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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19981104APPROVED 5118199 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING November 4, 1998 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, November 4, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, N.C. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Margaret W. Brown, and Commissioners William L. Crowther, Alice M. Gordon and Stephen H. Halkiotis COUNTY COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Moses Carey, Jr. 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 Board agreed to delete item 9-e for Price Creek Preliminary Plan. 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 Mr. Erwin Danziger presented a petition. He said that the Orange County Planning Department has recently accepted two special use permit applications for telecommunication towers to be located in the University Lake watershed protected overlay district. He is asking the County Commissioners to advise John Link and the Planning Department to enforce the Zoning Ordinance. This particular tower is scheduled to go before the Board of Adjustment next Monday. Geoffrey Gledhill said that in working through some of the issues he does have some concerns. The determination of whether this type of use is commercial and industrial would have to be made by the Zoning Officer and the Board of Adjustment. Towers take up very small land areas and have very little degradation of water associated with them. Another point is that there is a preemption issue that local regulations can't exclude towers if the affect of excluding towers does not allow for coverage in an area. Commissioner Gordon clarified that the second point is a federal law that local regulations can't exclude towers if the effect of excluding towers does not allow for coverage in an area. Mr. Danziger said that this area is being served by an analog service and this new service would be a digital service. Geoffrey Gledhill said that one problem is that this whole area of telecommunication towers is emerging. The Board advised Mr. Danzinger that he will be called as soon as additional information is available. Edith Hubbard, JOCCA Board of Directors, said that she came before the County Commissioners in August to talk about JOCCA's financial condition. She distributed an audit report. She said that she would like to appear before the Board on Nov. 17 to share with them information about their activities. Chair Margaret Brown asked that the Manager review JOCCA's audit report and return with a recommendation. JEF made reference to the time schedule for the joint planning land use amendments for Carrboro's Small Area Plan. He said that the Orange County Planning Board voted unanimously to not accept the resolutions from Carrboro. Geoffrey Gledhill said that he is not sure what the Planning Board did. He does not know what it means that they did not accept the resolutions from Carrboro. However, in order to do what Carrboro wants to do, there must be a Joint Planning Area public hearing involving Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The public hearing will accomplish the amendment of the Joint Planning Area Agreement. Following this public hearing, Orange County, Carrboro and Chapel Hill would need to amend their plans and that has not occurred. There was a public hearing on the land use map amendment. The next step is for Carrboro to notify Orange County of amendments to their ordinances incorporating text amendments and this has not happened. He thinks that all these text amendments have been presented, but if they have not, then that step needs to take place. David Stancil said that the Planning Board has a special meeting scheduled for next Wednesday night to deal with these ordinance amendments. John Link said Carrboro has been notified that these ordinance amendments need to be ready by next Wednesday. Commissioner Gordon suggested that staff get together and get this straightened out by the end of the Planning Board meeting with a schedule that can be easily understood and communicated to everyone. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Brown dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Halkiotis said that he spoke with some folks down at the Board of Elections and heard some disturbing news of people being videotaped going into one of the polling places in Hillsborough. He sees this as voter intimidation. They said that they were trying to prevent voter fraud. He suggested that if we are going to have rules and regulations on placing signs, that they should be enforced or we should not have them. He demonstrated how one candidate stapled his sign on top of his sign using the same stake. Chair Margaret Brown shared with the Board a letter she received from the Department of Transportation about improving Buckhorn Road and widening the bridge. 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT Geoffrey Gledhill made reference to legislative goals for utility route selection, school construction and annexation and said that he spoke about all three of these before the legislative goal committee of the NCACC. The committee did not feel they should take a position on utility route selection. This did not mean that they would not support it if the County Commissioners took this forward. There was unanimous and enthusiastic support about streamlining school construction. They will recommend that the Association support this. With reference to annexation, they were interested in what he said about the County wanting some control on annexations by towns. However, this was too broad a topic and they indicated that they will schedule a full day meeting on this along with one other item. 5. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS NOTE FROM CLERK: The following proclamation was approved on October 26, 1998 and is incorporated into these minutes as a permanent record. PUBLIC PROCL_A1VLATION REGARDING USE OF WATER OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM SUPPLIED BY THE ORANGE- ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM, INC. AND THE TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH AND FROM ANY RAW WATER SUPPLY WITHIN ORANGE COUNTY USED BY THE ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM, INC. AND THE TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH Pursuant to the provisions of the ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WATER DURING A WATER SHORTAGE, RESTRICTING THE USE OF WATER AND WATER WITHDRAWALS, AND ALLOCATING AUGMENTED STREAM FLOW FROM RESERVOIRS, I, Margaret Brown, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, having been provided with information that the water level of Lake Orange is more than 37 inches below full do hereby issue this PUBLIC PROCLAIviATION declaring to all persons that a stage III water shortage WARNING is now in effect applicable to users of water from the public water system supplied by the Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. and the Town of Hillsborough. The following mandatory water conservation restrictions are now applicable: It shall be unlawful to use water from the public water system supplied by the Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. and the Town of Hillsborough and from any raw water supply within Orange County used by the Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. and the Town of Hillsborough for the following purposes: 1. To water lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flower and vegetable gardens except between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 2. To fill newly constructed swimming and/or wading pools or refill swimming and/or wading pools which have been drained. A minimal amount of water may be added to maintain continued operation of pools which are in operation at the time the provisions of a stage III WARNING are place into effect. 3. To operate water-cooler air conditioners or other equipment that does not recycle cooling water, except when health and safety are adversely affected. 4. To wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, or any other type of mobile equipment, including commercial washing. 5. To wash down outside areas such as streets, driveways, service station aprons, parking lots, office buildings, exteriors of existing or newly constructed homes or apartments, sidewalks, or patios, or to use water for other similar purposes. 6. To operate or introduce water into any ornamental fountain, pool or pond or other structure making similar use of water. 7. To serve drinking water in restaurants, cafeterias, or other food establishment, except upon request. 8. To use water from public or private fire hydrants for any purpose other than fire suppression or other public emergency. 9. To use water for dust control or compacting. 10. To intentionally waste water. The owner or occupant of any land or building which receives water from the Orange- Alamance Water System, Inc. or the Town of Hillsborough and that also utilizes water from a well or supply other than that of Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. or the Town of Hillsborough shall post and maintain in a prominent place thereon a sign furnished by Orange County giving public notice to the use of the well or other source of supply. This proclamation, and the mandatory conservation restrictions imposed pursuant to it, shall be in effect until the Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WATER DURING A WATER SHORTAGE, RESTRICTING THE USE OF WATER AND WATER WITHDRAWALS, AND ALLOCATING AUGMENTED STREA /IFLONV FRONVI RESERVOIRS" is amended or repealed or until the Chair by Public Proclamation, declares that the Stage III Water shortage WARNING is over. By order of Margaret Brown, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, this the 26th day of October, 1998. Signed by Margaret W. Brown, Chair Orange County oar o Commissioners ATTEST: Beverly Blythe, Clerk to the Board 6 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. Recognition of Three Heroes The Board recognized three individuals for their courage in pursuing a suspect in an assault at the Orange County Courthouse. Commissioner Halkiotis said that on Monday, September 16, a woman was attacked in a restroom at the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough. Harvey Clark, courthouse custodian, and Arthur Yancey, assistant district attorney, pursued the suspect as he fled the courthouse. They were soon joined by Chapel Hill Officer Scott Taylor, and the suspect was apprehended after a chase through downtown Hillsborough. The three were recognized and commended by the County Commissioners, fellow coworkers and citizens. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Public Hearing - Environment and Resource Conservation Department The Board held a public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed Environment and Resource Conservation Department. Planner David Stancil made the presentation. In summary he said that on June 22, the Board created a new Environment and Resource Conservation Department (ERCD) and asked the manager to report back with a plan for formation of the new department. This report was received by the Board on October 6 and was accepted for public hearing on October 20. In May of 1996, the Board of Commissioners adopted a goal that called for a review of resource conservation as "a separate function in County government to give it more identity and a higher profile". In August of 1996, a report titled "Preservation as a Function of Local Government" was prepared by Planning Director, the late Marvin Collins. Commissioner Gordon prepared a memorandum building on the basic concept of the technical report but broadening the scope. Noting that little funding had been committed to environment and preservation functions, a more comprehensive approach to resource management was recommended - recognizing the need to coordinate conservation of more than just land resources - specifically adding water resources and the work of the Commission for the Environment. He explained in detail the five primary areas that comprise the new department's charge and the recommendation to reassign two positions from Planning to this new department. A third existing position, the Special Projects Planner, would be a split position. Two new positions are proposed to fill the gaps not available from current resources. The public hearing was open for citizen comments Timothy Ives spoke representing the Board of Health. He said that they do support an increased emphasis on environmental issues. He feels that coordination will be important and that the new department can be complementary to other County departments and that emphasis needs to be kept in the forefront of all activity. He does not want to lose anything as part of this new department. Bill Strom spoke in support of the creation of the Environment and Resource Conservation Department. He is excited about the resource acquisition component. He said that over the years he has witnessed a tremendous amount of misunderstanding of conservation easements and their purpose. He feels that this department has the potential to be a visionary in Orange County. This department could serve the function to search out and acquire public land resources. From his experience on the OWASA Board and personal experience, he sees this as a potential tool that could save taxpayers money and achieve goals for open space, conservation and park development in Orange County. Jane Sharp said that she strongly supports the creation of this department. She serves on the Commission for the Environment and feels that the issues related to air quality need to be addressed. The cost of this department does not compare with the cost of illnesses related to air quality. Carl Walters said that he does not support or oppose this new department. He asked if this changed anything on the Township Advisory Councils or the Planning Board and was told no. He said that a few weeks back, a person from California looked at one of his lots but decided that because of the regulations in Orange County not to move here. He said that when selling land, 50% goes to taxes. He feels if this department is not overregulated, it will help our county be cleaner. Robert Nutter said that he is interested in conservation and has given over 100 acres to the Triangle Land Conservancy. He noted that the County already has 17 departments and said that he would have felt better if the vote to establish this new department was a unanimous vote instead of a 3-2 vote. James R. Hardy said that he is a taxpayer here in Orange County. He is concerned about the very large and expensive bureaucracy we have here in Orange County. He feels the County already has all kinds of departments and he sees no need for another department. Tom Allison , Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, spoke in support of this new department. . He asked for the Board's consideration of staff time to devote to historic preservation. Brian Dobyns said that he owns a conservation planning firm in Efland. He is against this proposal because there are some things that really concern him. The impetus is that Orange County is not doing enough to protect our environmental resources. He talked with several people who are in the conservation business and was surprised that none of these experts had been contacted about this new department. Kate Dixon from the Triangle Land Conservancy expressed concerns to him about this new department. Dobyns said that in his work, 90% of conservation is opportunity. What if this new department is formed and then the landowners will not work with the County. He suggested stepping back and working with the landowners first. Jean Earnhardt spoke about her family's experience with preservation. She said that they once owned 450 acres and looked at ways to keep the land in the family. They have given 120 acres to conservation easements and have used a variety of ways to preserve their land over the last 10 years. She said that the work of environmental conservation is already happening. There are people in the county who have helped in their effort. She has questions about the need for this new department. She encouraged the County to move ahead with hiring a planning director and adding these responsibilities to that department. Also, she feels that it is important to hire someone with architectural marketing experience in the EDC director's position. She quoted Chris Hogan who said that if you want to preserve farmland, you need to preserve farmers. She feels that in our environment, the farmer is the most endangered resource. Mart y Mandell said that she feels it is wonderful that the County Commissioners want to form this new department. She noted that while there is a lot going on in this County by many different agencies, there is no coordination or liaison. She feels it would be great to have a board of directors made up of members of all the groups in the County doing this work. She feels that this would assure that this department knows what they are doing and are going about doing it the best way. Madeline Jefferson spoke in favor of this new department of Environment and Resource Conservation. She feels that with the explosive growth in Chapel Hill and Orange County, we need to protect our environmental resources. Chapel Hill did receive a $200,000 grant from the clean water funds for preservation. She feels that it is possible to apply for a grant for the expenses this new department will incur their first year. Bob Hall endorsed the formation of this new department. He serves on the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and is interested in enhancing environmental quality. He suggested shifting some of the money from the EDC to this new department. Ben Lloyd said that we have just completed an election. In a previous meeting he expressed a concern about the need for this new department. He is still concerned about this need. In his opinion most of this work that they are looking at is being done by the Soil Conservation and Cooperative Extension departments and he has been told that if they are not doing it, they would if they were asked. The County Commissioners are charged with making fiscally sound decisions for Orange County. He is concerned about the startup costs. He wonders what it will cost two or five years from now. He feels that the Planning Department could handle the mission of this new department quite easily. In summary, he said that it appears that they are creating a watchdog to watch a watchdog. He suggested putting more time and effort in making more farms profitable. He feels we need to loosen up and not tighten up. Livy Ludington spoke in favor of this new department saying that it has one focus and that is to protect land and clean water that every citizen has a right to. She feels that there is a need for habitat protection because we have lost about 10% of our forestland in Orange County over the last 10 years. We have to focus now on this protection and balance this against the destruction of the land because of the rapid development in this County. She sees that we are losing land, and forest and water quality and need to focus on protection. There needs to be thought out plan to counterbalance what is happening. There is so little land in this county that is protected. We need to focus on this and make it a priority. She feels that there is money out there and that someone needs to write these grants and go after the land and start using more conservation easements. Marshall Isenhour said that his concern is that the department is covered by the state, federal and local level already. He feels that other departments could be evaluated and assessed to see what they are doing. Maybe one person over all the departments concerning planning and resource conservation would be best. If easements and land purchased by the County are going to reduce the property tax rolls, people who don't participate will have to make up the difference The people he talked to feel this new department is not necessary and the money could be put to better use. He feels that teachers are not paid enough and this money could be used in this way. Loraine Kohorn, Chair of the Orange County Commission for the Environment, said that she has been watching the development of this department. At their meeting on October 12, the Commission for the Environment reviewed the proposed department and unanimously voted to support the formation of this department. She feels it is important to protect the remaining areas of habitat in this County. She looks forward to working with this new department. Rod Chanev said that he is trying to establish a church and is trying to get it through the Planning Department. He asked that they provide some mechanism for feedback on how the County Departments are doing and listen to what the citizens have to say. If this department would streamline some things and coordinate activities, he would approve of it. However, if this new department is going to put some distance between service and the taxpayer, he is against it. Chris Ho an said that he likes the word vision. He feels that If the County is going to preserve open space, conservation easements, etc. they need to keep the farmers involved. A department, independent of citizen involvement cannot be where the decisions are made that the farmers must abide by. He feels that It will be critical how this goes out to the community and the community's perception. He feels the process must be open to the pubic and that it will not work if there is no communication with the farmers. He talked about maintaining open space and how this is expensive. He feels the County Commissioners need to pay attention to communications- Doll- Hunter who served on the Agricultural Advisory Board for six years, told about that Board's activities and how they had developed a purchase of development rights (PDR) program. The County Commissioners adopted it and put $5 million on a bond issue which failed because the timeframe for the bond issue was too short. She feels that the formation of this department is being rushed which will cause distrust by the farmers and farm community. The Agricultural Advisory Board has been ready to start preserving land. Orange County does not need a new department to do this. The Soil and Water District Board voted in favor of conservation easements. She said that they have asked Geoffrey Gledhill for a report on the Soil and Water Conservation Department being allowed to hold land conservation easements and have heard nothing. She noted that the Planning staff has been short staffed for quite some time. The job description of the Planning Director includes preservation issues and when this position is filled, these environmental conservation activities will be included. She reemphasized that the Planning Department has worked hard on conservation issues and asked the County Commissioners to give the existing wheel a push. George Chochley said that it seems to him that we are feeling the results of a few things that went on a few years ago. He understood that southern Orange advertised that this area is the southern part of heaven and the best place to live. Now, we have an influx of people. His problem is that there has been very little or no regard to the northern part of Orange County. He feels that so many of the rules and regulations are detrimental to the agricultural community. It has been mentioned that a good deal of information and cooperation is necessary and should be considered. Sim Efland said that the problem we are going to have is getting food at a reasonable price to raise a family. Fifty years ago, he brought up the water situation in Orange County. The County Commissioners can help determine what we are going to do in this county, but he says that we need to save the farmers and think about food. We need to take all our resources and work on them. They may need to switch some of the County personnel around and we need to do it. We need to have sewer and water available where people live. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. The citizens were informed that a recommendation will be returned to the Board of County Commissioners no sooner than Nov. 17. 8. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve those items on the consent agenda as listed below: a. Appointments The Board made the following appointments: Commission for the Environment Roy Fortmann and Rosalinda Lidh were reappointed for terms ending December 31, 2001. Board of Health Jonathan Klein and Janet Southerland were reappointed for terms ending June 30, 2001. b. Minutes The Board approved minutes from its May 26 quarterly public hearing and continued meeting from May 19; May 28 budget presentation and public hearing; and June 2, June 22, August 18 and Sept. 1 regular meetings. c. iuuts-uu information i ecnnoiogy Tian - uis Lnnancements The Board approved the GIS enhancement plans outlined and the expenditure of funds from the 1998-99 CIP IT Plan project in the amount of $133,431 for this purpose and authorized the Purchasing Director to execute the necessary documents to carry out equipment acquisitions. d. Property Tax Refunds The Board adopted a refund resolution for 11 property tax refund requests as listed below: NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER AMOUNT Beezley, Gary T. E96066 $ 121.60 Burnette, Darryl Ray A49786 92.02 Fitzgerald, Donna Lee E17365 120.02 DECAL E10725 149.31 GECAL F10369 127.39 Mcbride, Frank White C10591 97.54 Mcbride, Frank White D10683 87.74 Mcbride, Frank White El 9272 82.07 Mercedes Benz Credit Corp. F12022 124.40 Dennis Clements 186817 51.10 Rudolph A. Renfer, Jr. 202009 150.45 e. Contract Renewal with Chapel Hill/Carrboro Schools for Carrboro Library The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign a contract with the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Schools to continue public library services in the McDougle Elementary and Middle schools. f. Desianation of Northern Human Services Center Southern varkina Lot as a Regional Park and Ride Lot for Advertisement and Promotion bV Triangle Transit Authority The Board approved a recommendation by the Orange County Transportation Advisory Board designating the Northern Human Services Center's southern parking lot as a regional park and ride lot and authorized the Chair to sign the resolution of intent. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA a. Quarterly Public Hearing Advertisement - Nov. 23, 1998 The Board considered the legal advertisement for its Nov. 23, 1998 quarterly public hearing. Planner Karen Lincoln summarized the items. She distributed amendments to the advertisement and explained that this change will only take one alternative watershed management option to the November 23 public hearing - the Large-Lot/Creative Open Space option recommended by the OWASA Board of Directors. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve the Quarterly Public Hearing Advertisement as presented and amended. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. N.C. Health Choice Plan for Orange County The Board considered a plan to implement the N.C. Health Choice children's insurance program and establishing one permanent full-time position and a one-year time-limited position, both of which would be funded by state and federal grants. Rosetta Moore, Chair of the DSS Board, said that she is pleased to join with the Health Board and Piedmont Health Services to present a plan to implement the N.C. Health Choice Children's Insurance program. It is estimated that 1,000 or more uninsured children in Orange County are eligible for this program or the Medicaid program. The DSS Board is asking the County Commissioners to accept the plan and to establish one permanent full-time position and a one-year time limited position and to accept the grant funds that were allocated to the Health Department to assist with this program. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve the Health Choice Plan which includes the creation of 2 positions, one full-time permanent caseworker, and 1 time limited caseworker position for one year, and accept the state grant of $1,497 for outreach activities. VOTE UNANIMOUS c. i ax Keruna Keguest - rrances MiKies The Board considered a resolution denying one property tax refund request. Rod Visser said that North Carolina law basically provides three reasons for a refund. The owner is requesting a refund based on incorrect measurements which is not a valid defense for a refund as defined in G.S. 105- 381 (a) (1): a tax imposed through clerical error, an illegal tax, or a tax levied for an illegal purpose. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Chair Margaret Brown to grant a refund to Frances Mikles because of a clerical error. VOTE: AYES, 2, NOS, 2 (Commissioners Crowther and Gordon) This will come back on the next agenda for reconsideration. d. Senior Center Update The Board considered options for development of a senior center in southern Orange County. John Link summarized background information. He presented a short-term recommendation to extend the lease at the Galleria through June 30, 2006 and said that long-term there would be a joint venture between the University and the County on the Homestead site with the County allowing the use of 1.25 acres. Director of Purchasing and Central Services Pam Jones showed the footprints for the Southern Human Services Center and where this project would be located. Commissioner Gordon asked what would happen if the University decided down the road that they could not do this project or if it does not materialize. John Link said that the County Commissioners would then reevaluate their options at that point. This proposal is based on all the parties working together toward a common goal. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to take the following action: • Endorse the use of the footprint on the Southern Human Services Center property as identified on the map in the agenda for future development of a senior center. Approximately 1.25 acres of County property would be combined with additional University property to accommodate a campus for aging services, including the senior center and other aging related University facilities, and • Authorize the Manager to continue working toward an agreement with the University to solidify a land-sharing arrangement to accommodate the proposed facilities; and • Authorize the Manager to develop a lease extension with the Galleria of North Carolina, LLC for the Chapel Hill Senior Center, consistent with terms identified on attachment 2 and contingent upon Attorney and staff review, and • Authorize the Chair to sign the lease on behalf of the Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS e. Price Creek Estates - Preliminary Plan This item was deleted. The meeting was continued to 10:45. 10. REPORTS a. Proposal for Health Department to Contract with Early Head Start The Board considered a contract with Early Head Start for two grant-funded family service coordinator positions in the Health Department. Health Director Rosemary Summers said that they are seeking the Board's approval to contract with the Chapel Hill Training Outreach for two family service coordinator positions through the Federal grant they have received to develop an Early Head Start Program in Orange County. She explained the program and said that approximately 50 families would be served by the contracted positions. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to receive the report and approve the development of a proposed contract arrangement that will establish two permanent, time-limited family service coordinator positions. The contract will include short-term and long-term performance measures. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Community Child Protection Team Annual Report The Board heard the annual report from the Community Child Protection Team. Dr. Desmond Runyan, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, presented the report. He recognized agencies that serve on this team. He said that Community Child Protection Teams were established in May 1991 by Executive Order 142 to: • promote a community-wide approach to the problem of child abuse and neglect • advocate for children and families • review select cases in which child abuse, neglect or dependency is found, and • promote safety for all children He explained the intake procedure, investigations, and treatment services of the Child Protection Services unit. He summarized the inquiries received by CPS and noted that the number of children in DSS custody has risen 17% since June 1995. For fiscal year 1998, the CPS unit has received 708 referrals with 38.6% substantiated. The recommendations from the Community Child Protection Team are listed below: The County should ensure that the caseload size is in compliance with established standards to assure the highest level of protection is available for children in Orange County. The County should set aside $50,000 per year over the next three years to assist with the start-up costs for a group home facility established to meet the needs of our community's children. The County should continue to set aside funds to be used as needed for testing parents for drugs who have a history of substance abuse and are abusing/neglecting their children. The County should support the expansion of community based drug treatment programs particularly for parents of young children to promote safety and permanence for children. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to accept the report and to consider the recommendations at a future meeting. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 11. APPOINTMENTS- NONE 12. MINUTES- NONE 13. CLOSED SESSION "To establish the County's position and to instruct the County Manager and the County Attorney on the negotiating position regarding the terms of a contract to purchase real property," NCGS § 143-318A 1(a)(5). This item was delayed to the next meeting. 14. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to be considered by the County Commissioners, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on November 10, 1998 at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill. Margaret W. Brown, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk