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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19960416APPROVED 815196 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING April 16, 1996 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 16, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Town Chambers, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners William L. Crowther, Alice M. Gordon, Stephen H. Halkiotis and Don Willhoit. COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser and Albert Kittrell and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) NOTE: ALL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ALL ITEMS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES IS IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE 1_ ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA The Board added to the agenda a proclamation for "Armenian Martyrs Day" and a proclamation for "Week of the Young Child" II. AUDIENCE COMMENTS A. MATTERS ON THE PRINTED AGENDA Chair Carey said that 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 Mr. R. D. Smith asked that the Board help build a gym at the Hargraves Center. They need $250,000 which could be funded with an increase of 112 cents on the tax rate. The Town of Chapel Hill will maintain the facility. Edwin Caldwell spoke in support of the County providing funds for the Hargraves Center. He emphasized that a lot of groups, old and young, use this facility. He told about the history of this facility. The Town of Chapel Hill has indicated that this project may need to be done in phases because of the cost. He asked that the Board look at their budget to see if they can find the money to do this project now. Chair Carey noted that items which are presented during this portion of the agenda are not acted on the same evening but that they are referred to staff. He asked that the other three citizens who want to comment on this topic speak during the public hearing portion of this meeting. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Carey dispensed with the reading of the public charge. III. BOARD COMMENTS Chair Carey reminded everyone that the Department of Transportation will be attending the May 1, 1996 Board meeting to hold a public hearing on the proposed 1996-97 Secondary Road program. Commissioner Willhoit reminded everyone of the Solid Waste Forum that will be held this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel Hill Town chambers. IV. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT John Link said he talked with the Department of Transportation district engineer who indicated that they will give the Board and citizens a progress report on the repair of potholes. V. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS A. TELECOM MUNICATORS WEEK PROCLAMATION Nick Waters, EMS Director, said that telecommunicators in Orange County belong to the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association. Telecommunicators in Orange County are active in both organizations, working toward enhancing the quality of service communications the center provides. Gwen Snowden gave a statistical report on the number of calls received this past year. Diane Jefferies, EMS Telecom municators Trainer, read the proclamation. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the proclamation as stated below: PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOM MUNICATOR'S WEEK 1996 A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Thousands of dedicated Telecom municators daily serve the citizens of the United States and Canada by answering their telephone calls for law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services by dispatching the appropriate assistance as quickly as possible; and WHEREAS, The critical functions performed by professional Telecommunicators also include those related to forestry and conservation operations, highway safety and maintenance activities, and many other operations performed by federal, state and local government agencies; and WHEREAS, Professional Telecom municators work to improve the emergency response capabilities of these communication systems through their leadership and participation in training programs and other activities provided by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association; and WHEREAS, These associations are organizations of more than 10,000 people engaged in the design, installation and operation of emergency response communications, has set aside the week beginning April 14, 1996, to recognize Telecom municators and their crucial role in the protection of life and property; and WHEREAS, James B. Hunt, Governor of North Carolina, has proclaimed the week of April 14-20, 1996 as "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" in North Carolina; NOW, THEREFORE we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, hereby proclaim the week of April 14-20, 1996, as "National Public Safety Tgelecommunicators Week" in Orange County North Carolina, in honor and recognition of our County's Telecom municators and the vital contributions they make to the safety and well-being of our citizens. VOTE: UNANIMOUS ADDED B. ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY Commissioner Halkiotis said that this is an issue of great concern. The only way to put an end of genocide acts is to publicly acknowledge that they are unacceptable. This proclamation will be a public remembrance of what has happened. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to approve the proclamation as stated below. PROCLAMATION FOR ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY APRIL 24th , 1996 WHEREAS, between 1915-1923, the extermination of more than one and one-half million Armenians and the deportation of countless other Armenians took place by the Ottoman Turks; and WHEREAS, during this atrocity, Armenians were forced to witness the slaughter of their relatives and the loss of their ancestral homeland; and WHEREAS, Armenians assert that the government of modern day Turkey refuses to recognize the facts of the genocide; and WHEREAS, the denial of the Armenian genocide by the present day Turkish government serves to taint history and disavows Armenians of the right to their homeland and heritage; and WHEREAS, Ancestral Armenian lands taken by the Ottoman Turks have not been returned to the Armenian people, nor have the Armenians received compensation for their losses; and WHEREAS, Armenians have traditionally designated April 24th as ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY, in recognition and remembrance of those who died during the Armenian genocide; and WHEREAS, the year 1996 marks the 81 st Anniversary of the Tragedy of the Armenian genocide; and WHEREAS, it is important to remember history so that mistakes of the past are not repeated in future generations. NOW, THEREFORE, the Orange County Board of Commissioners proclaims April 24, 1996 as ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY in Orange County, North Carolina this the 16th Day of April, 1996. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD Michele Rivest, Director of the Partnership for Young Children, made comments. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to proclaim April 21-28 as Week of the Young Child as stated below: ORANGE COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, and other local organizations, in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, are celebrating the Week of the Young Child, April 21-28, and WHEREAS, by calling attention to the need for high-quality early childhood services for all children and families within our community, these groups hope to improve the quality and availability of such services; and WHEREAS, high quality early childhood services represent a worthy commitment to our children's success in school and life; and WHEREAS, the future of our community and state depends on the quality of early childhood experiences provided to young children today; The Orange County Board of Commissioners proclaim April 21-28 as the Week of the Young Child in Orange County, and urge all citizens to recognize and support the needs of young children in our community. VOTE: UNANIMOUS VI. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS A. 1995 STATE TREASURER'S GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING/FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AWARD Rex Price, formerly of Deloitte and Touche, said that this is the seventh year this award has been given. Orange County is presented this award for their automated accounts payable system implemented in FY 1994-95 under the guidance of Finance Director Ken Chavious. The category was for populations greater than 50,000. Vance presented the award and thanked the Board of County Commissioners for the opportunity to be here to present this award. He said that the purpose of the program is to encourage local government officials to make improvements to their accounting system and to award those who make an effort to do so. The program intends to improve the management systems of other counties by sharing award winning ideas. In receiving this award, Finance Director Ken Chavious said that this is a team effort. He commended Joyce Holmes and Debra Austin who spearheaded this effort. He said that this new system saves a substantial amount of money and eliminates the need to add staff. VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. 1996-2006 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN John Link provided a brief overview of the CIP. He said that the County continues to use the population figures from the Department of Public Instruction. In the CIP, County staff assumes that November 7 is an important consideration for the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School system to go to the voters of their school district to ask for expanded use of the district tax to include capital. The Board of County Commissioners will need to make a decision by May 16 on school construction standards. This is important because these standards are needed for the impact fee technical report on May 27. In answer to a question from Chair Carey, John Link said that they did not factor in funds that may be made available through a State initiative. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPEN FOR COMMENTS. Gary Barnes, Chair of the Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Commission, spoke in support of allocating $250,000 for the Hargraves Recreation Center. He emphasized that there will be a number of County residents who will use this center. He feels that this would be consistent with the recommendations of the countywide recreation and parks group. Gloria Faley, member of Stop Overcrowding Schools (SOS), said that most of the elementary schools as well as the high school are overcrowded and most of the classrooms are overcrowded. She does not feel that school construction is moving fast enough. She said that the state projections have routinely been lower than the actual figures. She told about the critical issues with multi-tract schools. Nancy Salmon said that it is clear that the current revenue stream is what is controlling the building of new schools and that the revenue stream is inadequate. She said that it seems that the needs of the Chapel HiIVCarrboro School system are far more than those of the Orange County schools. She asked that the County Commissioners make some decisions about the allocation of money between the two systems. She questions the spending plan for recreation and parks and asked that the Board support the request for funds for Hargraves and asked that they help with some of the recreational facilities which were eliminated from the new high school. Matthew Barton, Vice President of the PTA at Seawell, said that they have 700 students in a school that houses only 600 students. They feel that with the new development around Seawell, their enrollment will again increase. He does not want the Board of County Commissioners to delay the elementary school. They need the Board to find the funding, use the impact fee, the district tax and the property tax. He encouraged the County Commissioners to help plan the growth better. Johnny Morris, Chairman of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, said that the school system in Chapel Hill-Carrboro finds itself in a very stressed out situation. The Chamber is aware of this and concerned about the situation. They have contributed to this by encouraging people to move to this area. The Chamber wishes to thank everyone for being where they are and taking a leadership role at a time when the Chamber feels too little leadership in this situation. They support their school board and hope the improvements can be accomplished faster than stated in the CIP. In answer to a question from Commissioner Willhoit about the Chamber supporting a limit on population growth as a means to limit growth, Morris said that until the tax base can be increased, there is not much they can do. He suggested looking at the development ordinances. Maryanne Rosenman, member of the PTA of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District stated that the schools are overcrowded. Even with a new elementary, middle and high school, they will be 1200 over capacity. She asked that the County Commissioners provide the capital resources to build schools faster. Malcolm White, representing the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation, read a prepared statement in support of adequate funding for new schools and expansion of the new East Chapel Hill High School. He believes that the community will support the funds necessary for these improvements. Livy Ludington, member of SOS, said that she feels very strongly that they need to fund the schools by impact fees or more taxes. She asked that once they get caught up that there be an adequate plan for funding the facilities that are necessary. VIII. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve those items on the Consent Agenda as stated below: A. APPOINTMENTS Cable TV Advisory Committee Michael Patrick and Sharlene Pilkey for terms ending December 31, 1998 Historic Preservation Commission Cynthia Satterfield for a new term ending March 30, 1999 Water Resources Study Commission Diana Phillips and John Rogers for an unspecified term (short-term) B. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FEE RESTRUCTURING The Board approved restructuring the fees in the on-site wastewater program to meet new requirements set forth by the General Assembly in 1995. The new fees will be: $170 for soil/site evaluation, layout and improvement permit $ 70 for authorization to construct and final inspection C. JOHNSON PROPERTY ACQUISITION The Board authorized the purchase of the Johnson Tract at $7,500 per acre, or an estimated cost of $103,500. D. ESTABLISHMENT OF FORUM ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION IN ORANGE COUNTY This item was removed and considered after the Consent Agenda. E. MINUTES The Board approved the minutes for the March 6, 1996 regular meeting. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA D. ESTABLISHMENT OF FORUM ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION IN ORANGE COUNTY It was clarified that approving this meeting would not also approve the reorganization. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to established a public forum on proposed changes to the organizational structure for managing solid waste issues in Orange County for April 25, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. at Carrboro Town Hall meeting room in Carrboro, North Carolina. VOTE: UNANIMOUS IX. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA A DISCUSSION OF SCHOOL CAPITAL NEEDS Neil Pedersen, Superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District, Mark Royster, Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board and Bill Harrison, Superintendent of the Orange County Schools and Susan Dovenbarger, member of the Orange County School Board joined the Board of County Commissioners for discussion of school capital needs. Dr. Harrison said that they will need a new elementary school by 2001 and a major addition to the high school by 2002. They used the information from the Department of Public Instruction and also the Taylor report to make this determination. They do expect growth in the University Station area and an influx of 200 students from the Alamance County school district. They see the year-round school as a short-term temporary solution that should not cost them a new facility later. Dr. Pedersen focused on the new schools his district will need. They will need a new elementary school in Southern Village and an addition to East Chapel Hill High in 1999-2000. In 2000- 2001 they will need a new middle school in Meadowmont. He reviewed the capacities of present facilities indicating that five of those schools will be overcapacity next year. They expect to be 200 overcapacity in the middle schools and 400 overcapacity in the high school next year. In 1998-99 they expect to be overcapacity at the elementary level by 380 students. He emphasized that they need the high school addition by 1999-2000 and that this addition will be driven by program needs as much as the increase in enrollment. He compared the student projections as provided by the State with those provided by consultants. The State projections were slightly lower for elementary and middle but at the high school level, there was a 700 student discrepancy so they took the average of the two figures. He stated that the school board will discuss funding options this Thursday. His recommendation includes raising the impact fee, extending the use of the district tax to include capital projects, bond referendum or revision of the CIP allocation formula. They may ask the County Commissioners to consider (1) appropriating impact fees in the same year they are collected, (2) providing advance funds for planning for new schools, (3) advocating for school sites in future developments, (4) revising the formula for distributing recurring capital funds and (5) advocating for state initiatives that would provide additional revenue for new schools. Commissioner Halkiotis encouraged both school systems to sit down and look at the areas where they are spending money for possibilities and opportunities to save money. The Boards agreed that they need to all agree on a methodology for the student projection figures. Also they need to resolve the district tax question. Commissioner Gordon asked that the Boards consider a bond referendum which would address high school needs for both systems and also some renovation and technology needs. Commissioner Willhoit said he would like to use the private placement option to move ahead on the projects that need to be done now -- use general funds and at such time that Orange County needs money to then go for a bond issue. He does not feel that the County should wait to address the needs of the Chapel Hill system until Orange County has needs. Commissioner Gordon clarified that she is in favor of a multifaceted approach of solving the overcapacity problem and being as creative as possible so as not to delay any need. She is in favor of quality education for every child in this county. Chair Carey said that it is important to plan ahead to meet the needs of the two school systems. They also need to plan ahead to obtain the best interest rates. B. CONTRACT APPROVAL - UTILITIES REDUCTION SPECIALISTS Pam Jones explained that Utilities Reduction Specialists is a company that provides an audit of telephone and energy bills to identify potential cost savings to the County. There are no up-front costs for this audit and they will be reimbursed 50% of the one time savings and 50% of any ongoing savings for a period of 24 months. Commissioner Halkiotis asked for a reference list for this company. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to postpone a decision on this item until references can be obtained. VOTE: UNANIMOUS AUTOMATIC ADJOURNMENT HOUR - 10:30 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to continue the meeting for fifteen minutes. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. ANIMAL SHELTER DRAIN RENOVATION - BID AWARD A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to award a bid and approve a contract, contingent upon Attorney and Staff review, to Quality Mechanical, Burlington for the drain piping renovation of two groups of kennels at the Animal Shelter, as identified in Alternates #1 and #2, for a sum of $49,412, and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS X. REPORTS A. FINAL REPORT OF THE INNOVATION AND EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE Dan Brummitt made this presentation. A copy of the report and the recommendations is in the permanent agenda file. He recognized the members of his committee. Chair Carey said that he felt all the recommendations were good and that they will be considered at a subsequent meeting. Jim Goldstein presented a minority report. He suggested that the County use a professional management consultant to perform an operational audit of Orange County government. He also asked that the Board establish a Budget Board or a Budget-Operations Committee and that the County Commissioners do not accept the majority recommendation #6 and #7. A copy of his minority report is in the permanent agenda file. B. ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETY ACTIVITIES Sandy Christiansen from the Animal Protection Society gave this report. He distributed information on the shelter activity including the number of animals admitted to the shelter and the disposition of those animals. He told about the Animal Adopt-a-thon which will be held May 4th and 5th. The shelter will be open 36 hours straight to save animals' lives during "Be Kind to Animals Week". The report was received as information. XI. APPOINTMENTS (ON CONSENT AGENDA) XII. MINUTES (ON CONSENT AGENDA) XIII. CLOSED SESSION - NONE XIV. ADJOURNMENT Since there were no further items for the County Commissioners to discuss, Chair Carey adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on May 1, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Old Courthouse in Hillsborough, NC. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk