..._ ...._K..k..5+..�=1Hi/:Fi�::Ei}iid�lC'�✓iYY.•rx T. �L_y ri: •5C_. f Chairman Whitted reviewed the activity of the previous evening and the Board discussed options available concerning use of the Northside Multipurpose Center, including the Cafeteria Building. Mr. Roman Kolodji, architect with James Webb ; explained various options to the Board and the feasibility of each of those options. Mr. Kolodji said that renovation of the cafeteria was more economical than building a new building; in addition, he demonstrated how a small addition could be built onto the main Northside building for about $25.00/sq. ft. The Manager told the Board should it decide to go with a small addition to the main buil_dirig,_T - that the Day Care school could remain at the same level of space allocation and permit DSS to move as planned. Mr. Thompson said the cost.'-of the addition would i be saved in one year by the savings on rent for the Department of Social Services and the cafeteria building could be renovated at no cost to the County.by the grant OPC Mental Health had received and the County could •receive rent from that building at the same tame. Commissioner Gustaveson made two points: l) in the original negotiations with the Board of Education (Chapel Hill-Carrboro) that cafeteria building was re- served for use by Mental Health; and, 2) given the time constraints attached to the grant Mental Health had received, we should move quickly to make a decision. Chairman Whitted said he felt the Board should reaffirm its commitment to OPC Mental Health to allow it to use the cafeteria building at Northside. He stressed that Mental Health would decide the program which goes into the building, not the Board of Commissioners. Chairman Whitted referred to a petition he had received at the beginning of the meeting (a copy is a part of these Minutes on pages of this book--original , petition is on permanent file in the office of the Clerk to the Board) which objected to the location of the Willie M. Program in this neighborhood. Mr. Bill Baxter, Director of OPC Mental Health, said North Carolina is under Federal court order to provide this program and to fund it. Mr. Baxter said he had been unaware earlier of any local opposition to locating the Willie M. pro- gram in the neighborhood but he is eager to have meetings with the local residents to explain the program to them. Commissioner Gustaveson moved, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit, to I allow OPC Mental Health to use the cafeteria building at the Northside Multipurpose Center. Vote; Ayes, 5; noes, 0. t u UU801 i1JLij The Board asked the Manager to study space allocations at Northsi.de again deleting this time the Sheriff's Department and Drivers' License Examiner office: i Commissioner Willhoit moved, seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson, to adjourn I this meeting. Vote: Ayes, 5; floes, 0_ The meeting was adjourned. — Richard E. Whitted, air i Paulette Pridgen-Pond, Clerk i i I i I I I