Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19980602APPROVED 1114198 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting June 2, 1998 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 2, 1998 at 1:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, N.C. 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 A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to add as item 9d a change in the Board of County Commissioners regular meeting schedule. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 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 Craig Lloyd, Executive Director of the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce, presented the County Commissioners with some gifts for the Hog Day kick off. He invited the County Commissioners to the kick-off party scheduled for June 9 and also to the June 20 hog day event. He noted that there will be recycling containers at Hog Day and designated handicapped parking. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Margaret W. Brown dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Gordon complimented the members of the Shaping Orange County's Future Task Force and staff for the great presentation at the Assembly of Governments meeting held last evening. Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about migrant workers, including Hispanic men and children, riding in the back of pickup trucks with no seat belts. He asked about a law restricting passengers in the back of pickup trucks and Geof Gledhill said that there is a law against that practice. Commissioner Halkiotis feels that people need to be aware of that law. Commissioner Carey also has seen this and feels the police chiefs need to enforce this law more stringently. Geoffrey Gledhill will provide the Board of County Commissioners with some information on this issue. 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT John Link reviewed the calendar for the budget work sessions. He made reference to a letter he received from Neil Pedersen, Superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, in which he makes a request to the County Commissioners to consider appropriating 1.5 million dollars toward property for a future school site. This would be for an alternate site for the middle school proposed for construction on the Meadowmont site. He asked that this be appropriated from the one-cent property tax earmarked for purchase of future school sites. John Link summarized the County Commissioners policy on the use of school/parks capital reserve funds. He has communicated to Mr. Pedersen that the County Commissioners would need to approve a site before it is purchased and be actively involved in that selection. Commissioner Halkictis expressed concern that this request for funds was not discussed previously by the County Manager and the Superintendent. He feels the County Commissioners should be actively involved with the allocation of these funds. Commissioner Gordon said that there are two issues that need to be discussed. The first is whether or not the Meadowmont site is a viable site and second the County Commissioners need to decide what they plan to do with our school/park monies. She feels the County needs a comprehensive plan. John Link suggested setting some criteria using some of the ideas expressed by the School and Land Use Council and the Recreation and Parks master planning committee to plan together before allocating any funds from this reserve account. Commissioner Carey feels that the County Commissioners now know that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is looking for an alternative to Meadowmont and although they should have talked with us earlier, it is our responsibility to help find an alternative site. Chair Margaret Brown mentioned that the County Commissioners may want to set some standards for sites which are donated for school sites so that the school systems have a clear understanding. S. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS - NONE 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE 8. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Carey 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 Board approved the minutes from the March 4, 1998 regular meeting; March 11, 1998 meeting with the school boards; March 17, 1998 special meeting; March 17, 1998 regular meting; March 31, 1998 work session, April 7, 1998 regular meeting; and April 8, 1998 Joint Planning Area public hearing. C. 1998-99 Contracts for Professional Services with UNC Family Practice Center, the UNC School of Pharmacy and the UNC School of Dentistry The Board approved and authorized the chair to sign a contract between the Orange County Health Department and the UNC Family Practice Center in the amount of $80,808 for physician services; the UNC School of Pharmacy in the amount of $5,000 for pharmacy services; and the UNC School of Dentistry in the amount of $10,000 for dental services. d. Child Support AftorneV Contract The Board approved and authorized the chair to sign a contract between the Child Support office and the firm of Coleman, Gledhill and Hargrave for legal representation at the rate of $85 per hour. e. Professional Services Contract Between Orange County Tax Department and Stadermann Consulting Services Inc., d1b1a SCS Direct Mail Marketing This item was moved to the end of the Consent Agenda for separate consideration. f. Frame Relay Service Contract for Countv Network Connections The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign a contract with BellSouth for services to enhance communication connections in the County's computer network. g. 