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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19960229APPROVED MAY 1, 1996 MINUTES ASSEMBLY OF GOVERNMENTS MEETING FEBRUARY 29, 1996 The Orange County Board of Commissioners, Hillsborough Board of Commissioners, Carrboro Board of Aldermen, and the Chapel Hill Town Council met in joint session for the Assembly of Governments meeting on Thursday, February 29, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. in the OWASA Community Meeting room, Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro, North Carolina. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and members Alice Gordon, Bill Crowther and Don Willhoit ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Stephen Halkiotis CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN PRESENT: Mayor Mike Nelson and members Hank Anderson, Jay Bryan, Hilliard Caldwell, Diana McDuffee and Alex Zaffron. CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN ABSENT: Jacqueline Gist CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rosemary Waldorf, and members Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joseph Capowski, Pat Evans, Lee Pavao CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Mark Chilton, Richard Franck and Barbara Powell HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Mayor Horace Johnson, and members Remus Smith and Richard Simpson HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Catherine Martin, Kenneth Chavious and Evelyn Lloyd. Chair Carey and Mayors Johnson, Waldorf and Nelson welcomed the assembled members of County and Municipal government and staff. REPORT OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS WORK GROUP: Alderman Anderson reported that the Work Group determined that Orange County ranks 21st out of 100 Counties in the state in their efforts to provide for the recreational needs of their citizens. One of the successful North Carolina programs that they reviewed was in Wake County where they have implemented the school park concept. Richard Kinney, a member of this Work Group, stated that the local units of government need to have shared standards and goals. This is particularly important in light of the fact that the Department of the Interior is no longer going to set federal recreational standards. The Work Group would like to see local Ordinances set standards for each unit of government. An example of this type of standardization would be to determine how many pools are needed per 10,000 residents. The school park concept encourages maximum use of tax dollars and the Work Group would very much like to see this implemented in Orange County. The School Boards need to be included in the discussion to plan for future parks. There are private providers and non-profits such as the Chapel Hill Tennis Club, the YMCA, and the ArtsCenter, who could be brought into this planning process. Many of them might be willing to participate in a public/private recreational organization. Mayor Johnson mentioned that Hillsborough has a fledgling Recreation and Parks Department and would like to be included in this planning process. Council Member Andresen requested that OWASA be included in this process as well. She pointed out that Cane Creek and University Lake are major sources of recreation. This Work Group could encourage OWASA to continue its practice of good stewardship by setting affordable fees. She also asked the County to consider building a facility similar to the SportsPlex in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. Commissioner Willhoit commented that both school and park sites need to be identified so they can be included in the local Land Use Plans. Council Member Capowski felt that the report leaves out an important element because it does not include the recreational opportunities provided by the University of North Carolina. UNC provides many basketball courts, as well as active and passive recreational areas. He also agreed with Council Member Andresen that the County should consider providing additional recreational opportunities in the southern portion of the county. Mayor Waldorf mentioned a potential park area in the southern portion of the County which is owned by the Town of Chapel Hill. She suggested that the County could consider the possibility of accepting the land as dedicated park space and then allocating money to turn it into an operational park. Commissioner Gordon suggested that elected officials, including the school boards, formally discuss the Recreation and Parks Work Group's report as it pertains to the co-location of parks and school sites. She agreed to spearhead such a move. Chair Carey suggested using the existing Work Group and appointing school board members. He requested that staff come back with draft recommendations within the next six months. COMPREHENSIVE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN: Mayor Nelson stated that, although Carrboro has strong feelings about the proposed landfill site, they do not believe that the process has broken down. They are committed to the process and are willing to have their concerns addressed and move forward. Gayle Wilson reviewed the handout entitled "Update on Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan". He indicated that the final paper is being prepared by the consultant WESTON and the final report is expected in April, 1996. It will be presented as soon as it is available. The final report will consist of a synthesis of previous work, an implementation guidance document and an analysis of a system of solid waste prevention, collection and processing methods. Following that presentation, WESTON will revise the final report based on feedback from the public and the Landfill Owners Group. Commissioner Willhoit mentioned that a plan has already been adopted by three of the four units of government. The Landfill Owners Group intends to proceed with the adoption of the Solid Waste Management Plan and the voluntary acquisition of property at OC17. There are less than 10 years' capacity remaining at the current landfill site and action must be taken as soon as possible. He mentioned that the handout entitled "Toward a Sustainable Community Landfill Operation" is a work plan and action items will be developed for each item. He suggested scheduling a public forum at the next Joint Public Hearing on April 18. Council Member Evans asked for a thorough review of technological advances which have occurred with the last 5 years. She felt this process is important even if none of the options were found to be more practical than siting a new landfill. Commissioner Willhoit indicated that the Board of Commissioners is required by law to provide solutions for waste disposal and reduction. Although the landfill has an estimated 10 years of remaining life, it is also projected that a new site could require 10 years to become operational. The Board of Commissioners have a duty to act if this process reaches an impasse. Council Member Andresen asked the County Attorney to address equity and environmental issues which are of concern to the Town of Carrboro. She asked what could be done to resolve these issues and how soon it could it be accomplished. County Attorney Gledhill indicated that the County can only pay fair market value for land purchased for public purposes and may not pay any other compensation. Alderman Anderson stated that he is not concerned about the OC17 site selection. He is concerned that the residents in that area be compensated for real and/or perceived groundwater contamination they have experienced. This issue could be resolved by providing water and sewer to this area. Council Member Brown pointed out that the Landfill Owners Group is not separate from the governing bodies. It is the responsibility of local government to create solutions to the solid waste problem. She felt discouraged to hear discussion of options that do not encourage waste reduction. Any solution that requires a constant source of waste in order to operate would work against the goal of waste reduction. Alderman Anderson asked that the issue of social justice for the residents near of the current landfill site be resolved. Aldermen Anderson and Caldwell both agreed that providing water and sewer would resolve this issue for them. Also, trucks need to be required to use Eubanks Road and Hwy. 86 rather than Rogers Road. The residents of this area want this to be resolved and they would like to have the resolution in writing as soon as possible. Geof Gledhill indicated that this type of compensation would be legal. Mayor Johnson suggested that the Landfill Owners Group and Chapel Hill be asked to run water and sewer to the area so that the process can move forward. Council Member Andresen felt that running water lines made sense, however, it does not follow that sewer should be provided. Chair Carey proposed holding a public forum on April 18. The OC17 site could be considered at that time as well as a discussion of mining as an alternative to mitigate the impact of solid waste disposal in the landfill. Mayor Nelson stated that he did not want to see Carrboro's issues slowed down by the planning of the Public Forum. Alderman Bryan suggested that each unit of Government present information on the issues they think are important at the Public Forum. The Landfill Owners Group will be charged with planning the agenda and structure of the Public Forum. AFFORDABLE HOUSING Council Member Brown suggested having the governmental bodies incorporate language into their respective ordinances which would allow inclusionary zoning without the necessity of going to the General Assembly. There was consensus on this request which was that it be referred to the attorney for each of the units of government. REVENUE SOURCES Council Member Brown asked that revenue options for varying transit options be discussed. She also suggested that Durham be invited to participate along with Orange County. Chair Carey suggested that this be on the next agenda to allow for full discussion. ADJOURNMENT This meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting of the A.O.G. will be held on September 30, 1996 at the OWASA Community Meeting Room, Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro, NC. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Baker, Deputy Clerk Board of County Commissioners