Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19980519APPROVED 10/20/98 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING May 19, 1998 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 19, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of 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 The County Commissioners agreed to add to the agenda a closed session as authorized by General Statute 143- 318.11 a(3) to consult with the County Attorney and as authorized by General Statute 143-318-11 a(5) to (1) establish, or to instruct the County staff and negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the County in negotiating the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property and (2) to establish the position of and to instruct the County staff and negotiating agents concerning the County's position in negotiating the amount of compensation and other material terms of a proposed employment contract. The County Commissioners agreed to delete item 9c "Donnie Page Clayton Zoning Case". 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 Aaenda - NONE PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Margaret W. Brown dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Crowther stated that he attended the immunization program held last evening. This group appreciates the support of the County Commissioners in their effort to immunize children throughout Orange County. Chair Margaret Brown indicated she attended the ribbon cutting for Rape Crisis Center and the Coalition for Battered Women and the RSVP luncheon. 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT John Link made reference to the legislation similar to Johnston County which would provide more direct involvement with contractors to build schools. Geoffrey Gledhill said that he does not feel it will pass in this short session. His recommendation is that the County Commissioners send this revised bill to our local delegation as a substitute for what we already sent to them. The bill includes Johnston County and Pitt County and is more general. Our delegation would then get together with those delegations to gain support to move it through for all three counties. Commissioner Halkiotis feels that this bill has a good chance of getting through and he hopes the County Commissioners will endorse this effort. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis that we send this bill, incorporated here by reference, as a substitute for the legislation we sent earlier. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 5. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS - NONE 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS- NONE 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS- NONE 8. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve those items on the Consent Agenda as listed below: a. Appointments The Board approved the following appointments: Human Services Transportation Board Wendy Trueblook for a term ending March 31, 2001 Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor's Bureau Creston Woods for a term ending December 31, 2000 Human Services Advisory Commission Christine Barfield for a term ending March 31, 2000 b. Minutes The Board approved minutes from the Feb. 17, 1998 regular meeting, Feb. 23, 1998 quarterly public hearing and Feb. 25, 1998 joint meeting with OWASA. C. CJPP: TROSA Contract This item was moved to the end of the Consent Agenda for separate consideration. d. Budget Amendment #10 This item was moved to the end of the Consent Agenda for separate consideration. e. Lease Renewal - 103 Laurel Ave.. Carrboro The Board approved and authorized the chair to sign a lease for property at 103 Laurel Ave., Carrboro. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA C. CJPP: TROSA Contract Commissioner Carey pointed out that this contract covers the period January 1, 1998 through July 1, 1998. He asked that the contract be approved contingent upon going back to the state to request that the contract date be through December, 1998 so that the state contract will cover the same period as our service contract. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve and authorize the chair to sign a contract with Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers in the amount of $70,800 for long-term residential treatment services contingent upon asking the State to extend this contract to December 1, 1998. VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. Budget Amendment #10 Chair Margaret Brown asked about the $61,250 for the Visitors Bureau. Shelly Green, Executive Director, said that this additional revenue represents funding they received from Chapel Hill and the last quarter last year which was not credited until the first quarter this year. The remaining revenue was an anticipated increase in the occupancy tax received which happens most every year. Commissioner Gordon asked if this money could be used for anything else like amenities in the community. Shelly Green explained that they go through a budgeting process to determine how this money is spent. She would be glad to take this back to the committee. She said that items are eliminated in their budget process so they usually use any excess revenues to take care of these items. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve a proposed budget ordinance amendment and capital project ordinance for the Northern Human Services Center capital project and Visitors Bureau budget as incorporated here by reference. VOTE UNANIMOUS 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA a. 1998-2008 CIP Adoption The Board considered adoption of the 1998-2008 Capital Investment Plan. John Link summarized the items listed in the agenda. Budget Director Donna Dean outlined the three private placement projects. These include Whitted Human Services Center renovations, Northern Human Services Center renovations and the Chapel Hill Senior Center replacement. In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Albert Kittrell said that the Human Services Management Team has discussed these renovations at length. He spoke to each renovation item that needs to be accomplished and said that these renovations will cover most of the needs. Pam Jones confirmed that what is reflected in this project will take care of most needs which have been identified. Chair Margaret Brown asked about including the park design in the project for the Northern Human Services Center and was told that this would be done within the next few months. Ken Chavious said that the County will be selling in excess of $10 million in bonds for school projects next year. One source of funding for the private placement debt service is the one cent property tax revenue currently being set aside in a land acquisition fund for school/park sites. Commissioner Gordon said that she feels we need to consider keeping the money in the budget for land and use this fund for conservation easements or to develop a program to leverage other monies. John Link said that there is not another source of revenue to address these county projects. We would need to redirect the revenue source of the one cent sales tax. Commissioner Carey said that using the land acquisition fund would depend on where else we can get the money to finance the plan for the three projects and the where else would be the taxpayers. He supports using these funds for County projects. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the three capital projects as recommended to be funded through 1998 private placement financing this year and to set aside $100,000 for farmland preservation, holding this amount in reserve until a program for farmland preservation is adopted by the Board specific for Orange County. Other examples of different programs will be summarized for the County Commissioners. VOTE: UNANIMOUS NOTE: John Link will bring back the CIP for adoption at the next meeting. He asked that the Board contact him if they have any specific questions. The question of the use for the school/park land acquisition fund will be decided later. b. Roy L. Atwater Zoning Case - Assessment of Civil Penalties The Board considered assessing civil penalties in the Roy L. Atwater zoning case. Zoning Enforcement Officer Jim Hinkley summarized the information in the agenda. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to assess civil penalties in the amount of $2,000 payable within 30 days of the assessment. If the amount is not paid within that time, and/or if the property is not brought into compliance, the case should be turned over to the County Attorney to take appropriate action. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. Donnie Page Clanton Zoning Case - Assessment of Civil Penalties The Board deleted this item. d. Garv Louis Hill. Sr. and Timothv Earl Hill Zonina Case - Assessment of Civil Penalties The Board considered assessing $2,000 in civil penalties in the Gary Louis Hill, Sr. and Timothy Earl Hill zoning case. Jim Hinkley summarized the information in the agenda. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to assess civil penalties in the amount of $2,000 payable within 30 days of the assessment. If the amount is not paid within that time, and/or if the property is not brought into compliance, the case should be turned over to the County Attorney to take appropriate action. VOTE: UNANIMOUS e. Edward L. Underwood and James Lewis Zonina Case - Assessment of Civil Penalties The Board considered assessing $2,000 in civil penalties in the Edward L. Underwood and James Lewis zoning case. Jim Hinkley summarized the information in the agenda. Edward Underwood spoke in his defense saying that his property is not a dump site but that the state put things on his lot. The material is on the back side of the lot and because of the weather they have not been able to remove the material. It is now dry so he will remove it and will put it in stump holes. He will use the material. The state paid him to put the material on his land. The material is gravel, dirt and asphalt. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to grant Mr. Underwood an additional 30 days to come into compliance. VOTE: UNANIMOUS f. Telecasting County Commissioners Meetings The Board reviewed costs and considered retaining an audio-visual design consultant to design facilities for telecasting County Commissioners meetings. Albert Kittrell gave background information on this item. Michael Patrick, Chair of the Cable Advisory Committee, spoke about their recommendation for equipping this Board room for telecasting. They want someone to design a system that can be put out for bid this year. They need to know the level of telecasting the Board desires. Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about the cost of providing this service. He has a problem with spending a quarter of a million dollars to cablecast from two facilities. He hopes we can keep this upfront in the franchise talks with the cable company. Bob Sepe, cable consultant from Triangle J, said that they can direct Time Warner to pay for the equipment. However, Time Warner can pass those costs onto their subscribers or they can choose to pass none of it or part of it. In all probability, it will all be borne by the subscribers in the unincorporated area of the County. The County could go ahead and equip the building and then seek reimbursement from Time Warner. Commissioner Gordon asked if they were only talking about the Southern Human Services Center and Mr. Patrick said yes. In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Pam Jones said that this room was designed for cable. What they would do is get the equipment and signal it back for cablecasting. Tyler Johnson said that for $5,000 they feel they can get 65 hours of consulting time and this would focus the project and provide accurate figures on the cost of equipment and telecasting. Commissioner Carey suggested pursuing the basic option. Mr. Johnson said that this Board room will be simple to equip but the room in Hillsborough would add to the complexity of providing cablecasting. John Link asked that the Board approve soliciting proposals for both facilities and ask that the County Commissioners commit to approve the best option for the two facilities. Commissioner Carey feels we need to go with the basic option and then add options or modules to that. The County Commissioners want it to be cost effective but they want this room to be useful. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey for the Board of County Commissioners to make a commitment to do two facilities using the basic option. VOTE: UNANIMOUS ,g, Computerized Information and Referral - Orange Resource Connection The Board considered awarding a contract for the automated information and referral service to the UNC School of Social Work to provide assessment and system support at a cost of $23,347.24; the Triangle United Way for updating and maintaining the computerized database and telephone call-in services at a cost of $15,745; and the Orange County Library for updating the Orange Book at a cost of $4,000. John Link said that at the March meeting, the Board authorized staff to request proposals for operating the ORC from County Clerk's Office, Triangle United Way and the UNC School of Social Work-Human Services Smart Agency. The Board confirmed the key elements of the program at that time. He feels this is a human service function and should be provided by the human service community with County support. Albert Kittrell expanded on the various components of the system. Commissioner Gordon said that one of the reasons they referred this back was that $31,000 was the amount being allocated for this project and it appears that that cost has now increased. Albert Kittrell said that our contribution has actually been reduced. The total project is $43,000 which is a reduction of its original cost of $60,000. Chair Margaret Brown asked if this is something that needs to be on our web site. Laura Zimmerman summarized the assessment instrument she will be using. Commissioner Halkiotis still has some concerns. He feels that it needs to be maintained by agencies in County Government. He asked that it be sent to the Information Technology (IT) committee for their review. Commissioner Carey feels we need to ask the IT committee to work with this project. He feels that parts of this need to move forward and that this is a function in which the County should continue to be involved. However, he does not want to delay the process. Laura Zimmerman noted that as part of the function of her department, they are involved in implementing a similar project in five rural areas of North Carolina and expect to expand this project to ten. Elizabeth Mitchell said that United Way has continued to maintain the service even though the County had not contributed any monies toward this project. The updated information is available and the Orange book could be produced from that information. A motion was made by Chair Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to refer this information to the Information Technology Committee for a recommendation. VOTE: AYES, 3; NOS, 2 (Commissioners Carey and Crowther) h. Upper Neuse Basin Association Funding The Board considered providing $7,609 to support activities of the Upper Neuse Basin Association for fiscal year 1998-99. Commissioner Halkiotis feels that since the County's riparian buffer and sedimentation/erosion control regulations are generally more stringent than those required to meet the criteria of the new and proposed state nutrient management/reduction rules that much of the past and projected activities of the UNRBA are not and will not be applicable or of assistance to Orange County. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to not participate in funding this organization and to write a letter to the UNRBA outlining what the County is doing. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 10. REPORTS a. Capital Request from Day Care Services Association The Board considered a request from Day Care Services Association for capital funding in the amount of $75,000 over five years. Commissioner Carey summarized this item. He said that Day Care Services is trying to control their costs to provide these services. Sue Russell with Day Care Services Association said that they need additional space. They are housed in inadequate space at a high cost. They have located a building at Franklin Square. They are requesting from the County Commissioners $75,000 to be paid over five years. They are asking for both private and public donations as well as donations from the State and other foundations. Chair Margaret Brown asked Geoffrey Gledhill if the County did allocate this amount of money, could they own an equity interest in the building and Geoffrey Gledhill said yes. She said that she would be interested in incorporating that into any agreement which is reached. Commissioner Carey does not feel the County should pursue an agreement for equity interest unless the County contributes a certain amount of the project. He does not feel that $75,000 will reach that threshold. John Link said that this years contribution of $15,000 will be part of the Manager's recommended budget for the County Commissioners to consider. NOTE: The following items were carried forward to the May 26, 1998 meeting. b. Orange County Public Library - Carrboro Branch C. Living Wage Ordinance d. User Fee Review e. 1998-99 Commissioners' Goals 11. APPOINTMENTS- NONE 12. MINUTES- NONE 13. CLOSED SESSION A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to go into closed session as authorized by General Statute 143-318.11a(3) to consult with the County Attorney and as authorized by General Statute 143-318-11 a(5) to (1) establish, or to instruct the County staff and negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the County in negotiating the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property and (2) to establish the position of and to instruct the County staff and negotiating agents concerning the County's position in negotiating the amount of compensation and other material terms of a proposed employment contract. VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to reconvene into regular session. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 14. ADJOURNMENT With no further items for the County Commissioners to consider, A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Carey to adjourn the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 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