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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19970203APPROVED MARCH 18, 1997 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 3. 1997 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 3, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. in the Old Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair William L. Crowther and Commissioners Margaret W. Brown, Moses Carey, Jr., Alice M. Gordon and Stephen H. Halkiotis. 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 DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. ALL RECORDING TAPES OF THE MEETING WILL BE KEPT FOR FIVE (5) YEARS. 1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - NONE 2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS a. Matters on the Printed Agenda Chair Crowther asked that citizens please sign up if they want to speak to an item on the printed agenda. b. Matters not on the Printed Agenda - NONE PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Crowther dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Chair Crowther asked the County Commissioners to let him know of items they want to discuss at their scheduled meeting for February 11, 1997. If there are no items, this meeting will be canceled. Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about the closing of the license plate facility in University Mall. Director of Purchasing and Central Services Pam Jones said that this is a contracted service and the DMV office feels that someone will pick up this contract. John Link will offer the County's assistance in locating another facility. It was decided that the Chair will write a letter to the appropriate State office. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the Landfill Owners Group and assured the Board that he has no intention of committing the County Commissioners to a financial obligation. Commissioner Carey reported on what is happening with the Carrboro small area planning process. That group has been meeting and the objective was to get the people who live in that area more involved in the process. That has been accomplished during the last three months. They plan to have a two-day forum. Additional information will be forthcoming on this forum as well as a request for financial support to assist them in that endeavor. Chair Crowther made reference to the Capital Needs Advisory Task Force and said that the chairperson of that Task Force would like for a vice-chair to be appointed. The County Commissioners decided that the Task Force could make this appointment. They asked that the vice-chair not be a school board member or a County Commissioner. 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT - NONE 5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS - NONE 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE 8. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as stated below: A. APPOINTMENTS Capital Facility Needs Advisory Task Force Mark Royster was appointed to this task force. Youth Services Advisory Commission Sara Wilbur, Kathy Baker and Mark A. Rhodes were reappointed for terms ending September 30, 1999 Cable TV Advisory Committee James E. Spivey was appointed for a term ending December 31, 1999 Chapel Hill /Orange County Visitor's Bureau Michael Weil was appointed for a term ending December 30, 1999 B. MINUTES The Board approved the minutes for December 17, 1996 as presented. C. GREATER CHAPEL HILL FIRE DISTRICT The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign an agreement to reestablish the record of the boundary of the Greater Chapel Hill Fire District which will satisfy the remaining requirements for the Department of Insurance's fire insurance rate inspection and to adopt the resolution as stated below: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT WHEREAS, The Greater Chapel Hill Fire District consists of all properties on Winter Drive and Meadow Lane that are not in the Town limits of Chapel Hill ; and WHEREAS, There is a need for fire protection to be provided in The Greater Chapel Hill Fire District; and WHEREAS, The town of Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill Fire Department have provided fire protection over the past twenty years and desire to continue doing so; and WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners must, for fire insurance rating purposes, establish a fire district and authorize fire protection to be provided; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners hereby approve the boundary of The Greater Chapel Hill Fire District as beginning at a point at the intersection of Winter Drive and U.S. 15-501 (Fordham Boulevard); thence eastwardly along the Town limits of Chapel Hill and the bounds of The Greater Chapel Hill Fire District, approximately 306' (three hundred six feet) to a point; thence southerly along the Town limits of Chapel Hill and the bounds of The Greater Chapel Hill Fire District, to a point in the center of Morgan Creek; thence in a northwesterly direction, up Morgan Creek, to a point; thence northerly along the Town limits of Chapel Hill and the bounds of The Greater Chapel Hill Fire District, to a point in U.S. 15-501; thence eastwardly along U.S. 15-501 and the Town limits of Chapel Hill to a point at the intersection of Winter Drive and U.S. 15-501 (Fordham Boulevard) the point of beginning. The description includes all the properties bordering Winter Drive and Meadow Lane as identified in Chapel Hill Township, Tax Map 126, Block D, Lots 1 through 7, and includes all the land within the described bounds, not in the corporate limits of the Town of Chapel Hill . D. SURVEY SERVICES, SOUTHERN HUMAN SERVICES CENTER The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign an agreement with Ballentine & Riley Surveyors, P.A. for work to be done at the Southern Human Services Center site. E. ORANGE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION POSITION REALIGNMENT This item was removed and considered immediately following the Consent Agenda. F. ADVERTISEMENT OF TAX LIENS ON REAL PROPERTY FOR FAILURE TO PAY TAXES The Board received and approved the report of unpaid taxes for the current year that are liens on real property and set the lien advertisement date for March 5, 1997. The unpaid taxes for fiscal year 1995-96 which are liens on real property are listed below: County and All Special Districts $2,733,559.67 Town of Carrboro 162,574.10 Town of Chapel Hill 396,814.54 Town of Hillsborough 99,922.26 TOTAL $3,392,870.57 G. JAIL INSPECTION REPORT The Board received the Jail Inspection Report in accordance with General Statutes. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA E. ORANGE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION POSITION REALIGNMENT Commissioner Gordon asked for an explanation of this item. Personnel Director Elaine Holmes said that this realignment would increase the hours of four (4) existing part-time drivers and adds an additional 32-hour position. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve (1) increasing the hours of four permanent part time driver positions to full time, (2) increasing the hours of the permanent part time scheduler position to permanent full time, and (3) establishing a new permanent part time (32 hour or .80 full time equivalent) driver position. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION -REGULAR AGENDA A. ADVERTISEMENT FOR PUBLIC HEARING _ FEBRUARY 24, 1997 Mary Willis summarized the information in the agenda. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve the advertisement as presented with one change to the Zoning Ordinance Amendment on page 41 with the intention of applying the Zoning Ordinance amendment related to reapproval of the limited Special Use Permit to apply that only to permits for the non-residential use of historic structures. VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. HOME PROGRAM - ABBOTTS COLONY Director of Housing and Community Development Tara Fikes made this presentation. In summary, Orange County purchased three lots in Abbotts Colony. One lot has been developed. This proposal would authorize proceeding with the development of the remaining two lots at Abbotts Colony, selling these homes to first time homebuyers at or below 80% of area median income by July 31, 1997. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Development Agreement with the Orange Community Housing Corporation for the Abbotts Colony HOME Program activity upon the County Attorney's review and approval changing the completion date of the project to September 30, 1997. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. EFLAND CHEEKS COMMUNITY SCHOOL PARK The Board received a report on this project from Bill Allison, member of the Efland-Cheeks Community School Park Planning Committee. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve and authorize the Chair to sign an agreement for park design services, contingent upon Attorney and Staff review. VOTE: UNANIMOUS D. ADOPTION OF THE SENIOR CENTERS DEVELOPMENT PLAN John Link said that the Board had received a report on August 20, 1996, which outlined a long- range County plan for developing senior citizens centers into the 21 st century. Advisory Board on Aging members Beth Ellen Barba and Linda Rahija served on the Centers Development Plan Committee. They were recognized as were other members in attendance who served on this Committee. They told about the process and the two priorities as a result of that process. The report recommends funding two centers -- one in Chapel Hill and one in Hillsborough with renovations to other centers which are presently located in Carrboro (ArtsCenter and Northside), Cheeks and Cedar Grove. Edwin Caldwell, Hilliard Caldwell and Fred Ballard spoke in support of additional money for renovations at Northside. The recommendation is for $20,000 and they feel that $75,000 will be needed to expand that center. Director of Department on Aging Jerry Passmore explained that renovation monies did not include renovations that would be done by Public Works and included in the Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested that the County Commissioners visit these sites to determine for themselves if what is being recommended is enough to upgrade the facilities to reflect the kind of standards they expect of County buildings. The Board asked that this item be delayed until additional information can be provided that would reflect all the costs involved regardless of the source of funds. They also asked for input and possible financial contributions from the municipalities. 10. REPORTS A. SOUTHERN VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE Commissioner Brown introduced this item and stated a desire that there can be an integrated plan for the Southern Village Elementary School and that the County and School Board work together on this plan. Ken Redfoot, architect with Hakan Corley Redfoot Zack, Inc., presented the plan for the Southern Village Elementary School Site. The total tract is 13.99 acres. This includes 7+ acres donated by the Town of Chapel Hill. Commissioner Gordon specifically asked about the egress and ingress for the parking area and expressed her concern that there will be one drive going in and out at the same location. The Board discussed at length the possibilities for improving the traffic flow to and from this site. They were informed that there will be a public hearing conducted by the Town of Chapel Hill on February 17 about this plan and decided to submit a letter to Chapel Hill for the public hearing. They will also consider a resolution on February 18 that will be forwarded to Chapel Hill for the public record. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to forward a letter from the Board to Chapel Hill which will include the three concepts listed below: 1. Connections between the school site and the Town's Southern Community Park site, and between the school site and the Town's Park & Ride lot, at least by pedestrian access. 2. A connection between the school site and the southern park site that would allow for a second road access to the school from the south. 3. A connection between the Park & Ride lot and the southern park site. VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to authorize the County Manager to bring back to the County Commissioners on February 18 a resolution including the above three concepts which will be sent to Chapel Hill for the public record of the public hearing held on February 17. VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. STATUS REPORT -ASSEMBLY OF GOVERNMENTS -RECREATION AND PARK ISSUES IN ORANGE COUNTY This item will be placed on the next agenda. 11. APPOINTMENTS -NONE 12. MINUTES - NONE 13. CLOSED SESSION To consult with the County Attorney concerning a matter that requires the attorney-client privilege to be preserved GS1 43.318.11 (a)(5) A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adjourn into Closed Session to consult with the County Attorney concerning a matter that requires the attorney-client privilege to be preserved GS 143.318.11(a)(5). VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to reconvene into open session. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 14. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to come before the Board, Chair Crowther adjourned the meeting. The next scheduled meeting of the Board will be held on February 11, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. at the Homestead Community Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Chair Crowther, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk