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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09-04-2014 APPROVED 10/7/2014 MINUTES BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING September 4, 2014 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building, in Hillsborough, N.C. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jacobs and Commissioners Mark Dorosin, Alice M. Gordon, Earl McKee, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Assistant County Managers Clarence Grier, Cheryl Young and Clerk to the Board Donna 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. Chair Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1. Additions or Chanqes to the Aqenda Chair Jacobs noted the following items at the Commissioner's places: - Guide to Orange County Government - White Sheet—Tips for a Successful Meeting - Green Sheet—Arts Grant Recipients - Pink Sheet— Update to Item 5-e -Yellow Sheet— Proposed addition to the agenda - White Packet— Report on Planning items - Handout regarding recycling containers A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price to add the proposed resolution: A Resolution Commemoratinq Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church on the 150t" Anniversary of its Foundinq to the consent the agenda as item 6-m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS ***SPECIAL PRESENTATION Chair Jacobs introduced Jeff Thompson to provide a short presentation on the new Whitted Meeting facility. Jeff Thompson presented a collage of pictures of the Whitted facility's past use, and he outlined its history. He said this building is an excellent example of the Board-adopted space use criteria of co-location, centralization, and sustainable building and operational practices. He thanked the Board of County Commissioners for their leadership in preserving and using this historic landmark. He thanked several individuals, staff inembers, government partners and the project team for their dedicated and diligent work on this project. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Jacobs dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 2. Public Comments a. Matters not on the Printed Aqenda Don O'Leary said fluoride is a neurotoxin, and it needs to be removed from their water supply. He discussed the dangers and the social implications of fluoridation. He asked the Commissioners to research this issue. Corey Stermer said he has lived in this area for 28 years. He said about 99 percent of the water he has ever drunk has been from the public water supply, and he cannot think of a more important issue to address than what is in that water. He said there is a total lack of moral, scientific, or medical study regarding adding fluoride to the water to prevent tooth decay. He said the precautionary principle states that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or the environment, in the absence of scientific proof that it is not harmful, the burden of proof falls on the Board or government taking the action. He said there are a lot of recent studies that indicate that fluoride might be harmful, and a recent journal added it to a list of potential neurotoxins for children. He said on a legal level there are criminal sanctions for those who distribute drugs for a medical purpose without a license, and fluoride is a drug. His point is that the County should not medicate people against their will. He said the responsibility is on the government to prove that this is not harmful. Zach Davidson said he attended an OWASA board meeting, and he witnessed a public admission that their fluoride products were acquired from the aluminum and fertilizer industries. He said these fluoride products are distributed under the auspices of a dental benefit. He said his main question is how public fluoridation is able to exist on the idea that it is innocuous when it is actually a chemical by-product. He said a lot of the chemicals that operate under the heading of fluoride are not simple compounds, and some of them are dangerous corrosive materials. He questioned why, amidst the plethora of conflicting scientific studies, fluoride is subsidized by public funds. He feels that this should be a civil rights issue. Mattie Rose Crowder referred to an article regarding overexposure to fluoride and the condition of dental fluorosis. She said the article also suggested that fluoride has no positive effect on teeth if ingested. She said the current form of fluoride that is used in water supplies is a by-product of the phosphate fertilizer industry. She cited multiple studies on the reasons for tooth decay. She said for multiple reasons, fluoride should be taken out of the water supply. b. Matters on the Printed Aqenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Petitions by Board Members Commissioner Price said she is opposed to war, and she feels it is an ugly part of humanity, but she still feels that the County should be honoring those who serve in the military and veterans. She said there is no space in Orange County that recognizes veterans or those who serve. She petitioned for the establishment of a task force or ad hoc committee to look at how the County could begin to show respect and honor to the members of the military who have served in wars and conflict to protect the United States. She suggested that this committee should be comprised of Orange County staff from the Veteran Services Office, family and community members. Commissioner porosin said the County put out an announcement today, based on the advice of the attorney, concerning the EPA investigation with Rogers Road and stating that the County can now move forward with improvements to the Rogers Road Community. Commissioner porosin petitioned the Board to reach out to their partners directly and inform them of this change as well as the County's continued commitment to the improvements. He suggested that this be done expeditiously, as there is an upcoming meeting regarding Chapel Hill's extension of the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) to the Rogers Road area. He asked that the manager or the Chair reach out to the town. Commissioner porosin said several months ago he made a petition about a gun buy- back program and he asked about the status of this. Chair Jacobs said this was referred to the county attorney, and he may have referred it to the sheriff. He said this will be revisited at the next agenda review. Chair Jacobs said when he was at the National Association of County's Convention, there was a booth from the NC Solar Center, now called the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center. He said there is a program in the city of Raleigh that involves the practical application of solar technology to all of their buildings. He would like to petition County staff to see if the clean energy staff can come to Hillsborough for a discussion. He said he is in favor of getting the County off the grid and using more natural technology. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. Oranqe County Arts Grant Recipients The Board presented checks to local artists and nonprofit organizations receiving spring 2014 Orange County Arts Grants. Commissioner McKee presented the checks while Chair Jacobs called out the recipients. The Board acknowledged the following local recipients: Spring, 2014 OCAC Arts Grant Recipients Recipient: Attendee(s): ArtsCenter - Jeri Lynn Schulke Cedar Ridge High School - Keith Yow, Carmine Prioli, Hunter Thompson, lan Surman, Cody Gainey, Jose Martinez Compass Center for Women and Families - Ardith Burkes Deep Dish Theater Company - Liz Thorpe Estes Hills Elementary School PTA - Meredith Lassiter Franklin Street Arts Collective dba FRANK Gallery - Gordon Jameson Free Spirit Freedom Program of Hillsborough Arts Council — Thomas Watson Glenwood Elementary School PTA - Dana Gelin Hillsborough Arts Council - Tinka Jordy Lindsay Ann Leach-Sparks - Lindsay Leach-Sparks McDougle Elementary School PTA - Rachael Cruickshank Music Maker Relief Foundation - Denise Duffy Paul M. Neebe - Paul Neebe Northside Elementary School - Ben Davis Sacrificial Poets - CJ Suitt SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals - Kirsten Beattie Town of Carrboro/Recreation & Parks Dept. (Carrboro Music Festival) — Rah Trost Barbara Tyroler - Gordon Jameson b. "The Nature of Oranqe" Photoqraphy Contest Recoqnition The Board recognized and thanked the winners and participants of"The Nature of Orange" 2014 Photography Contest. Rich Shaw reviewed the following background information: The Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) presented its third annual "The Nature of Orange" Photography Contest, which culminated on May 16, 2014. The contest was advertised from February 2014 through the May 16th via the Orange County DEAPR website, advisory boards, local newspapers, and the Orange County DEAPR Program Guide. The goal of the contest is to inspire exploration, celebration and appreciation of Orange County's diverse landscapes and outdoor experiences. Photographers of all ages documented the beauty of the County's wildlife, waterways, natural resources, and people connecting to their environment. One hundred and fifty seven (157) photographs were submitted, and from these photographs, first, second and third place winners were chosen from the youth and adult divisions by a panel of three judges. Winners received a small monetary award and will have their photographs displayed at the Orange County Public Library, Visitors Center, and John Link Government Services Center. In addition, winning photographs are displayed on the Orange County DEAPR website and all entries are featured on the Orange County DEAPR Facebook and Flicker pages. http://www.co.orange.nc.us/deapr/photographycontestwinners.asp Rich Shaw showed the winning photos and read the names of the winners and participants. Commissioner Gordon distributed the certificates. The Board recognized and thanked all of the contest winners and all those who participated in the photo contest. 5. Public Hearinqs a. Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendments for Aqricultural Support Enterprises Within the Rural Buffer Land Use Classification — Defer Public Hearinq Process to November 18, 2014 (No Additional Oral Comments Accepted) The Board considered deferring the public hearing process on the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) zoning text amendments pertaining to Agricultural Support Enterprises within the Rural Buffer land use classification to November 18, 2014. Perdita Holtz reviewed the following background information: This item was presented at the February 24, 2014 Quarterly Public Hearing. It was noted at the hearing that concurrent amendments to the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and Agreement (JPA) were necessary in order for the County to adopt the proposed UDO zoning amendments. The JPA land use amendments, which were heard at the March 27, 2014 joint public hearing, must be approved by the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and Orange County. The Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted the JPA land use amendments at its June 3, 2014 meeting. The Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro considered the amendments at meetings in June, but opted to continue to contemplate the JPA amendments, with the Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen in particular noting it wished to delve into the details of the UDO zoning amendment, which would implement the JPA land use amendments. It is anticipated that the JPA land use amendments, with discussion about the related UDO zoning amendments, will be on Town agendas sometime in September. Perdita Holtz said the purpose tonight is solely to further defer action on the proposed text amendments until November 18, 2014 in order to allow additional time for necessary amendments to be made to the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and Agreement. She said Commissioner Gordon provided some clarifying language regarding the reason for the deferred hearing, and this is on the pink sheet at the Commissioners' places. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Price for the Board to: 1. Open the public hearing, and 2. Defer the hearing by adjourning it to November 18, 2014 in order to allow time for the necessary amendments to the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and Agreement to be further considered, including the language changes made by Commissioner Gordon. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6. Consent Aqenda • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda Commissioner Rich requested the removal of item 6-g. • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded Commissioner McKee by to approve the remaining items on the consent agenda. VOTE: UNANIMOUS • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda 6�c- Professional Services Aqreement— Tourism Advertisinq by Clean Desiqn The Board considered approving a professional services agreement for tourism marketing and advertising with Clean Design and authorizing the Chair to sign. Commissioner Rich said Clean Design has done a great job and has been extremely helpful to the Visitor's Bureau. She said their support had put a spotlight on Orange County locally and in other areas. She said she just wanted to bring special attention to this. Commissioner Price said the advertising is great, but she would like to also see them highlight the cultural and ethnic diversity of Orange County. Laurie Paolicelli asked for clarification. Commissioner Price said some of the advertising is homogenous, and she suggested that they might seek out more diversity. Commissioner Rich asked if Orange County has a policy to ensure that outside vendors are fair and equal to their employees and pay a living wage. John Roberts said there was a recent statute that said local governments cannot require certain things from contractors. He said he will research this further. Chair Jacobs said Orange County has looked at trying to require all vendors to pay a living wage, but this policy has not been adopted. He said it is good to have the attorney look at this again. Commissioner Price asked if it is illegal to ask a vendor if they have certain issues, such as with LGBT. John Roberts said it would not be illegal to ask the question, but it would potentially be against statute not to select a vendor due to something of that nature. Chair Jacobs said staff could do a google search to identify any issues. John Roberts said staff could do that. A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Price to approve a professional services agreement for tourism marketing and advertising with Clean Design and authorized the Chair to sign. VOTE: UNANIMOUS a. Minutes The Board approved the minutes from April 8, 29, May 20, 22, 27 and June 3, 17 as submitted by the Clerk to the Board. b. Motor Vehicles Property Tax Releases/Refunds The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, to release motor vehicle property tax values for twenty-four (24) taxpayers with a total of twenty-eight (28) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue, in accordance with NCGS. c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, to release property tax values for nineteen (19) taxpayers with a total of twenty-eight (28) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue, in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 105-381. d. Applications for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion The Board approved nine (9) untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem taxation for nine (9) bills for the 2014 tax year. e. Tax Collector's Annual Settlement for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 The Board received the tax collector's annual settlement on current and delinquent taxes, approved by resolution the accounting thereof, and upon acceptance of the reports, issued the Order to Collect for Fiscal Year 2014-2015. f. Bid Award — Commercial Collection Truck for Recyclinq The Board awarded a bid to Freightliner of Houston, 9550 North Loop East, Houston, TX 77029 and GS Products, 322 Lavansville Road, Somerset, PA 15501 for a Commercial Recycling Collection Truck at a delivered cost of$186,838.78 for the Recycling Division of the Solid Waste Management Department. h. Performance Aqreement Between the Town of Chapel Hill and Visitors Bureau The Board approved and authorized the Manager to sign the 2014-2015 performance agreement between the Town of Chapel Hill and the Visitors Bureau. i. Chanqes in BOCC Reqular Meetinq Schedule for 2014 The Board approved the following two changes to the Board of County Commissioners' regular meeting calendar for 2014: changing the start time for the Joint Meeting with Mebane, scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2014 to 5:30 p.m. with the meeting to start at 6:00 p.m.; and changing the date of the Assembly of Governments Meetings (AOG) from Thursday, November 20, 2014 to Wednesday, November 19, 2014 starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough. j. Resolution for the Naminq of the Cedar Grove Community Center The Board approved a resolution to officially rename the Northern Human Services Center to the Cedar Grove Community Center consistent with the County Property Naming Policy; and authorized the Chair to sign the resolution on behalf of the Board. k. Amendments to the Oranqe County Code of Ordinances Reqardinq Personnel The Board amended Chapter 28 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances to remove the Clerk to the Board as secretary of the Personnel Hearing Board, to clarify certain inconsistencies, and to modify deadlines within the ordinance and authorized the Chair to sign. I. Facilities Use Policy Amendment for Inclusion of Whitted Meetinq Facilities The Board amended the County's Facilities Use Policy to recognize and govern the new Whitted Meeting Facilities. m. A Resolution Commemoratinq Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church on the 150t" Anniversary of its Foundinq The Board approved a Resolution Commemorating Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church on the 150th Anniversary of its Founding. 7. Reqular Aqenda a. Resolution — Community Use of Schools Facilities for Recreation The Board considered approving a resolution from the Intergovernmental Parks (IP) Work Group supporting the use of school facilities for community recreation purposes and authorizing the Chair to sign. Dave Stancil said this issue has been a topic of much discussion over the years. He said finding ways for public use of gymnasiums, playing fields, and tracks has long been a desirable goal for local athletic programs and leagues as well as public usage, and it promotes public health goals. He said the potential for use of these facilities is also an opportunity to avoid future costs by precluding or delaying the need for expensive facilities for local sports leagues. He said in 2007 the IP Work Group reviewed current policies; identified key shared issues and assumptions, and from those developed ten (10) guiding principles and three (3) recommendations, which are outlined in Attachment 2. Dave Stancil said the narrative of this document recognizes that accommodation of facilities for public use at the high school and middle school level is more difficult due to the volume of interscholastic use. He said more opportunities were seen at the elementary schools, and there have been efforts to include more fields and facilities in the past several years. He said the guiding principles were eventually adopted by all of the local governments, and school systems began to look at their policies and ask for more information about specific desired usages. He said things then came to a standstill until 2013, when the workgroup again took up the banner to address these issues. Dave Stancil said in 2013 both school systems reworked their policies and revamped their websites to be more user-friendly. He said the memorandum and resolution included in the packet were created by the IP Work Group and is the outcome of that effort. To date the resolution has been adopted by: Orange County Schools Board of Education (March 24, 2014) Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen (April 8, 2014) Town of Hillsborough Board of Commissioners (April 14, 2014) Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools Board of Education (May 15, 2014) Town of Chapel Hill Town Council (June 23, 2014) (Note: City of Mebane did not participate due to lack of school facilities in Orange County). Dave Stancil said this resolution is brought before the Board tonight to complete the process and enable staffs to begin working toward more specific actions to facilitate the usage of facilities. He noted that Commissioner Gordon and Commissioner Rich were a part of this work group. Meredith Stewart said the Health Department is interested in the community use of schools as it relates to their work with the issue of childhood obesity. She passed out a letter to the Commissioners which outlines these issues and the fact that the last community health assessment revealed a need for more access to parks and recreation spaces. She said the Health Department supports the shared use of school facilities for community members. Commissioner Gordon said this is something she has been working on since 2008, and there has been great collaboration between the schools, County and towns. She said this is a thing that has been a long time coming, and she is very pleased. Commissioner porosin asked if the substance of this resolution is to help them move forward with a program for shared use of the facilities. Dave Stancil said yes, and the purpose is also to make it cost effective for local governments and public entities to use school facilities. Commissioner McKee said he would echo Commissioner Gordon's comments, and it will be a relief to be able to answer community questions about this issue. Commissioner Rich said this passed wholeheartedly by the school systems and OWASA. She said there was a mutual agreement that these green spaces should be able to be used at an affordable rate. Chair Jacobs noted that he had participated in this process in 2008 as well. Chair Jacobs said in the past everything was always trumped by the principals and/or the athletic directors. He said he hopes that progress has been made with this sticking point. Dave Stancil said there has been some progress here, but it is an issue they will continue to work on. Commissioner Gordon said the two school systems did change their policies, which will facilitate this going forward. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner McKee for the Board to adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution supporting Community Use of School Facilities for Recreation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Approval of an Easement for Two Interpretive Siqns in River Park The Board considered approving an easement to permit the Town of Hillsborough to erect two interpretive sign panels along the public walkway within the County-owned River Park and authorizing the Chair to sign. Peter Sandbeck presented a series of PowerPoint maps and pictures of the Town of Hillsborough's new Riverwalk trail, and he reviewed the following background information: The Town of Hillsborough has recently completed a major section of the new Riverwalk, a walking/hiking/bike trail that runs along the Eno River. The trail extends westward from the County-owned River Park (behind the Justice Facility) to Gold Park in West Hillsborough. The new Riverwalk is also a key section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The project includes the installation of ten (10) new custom-fabricated interpretive signs, to be placed at regular intervals along the Riverwalk. He said two of these signs are proposed for location on County-owned property in the River Park. It is standard County policy to require an easement for the placement of any sign on County-owned property. The County Attorney has prepared a draft sign easement to initiate this process. This document has also been reviewed and accepted for form by the Town's attorney. Each sign will have a special focus on a topic relating to the history, culture or natural history of the Town and/or County. The content for each sign was developed by an expert committee of local historians, residents, museum specialists and knowledgeable residents assembled by the Town for this purpose. Committee members carried out the research and developed the story lines and images. The signs proposed for location on County property will focus on two themes. The first sign will relate the history of the County's courthouses with a focus on the present Old Courthouse and the Town Clock. The second sign will tell the story of the now vanished African-American community that once existed on the River Park property. Peter Sandbeck said public input for these signs was extensive, and he feels they will be an excellent addition to the trail. Chair Jacobs noted that the dedication for the Riverwalk is October 11, at 1 p.m. and everyone is invited to attend. Peter Sandbeck said that staff will be following the new protocol regarding the protection of cultural resources, and there will be an archaeologist on hand to supervise the post hole digging. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price for the Board to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proposed easement document once it has been signed by the Town of Hillsborough. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 8. Report - NONE 9. County Manaqer's Report Bonnie Hammersley updated the Board on the following Orange County capital building projects: ■ Rogers Road Eubanks Road Community Center- This project is ahead of schedule, within budget and estimated for completion in October ■ Cedar Grove Community Center- This project will be ready to solicit construction bids later this year. The construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2015, with projected completion in early 2016. ■ Orange County Sportsplex lobby project—This is on schedule and should be completed by October 31 tn ■ Orange County Sportsplex mezzanine project—This project was approved by the Board as part of 2014-15 budget, and the formal request for qualifications will occur this fall. ■ Southern Human Services Center campus project—This project is in the pre- development planning and discussion phase, and it will come back to board with project scope recommendations and a request to engage the project design team. 10. County Attorney's Report John Roberts referred to the previous question from Commissioner Rich about outside vendors paying a living wage. He said he was able to look up the statute, and he read it as follows: § 153A-449. Contracts with private entities; contractors must use E-Verify. (a) Authority. -A county may contract with and appropriate money to any person, association, or corporation, in order to carry out any public purpose that the county is authorized by law to engage in. A county may not require a private contractor under this section to abide by any restriction that the county could not impose on all employers in the county, such as paying minimum wage or providing paid sick leave to its employees, as a condition of bidding on a contract. John Roberts said this only limits the County from requiring contractors to abide by whatever miscellaneous terms the County chose to require. He said the early inspection that was mentioned would be fine under these terms. John Roberts said the state legislature adjourned two weeks ago. He said he usually does a legislative report, but he is having surgery next week on his arm. He will provide this report as soon as he can. John Roberts referred to the press release that was put out today. He encouraged the Board to move forward with caution since there is an open federal investigation. He said he has been told that the investigation has been closed, but a decision letter has not been issued. He does not perceive the same level of risk at this point. . 11. Appointments - NONE 12. Board Comments Commissioner porosin said he was at the Orange County ABC board meeting this month, and they are having record breaking sales. He said there are some controls by state statute regarding how much money the ABC can retain. He said it is likely that the ABC board will bump up against those caps. He asked the Chair and Vice Chair to reach out to this board for a greater amount of that money to come back to the County. Commissioner Price said she would like to see a detailed report on the small business loan program. She would like to see information on demographics, gender, age and reasons for denial, to see how successful this program is and what may need to be done. Commissioner McKee said he will pass this along to Steve Brantley, since he is on this board. Commissioner McKee said about 50 years ago he sat in this same spot in the Whitted Building for his final Junior High piano recital. Commissioner McKee said he provided landscape materials for Habitat for Humanity homes in the Rogers Road area. He said he also took an unofficial tour of the Rogers Road community center and it is close to fruition. Commissioner McKee said Orange County Schools (OCS) has invited him to serve on a board to help with their strategic plan and mission statement. He said are about 40 people invited to participate with this group from all sectors and ethnic groups. Commissioner McKee said he hopes that the Board would re-invite OCS to use this Whitted facility. Commissioner Pelissier said she has stepped down from the alternate position with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), since she also serves with Triangle Transit. She said someone else needs to be appointed to the MPO before Commissioner Gordon retires. Commissioner Pelissier said the Orange-Durham express route, which started on August 18th, already has an average of 25 riders per day. She also said the new Sunday service in Chapel Hill had 573 riders. Commissioner Pelissier said the final draft environmental statement for the light rail will be issued next spring for public comment, but there will also be several public sessions this fall. She said one of these will be in Orange County on Tuesday, Nov. 18th at the Friday Center. Commissioner Pelissier attended the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) conference. She said she attended a great agricultural session, as well as a crisis communication session too. Commissioner Pelissier said she attended an Artforce conference in Greensboro today, which focuses on arts and agriculture to power economic development in rural areas. She said there were some good ideas that came from that conference regarding the role of counties in supporting arts and agriculture. Commissioner Gordon said the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHCMPO) has renamed its policy board the MPO Board. She said there will be a meeting on September 10th, and she will give an update after that. Commissioner Gordon said the strategic communications work group has been meeting over the summer. She said she and Commissioner Rich are serving on this and will have an update at the September 11 th work session. She said they would like the Board of County Commissioners' opinion to make sure this is going in the right direction. Chair Jacobs said the issue of an alternate voting Commissioner for the MPO will be discussed at the agenda review meeting. Chair Jacobs referred to Commissioner McKee's comment about re-inviting OCS to use the Whitted facility. He said this can be discussed at their joint meeting on September 30tn Chair Jacobs referred to Commissioner porosin's comments about the increased ABC sales. He noted the Compass Center's report that domestic violence is going up, and he said alcohol is a key factor in this. He suggested staff gather more information about documented incidents related to alcohol use, and said money could be targeted to services to address this. Chair Jacobs said Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) has met once and will meet four more times by the end of October. He said the group had had full attendance so far and hopes to move expeditiously. Chair Jacobs said he and the manager met with Chancellor Folt a couple of months ago and discussed areas of mutual interest, including the SWAG. He said SWAG formally voted to add two UNC representatives to the group, and the chancellor received a letter to that effect. He said he also toured the new hospital in Hillsborough, which has 67 beds, free parking, close proximity to the interstate, and operating rooms that are twice as large as the ones in Chapel Hill. He said this facility will be a tremendous health care improvement for people living in this part of the County, and it is scheduled to open in December. Chair Jacobs said staff is working on providing a tour of the County to the Chancellor sometime in the upcoming months. Chair Jacobs said he, Commissioner Rich and Commissioner Price attended the National Association of Counties (NACo) conference in July. He said he attended several sessions on jail alternatives. Chair Jacobs attended the mayors/chairs meeting at TJCOG. He said one of the members of the staff of the North Carolina League of Municipalities stated that he felt that there had been improvements with where cities stand with the legislature. He said many of the urban representatives took issue with this statement. He said he did not realize that there were discussions about abolishing the article 46 sales tax as well as ETJs. Chair Jacobs said the Board wanted to express their best wishes to Thomas Crowder, a Raleigh City Councilman, who has just announced his retirement due to a medical illness. Chair Jacobs said he will be missed and was a true public servant. 13. Information Items • June 17, 2014 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List • Tax Collector's Report - Numerical Analysis • Tax Collector's Report - Measure of Enforced Collections • Tax Assessor's Report - Releases and Refunds under $100 • Memorandum Regarding Implementation of Rural Area Recycling Roll Carts — Information Report • Memorandum Regarding the Permitting of Artist Studios • Memorandum Regarding State Clarification of What Constitutes Impervious Surface • Memorandum Regarding Economic Development Follow-up Items • Memorandum Regarding State of the Environment 2014 and Environmental Summit • BOCC Chair Letter Regarding Petitions from June 17, 2014 Regular Board Meeting 14. Closed Session A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to go into closed session at 8:49 p.m. for the purpose of: Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11.(a)(9), "To discuss and take action regarding plans to protect public safety as it relates to existing or potential terrorist activity and to receive briefings by staff inembers, legal counsel, or law enforcement or emergency service officials concerning actions taken or to be taken to respond to such activity." VOTE: UNANIMOUS RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner McKee to reconvene into regular session at 9:20pm. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 15. Adiournment A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to adjourn the meeting at 9:20pm. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Barry Jacobs, Chair Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board