HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04-12-2011 APPROVED 8/23/2011
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION
April 12, 2011
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Tuesday, April
12, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill. N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Bernadette Pelissier and Commissioners
Valerie Foushee, Alice M. Gordon, Barry Jacobs, Pam Hemminger, Earl McKee, and Steve
Yuhasz
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: John Roberts
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Frank Clifton and Clerk to the Board
Donna S. Baker (All other staff inembers will be identified appropriately below)
1. Resolution Expressinq Oranqe County's Opposition to Senate Bill 183 Reqardinq
Requlation of Veqetation Removal For Outdoor Advertisinq Structures and Preemption of
Local Government Land Use Authority for the Placement and Type of Outdoor
Advertisinq (Billboards)
Commissioner Jacobs said that he and Greg Wilder used the model from Raleigh City
Council for this resolution. He said that he did some research on the 1965 Highway
Beautification Act in which there was a fund for governments to buy billboards. The 1965
federal law was to codify that and make it national policy. He made reference to an article
from the NY Times and said that if a regular billboard can be replaced with an electronic
billboard, it is worth ten times as much. There is a lot of research about how dangerous it is to
have roadside distractions.
Commissioner Yuhasz said that he wants to make sure that it is not the County's
intention to manage billboards that existed as of a certain date. He does not want this to be
construed as opposing the existing right of the State to regulate with regard to existing
billboards.
Commissioner Jacobs said that the resolution purposely does not speak to this issue.
He would like the County's own ordinances to apply.
Chair Pelissier asked if this could be put on the consent agenda next week and the
Board agreed by consensus.
Commissioner Gordon said that she thought the Board was going to try and deal with it
tonight.
Commissioner Jacobs said that when he brought this up last week he thought they
would put this at the beginning of a meeting because it is a legislative matter and may need to
be done expeditiously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Yuhasz, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
approve the Resolution Expressing Orange County's Opposition to Senate Bill 183 Regarding
Regulation of Vegetation Removal For Outdoor Advertising Structures and Preemption of
Local Government Land Use Authority for the Placement and Type of Outdoor Advertising
(Billboards).
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Commissioner Hemminger asked about making motions on work sessions and the
County Commissioners' policy.
Commissioner Gordon said that ordinarily the Board does not make motions during
work sessions. The only difference with this is that it was brought forward at a regular meeting
and noticed. She said that she thinks it is important not to break the policy and this was
noticed by the posting of the agenda to the web. She thought that the Board agreed that this
issue would be ok.
Commissioner Jacobs said that the practice has been if there are items that need to be
addressed in a timely manner, they have been brought to a work session for action. He said
that if there is concern, this could be added to the June work session when Board procedures
are discussed.
Commissioner Hemminger said that her concern is that the public is aware that the
Board normally does not vote on items at a work session.
Commissioner Gordon agreed with that sentiment and said that it is important that the
Board be transparent.
Resolution Expressing Orange County's Opposition To Senate bill 183 Regarding
Regulation of Vegetation Removal For Outdoor Advertising Structures and Preemption of
Local Government Land Use Authority For the Placement and Type of Outdoor
Advertising (Billboards)
Whereas, the regulation of outdoor advertising and structures has long been considered a
matter best left to local control and regulation, since each local government reflects distinct
community values on balancing the demands of commerce with the preservation of the natural
and visual environment, making it undesirable, except for the billboard companies, to
implement a one-size-fits-all solution for perceived statewide billboard issues; and
Whereas, the 1965 federal highway Beautification Act was primarily intended to preserve
scenic beauty along the nation's major roadways, particularly by removing and regulating
billboards because outdoor advertising structures have long been regarded as aesthetic
blemishes, particularly in undeveloped areas, and can also create an unsafe traffic situation,
distracting motorists; and
Whereas, Orange County has maintained consistent billboard regulations since June 1984
when it adopted its current outdoor sign standards in major transportation corridors (Interstate
40, Interstate 84, U. S. 70, N. C. 86 and N. C. 57) as part of its zoning ordinance; and
Whereas, Orange County is noted for its excellent quality of life, based on a longstanding
commitment to the preservation of green space, the environment, agriculture, and rural
character, and safeguards these attributes and benefits significantly from its tourism and
housing industries in part by maintaining the community's outdoor advertising standards
consistent with its land use regulations; and
Whereas, research cited by the American Planning Association reveals that changeable copy
LED billboards can be more distracting to motorists than traditional billboards, even as a body
of evidence grows indicating that distractions both within and beyond the vehicle are hazards
to safe driving;
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners expresses
its opposition to Senate Bill 183 and any other similar legislation that attempts to 1) preempt
local regulation of vegetation removal for outdoor advertising and 2) override local government
land use authority regarding the placement and type of outdoor advertising, especially
billboards.
Be It Further Resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners encourages
members of the Orange County legislative delegation to oppose any legislation which
preempts local governmental regulation of vegetation removal and landscape requirements for
outdoor advertising and/or overrides local government land use authority regarding the
placement and type of outdoor advertising (billboards).
This the 12th day of April 2011.
2. Resolution Expressinq Oranqe County's Opposition To Senate Bill 462 and House
Bill 574 Reqardinq Redirection of Excise Tax Proceeds Away from North Carolina Parks
and Recreation Trust Fund and Natural Heritaqe Trust Fund
Commissioner Jacobs said that Dave Stancil drafted this resolution. He said that
Orange County just celebrated the opening of Fairview Park, which used $500,000 in PARTF
funds to make it possible.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs
to approve the Resolution Expressing Orange County's Opposition To Senate Bill 462 and
House Bill 574 Regarding Redirection of Excise Tax Proceeds Away from North Carolina Parks
and Recreation Trust Fund and Natural Heritage Trust Fund.
Resolution Expressing Orange County's Opposition To Senate Bill 462 and House Bill
574 Regarding Redirection of Excise Tax Proceeds Away from North Carolina Parks and
Recreation Trust Fund and Natural Heritage Trust Fund
Whereas, the provision of parks, recreation and open spaces protects quality of life and
enhances public health by promoting outdoor activity, sports and exercise opportunities, as
well as immense social, natural, and economic benefits and an appreciation of our natural
resources; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and the Natural
Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF) were created to preserve natural areas, protect water quality,
create and expand parks, trails and game lands; and
Whereas, legislators created these trust funds nineteen years ago and recognized the
economic importance of balancing conservation and development, and in so doing dedicated a
funding source for the trust funds, which receive almost all of their funding from the deed
stamp excise tax from the sale of real estate; and
Whereas, Orange County has specifically benefited from funding assistance for the acquisition
of parks and open space, the construction of parks and recreation facilities, and the protection
of important natural areas and wildlife habitat— receiving $1.25 million in PARTF grants since
2000 for Little River regional Park and natural Area, Cedar Grove Park and the long-awaited
and recently opened Fairview Park— as well as other facilities within the municipalities of
Orange County (including a future segment of the Mountains to Sea Trail); and
Whereas, new legislation filed in the North Carolina House (HB 574) and Senate (SB 462)
would take away half of the dedicated funding for the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund
(PARTF) and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF), redirecting this revenue to the North
Carolina Housing Trust Fund largely as a result of lobbying by homebuilders and realtors
groups; and
Whereas, tourism in North Carolina generated $17 billion in 2010, much of which comes from
visitors to state parks, beaches, and outdoor areas — areas that existing thanks to investment
from these trust funds, and tourism brings $150 million annually to Orange County, much of it
recreation-related; and
Whereas, a study by the Trust for Public Land found that investing in conservation lands more
than pays for itself with every $1 invested in land conservation returning $4 in economic value
from natural resource goods and services alone; and
Whereas, NHTF and PARTF revenues are already down significantly due to the real estate
slowdown, and the permanent 50% cut that would result from HB 574 and SB 462 would mean
that essential conservation projects will not be funded, harming the State's tourism economy,
leading to dirtier water and air, and result in a massive decline of parkland, park facilities,
and/or gamelands;
Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners expresses its
opposition to Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 574 and any other similar legislation that attempts
to redirect funding away from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage
Trust Fund, which perform critically-important roles in protecting North Carolina's natural
resources and parks and open space.
This the 12th day of April 2011.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
3. Update on Proposed Dissolution of the Hyconeechee Reqional Library Svstem
Library Services Director Lucinda Munger said that this is an update about the
proposed dissolution of this library system. This change passed and went into effect April 1,
2011. Since September 14th, she and the three library directors have met with the State
Librarian and with the Chief of Library Development to go over the new rules and how they
would impact the current setup of Hyconeechee. The current financial officer for the region
happens to be Orange County Financial Services Director Clarence Grier. Under the new
regulations, this would not be allowed. An outside agent would have to be hired, which would
cost the region an additional $24,000. She said that the State Library supports the notion of
the dissolution of the region and a transition from a regional library system to three
independent county library systems. This is shown in a letter that was sent to the Board by the
State Librarian.
She made reference to a resolution and a dissolution transition plan. Both documents
were drafted by the Orange County Attorney's Office. These documents lay out the history of
the Hyconeechee library system and a multi-year transition plan. If the Board does vote
tomorrow night to go forward with the dissolution, Hyconeechee will still be in existence for one
more year as it currently stands. The bottom line financial impact for transitioning to a stand-
alone independent county library would be $28,500.
Commissioner Yuhasz asked if there have been any conversations with these other
counties' Managers and/or Commissioners.
Lucinda Munger said that the librarians in the other counties have done what she is
doing tonight.
Frank Clifton pointed out that there are not extra people involved because these people
were Orange County staff with additional duties.
Commissioner Jacobs said that his recollection was that a letter was to be sent to these
other counties and Lucinda Munger said that this letter was sent in December 2010.
Commissioner Jacobs said that most of this relates to the parallel conversation with the
Town of Chapel Hill, by having a representative to this newly formed advisory board.
He would like to have a conversation about the internal functions of having representatives
appointed by the Board of County Commissioners over the years and how the County
Commissioners want these people to represent them.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 7 of the abstract and the Polaris system
and asked if Hyconeechee purchased this and Lucinda Munger said yes. It is housed in
Orange County, but the region purchased the system equally between the three parties.
Commissioner Jacobs said that if the County is seriously going to develop
interoperability, having the freedom to switch systems is important.
Lucinda Munger said that the Chapel Hill Library and the Orange County Library are
supposed to be presenting to both Boards a report on interoperability in 2012.
Discussion ensued on having the same computer program for libraries in the County.
Chair Pelissier made reference to the MOU on page 7 and said that there needs to be
a timeframe for the development of an MOU so that it does not get lost. She asked for some
kind of modification for this so that it does not set up unrealistic expectations.
Commissioner McKee suggested taking out that last sentence regarding the five-year
transition period for no charge.
Chair Pelissier agreed with taking out this last sentence and said to put some sort of
reasonable date whereby an MOU should be developed.
Commissioner Gordon asked about the agreement of out-of-town cards having no
charge and Lucinda Munger clarified that if they went with a different ILS system, a Person
County resident could come into any Orange County facility and apply for an Orange County
library card at no cost.
Commissioner Gordon asked about Lucinda Munger's professional recommendation
about this period of no charge being extended. She thinks that this last line should be
modified in some way.
Frank Clifton said that the issue is not that significant. He said that extending this time
period is not a big issue.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if there would be a report on library services in northern
Orange County and Lucinda Munger said that she is working on a strategic plan for all library
services in Orange County.
Frank Clifton said that this will be a part of the budget process.
4. Quality Improvement Report From Health Department
Health Director Rosemary Summers introduced this item and then turned it over to her
staff. She said that this approach was developed from a grant and it was designed to provide
quality improvement training for health departments at no cost to the departments. She said
that the staff has really embraced this process.
Carla Julian, Quality Improvement Manager in the Health Department, made a
PowerPoint presentation.
Continuous Quality Improvement: Principles and Applications
Orange County Health Department
April 12, 2011
What is Quality Improvement (QI)
■Continuous and ongoing effort and organizational culture to best achieve measurable
improvements in the:
❑efficiency,
❑effectiveness,
❑quality,
❑performance, and
❑outcomes of services and systems
Key Features of QI
■Focus on systems, not individuals
■Ideas/changes from customers &front line staff
❑The "intervention" is designed through testing of ideas/changes
■Frequent, ongoing measurement and data driven decision making
■Never ending process (never"done")
Elements of QI
■ Hands on experience
■ Managers believe in the value of QI
■ Experts are those on the front line
■ Staff buy-in and staff involvement critical to success
■ Small changes can create big results
What QI is NOT
■Quality Assurance (QA)
❑Monitoring and evaluating a service to assure minimum quality standards are met (i.e. audits)
❑Measuring programs and services against protocols or policies & procedures
Principles of Improvement
1. Know why you need to improve (AIM)
2. Have feedback mechanism to show improvement (MEASURES)
3. Develop effective changes for improvement (IDEAS)
4. Test changes before implementing (TEST)
5. Know when and how to make changes spread (IMPLEMENT/SUSTAIN)
QI Teams
■Members should be knowledgeable of & involved in the process
■Teams typically 3 to 5 members
■Team role assignments
❑Senior Leader (Senior Management— not day to day member but supports process and
receives reports)
❑Team Leader
❑Frontline staff
❑"Outside" person
❑QI consultant (if necessary)
Team Member Qualities
■Formal or informal influence
■Willing to try new things
■Credibility with peers
■Interested in improvement
■History of success on teams
■Understands the process want to change
Role of Senior Leaders
in Driving CQI
Role of Senior Leaders
■Provide the Vision
■Communicate so all staff and managers understand the vision
■Ensure mission and strategic plan are guided by the vision
Role of Senior Leaders
■Become knowledgeable about QI
■Build time in for QI work in daily processes
■Provide resources and training for staff
■Assure managers empower staff to continuously make improvements with small tests of new
ideas
■Ask QI teams to brief them regularly on their improvement work
■Reward and recognize successes
QI Methodologies
■"Lean" thinking
❑Identify and eliminate wasteful activity
❑Create an efficient and waste-free continuous flow system
■PDSA cycles
❑Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles of rapid improvement
■Kaizen event
❑Intensive multi-day focused improvement efforts by QI team
Tom Konsler continued with the PowerPoint at this point:
QI Initiative 1
Public Health Quality Improvement 101
February 2010 to Present
Orange County Health Department
Environmental Health Division
Wastewater Treatment Management Program
WTMP QI Team
■Carla Julian (Quality Improvement/ Risk Manager)
■Tom Konsler— EH Director
■Albert Mills — EH Program Specialist
■Barbara Hawksworth — EH Technician
■Greg Grimes — EH Program Specialist (retired — Not Pictured)
AIM Statement
■By September 1, 2010, we aim to increase the fee collection rate of the Wastewater
Treatment Management Program (WTMP) by 20% over the 2009 rate. This is important for:
❑Orange County taxpayer equity for this mandated service;
❑Departmental collection of budgeted revenue; and
❑Orange County cost recovery for mandated inspections.
AIM Statement
■We will achieve this by closely examining and improving the current process
❑for client notification of WTMP inspections
❑the time interval between the time of inspection and the mailing of the report and invoice
❑the current format of the report and invoice
❑the payment reminder process.
Goals Include
■Decrease the time interval between the time of inspection and mailing the report/invoice to <
3days;
■Increase the number of people paying the WTMP payment within 30 days by 50%
■Reduce the time interval for rebilling of WTMP delinquent payments to 30 days
Value
Stream Mapping
Project Measures
■Number of days from time of inspection to mailing the report/invoice
■Number of WTMP clients that pay within 30 days of inspection & billing
■Number of days from time of initial invoice to mailing of late notice
Project Measures
Balancing
■Time required to conduct a WTMP inspection with owner in attendance
■Time required to manage billing/payment tracking
■Cost of publishing the improved printed material
Key Improvements-graphs
Balancing Costs—graph
Key Learnings
■Current tracking system cannot capture essential data points for comparing inspection date
to billing date to receipt date
■Significant balancing measure of low 3�d quarter inspections
❑ Staff retirement
❑ Intensive effort tracking and implementing QI changes in current system
Documentation Improvements
- Notification of Inspection
1. Letterhead format with mail merge form
2. Generic postcard notice
❑One size fits all
3. Postcard notice
■Color coded
■System specific
Documentation Improvements
- Inspection Report
1. Combined detailed report and bill
2. Separated invoice from report
3. Simplified "Report Card" format
❑Summary information only
❑Over-simplified
4. Moderate detail
5. Reversed order of summary info and detail
Documentation Improvements
- Billing Invoice
■ Attached to report form — often ignored
■ Separated invoice and mailed with report
❑Colored ink for visibility
❑Three step billing
1. Invoice
2. Past Due Notice
3. Final Notice
Future Plans
■ Concentrate on completing inspections as a priority over billing until additional staff is
available
■ Advocate for resources to do the following:
❑Merge databases
❑Pursue electronic reporting to customers, electronic billing, and credit card payment
❑Pursue collections through new county process
QI Initiative 2
Southern Human Services Center Clinic Flow Quality Improvement Project and Kaizen
Event
Orange County Health Department Quality Improvement Program
November 2010
SHSC Clinic Aim Statement
■ What do we want to do�
❑Improve client flow
❑Decrease wasteful activities
❑Reduce wait time for client, clinicians, and staff
■ Why is this important�
❑Improve client satisfaction and staff morale
❑Demonstrate productivity to supervisors and policy-makers
❑Demonstrate value to the community
❑Improve client outcomes
■Issue — nurses walking a lot to pick up charts from medical records "window"
■Plan/Do — put all records in basket inside left side of check-out window
■Study—Assigned MOA okay with trial; nurses like new location
■Act— need to think about possible redesign of front desk area to make more space and find
permanent method to put team charts left of check-out window
Issue: Door Bell Notification
■ Issue: nurse do not consistently hear notification that client has arrived
■ Plan/Do — use two-way radios: receptionist notify teams when client ready
■ Study— preferred method to door bell, less wasted steps, frees up time to do other
things, reduced stress trying to determine if door bell rung
■ Act— implement with temporary family radio system and find similar method with more
user-friendly equipment
QI Initiative 3
Environmental Health, Planning, Inspections, and Information Technology
Central Permitting QI Initiative
■ Orange County permitting process in same building but essentially separate processes
■ Duplicity in application process
■ Permits Plus software application same for all but lacks integration
❑Requires movement of files, printing copies, and multiple duplicative paper files
Central Permitting Aim (Goal) Statement
■ What do we want to do?
❑Improve the residential customer's experience with acquiring permits from the county
■ Why is this important?
❑To improve customer service
❑To be good stewards at customers' trust and money
❑To reduce errors and better manage existing resources
❑To be more development-friendly
Commissioner Gordon said that the number of inspections went down. She suggested
taking a more holistic approach and monitoring this.
Tom Konsler said that the answer is to get a full staff, which has recently been done.
Another goal is to do some intensive data management.
Commissioner Gordon said that they may encounter other times of reduced staff and it
is important to have a balanced approach. She said that this is a lesson learned.
Commissioner Hemminger asked clarifying questions about inspections, which were
answered by Tom Konsler.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 12 and balancing and said that the
educational component needs to be balanced with the cost component.
Tom Konsler continued with the PowerPoint presentation.
Rosemary Summers said that the role of department heads in this process is to
eliminate any roadblocks that may occur. In order to do that, the department heads meet
periodically to follow up with each other.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if all of this could be accomplished with the existing
software and Tom Konsler said yes, but it will take some development.
5. Creation of New Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Dave Stancil said that the staff has been exploring the suggestion by the Board to
update the 23-year old Parks and Recreation Master Plan. He made a PowerPoint
presentation.
A Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan
April 12, 2011
Why Is a New Plan Needed?
•Existing Plan dates to 1988 —23 years old
•Many new parks, changes since 1988
•State grant agency (PARTF) will require a new plan for any grant applications
•Good to periodically test assumptions, needs assessment
•Critical coordination issues need addressing
What Has Been Done Since 1988?
•Issue Papers 1996-1999
•Joint Master R&P Plan
(1999, adopted 2000)
•2001 Parks & Open Space Bond
•2030 Comp Plan
•Master Plans completed
What Has Been Done Since 1988?
•Facilities at 7 County Parks
•Funded 4 municipal parks now open
•Land acquired for 3 future County parks
•Future nature preserves and open space areas
What Would a New Plan Include?
•Background, Vision, Rationale
•Goals and Objectives (done, Comp Plan)
•Inventory of Facilities, Programs, Services
•Needs Assessment/ Public Outreach and Input
•Driving Factors
•Inter-Relationships with Towns, Schools, Other
•Analysis, Action Strategies, Map
•Service Standards, Future Costs
Examples of Other Plans
Other County Parks Plan
•Albemarle County, VA (Charlottesville area)
•Mecklenburg County, NC
•Wake County, NC
•Chesterfield County, VA (suburban Richmond)
•Cabarrus County, NC
•Prince William County, VA (northern Virginia)
Key Question 1
•Scope of system/facilities in 2030?
•Orange was a latecomer to parks systems (1999)
•Most park sites from 1988 Plan now open or acquired/land-banked.
•Currently have 7 open parks, 3 land-banked future sites, 2 nature preserve sites.
Key Question 1
•Current, acquired or planned future sites:
—1 regional park (with Durham County)
� district parks
—5 community or neighborhood scale parks
—2 nature preserves with public access areas
—2 facility trails (Southern HSC) or pocket parks
Key Question 1
•Projected Orange County Population 2030: 161,000 - 215,000 (currently 133,000)
• Between 30-80,000 additional people
•What kind of system?
—Let the planning process identify options?
—Set parameters (focus on larger facilities and not neighborhood-scale, population standards
driven?)
—Take care of what we have?
—Closely linked to Key Question 2 (towns, schools)
Key Question 2
•How to Plan with /for/ around Towns?
•Is purpose of County system to serve all residents, fill in gaps, or focus on different type?
•Two towns have recent plans, one other update in early stages
•Some towns have no land for new parks = partnership opportunity?
Key Question 2
•Time for closer coordination of town/county plans?
•Community Use of School Facilities —
—Existing facilities?
—Planning for future?
—Some counties have this as linchpin of system.
Options for a New Plan
•Updating the 1988 Plan Difficult— But Using it as a Basis may be Prudent?
•Build off County Comprehensive Plan, use PARC to start public engagement, fold in open
space plans.
•Staff recommends Hybrid (Option 3) —take advantage of current market and skilled available
resources. Estimated cost is $22,000 to hire the temporary person.
•Is the timing right (product by July 2012)?
ChesterField VA Plan (2002)
•Priority 1 —Take care of what you have!
•Priority 2 — Continue ongoing land acquisition and park development as per needs
assessment
•Priority 3 — Plan for a linear parks system
•Priority 4 — Plan for preservation and compatible use of historic/cultural resources
•Priority 5 — Develop relationships (business, other agencies, jurisdictions) to provide services
Where Do We Go From Here?
•Deep, Thought-provoking Issues
•What Should Staff Bring Back Next?
•Board feedback on
—Is the time right,
—Options for pursuing a plan,
—Parameters for proceeding (scope, basis),
—How to engage towns and school systems
—Other?
Dave Stancil said that Wake County's plan is a very good model for Orange County.
Commissioner Hemminger said that she is very excited about this and she likes hybrid
3. She would like to have some citizen input. She wants to fill in the gaps with what is
needed.
Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Hemminger and said that it is good to
get back on top of this, having reached a good pausing point. He likes the hybrid idea also.
He said that the non-profits are not mentioned here. He thinks that it is important to add non-
profits as an element besides the schools and the towns. He would like to talk about merging
the recreation departments of the three governments. He said that he would like to have an
understanding about how to regard university students as far as recreational opportunities.
Commissioner Yuhasz said that he would like to see more clarity and usage of the
school facilities and how these will be made available for public use.
Commissioner Gordon made reference to the 2000 plan and said that this shows how
the vision was realized. There was systematic land banking, which became known as the
Lands Legacy Program. She agreed that a plan is needed and she likes hybrid option 3, if the
County can afford it. She said that there is a history of cooperation between the jurisdictions
that can be built upon.
Commissioner Foushee offered her support for most of the comments that have been
made, especially with Commissioner Gordon's last statement in that the County needs a
comprehensive plan that involves coordination with the other governmental entities. She
would not want what is brought forward to be stunted by trying to make something happen that
will not happen. She is more concerned with filling in the gaps of recreational opportunities for
people who do not have easy access. She likes option 3, but as she read it, she thought
about the budget process and looking into the resources the County already has.
Chair Pelissier said that Elementary School #11 would be a good opportunity to talk
about a new facility where something different could be done.
Commissioner Jacobs asked what the direction is from the Board.
Dave Stancil said that he would create a more concrete recommendation for
proceeding with the creation of a comprehensive master plan. A lot of the comments will be
incorporated into the plan process. He said that he regrets not mentioning the non-profits
because he intends for them to be partners in this process.
6. Land Use and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Amendment Outline and
Discussion
Planning Director Craig Benedict thanked the Board for the thoughtful comments from
the Board in reference to the adoption of the UDO. He said that on the next day after
adoption, he was meeting with the Board of County Commissioners' Chair and Vice-Chair on
phase 2. He said that this is intended to be a dynamic document and there will be constant
changes. He said that only 3% of Orange County's jurisdiction is in an economic development
zone. He went through the points on the abstract and the outline on page 3.
1. Context: Orange County's Growth Management Program — an overview of how the
land use stage has been set for focused growth and economic development.
2. Land Use and UDO Chanqes: Although we will focus on achievable and `bite-sized'
projects, the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan vision with an emphasis on
Economic Development will be a dynamic and long-term project. We intend to bring
forward an orderly and regular work program.
3. Economic Development: This topic has been the clear focus of BOCC goals and
commitment. Suggested Land Use/UDO amendments will further these goals.
4. Planning Elements of Development
a. Land Use Location
b. Zoning/Design Standards
c. Approval Processes
5. Prioritize Focus by Infrastructure availability
Next Steps: Staff will work with the Chair/Vice-Chair and Manager to formulate an outline of
amendments with the aspects noted on Attachment 1.
LAND USE AND UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE (UDO) AMENDMENT OUTLINE
A. AMENDMENT INITIALIZATION
1. Work Program Ideas — Chair/Vice-Chair/Manager to meet with Staff to develop outline
— Past and Present Goals
2. Land Use/UDO Amendment Steering Committee (TBD) Meeting with staff to develop a
draft work program
3. Board review and approval
B. AMENDMENT TOPIC —VARIOUS CATEGORIES
1. Land Use and/or Zoning (Map and/or Text)
2. Development Standards
3. Development Approval Processes
4. Minor Text Changes
C. PROCESS
- Purpose/Mission
- Comprehensive Plan Linkage
- Priorities, Goals and Policies
D. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM
1. Planning Board Ordinance Review
2. Advisory Board Input (which ones)
3. Local Government Invitation (engage early)
4. General Public Outreach, Stakeholders and/or previous Small Area Plan Workgroups
a. Mission, Midpoint, Final
E. TIMEFRAME/MILESTONES/DEADLINES
1. Setting of a Quarterly Public Hearing date and remaining on target
2. BOCC updates/checkpoints
F. AMENDMENT TOPIC OPTIONS (Steering Committee to help frame)
- Positives
- Negatives
- Options (Continuum of Choices)
Commissioner McKee said that he is glad to hear of deadlines in achieving these goals
because lack of deadlines can bog this down. He said that he is very concerned with the slide
that he saw on the previous Quality Improvement report from the Health Department that
involved the Planning process. He would like to see this brought forward often and reduced to
a quicker timeframe.
Craig Benedict said that the interlocal agreements need to be identified up front with
regard to utilities, etc. He agreed with working on the development approval processes also.
Commissioner Yuhasz said that it is important to make sure that every proposal is
looked at through the lens of whether this will enhance the County's economic development
efforts. He thinks that the only thing that the County can do to show seriousness about
economic development is to focus UDO efforts on the economic development enhancements.
Commissioner Gordon said that the County needs to focus on the EDDs and the nodes
and then try to come up with the points that Craig Benedict is talking about, including making it
more user-friendly. It seems to her that this is the primary goal. She would recommend trying
to get to the final document sooner so that people have time to read it.
Commissioner Jacobs said that he has always found Craig Benedict and his staff to be
very responsive to the Board's timelines. He said that a lesson he took from Phase 1 is that
people were concerned about the conditional zones because they wanted to make sure the
County was following the land use plan. He said that having a strong land use plan and
commitment to it is very important.
Commissioner Yuhasz agreed that the land use plan should guide the economic
development efforts, but he also wants to concentrate efforts in those areas the County has
identified for economic development.
Chair Pelissier said that this is a good outline in that it does not make them have to
follow the same process for each update to the UDO.
Commissioner Gordon asked clarifying questions, which were answered by Craig
Benedict.
Craig Benedict said that this is a framework and there will be a line next to each item
for a specific amendment area. This will come back to the County Commissioners for review
and comment. For each amendment area, there will be a sheet that itemizes the aspects.
7. Follow-up on Electronic/Paperless Aqenda Planninq
Todd Jones discussed with the Board the pros and cons of going with an automated
agenda process. He referred to the questions on the abstract.
Items for Consideration in a paperless Agenda Process
1) What goals does the Board have in mind for a paperless agenda process?
There are many potential benefits, including: reduction of paper consumed, easier access to
related information, reduction in resources required to manage the agenda creation process.
To understand the Board's priorities will help ensure the right solution.
2) What is the anticipated usage rate for Board members and staff for paperless
agendas?
There are significant benefits to be gained with a wholesale use of paperless agendas by all
meeting participants. However, partial adoption, in which staff supports both a paperless
process and a legacy paper-based process can significantly erode or even eliminate those
benefits with a net increase in staff time to support dual processes.
3) What screen size is deemed optimal for viewing on-line agenda materials?
A large screen tends to be optimal for viewing detailed images (such as SAPFO charts, budget
spreadsheets and complex GIS maps) and multiple agenda items, while smaller screens such
as those on iPads and laptops may be inadequate for detailed images. However, larger
screens limit the portability of devices and can create a visual barrier between elected officials
and the public.
4) How would viewing hardware be handled?
Would Board members use their existing laptops and bring them to each meeting? Would
Board members prefer to use small screen touch pad devices, such as iPads? How would
Board members envision meetings with other deliberative bodies (Boards of Health, Social
Services, Planning; Quarterly Public Hearings; other local governing bodies; e.g., Towns of
Chapel Hill, Mebane, Hillsborough)? Would they be compelled to bring laptops or would the
county provide these? Providing access devices beyond what is currently available could
potentially cost more than the system software and attendant servers.
5) What would the default media be?
There are potentially different methods for creating and displaying agenda items, depending
on whether paper or digital display is considered. For example, digital delivery allows for direct
hyperlinking to historical minutes or video footage of background material. Paper does not.
Due to the inherent inefficiencies of authoring two parallel versions of each abstract, it would
be important to determine which medium would be considered the default for authoring and
delivery.
6) What viewing and annotation features are needed?
We assume the Board values easy navigation, with a table of contents available at all times, to
allow quick navigation to different agenda items. We assume the Board requires the ability to
scroll through items independently of one another. We assume the Board desires a way to
insert bookmarks on items to which they want to frequently refer. We assume the Board
requires a mechanism for making annotations.
7) How are annotations handled?
