Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19970515APPROVED09/2/97® ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BI-MONTHLY WORK SESSION MINUTES MAY 15, 1997 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session for a bi-monthly work session on May 15, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. in the Government Services Building, 200 S. Cameron Street, 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 Managers 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 SPECIAL PRESENTATION Commissioner Carey noted that a plague had been presented to the Board of County Commissioners for their support of the immunization project held last month. He said that he hopes the County Commissioners will continue to support this worthwhile project. CLOSED SESSION A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adjourn into Closed Session for the purpose of consulting with the County Attorney pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(3) in the matters of John McCormick v. Orange County and the Orange County Board of Adjustment and to consult with the County Attorney concerning a matter that requires the Attorney-Client privilege to be preserved G. S. 143.318.11(a)(5). VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Chair Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to reconvene into regular session at 8:10 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS APPOINTMENTS A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve the following appointments: Human Services Advisory Commission Keith Feather for an unexpired term ending March 31, 1998 Maxine Mitchell for a term ending March 31, 2000 Lynette Jefferies for an unexpired term ending March 31, 1998 Summer Mitchell for an unexpired term ending March 31, 1998 Hazel Lunsford for an unexpired term ending March 31, 1999 Victoria Hain for a term ending March 31, 2000 Louise Echols for an unexpired term ending March 31, 1999 VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve the following appointments: Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools and Land Use Council Orange County Board of Commissioners Commissioner Gordon Carrboro Town Board of Alderman Diana McDuffee Hank Anderson Chapel Hill Town Council Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board Rosemary Waldorf Lee Pavao Julie Andresen Nick Didow Bea Hughes-Werner Harvey Goldstein Oranae Countv Schools and Land Use Council Orange County Board of Commissioners Commissioner Brown/ Commissioner Halkiotis Orange County School Board Larry Haverland Delores Simpson Hillsborough Town Board of Commissioners Kenneth Chavious VOTE: UNANIMOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN Chair Crowther clarified that the purpose of this review is to prioritize the items in the plan which will provide direction for the Economic Development Commission. Commissioner Carey thanked Commissioner Brown for the working document she provided for this work session. He feels that some items will take very little work while others will require a lot of energy and resources in order to accomplish the stated goal. The following questions, comments and suggestions were made during this review and are listed below for reference. The Statement of Corporate Citizenship #17 - #38 should be emphasized. The hiring of local workers was discussed. Commissioner Gordon feels that Orange County needs to hire locally. Combining items 1, 3, 4, and 5 was suggested. In an effort to encourage all governments to work together, the small business guide has been placed wherever building permits are issued (#10). G.E. does hire from Orange County. Also, the new Lowes store in Chapel Hill will be hiring people from the County's Work First program, starting at $6.00 per hour plus benefits. All new businesses are requested to list their jobs with the local Employment Security Commission. Ted Abernathy listed the new priorities which the Economic Development Commission adopted as part of the Strategic plan. He also listed those programs they now manage and expect to continue, like meeting with clients and the Women's RoundTable. He noted that he now serves on 18 boards. The representation of the Research Triangle Group was questioned and Mr. Abernathy said that the flow of clients has steadily increased. Commissioner Gordon suggested combining items 9, 11, and 12 dealing with sustainable development into one focus area and designating it as a top priority. Mr. Abernathy will provide copies of the final report produced by the Town of Chapel Hill on sustainability. Commissioner Brown asked that the Economic Development Commission set some strategies on how to address some of the sustainability issues. Commissioner Carey suggested not duplicating the efforts of the Shaping Orange County's Future Task Force on sustainability issues. Planning Director Marvin Collins stated that eight committees will be coming back to the Task Force with recommendations on sustainability. Commissioner Carey asked that PDR and TDR be one of the priorities. Commissioner Brown suggested that the Economic Development Commission work with OWASA on PDR. The comments and suggestions after reviewing the Economic Development Commission's Strategic Plan are listed below: Commissioner Brown asked that all sections pertaining to sustainable development pulled out of the Strategic Plan and a separate plan of action be prepared for these items. Commissioner Carey stated that all goals are important and asked that they all be worked on at the same time. Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to see a plan for sustainable principles and timelines and would like for the sustainable development items in the strategic plan to receive top priority. Commissioner Carey questioned altering the plan by pulling some out, working on others or not working on some of the items listed in the Strategic Plan. Commissioner Halkiotis said that while sustainability is important, he feels the small loan pool is important and less focus should be placed on housing. Commissioner Carey suggested organizing the goals into two groups -- action versus encouraging people to think about it. In conclusion, Mr. Abernathy assured the County Commissioners that everything listed will be done. The purpose of prioritizing is to be sure those items are placed at the top of the list. He does not feel that there is a lack of focus within the plan because the Board of County Commissioners has provided the Economic Development Commission with a broad community outlook. Commissioner Halkiotis asked if having a County Commissioner on the Economic Development Commission would provide some focus. Ted Abernathy indicated he would welcome any County Commissioner to serve on this Commission. Commissioner Brown indicated her willingness to serve on the Economic Development Commission. It was determined that a change in the bylaws would need to be made in order to add a County Commissioners as a member. Mr. Abernathy said he would pursue that change with the Commission. Commissioner Carey clarified that the Economic Development Commission is a policy/advising board. The Economic Development staff follows through with providing whatever is necessary to carry out the policies as set by the Economic Development Commission. ORANGE COUNTY RESPONSE - MEADOWMONT SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION County Engineer Paul Thames presented a written analysis of the proposed Meadowmont school site and shared comments from his meeting with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board. He presented a map showing the school site and described the topography of the property. He explained that some of the area is wet during the winter and standing water is there for an extended period of time after it rains. In conclusion he said that he would consider the designated middle school site at Meadowmont to be of marginal suitability for its intended use. The Board decided to send a letter to the Town Council outlining the County Commissioners' concerns and making suggestions for conditions to be placed on the Special Use Permit that would address these concerns. Another letter will be sent to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board with a similar list of concerns. Commissioners Brown and Halkiotis expressed concerns about the suitability of this site. Commissioner Carey said that he walked the site and although he has some concerns, he feels that the site should be approved. He does not feel the County Commissioners should vote on whether or not to fund a school on this particular site. Commissioner Gordon feels the site is too small and they should look for 22 acres, the recommended size for a middle school site, somewhere else. John Link said that the offering of this school site does not mean we have to accept it. He suggested a letter asking Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board to look for another school site which would be more suitable. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to send the two letters as stated above to the Chapel Hill Town Council and to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 1997-98 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' GOALS This item was moved forward to June 2 at 5:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to consider, Chair Crowther adjourned the meeting at 10:10p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21 at the OWASA Community Meeting Room in Carrboro, North Carolina. William L. Crowther. Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk