HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19970521APPROVED 9/2197
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
May 21, 1997
CLOSED SESSION
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners met in Closed Session, May 21, 1997, 6:45 -
7:30 p.m. at the OWASA Operation Center for the purpose of discussing a personnel Matter by authority
of G.S. Section 143-318.11(a)(6).
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)
A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to go into
closed session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter by authority of G.S. Section 143-
318.11(a)(6).
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
A motion was made by Chair Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to reconvene into
open session
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
REGULAR MEETING
The Orange County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the OWASA
Community Meeting Room, 400 Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro, 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 M YEARS.
1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Consent agenda items "h" and "j" were removed from the agenda. Appointments to the School and
Land Use Council and the Human Services Transportation Board were added to the Consent agenda.
2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
a. Matters on the Printed Agenda
Chair Crowther stated that citizens who have indicated a desire to speak on an item on the
printed agenda will be recognized at the appropriate time.
b. Matters not on the Printed Agenda - NONE
PUBLIC CHARGE
Chair Bill Crowther dispensed with the reading of the public charge.
3. BOARD COMMENTS
Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about publicizing how much is being budgeted for a
new school. The price of a new middle school is being publicized as $20 to $22 million dollars. He
asked that the County Commissioners consider a range like $15 to $20 million. On another issue, he
clarified that the County does not provide money for salaries or supplements. The County sets an
allocation per pupil and they don't approve where the money is spent.
Commissioner Carey expressed disappointment that the County did not get the CDBG for the
Efland project. He asked Tara Fikes, Director of Housing and Community Development to write a letter
requesting specific reasons why the County did not get this grant. It was decided that a letter will be
written and signed by all County Commissioners.
Commissioner Brown made reference to the Skills Development Center and said that they do have
an architectural drawing which the committee will be considering next Friday. It will then be brought to
the Board for their approval. She asked for an update on the rabies situation and Dan Reimer, Health
Director, said that they will meet with area veterinarians and APS staff on Friday to map out a plan of
action.
4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT - NONE
Melissa Gerrall was introduced as working with County Attorney Geoffrey Gledhill on County
related business.
5. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS
A. RESOLUTION REGARDING VARIOUS BILLS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
John Link summarized the information in the agenda. He asked that the County
Commissioners consider adopting two resolutions that would indicate Orange County's support for, and
opposition to, various bills under consideration in the 1997 Session of the North Carolina General
Assembly. Geoffrey Gledhill further explained some of the proposed bills.
Commissioner Carey made reference to Senate Bill 518 which would provide for a temporary
1 cent local sales tax for a period of 1 year if approved by a local referendum. The proceeds of this bill
would be divided among the County and its municipalities on either a per capita basis or on the basis of
ad valorem taxes levied, at the option of the County Commissioners. He expressed doubt if he would
support this effort.
In summary, the resolutions would reinforce the positions of the North Carolina Association of
County Commissioners on several important bills. House Bill 499 would authorize real estate trade
associations and Multiple Listing Services operated by real estate trade associations to enjoy an
exemption previously reserved only for the news media. House Bill 949 which the Orange County
Director of Social Services and the Orange County Health Director are opposed makes the confidential
records of certain deceased children public unless, at public expense, public agencies successfully
obtain a court order maintaining the confidentiality of the records. Senate bill 799 would require local
governments and State agencies to maintain open and accessible personnel files that include
information not now available to the public. Senate Bill 844 would require accounts of closed sessions of
public bodies that are authorized under North Carolina's Open meetings Law. Senate bill 518 would
authorize county Board of Commissioners to call for a referendum on a one cent local option sales tax
that could be in place for a one year period and Senate bill 469 is a local bill that would apply to
Cabarrus County that would authorize a referendum for a one per cent local option sales tax to be
imposed for a 10 year period, and/or a one per cent land transfer tax for a 10 year period to pay for
school construction.
A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to
support both resolutions as attached to these minutes on pages
VOTE: AYES, 4; NOS, 1(Commissioner Carey)
Commissioner Carey voted no because of his opposition to Senate Bill 518 as stated above.
B. CONSOLIDATED HOUSING PLAN ANNUAL UPDATE/1997 HOME PROGRAM DESIGN
A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve
the resolution as stated below:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE 1997-98 HOME PROGRAM DESIGN
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, that the Commissioners as a
member of the Orange County HOME Consortium approve the following activities for the 1997-98 HOME
Program.
Site Improvements
Funds would be allocated to habitat for Humanity, Orange County for site improvements for one (1) lot in
Culbreth park and five (5) lots in the Efland community to be developed for low income homebuyers.
$ 60,000
Emergency Housing Repair Program
Funds would be available for small emergency repair projects (i.e. leaking roofs) for housing occupied by
low income elderly families.
$ 50,000
Neighborhood Revitalization Homeownership Revolving Loan Fund
Funds would be used to capitalize a Neighborhood Revitalization Loan Fund to purchase and rehabilitate
housing in the Chapel Hill -Carrboro area for resale to very low to low income families.
$ 60,000
Acquisition
Funds would be used to assist the Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health Association with the
purchase and necessary renovation of dwellings for rental occupancy by severely and persistently
mentally ill Orange County residents.
$ 40,000
Housing Rehabilitation
Funds would provide deferred loans to rehabilitate low income owner-occupied and rental housing units.
Homeowners with less than 60% of median income would be eligible for these loans.
$131,100
Program Administration $ 37,900
TOTAL PROGRAM FUNDS $379,000
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Manager is hereby designated as the authorized
representative of the County to act in connection with the submission of this revision and to provide such
additional information as may be required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
C. SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY DISABILITY AWARENESS
COUNCIL
Introductory remarks were made and the proclamation was read by Management Analyst
Sharron Siler.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, Commissioner Halkiotis, to approve the
resolution as stated below:
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
RESOLUTION
SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF
THE ORANGE COUNTY DISABILITY AWARENESS COUNCIL
WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council is a non-profit,
volunteer citizens' action group dedicated to improving the quality of life
for persons with disabilities in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council seeks to promote
opportunities for disabled citizens to work and live in an environment free
of barriers imposed by architecture, attitude, and/or lack of opportunity;
and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council conducts annual
ceremonies to recognize individuals, organizations, or groups who actively
include in their services and programs people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council guides and educates the
community about the Americans with Disabilities Act; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council received the 1996
Governor's Trophy as the Most Outstanding Mayor's Committee in North
Carolina by the N. C. Governor's Advocacy Council on Persons with
Disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Disability Awareness Council won second place in the
category of counties under 100,000 population in the National
Organization on Disability's annual awards competition among 4,500
participants in the United States, which carries a cash award of $2,500;
and
WHEREAS, this is only the second time in the twenty-six year history of the National
Organization on Disability that a North Carolina entity has been
recognized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS, congratulates the ORANGE COUNTY DISABILITY AWARENESS
COUNCIL for its recognition as the State of North Carolina's Most Outstanding Mayor's
Committee on Persons with Disabilities, for winning a second place award from the National
Organization on Disability, and for its continuing efforts to improve the lives of the disabled
citizens of Orange County.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS -NONE
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
8. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve
those items on the Consent Agenda as stated below:
A. APPOINTMENTS
This item was moved to the end of the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
B. MINUTES
The County Commissioners approved the minutes as presented for March 18, April 1, and
April 9, 1997.
C. AMENDMENT TO MASTER PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN Orange COUNTY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE ERSI INC.
The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign the renewal agreement with ESRI, the
County's vendor for most GIS hardware and software products.
D. CLASSIFICATION PLAN AMENDMENT - REVENUE TECHNICIAN
The Board amended the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan by (1) changing the title
of the Revenue Technician class at Salary Grade 63 ($22,398 - $35,615) to Revenue Technician I still at
Salary Grade 63 and (2) establishing the new class of Revenue Technician II at Salary Grade 64
($23m518 - $37,392)
E. HOUSING REHABILITATION CONTRACT AWARD
The Board awarded two housing rehabilitation contracts as listed below:
Dwelling Unit Bid Amount Contractor
Gattis $28,675 Taylor Home Improvements
Clifford $29,875 Taylor Home Improvements
F. BUDGET AMENDMENT #8
The Board approved budget amendment #8 as stated below:
The project authorized will replace the air conditioning at Culbreth Middle School and will be
financed with proceeds from the Schools' portion of the one-half cent sales taxes.
Anticipated Revenue
Transfer from the General Fund (1997-98) $540,000
Appropriated Amount
Mechanical Systems $540,000
G. CONTRACT BETWEEN THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE Orange COUNTY HEALTH
DEPARTMENT
The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign the annual consolidated contract
between the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources and the Orange
County Health Department, which provides State and Federal funds to the Health Department to partially
support mandated services.
H. RENEWAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT - HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
DISPOSAL
This item was removed from the agenda.
1. CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEY CONTRACT
This item was moved to the end of the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
J. RENEWAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN OCHD AND JOCCA
This item was removed from the agenda.
K. LEASE APPROVAL - 501 WEST FRANKLIN STREET SUITE 106
This item was moved to the end of the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
L. PERSONNEL ORDINANCE REVISION - WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
This item was moved to the end of the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
1. CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEY CONTRACT
Child Support Director Janet Sparks indicated that this contract usually costs $24,000
annually.
A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to
approve this contract with Coleman, Gledhill and Hargrave to provide legal representation for the Child
Support office.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
K. LEASE APPROVAL - 501 WEST FRANKLIN STREET SUITE 106
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by
Commissioner Gordon to delay the decision on this item until May 29th.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
L. PERSONNEL ORDINANCE REVISION - WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
The County Commissioners had various questions about and suggestions on how the
wording could be changed. These changes will be incorporated into this ordinance revision and brought
back to the County Commissioners for their consideration at the next meeting.
APPOINTMENTS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPOINTMENTS
A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve
the appointments as stated below:
Human Services Transportation Board
Edward Siebert for a term ending March 31, 1998.
School and Land Use Council
Nick Didow, Bea Hughes-Werner and Harvey Goldstein representing the Chapel
HiIVCarrboro School System
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Visitors Bureau
A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to
appoint Nancy Davis to represent the University of North Carolina on the Chapel Hill /Orange County
Visitors Bureau.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
9. ITEMS FOR DECISION -REGULAR AGENDA
A. HUMAN SERVICES AUTOMATION POSITION
The Board considered a request to increase the hours of a vacant permanent part time (20
hour) Accounting Technician position to full time for the purpose of realigning the position as a Human
Services automation position.
Social Services Director Marti Pryor-Cook summarized this request. The cost will be shared
between the County's eight (8) human service departments.
A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Chair Crowther to approve
increasing the hours of the vacant permanent part time 20 hour Accounting Technician position to full
time for the purpose of realigning the position as a Human Services Systems Analyst.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
B. BID AWARD - GIS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SERVICES FOR EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to (1)
reject all bids received on Orange County Bid Number 209;2, (2) award Bid Number 211 to Champion
Computer for a total cost of $117,590.24, for eight IBM RISC 6000 workstations and one IBM RISC 6000
Server, and authorize the subsequent purchase of additional hardware for which the Board appropriates
funds in the 1997-98 budget and CIP, if any; and (3) award the proposal for software services to New
World Mapping at a cost not to exceed $5,659, and authorize the Chair to sign the contract on behalf of
the Board.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Two additional bids were received for the GIS hardware for EMS from Yorel Systems, Inc. for
$119,619.00 and Premier Systems, Inc. for $128,200. One additional bid was received for the software
services for EMS from ESRI for $10,856.
C. ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT -GOLF COURSE REGULATIONS
A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to close
the public hearing.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to amend
the permitted use table by changing those permitted uses denoted by an asterisk to Class A Special Use
Permit meaning that golf courses will be allowed with a Special Use Permit in those areas so denoted.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to keep in
the wording of "no adverse impacts" on page 12 of the abstract.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve the
proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to include standards for golf courses as presented in the
agenda and as amended above.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
10. REPORTS
A. RECREATION AND PARKS COORDINATION
A report of the Work Group entitled "recreation and Parks issues in Orange County, North
Carolina was finalized in December of 1995 and distributed to the governmental jurisdiction in January,
1996. At the February 29, 1996 meeting of the Assembly of Governments, the report was submitted by
the Work Group. Staff was requested to bring back a draft plan of action to address the
recommendations of the report. On February 18, 1997, County staff presented to the County
Commissioners an update. They also indicated that the managers of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange
County would finalize a recreation and parks coordination report by May, 1997. That report is being
presented tonight for the County Commissioners' comments.
John Link summarized the recommendations. The Board received this report as information.
B. LIVING WAGE ORDINANCE
In February, 1997, the Orange County Greens requested that the Orange County
Commissioners develop a living wage ordinance for the County. The Board of County Commissioners
directed the County Manager and the Economic Development Commission to develop a report on the
appropriate nature, scope and practical implementation of a living wage ordinance.
Director of Economic Development Ted Abernathy summarized this Ordinance. He said that
Chapel Hill is considering a living wage ordinance tonight. Durham City already has a living wage
ordinance for their staff only which is $7.55 an hour. The County Commissioners discussed the pros and
cons of requiring contractors to pay a certain wage.
Many of the questions in the draft were answered by Commissioner Brown along with
suggestions for moving forward on this ordinance.
Commissioner Carey suggested that the County Commissioners forward any questions or
concerns they have with this ordinance to Mr. Abernathy and have a work session in early fall.
C. PRESENTATION ON USE OF GIS IN IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL SCHOOL SITES
The Board received a presentation on how the County's Geographic Information System can
be used by school systems to identify possible school sites.
Commissioner Halkiotis said that, using the data available in Orange County, they have been
able to provide information on future school sites. Commissioner Halkiotis would like to propose that
each school system have one representative from each school system, a person from each planning
department and set up a group that will meet once a month and get a handle on this information. He
feels this information will help us understand where the children are coming from, where we can site
schools and the environmental impacts of the land. This could be a subgroup of the Land Use Council.
D. REPORT ON TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL ENERGY POLICY AND ENERGY
ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION
The Board considered the town of Chapel Hill's adopted and proposed energy policy and
procedures as a potential guide for developing County and Board of Education policies and procedures
that will assure energy efficient design and construction in new or renovation building construction
funded by the County.
Paul Thames summarized the information. Commissioner Carey feels we need to look at
other similar policies and get some experience with policies without having an ordinance.
This report was received as information.
11. APPOINTMENTS -NONE
12. MINUTES - NONE
13. CLOSED SESSION - NONE
14. ADJOURNMENT
With no further items to come before the Board, Chair Crowther adjourned the meeting. The next
meeting as listed on the Board of County Commissioners' meeting calendar will be held on Tuesday,
May 27, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. in Superior Courtroom, Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk
William L. Crowther. Chair