HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1992090849
APPROVED 2/1193 MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 1992
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on
Tuesday, September 8, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Old County
Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners
Stephen Halkiotis, Alice M. Gordon, Verla C. Insko and Don Willhoit
ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill
STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County
Managers Albert Kittrell and Rod Visser, Economic Development Director Ted
Abernathy, Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe, Human Resources Analyst II
Yelena Chandra, Human Resources Director Elaine Holmes,.Tax Assessor Kermit
Lloyd, and Planner Mary Scearbo.
NOTE: All documents referred to in these minutes are in the Permanent Agenda
File in the Clerk's Office.
1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - NONE
II. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
A. MATTERS ON THE PRINTED AGENDA
Chair Carey announced that those citizens who have indicated a
desire 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.
III. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by commissioner Insko, seconded by CommiSsioner-
Halkiotis to approve those items on the Consent Agenda as listed below:
A. CHARGE TO SOUTH ORANGE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT COMMISSION
The.charge stated below was approved by the County Commissioners.
"To review thoroughly in 1992-93 the contract between the Town
of Carrboro and Orange County for fire service in the district,
and to advise staff and the Board of Commissioners on
appropriate revisions to the contract.
To meet periodically, and at least once during the annual
budget process, with appropriate representatives of the Town
of Carrboro to discuss district resident viewpoints on fire
service, the f ire department budget, the district tax rate, and
the like.
To advise the County Manager and the Board each year, in
accordance with the County budget calendar and State statutes,
on issues that affect an appropriate budget and tax rate for
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fire service in the district.
To advise the Board of Commissioners on any other matter--
pertinent to the South Orange Fire District as requested by t"
Board."
B. BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2
The Board amended the 1992-93 Orange County Budget ordinance
as follows:
GENERAL FUND
Source - Fund Balance $136
034
Appropriation - General Administration ,
5,000
- Contributions to outside Agencies 21,234
- Miscellaneous 50,000
- Transfer to Other Funds 59,800
(To fund for prior year fund balance reservations )
Source - Intergovernmental 1,543
Appropriation - Human services 1,543
(To budget for aging grants)
Source - Intergovernmental 1,329
Appropriation - Human services 1,329
(To budget for Parks and Recreation donations)
COUNTY CAPITAL RESERVE FUND
Source - Appropriated Fund Balance $100,000
Appropriation - transfer to County Capital
Projects Fund 100,000
(To budget for Solid Waste Project)
EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FUND
Source - Appropriated Fund Balance 10,300
Appropriation - Transfer to Other Fund 10,300
(To budget for transfer of funds from Equipment
fund to County Capital Projects Fund for
EMS vehicle).
The Board approved the following Project ordinances:
FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Transfer from County Capital Reserve Fund $199,800
Facilities Improvements Project 199,800
SOLTD WASTE COLLECTION CENTERS PROJECT
Transfer from county capital Reserve Fund $282,800
Solid Waste Collection Centers 282,800
EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT BUILDING REPAIRS PROJECT
Transfer from County Capital Reserve Fund $328
235
Equipment Replacement/Building Repairs ,
328,235
C. GRANT APPLICATION FOR CLINICAL INTERVENTION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The Board authorized the submission of a grant application to tY.•
Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust f
or funds to be used for a project to
determine how to address through clinical intervention the medical,
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psychological and social needs of substance abusing (crack, cocaine and
alcohol) women and their infants in orange and Harnett Counties.
D. TAR REFUND REQUESTS
The Board approved six (6) requests for property tax refunds.
NAME ACCOUNT # AMOUNT
University Inn Associates 92863
$ 16,91.22
Ruth W. Zoumphlis 149066 1
191.22
Horace L. & Thelma A. Ward 147097 3,096.39
Gayle A. Davis 141499 24.36
Virginia Mae E. Tolliver 140881 36.74
Peggy Riggins Hill 13963 943.69
E. WHITTED FOREST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Board approved execution of the Grant Agreement, Funding
Approval Form and Signatory Form and Certification for the Whitted Forest
Housing Development Program and authorized the Chair to sign these documents
on behalf of the Board.
F. COORDINATED AGENCY TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT ADDITION
The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign the C.A.T.
driver agreement for the Wake Opportunities, Inc. Head Start program.
G. PERSONNEL ORDINANCE REVISION
The Board approved the revision to Article VI, "The Position
.Classification Plan" of the Orange County Personnel ordinance as presented in
:;'the agenda abstract.
A. UPGRADING PERMANENT PART-TIME POSITION TO FULL-TIME POSITION
The Board authorized upgrading a permanent part-time Social Worker
position (salary grade 67) to a full-time Income Maintenance position (salary
grade 62).
I. MEETING SCHEDULE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 1993
The Board approved the meeting calendar for 1993 as presented in
the agenda abstract.
VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS
IV. RESOLUTIONS PROCLAMATION
A. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND ORGANIZATIONAL NAME
CHANGES
The Board was asked to consider the adoption of Goals and
Objectives for the Landfill Owners' Group (L.O.G.) and to change the name of
the L.O.G. to Intergovernmental Solid Waste Advisory Committee and to change
the name of the Orange Regional Landfill to Orange County Landfill and the
name of the Orange Regional Recycling Program to Orange Community Recycling
program. Mr. Link stated that these changes will better indicate the true
functions of the groups and the operations of these facilities. Hillsborough
would be included in the mission statement as an additional governing body to
consider matters concerning solid waste management as it relates to the
different jurisdictions.
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Joyce Brown, speaking as a citizen and not a Chapel Hill Council
Member, stated that she feels the direction and process the County follows i
dealing with the solid waste problem could have far. reaching consequences
far as County tax dollars and the environmental health of the county is
concerned. Because of these consequences, she feels that the setting of goals
and objectives requires research, careful attention and thoughtful
deliberation by all the governing bodies as well as by citizens. Equal
attention needs to be given to the way in which the three governing bodies
choose to work together to manage the waste. Because of the crucial need to
establish the right direction and the best process for dealing with the waste,
these goals and expanded L.O.G. role and name change need a very thorough
examination. She feels there is sufficient time to discuss these goals and
the management process and suggested that a work group or work sessions be
held to look at the goals as developed by the. L.O.G. and to look at the North
Carolina goals as developed by the Division of Solid Waste Management in
February of 1992 and any other goals developed by other municipalities and the
state which might be appropriate. She suggested that the composition of this
work group be two elected officials from Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange
County and one elected official from Hillsborough.
Scott Franklin, member of the Chapel Hill Solid Waste Reduction
Committee, asked that the Board request a special work session to deal
specifically with solid waste issues before proceeding any further. He feels
that for an integrated solid waste plan to be successful, it is important that
the governing bodies be clear on their goals and how they plan to attain them.
He supports the format as suggested by Joyce Brown.
Betty Maultsby asked that the Board not approve the resolution?-._
that pertain to the adoption of the goals as presented and that they not pass
the resolution to change the name of the L.O.G. She feels the goals as
presented are inadequate and do not reflect the broader responsibilities that
are assumed with the L.O.G. name change because they fail to adopt, as a
minimum, the goals of the state solid waste management plan and a commitment
to pursuing the most efficient way possible to manage solid waste with regards
to cost. She feels that the present configuration of the L.O.G. is inadequate
to deal with these complex issues. She asked that a group be formed of public
officials and private citizens with the responsibility of making decisions
regarding solid waste.
Commissioner Willhoit stated that a number of people at the
Landfill Search Committee meetings questioned why the landfill was called
regional. The L.O.G. was also criticized because many people felt that they
focused primarily on landfill as the primary means of managing waste. These
could be viewed as interim goals or the first step to a more comprehensive set
of goals. The proposal to develop an integrated plan will elaborate on these
goals and spell out what they plan to study. The name change and the goals
are reflective of the role that the L.O.G. has been carrying on.
Commissioner Gordon indicated she would like to see the membership
of the L.O.G. enlarged. Also, the role needs to be examined. She favors a
work session.
Commissioner Halkiotis stated that the County is in a crisis
situation. The citizens are ready to get involved in a new and creative way
53
of dealing with solid waste. He feels a new effort needs to be made to catch
up with the people in this County who are ahead of the governing boards. He
'favors having a group meet to make these major decisions and agrees that the
name needs to be changed.
Commissioner Insko favors getting a group together to work on,the
goals and objectives for solid waste management. She suggested that the Board
list some of their concerns and use this as their input to the working group.
She would like to see the percentages and time lines put into the document as
well as some consideration of banning recyclables as a long term goal. She
would like to have citizen participation pulled out as a separate goal which
does not fit into any of the four goals stated in the proposal. They need to
be concerned about protecting the environment with the best service at the
least cost. She prefers that this work group be made up of two members of
each board.
Commissioner Willhoit stated that the statement of goals will be
the focus of direction for the work plan developed by the consultants. He
urged that the Board adopt this document as the interim goals because.this
gives formal recognition that Hillsborough is included.
John Link clarified that this document is intended to be the broad
statement of responsibilities of the L.O.G. and the objectives as stated can
be enhanced or enlarge. The solid waste management plan is going to result
from the study and input of the Orange County and Chapel Hill Solid Waste
Committees and comments from the elected officials. He feels it would be a
,good idea to state that these goals should be at least the departure point for
discussion.
Commissioner Gordon feels that one thing to consider when
restructuring the L.O.G. is how the group that actually runs the landfill
interacts with the rest of the group, especially when it comes to finances.
Commissioner Willhoit noted that when looking at restructuring the
L.O.G., the issue must be looked at long term regarding who is going to
operate the landfill. The long range management plan will not depend on the
organization structure.
After prolonged discussion, it was decided that since there is no
agreement on any of the governing boards on how to handle solid waste, that
their concerns expressed tonight go back to the L.O.G. and that a work group
be formed to address the questions about structure of the L.O.G. It was
decided that a meeting of all elected officials would be convened by the
L.O.G., and from that work session, it may be necessary to form a smaller work
group or hold another work session. The Board members will submit a written
list of questions for this work group.
B. RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR EXTENDED AREA SERVICE IN PROSPECT HILL
Motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner
Insko to approve the resolution stated below which expresses support for flat-
rate EAS between prospect Hill and Hillsborough:
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FLAT-RATE EXTENDED AREA SERVICE BETWEEN CENTEL'S
PROSPECT HILL AND HILLSBOROUGH EXCHANGES
WHEREAS, it has been a long-standing goal of the Orange County Board of
54
Commissioners to eliminate the adverse social, educational, and economic:
impacts created by Orange County's system of six separate telephone exchanges.--
and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners'has sought for twenty year
to alleviate these adverse impacts by promoting approval of flat-rate Extended
Area Service among the six telephone exchanges, and
WHEREAS, the June 4, 1992 order of the North Carolina Utilities commission
ordering flat-rate Extended Area Service between the Chapel Hill,
Hillsborough, and Mebane exchanges made no provision for such service for
customers in the Prospect Hill exchange, and
WHEREAS, a group of residents of the Prospect Hill exchange has submitted a
petition requesting Extended Area Service for calls between Prospect Hill and
Hillsborough.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners
hereby reaffirms its support for flat-rate Extended Area Service between
orange County telephone exchanges, and hereby expresses its support for the
request of Prospect Hill telephone customers to receive such service between
the Prospect Hill and Hillsborough exchanges.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
V111. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA
A. PROPOSED PROCESS FOR CONSIDERATION OF RELOCATING HORACE WILLIAMS
AIRPORT
John Link asked that the Board consider participation in an
environmental negotiation process as the next step in addressing the issue of.,.
relocation of air traffic operations from the Horace Williams Airport.
In answer to a question from Commissioner Insko, John Lie:_
indicated that the committee, as outlined in the proposal, would meet soon to
begin discussions. Preliminary interviews have already taken place as
outlined in step one of the proposal included in the agenda abstract. Step
two has not been addressed. This step will address the concerns about the
need for an airport, how large it should be, what functions it should have and
whether or not there must be an airport in orange County.
Madeline Levine spoke for the Executive Committee of SCRAP. She
noted that she had been interviewed by representatives of the Virginia
Institute on June 29 for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. They had a list of people to
contact for further dialogue at that time. They were to get back to her the
following Tuesday and she still has not heard from them. She reminded the
Commissioners of the three reasons why the County Commissioners in 1989
rejected a plan for a county airport. The first is that there was nowhere to
put it in Orange' County. The second was that though it had seemed as if a
County airport might be an economic engine for this County, it was discovered
that it was not necessary or even a workable engine and the hopes linked to
it had been false. The third reason was that there was overwhelming citizen
opposition. She feels these are still the reasons today. She asked that the
Commissioners refuse to participate in this process.
Les Brown spoke to the issue of relocating Horace Williams Airport.
He feels there is no reason to reconsider locating an airport in orange
County. He asked that the Commissioners say no to this issue.
Steve Levine stated he feels Orange County should not participate
in this process. He asked that the Commissioners stop the process and focL
on other issues facing the County.
Diane Bloom urged the Board to send a representative to take part
55
in the discussions. Horace Williams Airport is a difficult situation. Some
of the traditional means they have used to solve this problem have ended up
with large groups confronting each other in public meetings. She feels this
process will allow all the different people with' an interest in the airport
to sit down together in a controlled environment and discuss their individual
positions. If there is strong opposition, it needs to be stated at these
meetings.
Chair Carey stated his support for the county being represented if
only to remind the others of the process that the County went through before.
He feels the County has no role in relocating an airport.
Commissioner Insko stated that relocating the airport to a
different site is not part of this process. She agrees that the County should
be represented if only to restate the position they took in 1989. The outcome
of this participation will provide a mechanism for the public to comment
should they so desire.
Commissioner Gordon sees nothing that has changed the fact that
there are no suitable sites in Orange County for an airport. She feels it
would be worthwhile to do the first step and certainly to let the consultants
do the second step as outlined on the proposal included in the agenda
abstract. As far as the third step, she suggested that the County participate
only as an observer.
Commissioner Halkiotis indicated that the Board has heard from the
citizens on this issue and he is against participating in any initiative to
relocate this airport to another site in Orange County.
Motion was made by Commissioner Insko, seconded by Commissioner
Willhoit to participate in this preliminary dialogue process as outlined in
,the agenda abstract with the goal of communicating that there is not a
'suitable location in Orange County for an airport and to authorize the Chair
to appoint two members to this group..
VOTE: AYES, 3; NOES, 2 (Commissioners Gordon and Halkiotis)
The Chair appointed Commissioners Gordon and Insko as participants
in this process.
B. ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR SCHEDULE OF VALUES - 1993
REVALUATION
Motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner
Insko to establish the public hearing date on the schedule of values for 7:30
p.m., September 22, 1992 in the Community Room at OWASA on Jones Ferry Road
in Carrboro; and direct the Assessor to meet all statutory requirements
related to public notice about the schedule of values.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
C. WHITE CROSS - PRELIMINARY PLAN
This subdivision was originally submitted as a minor subdivision.
However, because a private road could not be justified, a public road was
recommended by the Planning Staff. Approval of a subdivision with public road
dedication requires action by the Board of County Commissioners. The property
is located in Bingham Township on the north side of NC Highway 54, across from
the intersection of White Cross Road (SR 1952). The total acreage of the
tract is 8.44 acres. Lot 2 is a recombination of 1.06 acres. Five lots are
proposed. The Planning Board considered the Preliminary Plan for White Cross
on,August 17, 1992. They recommended approval with a public road built to
state-construction standards.
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The applicant Gary Phillips voiced his opposition to build a public
road to service the three houses in the subdivision to replace the privat? --',
drive which. has been in continuous use for over twenty (20) years. He fee.-:'
it is unfeasible and does not follow good sense. He asked that the Boar,
approve a private road for this minor subdivision. He explained how he and
Tom Whisnant purchased the property and the problems they have encountered
over the last five years. In order to prevent Mr. Blackwood from foreclosing
on their loan, they plan to subdivide and sell the houses located on the
property to pay for the development. A public road will cost over $30,000,
disrupt the parking at the school, impose on the houses that are close to the
right-of-way and destroy plantings which have been nourished over the years.
He asked the Board to take responsibility and make this decision based on
common sense and the public good.
Planner Mary Scearbo indicated that the Planning Board will be
reviewing the Private Road Standards but no date has been set. The Board
discussed with the applicant the requirements for a public road. They
concluded that the ordinance does not provide for exceptions and questioned
if exceptions should be allowed.
Motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner
Gordon to approve the Preliminary Plan of White Cross School Subdivision with
a public road built to state-standards and the conditions contained in the
Resolution of Approval.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
IN. BOARD COMMENTS - NONE
R. COUNTY MANAGER"S REPORT - NONE
%IV. ADJOURNMENT
With no further items for the Board to consider, Chair Carey adjourned
the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on September 22, 1992 in
the OWASA Community Room in Carrboro, North Carolina.
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk