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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 20060221APPROVED 511 612 0 0 6 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING February 21, 2006 7:30 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February 21, 20Q6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Barry Jacobs and Commissioners Moses Carey, Jr., Valerie P. Foushee, Alice M. Gordon, and Stephen Halkiotis COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Managers Rod Visser and Gwen Harvey, and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below} NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda Chair Jacobs went through the additions and changes. There were additional materials far items 10-a and 5-k. The yellow sheet, item 5-I, is an addition to the consent agenda. Also, in order to have additional time to discuss school equity, there is a suggestion for another late afternoon work session on March 15`" John Link said that if there is time, he and County Engineer Paul Thames would like to give a brief update to the Board on the status of the water and sewer grant process related to the Gravelly Hill Middle School. The Board agreed. PUBLIC CHARGE The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 2. Public Comments a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda NONE b. Matters an the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda below.} 3. Board Comments Commissioner Carey made reference to the OPC Mental Health issue and said that a delegation of the three Commissioners an the OPC Board and staff went over to meet with State officials concerning the financial situation of OPC. He said that, while there are no guarantees, the State officials indicated that they understood that several mental health agencies across the state are facing serious financial stress. He said that they talked with Lisa Wainwright and she indicated that the State would look into trying to make some additional funds available based on services delivered. The OPC staff will be looking at ways that it can make same adjustments to better receive the new service dollars. This will require some stressful decisions. He said that the OPC-LME Board is putting together a task force to find ways to continue to utilize the real estate that OPC owns or has an interest in to continue to use it to benefit the clients. Chair Jacobs said that they would invite all of the legislative delegation to the March 13tH work session to discuss mental health reform. Commissioner Carey said that he talked with Representative Insko before meeting with the State officials, and she was willing to come. They told her not to since it was a little premature. Commissioner Halkiotis asked Commissioner Carey who owns Northside building that OPC uses and Commissioner Carey said that the County owns it. Commissioner Carey said that there is no threat of any loss of any property that OPC owns, though some may be sold to close financial gaps. Chair Jacobs asked about the size of the financial gap and Commissioner Carey said that all of the efforts that will be made between now and the end of the year would not close the gap, but it will help. He did not answer about the size of the gap. Commissioner Foushee - no comments. Chair Jacobs congratulated ERCD for the Lands Legacy program finishing second nationally out of 60 applicants far a NACo award. Commissioner Halkiotis congratulated Chair Jacobs, Cooperative Extension Director Fletcher Barber, and the rest of the staff from Cooperative Extension for an outstanding Agricultural Summit that he attended last week. He said that he heard comments from participants there about the limited hours of the Northern Center library in Cedar Grove. He asked the Manager to report back about the hours of operation and how they can be expanded. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the Central Orange Senior Center Design Committee went to look at the gym at the Northern Center and there was a pottery wheel up there not being used. He wants to look at this. Commissioner Halkiotis said that last year when he came back from the NACo conference, he shared concerns about the Homeland Security funds. He heard recently on the news from the State Emergency Management Director that money is being taken away from smaller areas. He asked what impact this would have an the VIPER system far EMS. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is really interested in talking about suing the State and the Governor for broken promises on how lottery monies are going to be spent. He thinks that they have already figured out in Raleigh what they are going to do with the money and it will not be coming to Orange County, even though it was promised. He heard today that several school systems are suing the State for funding. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the seniors from the Friends of the Central Orange Senior Center were getting upset about the possibility of having to share their new space at the Sportsplex with the after-school children. They submitted a resolution to get their 15,000 square feet of dedicated space. He gave the Manager and the County Commissioners a copy of the resolution. Commissioner Halkiotis asked Assistant to the Manager Greg Wilder to give a statement to the members of the press. He read his statement as follows: November 1, 2005, was a turning point in my life when my wife Susan was returning home from Greensboro on I-40 when at approximately 7:55 p.m. her car was struck by a habitual drunk driver with no license in hand. I was attending a scheduled meeting of the Fairview Community Park Planning Committee when I got the call from a very upset Susan and I immediately excused myself from the group and took off far Greensboro. All kinds of thoughts raced through my mind as I headed west on the interstate. I prayed that my wife would be okay (the Our Father in Greek 3 times to be exact!) and made the sign of the cross several times as I implored the services of the Highest in making sure she was okay. Since December 1986 when I was first sworn in as an Orange County Commissioner, I have spent many evenings and weekends doing the business of Orange County. With an approximate estimate of 80 meetings a year (at 3-hours per meeting and 45 minutes round trip travel time) this all equates to about 360,000 minutes or 6,000 hours or 250 days. This does not include a trip with my 11-year old daughterto a refuse derived fuel facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Fellow Commissioner Don Wilhoit on a hot July day many years ago. My hair was very dark back in those days and sharing my daughter with a visit to a smelly, dusty, and noisy waste to energy processing facility was the order of the day. Twenty years later, my wife comes close to being killed and I am engaged in a park planning meeting. My wake-up call, my epiphany, came on November 1, 2005. For the most part I have enjoyed the past 20 years of service to the citizens of Orange County as a Commissioner and have enjoyed working with you all and others in the past who have all been proud Democrats with a deep sense of caring and compassion for their fellow human beings. I use the word "caring" far all of us truly care about people in 5 very distinct ways. For the past 20 years, this progressive group of Democrats supported and promoted 4 different bond referendums to all the citizens of the County which resulted in aver $206,000,000 for school construction, renovations, and technology upgrades; $5,800,000 in affordable housing bonds, other millions for parks and recreation; $1,200,000 for the Efland Sewer System; $4,000,000 and other monies for 2long-awaited Senior Centers in both ends of the County; over $7,000,000 in Lands Legacy Projects (with over 1,500 acres and which leveraged another $3,000,000 in matching state/federal monies); took the lead in acquiring and preserving the beautiful Adams tract in Carrboro where some Carrboro officials once cited as a possible public works site, preserved and protected the rural buffer for the past 20+ years and continue to preserve and protect the rural buffer to this day. No one Commissioner can take sole credit for any of these accomplishments, as they all are the direct result of at least 3 votes in the affirmative and hopefully more. This is truly a team effort on the part of all of us as a progressive and caring group of Democrats who also take pride in non-departmental funded programs in excess of $2,000,000 which provide a myriad of services to our entire community from promoting breastfeeding, to troubled teens, to OCIM, to HYAA, and countless others. Many have waited in line to get elected to cut these programs and they always have been kept from occupying these chairs. I hope it stays that way. During the past several years, we have witnessed both the decline in both federal and state assistance monies from a number of programs and once again this group of Commissioners rose to the occasion and put in place a social services safety net to help those citizens in need of assistance. Local County government would never pass on the ultimate unfunded mandate which results in pain and suffering to its citizens. The buck doesn't stop in Washington or Raleigh, it stops at our table in Hillsborough. Pain and suffering don't happen in Raleigh or Washington, but actually happens back here at home when elected officials don't care. We have always cared and that is what makes us different. Orange County Commissioners continue to be committed to seeking more funding for quality child care for they know that a parent can send a son or daughter to UNC/Chapel Hill for less money than it costs for good quality child care in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, ar Hillsborough. Orange County Commissioners are dedicated to finding solutions to help the homeless while policies in Raleigh and Washington add to the ranks of the homeless. I have been proud to have served with County Manager John Link and can say that I was on the original team that interviewed him and decided to hire him. A good choice for he was and continues to be a highly ethical, professional, and moral human being. A first class act! I have been proud to have served with Register of Deeds Joyce Pearson and all of her hard working team. My hat goes off to our outstanding Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass and his professional men and women who do an outstanding job to protect all of us day in and day out. The Sheriff is constantly on the go and never asks others to do what he is not willing to do himself. He leads by example. A special thank you to County Attorney Geoff Gledhill for keeping us all out of those legal difficulties that other elected bodies usually find themselves in. Thanks to all County employees who work tirelessly an behalf of all the citizens of the County. Exciting days are ahead with the anticipated construction of a new addition to the existing new courthouse, a new animal shelter, a Durham Tech Satellite Campus in Hillsborough, a newly renovated Orange Enterprises program on a new campus, a new Central Orange Senior Center to be built onto the existing Triangle Sportsplex building in Hillsborough, the Robert and Pearl Seymour Senior Center currently under construction on County property on Homestead Road in Chapel Hill, the new Gravelly Middle School under construction for the Orange County School System and the new Carrbora High School under construction for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System. These are exciting times and many wonderful things are happening for all of our citizens as a result of caring County Commissioners who allocate close to 50°~ of their County budget to the 2 public school systems and still have the vision and determination to safeguard both citizens and the land alike. Orange County was just this past week notified that it was a runner up in its category in national competition with its Lands Legacy Program as determined by the Trust for Public Land in conjunction with the National Association for Counties. I along with Commissioners Valerie Foushee and Moses Carey will accept the award on behalf of the County at the NACO Legislative Conference in Washington on March 4, 2006. Twenty years ago in Hillsborough, I announced that I was running for Orange County Commissioner and I have served in that capacity for 20 years. I am deeply thankful and humbled for having had the opportunity to serve the citizens of this County far all these years. I never led in any race and I always raised the smallest amount of money but I was always able to come in with the winning team and that was always the most important thing to me. With certainly no disrespect aimed at anyone on this Board, I would rather spend my future nights at home with my wife and my days watching my assistant district attorney daughter Christan practice her prosecutor skills in the courtroom. My campaign slogan in 1986 was "Truth, Honor, and Justice" and I still subscribe to that today. Tonight here in Chapel Hill I am announcing that I will not seek re-election as an Orange County Commissioner in 2006. I have traveled dawn a very long road over the past 20 years and now I want to go down some other less stressful paths that beckon me forth. Life is too short as I have said on many occasions and there are other things that I want to do while I am still able to da them. It is my time to move an along with County Manager John Link and Chapel Hill Tawn Manager Cal Horton. I wish you all and your families the very best of health and happiness in the years ahead. Keep up the good work and never forget your role as progressive, caring Democrats especially when other non-Democratic hopefuls come knocking on your door dressed in Democratic clothes. As I usually say after one of my lengthy presentations, thank you for listening to all of this. Good night and good luck. Sincerely, Dr. Stephen H. Halkiotis, Vice-Chair, Orange County Commissioners Chair Jacobs thanked him for his passion, integrity, dedication, creativity, and for all he has done for the citizens of Orange County. Commissioner Gordan thanked Commissioner Halkiotis far his years of service and wished him all the best. Chair Jacobs recognized Susan Halkiotis, Commissioner Halkiotis' wife, and thanked her far sharing her husband. Chair Jacobs said there is a note about the dedication of the recycling center at Hampton Pointe tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. All County Commissioners are welcome to attend. Chair Jacobs said that he, Commissioner Halkiotis, and several members of staff met today with Chatham County officials and discussed some of the issues of common interest such as mental health reform, emergency preparedness, potential park projects, value added agriculture, joint transportation planning, and having better lines of communication for development issues. Chair Jacobs reported that they also had the annual Boards/Commissions Chairs meeting last night with the Chair and Vice-Chair and he felt that it went well. Chair Jacobs said that they finally closed on a piece of Duke Forest that the County bought off Erwin Road and staff has put up a sign that says "Future Home of New Hope Preserve." This park involves four governments and Triangle Land Conservancy. Chair Jacobs thanked staff and all of the presenters at the Agriculture Summit. There was a lot of positive comment. 4. County Manager's Report John Link said that on behalf of all County employees, he wants to thank Commissioner Halkiotis for his passion and dedication to the citizens of Orange County the last 20 years. He also appreciates the vote of confidence in him 18 years ago. He wished Commissioner Halkiotis and his wife the very best. Jahn Link recognized Karen McAdams, who was recognized in December by the Orange-Durham Cattlemen's Association for 25 years of extraordinary service. They presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Karen McAdams said that it was her honor to work with the farmers and the rest of the citizens in Orange County. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he has seen her in her work boots, but he has never seen her look grumpy. John Link said that tonight marks Personnel Director Elaine Holmes' last regular meeting working as the Personnel Director after 16 years. She will be coming back to work part-time as a consultant helping with special projects. He said that she has been the benchmark for professionalism. He said that her effort has made Orange County employees much better off in terms of their status. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the County would be holding a retirement reception for Elaine Holmes on Friday, February 24t". He said that he never knew Elaine Holmes until he worked with her closely these past few months when she helped them create the energy conservation policies. He commended her for her efforts and said that she is a nurturer. 5. Items far Decision--Consent Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiatis, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to approve the items on the consent agenda as stated below: a. Minutes The Board approved the minutes for the September 13, 2005 Work Session, November 21, 2005 Quarterly Public Hearing, and December 13, 2005 Regular Meeting as submitted by the Clerk to the Board. b. Appointments -None c. Motor Vehicle Property Tax ReleasetRefunds The Baard adopted a refund resolution, which is incorporated by reference, related to 66 requests for motor vehicle property tax releases or refunds in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes. d. Classification Plan Amendment -Assistant Tax Collector Salary Grade Chance The Board amended the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan by changing the salary grade for the existing class of Assistant Tax Collector from Salary Grade 19 to Salary Grade 22 to recognize new supervisory duties. Salary Grade 22 has a hiring range of $47, 412 - $61,604. e. Acceptance of 20Q5 Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP1 Grant Funds The Board accepted a State pass-through grant award of federal Homeland Security funds in the amount of $50,000 to reimburse the County for equipment purchased for improving the response to critical facilities and key resources in the County; approved the Memorandum of Agreement, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney; authorized transfer of ownership of all equipment purchased through this fund to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, understanding that the County is absolved of all future financial liability far the equipment, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney; and authorized the Manager to sign the agreement and any related documents incidental to acceptance and execution of the grant. f. Acceptance of Hazard Mitigation Grant Project Funds -Emergencv Generators This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. g_ Application for Emergencv Management Performance Grant (EMPG) The Board received a grant from the State Emergency Management Agency to help support the County emergency management program and authorized the Manager to sign the grant award and cost report. h. Matching Funds for Mental Health Association {JCPC) The Board approved the request to transfer $5,269 of County funds as a 30% match to Mental Health Association to draw down state Juvenile Crime Prevention Council {JCPC} funds. i. Budget Amendment #10 This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. L Housing Rehabilitation Contract Awards The Board awarded two housing rehabilitation contracts for the County's HOME Investment Partnership Program far 8109 Atkins Road, Mebane to Triple J Construction Company {$44,535) and RGO Enterprises LLC {$7,611}. k. Confirmation of Plans for Use of Well and Septic for Solid Waste Operations Center This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. I. Change in BOCC Regular Meeting Schedule The Board amended its regular meeting calendar by adding a work session an Thursday, March 15, 2006 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at Southern Human Services Center prior to the already scheduled 7:30 p.m. CIP work session at Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, N. C. (dinner will be from 6:30-7:15 p.m.}, to address other items of interest such as solid waste. VOTE ON CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA: f. Acceptance of Hazard Mitiaatian Grant Project Funds - Emeraency Generators The Board considered accepting grant funding and approving a memorandum of agreement, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney for a State pass-through competitive grant of federal Hazard Mitigation funds to reimburse the County for new generators to be placed at the County's Emergency Operations Center and at the emergency radio communications tower on Eno Mountain and authorizing the Chair and Manager to sign the appropriate documents. Chair Jacobs said that he wanted to encourage the Energy Conservation Board to look at trying to find alternatives to continue to buy generators for emergency situations. He said that they had once brought up the possibility of Orange County purchasing green power and he would like to look at this again. This would be a way to support alternative energy efforts. A motion was made by Chair Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to accept grant funding and approve a memorandum of agreement, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney, far a State pass-through competitive grant of federal Hazard Mitigation funds to reimburse the County for new generators to be placed at the County's Emergency Operations Center and at the emergency radio communications tower an Eno Mountain and authorize the Chair and Manager to sign the appropriate documents VOTE: UNANIMOUS i. Budaet Amendment #10 The Board considered approving budget ordinance and grant project ordinance amendments for fiscal year 2005-06. Commissioner Carey pointed out that the acceptance of $43,000 of Community Health Center continuation grant funds states in the last sentence that this is a one-time grant and when it runs out, the services have to be cut. He said that this is not the way to provide healthcare or expand health services. He said that they should accept the money, but he does not think that they should increase the number of days that care is provided and then cut back after the money runs out. He said that this is not good policy. He said that he would bring this to the attention of the Board of Health. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to approve the attached budget ordinance and grant project ordinance amendments, with concerns as stated shove, for Health Department, Department of Social Services, Arts Commission, Housing and Community Development, and Recreation and Parks Department. VOTE: UNANIMOUS k. Confirmation of Plans far Use of Well and Septic for Solid Waste Operations Center The Board considered adoption of a resolution indicating the intent of the Board of Commissioners to construct the new Solid Vliaste Operations Center an Eubanks Road using a well and a septic system, rather than pursuing water and sewer connections to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority systems. Commissioner Foushee said that she wanted to highlight this and the Board's commitment to preserving the rural buffer. She asked staff to comment on the efforts that were made to preserve the plans far this facility while protecting the rural buffer. Rod Visser said that the County was able to acquire some additional land next to the solid waste operations center and this will allow them to run the building on a well and septic system. Commissioner Halkiotis said that for 18 years John Link has served as the guardian of the rural buffer along with the County Commissioners. He said that he was one of the original signatories to the rural buffer agreement. He said that with the Manager retiring, they need to pull out the history of the rural buffer, package it up, and give it to all candidates for the County Manager position. He said that this is Orange County's Central Park. Commissioner Gordon agreed with the previous comments and said that she is glad the County is taking this action and using well and septic systems. She said that preserving the rural buffer has always been important to her. She made reference to Alice Ingram, farmer chair of the Chapel Hill Planning Board, who died recently. Her obituary mentioned how much she valued the rural buffer and its protection. When Commissioner Gordon was chair of the Orange County Planning Board, she worked with Alice Ingram to formulate the planning principles on which the JPA (Joint Planning Area} rural buffer agreement was based. A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adopt a resolution indicating the intent of the Board of County Commissioners to construct the new Solid Waste Operations Center on Eubanks Road using a well and a septic system, rather than pursuing water and sewer connections to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority systems. A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE INTENT TO USE WELL AND SEPTIC TO SERVE THE NEW SOLID WASTE OPERATIONS CENTER ON EUBANKS ROAD WHEREAS, Orange County is in the process of designing a new Solid Waste Operations Center that is tentatively slated to open in mid-2007 an County owned property on Eubanks Road, just inside the Rural Buffer; and WHEREAS, Orange County deems the Solid Waste Operations Center to be an essential public facility; and WHEREAS, the interlocal Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement between the County and its municipalities permits the extension of water and sewer lines into the Rural Buffer to serve an essential public facility; and WHEREAS, the County Commissioners adapted a resolution in May 2005 reflecting the County's intent to pursue extension of water and sewer lines to this essential public facility, and in keeping with the spirit of the interlocal agreement, solicited comments on the resolution from other partner governing boards; and WHEREAS, elected officials of the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill raised concerns at the September 29, 2005 Assembly of Governments meeting about Orange County's consideration of extending water and sewer lines to the planned Solid Waste Operations Center; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners remain firmly committed to the preservation and protection of the Rural Buffer, and acknowledge the difference of opinion that may exist regarding the definition of an essential public facility; and WHEREAS, since that meeting, the County has acquired additional property immediately adjacent to the parcel of land on which the Solid Waste Operations Center will be constructed; and WHEREAS, acquisition of that property substantially increases the County's flexibility far carrying out several important solid waste system functions; and WHEREAS, the additional acreage affords the County the opportunity to construct the building on a revised footprint that will make the use of a well and a septic system feasible; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners have asked the project architects to design the facility accordingly; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby state its intention to open the Solid Waste Operations Center with a design that relies on well and septic system to provide water and wastewater treatment to the new facility. This, the 21St day of February 2006 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6. Resolutions or Proclamations a. Resolution Ta Recognize 75 Years of Service by the Chapel Hill Garden Club The Board considered a resolution recognizing the Chapel Hill Garden Club for 75 years of service to Chapel Hill and the surrounding community and authorizing the Chair to sign. Gretchen "Gus" St. John accepted the resolution for the 75 years of service by the Chapel Hill Garden Club and Commissioner Halkiotis read the resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to approve a resolution recognizing the Chapel Hill Garden Club for 75 years of service to Chapel Hill and the surrounding community and authorize the Chair to sign. RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE CHAPEL HILL GARDEN CLUB FOR 75 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Garden Club is celebrating 75 years of service to Chapel Hill and the surrounding community; and WHEREAS, in the early years of the 1930s, the Chapel Hill Garden Club developed a community demonstration garden, adding natural beauty in difficult economic times, and provided the University Infirmary with flowers; and WHEREAS, during World War II, the Club heeded the nation's call for Victory Gardens and established acommunity-wide canning project; and WHEREAS, the Garden Club has advocated far conservation of open spaces and provided hands-on support with landscaping of new schools and the Chapel Hill Public Library; and WHEREAS, the Club adopted Janes Park, clearing land for nature trails and identified and marked native flora; and WHEREAS, the members of the Club landscaped gardens at the Horace Williams House, provided plants and gardening tools for Habitat for Humanity, and donated funds for the Alice Ingram Park; and WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Garden Club made significant contributions to the North Carolina Botanical Garden's building fund drive and to the Healing Garden at the Ronald McDonald House; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby acknowledge the significant hard work, artistry, and service provided by the Chapel Hill Garden Club over the past 75 years to make Chapel Hill and Orange County a beautiful place to live and visit. This the 21St day of February 2006. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Women's History Month The Board considered a proclamation recognizing March 2006 as Women's History Month in Orange County and authorizing the Chair to sign. Human Rights and Relations Director Milan Pham introduced the Chair of the Commission for Women, Caroline Woods. Caroline Woods thanked the Board of County Commissioners and said that this month they will have a play, "Wards of Choice", which relates to Rae versus Wade, on March 26th at 6:30 p.m. at the Carrboro Century Center. The cosponsors include NC NOW, Raleigh NOW, IPASS, Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, Orange County Rape Crisis Center, the Feminist Students United, and the Human Rights and Relations Commission. Commissioner Foushee read the resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve a proclamation recognizing March 2006 as Women's History Month in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign. WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, American women of every culture, class, and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and WHEREAS, American women have played and continue to play a critical economic, cultural, and social role in every sphere of the life of the nation by constituting a significant portion of the labor force working inside and outside of the home; and WHEREAS, American women have played a unique role throughout the history of the Nation by providing the majority of the volunteer labor force of the nation; and WHEREAS, American women of every culture, class, and ethnic background served as early leaders in the forefront of every major progressive social change movement; and WHEREAS, American women have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement, and other movements, especially the peace movement, which create a mare fair and just society for all; and WHEREAS, despite these contributions, the role of American women in history has been consistently overlooked and undervalued, in the literature, teaching and study of American history; and WHEREAS, women and their families continue to be undervalued in society through continuing pay inequity, educational inequality, discrimination and marginalization, and WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, on March 25, 1976, established the Orange County Commission for Women to promote the growth and development of all Orange County women and the Commission has been doing that for more than 25 years; Naw, THEREFORE, do we, the Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina hereby proclaim March 2006 as "Women's History Month" and commend this observance to Orange County residents. THIS THE 2~st day of February 2006. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 7. Special Presentations a. Orange County Arts Grant Recipients The Board presented checks to local artists and arts organizations receiving Orange County Arts Grants. Chair Jacobs read the recipients of the grants and Commissioner Halkiotis distributed the checks. Grant Recipient: A.L. Stanback Middle School - Art for Indigenous Survival - ArtsCenter - Nancy Simpson Carter - Chapel Hill Community Chorus - Chapel Hill Museum - Choreo Collective - Emerson Waldorf High School - Ephesus Road Elementary School - Footnotes Tap Ensemble - Friends of the Carrboro Branch Library Attendee: Janice Wereszczak Suzanne Romey & Shirley McConahay Jon Wilner Nancy Simpson Carter Patricia Brooks (not available tonight} Bridget Kelly, Sarah Covington, Nancy Carter (not available tonight) (not available tonight) Robin Vail, Mimi Benjamin, Erin O'Reilly, and Mary Fletcher Pena Nerys Levy Grady A. Brown Elementary School Cultural Arts Enrichment Committee -Janice Wereszczak Jim Haberman - Jim Haberman Hidden Voices - Hillsborough Elementary School PTA - Isabella Women's Solo Vocal Ensemble - Long Leaf Opera - NC Youth Tap Ensemble - Wesolowski Orange County Recreation & Parks - PlayMakers Repertory Company - Laura Janelle Royster - Reuven Sadeh - Southern Review. Inc. - Transactors Improv Co. - TriangleSings! - Women's Voices Chorus - Lynden Harris Mamie Jay Mary Lycan James Schaeffer Jonah Leslie, Luke Hickey, Emily Lynn Hecht (not available} Laura Janelle Royster Reuven Sadeh Charleen Swansea Greg Hohn (pronounced "hone"} (not available) Mary Lycan Chair Jacobs said that Orange County, in the last four years, has funded $86,000 for arts. b. Final Report from the Human Services Advisory Commission on Forum 2005: "Welcome Home - A Bold Proposal to End Homelessness" The Board received the final report produced by the Human Services Advisory Commission (HSAC} an the proceedings of its Human Services Issues Forum 2005: "Welcome Home - A Bold Proposal to End Homelessness". Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey said that this is not the final report from the Partnership to End Homelessness, but it is the final report of the forum. Linda Tuday, Chair of the Human Services Advisory Commission, thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their annual support of the HSAC Forum each year. She specifically thanked Chair Jacobs and Commissioner Foushee for participating in the forum. She said that this was the first time they had partnered with another group far the forum, which was the Partnership to End Homelessness in Orange County. There were national experts at this forum as well as local catalysts - OPC, OCIM, and IFC -and one of the highlights was hearing from people who had experienced homelessness and their success stories. Linda Tuday encouraged the County Commissioners to continue to support the fight to end homelessness. She said last year they presented a graphic depiction of the forum and this year they are presenting a DVD or VHS on this forum as opposed to a written report. She said that the people that attended the forum would be able to get a copy for a small cast from the County Manager's office. She thanked the Board again for supporting the HSAC efforts and she said that the next topic they will look at is the elderly and aging. Commissioner Foushee thanked Ms. Tuday publicly for her work on the HSAC. Ms. Tuday will be retiring tomorrow from the Triangle United Way. Chair Jacobs asked that copies of the DVDNHS be made available at the libraries. 8. Public Hearinas a. Orange County Consolidated Housing Plan Update The Board received comments from the public regarding the housing and non-housing needs to be included in the Annual Update of the 2005-2009 Consolidated Housing Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County and proposed uses of 2006-2007 HOME funds. Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes said that this is a continuation of a public hearing that was opened on February 9th. Regarding the Consolidated Plan, there is currently afive-year plan that began last year and was approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Included in the five-year plan is a five-year strategic plan to address the housing needs in the community. There are specifically three goals in the plan: 1. Decent and affordable housing for lower-income households. 2. Provide housing and services for populations with special needs. 3. Promote neighborhood and economic development. Tara Fikes said that tonight they are also receiving comments on the use of HOME investment partnership dollars they expect to receive in the coming fiscal year. Eligible activities include property acquisition, new construction, housing rehabilitation, and rental assistance. An application form is available on the County's website and the Town of Chapel Hill's website. She added that since the public hearing on February 9th, they received comments from the Orange County Disability Awareness Council, and these will be included. Chair Jacobs asked if Ms. Perry was involved in those comments and Tara Fikes said that it was Timothy Miles. There was no public comment. Chair Jacobs thanked Tara Fikes for including his recommended change, which lists the average sales price for unincorporated Orange County. Tara Fikes said that they would bring back the annual update to the plan based on the comments, as well as the proposed HOME program design based on the applications received. The public hearing was left open. 9. Items for Decision--RegularAgenda a. Appointments (1 } Orange/Chatham Leadership Council The Board considered appointing members of the Orange-Chatham Justice Partnership {OCJP) Leadership Council. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve the list of recommendations for Orange County representatives to the Orange-Chatham Leadership Council for 2006. UOTE: UNANIMOUS (2} Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee -One New Appointment The Board considered making appointments to the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee. A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to appoint Peggy Cohn to the At-Large position. A motion was made by Chair Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to appoint Jeanette Clark to the second At-Large position. VOTE: UNANIMOUS (3} Arts Commission -New Appointments The Board considered making new appointments to the Arts Commission. A motion was made by Chair Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to appoint Dan Barker to a term expiring March 31, 2009 and Sarah Dougherty to a term expiring March 31, 2007. VOTE: UNANIMOUS (4} Information Technology Advisory Committee -New Appointments The Board considered making appointments to the Information Technology Advisory Committee. A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to appoint Roger Smith to a term expiring December 31, 2007 and Edward Thacker to a term expiring December 31, 2008. A motion was made by Chair Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to appoint Susie Morrow to a term December 31, 2008. VOTE: UNANIMOUS (5) Orange Unified Transportation Board -New Appointments The Board considered making appointments to the Orange Unified Transportation Board. The Board agreed to the following appointments: Sam Lasris to Position #3, Cedar Grove Township, with a term expiring September 30, 2007; Bryn Smith to Position #10, Commission for the Environment, with a term expiring September 30, 2006; and AI Terry to Position #11, Transportation Services Board, with a term expiring September 30, 2007. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to appoint Elizabeth Lake to Position #14, Transit Advocate, with a term ending September 30, 2007. VOTE: UNANIMOUS (6) Leadership Advisory Committee for Carolina North -Appointments The Board considered making appointments to the Leadership Advisory Committee for Carolina North. Chair Jacobs said that he sent everyone an email today, but no one was able to read it yet. He said that at the last meeting he had said that he had met with the Mayors of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough and that he was suggesting deferring any action until the municipalities decided on how to be represented. Since then, both Chapel Hill and Carrboro have acted. The University has suggested that each of those jurisdictions have three members on this committee that would be appointed by the Chancellor. Bath municipalities appointed four people as opposed to three. Chapel Hill appointed two elected officials, their Planning Board Chair, and the former Chair of their Carolina North committee. Carrboro appointed three elected officials and their Planning Board Chair. He is suggesting that Orange County also appoint four people. He suggested appointing himself, Commissioner Foushee, Orange County Planning Board Chair Jay Bryan, and Bernadette Pellisier, who is on the Commission for the Environment, the Planning Board, and is an officer on the Orange-Chatham Sierra Club. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested that if either Chair Jacobs or Commissioner Foushee cannot make one of these meetings, that there is an alternate. He suggested that Commissioner Gordon be the alternate. The Board agreed with Chair Jacobs's suggestions as stated above. {7) Boards County Commissioners Serve On The Board considered the list of boards and commissions an which the BOCC serve and selected those boards on which the BOCC wishes to continue serving. Chair Jacobs said that there are several boards where two Commissioners want to serve and there was a suggestion at the retreat last year that if two Commissioners want to serve an a board, then they can. There is some language based on this suggestion that would fit this action within the bylaws without having to change memberships. Chair Jacobs asked about the Chapel Hill Public Art Selection Committee and it was answered that staff will look into this. Chair Jacobs asked about the Project Planning Committee (Chapel HiIIIOrange County PPC) and if this was the Southern Park and Aquatic Center group and Commissioner Gordon said yes. Commissioner Halkiotis said that there are a number of boards and commissions calendars that conflict with the Board of County Commissioners' calendar and they have not resolved this conflict. Some boards are mandated and are autonomous, but most are not and boards may get angry if they do not have a County Commissioner member or liaison come. There are too many conflicts. He wants to figure out how to get people to buy into the County Commissioners' calendar. He said that the County Commissioners are not full-time employees but the calendar is full from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. He said that he continues to respectfully protest the boards and commissions calendars on behalf of all of the County Commissioners. The Southern Orange Senior Center Design Committee is finished and can be taken off the list. Commissioner Gordon thanked Commissioner Halkiotis for what he said but she does not have two things scheduled at the same time. She has a lot of meetings, but they do not conflict. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested going through the list again and taking out those boards and commissions that are finished with their work. The Clerk will update the list. Commissioner Gordon suggested having a calendar showing all of the boards on a matrix so that the conflicts are seen. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the proposed amendment to the Volunteer resolution and suggested a change in language as follows: "This amendment would only affect County created boards." Geof Gledhill suggested saying "An alternate may participate unless the number of Commissioners attending is a quorum of the Board of County Commissioners." A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adopt the text as amended by Geof Gledhill. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The updated list will come back March 21St. The Clerk will also bring back individual Commissioner lists of the boards and commissions on which each Commissioner serves. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to approve the list of boards and commissions as amended. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 10. Reports a. History of Preparations for Sanitation Division Transition for Public Works Department to Solid Waste Management Department The Board reviewed the 2005-06 budget discussions regarding the proposed reassignment of the County's Sanitation Division from the Public Works Department to the Solid Waste Management Department. John Link said that last May 5t" the County Commissioners had as part of the work session the initial proposal by staff that the Board consider the transfer of the Sanitation Division of Public Works to the Solid Waste Management Department. The rationale for that is that they believe that all functions related to solid waste would be best served being under the umbrella of one department. He thinks that this is reinforced by the fact that they are trying to address replacing ar finding new solid waste convenience centers. They also may be franchising direct service for solid waste pickup from individual homes. He said that on May 5t" the staff presented the best estimate of the additional cost of making the transition. This was not the budget number. After that meeting, it was clear that the County Commissioners were expecting the staff to work harder at coming up with a reduced budget. He made reference to page two and said that most of the $152,000 is not actually being cut but is in the CIP. He said that these are examples of reducing the cast or redirecting the cost from the operating budget to the capital budget. He said that he believes strongly in this transition and that it would be in the best interest to the County long-term. Commissioner Halkiotis said that this speaks about a $152,000 reduction in the proposed division budget. He asked far an explanation of how much new money it is going to take to make this transition. Rod Visser said that they have not looked at this again for how it might be addressed in the 2006-2007 budget. The numbers from last year were in the ballpark of about $273,000, and this was broken down into three categories: $173,000 was additional casts regardless of the transition; $80,000 for referring costs; and $20,000 far one-time costs. This will need to be refined as part of the 2006-2007 budget. Commissioner Halkiatis said that he cannot give an honest answer that he agrees with this. He wants to know what the $173,000 includes. Rod Visser said that this was just a presentation of what has happened sa far. They will be bringing it back fully for consideration at a later time with updated numbers. Chair Jacobs said that Commissioner Halkiotis' point is that they still need the full historical context. He asked for this information by March 15tH b. BOCC Questions: Buckhorn Road EDDICommunity WaterlSewer Protect - Project CompletionlTiming Issues John Link said that this is goad news that is happening almost by the hour. The issues are as follows: Mebane has to respond to the State's requirements on a lift station on Industrial Drive; Mebane must improve a 1,200-foot sewer line from 8" to 12"; and the County needed answers from the State about being able to use the federal grant money for the BuckhornlCentral Efland area that is close to the school section of the sewer line. The overall topic is haw to effectively get the water and sewer lines to Gravelly Hill Middle School in time sufficient for it to open in August. They are keeping the Superintendent informed daily and they are trying to keep the school board and the County Commissioners informed in writing. He said that the way that they can accomplish the final goal of getting the water and sewer ready for the school to open in August is based on pursuing the following major steps: First, Mebane has to respond to the State's request for modeling data, confirming that their lift station on Industrial Drive is sufficient for the school use and also for other uses expected in the EDD. This is being done by Mebane and should be accomplished in the next few days. Secondly, the 1,200-foot section of gravity sewer line is going to be a requirement of the State to be expanded from 8" to 12", and this is estimated to cost $100,000. It could be higher. In discussions with the Manager of Mebane and the Town Engineer, they agreed to work on an agreement that the County will convey $50,000 toward the improvement and in return, Mebane would only charge $4.25 per thousand gallons to citizens in the Buckhorn area to use this system, compared to $8.50 per thousand gallons. When the agreement is reached, then Mebane can let the State know and the State will permit the project for Grange County. Then the Board of County Commissioners would need to address the capital improvement plan provision whereby they would need to expend $1.6 million for the water and sewer section for the school. This would be upfront pay-as-you-go funding and the federal grant money would be used for the Buckhorn/Central Efland sections of the project. He hopes to come back as scan as next Monday evening with the points of Mebane agreeing to the State to take care of the increased sewer line and the State allowing the project to proceed. Commissioner Carey said that the starting point is the agreement with Mebane and Jahn Link said that he will bring this back to the Board as soon as Monday and there is an agreement in principle between the two managers today. John Link said that he was straightforward with Superintendent Carraway about a possible delay of opening the middle school, and she said that they still want to ga ahead and open as soon as possible. It could be delayed as much as 30 days. Chair Jacobs said that they have talked about trying to add incentive by drawing up a contract that might expedite the provision of service. John Link said that they also shared that with Superintendent Carraway. Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the $4.25 per 1,000 gallons and if it is an in-city rate and County Engineer Paul Thames said yes. He asked what the Town of Hillsborough's rate is for in-city and Paul Thames said that he thinks it is at least double. Commissioner Halkiatis said that when this rate jumps up in four to five years, he wants to give people an up front advance notice so that they are not surprised. He said that he asked how much the water bill is far the current middle schools and he needs this information to bolster the argument for doing this project and moving it along. He wants this information as soon as possible. He said that this is a delay for the kids and not the adults. The $50,000 will be recovered. Chair Jacobs thanked staff and the Manager on getting this done as expeditiously as possible. He said that both he and Paul Thames have been in contact with the People for Progress and they are aware of the change in the timetable. He said that they would similarly communicate what will happen with the rates. He thinks that they need to keep stressing that a lot of this has been beyond their control, but they need to learn from this process because they do not want to make the same mistakes. John Link agreed. 11. Closed Session-NONE 12. Adiaurnment With no further items to discuss, a matian was made by Commissioner Halkiatis, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. Barry Jacobs, Chair Donna S. Baker Clerk to the Board