Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01-31-2012APPROVED 3/13/2012 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION January 31, 2012 7:OOpm The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 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, Interim Assistant County Manager Michael Talbert and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker (All other staff inembers will be identified appropriately below) 1. Countv Commissioners: Boards and Commissions Assiqnments Chair Pelissier called the meeting to order. She went through the process of board appointments. She asked each County Commissioner which board they wanted to keep. BOARD NAME SELECTION- 2012 Alcohol Beverage Commissioner McKee Control ABC Board Board of Health Commissioner Yuhasz Board of Social Services Commissioner Foushee Burlington-Graham Commissioner Jacobs- MPO Transportation Member Advisory Committee Commissioner Foushee - Alternate Communities in Schools Commissioner Yuhasz CIS Community Home Trust Commissioner Board of Directors Hemmin er Durham-Chapel Hill- Commissioner Gordon - Carrboro-Metropolitan Member Planning Organization- Chair Pelissier - Transportation Advisory Alternate Committee Durham/Chapel Commissioner Hill/Orange Work Group Hemminger 2 Commissioner Gordon Durham Tech Board of Commissioner Foushee Trustees Economic Development In the process of being Commission re-structured Efland Mebane Small Commissioner Jacobs Area Plan Implementation Focus Grou Emergency Services Commissioner McKee- Work Group ( 2) Member Commissioner Foushee - Alternate Fire Chief's Council Commissioner McKee Intergovernmental Parks Commissioner Gordon Work Grou Health Carolinians Commissioner McKee HOME Program Review Commissioner Foushee Committee / Housing Bond Program Project Review and Selection Committee Hollow Rock Park Commissioner Gordon Plannin Committee Joint Orange Chatham Commissioner Foushee Community Action JOCCA Legislative Issues Work Commissioner Jacobs Grou 2 Commissioner McKee Library Services Task Commissioner Jacobs Force NACo/NCACC Voting Commissioner Foushee Dele ate M Orange County Chair Pelissier Partnership for Young Children Orange-Person-Chatham Commissioner Yuhasz OPC Area Pro rams Piedmont Agricultural Commissioner Jacobs - Processing Center - Chair Steerin Committee Research Triangle Commissioner Yuhasz Regional Partnership RTRP Solid Waste Elected Commissioner Yuhasz Officials Work Grou Solid Waste Chair Pelissier Management Work Grou Ten Year Plan to End Commissioner Pelissier - Homelessness Executive Chair Team Triangle J Council of Commissioner Jacobs - Governments (TJCOG) Member Commissioner Hemmin er - Alternate Triangle Area RPO- Commissioner McKee - Transportation Advisory Member Committee Commissioner Gordon - Alternate Triangle Transit Board of Chair Pelissier Trustees Upper Neuse River Basin Commissioner Association Hemmin er - Chair Visitor's Bureau Commissioner Foushee Workforce Development Commissioner Board - Regional Hemminger Partnershi EX-OFFICIO Communit Leadershi Council M _, Chair Serves Elected Transit Leaders Meetin Chair Serves Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of. Commerce (L)-does not re uire a Commissioners Chair May Serve NC DOT Quarterl Meetin s ChairNice Chair School Collaboration Meetin s ChairNice Chair 2. Discussion on Interaovernmental Aareements Approval and Recoanitions at Board Meetinqs John Roberts said that staff wants to give signature authority to the Manager on certain interlocal agreements. All of the interlocal agreements have been coming to the Board and the Manager has signed amendments. The recommendation is $90,000 and below to come to the Manager and anything above that would go to the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Foushee agreed. Commissioner Yuhasz said that it would probably be okay to set the limit at $90,000 but whatever limit they impose only relates to monies that they spend and not what comes in. He said that the Board would not need to see renewals, but if there is a self-perpetuating clause, then the Board would need to see it, regardless of the amount. John Roberts said that a lot of these agreements have a match. Commissioner Gordon said that her understanding is that these are things that are already in their budget, and asked if that was correct. It was answered yes. She said that the matches can be important. She would like to see the Manager give the Commissioners a monthly report on what has been approved by him. Commissioner Foushee reiterated that in the cases where the match has a budget implication that has not been approved by the Board then they need to see it. Frank Clifton said that anything that requires a budget amendment comes to the Board. The big issue is the timing of the meetings and the fact that some things need to be moved forward more quickly. Commissioner Hemminger made reference to recognitions and pointed out that the County needs to remember to separate church and state. Commissioner McKee said that, in looking over the list, it looks like the process in place at this time is working. Commissioner Jacobs said that, in the past, individuals usually are retirees of some governmental entities, etc. He said that it seems that the County stopped recognizing businesses. He suggested asking the reconstituted EDC to bring forth quarterly proposed businesses for recognition. Chair Pelissier said that she agreed she did not want to set criteria. Regarding businesses, she separates businesses that do community-minded things versus winning awards. She does not want it to seem as if the Board is endorsing certain businesses. Frank Clifton said that he has seen it done elsewhere in local governments that when long-term employees retire, they do something special such as a small recognition party. Commissioner Jacobs said that there is an employee appreciation lunch each year and retirees are invited. He liked this event and employees seemed to enjoy it too. Frank Clifton said that in other areas, long-term retirees were recognized at a televised meeting along with their family and this was a more formal recognition. Chair Pelissier liked that id~a. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he had suggested at an earlier meeting that they have criteria for recognition, but when he looked at the lengthy list and the way they are currently doing it now, it seems to work. He said that it would be helpful if the Board had more time to look at a proposed recognition resolution. He said that when he was Vice-Chair, he was not always comfortable trying to decide if a proposed resolution was worthy of adoption. Chair Pelissier asked about recognizing retirees and all agreed. Commissioner Foushee cautioned that not all retirees be recognized, but only those that are long-term, such as 25 years or more, so that it is very special. Commissioner Hemminge'r suggested making a list - no religious groups, recognize retirees of 25 years or more, and look at potential businesses. Commissioner Foushee said that there are some people that come to a meeting expecting to hear a certain agenda item. She wants to be mindful of the timing of these recognitions so that all items that are scheduled are heard. Commissioner Gordon suggested that the people that are being recognized do not necessarily have to have the chance to speak. Commissioner Foushee said that she has full confidence that the agenda review team can handle this. 3. Boards and Commissions- Review Annual Work Plans Chair Pelissier said that the goal in doing this is to communicate back to the boards and commissions the Boards' feedback. She said that she and the Clerk spent much time trying to make these letters individual. She would like to highlight something in each letter to make them more individuaL Commissioner Jacobs said that he was surprised that there were no advisory board chairs here. He said that he saw this item as a good opportunity to have an exchange not filtered by staff with members of'the public who serve the County. He said that this is not good enough for him and he hopes that it can be done differently in the future. Chair Pelissier said that the advisory board chairs were not invited and there was no discussion among the Board to have this be a meeting with interchange. Commissioner Hemminger said that she would support Commissioner Jacobs' idea. Commissioner Foushee said that, given the number of boards they have, she does not see this being done all in one meeting. She is not against it, but it would probably have to be done in two meetings. Commissioner Jacobs said that he thinks it could be done in one night, if the structure is refined. Discussion ensued about the possibility of ineeting with all boards. Commissioner McKee agreed with Commissioner Foushee that it would take at least two meetings to meet with all boards. Frank Clifton suggested scheduling each group to come one at a time to regular meetings for a five-minute Q&A. Chair Pelissier liked the suggestion from Frank Clifton. Commissioner Gordon said that her concern is that, if the boards do not present their reports early enough in the budget cycle, then their information cannot be used for budget planning. Commissioner Yuhasz agreed with Commissioner Gordon. He said that it would be difficult to have a conversation in a regular meeting and work sessions are much more conducive to discussion. He woitld prefer to have a work session with half of the boards here each time in January. The groups could be arranged so that there is a common interest. Chair Pelissier asked for the Board's preference on meeting with half of the boards one year and then the other half the next year, and all agreed. All of the work plans will still be sent in January, excluding the statutory"' boards and those that the County Commissioners meet with regularly. Discussion ensued abou~ the timing for these work sessions. Chair Pelissier suggesteti picking the boards with the highest priority first. Clerk to the Board Donna` Baker said that she could send out a suggested list of boards with higher priority. Commissioner Gordon suggested picking the boards on the basis of things that the Board is working on instead of saying "higher priority boards." 1. ABC Board Chair Pelissier said that the Board just heard their report on 1/24. She asked what kind of support was needed for a warehouse construction. Frank Clifton said that they are looking at Valley Forge. This is within Hillsborough's Planning jurisdiction. Chair Pelissier asked for any specific comments for the letter and Commissioner Hemminger said to thank them for the work plan and that the County Commissioners are excited about the move. Commissioner McKee asked about the chair and if the County Commissioners have the authority to appoint the chair. John Roberts said that previously the Orange County ABC Board was governed by a local act, but the state repealed all local acts that were in conflict with these terms. This is new. The term of the current chair expires in March. The Board agreed to add to the letter a statement about the chair's appointment to the ABC Board by the Board of County Commissioners as well as having the board make recommendations for the Chair. Chair Pelissier suggested that the form that is filled out by boards about accomplishments be specific to the last year only. 2. Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the top of page 7 and the issue of mixing chronically mentally ill with older'and frail populations came up in a federal complaint about North Carolina's mental health system. He does not recall that there was any resolution. He would like to get some examples and a response from this advisory board. He would like to put this on the legislative agenda. Chair Pelissier agreed. ' 3. Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) Commissioner Hemminger asked about the format of the reports. She suggested that next year that the board/commission name be at the top as well as the year. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the bottom of page 10, #2 - Review Mobile Home Park Standards. He asked what this meant. Commissioner Foushee said that Orange County mobile home park standards are very old and not enforceable. She said that this board was receiving complaints from residents because these standards do not allow the Board of County Commissioners to enforce or change these issues. ' John Roberts said that O`range County does have a minimum housing code but with mobile homes, you can not restricf ~hem and if you only enforce some standards it may interfere with Orange County's affordable housing standards. Commissioner Jacobs s~id fhat he would like to know what the AHAB perceives as the issues. Commissioner Yuhasz suggested that any review involve mobile home park owners. Chair Pelissier reiterated that the Board wants to ask the AHAB to identify the issues related to the Mobile Home Park Standards and what they would like to explore, and that the County Commissioners would like to review this before the AHAB proceeds. Chair Pelissier made reference to page 10 and an on-ground Affordable Housing Bus Tour for the board members. She would like to ask that the County Commissioners also be invited to these kinds of tours that are informative. 4. Agricultural Preservation Board Chair Pelissier made reference to page 13 and the mention of the accomplishments. She would like to know what these are. Also, regarding the Emerging Issues, she thinks that these should be added to the work plan. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 16 and Legislation Pertaining to Agriculture. He asked that this be more specific. He said that this should be brought to the Board of County Commissioners and not the County Attorney. The Board agreed that this board should bring more details about this legislation before proceeding. 5. Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) Commissioner Jacobs said that he got a phone call Saturday night from a citizen who was concerned because she had a squirrel in her house. He asked about the procedure for helping people with wild animals. He also would like to know if handicapped people were treated any differently in these situations. Chair Pelissier said that the issue here was cost and the citizen was upset because of the cost. Frank Clifton said that the County does not respond to wildlife calls. Pest control handles these types of situations. Commissioner McKee said that he is reluctant to get into the animal removal business. Commissioner Foushee said that this should be brought up in a regular meeting regarding the services of the ASAB. Chair Pelissier said that she would like to recognize boards that are collaborative with other boards or agencies. There are two areas where this is mentioned by the ASAB, and she wants to recognize this. Commissioner Foushee said that the communications in the ASAB is a high priority, especially regarding the deer hunting with dogs issue. This board is very informative. 6. Arts Commission Commissioner Foushee made reference to page 22 at the bottom and said that people have made comments about how helpful the Arts Commission and Visitor's Bureau have been. She suggested highlighting this. 7. Board of Adjustment (BOA) Chair Pelissier said that the BOA members say that they want to review fees and the permitted use table, but they do not say why or what. She is not sure that this is their role. John Roberts said that this is not their role because the Board of Adjustment is not an advisory board. Chair Pelissier suggested deleting this board from this process. Commissioner Jacobs said ~that he would like to know what the issues are regarding the permitted use table. 8. Board of Health ~ " Donna Baker said that tfie` County Commissioners will be meeting with the Board of Health in April. Chair Pelissier suggested putting in the letter that they look forward to discussion in ApriL 9. Social Services Board The same thing is true of this board. The County Commissioners will be meeting with them in April and the letter will state such. 10. Visitor's Bureau Commissioner Jacobs made reference to agri-tourism on page 37. Chair Pelissier said that she would like to encourage the Visitor's Bureau to promote economic development and be more progressive. Commissioner Jacobs wants them to be more progressive regarding food trucks in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. Frank Clifton said that there are issues with this group and both of the towns, who are establishing their own tourism board. There are some structure issues with the bureau. Chair Pelissier suggested putting this on a future agenda, considering the potential changing role in light of the new Visitors Bureaus with the Towns. Commissioner Foushee said to be careful because Carrboro has not indicated the desire to create its own board. The language should not assume that this will be done. Chair Pelissier suggested that the letter say that the County Commissioners would like to have discussions with them sometime in the near future about the implications of the legislation so that it does not imply any expectation. Commissioner Yuhasz suggested that the emphasis be on the Visitor's Bureau investigating what should be done in response to the legislation. tax. Frank Clifton said that the towns have to have a tourism board in order to levy a tourism 11. Commission for the Environment (CfE) Chair Pelissier said that she would like to compliment them for wanting to collaborate with the Planning Board (page 42). Also, she would like to compliment them for establishing an Energy Resources Committee. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 42 and the request for the County Commissioners to impose a moratorium on DOT and spraying herbicides. He suggested getting some clarity from the Attorney. John Roberts said that the General Assembly addressed that in the billboard legislation that was passed last year. It does allow for some herbicide use and it is unlikely that Orange County could regulate this. He will get more information on this and provide it in writing to the Board. Chair Pelissier made reference to the memos included and if these were voted on as a board. She said that in order to respond to the Commission for the Environment, there would have to be a concrete proposal to the County Commissioners. Commissioner Foushee said that this needs to be discussed at a regular meeting to see if the County Commissioners can refer it to the Planning Board. Chair Pelissier said that in principle it is a good idea, but the Planning Board has a full agenda now. ` ~' Commissioner Hemminger'suggested having the Manager have a conversation with the staff first before responding to see what is going on. The Board agreed. Chair Pelissier made reference to page 42 and fully implementing the Water Resources Initiative. She wants to know the implications to the Board of County Commissioners of implementing this. Commissioner Gordon suggested asking the Commission for the Environment about the next steps. ~ Commissioner Yuhasz made reference to the Sustainability of Long-Term Solid Waste Disposal options and said that the CfE should investigate further the environmental implications of long-term solid waste disposal options. Commissioner Gordon said that she does not want the CfE to get in too deep with the same issues as the Solid Waste Advisory Board. She said that the two boards should collaborate. Chair Pelissier said that some of the members of the CfE might have some expertise that the members of the SWAB may not have (i.e., air quality, etc.). She would love to have this expertise weigh in. Commissioner Gordon made reference to reducing Orange County's footprint and said that she would encourage this. 12. Cooperative Extension Commissioner Jacobs said that it does not seem that Cooperative Extension should be on this list. The Board agreed to take them off the list. Commissioner Hemminger asked that these minutes come only electronically and not hardcopy. Commissioner Gordon suggested having more of a relationship with Cooperative Extension. 13. Advisory Board on Aging Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 51 and said that it is a generic statement about the concerns and emerging issues. He said that he would like to see more specificity on ernerging issues. Chair Pelissier said that she would like to commend them for their coordination with DSS. Commissioner Yuhasz said that there were some additional information on the "no wrong door initiative" that the Advisory Board on Aging was working on. 14. Historic Preservation Commission Commissioner Jacobs asked if all of the Rogers Road community is in the ETJ. It was answered yes. John Roberts said that this was a discussion recently. He said that technically, the only thing that really applies in the ETJ is zoning. There is consensus that police powers from the towns do not function or operate within the ETJ. The counties also do not tend to impose their ordinances in the ETJ. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Orange County local landmark program could apply in the ETJs. John Roberts said that it ~ould, but if this is enforced in the ETJ, then all of the ordinances could be enforced in the ETJ. Commissioner Foushee cautioned that there could be an expectation of a positive outcome. This is too sensitive right now. Chair Pelissier made reference to page 55 and if the emerging issues were for staff. She wants to know if the outreach program will require additional staff resources. Commissioner Yuhasz silggested that all advisory boards be mindful of the additional staff resources that may be required with some of these requests. The Board agreed to put fhis statement in all of the letters. 15. Human Relations Commission Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to express appreciation for holding this annual event. He also appreciates the resumption of the Pauli Murray awards. 16. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee John Roberts said that he would research whether or not there is an annual report required. 17. Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Chair Pelissier made reference to page 66, items 2 and 3, and seeking authorization from the Board of County Commissioners. She asked that the Board respond to this. It is pretty vague. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to know more about the direction the OUTBoard is going. ' Chair Pelissier verified that the Board will ask for the general gist of what the OUTBoard wants reviewed and why and also encourage the OUTBoard to create recommendations to the Planning Board. Chair Pelissier made reference to pages 66-67 and "better integration of transportation planning." She is not sure what this means. Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to know more about the coordination to try and get the rural and metropolitan areas together. She wants to endorse the concept, because integration is needed, but she is curious if there is anything more than a general statement. 18. Planning Board Chair Pelissier said that the Board has met recently with the Planning Board and this information reflects what they discussed and the County Commissioners appreciate their work. Commissioner Jacobs said that there is nothing in here about continued joint planning efforts with Hillsborough or Mebane. He wants to know the status of these joint planning efforts. Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to know more about updating the UDO. Commissioner Yuhasz said that the County Commissioners are aware these are on- going issues and they need to be addressed and the updates to the UDO for economic development are the priorities. He said that joint planning efforts are important, but the priority for the Planning Board is economic development. He does not want to give a mixed message. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to at least know the plan for these issues and keep them on the radar. Commissioner McKee said that he wants to send a clear message that economic development is the priority. ' Frank Clifton said that there are discussions with Mebane at the staff level about the utility agreement that includes the issue of land use discussions, etc. Commissioner Gordon said that the Planning Board should be able to focus on things that are timely. ""`'' 19. Parks and Recreafion Commission Commissioner Hemming~'r' asked when the Board was going to see the master plan. This was discussed over a year ago. Commissioner Gordon said that when they talk about their emerging issues, she would like for them to identify 2-3 top priorities. 20. Solid Waste Advisory Board Commissioner Yuhasz said that at the meeting recently they talked about emerging/alternative technology for handling solid waste. He thinks that the SWAB should investigate this more. Also, he asked if the Board wants the SWAB to spend time investigating on Mayor Chilton's suggestion for a transfer station site. Chair Pelissier said that the Board needs to discuss this first. Commissioner Jacobs m2de reference to the last sentence on the last page where it says that there are two Board of'County Commissioner appointee empty slots. He asked about this. ' Commissioner Yuhasz said that he had a discussion with the SWAB Chair and this board would be more effective if `there were elected officials appointed to it. Chair Pelissier suggested putting this in a category for discussion at a regular meeting. She suggested putting this in the letter, along with a thank-you for the revised interlocal agreement. 4. Oranqe Countv Boards and Commissions: Discussion of Applications Chair Pelissier said that no one is really happy with the application for the advisory boards. The goal is to come up with a generic application for advisory boards. There could be more specific applications for OWASA, ABC, Board of Adjustment, and Planning Board. She pointed out the attachments, which were examples of applications used by other municipalities. Commissioner Gordon said that the main thing that is missing is why the applicant wants to be on a particular board or commission and their experience. All agreed by consensus to include this question on the application. Chair Pelissier suggested using the following language: "Explain how your background, education, and and/or work experience is relevant to the advisory board." Commissioner Jacobs suggested including volunteer experience to the work experience. Also, he would suggest including most recent work experience as opposed to all work experience. He also suggested taking off the education component. Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to keep the education component. Commissioner Foushee said that this question could discriminate because it appears to be a criterion. Commissioner Yuhasz suggested having IT pre-populate areas that have the name/address, but he would like to see a separate application for each board with a separate statement of qualifications for each board. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there really needed to be a 3-hour orientation for the boards/commissions. Donna Baker said that each board is different. Commissioner Jacobs suggested saying "an orientation" instead of listing a time. He also suggested adding a listing of the boards and commissions to the hardcopy version of the application so that applicants can see the full list. Commissioner Gordon asked why education would be eliminated from the application. Chair Pelissier said that there are different opinions about having education on the application. -~ Frank Clifton said that he did not think that date of birth was appropriate to have on the application. John Roberts said that he would look at this and what is required to be disclosed for certain boards and commissions:' ` `` John Roberts said that there was a discussion about including whether or not applicants were registered to vote and the consensus was to use "domicile" instead of "registered to vote." Commissioner Yuhasz made reference to page 21 and the specific categories for the Board of Equalization and Review. He said that there is not a formal requirement for Orange County and he would like to add this. This can be discussed later. Commissioner Hemminger'made reference to education and said that she has had two citizens tell her that they did not apply to a board or commission because they did not have a college education. The citizens thought that because it was on the application that it was a requirement. ' Chair Pelissier said that if is also important to know what other community organizations or boards the citizens are involved in. The Board agreed. A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to adjourn the meeting at 10:24 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Bernadette Pelissier, Chair Donna S. Baker, CMC " ` Clerk to the Board ~