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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-09-2010 - Agenda ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEBANE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Orange County Board of Commissioners/Mebane City Council Joint Meeting September 9, 2010 DINNER/Meeting—6:30 p.m. Mebane Municipal Building 106 East Washington Street Mebane,NC INTRODUCTIONS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF City of Mebane Orange County RECOGNITION OF PAST COLLABORATIONS: 1. LAND USE DECISIONS 2. LIBRARY SERVICES 3. PARK DEVELOPMENT 4. OTHER EXAMPLES UPDATES AND ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. CITY OF MEBANE UPDATE—City Staff will summarize development activities in and around that portion of Mebane located within Orange County. 2. CITY OF MEBANE UPDATE—City Staff will outline the status of utility infrastructure improvements applicable to that portion of Mebane located within Orange County. 3. ORANGE AND ALAMANCE COUNTY LINE UPDATE—County Staff will summarize the status of this project and schedule for further actions. 4. COLLABORATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES— County Staff seeks input on how Orange County might assist with economic development efforts beneficial to both Mebane and Orange County. 5. UTILITY DISCUSSIONS—County Staff work items: A. Buckhorn area utility design study. B. Utility services agreement between Mebane and Orange County. C. Utility Services District concept for the Buckhorn Economic Development District to help fund future water and sewer expansions for new business. D. Orange County's Jordan Lake water allocation(expansion and dedication of that resource) for economic development opportunities. E. Efland sewer flows and potential for a future contract between Mebane and Orange County for maintenance/operation of that sewer system. (The system is now maintained by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority.) 6. REGIONAL TRANSIT AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ITEMS— County Staff update on evolving plans related to the Regional Transit Plan and how it may impact Orange County and Mebane. OTHER TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND FUTURE MEETING OPTIONS: 1. COMMON LAND USE GOALS—Elected Leaders continuing communication and cooperation on land use issues. 2. SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING—Elected Leaders opportunity to discuss further coordination. 3. EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERACTION—scheduling regular meetings between the City and County elected leaders. 4. OTHER ADJOURNMENT i ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEBANE CITY COUNCIL JOINT MEETING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 9, 2010 SUBJECT: Joint Meetin 'Discussion items DEPARTMENT: County Manager/City PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Manager/City Planning/County Planning/County Economic Development ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: None Frank Clifton, 245-2300; Robert Wilson, 563-5901; Gwen Harvey, 245-2300; Craig Benedict, 245-2592; Brad Broadwell, 245- 2325 PURPOSE: To discuss topics of mutual interest between the governing boards of the City of Mebane and Orange County. BACKGROUND: RECOGNITION OF PAST COLLABORATIONS 1. LAND USE DECISIONS Over the past decade, City and county staff and elected officials have met on several occasions to discuss land use collaboration and potential methods to achieve collaboration. In 2004, a County-appointed task force began meetings to development a small area plan for the Efland--Mebane corridor. Two City of Mebane representatives — Patty Philipps and Everette Greene --- served on the planning task force. The Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan was adopted by Orange county in 2006 and some implementation work has taken place. Also in 2004, the City and County entered into a Utility Service Agreement to provide water and sewer services to Gravelly Hill Middle School (under construction at the time) and other portions of the Buckhorn Economic Development District. City and County Planning staffs also communicate informally about development projects occurring in the portion of the City's jurisdiction within Orange County. 2. LIBRARY SERVICES Orange county provides the City of Mebane an annual contribution in the amount of$700 for its City Library function. Given the recent closure of the cedar Grove library branch in Orange, the Mebane Library affords access and opportunity to residents in the western e.ortions of Orange.g 2 The city does not charge its orange County patrons a special user fee for a library card, and its services are well used and appreciated. The Grange and Mebane Library Directors meet and confer periodically as professional peers. Discussions with the City Library will be expanded as the Orange Public Library System prepares its 3-5 year strategic plan to address county wide service needs and capital project requirements. 3. PARK DEVELOPMENT The city and County have worked together in the past on parks and open space issues of mutual interest. The Mebane city Council has a position on the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group, and Parks and Recreation Director Dean Ray has served in this capacity on the Council's behalf for several years, and participated in Work Group activities and initiatives. City improvements to Lake Michael Park, located in the Orange county part of Mebane, were undertaken in 2008-2009. Of this project, Orange County funded and contributed $75,000 in spring 2009. County conservation efforts in the Back Creek watershed have resulted in the permanent protection of several hundred acres that protect the water quality of this watershed, which provides drinking water to Mebane residents. Other topics of shared interest for future discussion might include: • connectivity of open space, including the Mountains to Sea Trail alternate route • Discussion and plans for addressing the nearby agricultural conservation easements and Voluntary Agricultural Districts in rural Orange County near the City. • Potential collaboration on future parks and recreation programs. 4. OTHER EXAMPLES This item provides the opportunity to acknowledge any other past collaborative efforts and for elected boards to discuss any issues related to the above items as necessary. UPDATES AND ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 1 CITY OF MEBANE UPDATE -- City Staff will summarize development activities in and around that portion of Mebane located within orange County. The city will provide any information at the meeting, and the elected officials can discuss this item as necessary. 2. CITY OF MEBANE UPDATE -- city Staff will outline the status of utility infrastructure improvements applicable to that portion of Mebane located within Orange county. The City will provide information at the meeting, and the elected officials can discuss this item as necessary. 3 3. ORANGE AND ALAMANCE COUNTY LINE UPDATE — County Staff will summarize the status of this project and schedule for further actions. Alamance and Orange County staffs have been actively working on resolving the county line uncertainties for over two years. A local bill (Senate Bill 1352) enabling the transition of affected properties and granting the counties one year to finalize the county line was passed by the General Assembly in July 2010. The final proposed county line is to be submitted to the State for ratification no later than May 15, 2011. County staffs developed a property owner petition process whereby lots within 150-feet of the North Carolina Geodetic Survey (NCGS) line and meeting certain criteria can petition to have their house and/or property remain in the current jurisdiction. Letters explaining the process and maps depicting which parcels can petition were sent to affected property owners on July 30, 2010. Property owner petitions are due no later than September 20, 2010. A joint meeting of the Alamance and Orange BOCCs will be held on November 29, 2010. The purpose of the meeting is to review the petitions and decide on certain matters. A joint resolution of the reconciled line is scheduled to be adopted by December 15, 2010. The information will then be sent to the NCGS to review the proposed county line in time for the May 15, 2011 ratification deadline. Staff will provide any other information at the meeting, and the elected officials can discuss this item as necessary. 4. COLLABORATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES -- County Staff seeks input on how orange County might assist with economic development efforts beneficial to both Mebane and orange County. 5. UTILITY DISCUSSIONS -- County Staff work items; A. Buckhorn area utility design study. Orange County staff has issued a Request for Qualifications from engineering consultants for the design of Phase II water and sewer infrastructure for the Buckhorn Economic Development District (EDD). Phase 11 will provide core water and sewer infrastructure to the area of the EDD bounded by the interstate, Gravelly Hill Middle School, West Ten Road, and Buckhorn Road (approximately 400 acres). Interviews with consultants have been scheduled. A consultant should be chosen within the next few weeks Elected officials can discuss this item as necessary. B. Utility services agreement between Mebane and orange county. A 2004 utility services agreement, which covers a portion of the Buckhorn Economic Development District, currently exists between the City of Mebane and orange County. Generally, the agreement states that for the defined service area, Orange County will build the water and sewer infrastructure and then turn over ownership to the City of Mebane for operations and maintenance. It may be possible to expand the service area covered by the current agreement in the future. 4 Elected officials can discuss this item as necessary. C. Utility Services District concept for the Buckhorn Economic Development District to help fund future water and sewer expansions for new business. Orange county staff is exploring the concept of creating several utility service districts as defined by the North Carolina General Statutes. One or more of these districts could include areas currently part of the Buckhorn EDD. Utility service districts have taxation power as well as the ability to apply for grant funding. Revenue generated.and grants received could be used to fund design and/or construction of future utility infrastructure. Staff will provide a brief overview at the meeting. Elected officials can discuss this item as necessary. D. orange County's Jordan Lake water allocation (expansion and dedication of that resource) for economic development opportunities. Orange County currently has a one-million gallon per day (1 MGD) allocation from Jordan Lake. The County is applying for an expansion to 2 MGD to accommodate future development -in partnership with service providers. Since the County does not operate its own water distribution network, the water would be allocated to other water systems, such as Mebane, far distribution to portions of the county needing water service to serve economic development. Staff will provide an overview at the meeting. Elected officials can discuss this item as necessary. E. Efland sewer flows and potential for a future contract between Mebane and Orange county for maintenance/operation of that sewer system. (The system is now maintained by the orange Water and Sewer Authority.) Currently, the Efland sewer system is maintained by the Grange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) and the wastewater is treated by the Town of Hillsborough. Orange County would like to discuss the potential for the City of Mebane to maintain and operate the Efland sewer collection system and treat the wastewater. Staff will provide an overview at the meeting. Elected officials can discuss this item as necessary. S. REGIONAL TRANSIT AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ITEMS — County Staff update on evolving plans related to the Regional Transit Plan and how it may impact orange County and Mebane. House Bill 148 (Session Law 2909-527 enables Triangle Transit (TT) to le a %2 cent sales tax � g levy in Orange, Durham and Wake counties to support the development of new transit services. Prior to TT levying the tax, County Commissioners must approve a Regional Transit Plan and authorize, hold, and pass a referendum. Vehicle registration fees provide another potential revenue source that is being explored. The Triangle Regional Transit Plan includes short-term bus plans and long-term fixed guideway plans (light rail, Bus Rapid Transit). These expanded services will provide potential benefits and opportunities to a broader regional area. 5 Staff will summarize information at the meeting, and elected officials can discuss this item as necessary. OTHER TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND FUTURE MEETING OPTIONS 1 COMMON LAND USE GOALS — Elected Leaders continuing communication and cooperation on land use issues. 2. SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING — Elected Leaders opportunity to discuss further coordination. 3. EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERACTION — scheduling regular meetings between the City and County elected leaders. This item provides the opportunity for elected officials to discuss how to possibly interact more significantly. The Mebane City Council and Board of Commissioners met informally approximately ten years ago and tonight's meeting may be the first joint meeting of the governing boards since. At present, the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Town of Hillsborough Board of Commissioners regularly meet once per year to discuss issues of common interest. The County Board of commissioners is also involved in several multi jurisdictional meetings each year with the elected boards from the Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Carrboro, and the Town of Hillsborough (examples: Assembly of Governments meetings, Joint Planning Area meetings). Elected leaders may want to discuss scheduling a regular annual meeting, similar to tonight's, which would allow for more consistent sharing of information and perspectives. 4. OTHER This item provides the opportunity for elected officials to raise any other potential items for discussion. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with discussion of these topics. There are no action items requiring formal Board decisions. RECOMMENDATIONS): The Managers recommend the Boards discuss the topics listed and provide appropriate direction to the respective staffs.