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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 20080415 APPROVED 8/19/2008 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING April 15, 2008 7:30 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Barry Jacobs and Commissioners Moses Carey, Jr., Valerie P. Foushee, Alice M. Gordon, and Mike Nelson COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Laura Blackmon, Assistant County Managers Willie Best, 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 over the items at the County Commissioners' places. The packet was from John Delconte. The yellow sheet was an additional item, 3-a1 concerning the Recognition of Jay Bryan and Jean Earnhardt for their work to obtain North Carolina Scenic Byway designation for the Scots-Welsh Scenic Byway, which the majority of the Board agreed to add to the agenda. There was a PowerPoint for item 6-e, related to the development. There was also a letter from Margo Pinkerton related to the Whitted Building. PUBLIC CHARGE The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 2. Public Comments a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Tinka Jordy read a prepared statement: "Hello. My name is Tinka Jordy. I am a professional artist and Chair of the Hillsborough Arts Council. I am here in support of using the Whitted building as a cultural center for Hillsborough and northern Orange County. I'm speaking on behalf of a Steering Committee that arose from an Art Summit that the Arts Council hosted in December of last year, also known as the Cultural Center Committee. Over 70 people arrived at 8:30 on a Saturday morning during the Christmas season to envision what the Town of Hillsborough's cultural life could be like five years from now. This is the vision statement the group chose: Our vision for Hillsborough by 2013 is to reach and serve every member of our community by providing opportunities for expression, appreciation and participation with the arts that will appeal to and engage members of the local and global community. Towards that end, a Steering Committee, comprised of a broad coalition from our community, was formed to implement this vision. Some members of that committee are here tonight. These groups represent the interests of historic Hillsborough, business leaders, the arts community, tourism, education, and native culture. This amazingly broad coalition feels strongly that the Whitted building could serve as the much-needed cultural center for the benefit of our entire community, both culturally and economically. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations do more than enrich our lives and imaginations. They also help fuel the region's economic engine. We have provided you with comprehensive studies that prove that the community investments in the arts bring a three to one return on the investment. The groups on the steering committee that are working to create a cultural center for Hillsborough and northern Orange County, in addition to the arts council, include: - Orange County Community Players - The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and its member organizations - The Hillsborough Tourism Board - The Historical Foundation of Hillsborough and Orange County - The Orange County Arts Commission - Culture Zone - Orange County Artist Guild - Orange County Department of Human Rights and Relations - The Occanneechi-Saponi Tribe - The Friends of Orange County Public Library - Arts Advocates, Inc. - More groups will be added soon, representing parks and recreation and education This vibrant coalition of organizations are dreaming of a cultural center that could provide: - A performance center - Art galleries - Historical Archives - Arts programming for adults and children - A space for local drama group as well as business convention usage The final use of the Whitted building is to be determined. The need for a community cultural center is absolute. Thank you for your time." Deryl McGuire was representing the Orange Community Players as the Artistic Director. She read a prepared statement: "This was the auditorium of Hillsborough High School, with a large stage and seating for about 300 people. Plays, concerts, variety shows, school assemblies, recitals, speakers, and many other events were enjoyed in that space for many years. Visualize the Orange Public Library— rows of shelves, filled with books, lowered ceilings, modern lighting, tables; chairs filled with adults, teenagers, youth, and children. This is a place to learn, share, discover, experience, exchange, cultivate, and provide cultural opportunities for our community. As we all know, the Orange Public Library is going to a beautiful new home, leaving a wonderful space —a space that can be filled with a large stage, and seating for 150-300 people to enjoy all the events that were once the center point of Hillsborough. Imagine community theatre, youth/children theatre, musical concerts, new works presented by talented artists, writers of this wonderful community, visiting artists, and many other events—something for everyone. Let us and generations to come 'Inherit the Future' with such a center." She also said that she just left the second night of auditions for the summer production of The Music Man, and she said that there have been over 72 people come in for auditions. Space is being rented, again, from Orange High School, because there is no facility. Richard Hicks read a prepared statement: "I am Richard Hicks, Chair of The Alliance for Historic Hi||gboFough, here tonight with Vice-Chair Beverly Payne-Betts. The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough is a non-profit umbrella organization comprised of groups here tonight, such as the Hillsborough Arts Council and the Historical Foundation of Hillsborough and Orange County, as well as groups not here tonight such as the HHC, the Preservation Fund of Hillsborough, and the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough contracts with the town to run the town's tourism prog[aFn, pertaining visitors' center seven days a week providing visitor services. Hillsborough already can offer the tourist historic sites, natural beauty, and great vibrant and diverse community to our visitors. The Downtown Merchants Association, with whom the AHH collaborates, also strongly supports to 0oveDlent. with the belief that arts and cultural events contribute the economic well-being of a small town. It is also possible that this new cultural center could be the home for the county heritage center, as our heritage Contributes so greatly to our community's cultural vibrancy." Linda Schmitt read a prepared statement: "I am representing the Historical Foundation of Hillsborough and Orange County. The foundation operates the Historical Museum. I have attended several of your meetings in the past. Each time it seems as though individuals or groups have come before you to ask for funding for their particular project/cause. Our group is different! We are not asking for any money, but rather we ask that you consider the wisest and best use for an existing space owned by Orange County. For the past five years, the museum's main fundraiser has been a musical/dramatic performance. Finding a site for these performances is extremely difficult in this area. Two years we used the Big Barn, which is a very rustic setting. The stage is surrounded by a fence! There is neither stage lighting nor sound equipment and this very site may soon be razed for new development. The other three years we held our fundraiser at Stanback Middle School....a very nice site but again no proper lighting or sound equipment and limited seating. We have attempted to use the wonderful space at one of our high schools, but principals are very reluctant to schedule outside group events for fear some of their school groups may need the auditoriums. In addition, janitorial staff members are needed at these school sites and they are not willing to work extra evenings. The Historical Foundation believes the wisest and best use for the Whitted Building is to return the current library space to its original intent— an auditorium for public performances. Let us inherit our future!" Margo Pinkerton read a prepared statement: "To the Orange County Board of Commissioners: Regarding the Whitted Building in Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina My name is Margo Pinkerton of Hillsborough, North Carolina. I am a freelance photographer who has been involved in the arts community for many decades. Currently, I am President of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers A\��K8P/N<�\ and serve oDa steering com0i� County. (ASMP/NC) have a dream for an Orange County Cultural Center that would provide resources and education for adults and children alike in Northern Orange County as well as the Hillsborough area. This cultural center would have studios for ceramics and potte[y, two-and three- dimensional art photography, jewelry, dance and motion, several gGUeheo. historical . . � ` iOfOmOgtion. et cetera. It would include at least one stage for theater and oratory and a place where acting troupes could hold rehearsals. There would be classroom space for lectures and other forms of cultural education. Yes, this is a dream, but without this dream, we become a cultural wasteland. Alas, we live in an era in which the arts are not only woefully and embarrassingly under-funded, but increasingly ignored and debased in both our schools and our daily lives. There is talk that the Whitted Building is being considered for office space, but office space can go virtually anywhere. However, with its large auditorium and plethora of rooms, the Whitted Building is an ideal, ready-made building for a center that could provide our extended community with the cultural resources it so desperately needs. Thank you for your time and consideration." Gordon Jameson read a prepared statement: "I'm an artist living in Hillsborough. I'm on the board of the Orange County Artists Guild, which has 119 artist members and holds the popular Open Studio Tour every November. I am also on the board of Arts Advocates, a small group working to establish a non-profit, professionally-run gallery to promote Orange County visual artists. In addition, for six years, from 2000 to 2007, I served on the Orange County Arts Commission Board and was Chair for two of those years. Mission of Culture Zone: Right now I am Chair of a new arts organization called Carolina Culture Zone. The mission of Culture Zone is to promote the corridor encompassing Hillsborough, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro as a premier arts destination. In order to market the area to a regional and national audience-there must be synergy between the partners—the arts organizations, the business sector and local governments. Culture Zone seeks to bring these •entities together for our mutual benefit and to better serve our growing population. A cultural center in Hillsborough would be a welcome addition to broad vision of making Orange and Chatham County a destination for the cultural tourist. Benefit of our cultural assets: There is a wealth of cultural capital in our community. Over 1,400 artists of all kinds are listed in the Orange County Arts Commissioner's database. We have painter, photographers, film-makers, poets, writers, musicians, dancers, fine craft artists. We have an opera company specializing in American opera, a distinguished pottery industry, and a number of nationally known artists. We also have valuable historic buildings and sites in the area that are often open to the public and require the support of the community. Appreciation to these cultural assets has a significant economic impact on Orange County. According to the Orange County Office of Economic Development, total visitor spending in the county was $127.2 million in 2007. A study by Regional Technologies Strategies last year found that of all the factors with potential influence on the level of expenditures by tourists, ONLY the percentage of arts and design workers was found to have a significant positive impact. Arts and historical attractions help to express what is different about our area. Visitors come here looking for authenticity, for the character of a place, for unique attractions. A vibrant cultural center would act as a magnet for visitors. Needs of artists and performers, building use: There is a perennial need for space when it comes to the arts. Specialized performance and rehearsal space, gallery and studio space is hard to come by as is enough meeting and teaching facilities. Locating multiple entities focused on culture, history and heritage in one building, such as the Whitted Building, would encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas and consolidate resources. Revenue from ticket sales and commissions from artwork could help such a facility sustain itself. Visitors attending performances or an exhibit in a community gallery space would patronize local restaurants and other businesses downtown. But beyond immediate benefits to the town, a cultural arts center in Hillsborough would also provide more access to the arts for the growing and currently under-sewed northern part of the county. Final Pitch for Center in Hillsborough: As an artist and arts advocate in Orange County, I strongly support the creation of a cultural arts center in Hillsborough. The time is right. The momentum for developing a cultural center is not coming from the arts community alone. Speaking for the mission of Culture Zone to increase the visibility of the cultural resources of our community to a national audience, and for the many local artists who would certainly benefit from such a facility, I urge the Commissioners to recognize the serious economic benefit of the cultural arts and to join with us to help expand the possibilities in Orange County. Michael Malone said that he has been working with the numbers of the groups to help bring about the use of the Whitted Building as a cultural center. He asked those in support of this endeavor to stand. He is a novelist and he teaches at Duke and lives in Hillsborough. He wrote an article about a year ago for the Orange County Tourism Board called "Falling in Love with Hillsborough," which has happened to him. He said that there is wonderfully long and rich history in Hillsborough. There are a lot of local arts. He said that one of the reasons to love a place like Hillsborough and all of northern Orange County is its diversity. He spoke of different events in Hillsborough such as parades and Last Fridays events, etc. He said that it would be wonderful to have a place in which to have art. He said that what this group has talked about is possible. Renee Price announced that the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission, in conjunction with the Historical Foundation of Hillsborough are celebrating Historic Preservation Month next month, and they are sponsoring a photography contest. The winners will be announced next week at Last Friday and the photography will be on exhibit at the museum through the month of May. Rev. Robert Campbell began reading the same letter that he read at the previous meeting at 5:30 p.m., but Chair Jacobs stopped him. Rev. Campbell said that when the neighborhood was discussing construction in the Rogers Road-Eubanks neighborhood, they were asking that when construction began on any project, that the neighborhood would be notified. There are several projects going on, and the neighborhood has not been notified of construction. He asked that the County go back to the promises that were made. Chair Jacobs asked what construction Rev. Campbell was referring to and he said the Solid Waste Administration Building and the Animal Services Center. He said that there is increased traffic now, but no increased patrol, and he is concerned about the safety of the streets. Chair Jacobs made reference to the Whitted Building and said that there will not be any moving from the building for at least a year because the new library must be built first. Social Services will be moving also, and the space must be renovated before this department can move. He said that the Board certainly heard the concerns and will take it under advisement. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda below.) 3. Proclamations/ Resolutions/Special Presentations a-1. Recognition of Jay Bryan and Jean Earnhardt for their work to obtain North Carolina Scenic Byway designation for the Scots-Welsh Scenic byway Chair Jacobs said that Jean Earnhardt instigated this item and Jay Bryan was instrumental in completing this. There was an unveiling ceremony last week and these two people could not be present, so the Board of County Commissioners wanted to thank both for their efforts to make this happen. Jay Bryan said that it would not have been possible without the support of the Board of County Commissioners, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, and County staff, specifically David Price, who wrote a letter, which helped this come to fruition. Chair Jacobs said that this would be added to the new maps of the scenic byways of North Carolina. a. National Safe Kids Week Proclamation The Board considered a proclamation recognizing the week of April 26— May 4, 2008 as SAFE KIDS Week in Orange County and authorizing the Chair to sign. Sharron Hinton with Department of Social Services introduced Lt. Angela Carmen with the UNC Department of Public Safety. Lt. Carmen serves as Chair of the Orange County Safe Communities Coalition as well as the Orange County SAFE Kids Coalition. Lt. Carmen read the proclamation. National Safe Kids Week 2008 April 26 - May 4, 2008 WHEREAS, unintentional injury is the number one killer of children ages 1 — 14 years in the U.S.; and WHEREAS, each year, more than 5,000 children 14 and under die from unintentional injuries; and WHEREAS, for children ages 14 and under, the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths are motor vehicle-related injuries, drowning, residential fires or burn injury, suffocation and pedestrian injury; and WHEREAS, 90 percent of these injuries and deaths are preventable; and WHEREAS, reducing the barriers to attaining safety devices (such as smoke alarms, bicycle helmets, car seats and booster seats), increasing educational efforts directed toward children who are at high risk for injury, and improving the overall safety of the child's environment are preventative strategies to keeping kids safe from unintentional injuries; and WHEREAS, Safe Kids USA and Orange County Safe Communities promote childhood injury prevention strategies by uniting diverse groups into local and state coalitions, developing innovative educational tools and programs, initiating public policy changes, distributing safety devices to families in need, promoting new technology and raising awareness through the media; and WHEREAS, Safe Kids USA, with the support of founding sponsor, Johnson & Johnson, launches Safe Kids Week 2008 "Gear Up for Safety," which focuses on celebrating 20 years of creating a safer world for kids and promoting efforts to make further progress to protect children from accidental injuries. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim the week of April 26—May 4, 2008 as Safe Kids Week in Orange County and encourage and call upon all the residents of this County to support the efforts and activities of Orange County Safe Communities to prevent childhood injury. This, the 15th day of April 2008. A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve a proclamation recognizing the week of April 26— May 4, 2008 as SAFE KIDS Week in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Evans and Bond Award for Outstanding Toxicity Reduction Program The Board considered recognizing the Solid Waste Management Department for its efforts in reducing hazardous waste in Orange County and commending the department for receiving the 2007 Bill Evans and Carol Bond Award for Outstanding Toxicity Reduction. Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey said that she is recognizing Rob Taylor and Blair Pollock with the Solid Waste Department. This is an award that is provided on an annual basis by Carolina Recycling Association. This is named for Bill Evans and Carol Bond, who were very active in the reduction of hazardous waste materials. She said that what Orange County has been doing is very significant, very empowering, and award-winning. Blair Pollock said that they were honored to receive this award. Orange County is the county with the highest recycling per capita in electronics than any county in North Carolina. Orange County also has a broad cooperative relationship with private businesses for recycling. Rob Taylor thanked the Board of County Commissioners for its support of the programs that make this award possible and the citizens that use their program for disposal of these hazardous items. Chair Jacobs said that the Board of County Commissioners appreciates all that the staff does in being environmentally sound. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey seconded by Commissioner Foushee to approve recognizing the Solid Waste Management Department for its efforts in reducing hazardous waste in Orange County and to commend the department for receiving the 2007 Bill Evans and Carol Bond Award for Outstanding Toxicity Reduction. C. NCACC Outstanding County Program Awards Presentation The Board received the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Outstanding County Program Awards for Orange County's Spanish Language Assessment Tool and the Inspect Plus field computer initiative. Laura Blackmon introduced Michelle Love from NCACC, who was here to honor Orange County for two awards for outstanding programs. Michelle Love said that the NCACC solicits nominations for this program each year and this year there were 50 programs nominated. Out of those, 12 were chosen, and Orange County won two of them. One is for the Inspect Plus program to help inspectors go paperless in the fields, from their laptops. The program was developed in-house, thanks to the staff. Orange County staff Susan Me llot and Dan Bruce were present to receive the award. The second award is one for"Embracing our Diversity", a Spanish-speaking proficiency tool. Working with the Chapel Hill Institute of Cultural and Language Education, the County developed this assessment tool. The purpose of the tool is to further accessibility to all County services for Spanish-speaking residents by helping to assure that County employees have sufficient knowledge of the language and culture of the Hispanic community. The Human Rights and Relations Department accepted the award. Human Rights and Relations Director Shoshannah Smith thanked Marlena Valeiko who developed and implemented this program. Susan Me llot thanked the Board of County Commissioners, Craig Benedict, and the field inspectors. Commissioner Carey said that former County Commissioner Steve Halkiotis raised the possibility of this paperless system several years ago. Chair Jacobs thanked the NCACC for recognizing that Orange County has creative staff that is willing to be innovative in providing services to the residents of Orange County. d. Presentation on Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Report The Board received a report from Donald B. Eager &Associates, LLC on the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice study commissioned by the BOCC on May 16, 2006. Shoshannah Smith said that April is Housing Month, and as part of that effort, there is a housing fair on April 19th from 11:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Food Lion at 600 Jones Ferry Road. She said that this report is required for the CDBG grants. She introduced Donald Eager, who prepared the report. Donald Eager said that they are celebrating a 40-year history of fair housing on the federal level, and he has been doing this for 30 years. He said that the abstract gives a good outline. He said that one point is that he has been doing these analyses of impediments for about 15 years all over the country, and the Planning Department website and the County's website were two of the key resources that were used in this report. He said that this really cut the research time. He said that Orange County is no better or no worse than any other communities that he has researched. The issues and problems that Orange County faces are the same issues and problems that other communities face. Regarding foreclosures, there are not near as many in Orange County as there are in Ohio where he lives. He said that there are a number of impediments and for every one they found, they gave a response as to how the • impediments can be addressed. Most of the impediments came from a survey that HRR staff generated. Regarding fair market rents, he found that for someone to be able to afford to live in a two-bedroom apartment in Orange County, they would have to make $15 an hour. He said that it becomes a major issue when the very people that work for the County to protect it can no longer afford to live here. The issue of having affordable housing available is extremely important. The other issue is that there are over 200 lenders in Orange County for mortgages, which is a lot of lenders. Over 68% of applications received came from Caucasian people, just over 14% came from African Americans, and less than 3% came from Hispanics. He said that this shows that education and outreach within these communities become more and more important. Predatory lending in the area has not been as bad as it was five or six years agb. Commissioner Foushee asked staff about recommendations and how that would come back to the Board of County Commissioners. Laura Blackmon said that this came through HRR and will go through the Housing department for a resolution to bring back to the Board of County Commissioners. Chair Jacobs asked staff if they had done any phone testing for renting properties to see if there is any discrimination against certain ethnic groups. Shoshannah Smith said that this has not been done yet, but she can get something together by 2009. Chair Jacobs said that the Board is acutely aware of the problem of providing affordable housing to people who work here and who do the many jobs that the community depends on. He said that almost no members of the Chapel Hill Police Department can afford to live here, and only 32% of the University's employees live in Orange County. Orange County is one of only two counties in North Carolina that passed an affordable housing bond. A motion wasumade by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to receive the "Analysis of Impediments" report. Staff noted that there are several instances in the report where the use of the term "race" as opposed to "ethnicity" may not be appropriate. Staff will work with the consultant to resolve the appropriate use of these designations. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 4. Consent Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to approve those items on the consent agenda as stated below: a. Minutes The Board approved the minutes from February 12 (5:30 and 7:30 p.m.), 19 (5:30 and 7:30 p.m.) and March 18 (5:30 p.m.), 2008 as submitted by the Clerk to the Board. b. Appointments (1) Arts Commission — Reappointment The Board reappointed Mary Kruter, Bronwyn Merritt, and Alice Levinson to the Arts Commission to second full terms ending March 31, 2011. (2) Carrboro Planning Board — Reappointment The Board reappointed Susan Poulton to the Carrboro Planning Board to a full term ending February 28, 2010. (3) Historic Preservation Commission — Reappointment The Board reappointed Leonard Vogel to the Historic Preservation Commission to a second full term ending March 31, 2011. (4) Recreation and Parks Advisory Council — Reappointments The Board reappointed Floyd Bridgwater to a second full term ending March 31, 2011; and Laurie Lee, and Ingrid Medcalf to first full terms ending March 31, 2011. c. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Release/Refunds The Board adopted a refund resolution, which is incorporated by reference, related to 37 requests for motor vehicle property tax releases or refunds in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes. d. NC Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP) Continuation Grant Application The Board approved the state grant application for the continuation of program services provided through the NC Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP) for FY 2008-2009 and authorized the Chair to sign contingent upon final review by staff and the County Attorney. e. Renewal of Visitors Bureau Contract with Jennings Advertising The Board approved contract renewals for the Orange County Visitors Bureau with Jennings Advertising of Chapel Hill to provide tourism marketing materials in the form of advertising, website design and management, promotions and collateral materials used to grow tourism in Orange County and authorized the Chair to sign. f. 2008 Audit Contract The Board approved the contract to perform the annual County audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 and authorized the chair to sign. 9, 2008 Statement Preparation Contract The Board approved a contract with Cherry, Bekeart & Holland for the preparation of the Schedule of State and Federal Financial Assistance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 and authorized the chair to sign. h. Contract for Documentation of Orange County Fiscal Processes The Board approved a contract to the firm of Cherry, Bekaert & Holland for the provision of accounting services to document the County's major systems in preparation for the audit and authorized the Chair to sign. I. Orange County Speedway 2008 EMS Coverage Contract The Board approved a contract between the Orange County Emergency Services Department and the Orange County Speedway management that provides for Emergency Medical Services coverage at Speedway public events and authorized the Chair to sign. Bid Award: One (1) Recycling Truck for Recycling Operations to Serve Multi-Family Residential Units The Board awarded bid number 269 to Triad Freightliner of Greensboro, North Carolina for one recycling truck for recycling operations to serve multi-family residential units at a delivered cost of$132,403; and authorized the Purchasing Director to execute the necessary paperwork. k. Fiscal Year 2007-08 Budget Amendment#9 The Board approved budget, capital and grant project ordinance amendments for fiscal year 2007-08 for Department on Aging, Parks and Recreation Department, Commissioner Contingency, Health Department, Housing and Community Development, and Carrboro High School Capital Project Ordinance. I. Adoption of Reimbursement Resolution for the Office Building and Library The Board adopted a reimbursement resolution, which is incorporated by reference, authorizing the County to reimburse itself for non-general obligation bond project expenditures incurred for the Office Building and Library capital project prior to the actual issuance of debt. m. Change in BOCC Regular Meeting Schedule for 2008 The Board amended its regular meeting calendar by changing the JPA meeting, originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th at 7:30 p.m. at Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, to a Joint Greene Tract Work Session with the Town of Chapel Hill and the Town of Carrboro. VOTE ON CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS 5. Public Hearings - NONE 6. Regular Agenda a. Potential UNC Landfill Gas Project— Update and Request to Proceed • The Board received an update from the County and UNC teams—the third and final report as specified under the Memorandum of Understanding dated January 17, 2008—on the development feasibility of a landfill gas to energy project on Eubanks Road to benefit Carolina North, and to request BOCC authorization to proceed towards final contract negotiations. Gwen Harvey said that on January 15, 2008, the Board agreed to a 90-day period wherein the County could work with UNC regarding the feasibility of a landfill gas to energy project to serve UNC or Carolina North. She said that the partnership has prevailed and presentation is the finished interim project, and the staff is asking the Board's permission to move forward over the next several months, with the target of bringing back a final contract in August that would bring this project into being. This is an extensive team staff effort. She said that there were three different perspectives—engineering, commercial, and legal aspects. She said that the Rogers Road community will have a real interest in what this physical plant will look like and what it will entail from a planning and construction perspective. There is not a graphic presentation ready yet, but this will be built in to whatever happens next, if the Board approves moving forward. Ray Dubose, Director of Energy Services for UNC, said that there is a very good working relationship between the County and the University. He introduced the people that are working on this project. He said that it is very important to the University to have a successful project and he believes that this will be a win-win situation with the University and the County. Laura Blackmon highlighted the timeline and said that a lot of effort has been put into this. She asked for feedback from the Board. Chair Jacobs said that Commissioner Nelson brought up at a work session that when the County Commissioners get blacked out graphics, it is hard to read. Commissioner Nelson thanked all for their work on this project and on the specialized legal services. He said that it is important to have this and is warranted in this case. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Carey to formally authorize the County and UNC teams to move forward in the development of a final contract to be brought back for BOCC consideration, targeting the meeting of August 19, 2008. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Water Conservation Priorities and Initiatives The Board received the "Collaborative Water Conservation Strategies for Joint Consideration by Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County," considered approving the resolution regarding general support for interlocal water conservation strategies, including OWASA's pursuit of water use efficiency conditions of service and authorizing the Chair to sign, and directing staff to continue collaborative work on these water conservation initiatives. Planning Director Craig Benedict said that this has been a collaborative effort between Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and OWASA, and Pat Davis is here from OWASA to answer any questions concerning the strategies. These strategies were described more elaborately at a work session in March. The droughts over the last 5-6 years have prompted these conservation efforts. The strategies are both short- and long-term. The resolution suggests that this collaborative effort continue and that an implementation plan be brought forward. The recommendation is approval of the resolution and to direct staff to continue the collaborative work. Commissioner Foushee said that she is in support of this, but as these efforts are made known, everyone should be aware of the impacts of some of these requirements on future affordable housing. She said that in order for the affordable housing stock to remain affordable when the houses are up for resale, the costs of maintaining the houses must remain affordable. Chair Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Foushee and said that he would like to see the costs for a single-family home to retrofit to be in compliance with #2 at the top of page 3. He thinks that a source of funding will have to be identified to replace the fixtures. Craig Benedict said that the discussion about affordable housing recently has been the cost of maintenance. This will be considered. Chair Jacobs suggested that these strategies, especially the long-term ones, be shared with the Planning Board. He wants to receive a recommendation back to the Board about proceeding with incorporating some of these standards into the ordinance. The Board agreed. Commissioner Carey asked if local school systems were included and Pat Davis said that the CHCCS is OWASA's second largest water user, so it is important for OWASA to pursue whatever partnership approach that it can with the school system to increase water use efficiency, not only in the schools, but by the students that are in the schools. There are discussions with the Superintendent about these issues and cost-effective retrofit opportunities. OWASA has been in touch with one of the makers of efficient toilets, Corona, and it has said that it would provide OWASA 350 high-efficiency toilets, complete with lifetime warrantee and flushing mechanisms for a really great price. OWASA will pursue whatever arrangements that it can to make these strategies cost effective for local governments and for those in the community that truly need the financial support. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to receive the "Collaborative Water Conservation Strategies for Joint Consideration by Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County," approve the resolution regarding general support for interlocal water conservation strategies, including OWASA's pursuit of water use efficiency conditions of service and authorize the Chair to sign, and to direct staff to continue collaborative work on these water conservation initiatives. This motion takes into account the discussion by the County Commissioners above regarding affordable housing. RESOLUTION OF GENERAL SUPPORT FOR INTERLOCAL WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES INCLUDING OWASA'S PURSUIT OF WATER USE EFFICIENCY CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, AND DIRECTING STAFF TO CONTINUE COLLABORATIVE WORK ON THESE INITIATIVES WHEREAS, an adequate and high quality water supply is fundamental to the well-being and sustainability of our community; and WHEREAS, Orange County desires to continue working collaboratively with the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill, and OWASA to ensure the quality and adequacy of our local water resources; and WHEREAS, water conservation and water use efficiency are cornerstones of Orange County's commitment to protect water resources and encouraging sustainable growth and development; and WHEREAS, on February 14, 2008 the OWASA Board of Directors received and strongly endorsed Recommendations regarding Water Conservation Priorities and Initiatives for collaborative action by the Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Carrboro, Orange County and OWASA; NOW THEREFORE, the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby: 1. Express support for the OWASA Board of Directors' February 14, 2008 recommendations to local governments regarding collaborative water conservation strategies including OWASA's proposal to consider establishing water use efficiency requirements as conditions of receiving OWASA water and sewer services for all new development and redevelopment; and 2. Express support of the additional recommendations in the report entitled "Report on Collaborative Water Conservation Strategies for Joint Consideration by Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Orange County and OWASA"dated January, 2008; and 3. Direct the County's staff to work with staff from the Town of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill, and OWASA to more fully develop and evaluate potential implementation strategies, a list of proposed water use efficiency standards and conditions of service, appropriate roles and responsibilities, resource needs and timetable for implementation, etc. 4. Request that OWASA provide a report on the proposed approach and implementation plan for the water use efficiency conditions of service strategy. This Fifteenth day of April 2008. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. Summer Day Camp Proposal The Board considered appropriating funds for sponsorships for certain summer day camp programs in lieu of continuing the County's summer day camp program. Laura Blackmon said that in March the Board of County Commissioners asked her to come back with a recommendation as to how to assist families with summer day camp costs. She said that the County Commissioners have before them a suggestion, but this has not come before the Recreation and Parks Advisory Council yet. The abstract is summarized below: At the March 6, 2008 BOCC Regular Meeting, the Board asked County Manager Laura Blackmon to review and provide information regarding the discontinuance of Orange County's summer day camp program. The County Manager responded to the Board's request with a memorandum dated March 18, 2008 which included information on the number of participants for the County's 2007 summer day camp, the County's 2007 activities related to scholarships or "camperships" for the County's summer day camp, and a recommendation that the County remain on its present course with the discontinuance of the County's summer day camp program. The Board subsequently asked the Manager to develop a scholarship/campership proposal that could be considered concurrently by both the BOCC and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board (RPAC). (Note: RPAC is not scheduled to discuss this item until its April 24, 2008 meeting. Therefore, any information/feedback/recommendations from RPAC will not yet be available at this April 15, 2008 BOCC meeting.) Based on staff discussions, Department of Social Services (DSS) Director Nancy Coston will place on the April 21st DSS agenda a request for the Social Services Board to agree to use one-time funding to subsidize summer day camp participants whose families fall at or below the 200% federal poverty level. This is the same guideline used for DSS childcare subsidy. Since more federal and state funds were received by DSS this year, some of the County funds designated for childcare could be utilized this year to pay for camp. An amount up to $10,000 from DSS's Fiscal Year 2007-2008 budget could be utilized for this purpose. As in past years, other funds such as donations received through the "Send A Kid to Camp" would be used to send foster children to camp. Last summer, the "Sun Fun" camp program cost Parks and Recreation $40,692 in total direct expenditures; this amount does not include indirect costs such as administrative and oversight costs associated with running the program. Revenue generated from fees for the summer camp program totaled $37,053. The County's camp program provided approximately 80 camper slots per week over a seven-week period. Some campers were one-time participants while others attended multiple weeks. The weekly cost to the campers ($80) was reduced by up to half by Parks and Recreation for 223 of these campers, in addition to the 53 camperships granted by DSS. Although Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents were not precluded from benefiting from the summer programs, most of the participants came from the unincorporated areas of the County. The $10,000 from DSS would be principally used to partially offset higher costs associated with alternative camps and, as in the past, would be allocated on a sliding scale basis. To address the loss of the low-cost Parks and Recreation program, the monies proposed would be used for the Cooperative Extension 4-H summer day camp program and the SportsPlex and Orange County Schools summer day camps programs. The Orange County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp cost was $80; cost for the summer 4-H (Summer Sizzle) is $100; SportsPlex Summer Camp costs $185 and the Orange County Schools camp program costs $100. The recommended funds would be provided on a first come basis to those individuals meeting DSS guidelines. The Planning Department has reviewed, at the request of the BOCC, any summer camps that are in violation of County zoning ordinances. At this time, only Spence's' Farm has been identified and that issue is currently scheduled for discussion with the Board of Adjustment at its April 14, 2008 meeting. It is important to note that this proposal addresses the summer day camp scholarship/ campership questions for the current fiscal year. Funding solutions beyond the current fiscal year will need to be addressed in the upcoming 2008-09-budget process. Commissioner Carey said that this is a substantive way to accomplish the same objective of providing summer day camp, and if the staff can assure him that there are enough funds for childcare subsidies, then he could support this. He said that in the years to come this will have to be addressed. Social Services Director Nancy Coston said that there is not a waiting list for childcare and there are sufficient funds for this fiscal year. This plan would involve taking available funds through June 30th, and her expectation would be to budget in the $50,000 for next year. Commissioner Gordon said that this would be taken up by the RPAC on April 22nd and Laura Blackmon said that staff would bring this back on May 1st• Commissioner Carey asked about deadlines for these camps and Commissioner Foushee said that it looks as if there is enough time if the Board of County Commissioners takes action at its May 1st meeting. The Board agreed for the staff to proceed. d. • Draft Interim Solid Waste Plan The Board considered accepting, as information only, the Draft Interim Solid Waste Plan as reviewed by Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) at its April 3, 2008 meeting; authorizing the Solid Waste Management Department with SWAB to establish the May 1, 2008 SWAB meeting as a public meeting for input to the Plan; and further, authorizing staff to set meetings with all three towns to present the draft plan that includes the public input from May 1st. Blair Pollock said that they are coming to the end of the initial phase of putting this plan together. Every three years, the State requires an update of the 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan. In the fall, the staff requested a three-month period to prepare a draft interim plan, and tonight this is an information piece only. This plan will bring the County into compliance and will allow for State grants. Chair Jacobs requested that since the SWAB is holding a public hearing the same night of the Board of County Commissioners' meeting, he would like to have complete minutes from the SWAB meeting when this comes back to the Board of County Commissioners. Blair Pollock said that they would provide all of the minutes. Chair Jacobs made reference to the requirement of having a plan that is in compliance with the State requirements. He asked if the State awards grant money based on having a compliant plan, or if there was incentive for counties to be in compliance. Blair Pollock said that the County is able to apply for and receive grant monies by being compliant. Chair Jacobs made reference to page 6 and the last sentence, "Orange County estimates that is over 75% of the weight received at its C&D landfill that must now be diverted to MSW." He asked if that is the State law that is requiring this or if this is a rule and regulation. Blair Pollock said that he thinks that it is a stipulation and interpretation of the law. Chair Jacobs suggested that staff do a one-paragraph summary of the impact on Orange County and that this be ready for the legislative breakfast on April 21st. He said that this is an unfortunate interpretation. Commissioner Gordon said that it should be highlighted that Orange County is trying to do the right thing and that there was a 48% waste reduction. She suggested having a one- page summary of what Orange County has been doing in solid waste. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve accepting, as information only, the Draft Interim Solid Waste Plan as reviewed by Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) at its April 3, 2008 meeting; to authorize the Solid Waste Management Department with SEAB to establish the May 1, 2008 SWAB meeting as a public meeting for input to the Plan; and further to authorize staff to set meetings with all three towns to present the draft plan that includes the public input from May 1 . VOTE: UNANIMOUS e. Swallow's Ridge— Preliminary Plan The Board received the Administration and Planning Board recommendations on the Preliminary Plan for Swallow's Ridge. Robert Davis made this presentation. Request- Preliminary Plan Applicant: ENT Land Surveys, Inc., (Steve Yuhasz) Agent for owner. Owner: Buzzlitz, LLC Subdivision follows the Conservation-Cluster Option of Flexible Development.. Total acreage is 60.09 acres including proposed right-of-way. Subdivision Type Lots Gross Density % Open Space Acres Open Space 4.29 acres proposed 37.84% 22.23 acres Conservation- proposed proposed Cluster 14 .92 acres required Flexible Option 33% required 19.8 acres required Gross Subdivision Land Area 60.09 acres Area in public road R.O.W. 2.23 acres Area outside of public road R.O.W. 57.86 acres Platted lot area 34.28 acres Area in common open space 22.23 acres (37.84%) Density 1 dwelling unit/4.29 acres Location • West side of University Station Road, 1,300 feet south of intersection with Old NC 10 in Chapel Hill Township. Existing and Proposed Conditions Existing: • Zoning: Agricultural Residential (AR) (min. lot size = 0.92 acres) • The property is in the Lower Eno Protected Watershed • Located in a Rural Designated Area in the Growth Management System. For fewer than 21 lots the normal subdivision process is followed. (ie. Concept plan, Preliminary Plan to the Planning Board and BOCC) • Parcel is located within the Hillsborough Courtesy Review Area Physical Features: • The two streams on the tract as well as the wetland in the northwest corner will be will be part of the open space. • The site is entirely wooded with a mixture of pines and hardwoods, with the exception of the power line easement that runs along the northwest corner of the property, which has been cleared. Some timbering has occurred in the central area of the site. • The topography is gently rolling with a steeper slope along the streams and toward the northeast corner. Adjacent Land Use: • The property is surrounded to the north and west by undeveloped property • To the south and across University Station Road are single family residential parcels Proposed Roads: • Access to the subdivision is from a proposed 1,580 foot long cul-de-sac, Swallow's Court, which intersects with University Station Road. • The road is proposed to be constructed to NCDOT (and County) standards. • NCDOT has approved the road intersection subject to receipt of final engineering plans and an application for a driveway permit at final plat submittal stage. More technical engineering plans will be required prior to final plan approval. • Non Vehicular easements along the entire lot frontage of University Station Road will be labeled on the final plat. • The Planning Board considered a stub out to the west during concept plan approval. Due to topography issues and a stream running along the western property line, the Planning Board did not recommend a stub out. It was also found that the tract west of the subdivision had direct road frontage on Old NC10 (see August. 1, 2007 Planning Board Minutes). Open Space/Buffers: • A Type A, 30-foot land use buffer is shown on the preliminary plan. • The developer proposes 22.23 acres (37.84%) of open space, which the Homeowners Association will own and maintain. All of the open space is wooded with hardwoods and pines except for the area along the power transmission lines through the northwestern portion of the property. 13 of 14 lots have direct access to open space. • 14% of the open space is primary conservation areas. (IV-C-3-b) • No wildlife corridors are located on the property per ERCD and the Orange County "Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats". Water-Sewer: • Individual wells and septic tanks shall service all lots. Recreation: • Eno Chapel Hill Hillsborough Community Park (per the Recreation Service Area • Boundaries Map) • No public parkland dedication is recommended because there are no county recreation and/or open space sites as designated in the Comprehensive Plan on the property. The payment-in-lieu option is recommended (14 lots x $422/lot = $5,908.00). • The Recreation and Parks Advisory Council is recommending payment-in-lieu of publicly dedicated land. • All lots but one have direct access to open space. Lot 13 is across the road from a direct access point. Development Process, Schedule, and Action • First Action: A Neighborhood Information Meeting was held on July 17, 2007. • Second Action: The Concept Plan was approved by the Planning Board on August 1, 2007 with the following conditions: 1. The intersection and road alignments on the Preliminary Plan shall meet NCDOT standards. 2. A dedication of an additional 5 feet of Right of Way, or 35 feet from the centerline of the Right of Way, whichever is greater, will be required along University Station Road. 3. Homeowners Association documents that provide for maintenance of the Open Space shall be submitted with the preliminary plan. Provisions shall be included in the Homeowners Association documents that would prohibit tree cutting in the Open Space except for maintenance purposes. 4. Show location of subdivision sign on Preliminary Plan, and reserve an easement for the sign. 5. Show the Type A land use buffer along University Station Road. 6. Show the location of all public and private recreation areas. 7. Any lighting shall meet Orange County Lighting Standards. The Planning Staff recommended approval of the Preliminary Plan, in accordance with the attached Resolution of Approval which includes items E.3 and E.4. • Third Action: Planning Board reviewed the Preliminary Plan on March 5, 2008 and unanimously recommended approval with the deletion of items E.3 and E.4 from the Recommendation of The Orange County Planning Board. • Steve Yuhasz, the agent for the owner, pointed out that the proposal had 14.95 acres of open space which was 3.81 acres more than the 33 percent or 11.14 acres required. He indicated that this additional open space should count toward the required recreation space and improved recreation space should not be required. He also indicated they were paying the payment in lieu of parkland dedication. The Planning Board agreed with this and deleted items E.3 and E.4 from the Recommendation of The Orange County Planning Board (see attached Planning Board Minutes). The Planning staff recommends approval with items E.3 and E.4 included in the Resolution of Approval. Steve Yuhasz, land surveyor and agent for the owner, said that they are satisfied with the Planning Board's recommendation and the Administration recommendation, with the exception of adding back in the two conditions that the Planning Board dropped. He said that at the Planning Board meeting, the developer agreed to put in a walking trail through the open space. The issue is not whether or not a walking trail will go in there, but exactly how it goes in and how much area it will encompass. He said that, in general, part of the zoning ordinance that is being applied here to create this requirement of private recreation space is being misapplied in subdivisions of this variety. He said that what is being calculated for this subdivision does not make sense, particularly if what the staff is saying is that none of the open space that is being provided counts towards that private recreation space area. If that is the case, then this subdivision is being penalized for providing open space and creating lots bigger than the minimum: • Chair Jacobs said that the issue Mr. Yuhasz is referring to is on page 7, items 3 and 4. Robert Davis said that if the developer provided more open space under this plan, then recreation space would be less. What drives the number is the 2.8% of the total. In answer to a question from Commissioner Nelson, Geof Gledhill said that the Homeowner's Association could prohibit any active use of the open space requirement in the regulations that says that the recreation must be active. He thinks that it is not reasonable for the staff to say that the 35% open space cannot be counted as recreation space. Geof Gledhill said that the focus is on making sure the property is put into the Homeowner's Association (HOA) agreement, and that it remains open space. The priority in regulations with respect to open space is not active recreation. Commissioner Gordon made reference to page 7, # 3 and #4, and asked if this was passed, could the HOA put it into the open space. She said that it is not a lot of acreage. Robert Davis provided some additional information. Steve Yuhasz said that the developer has already committed to a trail, and the question is how many trees have to be cut down to make this trail. The developer does not want to have to make a commitment to cut down an acre's worth of trees to create the trail. Robert Davis said that only the limbs will be cut. Steve Yuhasz said that the Planning staff is saying to the developers that they have to provide 33% open space, but none of it will be counted as recreation space. This does not make sense, but penalizes them for providing open space. Geof Gledhill said that the issue is whether the open space will count toward active recreation space. If the open space is only for visual amenity, it is not active recreation space. He said that one way to get resolution of this is to have the applicant come back with a plan about what the trail system might look like. Chair Jacobs said that he does not see anywhere where it says "improved trail". He said that the whole issue of how to count the open space is something the Planning Board should look at. He said that there should be some recognition or incentive that the developer went above and beyond the open space requirement. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon to refer this back to staff to work with the developer to resolve the issue about active recreation, open space and the trail system. Chair Jacobs made reference to page 25 and the DOT letter regarding accepting the roads for public maintenance. He asked if this had been addressed. Steve Yuhasz said that, as a general rule, detailed road construction plans are never submitted to DOT until there has been preliminary plan approval because the road alignment and other things might need to change. Chair Jacobs asked clarifying questions about the stub out issue. He said that there is plenty of language in the ordinance that talks about the importance of connectivity. Chair Jacobs verified that the Planning staff recommended the stub out, but the Planning Board did not. Geof Gledhill said that the reason that the administration is ok with the recommendation about the stub out is not because of ordinance problems, but because of the way this property lines up with the adjoining property. There are environmental issues with pushing the road west through this property. Chair Jacobs encouraged the developer to write in some things for the HOA that are energy efficient (i.e., grass that does not need to be watered, allowing clotheslines, etc.). Mark O'Neil with Pickett-Sprouse Real Estate was representing the developer. He encouraged the Board of County Commissioners to look at the color diagram and the greenways. He said that it has always been the intent of the developer to put in a nice trail system. He said that, generally, there would be a big piece of equipment that would be driven through, dodging the bigger and nicer trees, but there will always be choices about which trees to cut. He said that the point is that the ordinance penalizes someone who is trying to do the right thing. Chair Jacobs said that this item would be put on the consent agenda for May 1st. Commissioner Foushee seconded Commissioner Gordon's motion above, with the addition about the road system. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 7. Reports - NONE 8. Board Comments Commissioner Gordon congratulated Commissioner Foushee on her retirement from the Town of Chapel Hill on March 31st Commissioner Gordon said that the Board gets green sheets about the completeness of the agenda packets and all was complete this time, so the staff is to be commended. Commissioner cordon said that the Commission for the Environment met recently and discussed the question of bio-solids, and their application on land in Orange County. Commissioner Gordon said that the Hollow Rock Design Committee met and one of the design issues is that Pickett Road goes through the middle. Staff will be making a report on this issue. Commissioner Foushee— no comment. Commissioner Nelson — no comment. Commissioner Carey— no comment. Chair Jacobs pointed out the agenda for the April 17th meeting at their places. Chair Jacobs said that the County Commissioners no longer seem to be getting the pending items or any summary on all of the pending items that have not been addressed. He would still like to see this. Chair Jacobs said that the Library groundbreaking is on April 17th at 11:30 a.m. Regarding the open house of the Gateway Center, he did hear complaints from citizens about having to pay for parking. He said that he does not want people to have to pay to park in order to exercise the right to pay taxes. Chair Jacobs apologized and said that somehow it got past him that the legislative breakfast with our legislative delegation is on Monday and the legislative committee has not been asked to meet to prepare recommendations for the discussion. At the breakfast, he would like to bring up the issue of C&D waste as well as the possibility of counties taking on more responsibility for road construction. Commissioner Gordon said that the TAC of the DCHC-MPO did get a report about the possibility of a 1/2-cent sales tax for transportation. At their next meeting, the MPO is going to try and work out some principles for how to proceed with this issue. 9. County Manager's Report Laura Blackmon said that the agenda packets for Thursday night have an agenda item for pay and benefits and it was not complete today. This will be emailed to the County Commissioners. She said that the County has hired an Emergency Services Director who will be starting next Monday. Also, the County has begun advertising for an in-house staff attorney, and they are getting very close to choosing an Economic Development Director. 10. Appointments a. Affordable Housing Advisory Board — New Appointment The Board considered making a new appointment to the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. A motion was made by Commissioner Foushee, seconded by Commissioner Carey to appoint Lynda Baker to a partial term ending June 30, 2010. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Arts Commission — New Appointment The Board considered making a new appointment to the Arts Commission. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to appoint Gordon Jameson to a full term ending March 31, 2011. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. Human Services Advisory Commission— New Appointment The Board considered making a new appointment to the Human Services Advisory Commission. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to appoint Suzanne Deobald to a partial term ending March 31, 2009. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 11. Information Items-NONE 12. Closed Session-NONE 13. Adiournment A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to adjourn the meeting at 10:28 pm. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Barry Jacobs, Chair Donna S. Baker, CMC Clerk to the Board Orange County water supply reservoir water levels Available information as of 1:00 PM, Thursday, April 10, 2008 Lake Orange • The lake is full and spilling. As of midnight April 6th, the Eno Capacity Use restrictions were rescinded as the instream flow in the Eno had risen above the flow target of 10 cfs average for 7 consecutive days. • Water storage capacity is at 100% (424 million gallons) • Approximately 141 days of water supply remaining (at Capacity Use specified release rate). In accordance with provisions of the County's Water Conservation Ordinance and in light of the increased water level in Lake Orange, the BOCC may elect to curtail the County's Water Conservation Ordinance Stage I Voluntary provisions for individual water users, or, given the ongoing drought, may also elect to keep Water Conservation Ordinance voluntary provisions in force. • The Hillsborough gauge indicates that the latest Eno River flows are at approximately 39 cfs (approximately 25 mgd). This flow represents a level that is approximately 10 cfs below the historical median flow for this time of year. • Orange Alamance continues to operate its water plant with average withdrawals of 300,000 gallons per day, each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. West Fork Reservoir (as of 04/10/2008 [last available updaten • Water level is 18" below spilling • Water storage capacity remaining is 94.5% • Approximately 369 days of water supply remaining (assuming Town's current release rate of 2.2 cfs (1.4 mgd)). • The Town is currently releasing its minimum required instream flow release (2.2 cfs). • The Town's water customers have remained in Stage I —voluntary water restrictions since October, 2007. OWASA Reservoirs • Water level at Cane Creek Reservoir is 7'-8" below full • Water level at University Lake is 0' — 1/4" below full • Total remaining water storage capacity is approximately 70.0 % • Approximately 403 days of water supply remain (at the current 30-day average daily demand [6.2 million gallons per day]) • On February 28, 2008, the OWASA Board voted to implement OWASA's Stage III Water Shortage restrictions, effective March 1. The local governments having civil jurisdiction over OWASA customers implemented those restrictions by proclamation on February 29. The OWASA board has since reaffirmed its decisions on Stage III water restrictions and tier rates. National Weather Service/NOAA Regional Precipitation data (through 3/30/2008) (inches above F+1 or below [-1 normal) RDU Piedmont-Triad +1.94" since March 1, 2008 +1.54" since March 1, 2008 -8.37" since January 1, 2007 -13.17" since January 1, 2007 -1.13" since January 1, 2008 -1.50" since January 1, 2008 Miscellaneous notes The NC Drought Management Advisory Council drought map, last updated April 8, 2008, indicates that the entirety of Orange County has been upgraded to "severe drought", the third severity level of their rating system. We had previously been rated "exceptional drought", which is the fifth and most dry rating.