Would individual Board members' annotations be considered part of the digital record of each
meeting? Would a single annotation field for an entire agenda item suffice? Or would Board
members prefer to annotate on the documents themselves, the digital equivalent of hard copy
markup? Would those annotations only viewable by the individual Commissioner who made
them? Or would they become viewable among all Board members?
8) Can Board members' current Internet connections support paperless agendas?
Given the need for Board members to access agenda items from home or on the road, will
their current connectivity support access large agendas? IT can work with the individual Board
members to assess this, but dial-up and AirCard connections will probably prove to be
inadequate to support efficient download of these materials. In some Board members' homes,
there is a verified lack of available broadband options. There may be other options, such as
delivery of "flash" of USB drives. However, this would of course eliminate cost savings of no
longer delivering paper agendas.
9) Will Board members endorse the resources needed to support this technology?
Information Technologies support will be needed before, during and after meetings in which
this technology is used. Further, support will be necessary for the environment in which the
public access data. Also, if the chosen solution is an end-to-end agenda creation through
distribution and archiving solution, resources will be needed to support the authoring and
workflow environment. This could approach a single FTE in required resources. Finally, the
Board members themselves will need to arrive early if the chosen solution leverages their
laptops, so those machines can be verified as functional. A not to exceed cost limit may help
in selecting the best solution.
10) Will hard copies still be available for the public, the Board and staff?
This could potentially erode cost savings otherwise realized through print reduction.
11) Will Board members need the ability to print entire agenda package on demand?
Existing printer technology provided for board members' home offices are generally not
adequate for printing the large volumes associated with our agenda packages. This capability
will require upgrades of County provided printers.
Commissioner Hemminger said that she could not download the agenda itself, but she
downloaded everything else. She said that it would be helpful to have the agenda as a
document.
Commissioner Yuhasz asked if it would be possible to have a copy of the agenda
available where the County Commissioners could annotate individually and would not be a
public document. Todd Jones said that he is looking into this, but he does not know about the
legalities of it.
Commissioner Yuhasz asked John Roberts if it would be a public record if there were
notes stored on an individual document. John Roberts said that if the notes are just transient,
then no; but if they are substantive, then they would be a public record, especially if the
County stores it on a server.
Commissioner Gordon asked how the staff wants feedback about this. She would like
to know how much it costs now to maintain the system and how much it will cost to go wireless.
She asked how the public would access this.
Frank Clifton said that Todd Jones will send this document in an email to the County
Commissioners for feedback and will address the other issues that are raised.
Commissioner Jacobs said that it has been five years since the County Commissioners
asked Information Technology to bring a comprehensive wellness plan to the Board of County
Commissioners and no one has shown the Board the most updated programs and the
capabilities of what the County Commissioners have at their disposal currently. He said that,
before anything else is done, this is a key component. Before anything else is done,
Information Technology needs to meet with each Board member to find out their tech
capability.
Deputy Clerk to the Board David Hunt said that tonight was an experiment. He asked if
there was anything that worked really well or did not work at all.
Commissioner Hemminger said that the ability to see the slideshow on her computer
was good. However, she could not see a whole page at a time on her computer.
Commissioner McKee said that on the shorter abstracts it was easier to understand and
read. On the long abstracts, it was almost impossible to read it and understand it.
Commissioner Foushee said that she is glad they are moving in this direction and the
directions given by staff to download information made it much easier. She was glad to not get
a 500-page paper packet.
Chair Pelissier said that she was very excited about doing this. She had trouble with a
longer agenda item also, but she could get used to it.
Commissioner Jacobs said that it would be helpful to refer in the body of a long
document to a long map early on in a link that would prepare the County Commissioners to
download it ahead of time so they will be ready when that item is discussed.
8. Closed Session
A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Commissioner
Hemminger to go into closed session at 10:35:20 PM for the purposes of:
"To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the
attorney - client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby
acknowledged," NCGS § 143-318.11(a)(3); and
"To discuss matters related to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the
area served by the public body, including agreement on a tentative list of economic
development incentives that may be offered by the public body in negotiations," NCGS § 143-
318.11(a)(4); and
"To discuss the County's position and to instruct the County Manager and County Attorney on
the negotiating position regarding the terms of a contract to purchase real property," NCGS §
143-318.11(a)(5); and
"To consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of
appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or
prospective public officer or employee;" NCGS § 143-318.11(a) (6).
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION
A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee seconded by Commissioner Hemminger to
reconvene into regular session at 11:25 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee seconded by Commissioner Hemminger to
adjourn the meeting at 11:25 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Donna S. Baker, CMC
Clerk to the Board