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 as listed below: NAME ACCOUNT # AMOUNT Virinder M. Batra 199457 $ 517.85 Rebecca D. Olson 191375 85.16 Stearns Chevrolet Geo Inc. E72753 128.04 Centura Bank E9650 173.84 Centura Bank E68436 148.25 Crittenden, Louis Decazenove E60410 76.73 VOTE: UNANIMOUS ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA The Board approved the following appointments: Jury Commission Judith Cox was reappointed for a term ending June 30, 2001. EMS Advisory Council Jeffrey Johnson, Shirley Marshall, Norm Gustaveson and Gwen Snowden were reappointed for terms ending June 30, 2000. Commission for Women Kit Gruelle, Judy Woodall and Deborah Taylor were reappointed for terms ending June 30, 2001. Cable TV Advisory Committee Stephen West was appointed for a term ending December 31, 2000. Human Relations Commission These appointments will be considered at the next meeting. Human Services Advisory Commission Rosetta Moore was appointed to a temporary appointment until such time the DSS Board appoints a person to replace her on this Board as their representative. Carrboro Planning Board Katherine Kaufman was appointed as a representative of the transition area for a term ending February 1, 2001. Hillsborough Board of Adjustment James King was reappointed to represent the County to a term ending March 31, 2001. Hillsborough Planning Board Joel Brinkley was reappointed to represent the County to a term ending March 31, 2001. Chapel Hill Planning Board David Latowsky was appointed as a representative of the ETJ for a term ending June 30, 2001 and Patricia Love was appointed as a representative of the Joint Planning Area to an unexpired term ending June 30, 2000. Chapel Hill Board of Adjustment Herman Greene was appointed as a representative of the ETJ for a term ending June 30, 2001. VOTE: UNANIMOUS e. Professional Services Contract Between Oranae Countv Tax Department and Stadermann Consulting Services Inc., dlbla SCS Direct Mail Marketing The Board considered a contract between the Orange County Tax Collector's office and Sadermann Consulting Services Inc. for production and mailing of tax bills and notices. Commissioner Gordon asked about the confidentiality of tax records. Geoffrey Gledhill indicated he is still trying to find a way to assure confidentiality. The problem is a pubic records law problem in that the data base is a public record. This was held until the next meeting. 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA a. Capital Proiect Ordinance Amendment - Chapel Hill Hiah School Cultural Arts Buildin The Board consider approving a revised capital project ordinance for renovations to the Cultural Arts Building at Chapel Hill High School. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools asked to reallocate capital funds from various projects to address higher than expected construction bids for renovations at the Chapel Hill High School Cultural Arts Building. John Link distributed information on how this building project will be funded. He asked how transferring funds from these projects would affect these projects in the future if there were overages. Bill Mullins from the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools said that there were a combination of factors which caused the overage of this project. The electrical work, lighting and PA system cost more than anticipated. The project total in the budget was estimated at $750,000. The low bid was $800,000 which is $300,000 more than the $500,000 they anticipated. Chair Margaret Brown asked if this project could be done in phases doing such items as the seats, electrical, lighting and sound separately. Bill Mullins said that they tried that and it did not work for this facility. The total cost of the project will be $1,050,000. The original estimate in 1995 was $500,000. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the project manager position for both school systems. He feels the County needs to help both school systems with providing this service. He feels that the manager needs to sit down with the superintendents and talk with them about this possibility. Chair Margaret Brown emphasized that when there is a bid that is over what is budgeted, the school system needs to meet with the County Commissioners to find a viable solution. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve a revised capital project ordinance as incorporated by reference in these minutes for renovations to the Cultural Arts Building at Chapel Hill High School Commissioner Halkiotis suggested and Chair Brown agreed that there needs to be a monthly meeting between the County Manager and the superintendents since 50% of our budget goes to the schools. A printed agenda would be shared with the County Commissioners. John Link agreed with this suggestion. The Board amended this motion instructing the County Manager to meet with the superintendents and talk about all the projects they have on the books. This would send clear expectations from the County Commissioners to the School Boards. Commissioner Carey does not feel that the County Commissioners should try to find the money for overruns but that the respective school systems should be responsible to come up with the funds or cut back on the project. Chair Margaret Brown would like to have some priorities set so we understand what really needs to be done. It would help her to have a book with each building showing the renovations that have been made and what renovations need to be done. Vote on the motion with the amendment: UNANIMOUS b. 1998-2008 CIP Adoption The Board considered adoption of the 1998-2008 Capital Investment Plan. At the May 19 meeting, the Board approved the allocation of $100,000 for farmland preservation, held in reserve in the 1998-99 CIP, pending adoption of a conservation easement program specific to Orange County. The Board also approved a decision to proceed with a $4.8 million private placement loan to carry out major renovations at the Whitted and Northern Human Services Centers, and to replace the Chapel Hill Senior Center. The Board indicated its intention to discuss at its next meeting the options available for funding the debt service on that private placement loan. Budget Director Donna Dean distributed a chart which shows the County capital projects and what would happen with the continuation of the one cent setaside for school/park land acquisition and what would happen if it is not continued. Commissioner Gordon made reference to her comprehensive program for resource conservation which would use this one cent setaside. She noted that Orange County has not spent very much on the environment over the last ten years. She feels it is not fair to pit county conservation against county buildings and that people in the County want them to put dollars toward the environment. She asked that the County Commissioners have a work session to discuss this issue further. She asked that this one cent setaside for land acquisition stay intact and that the County look elsewhere for monies for County buildings. Commissioner Carey said that he feels Orange County is doing more than most counties in the state in protecting our environment through land use regulations. He does not want to see the needs of our County buildings which serve County citizens delayed. It is the County's responsibility to upgrade and improve County buildings and he is not prepared to cut County projects. Commissioner Crowther supports the County Manager's proposal to formally adopt the 1998-2008 CIP, less any specific projects that the Board may identify as needing further deliberation during June 1998 budget work sessions. John Link said that environmental issues and county projects are competing for funds. He asked that the Board consider this as a revenue stream and asked that they direct the staff to fund the needs that are necessary. The Board has a full year for reallocating these monies. Chair Margaret Brown said that these are modest sums for maintaining our County buildings and making them serviceable. She also supports a comprehensive approach for environmental issues that need to be addressed. She would like to keep supporting this fund and hopefully do both things. Commissioner Halkiotis does not support the $6 million for Information technology. With reference to County buildings, he said that the County has taken better care of the school buildings than our own. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to retain and continue the one cent setaside for school/park capital reserve for one year. The decision on what to do with the reserve fund after one year will be made later. John Link clarified that the funding stream will be kept the same for the coming year. Beginning in 1999- 2000, they will incorporate into the CIP the initiatives that Commissioner Gordon has recommended. They will look at the revenue stream and reduce items as necessary to provide funds for County needs. VOTE: 4-1 (Commissioner Gordon) C. Pocket park for Skills Development Center The Board considered approval of plans for a "pocket park" at the Skills Development Center in the area between the center and the sidewalk fronting on Franklin Street as presented by Chair Brown. Commissioner Gordon asked about the safety of this location and suggestions were made to add adequate lighting and to refer this to the Chapel Hill Police Department for their comments since this is in their jurisdiction. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to refer this to the Chapel Hill Appearance Commission as part of the application for the Skills Development Center. John Link will write the Chapel Hill Police Department for their comments. VOTE: UNANIMOUS ADDED ITEM d. Change in the Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting Calendar A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to amend the County Commissioners' regular meeting calendar by changing the location of three meetings scheduled for June 8, 16 and 16 from the Government Services Center to the Southern Human Services Center. Commissioners Crowther and Halkiotis protested saying that the citizens in northern Orange County will have to travel to Chapel Hill for these work sessions. VOTE: Ayes, 3; Nos, 2 (Commissioners Crowther and Halkiotis) 10. REPORTS a. Tobacco Allotment Tax The Board received a report on taxes to tobacco allotments. Tax Assessor John Smith presented information on the federal program and restrictions on tobacco quotas. Commissioner Halkiotis feels we need to investigate this as a possible revenue stream and that the County Commissioners need to make the decision on whether or not this would be a viable revenue stream. Geoffrey Gledhill explained that when agricultural land is sold that tobacco allotments do not add value to the land. He feels that John Smith needs to do an analysis to determine if those properties which have tobacco allotments are at their highest and best use, then add a value to the land. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he would like to know how many tobacco allotments are held by people who do not live in Orange County because we expect John Smith to assess everything he can and we expect our Tax Collector Ginger Rolfe to collect the taxes. 11. APPOINTMENTS - NONE 12. MINUTES - NONE 13. CLOSED SESSION - NONE 14. ADJOURNMENT With no further items for the Board to consider, a motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to adjourn the meeting. The next meeting on the regular meeting schedule will be held on Thursday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Southern Human Services Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Margaret W. Brown, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk