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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19980421APPROVED 10/20198 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING April 21, 1998 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Margaret W. Brown, and Commissioners Moses Carey, Jr., William L. Crowther, 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. ALL RECORDINGS OF THE MEETING WILL BE KEPT FOR 5 YEARS. 1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA -NONE 2. CITIZEN & AUDIENCE COMMENTS a. Matters on the Printed Agenda Chair Brown stated that citizens who have indicated a desire to speak on an item that appears on the printed agenda will be recognized at the appropriate time. b. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Charles Snipes, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for the Soil and Water Conservation service in Orange County, thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their action at the last meeting adding another technician to that Department. He said that Orange County has the winner of the farm family of the year. To host this event on May 12, it will cost at least $4,000 or $4,500. They have raised $2500 and would like for the County Commissioners to consider helping them finance this event. The farm family is Shambley's Dairy on Mt. Willing Road. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to allocate $2,000 from the County Commissioners' contingency for this event. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Christina Reardon from the Orange Rape Crisis Center said that they have located an office in Hillsborough and have received a wonderful response by being in Hillsborough. They plan to open a resource library and offer volunteer opportunities in the community. They are funded by federal and foundation funding for the next 15 months. They distributed flyers about their services. They invited the County Commissioners to their ribbon cutting at 4:00 p.m. on May 12. Amy McMann from the Orange Durham Coalition for Battered Women, said that they are working with the Orange Rape Crisis Center in an effort to serve Hillsborough and northern Orange County. They have joined together in an Northern Orange Outreach Project. Andrew Pearson and Lauren Attanas said that they are representing the Rogers Road Community Group. They distributed a flyer inviting all Orange County elected officials to tour the landfill and participate in a forum, Sunday, May 3rd. She read a list of demands. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Margaret W. Brown dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Halkiotis asked for a report on how much the County is spending on Hog Day. 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT Management Analyst Sharron Siler introduced some of the students who will be participating in the Official for a Day program tomorrow. She outlined the agenda that the student will be considering during their mock County Commissioners meeting. 5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS a. Draft Resolution -- Legislative Initiatives and Points of Interest of Orange County for the 1998 Short Legislative Session The Board considered a draft resolution and setting a public hearing for May 6, 1998, 7:30 p.m., related to legislative initiatives and points of interest that the Board may present to the Orange County legislative delegation for consideration during the 1998 short session of the General Assembly. Geoffrey Gledhill made reference to a letter that he received today from the NCACC for items they will be introducing tomorrow. He explained the items included in this draft resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to take to public hearing the legislative initiatives and points of interest as presented. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. County Clerks Week The Board considered proclaiming May 4-10, 1998, as County Clerks Week in Orange County. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve the proclamation as stated below: PROCLAMATION COUNTY CLERKS WEEK MAY 4 THROUGH MAY 10, 1998 WHEREAS, the office of the County Clerk, a time honored and vital part of local government exists throughout the world, and WHEREAS, the office of the County Clerk is the oldest among public servants, and WHEREAS, the office of the County Clerk provides the professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies and agencies of government at other levels, and WHEREAS, the County Clerk has pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality, rendering equal service to all, and WHEREAS, the County Clerk serves as the information center on functions of local government and community, and WHEREAS, the County Clerk continually strives to improve the administration of the affairs of the Office of the County Clerk through participation in education programs, seminars, workshops and the annual meetings of their state, county and international professional organizations, and WHEREAS, it is most appropriate that we recognize the accomplishments of the Office of the County Clerk, NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS do hereby recognize the week of May 4 through May 10, 1998 as County Clerks Week and further extend appreciation to our County Clerk, Beverly Blythe, and to all County and Municipal Clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (Special Report) a. Youth Voices of Orange County Update The Board received a status report from members of Youth Voices of Orange County. President Jennifer Higgins, Vice-President Chmekia Pettiford and Chair of the Community Service Committee Jonathan Lieberman spoke about the structure of their organization and the different areas they are pursuing. They told about the Switch program where they switched schools for a day in an effort to break down the stereotypes about each school. They told about future projects they are planning and community events to increase communication between the three high schools in the County. The Board commended the students for their participation with Youth Voices and asked that they continue this wonderful program. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Resolution to Close Rights-of-way in University Manor, Phase 1 The Board held a public hearing to receive public input on a proposed resolution to close two public rights-of-way in the subdivision formerly known as University Manor, Phase 1, Section 1. Emily Cameron gave background information on this item. Attorney for the project, Mr. Rooks, said that he followed the process that is necessary before a road can be closed. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther, to close the public hearing and adopt the resolution and order, included here by reference, to close the roads known as Westcott Court and Brampton Place. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 8. 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. Budget Ordinance #8 The Board approved proposed budget ordinance amendments, grant project ordinances and a capital project ordinance as presented and as included in these minutes by reference. b. Johnston Ambulance Service - Request for Rate Increase (first reading) The Board approved a request from Johnston Ambulance Service to increase its base rate for non-emergency transports from $85 to $125, and initiate a per-trip charge of $15 for oxygen. This is the first of two required readings. C. Orange County Dive Team Franchise Application (first reading) The Board approved franchising a dive team for search, rescue and recovery operations within the County. This is the first of two required readings. d. Resolution Approvina a Modification for Southern Village Elementary School Documents The Board adopted a resolution approving a modification to financing documents regarding amortization schedules for Southern Village Elementary School included as part of these minutes by reference. e. Property Tax Refunds The County Commissioners approved requests for tax refunds per the resolution, a copy of which is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office. f. Property Tax Releases The County Commissioners approved requests for tax releases per the resolution, a copy of which is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office. r? ru--i -tits uaroiina rrienas acnooi - ivioaiTicavon OT -)peciai use Term n The Board approved a proposed modification to the special use permit for Carolina Friends School to accommodate its 10-year expansion master plan. The Board approved a proposed amendment to Article 5.1.2 of the Zoning Ordinance to h. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment - Article 5.1.2 Schedule for Non-residential Development The Board approved a proposed amendment to Article 5.1.2 of the Zoning Ordinance to increase the maximum allowed floor space for existing non-residential uses permitted in the AR, RB, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 zoning districts. This amendment increased the maximum floor area allowed for non-residential uses legally existing as of 5/6/98 in the RB, AR, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 residential districts from 8.8 percent (10 percent in Planned Developments, 12.3 percent in R-4) to 14.1 percent. The text of this amendment is incorporated in these minutes by reference. L Nursing Home Advisory Committee - Expansion of Membership The Board approved adding five additional members to the Nursing Home Advisory Committee. 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION -REGULAR AGENDA a. Planned Development and Class A Special Use Permit - PD-2-98 State Employees Credit Union The Board considered a planned development and Class A special use permit for the State Employees Credit Union in the County's economic development zoning district. Planner Eddie Kirk outlined this request. This proposal was heard at the February 23 public hearing and at the April 1 Planning Board meeting. The Planning Board voted unanimously to approved a Planned Development and Class A Special Use Permit. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to close the public hearing and approve the Planned Development and Class A Special Use Permit per the Planning Board recommendation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. 1997-98 Information Technology Plan - Phase IV The Board considered appropriating $349,435 for phase four of the County's Information Technology Plan, which would provide for completion of the County network, 85 replacement PCs and implementation of a county web server for better Board and citizen access. John Link made reference to the abstract and what the County Commissioners have approved up to this point. This money would address the remaining short-term goals of the information technology plan. The IT Committee recommends that these remaining items be approved. The next phase will deal with our legacy system. Information Specialist Buck Tredway did a presentation on the County's web page and answered various questions as did Information Systems Director Dick Taylor. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve the scope of work outlined above and the transfer of funds in the amount of $349,435 from the reserve fund to the Information Technology capital project to carry out this work. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. Request for Funding -Orange County Community Housing Corporation The Board considered a request from Orange County Community Housing Corporation for $19,000 to help cover an operating deficit. Ken Chavious reviewed the financial situation of Orange County Community Housing Corporation. He said that their accounting system and intercontrol system is sound. He would suggest that they budget according to project costs with operating costs budgeted separately. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested that the Corporation use the County expertise to be sure that another situation like Magnolia does not occur in the future. Mr. Robert Dowling, Executive Director of Orange Community Housing Corporation, answered various questions about his budget and the status of Meadowmont and the costs incurred for engineering drawings and design work for that project. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to (1) approve the request for additional funding in the amount of $19,000 in order to ensure the survival of the Corporation, (2) require the Orange Community Housing Corporation to report on the implementation of the recommendations listed in the Future Considerations section of the Finance Director's report prior to final action to appropriate County funding to the Corporation for FY 98-99 and (3) Orange County manager to meet with the mayors and managers of Chapel Hill and Carrboro to discuss and bring back to the three governing bodies proposals to, over a longer period of time, address the problems the Corporation has had, with a review of the Corporation, and then develop policies and standards which the three governing bodies would require of the Corporation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. 1998-2008 Capital Investment Plan The Board considered adopting the 1998-2008 Capital Investment Plan. Commissioner Gordon asked for additional information on items in the CIP which have to do with projects which were included in the failed bond issue for county facilities and a timeline for completing those items. She also asked for additional information on the one cent setaside for buying property. She asked if conservation easements or development rights are considered capital investments. Geoffrey Gledhill said these would be considered a capital asset of the County. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to page 5 and asked if lighting has been completed at the Northern Center. Public Works Director Wilbert McAdoo said that lighting inside and outside has been completed. With reference to playground equipment at the Northern Center, Bob Jones said that they are getting bid specifications for three different age groups. Commissioner Carey asked about the quality of the drinking water at the northern center and John Link said that it is a taste problem. They plan to install a filtering system which hopefully will help improve the taste of this water. Commissioner Crowther asked about lease agreements with the tenants housed at the northern center. John Link said that we do not charge any rent. Next year they plan to be clear on what the County's responsibility should be and what the agency's responsibility should be. Peter Morcombe said that he is very active in Charter Schools. They are moving ahead with opening three additional charter schools. They hope to create 1500 charter school places by the autumn of 1999. He talked about the items in the CIP having to do with school construction for both Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools and Orange County schools totaling $70 million. He feels the County is creating room for 2,450 students and in reality there may be only 1,321 students because at least 800 of these students will be attending charter schools. He stated that the County is providing funds for at least five times the number of school places needed. He believes the budget needs to be cut by $30 million. This would provide money for a senior center and maybe $1 million for charter schools. Commissioner Gordon asked that John Link analyze the DPI figures and the information provided by Mr. Morcombe and also give them a legal opinion on providing capital funding for charter schools. 10. REPORTS a. Present Use Value Program The Board heard a report on the present use value program of real property taxation. Tax Assessor John Smith made a brief presentation. This is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office. Commissioner Halkiotis asked for information from other surrounding counties. He said that he is astounded that farms average 6% of market value. Chair Margaret Brown would like to see this report kept up to date so they can track this from year to year. Also, it would be useful for educational purposes. She suggested sharing this information with Shaping Orange County's Future, Agricultural Districts Advisory Board and the Planning Board and to put this information on the County's web page. Dolly Hunter said that there are more small organic fruit producers, more ten to twenty acre horse farms, an increase in small farm activities and a decrease in the dairy farms and large hog operations. This shows what is happening with major agriculture uses in the County. A motion was made by Chair Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to use all the information we have on this issue to show the big picture of what is happening with farmland in Orange County and to do an annual report. VOTE: UNANIMOUS THE BOARD AGREED TO EXTEND THEIR MEETING TIME TO 10:45 P.M. b. Apartment Association of North Carolina - Impact Fees for Multi-familv Development Pro iects The Board heard a report from the Apartment Association of North Carolina that recommends lower school impact fees for apartments. John Link summarized the information in the agenda. Mr. Ken Szymanski outlined his report. He requested that the County revisit the issue of impact fees for apartment units based on a report prepared for them by Professor Emil Malizia of the UNC Department of City and Regional Planning. The report concludes that apartments generate fewer students per unit than traditional single-family dwellings. Deb Anderson who is a developer of apartment units handed out a list of projects they have built in the Triangle area. She said that development of property in Orange County is difficult. She shared how the impact fee affects development and also how it affects citizens. She asked that the County Commissioners reevaluate their impact fee structure and direct staff to move ahead with developing the technical report. The County Commissioners received the report as information. C. Rabies Control Program Update The Board heard a report on the County's rabies control program. Interim Health Director Rosemary Summers summarized the report. 11. APPOINTMENTS - NONE 12. MINUTES - NONE 13. CLOSED SESSION - NONE 14. ADJOURNMENT With no further items for the County Commissioners to discuss, a motion was made by to adjourn the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. in the Judge F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Margaret W. Brown, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk