Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-24-2011 APPROVED 4/5/2011 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JOINT MEETING February 24, 2011 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Joint Meeting with the Town of Hillsborough Commissioners on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Link Government Services Center, in Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Bernadette Pelissier and Commissioners Valerie P. Foushee, Alice Gordon, Pam Hemminger, Barry Jacobs, Earl McKee, and Steve Yuhasz COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Frank Clifton, Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey, and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker (All other staff inembers will be identified appropriately below) HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Mayor Tom Stevens and Commissioners Brian Lowen, Michael Gering and Evelyn Lloyd and Eric Hallman HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Frances Dancy HILLSBOROUGH STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Eric Peterson Welcome and Openinq Remarks (Chair Pelissier and Mayor Stevens) Chair Pelissier thanked everyone for coming. She said that this is an opportunity for both boards to share common interests and ideas. Mayor Tom Stevens said that he had a conversation with Commissioner Hemminger last night and one of the items they discussed at TJCOG was performance measures for local governments. He distributed a handout and said that the Town's intention is embodied in this balance scorecard and he said there are 16 objectives that they want to accomplish in the community. He said that Hillsborough this year won an award for its accounting performance. He said that the new wastewater treatment plant has commanded the attention for the last year. He said that a penny on the tax rate only raises $60,000. Almost half of the budget and a third of the employees are with the police department and there has been a change in leadership this year. There are only 13 %2 people that do the general administration activities for the Town. The UDO has been foremost in the work plan. The Nash Street project has also been a priority. Other projects have revolved around economic development. He said that the elephant in the room is the judicial parking. He said that it has been acknowledged that this will not be discussed tonight. He said that he thought that the meeting between him, Mayor Pro tem, and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of County Commissioners was very productive yesterday. Chair Pelissier agreed that there has been some progress made in the meetings regarding the issue of parking. Commissioner Gordon arrived at 7:16 PM. Introductions were made. 1. Report and Discussion on County's Economic Development Activities a) Frank Clifton gave some background on the new Economic Development Director Gary Shope. Mr. Shope has tremendous experience in economic development. He said that the towns and the County are all cooperating on industrial recruitment efforts. Gary Shope reiterated that he wants to collaborate with the towns in getting some economic development in Orange County. Frank Clifton said that the County still has a small business loan program and recently made a fairly large loan. There have also been a significant number of inquiries into the value-added processing center. b) Regarding the consideration of the Reformulated Economic Development Commission, Frank Clifton said that the County Commissioners and Jonathan Morgan from the UNC Institute of Government are working on the reorganization of the Economic Development Commission. The goal is to facilitate more private sector involvement and more involvement from the business community and those that are actively in the daily aspects of business development and business activities. c) Towns of Hillsborough, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill contributing financially to economic development. There has been a process in place where the Towns gave $6,000 annually for economic development. Frank Clifton said that the County has the broad role of representing economic development. There may be a specific project or issue for the towns to invest in, but he would like to revisit the issue of the recurring $6,000. d) Pursuit of Utility Infrastructure - Frank Clifton said that the County has been actively engaged for the most part with the City of Mebane and the City of Durham with the concept of extending municipal utilities. Michael Gering made reference to Frank Clifton's statement about the County being the focal point for opportunities from the State. He said that what he learned at a visit to Asheville was that the County would not only be a focal point for people in the State to contact, but for companies who are looking to make an investment here. Frank Clifton agreed and said that Gary Shope has agreed to be this contact person in the County. Michael Gering said that he also learned from Asheville the value of having an independent organization doing economic development for the municipalities. He asked why Orange County was not moving in that direction. Frank Clifton said that the goal is to get the organization running and the coordination between the County and the municipalities at a level where it could be handed off to an organization. Michael Gering said that he has not seen this happen with the Tourism Board, which is still a County entity and was supposed to be made independent. Commissioner Jacobs said that it has been at least 10 years since the County Commissioners have been meeting annually with the Town of Hillsborough. There was a discussion at the retreat about the issue of economic development, but there was not unanimity with the structure of this group. Eric Hallman said that this is great news with economic development but he does not want to lose track of what Hillsborough has in tourism as an economic engine. Chair Pelissier said that the other driver economically is with the food sector and the value-added processing center. The basic issue is that the County has very little commercial tax base relative to residential. Frank Clifton said that tourism is a part of Orange County's Economic Development department. He highlighted the Chapel Hill Herald's partnership with the Visitor's Bureau with the full page ads each weekend highlighting Orange County. This page is donated by the paper. Mayor Stevens said that it was a new day for economic development and he applauds the steps that are being taken. Frank Clifton pointed out pages 15-19, which has issues that the Board has discussed. There has also been discussion about retail development within Orange County. e) Collaboration and coordination of joint efforts on prospective projects. f) Small Business Loan Program and incubator projects. 2. County Buildinqs in Hillsborouqh a) Update on County Plans for Vacant County Buildings Asset Management Director Pam Jones referred to the list of vacant County buildings: • 129 East King Street — has no offers on it and the Board of County Commissioners asked her to put the Public Defender in this office (by the end of June). • 112 N. Churton Street — there have been offers but none successful, and the thought is that this might be used for an incubator business. • Whitted building — the Board recently approved an expansion project for the Health Department here (by the end of August). Mayor Stevens said that there has been discussion about the Town leasing part of Whitted and then subletting it to the Arts Council, but not financing the Arts Council. Frank Clifton said that the County does not want to finance any non-profit. Pam Jones said that staff has met with the Arts Council and explained to them the structural limitations of this space. • Link Government Services Center — still open space downstairs. There will potentially be a permanent public meeting room for the County Commissioners there. • Revere Road site — several departments are still there and part of the space is being used for managed storage space. • Base EMS station at Revere Road • 1914 New Hope Church Road — old EMS building and the OCS has put a bid in for this facility. Michael Gering asked about the Valley Forge property and Pam Jones said that the value-added processing center is going in there. Michael Gering said that he thought that the County had offered the Town to annex this property. Frank Clifton said that this has not moved forward. He said that the County's property does not pay any taxes. Michael Gering said that the issue was that eventually the County may divest of this property and already having it annexed would remove the issue from the next tenant. He said that strategically it makes more sense for it to belong to Hillsborough. Michael Gering asked about the work the County is doing in Hillsborough and if the County intends to claim exemption with the ordinances as it has with the Justice Facility. He is thinking of 300 W. Tryon and 200 S. Cameron in particular. Pam Jones said that at the Whitted Center, the parking around that is sufficient for the use that is being put in. Michael Gering said that what the County challenged the Town with in court was much more general than that. Frank Clifton said that he would defer this to the County Commissioners and the County Attorney. Commissioner Jacobs said that the Board has not discussed seeking any exemption and it was not something on the Board's radar. b) Draft County Facilities Use Policy Pam Jones reviewed the draft County Facilities Use Policy which was presented to the Board of County Commissioners last fall. The goal is to allow the public to use various facilities, but minimize the expenses. The draft policy is attached to the abstract. Staff is working with the technical issues of the proposed software that they will be using for the use of the facilities. Chair Pelissier said that when this policy is adopted, it should be forwarded to all municipalities. 3. Transportation a) Update on Rail Station Hillsborough Planning Director Margaret Hauth said the information in the packet is really the latest information. Hillsborough is continuing to seek funding for this project. b) Elizabeth Brady Road Alternative Solutions Margaret Hauth said that the Commissioners were all given the link of the detailed analysis that was done by the MPO. She said that everyone agreed that this was a project that should not be pursued. The Town is still working through the MPO process with DOT to see whether it can pick up the funding of the projects. There were other projects that were already in the funding pipeline. Commissioner Gordon said that the MPO itself is very supportive of the Town. Margaret Hauth said that another recommendation in the document is to take a closer look at downtown and some traffic management techniques. This would involve a detailed planning exercise project. Funds have to be committed for this study by June 30tn c) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Between Orange County and Hillsborough for Circulator Transit Route Transportation Planner Karen Lincoln said that this route is ready to begin, but an MOA is needed to spell out what the County and Town would be responsible for. She referred to the draft MOA that will go to Hillsborough first and then to Orange County for approval. This is on page 47. The State has agreed to pay 100% of the first year's operating expenses and the capital expenses up to the amount that was granted. The second year will be 80%. She said that there is a proposal for a marketing campaign and the hope is to have this worked out for the final MOA. The plan is to start this service in May. Commissioner Jacobs said that the elephant in the room here is the State Legislature. He said that he thought he heard that the State wants to eliminate local matches from the upcoming budget. He suggested trying to expedite this project before the State adopts its budget. He made reference to the license fee that was authorized in the legislature to allow counties to take a %2-cent sales tax for public transit and said that some of it goes to TTA and the rest of it comes to the County, but then it is further divided between those that provide public transportation. He would like to have a discussion to work with Hillsborough to apply some of these funds to transportation in this part of the County. Frank Clifton said that the way the statutes read is that the money can go to an existing service and it is distributed based on the populations of the communities providing the service. It would provide $770,000 countywide. Michael Gering asked about the spending deadlines and Karen Lincoln said that the CMAQ window is still open, but the clock is ticking. There is still time. d) Draft Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Action Plan Karen Lincoln said that in the agenda packet is a PowerPoint presentation. She introduced some citizens that are part of Walkable Hillsborough and that initiated this process. Orange County Action Planning Process Study Schoo/s Grady Brown Elementary Cameron Park Elementary Stanford Middle FINAL DRAFT SRTS ACTION PLAN Final Draft SRTS Action Plan Components ^ Goals — Connectivity and Safety ^ Comprehensive Recommendations for each school ^ Priority Engineering Projects & photo visualizations ^ Programs and Policies ➢ Top Priority Programs ^ Implementation ^ Appendices ➢ Public Input Summary ➢ Federal and State Policies ➢ Funding ➢ Design Guidelines MAJOR IMPLEMENTATION ACTION STEPS Approve and Adopt SRTS Action Plan Identify Specific Funding Sources for Project Implementation Improve and Enforce Local Regulations Pertaining to Complete Streets and Pedestrian Access MAJOR IMPLEMENTATION ACTION STEPS Implement Existing Plans ➢ Hillsborough Land Use Plan Vision 2010 ➢ US 70/Cornelius Street Corridor Strategic Plan ➢ Hillsborough Community Connectivity Plan ➢ Hillsborough Parks and Recreation Master Plan ➢ Orange County Bicycle Transportation Plan Include recommendations from this Action Plan in Regional Plans of the Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization ➢ Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) and ➢ Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Construct Priority Engineering Projects ➢ Corridor improvements: sidewalks, multi-use paths, bicycle lanes ➢ Crossing improvements: crosswalks, median refuges, signals ➢ On-campus facilities: bike parking ➢ Traffic calming ➢ Long-term improvements MAJOR IMPLEMENTATION ACTION STEPS Include recommendations from this Action Plan in Regional Plans of the Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization ➢ Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) and ➢ Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Construct Priority Engineering Projects ➢ Corridor improvements: sidewalks, multi-use paths, bicycle lanes ➢ Crossing improvements: crosswalks, median refuges, signals ➢ On-campus facilities: bike parking ➢ Traffic calming ➢ Long-term improvements Implement Priority Education Program ➢ Integrate Bicycle/Pedestrian Education into the School Day ➢ Start a Comprehensive Motorist/Pedestrian/Bicyclist Safety Campaign Implement Priority Encouragement Program ➢ Begin a Walking School Bus Program ➢ Begin Mileage Clubs/Contests Implement Priority Enforcement Programs ➢ Crossing Guard Program ➢ Involve Local Law Enforcement to enforce penalties for improper motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian behavior around schools Form SRTS Advisory Committee Update Priority Engineering Projects Every 2 Years Develop SRTS Bicycle/Walking Maps Maintain GIS Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Database Evaluate Implementation of SRTS Action Plan ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS MAJOR IMPLEMENTATION ACTION STEPS Approve and Adopt SRTS Action Plan Improve and Enforce School District Regulations ➢ Policy 6322 Student Transportation Walkers and Riders ➢ Policy 9030 Facilities Plan and Development Specifications ➢ Policy 3511 Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Chair Pelissier asked if this would come to both boards this spring and Karen Lincoln said at least by the end of June. She said that she would need more information on the implementation of these projects. Commissioner Hemminger asked if there was intent to get these into the planning of the County and towns and Karen Lincoln said that these projects mentioned here are the most crucial projects. Commissioner Hemminger said that the "walking school bus" carries a lot of liability and she would not see this as a priority. Commissioner Hemminger asked about the school board and Karen Lincoln said that she would be asking the school board to approve it. Commissioner Foushee said that she would like to have this come back as a work session item before any adoption is pursued. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he would like to know the potential sources of funding before this comes back to them. Brian Lowen said that there are complications in building sidewalks where existing infrastructure exists. Commissioner Jacobs said to ask the school boards to look at this process in terms of the school's priorities. He said that the Orange Grove Access Management Plan was not mentioned in the list of local plans and he asked about this. Karen Lincoln said that it was an oversight. Frank Clifton said that North Carolina Statutes prohibit counties from spending money on roads and sidewalks and access issues except through a development process. e) Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Issues Related to I-85 and I-40 Margaret Hauth said that the widening of these two interstates are in DOT's upcoming TIP. She said that both parties have interests in this. With I-85, the County and the Town have interests related to the different interchanges and slightly less interest in the widening of the interstate. Hillsborough has interest in the two interchanges in Town — Exits 165 and 164. Both parties have asked that the interchanges move forward first and the widening come behind. Orange County Planning Director Craig Benedict said that both Hillsborough and Orange County for the last ten years have put in comments about the appropriate widening (on the inside lanes so as not to push outwards). It is important to have those interchanges fully functional. He wants to take another strong look at the I-85 corridor to see if there is more possibility for improvement of those intersections by suggesting the full corridor improvement. On I-40, the widening would be on the inside also. Chair Pelissier asked about the timeframe for things coming before the Board. Eric Hallman said that they are prioritizing the TIP projects now. Margaret Hauth said that these projects will come back through the MPO process. Michael Gering asked if there was some reason why Orange County is the only part of I-85 that has not been improved as far as he can remember. Craig Benedict said that DOT wants to do it all together and not separate the widening from the improvements of the interchanges. Discussion ensued about the expense of the road improvements. Frank Clifton said that in the conversations he has had with DOT, it was discussed that Orange County is historically opposed to widening interstates and it puts Orange County at odds with the general policy of DOT to move traffic. He said that it might be good for both boards to state a position on this issue outside of this meeting. Chair Pelissier asked for the Board's pleasure. Commissioner Gordon said that Orange County approves the MTIP each year and she suggested they look at the road projects listed in the MTIP, both the interstate and the local projects, and then make a recommendation. If Orange County and the MPO want to change soemthing, they can do that. Commissioner Foushee said that the Board of County Commissioners has to persuade its partners to be on the same page, since this has not been the case up to this point. Commissioner Yuhasz said that this is the opportunity now to come to a consensus, starting with the Town of Hillsborough. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to put in a plug for I-40 between 15-501 and Old NC 86, because Carolina North is planned in this area as well as UNC Hospital in Waterstone. He does not want to lose sight of I-40 in the discussions. Chair Pelissier said that if there is close to consensus amongst the Orange County representatives on the MPO, then it will have a weight with the Durham contingency. Overall, the MPO wants to go with what a county wants. She thinks that there is enough momentum for Orange County to make this work. Commissioner Jacobs suggested putting this on the agendas of other joint town meetings. 4. Parks a) Update on Riverwalk Margaret Hauth said that there is an RFQ for a feasibility study for the remainder of the pathway. This is shown as the red line on the map. Everything shown in red is Phase 2. This would involve the detailed bridge design for two bridges and a feasibility study for the path. She said that there has been $1 million in grant funds to help in funding this. Eric Peterson said that the plan is to get another$500,000 in grant funds. There is also CMAQ funding forthcoming and there will be a fundraising effort to make this project affordable. b) Future of Fairview Park Dave Stancil distributed a grounds amenity map and said that the park is essentially completed. The plan is to have a grand opening day of April 9th. He pointed out the chronological history of the park in the agenda packet. Brian Lowen said that they are extremely excited to have this completed and this is an impressive park. Commissioner Gordon agreed and said that she is extremely happy that the park is done. Evelyn Lloyd said that she has been involved with Fairview since she was on the Board of Health many years ago. She gave a history of this project. Chair Pelissier made reference to the issue of the operation of the park and said that there was an amount that Hillsborough was going to contribute, but it did not come to fruition. She hopes that when there are joint efforts in a park in the future that there is a joint funding effort. Michael Gering said that there was never any agreement on this park to contribute financially and he said that this is a County park and it is not appropriate for Hillsborough to contribute. Mayor Stevens said that the Town Board saw the $30,000 in the Town budget as a placeholder only and not an agreement. He said that there could be discussions about contributions going forward. He said that there are issues with equity. He said that the Town is not asking for contributions from Orange County for Riverwalk and this is a regional facility. He said that he wants to look at the overall policies and Hillsborough contributes with water and security and is committed to do those things that are within its purview. Chair Pelissier agreed that they need overall policies and said that is why she raised this issue. She said that these are larger issues with all of the municipalities and she wants to do it in an equitable fashion. Commissioner Yuhasz said that as they go forward with future projects, they all need to be clear on what the expectations are from each entity. Michael Gering said that, going forward, having clear expectations and communications is important. He said that he feels like the Town's trust has been betrayed on Fairview Park. He said that it seems that the partnerships have hidden strings attached. Chair Pelissier said that there is a communication issue. She hopes that future projects have agreements attached. Commissioner Jacobs said that the aquatic center was in the 2001 bond portrayed by Chapel Hill and Carrboro mayors as the highest recreation priority. When it was jointly planned with Chapel Hill, it was short of funding and Chapel Hill kicked in money. He said that the County did always insist this was a County park and not a neighborhood park and it was jointly planned all the way. He said that the reason that there is nothing in the documents about the management is because it was assumed that the County was going to manage its own park. It was only in recent years that County staff decided that this was not going to be the case. He said that the Board of County Commissioners has not developed a policy for these types of facilities. A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 PM. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Bernadette Pelissier, Chair Donna S. Baker, CMC Clerk to the Board