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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 11-21-2000APPROVED MAY 1, 2001 AGENDA ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING November 21, 2000 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday November 21, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners Margaret W. Brown, Alice M. Gordon, Stephen H. Halkiotis and Barry Jacobs COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Jahn M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser 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 1N 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 None PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Carey read the public charge. 2. CITIZEN & AUDIENCE COMMENTS a. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered as the Board addressed the items on the agenda below.) b. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Kay Johnson from United Way, spoke about two issues that the County Commissioners expressed concerns about a couple of weeks ago. The two issues are the United Way's support of NC WARN and the Boy Scouts. She said that there were nine criteria that were used in reviewing the new agencies that requested United Way support. One of the criteria was that 50°~ of the organization's revenues had to ga to direct human services. NC WARN did not meet that criteria. Tam Dugard from United Way said that a donor could designate to any 501 (c} 3 agency they desire. In order to be listed in the material distributed by United Way, the agency must meet the nine criteria set by the United Way Board. NC WARN and 17 other agencies did not receive approval. He said that a completed 990 Form was requested three times from NC WARN and was not received in time. Kay Johnson spoke about the other issue of inclusiveness with regard to sexual orientation. Issues of discrimination with the Boy Scouts are very complicated. The Orange County Board of Trustees put forward a proposal to require that all United Way member agencies have a diversity policy that would only permit agencies to be United Way members if they themselves had a policy of inclusiveness with regard to sexual orientation. A meeting was held with each of the County United Way Boards {Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties). It was clear that people wanted to support the scouts and try to make it work. With reference to sexual orientation policies for member agencies, the conclusion was to get the agencies together and work through the issues to formulate a policy for inclusiveness. In order to make this work and in order to serve the agencies and United Way we need to mane with some speed. The proposal is to have a policy in place before the United Way campaign next September. Tom Dugard said that United Way believes in inclusiveness and that the work that the agencies do is also important. United Way is trying to find a way to maintain both of the goals of maintaining scouting and bringing all of the agencies into compliance with this issue. This will take some time. Commissioner Brown asked for a definition of direct human send this definition to the Commissioners. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to a case of AIDS services. Tom Dugard will at the high school and how support systems had to be put in place because of all the fears of the unknown and the known. He has sensitivity for the issues with the Boy Scouts and supports what the United Way is doing with regard to the discrimination. Commissioner Jacobs said that the County is looking at the way they deal with non- departmental agencies and their policies. He encouraged United Way to be cautious in the future in their selection of agencies. He said that it was not difficult to draw the conclusion that CP&L had an impact on the decision making process. Kay Johnson said that CP&L was not involved in the volunteer group that evaluated all of the agencies. She said that CP&L did request that several organizations should not be included, but mast of them were included. Tom Dugard said that United Way had a number of donor groups who were concerned about who was on the list. They respond to agencies with the nine-point criteria. He recognized that there were some concerns by NC WARN but the criteria were used. The primary purpose of United Way is to support human services. In answer to a question from Commissioner Brown, Tom Dugard said that he receives calls from donors who request that agencies be added to the list or taken off or not considered. He receives calls from businesses that lobby everyday. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the County Commissioners also receive calls about the agencies that the County supports through the County budget process. Mr. Jim Singleton congratulated Commissioners Brown and Carey on being reelected. He was there to complain about the traffic on Lawrence Road. He also came before the Board in May 2000 about this same issue. He has tried to work with NCDOT about this issue and is very frustrated. He said that starting at 4:00 a.m. the dump trucks start traveling down Lawrence Road. The trucks top the hill and there is a stop sign where the trucks must stop. If there is a truck at the light and another vehicle comes over the hill, it is very difficult to stop. He has had damage to the wall in front of his house several times. He has gone as far as the Governor's Office and has not gotten any results. Part of the reason for this traffic is the prohibition of trucks an Churton Street in Hillsborough. The reason that Lawrence Road was not considered as a bypass in 1990 was that DOT determined that the roadbed could not sustain heavy trucks. His house has been designated an Orange County historical landmark. He is asking for a statement of support for preservation of his historic property. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he and County Engineer Paul Thames sent a letter last month to the DOT District Engineer Mike Mills about the traffic on Lawrence Road. At the EDD meeting last night with the Town of Hillsborough, he received a new traffic count that indicated that his stretch of road has 4,500 trips per day, which will only increase. John Link said that he has received a copy of a letter from District Engineer Mike Mills responding to some of the concerns about Lawrence Road. He suggested that the Board ask the NCDOT Engineers how they were going to enforce what they spoke to in this letter. He said that there would have to be a sign at the intersection of Lawrence Road and Old 70 if there was any enforcement. Commissioner Jacobs said that it continues to be a source of frustration that the County Commissioners have no authority with NCDOT. Commissioner Halkiotis said that District Engineer Mike Mills has responded to some of the County Commissioners requests but there is a lot mare to do and we need to be persistent and move ahead on concerns which have been identified. Jim Singleton said that a public information program could do wonders by publicizing the concerns and the response received from NCDOT. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Halkiotis said that he recently visited the Meadowmant site and it seems that schools are being built in more rural areas where wildlife habitat is located. He is worried about the discharge of firearms within so many feet of a school building. He asked that staff reconvene the Wildlife Hunting Committee to look at this issue and to investigate where in North Carolina local ordinances have been put in place to prohibit the discharge of firearms within so many thousand feet of an existing school building. {Sharron Hinton is the head of this committee.) Commissioner Jacobs expressed a concern about people hunting while drinking. The state prohibits it on state lands but it is not prohibited in Orange County. He has asked that staff look at local legislation to deal with this in a more comprehensive way without compromising a hunter's privilege. Commissioner Jacobs congratulated Chair Carey and Commissioner Brawn on being reelected. Today the legislation to give Boards of Education the legislative authority to set a tax rate was opposed. There will be an agriculture summit an February 1, 2001. He congratulated Carolyn Thomas, Director of Elections, for a successful process on Election Day. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the Transportation Improvement Program {TIP) item on the agenda this evening. She pointed out that on November 28t" there would be a Division 7 hearing. The comments taken will be for the areas outside of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT John Link asked that Carolyn Thomas, Director of Elections, report on the election. She reported that there were no problems with elections here in Orange County. Commissioner Brown asked about voter registration through the Department of Transportation. Carolyn Thomas said that there were about 75 voters that voted with provisional ballots. The forms were received the day after the election and the names were faxed to the state board, who in turn sent it to DMV to verify the names. 5. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS a. Orange County Hiah School Financing The Board considered a resolution to provide far funding for a new high school in the Orange County school district. John Link summarized the information as stated in the agenda abstract. He said that the project has come in under budget and the request of the School Superintendent and the school board is that the Commissioners still finance the remaining 13.6 million dollars. Finance Director Ken Chavious described the documents the County Commissioners were being requested to approve. He was available to answer questions. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution providing final approval of the terms and documents for the new high school financing project as stated below: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FINAL APPROVAL OF TERMS AND DOCUMENTS FOR NEW ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FINANCING PROJECT WHEREAS: The Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina, has previously approved and determined to carry out a plan for the construction and financing (the "Project") of a new Orange County high school {the "New School); and The County's Finance Officer has presented to this meeting the draft documents listed on Exhibit A (the "Documents"} and a draft dated November 9, 2000, of an official statement providing for the disclosure of information to prospective investors. All of these items relate to the County's carrying out the Project and appear to be in farms appropriate for carrying out the Project. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina, as follows: 1. Determination to Proceed with Project --The Board confirms its decision to carry out the Project in accordance with the plan described in the Documents. 2. Approval of Documents; Direction to Execute Documents -- The Board approves the forms of the Documents submitted to this meeting and directs the Board's Chair to execute and deliver those Documents to which the county is a party. The Documents in their final form must be in substantially the forms presented, with such changes as the Chair may approve; the execution and delivery of any Document by the Chair shall be conclusive evidence of such officer's approval of any such changes. The Documents in final farm, however, must provide far the amount to be financed by the County not to exceed $14,000,000 and for a financing term not to extend beyond December 31, 2010. 3. Approval of Officio! Statement -- The Board approves the draft official statement submitted to this meeting as the farm of the preliminary official statement pursuant to which the Certificates {as defined in Exhibit A} will be offered for sale. The preliminary official statement as distributed to prospective investors must be in substantially the farm presented, with such changes as the Finance Officer may approve. The Board directs the Finance Officer, after the sale of the Certificates, to complete and otherwise prepare the preliminary official statement as an official statement in final form. The Board directs the Board's Chair to execute and delivery the final official statement in such form as such officer may approve upon recommendation from the Finance Officer. 4. Authorization to Finance Officer to Complete Closing -- The Board authorizes and directs the Finance Officer to hold executed copies of the Documents, and any other documents authorized ar permitted by this resolution, in escrow on the County's behalf until the conditions for the delivery of the Documents have been completed to such officer's satisfaction, and thereupon to release the executed copies of such documents far delivery to the appropriate persons or organizations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board specifically authorizes the Finance Officer to approve changes to any documents (including the Documents and any closing certifications} previously signed by County officers ar employees, provided that such changes shall not substantially alter the intent of such documents from that expressed in the farms of such documents as executed by such officers. Such officer's authorization of the release of any such document for delivery shall constitute conclusive evidence of such officer's approval of any such changes. 5. Authorization to Schoo! Board Attorney -- The Board authorizes and approves actions taken and to be taken by the attorney for the Orange County School Board in connection with the conveyance of the site of the New School to the County and in obtaining a title insurance policy an that site for the County's benefit, and waives any conflict that may arise between such activities on the County's behalf and the attorney's representation of the School Board. 6. Miscellaneous Provisions -- All County officers and employees are authorized and directed to take all such further action as they may consider necessary or desirable in furtherance of the execution and delivery of the Documents in final farm and the other purposes of this resolution. All such prior actions of the County officers and employees are ratified, approved, and confirmed. In the Chair's absence, the Vice Chair may assume any responsibility or carry out any function assigned to the Chair in this resolution. All other resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict with this resolution are repealed, to the extent of the conflict. This resolution shall take effect immediately. This, the 21St day of November 2000. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Referral of Shaping Orange County's Future Report The Board considered a resolution to refer the Shaping Orange County's Future provisional report to appropriate advisory boards. Environment and Resource Conservation Director David Stancil said that this resolution will refer the report to various advisory boards asking them to return comments in time for the January 29t" Assembly of Governments Meeting. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the minutes and the statement that the Board of County Commissioners would discuss the report in a work session before sending this to the Assembly of Governments meeting. There was a consensus to cancel the January 29th Assembly of Governments meeting to allow time for advisory boards to make comments and time far the Board of County Commissioners to have a work session. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to refer the Shaping Orange County's Future Provisional Report to the advisory boards for comments to be returned by February 15, 2001. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. Community College Task Force The Board heard a report from the Community College Task Force. Chair Carey made reference to the report and the recommendations as listed on the last page of the report. He said that the report is the result of the County Commissioners appointing a task force to determine if a community college is feasible for Orange County. He commended the members of the committee. The report concluded that there is a need for a satellite campus of Durham Technical Community College (DTCC) in Orange County. Over 6,500 residents of Orange County take one or more courses at a community college each year. Also, a vast majority of those take courses at DTCC. Orange County residents composed about 22°l0 of DTCC's enrollment in 1999. DTCC offers courses in many different locations in Orange County, for credit and non-credit. There were some focus groups that met to discuss the need for a satellite campus and there was quite a bit of support. The task force recommends that Orange County pursue locating a branch of DTCC in Orange County and that the location should be in central Orange. The Board of County Commissioners will ultimately decide the location of the campus. The task force also recommended a set of criteria that the Board could use in siting a facility. Dr. Phail Wynn, President of DTCC, said that DTCC has enjoyed the partnership that they have with Orange County in offering courses in Orange County, Hillsborough, and Chapel Hill. He feels that the Skills Development Center has afforded a great opportunity for Orange County citizens and allowed DTCC to expand programming in the County. Orange County citizens have always supported and made great use of higher education. The approval rate in Orange County for the higher education bond issue was 83°~, which was second in the state among the larger counties. He said that this was an endorsement of the efforts of the Board of County Commissioners' support for providing educational opportunities for citizens in Orange County. He mentioned that two of the 12 members of the DTCC Board of Trustees were from Orange County. However, the Orange County Board of Commissioners will not make any appointments to the DTCC Board of Trustees. Those appointments are made by other entities such as the Durham County Board of Commissioners. He concluded by saying that this recommendation provides another opportunity to make amends to him for the injustice that was done to him 16 years ago when his secretary was hired away from him to became the Clerk of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Chair Carey said that he found out today that the state band passed in every county by a margin no less than 60%. Commissioner Gordon asked what the relationship would be to the Skills Development Center. Chair Carey said that a satellite campus would not lessen the need for the classes held at the Skills Development Center. Classes will continue to be held in various locations in the County. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the idea of co-locating the satellite campus with the new Orange County High School. Chair Carey said that the task force did tour a co-location site in Caswell County. As the task force reviewed the Orange County high school site, it determined that co-location might not be feasible because of the size of the site. Commissioner Gordon supports the location of the satellite campus in central Orange County. She asked about the DTCC branch in Treyburn in Durham County, which could be used by people who live in the northern part of the County. She would like to see the pros and cons of the various sites. She would also like for the site to be close to the new high school because of the educational and geographical advantages. Cedar Ridge High School is the name of the new Orange County High School. Commissioner Jacobs thanked the members of the task farce including Commissioner Halkiotis and Chair Carey. In response to Commissioner Gordon's concern about co-location with the new high school, he said that there has been some indication that a campus may be able to be located in the I-85/1-40 EDD. He thanked staff for options an haw the County plans to match the $4,000,000 band. He would like to understand the recurring cast. The representatives from DTCC estimated the annual recurring operating costs to be $400,000 to $500,000. They will provide more detailed information soon. John Link asked that the County Commissioners authorize the staff to incorporate into the County's Capital Improvement Plan responses to the concerns that have been expressed about the financial impact of the state bond and specifically a DTCC satellite campus in Orange County. Commissioner Halkiotis commended Barbara Baker far her work on this task force. He feels that the campus would need to be centrally located. He said that location in one of the County's EDDs with access from the interstate would be important. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Chair Carey to have staff come back with a recommendation in January 2001 for further discussion of a satellite campus for Durham Technical Community College in Orange County and how it could be pursued. Also, if this is going to be considered for the bond referendum in November 2001, information needs to be received in January. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Certificate of Achievement for Financial Reporting The Board recognized the staff of the Finance Department far earning the Government Finance Officers' Association {GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Jahn Link said that this is the highest farm of recognition that professionals in local government can receive. The Orange County Finance Department has received this award every year since 1982. Ken Chavious introduced the members of his staff -Debbie Smith, Joyce Holmes, Howard Fitts, and Debbie Harris. Dorothy Hurdle and Bridgett Wade are also on his staff but were not in attendance. c. Alternative Fuel and Law-emission Vehicle Work Group The Board considered a resolution and heard a presentation from the Alternative Fuel and Low-emission Vehicle {AFLEV) Work Group and considered authorizing staff to submit a Mobile Source Emission Reduction Grant (MSERG) application. David Stencil summarized the information in the agenda. He said that in 1999 the Board passed three resolutions related to air quality. As a result of that, a work group was farmed to look at opportunities to pursue lowering emissions in the County vehicle fleet in alternative vehicles. He recognized the volunteers and staff members who served an the work group. There are two types of vehicles that could be purchased and placed into the vehicle fleet -compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles. The proposal is that the County purchase seven alternative fuel vehicles -six CNG vehicles and one electric as a demonstration project. The proposed state grant will pay for the cost differential between agasoline-powered vehicle and an alternative fueled vehicle. The Town of Chapel Hill has received a grant from this source in 1999 and purchased three CNG vehicles. The second part of the proposal is the construction of a CNG refueling station at the Public Works facility in Hillsborough. The grant proposal would cover approximately 60°~ of the cost with the County funding the remainder in one or two upcoming fiscal years. The deadline far submitting a Mobile Source Emission Reduction Grant is December 31St. The net financial impact for the County will be $22,000 in the upcoming fiscal year. The state grant would fund about $81,000. Cammissianer Halkiotis asked for information from Chapel Hill on their experiences with CNG vehicles. David Stancil said that the contact person was Bill Terry and that he would be glad to get some information. Commissioner Jacobs asked for additional information on how these vehicles are working elsewhere. He asked about the refueling station and if there is any consideration of making this available to anyone other than County government. David Stancil said that along-term goal is to have the refueling station used by others. Commissioner Brown asked if the grant application was ready and David Stancil said that it would be another two weeks before the grant application would be ready. Chair Carey asked if the request for additional information was intended to hold up the development of the application process or to approve the grant and have these other questions included and answered in the evaluation process. David Stancil said that if the County applies and gets the grant, the County would be obligated for at least the project as outlined in the grant application for the first year of the project. Jahn Link suggested proceeding with finishing the application and taking the item up at the retreat on December 9t" or the work session on December 12t" A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Cammissianer Gordan to table this item to either December 9t" or 12t" with the authorization to continue with the grant application process. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS -NONE 8. ITEMS FOR DECISION -CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as stated below: a. Property Tax Refunds The Board approved two requests for property tax refunds, resulting in a net decrease in revenue of $1,167.53, in accordance with the resolution that is incorporated herein by reference. b. Property Value Chances The Board approved property value changes made after the 2000 Board of Equalization and Review had adjourned, resulting in a net decrease in revenue of $4,107.61, in accordance with the resolution that is incorporated herein by reference. c. Application for Property Tax Exemption The Board approved an untimely application for an exemption from ad valorem taxes for the 2000 tax year, resulting in a reduction of 2000 taxes due to the County, municipalities, and special districts in the amount of $1,372.02, in accordance with the resolution that is incorporated herein by reference. d. Late Application for Homestead Property Exemption The Board approved one late application for granting a homestead exemption for the 2000 tax year, resulting in a reduction of 2000 taxes due to the County, municipalities, and special districts in the amount of $241.40, in accordance with the resolution that is incorporated herein by reference. e. Request to Release two Land-use Deferred Tax Notices The Board approved a request for release of two 2000 Land-use Deferred tax notices, resulting in a net decrease in revenue of $1,362.95, in accordance with the resolution that is incorporated herein by reference. f. Budget Amendment #4 The Board approved a budget ordinance amendment and a capital project ordinance for Pathways Elementary School. g, Policy on Planning and Funding School Capital Projects The Board adopted a policy on planning and funding school capital projects. h. Technical Services far Renovation of Planning and Aa Building 7 The Board approved a contract with Carley Redfaot Zack far technical review of plans far renovations at the Planning and Agricultural Center. i. Soil and Water Conservation Operational Agreement This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. L Change in Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting Schedule The Board amended its regular meeting calendar to add a meeting on December 6, 2000, 7:30 p.m., at the Chapel Hill Town Council Chambers far a presentation and public forum on the status of the CP&L nuclear waste storage expansion issue. k. Legal Advertisement for December 12, 2000 Public Hearing This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. I. Cooperative Agreement with NC WARN for Foundation Solicitation The Board approved an agreement with NC WARN which permitted NC WARN as a 501 (c}(3) corporation, to solicit grants for activities to seek a full, objective, public review regarding Carolina Power and Light Company's (CP&L) radioactive waste storage plans. m. Bid Award -Vertical Baler far Orange County Landfill The Board awarded a bid to Tri-State Process Equipment Company of Monroe in the amount of $24,500 for a vertical baler at the Orange County Regional Landfill. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA i. Soil and Water Conservation Operational Agreement The Board considered approving an operational agreement outlining the respective responsibilities of the County, the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding soil and water conservation issues. Commissioner Gordon asked if this was a renewal or a change. It was answered that this was a continuation of the arrangements with the specifics outlined. Brent Bogue, Director of Sail and Water, said that this was a more defined document with the ability for amendments to be made at any time. The agreement will be reviewed annually. Commissioner Gordon questioned why the Environment and Resource Conservation Department was not included in the agreement. Geoffrey Gledhill said that every department was included when the County does contracting. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Chair Carey to accept the Manager's recommendation to approve an operational agreement outlining the respective responsibilities of the County, the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA}, and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding soil and water conservation services and authorize the Chair to sign it, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney. This is with the understanding that in the agreement the term "Orange County" will include its constituent departments. VOTE: UNANIMOUS k. .Legal Advertisement for December 12, 2000 Public Hearing The Board considered approving a legal advertisement for a special public hearing scheduled for Dec. 12, 2000. Planning Director Craig Benedict said that there were originally four items to be addressed at the public hearing -creation of a "Limited Office" zoning district in the Orange County permitted use zoning tables, creation of an "EDD/special Use Entranceway Overlay District", zoning of parcels near the intersection of I-$51NC86 to "Limited Office", and time period extension for the EDD moratoria area near I-401O1d NC 86, and I-851O1d NC 86. The Hillsborough/Orange County EDD task force, 8 which has had about 15-18 meetings, agreed to add a fifth item to modify and abridge the existing EDD manual. The information for the public hearing will be available to the public on November 28tH A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the items for the December 12, 2000 public hearing. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION -REGULAR AGENDA a. 1999-2000 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report The Board received the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report {CAFR} and Single Audit Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000. Ken Chavious summarized the report. Major points are listed below: General Fund Revenues: The assessed value of property taxes was $7.02 billion in 2000, which is an increase of 4.6% aver 1999. 98.42°lo of gross levy was collected. The collections exceeded the budget. General Fund Expenditures: 49.2°~ of the total general fund went toward education, which was $48.37 million. Other general fund expenditures included human services at $21.66 million (22.06% of total general fund} and public safety at $8.59 million (8.75% of total general fund). Capital Projects: 18.8 million dollars went toward school projects ($9.6 million in Chapel Hill-Carrboro and $9.2 million in Orange County}. 3.89 million dollars went toward County projects including parks, land, affordable housing, building improvements, and equipment. There was a smooth transition of the solid waste management activities from Chapel Hill to Orange County. The Solid Waste Management Fund is debt free. General Fund Cash and Investments: General fund cash and investments at the end of the year were $20.69 million, which is an increase of $800,000 over 1999. Investment earnings were $1.42 million, which is an increase of $300,000 over 1999. Fund Balance: The fund balance was $3.4 million at the end of the fiscal year, which was 13.74°~ of 2000 expenditures and 12.39°~ of 2000-2001 budget. The fund balance remains sound and the County continues to move forward with a very strong financial condition. Debt Position: The outstanding debt is $117.5 million. Of this amount, $95.5 million is for G. O. bands and $22 million is for private placements. For the upcoming year, there are $18.7 million in unissued bonds and $14 million for the proposed COPS project. Single Audit and Grants: The County has managed $63 million in grant funds this year. DSS has managed $47 million. There were no findings or questioned costs. Positive Audit Results: This was a successful audit process with no findings or exceptions. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the dept policy of not exceeding 3°~ of assessed value and said that bonds could be issued next year in the amount of 60 million dollars. He asked about the bond debt and how old it was. Ken Chavious said that the County has no debt outstanding that was issued prior to 1988. George Donor with Delloitte and Touche spoke about the importance of addressing the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement 34 new reporting model. It will be effective for Orange County far June 30, 2002. It will establish a new framework for financial statements, requiring full accrual accounting, which will double the workload. He emphasized that there needs to be some planning for the extra workload. Commissioner Halkiotis asked that the Manager and Ken Chavious keep the Board posted on this and the cost estimates of complying with this new requirement. He sees it as anon-funded mandate. John Link suggested joining together with the other counties in the state and throughout the country in opposing this statement 34. He will do a resolution that can be conveyed to the state association as well as to NACo. b. Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) Comments The Board considered commenting on future transportation plans in Orange County. Planner Karen Lincoln said that the purpose of this item was to receive comments from the County Commissioners on the Draft 2002-2008 Transportation Improvement Program. Last 9 December the Board endorsed a priority list of transportation projects, and it was forwarded to the Division 7 office. The priority list was also forwarded to the Transportation Advisory Committee for the MPO. The state released the State Transportation Improvement Program this fall. The Division 7 will hold its public hearing on November 28t" and the MPO will hold its public hearing on December 14t" The staff has worked with Commissioner Gordon to prepare comments to the Division 7 board member for projects within the TIP in Orange County and to the MPO for projects within the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program. Commissioner Gordon said that the format does not endorse projects for municipalities in Orange County but does endorse Orange County projects or those that have regional significance. The Homestead Road widening has been moved back. Commissioner Brown made reference to the connector from the New Hope corridor to the Eno River corridor and her desire to keep this wildlife corridor in the plans. Karen Lincoln said that later on in the proposed widening of I-85, it has been requested to allow the wildlife corridor under I- 85. Commissioner Brown asked if there was ever any reference to upgrading the NC$6 and NC57 interchange. She asked what the County should do to make sure this intersection is upgraded. Commissioner Gordon suggested putting this an the list for the next cycle and asking it to be funded/added in the TIP. Commissioner Brown asked what our relationship is to the eastern bypass {Elizabeth Brady Road extension} that Hillsborough is supporting. Commissioner Gordon said that there have been people who have attended the TAC meetings and have spoken against the project. This project is Hillsborough's top priority. Karen Lincoln said that the state has decided to fund the Hillsborough bypass this cycle. Commissioner Jacobs said that as part of his discussion on the EDD, transportation issues are being discussed and a report will come back to the Board of Commissioners in January to address these issues with Hillsborough. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to item #5 on page 7 and asked why there was no mention of HOV lanes andlor dedicated bus lanes for I-85 and I-40. Karen Lincoln said that there was still an opportunity to request HOV lanes for I-85 because it was not yet funded. The Board agreed to include the addition of HOV lanes in their comments. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 8 and asked if this was the Board's wording. He suggested that the last sentence in item #6 say, "Orange County requests that this facility be located outside of Orange County." He asked for information an #1442, the Hillsborough Weigh Station Improvements. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the comments as written with the additions as stated above. VOTE: UNANIMOUS c. HOME Program Review Committee The Board considered appointing a member of the Board of Commissioners to the HOME Program Review Committee. Commissioner Brown volunteered for this committee. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to appoint Commissioner Brown to the HOME Program Review Committee. VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. Contract for Limited Site Assessment of Underground Storage Tank (UST) The Board was to consider retaining the services of an environmental engineering firm to provide technical services for the preparation of a Limited Site Assessment Report {LSA} for the Ground Water Section of the State Division of Water Quality. This item was delayed to the next meeting. 10. REPORTS -NONE 11. APPOINTMENTS -NONE 10 12. MINUTES -NONE 13. CLOSED SESSION A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to go into closed session to discuss Pursuant to G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(3} "to consult with an attorney retained by the Board in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the Board." Mary Williams v. BCBSNC v. Orange County, et. AI., 99 CVS 458 Katherine Cooper Harris v. BCBSNC v. Orange County, et. AI., 99 CVS 374 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 14. ADJOURNMENT With no further items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on November 27, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Beverly Blythe, CMC 11