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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19970529APPROVED 912197 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1997 JOINT MEETING WITH THE ORANGE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD AND REGULAR MEETING BUDGET PRESENTATION AND PUBLIC HEARING The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Colonial Inn in Hillsborough for a joint meeting with the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. 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 Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) ORANGE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PRESENT: Charles w. Snipes, Chair and members William C. Hogan, Donald N. Cox and W. Larry Rogers. ORANGE SOIL AND WATER STAFF PRESENT: Brent Bogue, Director and staff members Kenny Ray, Todd Roberts and Jeanette Wagoner. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Chair Crowther welcomed everyone to this meeting. Introductions of those present were made. AGENDA 1. Update on Soil and Water Board Activities Don Cox explained that the primary responsibilities of the district have been to carry out the requirements of the Federal Farm Bill and to deal with the Division of Water Quality and Management of North Carolina. They work with the farmers to be sure they are in compliance and receive their fair share of the cost share program which he further explained. They also carry out a very comprehensive environmental educational program with the schools which includes an earth walk with the seventh grade students. Gail Hughes on their staff does a lot of the environmental education work. She also does a one week session with 30-40 teachers in the area. The staff include Gail Hughes and Jeanette Wagoner who are County employees and Todd Roberts and Kenny Ray who are 50% County employees. Brent Bogue gave an overview of some of their new programs. Because of Hurricane Fran, they have an emergency watershed protection program which will help clean out debris from Fran in areas where they would have potential flooding. He also explained the farmland protection program and the conservation reserve program. He explained the way money is allocated for the water quality improvement practices. They work with other counties to request money and address local concerns. Mr. Bogue explained that they have an agreement between the Federal, State and Districts which is reviewed periodically. They need at this time to review and revise, if necessary, the agreement they have with Orange County. They will forward this agreement to the County Commissioners in the near future. 2. Possibilities of a County Land Trust/Revolving Fund Planning Director Marvin Collins said that the big issue in setting up a County Land Trust/Revolving Fund is whether the County does this with the Triangle Land Conservancy, or with the Soil and Water Conservation Board, or set up a separate non-profit corporation. He said that they have a plan and the Triangle Land Conservancy is interested in being a partner in this project. What has received a lot of support is the idea of having the Soil and Water Board handle this as it relates to agriculture. The question is who would enforce it -- the district, the county or someone else. They plan to talk about this with some of their advisory groups. Chris Hogan said that his biggest concern is the working relationship with the farmers. Don Cox noted that there is a fund being established for either purchasing in fee simple or easements for watershed protection around reservoirs. Mr. Collins expanded on this saying that this money could be applied to farmland protection or natural area protection. Property could be purchased and restrictive covenants could be placed on the property before it is resold. This would involve the County Attorney because it is a real estate transaction. Two of his advisory boards have suggested having the Triangle Land Conservancy and the Soil and Water Board work together on the project. This is something that could be defined in the agreement between the County and Soil and Water Conservation Board. 3. Proposal of an Environmental Affairs Commission Commissioner Gordon explained the purpose of this proposal. She asked if the Soil and Water Conservation Board of Directors would be interested in having a representative serve on this Commission if it is established. Don Cox said that they have all they can do at this time. He said that they are dealing with a lot of environmental issues handed down by the state and federal requirements. 4. Future Topics for Cooperation The agreement discussion needs to take place in August. Copies will be provided to the County Commissioners prior to the discussion. This agreement is necessary in order to establish a relationship with all of their cooperating partners. In implementing the programs they carry out in this County they may need to include other agencies and groups including the County. Commissioner Carey encouraged the members of the Board of Supervisors to keep an open mind on land preservation because the farmers would rather have a relationship with someone in Orange County rather than with someone outside Orange County. He asked to see the agreement they have with the State and with the Federal Government. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to come before the Board, Chair Crowther adjourned this meeting. The next regular meeting will be held this same evening at 7:30 in Superior Courtroom, Hillsborough. William L. Crowther, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 29.1997 AT 7:30 P.M. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Superior Courtroom 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 u YEARS. AGENDA 1. Presentation of the Manager's 1997-98 Recommended Budaet John Link summarized his 1997-98 recommendation budget message. He acknowledged those staff members who worked on the budget. Highlights of the budget include the following: ? General Fund Budget of $85,574,588 ? An increase of $107 in the per pupil allocation for Education ? a request for 13-1/2 new County positions ? Provision of 2.5% COLA and modifications to the pay plan 2. Budget Public Hearing Ed Collins, representing the Carrboro Elementary School Governance Committee, read a prepared statement. The committee endorses the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board budget as presented to the County Commissioners. He briefly told how the budget impacts the activities at Carrboro Elementary. They need additional funds for technology and 1-1/2 positions. His letter is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office. Lucy Gallo, representing the Transportation Advisory Council, spoke in support of the budget as recommended by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board. They need additional people to ride the buses to monitor the discipline problems. She asked for money for safety monitors and substitute drivers. Sandy Williamson spoke in support of the budget for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School system. She supports the money which will decrease the student teacher ratio from 1 to 35 to 1 to 30. END OF PUBLIC COMMENTS 3. Adoption of Policy regarding Paving-in-Lieu of Taxes This policy is for County-owned facilities which are leased for private purposes not related to County programs or services. This policy provides authorization for Orange County to charge such tenants payments in lieu of taxes in amounts equivalent to the amount of property tax that would otherwise be lawfully assessed against the leased premises were they taxable by the County and by any municipality in which the leased premises are located. A motion was made by Chair Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve the policy as written which will be incorporated into the County Commissioners' Policy Manual. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 4. Lease Approval for 501 West Franklin Street, Suite 106 A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve and authorize the Chair to sign a two year lease with Jim Lilley Properties for the period June 1, 1997 through May 31, 1999 substantially under the terms and conditions cited in the lease. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 5. Closed Session _ Attorney-Client Privilege !2y authority of G.S. Section 143-318.11(a)(3) A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to go into closed session in accordance with the attorney-client privilege by authority of G.S. Section 143- 318.11(a)(3). VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Chair Crowther to reconvene into regular session. VOTE: UNANIMOUS ADJOURNMENT With no further items to come before the Board, Chair Crowther adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Old County Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina. William L. Crowther, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk