HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-037 DEAPR - James Moulton Little River Regional Park Caretaker~ Little River
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Little River Regional Park & Natural Area
Resident Caretaker Agreement
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This is an agreement befinreen Orange County (hereafter "County " or "the County") and Mr.
James Moulton, (hereafter "Caretaker" or "the Caretaker") regarding the use of County owned
property at: 200 Little River Park Way, Rougemont, NC 27572 as a residence. This agreement
is effective March 3, 2012 (starting date). This agreement is effective for three years and then
may be modified as needed by Orange County.
In consideration of the County's allowing the Caretaker to reside as a tenant in the residence
located on the Little River Regional Park and Natural Area property (the "Park") and in
consideration of mutual promises and conditions stated below, the County and Caretaker agree
as follows:
1)
Caretaker Appointment
The Caretaker is appointed as a temporary County employee. A temporary County
employee is an "at will" employee and the County may terminate a temporary employee at
anytime, with or without notice.
As a condition of employment, the Caretaker is required to live on-site at the Park residence
(hereafter "residence") for the duration of this agreement. Caretaker shall be an at-will
employee of the County. Upon resignation or termination from County employment, the
Caretaker must vacate the residence within 30 days and surrender all keys to Park property
and return any Park equipment. Additionally, Caretaker shall comply with any and all
County policies relating to employees resigning or being terminated from employment by the
County. Notification to Caretaker by County of Caretaker's termination and notification to
County by Caretaker of Caretaker's resignation each constitutes notice to Caretaker to
vacate the residence as provided in this Section.
2) Duties of the Caretaker
Under the supervision of the County Department of Agriculture, Environment, Parks and
Recreation (DEAPR) Director or his/her designee, the Caretaker's duties may include,
but are not limited to:
a) Following the opening and closing procedures as outlined in the Operations
Manual located in the Park office, including but not limited to:
(1) Opening Park gates in the morning and/or closes Park gates in the
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evening, as assigned.
(2) Checking/unlocking restrooms and other public use facilities within the Park
as assigned.
(3) Closing the Park gates and inspecting the Park facilities after each day of
operation.
(4) Observing and enforcing hours of the Park's operation, as assigned.
b) Following the facilities security and maintenance checklist included in the
Operations Manual located in the Park office.
c) Following the search protocol as outlined in the Operations Manual when and if
necessary.
d) Following the Notification Protocols in the Park Operations Manual, including but
not limited to - using discretion in immediately reporting any non-public hour(s)
violations of Park use to County Emergency Communications (9-1-1) Center
and/or the DEAPR Director or his designee.
e) Providing on site evening and night avaifability/visibility in the Park as needed or
assigned to help prevent after-hours vandalism, theft, trespassing, night
spotting/hunting, illegal camping, or the like.
fl Providing emergency repairs and support due to accidents in the Park or
equipment failure or damage to Park facilities, when necessary.
g) Responding within the limitations of required training to emergency conditions that
may arise during evening or night hours while Park staff is not present, and/or as
scheduled.
h) Assisting with scheduled evening or night Park activity such as camping, special
programs and events, as assigned.
i) Completing training for certification in CPR and First Aid. Retraining to maintain
certification annually or biennially as required.
j) Wearing the uniform (staff shirt/ cap, identification badge) assigned/issued by
DEAPR when performing opening or closing duties, inspecting facilities or
performing other duties in the Park.
k) PerForming visitor assistance/information services, including but not limited to:
(1) Greeting visitors.
(2) Providing accurate information about County parks and County attractions.
(3) Informing visitors of park area rules and regulations.
I) PerForming other duties as assigned.
3) Caretaker Work Hours
The Caretaker shall be assigned a specific weekly work schedule and shall be expected
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to work at least fifteen (15) hours per week. During all other times, the Caretaker is free
from duty.
As a temporary employee the Caretaker receives pay for hours worked as provided in
this agreement at the designated hourly rate. In the event Caretaker is required to work
more than 15 hours per week, the additional hours shall be compensated at the same
hourly rate as the scheduled fifteen (15) hours. In the event Caretaker works over 40
hours in a workweek he/she shall be eligible for overtime compensation at a time and a
half the hourly rate
Should the Caretaker wish to consider a change in employment or schedule, outside of
Park responsibilities, which will substantially impact availability to perForm assigned
duties as Caretaker, this new job or schedule must be approved by the DEAPR Director
or his designee in advance.
The DEAPR Director or his designee and the County Parks Conservation Technician II
shall determine the Caretaker's weekly work schedule, including any time off during the
normal weekly work schedule. If work will require additional time beyond the approved
work schedule, the Caretaker is responsible for securing advance supervisory approval
for the additional work time. Except to address an emergency in the Park, the Caretaker
shall not work additional time without this necessary advance approval.
The Caretaker is required to work a minimum of 50% of holidays observed by Orange
County in which the Park is open to the Public. Some of the holidays will be the major
holidays. The holiday schedule will be drafted a year in advance per the results of an
annual meeting with all Park staff.
The Caretaker shall report work time accurately as to date and amount on the County
Employee Time Record provided by the County Human Resources Department.
It is expected that the Caretaker will request supervisory approval for any absence during
normally scheduled duty hours and, during the period between April 1 and October 31 of
each year, the Caretaker will not be off duty for any time in excess of a seven
consecutive day period.
4) Rent
The Caretaker shall live in the residence and pay a monthly rental rate to be determined
each fiscal year. The rental rate is subject to review on an annual basis and may be
amended prior to the beginning of a new fiscal year. Caretaker shall be provided with 60
days prior written notice in the event of changes to the rental rate. The rental rate for the
Fiscal Year 2011-12 shall be $400 per month.
Rent shall be due and payable on or before the fifth (5th) day of each calendar month.
Upon execution of this Agreement, Caretaker shall pay the prorated rent for the previous
month on or before the fifth day of the next month.
If the County fails to receive any rent payment within 10 days after it becomes due the
County may at its option terminate this Agreement or charge a late fee equal to 5% of the
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monthly rental rate in effect.
5) Caretaker Residence Maintenance Responsibility
As the occupant of the residence, the Caretaker shall during the term of his or her
residence keep the residence and grounds immediately adjacent to the residence
(known as the "curtilage"; See attachment A) clean and shall maintain the residence and
curtilage in a manner satisfactory to the County. Maintenance shall include, but not be
limited to, mowing grass, maintaining the edging and landscaping and removing
leaves/debris. Time required to perForm this maintenance is not considered work
time. Upon written notice from Park staff, Caretaker must perForm specified grounds
maintenance within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in Park staff completing
maintenance and Caretaker will be assessed a fee of $50 per incidence due with the
next rental payment. Caretaker must provide his or her own maintenance equipment,
Park equipment is not to be used for the maintenance of the Caretaker curtilage. The
County will supply a freestanding storage structure behind the residence for storage of
equipment and maintenance supplies.
The Caretaker, without the written consent of the County, shall make no alteration,
addition or improvement to the residence or the Park. Any proposed alteration, addition
or improvement to the residence must be approved in advance in writing specifying the
nature of the work. If approved, the County may, at its discretion, furnish the materials,
equipment and/or personnel to carry out any approved alteration, addition or
improvement, other than routine, day-to-day maintenance. Such alteration, addition or
improvements, if funded by the County, will only be rendered through the proper County
budgetary process.
The Caretaker shall be responsible for routine and preventative maintenance within the
residence as well as simple repairs. Caretaker shall replace HVAC air filters per
recommended guidelines and pertorm simple repairs (e.g. clearing clogged drains or
commodes, changing of indoor and outdoor light bulbs, etc.)
The Caretaker shall be responsible for repair and/or replacement of items damaged
through misuse or neglect, which are determined by the County not to be "normal wear-
and-tear." This includes damage to the interior and exterior of the residence as well as
to the grounds.
No smoking is permitted within the residence or on the Park premised. Smoke detectors
provided by Orange County and located throughout the residence must be maintained in
working order.
Any outside structure, equipment, ornament or appurtenance must be located within the
area directly behind the residence so as not to be visible from the Park drive. Exceptions
to this policy may or may not be approved by the DEAPR Director or his designee. Any
structure, permanent or otherwise must receive advance approval no matter what
location is proposed.
Proposed changes or additions to the landscaping provided require the approval of the
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County Superintendent of Parks. The location of any vegetable garden will also require
the approval of the DEAPR Director or his designee and shall be located in an area
behind the residence.
The residence will be identified to Park visitors as the Caretaker Residence for the Park
and notification of its location and the business telephone number of the Caretaker may
be published in the Park and in Park brochures and flyers.
6) Utilities
The Caretaker shall pay utility services (electricity, propane gas, personal telephone,
cablevision) related to the residence. Installation of non-essential utilities such as cable
or service will be the responsibility of the Caretaker. The Caretaker is responsible for
conversion of applicable utility accounts into the Caretaker's name as of the effective
date of this agreement.
7) Park Regulations
The Caretaker's private use of the residence is limited to the residence itself and the
premises immediately adjacent to the residence or curtilage. The County will not infringe
upon the Caretaker's quiet enjoyment of the residence and curtilage provide the activities
therein or thereon do not violate any law and do not negatively affect the Park or Park
activities.
While in the Park itself, (outside of the defined Caretaker Residence/curtilage
boundaries) the Caretaker is responsible for abiding by all regulations and ordinances
covering County parks, except as required during the perFormance of duties.
8) Non-Disturbance
Caretaker is responsible for controlling the noise level emanating from the residence and
curtilage in such a way that neighbors and users of the Park are not disturbed.
9) Pets
Caretaker will be permitted to keep house pet(s) with prior written approval of the County
Superintendent of Parks. The Caretaker is required to provide a non-refundable Pet Fee
of $200. The DEAPR Director or his designee has the authority to approve both the
type/species and number of pets. Any addition to the number and species will also
require prior written approval. If pet(s) are in the residence, the Caretaker will be
responsible for professionally cleaning the carpeted areas of the house annually. The
Caretaker will provide a receipt to the Superintendent of Parks annually showing that this
work was done. Any areas damaged by pets will be the Caretaker's responsibility to
repair, clean, paint or replace at his/her own expense. When outside the residence,
pet(s) must be penned, or on a leash. Caretaker shall repair, replace and remediate any
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damage to the grounds of the residence or Park caused by the Caretaker's pet(s). at
his/her own expense. Any fencing or pen to be erected must have prior written approval
of the DEAPR Director or his designee, and must not be visible from the roadway in front
of the residence.
Any approved Pets must be under the control of the Caretaker or other approved
occupants of the residence at all times both inside the residence and its curtilage and in
the Park. Pets must not disturb the peace, tranquility and quiet environment of the Park,
the Park visitors and Park neighbors by uncontrolled barking and/or other disturbances.
The Caretaker shall remove any pet previously permitted within 48 hours of written
notification from the County that the pet, in the County's sole judgment, creates a
nuisance or disturbance or is, in the County's opinion, undesirable. If the pet is caused to
be removed pursuant to this paragraph, the County shall not be required to refund the
Pet Fee; however, the Caretaker shall be entitled to acquire and keep another pet of the
type previously authorized.
In the event the Caretaker is away from the residence and requires someone to enter the
house to care for the pets after Park operating hours, no keys to Park facilities rnay be
loaned to non-County employees for access to the Park. Persons entering the residence
to care for animals after Park operating hours must park outside of the locked gate to
access the residence.
10) Vehicles
Only one vehicte or trailer may be parked at the residence off the paved carport or
driveway. The Caretaker may not park vehicles along the Park roadway during Park
operating hours. Unlicensed vehicles will not be allowed within the Park or Caretaker
residence and its curtilage.
11) Business Telephone
The Caretaker agrees to permit the County to install in the residence an additional
telephone for local County business purposes only and an alarm system on the
telephone for the residence if desired. The Caretaker further agrees he/she will carry
and use a cell phone provided by the County for park duties, should the County require
it. Cell phone usage will be limited to County business and shall be used in accordance
with policies established by the County.
12) Residence Occupancy
The Caretaker agrees that no one is to occupy the residence except himself/herself and
members of his/her immediate family.
Permission for guest(s) to stay beyond finro weeks must be requested in writing in
advance and authorized in writing by the DEAI?R Director or his desginee.
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13) Appliances
The County will provide at its expense the following appliances: refrigerator, stove, oven,
dishwasher and water heater. The Caretaker and DEAPR Director or his designee will
inventory, inspect and note the condition of all appliances during the semi-annual
inspections. The Caretaker is required to pertorm routine maintenance on the
appliances such as cleaning under the hood of the stovetop, defrosting the freezer, and
cleaning the interior and exterior of appliances on a regular basis.
The Caretaker must provide any desired home appliances beyond those provided by the
County. Appliances purchased by the Caretaker are the property of the Caretaker and
must be removed from the residence upon ending of this agreement.
14) Security Deposit
The Caretaker is required to provide a$500 security deposit prior to moving into the
residence.
15) Inspections and Security Deposit Refund
The Caretaker agrees to a semi-annual inspection of the residence by the County
Superintendent of Parks.
Prior to vacating the residence, the DEAPR Director or his designee will make a final
inspection of the residence. When this agreement ends, the Caretaker shal~ ensure that
the residence and its curtilage are in good order and condition and shall remove his or
her property within the time provided herein. Any such property not removed within the
time provided herein shall become the property of the County. County shall refund the
full amount of the security deposit provided the residence ad curtilage are in good order
except for normal wear and tear. Otherwise, the cost of repairs or extra cleaning
required, wilf be charged against the security deposit, and the difference between the
deposit and the repair and cleaning cost, if any, shall be refunded within thirty (30) of
termination of the agreement.
16) Insurance
The County will keep in force insurance to provide for property damage to the residence
at its replacement value. The Caretaker is responsible for insurance to cover any
personal property of the Caretaker located in or on the residence and its curtilage.
17) Indemnity
Caretaker agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the County from all loss, liability,
claims or expense, inctuding attorney's fees, arising out of or related to the occupancy of the
residence and arising from bodily injury including death or property damage to any person or
persons caused in whole or in part by the negligence or misconduct of the Caretaker except
to the extent same are caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the County. It is
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the intent of this provision to require the Caretaker to indemnify the County to the fuilest
extent permitted under North Carolina law.
18) County Responsibilities
The County will:
a) Assign Caretaker duties.
b) Schedule Caretaker duties not to exceed the 15 hours per week regular work
schedule.
c) Review the Caretaker's work perFormance, including an annual perFormance
review. Annually assess the effectiveness of the Caretaker arrangement.
d) Provide required uniform apparel.
e) Provide required training in any additional certifications and ficenses required for
the performance of Caretaker duties.
fl Provide the major capital improvement work required for the residence, including
plumbing repair, paint in accordance with an established paint schedule, roof
work, electrical work, heating and air conditioning repair and the like.
g) Coordinate the times and nature of County maintenance or repair work with the
Caretaker.
h) Conduct a pre-move-in inspection/inventory and a semi-annual
inspection/inventory of the residence, noting the condition of the interior/exterior
and all County-owned appliances and equipment, which is documented and
signed by both the Caretaker and the Superintendent of Parks.
19) General Provisions
a) Waiver - Failure of the County to require compliance by the Caretaker with any
provisions of this Agreement or the waiver by the County of any breach of this
Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any claim for damages by the County for
any breach of this Agreement or a waiver of any other required compliance with this
Agreement.
b) Governing Law - This Agreement and the duties, responsibilities, obligations and
rights of respective parties hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of
North Carolina.
c) Dispute Resolution - Any and all suits or actions to enforce, interpret or seek
damages with respect to any provision of, or the perFormance or non-perFormance of,
this Agreement shall be brought in the General Court of Justice of North Carolina
sitting in Orange County, North Carolina.
d) Entire Agreement - This Agreement represents the entire and integrated agreement
between the County and the Contractor and supersedes all prior negotiations,
representations or agreements, either written or oral. This Agreement may be
amended only by written instrument signed by both parties. Modifications may be
evidenced by facsimile signatures.
e) Severability - If any provision of this Agreement is held as a matter of taw to be
unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall be valid and binding upon the
Parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties, by and through their authorized agents, have hereunder set
their hands and seal, all as of the day and year first above written.
ORANGE COUNTY: CARETAKER:
By: By. - ~w ,
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Frank W. Cli n ,.
County Man ger ''
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Printed Name and Title
Attest:
Donna a er, C erk to the Board
This instrumen as een approved as to techn
~~.-~
David Stancil, Department Director
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:nt.
This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget
and Fiscal Control Act.
~~.u' ,~ J.L~--
Office of the Finance Director
This in rument has been approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Office of the unty Attorney
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