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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 06-20-2000APPROVED 4117121 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION (CONTINUED FROM JUNE 15`n) JUNE 20, 2000 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in Budget Work Session on Tuesday, June 20, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. at the Government Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., Vice Chair Stephen H. Halkiotis, Commissioners Barry Jacobs, Margaret Brown, and Alice Gordan (arrived at 6:25). COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geof Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser, and Acting Clerk to the Board Evelyn M. Cecil (All other staff will be identified as appropriate) Change in Starting Time for June 29, 2000 Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting. Chair Carey asked if there was any concern about changing the beginning time of the June 29`" meeting to 6:00 p.m. due to the extensive number of items an the agenda for that night. The Board did not have a problem with this change. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to build in aten-minute break. John Link said that a break could be between 7:20 and 7:30 or 7:30 and 7:40. He said that the consent items and resolutions and other regular County operations and shorter items could be in the earlier part of the meeting. The planning and quarry items should be later in the evening at 7:30 since people have anticipated the regular meeting time. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to change the starting time for the June 29, 2000 Board of County Commissioners meeting to 6:00 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 2. Review of Outstanding Items per June 15, 2000 Resolution of Intent to Adopt the 2000-01 Orange County Budget Ordinance Chair Carey made reference to the items that were to be brought back for consideration. He recognized that Commissioner Halkiotis was not at the last meeting and explained some of what was done at the June 15`" meeting and the items that the members of the Board had questions about. John Link explained what the Board of County Commissioners did and how members flagged certain items for additional information. He gave an explanation of what the Board had requested and why different items were flagged. Chairman Carey suggested taking the issues one at a time, starting with the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). He said that two Commissioners wanted the COLA to be 2.75°~ and two wanted it to be 3.00°~. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he appreciated the opportunity to give his thoughts on the budget process, and that he is bothered by some things that have happened this year. He feels that this Board has always been responsive to the needs of its employees. He feels that the Board's strong paint has been that the members can work together. He endorses the concept of the penny for affordable housing. He made reference to what Personnel Director Elaine Holmes e-mailed to the Board of County Commissioners and said that the focus should be on the 45 employees that work for the County who are at salary grade 57. He said that the County shauld do more far the employees on the lower end because they probably have a hard time living in Orange County. He said that there was a relationship between affordable housing and the employees on the lower end. He has problems with the Meritorious Service Awards. He also has problems when a lot of department heads are receiving these awards. The department heads should be doing an exceptional job at all times. He does not feel the needs of the whole chain of County employees are being met. Commissioner Halkiotis is in support of all of the new positions, with the exception of the Recreation and Parks position. He is in support of the additional funding for La Fiesta Del Pueblo. He endorses the concept of reducing the Facilities Care Reserve, grounds care maintenance, a limited on- call reserve, and all of the other reductions that Commissioner Jacobs listed in the one-cent tax rate scenario. He made reference to the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and said that he has a problem with what this organization does. He concurs with the reduction far Research Triangle Regional Partnership. He has no problem with the additional $5,000 for the Land Trust. He made reference to the rest of the budget items and thanked the Manager for the information that was sent out. He would also like to request afollow-up report from all of the outside agencies that receive County funding. He also has no problem with the fire district tax. He has no problem with the 2.75% COLA. He would like to take the $62,099 and put it in a reserve fund to help those employees on the bottom end of the pay scale. Chairman Carey thanked Commissioner Halkiotis, recognized Commissioner Gordon, and explained what had taken place before she arrived. He said that each Board member represented an opinion and he hoped that all of them could work together. He is concerned about the people on the lower end of the pay scale. He said that, based on Commissioner Halkiotis' comments, the allocation far the Research Triangle Regional Partnership would be cut in half, $5000 would be added to the Land Trust, and the funding for the two museums would be equal. There will be same mare discussion on the COLA. Chairman Carey said that he supported not reducing the funding for RTRP but to question why Orange County did not get a return an the investment. Commissioner Brown made reference to the museums and asked if the funding would be equal. She is not sure of the current status of the Chapel Hill Museum, sa she is not totally committed to funding the two museums equally. She would like to keep the Manager's recommendation for this year and next year discuss this as a policy issue. Chairman Carey said that this was his point at the last meeting. He is concerned about making a policy just because the two museums look alike. The funding should be based on programs and merit. Commissioner Brown also asked about OCIM and if it was going to be a policy that the Board is establishing to fund OCIM and the InterFaith Council equally. She accepts the Manager's recommendation far this year and would like to look at it again next year. She said that things could change and she does not want to be tied to equal funding. Commissioner Brown made reference to the COLA and said that she and Chair Carey wanted the 3°~. She is concerned about the increase in insurance premiums this year and how it would affect the lowest paid employees. She said that the take home pay would be a lot less as a result of the increased insurance premiums. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested putting the money aside that would be saved by having a COLA of 2.75°~ and working on addressing the needs of the lower salaried employees in the fall. Commissioner Jacobs said that the details of the equitable distribution between the lowest paid people needed to be worked out. He agrees with Commissioner Halkiotis' suggestion to set aside the funds and have the staff bring back recommendations in the fall. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the equal pay for equal services issue and said that he asked why the IFC got more than OCIM and did not say that it should be the policy. He wants to treat these two agencies equally. He would like mare information on the programs of the IFC and OCIM. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the two museums and said that $5,000 would not constitute a policy decision. He said that the Chapel Hill Museum was committed to their location. He said that they were trying to get an their feet, and he does not feel that $5,000 is unreasonable. Commissioner Jacobs supports the full funding of the Land Trust. He showed the Christmas Card that was sent from the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and said that it was an inappropriate expenditure of citizens' money. He asked about the public communication study and if there had been any money appropriated for it. Rod Visser said that no one had money set aside at this time. He said that there was still a high level of interest for the public communication study. Commissioner Jacobs said that the County had $25,000 set aside for the study and asked if anyone else had funds set aside. Rod Visser said that he talked with Nick Waters today and there was a request for proposal far the study. He said that they were really looking at ways to achieve some partnerships within the County. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the letter from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and said that she feels the concerns should be addressed. She would like to make a motion tonight to appropriate the same amount {$235,000) for Smith Middle Schaal next year. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he stated before that anything that was done for Orange County Schools for new schools this year would have to be done for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools next year. Commissioner Gordon feels that the Board should state now that they are going to give $235,000 for the start-up costs of Smith Middle School and make a commitment. John Link made reference to the letter from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and said that the Board of County Commissioners has the authority to appropriate funds per capital notwithstanding the statute that governs the distribution of the ~l-cent sales tax. Beyond that, every Board of County Commissioners can determine what their policies will be in appropriating funds to school systems. The Orange County Board of Commissioners has traditionally had the policy to allocate funds on aper-pupil basis. He said that because Chapel Hill-Carrboro has more students, the appropriation is larger. He made reference to the policy that is referred to in the letter that is being suggested that the Board is going against, and said that the school standards that were adopted several years ago made reference to a one-time appropriation for one-time start-up costs. He pointed out that the Board of County Commissioners made the policy and it can administer or change the policy. He emphasized that the Board had latitude to amend the policy. He feels strongly that the Board made the right decision last week. He encouraged the Board to stick to the decision of appropriating $235,000 to the Orange County School system for start-up costs for Pathways Elementary School. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon to appropriate funds of $235,000 for the opening of Smith Middle School for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School system. Chairman Carey feels the Board should reserve that decision till the time arises. His responsibility is to meet the needs of all of the children in the County and he is sticking to his decision from last week. He said that he did not knave what resources the County would have next year or future years. He said that history shows what this Board's commitment is to the schools. Commissioner Gordon clarified that she does support the decision to appropriate funds to the Orange County School system. She was only saying that the Board should look favorably on allocating money for start up costs to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School system. She said that she was not criticizing the Orange County School system. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he heard the Manager say clearly that this was the Board's policy and the Commissioners can do what they want. He said that he would support Smith Middle School getting money for start up costs when it comes on line if needed. Commissioner Jacobs agrees in principle with Commissioner Gordon and said that the Board was operating in good faith. He commended both Boards of Education for using sound reasoning and good judgement to reduce their budget requests. Chair Carey made reference to the COLA and asked the Board's pleasure on this amount. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to have a COLA of 2.75°lo across the board and set aside the $62,000 and ask staff to come back in late summer with several scenarios to appropriate that money to address the salary pay grade of the lowest paid employees on the pay scale and use a small amount to address the compression issues of the next highest pay level. Chairman Carey would rather not use $62,000 far the lowest paid employees because he thought the Board was going to work on the pay plan in the fall. He said that there were more than 45 people who needed help. He said that some people that were just above the lowest pay scale would be angry. That is why he can not support this motion. Commissioner Gordon said that the cost of living was somewhat defined and last year it was calculated at 2.7°~. She will ga far 2.75°~ because the cost of living was only 2.7°~. She would not like to tinker with the plan at this point. Commissioner Brown does not want to lose $62,000 by not giving the 3%. She would feel more comfortable if the $62,000 was not limited to just 45 employees. Commissioner Jacobs would accept an amendment to the motion provided that it was brought back to Board of County Commissioners soon and that this would be part of the bigger discussion of haw the pay plan is to be changed next year. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the Board has talked about uplifting the lower end far a long time and he has not seen a concrete effort to uplift the lower end since he has been on this Board. He said that the Board needed to make a decision to make a step in that direction. He hopes that a member of this Board will sit on the study group when it is put together. Commissioner Halkiotis made a friendly amendment to the motion to put the $62,000 in reserve and look at what to do with it in the fall. VOTE: Ayes, 3; Noes, 2 (Chair Carey and Commissioner Brown) A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to reduce the funding for Research Triangle Regional Partnership by 50°~. VOTE: Ayes, 4; No, 1 (Chair Carey) A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to add $5,000 to the Land Trust. VOTE: Ayes, 4; No, 1 (Commissioner Gordon -she asked in the later meeting that the Board approve this by acclamation and the Board agreed}. Commissioner Brown asked the Manager to make inquires an haw the Land Trust was supported after grant funds run out. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to add $5,000 to the Chapel Hill Museum. VOTE: Ayes, 4; No, 1 {Commissioner Brawn} Regarding the Orange Congregations in Mission, Commissioner Jacobs said that he was not going to make a motion but he wants more information on the comparison between OCIM and the InterFaith Council. John Link said that after the public hearing, Budget Director Donna Dean would have the Budget Ordinance ready. The Board can adopt it at that time. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adjourn the June 15, 2000 continuation Budget Wark Session meeting to the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom at 7:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Planning Public Hearing concludes to further discuss the budget and approve the Budget Ordinance. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Beverly A. Blythe, CMC APPROVED 4117/2001 MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING BUDGET WORK SESSION ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JUNE 20, 2000 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met far a Public Hearing/Budget Work Session on Tuesday, June 20, 2Q00 at 7:3Q p.m. at the F. Gordan Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, NC. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., Vice Chair Stephen H. Halkiotis, Commissioners Barry Jacobs, Margaret Brown and Alice Gordon. PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Theresa Nicole Gooding-Ray, Lynne Holtkamp, Howard McAdams, Rachel Preston, Karen Barrows, Barry Katz, Leo Allison, Bob Strayhorn and Crauford Goodwin COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoff Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser, and Acting Clerk to the Board Evelyn M. Cecil (All other staff will be identified as appropriate) 1. A Public Hearing Regarding Consideration of a Moratorium of Development Applications near Intersections of I-851NC 86 and 1,401O1d NC 86 Craig Benedict gave an explanation of the two areas to be affected in the Economic Development District. He made reference to the maps that were on display. The area includes approximately 1,055 acres. The purpose of the six-month moratorium is to put a hold on development applications within these areas while a work group completes the research necessary to address certain guidelines of the Economic Development Districts. The work group has been working on this for four months. One of the primary issues is the entranceway into Hillsborough and the economic development opportunities that are there, both on Old 86 and I-40 and New $6 and I-85. The moratoria will allow time to develop standards with input from both the private and public nectar so that any new development in the area would adhere to a consistent group of standards. Concerns to be addressed by the work group: 1. Transportation Plan 2. Master Planning 3. Open Space 4. Land Use Compatibility/Buffers 5. Development Pattern 6. Subdivision Rules 7. Major Transportation Corridor 8. AesthetlC 155ue5 9. Water and Sewer 10. Synergy with Downtown Hillsborough 11. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design 12. Streetscape Planning 13. Pedestrian-friendly Master Plan This is a list of what the work group is working on. There are five meetings scheduled with the work group between now and late August. The Town of Hillsborough has approved afour-month moratorium. The primary discussion will be on trying to develop guidelines for the New 86II-85 intersection. The six-month time frame will include coming back with some recommendations in late October or early November, getting them to a public hearing in late November, taking them back to the Planning Board in December, and getting new Economic Development Standards and suggested changes to the Land Use and Zoning map to the Commissioners in January. The moratorium period would be from July 5, 2000 to January 5, 2001. Craig Benedict asked for any questions. Barry Katz asked about the subdivision rules and out crossing. He asked if it was referring to commercial development or residential development. Craig Benedict said that it referred to non- residential development, meaning commercial, office, and industrial. Presently, there are no minimum guidelines. Jahn Link made a suggestion for tonight's purposes to amend the statement about BOCC adoption to say the first regularly scheduled meeting in January 2001. Commissioner Brown wants a better understanding about the residential component of the Economic Development District as it now stands. Craig Benedict used a map and showed where residential development was permitted. The new Economic Development Districts would look at mixing uses together as long as there was compatibility. In answer to a question from Commissioner Brown, Craig Benedict said that it was of prime importance to construct a connector between Old 86 and New $6. Commissioner Brown has a concern about using the natural lay of the land to accommodate things like parking so that there are not parking lots everywhere. Craig Benedict said that some parking lots could be in reserve in the green space so that it was not overbuilt. Commissioner Brown said that she hoped that the plan would incorporate the internal pedestrian ways so that people would not have to use cars to get to somewhere class. Craig Benedict clarified that parks, accommodations for public safety, public services, etc. would be included in the plan. Commissioner Brown also has a concern about long-term storm water management issues. Craig Benedict said that the staff would be looking at the area from I-40 to I-85 as it relates to storm water management. Commissioner Brown made reference to the park and ride lots. Craig Benedict said that transit and transportation was a priority. He said that railways were a consideration in the plan. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the housing issue and said that the Hillsborough representatives and others have made it pretty clear that they consider the 40%+ housing component in the previous proposal to be grossly overblown to what they consider appropriate to this area. He thinks there should be a lower percentage of housing in this mix. There has also been discussions about whether there are certain kinds of housing types that are preferred that might also have a lesser impact on schools. Chair Carey asked Craig Benedict how he planned to obtain and incorporate the input from stakeholders such as the landowners and the members of the development community. Craig Benedict said that the work session groups were open to the public. Stakeholders can verbalize at the meetings or submit something in writing. Barry Katz made reference to the expansion of the economic development area with the possibility of 100,000 trips per day and asked how many trips per day there were in and out of Hillsborough right now. Craig Benedict said that it was probably 15-18,000 trips per day. He said that the main consideration was to have access ways in and around Hillsborough to divert the traffic to alternate routes. Barry Katz said that this was potentially a project of historical importance far Hillsborough and it would irrevocably change the character of Hillsborough and would be many times the productivity of the existing town. He said that this was a change along lines of what Cary has experienced over the last 30 years and he does not feel that six months is enough time to plan a project of this magnitude. Craig Benedict said that he did participate in a discussion at the North Carolina APA Conference in Raleigh. He had some discussions with the Planning Director of Cary about growth. Barry Katz asked about the residential housing that Commissioner Jacobs was referring to that would minimize the impact on the school system. Craig Benedict said that the higher density of housing such as apartments typically had fewer students per household. Commissioner Brown asked if the work group would address concerns of the tax base. Craig Benedict said that the work group was going to look at employment generation. He said that discussions have included allowing buildings to be built taller to promote more green space. Chair Carey recognized James Dodson who had signed up to speak. James Dodson decided that he did not have any questions at this time. A motion was made by Cammissianer Brawn, seconded by Cammissianer Jacobs to refer the consideration of a moratorium of development applications near the intersections of I-85lNC 86 and I-40lOld NC 86 back to the Planning Board to be brought back to Board of County Commissioners no later than June 29tH Craig Benedict said that he would be in the back of the roam to give out business cards and inform people of the dates of the next five meetings of the work group. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the next five meetings would be held at the Hillsborough Town Barn. Commissioner Jacobs invited all the members of the Planning Board to attend the work group meetings. Nicole Gooding-Ray requested that the dates be put on the Planning Board calendar. Commissioner Brown commented that Chapel Hill was in the process of doing a master plan for their intersection of 15-501!1-40 and is hiring a consultant that is going to set the standards and put it in a statewide or nationwide contest to develop interstate interchanges. She suggested looking at this in the future for the Buckhorn EDD. Craig Benedict clarified that the moratorium only affected the Hillsborough area EDD and not the Buckhorn EDD or US Business 70 EDD in Durham. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 2. Adoption of 2000-01 Budget Ordinance, Salary Schedule, Personnel Ordinance Revisions, and Fee Schedule John Link said that there were five motions far the Board to consider. The first matian was to adopt the 2000-01 Orange County Budget Ordinance to include a countywide tax rate of 92.9 cents and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School district tax of 22 cents. Commissioner Gordon said that she decided after looking back that she would have voted for the Land Trust. A matian was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to approve $5,000 far the Land Trust by acclamation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Cammissianer Halkiotis to adopt the 2000-01 Orange County Budget Ordinance to include a Countywide tax rate of 92.9 cents and a Chapel HilllCarrboro City Schools District Tax of 22.0 cents. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The second motion was to approve the 2000-01 Grant Projects as presented in the County Manager's Recommended Budget. These particular ordinances will be provided on June 29tH. These are the Operating Grants. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the 2000-01 Grant Projects as presented in the County Manager's Recommended Budget (with approval of the Ordinances on June 29, 2000). VOTE: UNANIMOUS The third motion was to adopt the 2000-01 Salary Schedule which reflects a 2.75% cost of living increase effective July 1, 2000. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to adopt the 2000-01 Salary Schedule, including the 2.75 percent Cost-of-Living increase effective July 1, 2000. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The fourth motion was to adopt the Personnel Ordinance Revisions which include the continuation of the in-range increases of one-half step, that is 2.5°I° for employees with WPPR review dates of July 1, 2000 and after; and to increase the County's living wage for employees from $8.20 per hour to $8.45 per hour. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the other money that was set aside. Donna Dean said that they had set this money aside in the miscellaneous function. Commissioner Halkiotis asked that an asterisk (*) be put in to make sure it is remembered where the money was set aside. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to adopt the personnel ordinance revisions related to the following: To continue the in-range salary increases of one half step (approximately 2.5%) for employees with WPPR Review Dates of July 1, 2000 and after and to increase the County's Living Wage for employees from $8.20 per hour to $8.45 per hour. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The fifth motion was to adopt the County Fee Schedule as presented in the County Manager's Recommended Budget. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adopt the County Fee Schedule as presented in the County Manager's Recommended Budget. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 3. Capital Investment Plan (CIP Jahn Link distributed a sheet and said that the staff was asking the Board to consider addressing the CIP in categories. These were highlighted in yellow on the sheet. The first consideration was to extend the end dates of the projects from June 30, 2000 to June 30, 2001. These are ongoing projects and the funding has not changed, but the projects are not finished. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to extend the ending date of the projects as listed in the document entitled, "Adoption of the 2000-10 Orange County Capital Investment Plan", from June 30, 2000 to June 30, 2001. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The second consideration was the Level One Projects. These are projects that are time sensitive and the schools need to get started an in the course of the summer. The projects that are highlighted in yellow need to be acted on before the Board adjourns on June 29tH Commissioner Gordon would like to go ahead and approve all of the projects after some questions are answered. Commissioner Gordon asked far a reminder about the Information Technology and the Triangle Sportsplex pieces. John Link said that the Triangle Sportsplex was the continuation of the appropriation that the County committed to. The IT project is to carry forward with the plan for replacing PCs and so forth. Rod Visser said that the IT plan was included in the $600,000 per year. One of the time sensitive aspects is the purchase of PCs. Another time sensitive aspect is the $140,000 that was set aside for the last phase of the Atlantic Technologies contract to provide some additional GIS data. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the alternative-fueled vehicles and asked about the vehicle replacements for Orange County Government. He said that there might be an opportunity to get grant money for an alternative-fueled vehicle. John Link said that he would make sure this was pursued. Chair Carey asked about the Homestead Center project. Donna Dean said that this included parking improvements. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve all of the Level One projects as listed in the document entitled, "Adoption of the 2000-10 Orange County Capital Investment Plan." VOTE: UNANIMOUS The third consideration was the Level Two projects, which are the largest projects. He asked that the Board include these projects in general in the CIP knowing that each one would come back in particular stages. No action was required because each project would be coming back as appropriate. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to adjourn the meeting. The next meeting on the calendar will be held on June 29, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Beverly A. Blythe, CMC