HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-16-2015 - 6a 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 16, 2015
Action Agenda
Item No. 6-a
SUBJECT: MINUTES
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Baker, 245-2130
Draft Minutes
PURPOSE: To correct and/or approve the minutes as submitted by the Clerk to the Board as
listed below:
April 23, 2015 BOCC Joint Meeting with Town of Hillsborough
April 28, 2015 BOCC Joint Meeting with the Schools
May 5, 2015 BOCC Regular Meeting
BACKGROUND: In accordance with 153A-42 of the General Statutes, the Governing Board
has the legal duty to approve all minutes that are entered into the official journal of the Board's
proceedings.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: NONE
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve minutes as
presented or as amended.
1
I Attachment 1
2
3 DRAFT MINUTES
4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
6 JOINT MEETING
7 April 23, 2015
8 7:00 p.m.
9
10 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Joint Meeting with the Town of
11 Hillsborough Commissioners on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., in the Whitted Building,
12 in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
13
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Earl McKee and Commissioners Mia
15 Burroughs, Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, and Bernadette Pelissier
16 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Penny Rich and Renee Price
17 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: James Bryan, Staff Attorney
18 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley and Assistant County
19 Manager Cheryl Young, and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker (All other staff members will be
20 identified appropriately below)
21 HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Mayor Tom Stevens and Kathleen
22 Ferguson, Commissioners Eric Hallman, Brian Lowen, Evelyn Lloyd, and Jenn Weaver
23 HILLSBOROUGH COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
24 HILLSBOROUGH STAFF PRESENT: Margaret Hauth, Planning Director
25 HILLSBOROUGH TOWN STAFF ABSENT: Town Manager, Eric Peterson
26
27 Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
28
29 Welcome and Opening Remarks
30 Chair McKee said Commissioner Price is unable to attend due to a North Carolina
31 Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) meeting, and Commissioner Rich had a
32 conflict.
33 Mayor Stevens recognized the meeting room, its usefulness, and the County's generosity
34 in allowing it to be used for community matters. He said Commissioner Lloyd would be late.
35 He said Town Manager Eric Peterson would be unable to attend tonight, and Planning Director
36 Margaret Hauth would be attending in his place.
37
38 1.) Transportation/Transit
39 a) Bus Circulator Routes
40 Peter Murphy, Orange County Public Transportation Administrator, said there have been
41 some changes made on the Hillsborough bus circulator, as of March 2, 2015. He said the staff
42 looked at the route, the difficulty of keeping it on time, and how to improve timeliness as well as
43 how to serve other areas. He added the changes have been successful to date, with consistent
44 timeliness. He said some of the changes involved getting the bus out from under 1-85. He said
45 the bus now goes to the areas north of 1-85 and then works its way around, which has saved a
46 significant amount of time. He added that all of the same stops are being served, just in a
47 different order. He said the number of passengers has not changed, and about one thousand
48 riders continued to be served per month. He said after leaving the Sportsplex, the bus now
49 goes onto Route 70, serving neighborhoods and the Food Lion there. He said ridership has
2
1 picked up at these locations, and as people are learning about the service he expects the
2 number of riders to increase.
3 Peter Murphy said staff had recommended changes for expansion routes, funded
4 through the sales tax and other fees. He referenced several maps on the screen. He said a
5 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. service to the Highway 70 Corridor between Alamance and Orange
6 Counties is being considered, to supplement the routes of Go Triangle. He said there will also
7 be a commuter route operating down the Churton corridor, also going to Durham Tech and
8 University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals. He said a route will regularly go to Cedar Grove
9 and then down to Chapel Hill from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. He said the Circulator service will
10 also be provided during the 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. period, which will be the first service
11 improvement funded by the vehicle registration fee and sales tax revenues. The new Circulator
12 alignment will tie into the other fixed-route bus service expansion services to be operated by
13 Orange Public Transportation that will be funded by Orange County Bus and Rail Investment
14 Plan (OCBRIP) revenues tentatively scheduled to begin this summer.
15 Chair McKee asked if Route 3 and the mid day Circulator are using the same vehicles.
16 Peter Murphy said all of the routes have been re-shuffled to make them more efficient,
17 without adding any additional buses.
18
19 b) Amtrak Station
20 Margaret Hauth said the draft Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) includes funding
21 for the Hillsborough station and also Orange Grove Road extension project. She said the
22 extension project proposed to extend the Orange Grove Road from where it intersects now over
23 to US 70A. She said the exact point of intersection of 70A is unknown, but it is expected that
24 the road will go under the railroad rather than over. The draft TIP includes full construction
25 funding for the Hillsborough station with construction beginning in 2019. The full scope and
26 details of this funding are still unfolding as the North Carolina Department of Transportation
27 (NCDOT) continues to flesh out the draft TIP. The Town intends to prepare a small area plan
28 for the 250 acres bounded by the railroad, South Churton Street, and I-85 to reflect the advice
29 and charette results from the Sustainable Cities Design Academy attended by the town and
30 property owner representatives in October 2014. The charrette results were conceptual, but
31 identified some critical connections and areas of joint agreement that should be documented
32 and memorialized as development in this area may take years to come to pass.
33 Commissioner Jacobs asked for the charette results that addressed the two hundred
34 fifty acres.
35 Margaret Hauth said a group looked at the acres and came back with the conclusion
36 that it could be one project but also lent itself to being three projects: the area north of the
37 power lines, the Daniel Boone properties and the remainder of the Collins properties. She said
38 the group discussed how the larger block needs to connect to the existing transportation
39 network. She said a new idea that arose was to run a road parallel to Churton Street and to
40 explore the possibility of an overpass or underpass to run up the heart of the Collins property,
41 even if just for bikes and pedestrians.
42 Chair McKee asked if there is a potential timeline for the Collins property baseball fields.
43 Margaret Hauth said other properties for the Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association
44 (HYAA) ball fields have been considered, but a good match has yet to be found. She said the
45 Town is committed to assisting HYAA in this process but has not defined what that help will be.
46
47 2. Economic Development/Tourism
48 a.) County Economic Development Update
3
1 Steve Brantley, Director of Orange County Economic Development, said it is a delight to
2 do his job in Hillsborough, where there are many opportunities. He reviewed the following
3 information from the agenda packet:
4
5 Article 46's New Business & Agriculture Grant Programs
6 Orange County has a new Agriculture Economic Development Grant program and a
7 Business Investment Grant program which are now available to support growth by small
8 agricultural and business firms. The two (2) new grant programs are funded by the "Article 46"
9 one-quarter cent sales tax to support economic development, are about to "go live" in the next
10 few weeks, and can assist Hillsborough's small farmers and businesses. More details will be
11 released soon in an ad campaign to be placed in the local media.
12
13 Business Investment Grant
14 (Small Grants up to $1,500, and, Large Grants from $1,501 - $10,000)
15
16 Agriculture Economic Development Grant
17 (Small Grants up to $1,000, and Large Grants from $1,001-$10,000)
18
19 Morinaga America Foods, Inc.
20 • Construction of the company's initial 100,000 square foot candy manufacturing facility is
21 proceeding, with completion planned for mid- 2015, and an Open House ceremony set
22 for late October. Town of Hillsborough & County leadership and elected officials will be
23 invited.
24 • The company recently accepted 850 resumes from candidates during a job fair at the
25 Waterstone campus of Durham Tech.
26
27 2015 Agriculture Summit
28 The annual Orange County Agriculture Summit was held on February 16th in
29 Hillsborough at Orange County's newly renovated Whitted Building facility.
30
31 Orange County Arts Commission
32 The Orange County Arts Commission, previously based in Chapel Hill, has relocated to
33 Hillsborough and will be housed within the Economic Development Department. Martha
34 Shannon is the Executive Director.
35
36 Recent Staff Changes within Orange County Economic Development
37 Mike Ortosky is the County's new full-time "Agriculture Economic Developer" who
38 assists County residents engaged in farming and food system initiatives. He is
39 developing an Agriculture Economic Development Plan for the County and will also
40 assist the formation of a proposed food council, serve as a liaison with tenants of the
41 Piedmont Food and Agriculture Facility (PFAP), and pursue related food system goals
42 that benefit farmers, businesses, and residents in Hillsborough and Orange County.
43 Yvonne Scarlett, a fifteen year staff member of the County agency and a Hillsborough
44 resident, now fulfills the new "business retention" professional role created by the Board
45 of Commissioners. The business retention economic developer assists existing
46 businesses, large and small, to encourage their retention and expansion here in the
47 County.
48 Amanda Garner assists the department director in "new business recruitment"
49 regarding the attraction of new business prospects in manufacturing, commercial and
50 retail development.
4
1 Tina Love is the new office administrator.
2
3 Utility infrastructure progress in the Economic Development Districts
4 Over $4 million in water and sewer lines have been placed in the Buckhorn Economic
5 Development District (EDD) to begin building a series of backbone infrastructure to
6 serve the County's largest region zoned for business recruitment. The success to attract
7 the Morinaga facility was enabled by the one-quarter cent sales tax for economic
8 development that funded this initial water and sewer system.
9 Additional water and sewer line expenditures will be needed to serve priority sites in the
10 Hillsborough Economic Development District (commercially zoned properties outside of
11 the Waterstone development).
12
13 General business recruitment activity throughout Orange County
14 • Larger industrial sites in the Buckhorn Road and Hillsborough areas are being regularly
15 proposed to active prospect leads generated by the State of N.C.'s business recruiters.
16 Sites in the County are actively being visited by industries and developers seeking new
17 business locations.
18 • The County's total inventory of empty industrial, warehouse and office buildings
19 available to attract new business prospects has notably increased, with most of this new
20 inventory being located in Hillsborough. For the first time in many years, the County and
21 Hillsborough now have available capacity to market large square footage facilities (Eno
22 River Mill, & the Southern Season warehouse) to large business prospects.
23
24 Comment Regarding "A Southern Season" Warehouse in Hillsborough
25 • Facility owners Susan Green & Michael Falk have hired a major real estate brokerage
26 firm, CBRE Industrial Triad, to market the 90,000 square foot building to new users.
27 • Orange County Economic Development has generated two prospects that have recently
28 toured the facility. Realtor CBRE Industrial has also generated several site visits by
29 investor prospects & operating companies seeking warehouse space.
30 • Orange County Economic Development office markets the building on the department
31 web site, and with the State of N.C.'s industrial site selection consultants.
32 • Orange County Economic Development worked for 2 years to meet with
33 Southern Season's management in an to attempt to show available real estate sites in
34 Hillsborough, and the County, and offer to quote potential financial incentives in order to
35 retain the warehouse. However, despite the County and Hillsborough having suitably
36 attractive and competitive site locations, the company showed little interest to consider
37 the local options. The company recently selected a fully developed business park (N.C.
38 Industrial Center) which has a 100,000 square foot shell building and 8-10 existing
39 warehouse operations located in Mebane.
40
41 Evelyn Lloyd arrived at 7:35pm
42
43 Kathleen Ferguson asked what the Town of Hillsborough can do to support the County's
44 economic development activities.
45 Steve Brantley said to have patience as he trains his new staff, and to continue to be
46 supportive of Orange County economic development.
47 Eric Hallman asked if Steve Brantley sees incentive packages as being important to
48 attract new businesses.
49 Steve Brantley said yes, they are important.
50
5
1 b.) Opportunities for County/Town Economic Development Partnerships
2 Steve Brantley read the following information from the abstract:
3
4 Ongoing Business Prospect Activity in Hillsborough
5 Orange County's Planning & Inspections Department, assisted by the Economic Development
6 office, have a number of promising commercial and retail development activities that should
7 bring new capital investment to the property tax base, add new jobs and payroll, and bring
8 additional retail sales tax to the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County. Locations being
9 considered for development include property improvements adjacent to Home Depot at the
10 southeast quadrant of N.C. 86 and Interstate 85, and at the southwest quadrant of Old N.C. 85
11 and Interstate 40. Specific retail and commercial projects are at various stages of development,
12 such as submitting site plans, negotiating with land owners and NCDOT, and meeting with
13 Planning & Inspections. Ongoing discussions, some still confidential, include a major restaurant
14 chain, and mixed use commercial office development.
15
16 • Sheetz gas station & convenience store
17 • Restaurant
18 • Mixed use commercial office building
19
20 Prospects Visits Made to Hillsborough
21 Hillsborough has several desirable real estate buildings currently on the market that are all
22 suitable for commercial, light industrial and warehouse users. These locations are attractive,
23 competitively priced and together represent the County's single strongest grouping of available
24 buildings with the potential to attract new businesses. The Economic Development office has
25 presented each of these facilities to visiting industrial prospects during the previous year. With
26 the departure of Southern Season's warehouse operations by October 2015, the County will
27 suddenly have a large industrial/distribution facility of nearly 90,000 square feet that can be
28 marketed to more large business prospects than was previously possible in past years, when
29 almost no empty buildings existed. In most cases, the Economic Development office informs
30 Hillsborough's Town Manager and/or Senior Planner regarding each prospect visit.
31
32 • Eno River Mill — up to 90,000 sq. ft. is currently available
33 • 505 Eno Street (A Southern Season's warehouse) — 89,834 sq. ft., (space will be
34 available in October 2015, and is now being marketed and shown to numerous
35 prospective tenants).
36 • Elizabeth Brady Road —24,000 sq. ft.
37 • Valley Forge Road - 2,500 to 3,000 sq. ft. (offices & warehouse)
38 • Sinclair building (N. Churton Street)
39 • N.C. 57 Business Park (located near the N.C. 57/N.C. 86 intersection)
40 • Tryon Business Center II (5.3 acre site at Meadowlands)
41
42 Orange County's Small Business Loan Program &Actual Lending Activity that
43 Support Small Businesses in Hillsborough
44 The County's Small Business Loan Program has granted seven (7) loans totaling
45 $271,848.00 to small businesses located here in Hillsborough. This activity represents 58% of
46 the total number of all loans extended, and 63% of all funds loaned to area businesses. The
47 Hillsborough-based borrowers are as follows:
48
49 Orange County Gymnastics Tim Baker
6
1 • The Depot Meleah Coleman
2 • Phd Productions, LLC Patrick Groft
3 • The Accidental Baker Kevin Mason
4 • Mystery Brewing Company Erik Myers
5 • MasterPeace Barber Mark Holt
6 • Skram Furniture Jacob Marks (loan is now repaid)
7
8 Steve Brantley said the Visitation Program has visited several dozen local businesses.
9 He said these visits allow for feedback from the businesses, and for passing out loan and grant
10 applications and forms.
11 Steve Brantley said that for the first time, the Economic Development Office (EDO) has
12 formally joined the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce. He said this membership had
13 previously been a gratis one given by the Chamber. He said the EDO also paid for the
14 County's membership. He said on May 20, 2015, the EDO will be the presenting sponsor at the
15 Chamber's member breakfast.
16 Kathleen Ferguson asked if there will be any marketing done for the Highway 70
17 corridor.
18 Steve Brantley said his office needs to seriously think about marketing the Highway 70
19 corridor in support of Hillsborough. He said the tourism division has a very successful branding
20 and marking element. He said, as they now have the staff and the funds, the Economic
21 Development Office needs to do the same.
22 Kathleen Ferguson asked if Steve Brantley has taken any business prospects to this
23 area.
24 Steve Brantley said yes. He said the area is very different from the Waterstone area,
25 but it does have water and sewer and it is zoned so the EDO will be marketing more
26 aggressively going forward.
27 Steve Brantley said his office does not have any current prospects for the Waterstone
28 development, but this area is being marketed as well.
29 Commissioner Dorosin said that the location of water and sewer lines being connected
30 to Homeland Security, and therefore needing to be protected, is nonsensical. He said this
31 information is part of public record and should be made easily available.
32 Steve Brantley said staff is being cautious.
33 Commissioner Dorosin said some communities refuse to give sewer and water
34 information due to security concerns. He asked if Hillsborough takes this position.
35 Margaret Hauth said no, Hillsborough does not take that position. She said the only
36 concern is that information be properly interpreted prior to being shared. She said the
37 information is released by the engineer on a case by case basis, depending on the request.
38
39 Orange County Arts Commission's Funding Support of the Town of Hillsborough's
40 Artists, Arts Organizations and Schools
41 Martha Shannon, Orange County Arts Commission, referred to the following information
42 from the abstract:
43
44 • Six arts grants were awarded to Hillsborough artists in the spring 2014 grant cycle (out
45 of 23 total arts grants funded), totaling $8,500 in state funds awarded to the
46 Hillsborough Arts Council and Cedar Ridge High School.
47
48 • Three arts grants were awarded to Hillsborough artists in the fall 2014 grant cycle (out
49 of 21 total arts grants funded), totaling $3,000 in County funds awarded to the
50 Hillsborough Arts Council, Cedar Ridge High School and The Expedition School.
7
1
2 • In these 2 grant cycles, 9 out of the 10 grant applications received from Hillsborough
3 artist applicants were funded in full.
4
5 • These arts grants helped fund the following events and projects in Hillsborough: Last
6 Friday Arts Walk, Hillsborough Jazz Festival, Hillsborough Handmade Parade, Free
7 Spirit Freedom, updated equipment for Cedar Ridge High School's Creative
8 Woodturning Program, Orange County artist Patrick Dougherty's Stickwork Sculpture
9 (slated for November 2015), and a needed upgrade of the audio and recording system
10 for Cedar Ridge High School's Band Room.
11
12 Hillsborough-based speculative fiction (science fiction) author James Maxey was
13 selected as the 2015 Piedmont Laureate for the Triangle area (Durham, Orange, and
14 Wake). Mr. Maxey will receive an honorarium of$5,500 ($1,350 of which is paid from
15 Orange County funds) to present public readings and workshops, participate at select
16 public functions and create at least one original activity to expand appreciation of
17 speculative fiction.
18
19 Hillsborough artists Alice Levinson (craft), Amy Fletcher (painting) and Damian Starner
20 (painting) have been awarded $1,500 each in 2015 Emerging Artists Grants by the
21 Durham Arts Council. The Orange County Arts Commission participates in this program
22 (for artists living in Chatham, Durham, Granville, Orange and Person counties)
23 contributing $1,500 annually, most recently paid from County funds.
24
25 Martha Shannon said she wanted to add one thing to the information included on the
26 abstract. She said on Tuesday April 21, 2015, artwork from two Hillsborough artists was
27 selected from entries received for the Arts Commission's two recent art competitions. She said
28 the two individuals received grants and they were:
29
30 1.) Michael Brady, $1,200.00, Artist for 30th Anniversary Poster Design
31 2.) Jennifer E. Miller, $1,500.00, Oil on Canvas, for the new Emergency Operations Center
32 in Raleigh.
33
34 Chair McKee said Commissioner Jacobs had suggested displaying local artwork in
35 County buildings.
36 Martha Shannon said this idea is on the Art Commission's radar and is being worked on.
37 Chair McKee said it would be beneficial for the artist and spruce up the County facilities.
38 Mayor Stevens said congratulations to both artists.
39
40 c.) Hillsborough Economic Development &Affordable Housing Update
41 Margaret Hauth said work on the Bank of America parking lot has begun in the
42 downtown area. She added that hopefully the concrete will be set to allow traffic to go through
43 the lot starting tomorrow. She said the work would be on hold during Mother's Day weekend
44 and the Garden Tour weekend. She said there is ongoing communication with area
45 businesses, trying to coordinate with their schedules as much as possible.
46 Margaret Hauth reviewed the updates from the abstract below:
47
48 Downtown - Construction will soon begin on a series of parking and street improvements in
49 downtown. The town and NCDOT have coordinated closely with local merchants to fit the
50 construction components around event schedules. The Bank of America parking lot
8
1 construction will begin as soon as asphalt plants begin working this spring. Work on the west
2 side of Churton Street could begin as soon as May and will start at Tryon Street, working south
3 to Nash and Kollock Street. Work will progress block by block to limit disruptions to merchants
4 and traffic. Resurfacing of the street is expected in either fall 2015 or early 2016, which is when
5 the stamped crosswalks will be installed and work complete.
6
7 Waterstone —About 50 active permits for houses and townhomes have been issued. The
8 apartment complex should begin construction in the next few months. The developer is
9 finalizing the dedication paperwork for Cates Creek Park and Cates Creek Parkway. The town
10 is not aware of any contracts on other tracts. South Churton & Cornelius Streets — No specific
11 development activity. The town is applying for a technical assistance grant from an economic
12 development firm to assist in the implementation of the Cornelius Street Plan (also see Item 3-c
13 below).
14
15 Affordable Housing —Two Town Commissioners and two Town Planning Board members are
16 working with staff to develop a local policy to strengthen and formalize the mandated
17 "conversation" about affordable housing during the Special Use Permit process.
18
19 Margaret Hauth said they are wading in cautiously and carefully as a process for
20 affordable housing is developed for Hillsborough.
21 Commissioner Jacobs mentioned the 1000 housing units that are coming on line and
22 asked for comment regarding a potential additional 700 housing units being considered on the
23 Collins property. He asked if part of Town's strategy was to be overrun.
24 Margaret Hauth said the land is in their jurisdiction and is primed for development. She
25 said Caruso Homes has expressed interest in the Collins property. She said the company has
26 been encouraged to hold a neighborhood meeting prior to submitting a proposal, and that is
27 scheduled for next week. She said if an application is received, it will be shared with the County
28 for review and comments. She said the environmental and economic impact studies have not
29 yet been done, as more information is needed. She said it is understood that this project will be
30 a mixed use development over 137 acres.
31 Commissioner Jacobs said the Collins property would be a great opportunity for
32 economic development. He said it could make up for the lost opportunity of economic
33 development at Waterstone. He said he would hope that the Town would be cautious in
34 entertaining this housing proposal.
35 Eric Hallman said the Town is being cautious, and this is not sprawl. He said there has
36 been a lull while they tried to refine their UDO and better understand growth.
37 Mayor Stevens said caution is well placed. He said the Town is looking for both
38 residential and commercial opportunities.
39 Eric Hallman said for years it has been explained that without the residential component,
40 commercial aspects could not be attracted.
41
42 d.) County and Town Tourism Activities Updates
43 Visitor's Bureau Director, Laurie Paolicelli, said that Hillsborough is enjoying a great deal
44 of positive press in the realm of tourism. She said most visitors come for a day, and this trend
45 is mostly due to the lack of local hotel rooms. She distributed a hand out on the Bureau's
46 activities.
47 Laurie Paolicelli said in February 2015, the Bureau made a presentation to the Chamber
48 of Commerce. She said the Chamber of Commerce requested to know how the 1,623 hotel
49 rooms in Orange County, and the 1,000 hotel rooms in the pipeline in Durham, impacted the
50 economy in Hillsborough. She commented on AirBnB and their negative impact. She said the
9
1 State of North Carolina will be seeking to regulate usage of AirBnB. She said Hillsborough has
2 427 private homeowners that rent their homes out to visitors. She said these private homes
3 erode both the Bed and Breakfast and traditional hotel markets. She said on May 7th, the
4 Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce is bringing in the President of the North Carolina Restaurant
5 and Lodging Issue to discuss the impact on Orange County. She said AirBnB has eradicated
6 the need for traditional Bed and Breakfasts.
7 Laurie Paolicelli mentioned the following projects on which the Bureau is currently
8 working:
9 • Prototype for Hillsborough — an app and brochure being created with Annie Baggett
10 around a "handmade and homegrown" tourism marketing campaign.
11 • How and where to put a visitor kiosk at the new UNC Hospital in Hillsborough. She said
12 there is currently no visitor information there and this will be a new point of entry to
13 Hillsborough.
14 • Working closely with Ayr Mount and Moorefields and the rich history offered within
15 Hillsborough.
16 • Genealogy series interviewing locals on the history of Orange County.
17
18 Laurie Paolicelli said Hillsborough will be seen in many state ads and other state tourism
19 magazines. She added overall press is very positive at this time. She expressed the Bureau's
20 desire to be an ongoing partner to the Town and the County.
21 Jenn Weaver said she understands how AirBnB could hurt the local Bed and Breakfast
22 and the traditional hotel community, but wonders if AirBnB can also bring in people that may not
23 be able come here otherwise by lowering the cost of a trip.
24 Laurie Paolicelli said this argument is made every day. She said with the current lack of
25 hotels in Hillsborough, AirBnB certainly does bring people to the area. She added that there
26 are also some very scary stories surrounding AirBnB and the difficulty of removing tenants or
27 damage done to homes. She said in this regards, it hurts the community and hurts businesses
28 that follow the rules regarding health, safety and ADA guidelines.
29 Mayor Stevens said he had an opportunity to work with a group called the Mayor's
30 Innovation Project, including Mayors from around the Country. He said this group has taken up
31 the issues of Uber and AirBnB, both of which are national issues. He said there is growing
32 consensus about bringing these businesses into the regulatory body to insure appropriate
33 taxation and safety measures.
34 Kathleen Ferguson asked if the impact of AirBnB, on local hotels, is known.
35 Laurie Paolicelli said in towns with small hotels, or solely Bed and Breakfast
36 establishments, Airbnb have practically killed the industry. She said in Orange County there are
37 full service hoteliers. She said these hoteliers report small erosion at this time, but this may
38 change in the future.
39 Eric Hallman said Laurie Paolicelli is to thank for any success within the realm of
40 Hillsborough tourism. He said the 1 percent food and beverage tax as well as the 3 percent
41 occupancy tax are both being managed by volunteer boards. He said there is no Town staffing
42 to those boards. He said the upcoming budget includes a proposal to add Town staff that will
43 staff those Boards and give a more professional strategy to tourism. He said tourism in
44 Hillsborough has been overwhelming in the past year, and it is time to take advantage of the
45 attention the Town is now enjoying.
46 Eric Hallman handed out materials and shared some information on the North Carolina
47 Mountains to Sea Trail. He said this trail is extremely popular. He said one can get on the trail
48 in Clayton in Johnston County, walk on the trail through Wake and Durham Counties; but when
49 one arrives in Orange County, one must get off the trail and go out on the road. He said to the
50 west, in Alamance County, more trail miles are being added than in any other County in the
10
1 State. He said Hillsborough currently has three miles of trail. He said the Eno River
2 Association and the Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail are working hard to connect the trail
3 so that it is complete. He encouraged all to support the "bridging the gap" in this trail. He
4 added it is important to Hillsborough because it will be one of the few trail towns offering
5 potential revenue. He said Durham did a before and after study of the completion of the
6 American Tobacco Trail Bridge over 1-40. He passed out a handout reviewing this study which
7 showed the results of finishing the trail and the staggering economic impact of doing so.
8 Kathleen Ferguson asked if there is an impediment to Orange County completing this
9 gap in the trail.
10 David Stancil said the trail completion is in the master plan and the Capital Investment
11 Plan (CIP). He said the biggest issue is that once the trail corridor leaves Hillsborough going
12 southwest, there is a stretch that connects into the Seven Mile Creek Preserves Lands. He
13 said the trail then enters into its most complex stretch in the State going to Cane Creek and the
14 Haw River. He said this is one of the very few places that the trail goes completely cross
15 country on private land. He said there will be at least 100 to 120 trail easements to negotiate
16 with property owners.
17 Kathleen Ferguson said she appreciated hearing the background and bigger picture of
18 the issue.
19 Commissioner Jacobs said there is a series of public hearings regarding the Mountain to
20 Seas Trail coming up; with one being in Burlington, NC.
21 David Stancil confirmed this meeting and said it will occur on May 6, 2015 from 3:00-
22 5:00 p.m. He said the State is working on a Mountain to Seas Trail Master Plan. He said the
23 draft is due out around May 1, 2015.
24 David Stancil said awaiting the completion of the State's master plan has delayed
25 Orange County's progress. He said there is currently a "swath" on the master plan, showing a
26 corridor that goes from Hillsborough down to the Cane Creek Reservoir and Haw River. He
27 said the challenge is to determine where the line goes within the "swath"; using roads or going
28 cross country. He said a lot of those decisions will be made using the State's master plan.
29 Commissioner Jacobs asked if that will include southwest Orange County.
30 David Stancil said yes.
31 Commissioner Pelissier said her property is on that red "swath". She said many of her
32 neighbors are in opposition to the trail while she is very supportive of it.
33 Mayor Stevens said this trail is very important to Hillsborough and the Town is very
34 supportive of it. He encourages the County to be persistent in their pursuit of bridging this gap
35 in the trail.
36
37 3. Planning/Development
38 a) Hillsborough Vision 2030 Plan
39 Margaret Hauth reviewed the updates below:
40
41 Efforts have continued on work begun in 2013, and the town has adopted Vision
42 2030 to replace the Vision 2010 policy document. The plan is available at
43 http://www.ci.hillsborough.nc.us/sites/default/files/ df The Town
44 received comments from Orange County Planning staff and considered them during
45 development. The plan was adopted on March 9, 2015.
46
47 b) Town Development Updates
48
49 UNC Hospital —The hospital is proceeding with the plan to be open in July.
50 Construction has begun on the water tank needed to have sufficient pressure in
11
1 the vicinity as development continues. Durham Technical Community College —The
2 town is not aware of any activity related to the Community College.
3
4 Historic Mills —The town designated both the Bellevue and Eno Cotton Mills (aka
5 Hillsborough Business Center) as local historic landmarks at the end of 2014 to allow
6 the owners the local landmark tax reduction. There is an active contract to purchase the
7 Bellevue Mill and implement its conversion to apartments with the state mill tax credit
8 still available to this site. The Eno Cotton Mill continues its efforts to renovate its spaces
9 and make them available for a wider variety of uses.
10
11 Former Colonial Inn —The town has contracted with the Development Finance
12 Initiative (DFI) through the UNC School of Government for technical assistance and
13 advice regarding tools available to incentivize or encourage the renovation of this
14 property. The report is expected back in mid-March.
15
16 Highway 70 Corridor Update and Opportunities- The town submitted a grant request,
17 supported by the County Economic Development staff, to seek technical assistance
18 from an economic development consulting firm to help the town better understand its
19 options to participate in and incentivize the redevelopment of the Cornelius Street
20 corridor. As the town does not have specialized economic development staff, the hope
21 was to develop an understanding of key data or programs that can be collected,
22 monitored or implemented to assist with limited oversight. A number of key properties in
23 the corridor are available for sale. Unfortunately the town was not selected to receive the
24 grant.
25
26 Commissioner Dorosin asked for clarification about the update regarding the Colonial
27 Inn.
28 Margaret Hauth reiterated that the report from the DFI had yet to be received. She said
29 the report will be received at the May meeting.
30 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the report is expected to have a set of alternatives for
31 the Town to consider.
32 Margaret Hauth said yes.
33 Mayor Stevens said the report will be a financial package. He said the owner has been
34 cooperative in allowing access to the building, which has been helpful.
35 Eric Hallman said the results will probably show that the ultimate value of the Inn will be
36 less than the cost to renovate. He said funding would likely be part public and part private. He
37 said the Town Board is interested in seeing if getting involved makes economic sense for the
38 Town.
39 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the expected scenario is such due to the poor condition
40 and deterioration of the structure.
41 Eric Hallman said UNC has had the building accessed and what the renovations costs
42 will be. He said possible usage options and potential rents were considered. He said it was a
43 very thorough analysis. He said there is a window to do something as there is a parallel
44 process occurring where an interested party has made contact with mortgage holder.
45
46 !21 County Development Updates
47 Detention Facility
48 Jeff Thompson said the Detention Facility is replacing a 90 year old jail located in the
49 center of town. He said the proposed location for the new facility is near the Orange
50 Correctional Facility across from McDonalds on 6.8 acres of State land that has been leased for
12
1 fifty years. He said designers for the facility are being interviewed in the coming months. He
2 added construction will begin in the fall of 2016 and be completed in the fall of 2019.
3 Brian Lowen said what will happen with the existing jail.
4 Jeff Thompson said uses for the existing facility are being considered. He said there
5 may be no need for detention purposes here. He added it is a prime property and the highest
6 and best use for it is being considered.
7
8 Sportsplex (aerial view)
9 Jeff Thompson showed an aerial view of the complex. He said the complex has
10 experienced tremendous growth over the last ten years which places pressure on the facilities
11 to provide for its membership. He said it is one of the most travelled facilities in Orange
12 County, rivaling the Dean Smith Center and Kenan Memorial Stadium for turnstile count. He
13 said a lobby renovation has been completed, adding about 2500 square feet of programmable
14 space to feed the members and their interests. He said a second mezzanine above the pool is
15 being designed currently. He said this mezzanine would add about 5000 to 6000 square feet of
16 programmable exercise and equipment space. He said the property to the northeast of the
17 facility has been acquired and a field house, indoor turf and track and court complex is
18 proposed to support the growth. These items have not yet been voted upon by the Board of
19 County Commissioners (BOCC).
20 Eric Hallman asked if there is any concern about the traffic intersection given the great
21 deal of activity happening at the Sportsplex.
22 Staff answered no.
23
24 4. Potential 2016 County Bond Referendum Update
25 Chair McKee said the BOCC passed a motion on April 21, 2015 to go forward with a
26 bond referendum on November 2016 for $125 million for school capital needs.
27 Bonnie Hammersley said when the agenda went to press, the BOCC had not had the
28 regular meeting yet where some decisions were made on this issue. She said the bond was
29 approved as stated by the Chair and in addition the BOCC supported the concept of a bond
30 education committee. She said the bond is scheduled 18 months from now, and there will be a
31 lot of opportunity for discussion going forward.
32 Chair McKee said the BOCC is limited as to when a bond can be placed on a
33 referendum, which is in even numbered years.
34
35
36 5. INFORMATION ITEMS (Written Updates - Not for Specific Discussion)
37
38 a) Update on Eno Mountain/Mayo Street- Margaret Hauth
39 b) Update on Interstates 40/85 Improvements-Craig Benedict and Margaret Hauth
40 c) Update on Solid Waste/Recycling-Bonnie Hammersley
41 d) Update on Recreation/Amenities-Margaret Hauth and Dave Stancil
42 e) Update on Water Infrastructure/City & County Overlap-Craig Benedict and Margaret
43 Hauth
44
45 Commissioner Jacobs asked for an update regarding a curb in West End where the
46 parking lot feeds directly into the street. He recalled there may be some Congestion Mitigation
47 and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) funding that the Town could use to put in a curb.
48 Margaret Hauth said the project is moving forward and it is CMAQ funded. She said she
49 does not have a final date of completion. She said some complications have arisen involving
13
1 the railroad, which has caused delay. She said the project is still on-going and may not be
2 completed before end of year.
3 Kathleen Ferguson asked for an update regarding Fairview Park. She said the
4 neighbors have submitted a request for a monitor position this summer, but the needs at the
5 Park are present during more than just the summer months. She asked how the park would be
6 monitored beyond the summer months.
7 David Stancil said the Fairview Community Watch has submitted a request for funding
8 for a summer monitor program, which has been in place for the past few years. He said this
9 outside agency request will be coming to the Board later this spring as part of the budget. He
10 said security cameras will soon be installed at the site. He said this park is served by a mobile
11 crew and does not have a full time staff person assigned to it. He said the summer monitoring
12 service has been funded in the past by a grant. He added this grant has now expired, and
13 therefore the Community Watch has submitted their request for funding to the Board.
14 Kathleen Ferguson said there is need for the calendar year not the fiscal year. She
15 asked if the County is considering a full time monitor at this park. She said the park impacts
16 the viability of the surrounding economic development corridor.
17 David Stancil said for now the proposal is only for summer monitors. He said there is
18 not a proposal for full time staff at the park. He said during weekdays there is little activity, but
19 this changes dramatically closer to sunset and on the weekends. He said any change in
20 coverage would be a matter of resource allocation, and would be discussed as part of future
21 budgets.
22 Chair McKee asked Bonnie Hammersley to look into this issue and to see what options
23 are available.
24 Commissioner Dorosin expressed appreciation to all of his Hillsborough colleagues for
25 their courageous stand on the marital equality resolution and especially to Jenn Weaver.
26
27 A motion was made by Commissioner Burroughs, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier
28 to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m.
29
30
31 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
32
33 Earl McKee, Chair
34
35 Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
36
1
I Attachment 2
2
3 DRAFT MINUTES
4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION
6 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
7 JOINT MEETING
8 April 28, 2015
9
10 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a joint session with the Chapel
11 Hill—Carrboro Board of Education and the Orange County Board of Education on Tuesday, April
12 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
13
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Earl McKee and Commissioners Mia
15 Burroughs, Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich
16 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
17 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT:
18 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley and Clerk to the Board
19 Donna S. Baker (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below)
20 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Steve Halkiotis,
21 and Board Members Tom Carr, Lawrence Sanders, Tony McKnight, Debra Piscitelli, and Interim
22 Superintendent Del Burns was also present.
23 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS ABSENT: Brenda Stephens and
24 Donna Coffey
25 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
26 PRESENT: Chair Mike Kelly and Board Members Andrew Davidson, Jamezetta Bedford,
27 James Barrett, Michelle Brownstein, David Saussy, Annetta Streater, and Superintendent Tom
28 Forcella was also present.
29 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS ABSENT:
30
31 Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
32
33 Opening Comments
34 Chair Halkiotis expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the Board of County
35 Commissioners (BOCC). He said yesterday Dr. Todd Wirt was sworn in as the new
36 Superintendent for Orange County Schools (OCS). He said Dr. Wirt will start his new role on
37 July 1, 2015. He said tonight will be the last meeting for Interim Superintendent Del Burns. He
38 commended the efforts and work of Interim Superintendent Del Burns and wished him well as
39 he transitions out of his role. Chair Halkiotis said times are uncertain, not knowing what the
40 legislature will do. He added the children in Orange County Schools deserve the best the
41 School Boards can do for them, regardless of the district in which they reside.
42 Chair Kelly also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the BOCC. He
43 agreed the times are always uncertain, but Orange County controls its own destiny, and for that
44 he is grateful. He commended the BOCC's ongoing support of education within Orange County,
45 especially last year when State support was lagging.
46 Chair McKee noted several handouts at each place, to be identified throughout the
47 evening.
48
49 1. Presentation of Orange County Schools Board of Education, Approved FY2015-16
50 Operating and Capital Budgets
2
1 Del Burns said the meeting tonight is to discuss the OCS budget request. He said the
2 BOCC previously received the OCS Budget Document, and he will highlight some points in this
3 document. He said within the OCS Budget Document, there is a Superintendent's budget
4 Message, documents to support the current funding for OCS, and supporting documents
5 regarding the requested amount. He said there is also a set of business cases. He said each
6 change, in both revenue and expenditure, is supported by a detailed business case.
7 Del Burns said there are some changes this year in how the budget was prepared. He
8 said in the last legislative session of 2014, there was a change in the way the Average Daily
9 Membership (ADM) growth is addressed in North Carolina. He said, previously, ADM growth
10 was a part of the continuation budget, and school districts were basically assured of having
11 growth. He said ADM growth was moved to the expansion budget, which is a tremendous
12 change. He said this change will not impact OCS this year as a reduction is projected.
13 Del Burns said some of the other changes that resulted from moving the ADM from the
14 continuation to the expansion budget included no longer receiving a planning allotment on which
15 budget projections are based; as well as the lack of good benefit and salary change information.
16 He said assumptions cannot be made, so OCS will move forward with what is known. He said
17 changes are expected, and adjustments will be made as credible information is received.
18 Del Burns said the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) did provide a projection for the
19 student ADM for next year. He said that number dropped by 172 students for OCS. He said
20 this drop has an impact on funding at the State level, as well as the County level; where funding
21 is provided on a per pupil basis.
22 Del Burns presented the following PowerPoint presentation:
23
24 Orange County Schools
25 200 E. King St, Hillsborough, N.C. 27278
26 Local Current Expense Budget 2015-16
27
28 Orange County Schools 2014-15 Budget
29 Local: $31,509,181
30
31 State: $44,198,480
32
33 Federal: $ 3,642,513
34
35 Other Restricted: $ 1,856,837
36
37 Capital Improvement: $ 6.853.978
38
39 Total Funding for the
40 2014-2015 School Year: $88,060,989
41
42 OCS- Local Funding 2014-15
43 Local:
44 County Appropriation $28,080,975
45 Fair Funding $ 494,000
46 Fines/Forfeitures $ 200,000
47 Interest $ 68,000
48 Fund Balance Appropriated $ 1,134,400
49 Fund Balance Carryover $ 1,531,806
50
3
1 Total Operating Budget:
2
3 Funding (Local) For 2014-2015: $31,509,181
4
5 *Considers charter schools and out of district students
6
7 2015-16 County Appropriation Request
8 2014-15 Per Pupil Appropriation $3,571
9 2015-16 Projected Student Population 7,526
10 2015-16 Calculated Appropriation $27,466,763a
11 2015-16 Requested Per-Pupil Increase $81
12 2015-16 Requested Per-Pupil Appropriation $3,652
13
14 2015-16 Projected Student Population $7,526
15 2015-16 Requested Appropriation $28,080,975a,b
16
17 a Considers charter schools and out of district students
18 b The appropriation requested is the same as provided in 2014-15
19
20 Alternate 2015-16 Budget Scenario
21
22 BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS
23
24 2014-2015 ADM 7,698
25 2015-2016 Proiected ADM 7.526
26 ADM Change (172) Students
27
28 No increase in per pupil funding equals a reduction in county appropriation of$614,212 to OCS
29 Appropriated fund balance increased by $415,128 to $1,549,528
30 Reduction in force not considered
31 Planning allotments not available
32 Salary and benefits changes not available
33
34 Alternate 2015-16 Budget Scenario, cont.
35
36 PROJECTED REVENUE CHANGES
37
38 $5,071 State Per Pupil Funding
39 J172. Students
40 $(872,212) PROJECTED LOSS IN STATE FUNDING
41 $(135,746) PROJECTED LOSS IN DRIVER EDUCATION FUNDING
42 $3,571 Local Per Pupil Funding
43 (172) Students
44 $(614,212) PROJECTED LOSS IN LOCAL FUNDING
45 $415,128 PROJECTED INCREASE IN FUND BALANCE APPROPRIATION
46
47 $(1,207,042) TOTAL PROJECTED LOSS IN REVENUES
48
49 Alternate 2015-16 Budget Scenario, cont.
4
1 Projected Expenditure Changes
2
3 $ (320,000) Safe Havens
4 (150,000) Facilities Assessment Projects
5 (100,000) Local At-Risk Funds
6 (410,396) 7 Teachers
7 (66,646) 2 Teacher Assistants
8 (60,000) Strategic Planning & Visioning/AdvancED Review
9 (35,000) IB Exams (State Paid 2015-16)
10 (35,000) Legal Services
11 (30,000) Superintendent Search
12
13 $ (1,207,042) TOTAL PROJECTED REDUCTION TO EXPENDITURES
14
15 2015-16 Board of Education's Approved Budget
16 Budget Assumptions
17 2014-2015 ADM 7,698
18
19 2015-2016 Projected ADM 7.526
20
21 ADM Change (172) Students
22
23 Maintain 2014-15 county appropriation of$28.1 M which would require an $81 per pupil increase
24 Appropriated fund balance increased by $370,916 to $1,505,316
25 Reduction in force not considered
26 Planning allotments not available
27 Salary and benefits changes not available
28
29 2015-16 Board of Education's Approved Budget
30 Projected Revenue Changes
31
32 $5,071 State Per Pupil Funding
33 X1721 Students
34
35 $(872,212) PROJECTED LOSS IN STATE FUNDING
36 $(135,746) PROJECTED LOSS IN DRIVER EDUCATION FUNDING
37 ----PROJECTED LOSS IN LOCAL FUNDING
38 $370,916 PROJECTED INCREASE IN FUND BALANCE APPROPRIATION
39
40 $(637,042) TOTAL PROJECTED LOSS IN REVENUES
41
42 2015-16 Board of Education's Approved Budget
43 Projected Expenditure Changes
44
45 $ (410,396) 7 Teachers
46 (66,646) 2 Teacher Assistants
47 (60,000) Strategic Planning & Visioning/AdvancED Review
48 (35,000) IB Exams (State Paid 2015-16)
49 (35,000) Legal Services
50 (30,000) Superintendent Search
51
5
1 $ (637,042) TOTAL PROJECTED REDUCTION TO EXPENDITURES
2
3 Del Burns said OCS is requesting an increase in per pupil funding of$81, for this coming
4 fiscal year. He said this will allow continued funding for Safe Havens, and deferred
5 maintenance in the Local At-Risk.
6 Commissioner Dorosin extended his personal thanks to Del Burns for his work in Orange
7 County and said he is an invaluable asset to students throughout the state.
8 Commissioner Price asked what would happen if the Driver's Education program was
9 not funded.
10 Del Burns said by Statute, schools must include funding in their current expense budgets
11 for Driver's Education, whether there are funds or not. He said OCS is currently spending
12 $135,000 and around $40 per student to fund this. He said if State funding is cut, the families
13 will not see an increase is the fee; rather the school system will absorb the cost.
14 Chair McKee asked if John Roberts had heard any update from Raleigh regarding this
15 bill.
16 John Roberts said no.
17 Commissioner Dorosin asked if under both budget scenarios, seven teaching positions
18 will be eliminated.
19 Del Burns said yes, but based on the current allotment formula, such a change should
20 not affect class size. He said this decrease in teachers would be handled through attrition.
21 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there was a known reason for the decline in enrollment.
22 Del Burns said a new Charter School opened last year, which took away about 125
23 students. He said the enrollment projection given by the State last year was likely over
24 projected. He said this year DPI is adjusting numbers for next year based on the real numbers
25 from this year. Del Burns said parents have choices regarding schooling, which will cause
26 enrollment to continue to be a challenge. He said the goal is to provide the best schools
27 possible in OCS, so that parents will want to send their children.
28 Commissioner Burroughs asked if growth is expected, just not at the rate projected by
29 the State. She said the reality is that the District is not losing students, but rather it is not
30 growing as quickly as the State expected.
31 Del Burns said yes and no. He said growth exists in school aged students in Orange
32 County. He said the question is whether these children are attending public schools. He said
33 last year not as many children came to public schools. He said both DPI and school systems
34 are finding it very difficult to accurately project numbers due to the variety of educational options
35 available to parents. Del Burns said there is a current campaign for Virtual Charter Schools in
36 North Carolina. He said such schools would not only have an impact on the number of students
37 enrolled in public schools; but would also have an economic impact. He said schools systems
38 will have to pay a portion of the County appropriation to that Charter School for any Home
39 Schooled child that enrolls. He said the payment of this portion of the appropriation would be a
40 straight net loss. He said the challenge is to make OCS the first choice for families.
41 Commissioner Rich asked if it is known from which grades the projected 172 fewer
42 students come.
43 Del Burns said he does not have that information. He said this year the majority of the
44 125 students that were lost to the new Charter school were elementary aged children. He said
45 it is his experience that if children leave the traditional public schools, it is during Elementary
46 School, and as they age children tend to migrate back into the Public Schools by High School.
47 Commissioner Rich asked if the school systems are required to include Charter Students
48 into sports events.
49 Del Burns said no. He said to participate in OCS extra-curricular activities one must be
50 enrolled in OCS. He added this standard is also true for home schooled and virtual students.
6
1 Chair Kelly said there is currently a bill proposing that public schools be required to allow
2 charter students to participate.
3
4
5 2. Presentation of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education Approved
6 F7Y2015-16 Operating and Capital Budgets
7 Tom Forcella said the CHCCS PowerPoint will provide a general overview of the
8 financial needs through a needs based approached, utilized by the school district. He said this
9 approach focuses on the CHCCS long range plan and the vision for the schools. He said times
10 are difficult in the State of North Carolina, but at the same time they are exciting in CHCCS.
11 He expressed thanks to the CHCCS Staff, Administration, Board of Education, Finance Office
12 and Doctor LoFrese and Ruby Pitman.
13 Tom Forcella presented the following portion of the Power Point presentation:
14
15 2015-16
16 CHCCS Board of Education
17 Budget Request to County Commissioners
18
19 Superintendent Tom Forcella
20 Assistant Superintendent Todd LoFrese
21
22 Agenda
23
24 • Return on Investment
25 . Budget Priorities
26 - Long-Range Plan Implementation
27 - Teacher Recruitment and Retention
28 - Project ADVANCE
29 • Facts and Figures
30
31 Impact of Financial Support
32
33 . K-12 Curriculum Coordination
34 • Maintain High Quality Programs
35 • Support for our Most Fragile Students
36 • Support for Teachers
37
38 Points of Pride
39
40 • Dropout Rate at All-Time Low
41 • Highest SAT Scores in NC
42 • 93% Continue Education
43 • Closing the Gap
44 - Discipline
45 -Advanced Classes and Minority Enrollment
46 • 42% of Teachers Possess Advanced Degrees
47 • 250 National Board Certified
48 • All Three Comprehensive High Schools Earned a Grade of A from State Rating System
7
1
2
3 Budget Priorities: Long-Range Plan
4
5 Goal 1: Instructional Excellence
6 1.3 — Highly Trained Instructional Coaches
7 1.7 — Procedures in Place for Best Instructional Practice
8 - Learning Walks
9 - Train-the-Trainer
10 - Learning Focused/Understanding By Design
11
12 Budget Priorities: Long-Range Plan
13
14 Goal 2: Equity
15 2.2 —System of Academic Support and Interventions (EOS)
16 2.4 — High Functioning Equity Teams at All Schools
17 2.6 — Discipline Data...ISS
18
19 Budaet Priorities: Lona-Ranae Plan
20
21 Goal 3: Culture
22 3.1 — External Program Review
23 - Guidance/Social Work
24 - Mental Health
25
26 Budget Priorities: Long-Range Plan
27
28 Goal 4: Project ADVANCE
29 4.1 —Career Advancement Model
30 4.2 —System for Professional Development
31 4.4 — Leadership Development and Compensation Plan
32
33 Project ADVANCE
34 Planning and Implementation
35 - Create a model for career and financial advancement based on instructional excellence,
36 student achievement and professional growth
37 - Create new systems and/or adjust current systems that will sustain effective professional
38 development and proven evidence- and research-based practices
39
40 Budget Priorities: Long-Range Plan
41 Goal 5: Accountability
42
43 5.1 — Electronic Portfolios
44 5.4— Grading Practices and Learning
45
46 Todd LoFrese, CHCCS Assistant Superintendent, presented the following portion of the
47 Power Point presentation:
48
49 Board Priority Issues
8
1
2 • Teacher and School Employee Wages and Recruitment
3 • Technology Support
4
5 Budaet Drivers:
6
7 • Student enrollment projections
8 • Fund balance dilemma resolved
9 • Mandates and teacher/employee wages
10 • Aforementioned priorities and the strategic plan
11 • Older facility needs
12
13 2015-16 Student Enrollment Projection
14
15 • 2015-16 State Enrollment Projection 12,203
16 • 2014-15 State Enrollment Projection 12,353
17 • District Projected Enrollment Decrease (150)
18
19 Projected Enrollment (graph)
20
21 Unassianed Fund Balance
22
23 2013-14 Audit 5.27%
24 2014-15 Year End Estimate 5.57%
25 Policy Target 5.5%
26
27 Our 2015-2016 budget is based on appropriating $1,000,000 of unassigned fund balance. The
28 2014-15 year end estimate includes this appropriation.
29
30 Local Continuation Budaet Reauests (chart)
31
32 Local Cost of Mandates (graph)
33
34 Salaries and Wages (chart)
35
36 Teacher Pay
37
38 • Current State Average (42nd Nationally) $47,783
39 • National Average $57,379
40 • Handout: Compares 2008-09 Salary Schedule to the Current Schedule
41 — Historic raise did not keep pace with inflation across entire schedule
42 — Governor's 15-16 rec. budget provides an increase only to new teachers (0-4 yrs)
43 and those scheduled to move to the next step
44 — Recruitment and retention struggles
45 — We can't rely solely on the state to address these challenges
46 Sources: www.ncae.org, www.ncpublicschools.org
47
48 Local Continuation Budaet Reauests (chart)
49
50 Local Expansion Budget Reauests (chart)
9
1
2 Local Budget Summary (chart)
3
4
5 Local Budaet Allocations
6
7 • Reduce Utility budget by $25,000 to fund Sustainability supplies, software, hardware
8 • Elem. School Staffing Adjustments based on school needs; exchange 1 Literacy Coach
9 for a full-time Math coach
10 • Reallocate $150,000 contracted services to Project ADVANCE, planning,
11 implementation, and administration
12
13 Todd LoFrese said CHCCS had a decrease in student enrollment of 150 students, and
14 their Charter School enrollment had also increased recently. He said the CHCCS budget
15 request for 2015-16 is $3,529,191 which equals $302 per pupil.
16 Commissioner Rich asked how the schools respond if a student cannot afford to pay the
17 $40 towards the cost of Driver's Education.
18 Del Burns said in OCS, there are fee waivers for certain situations.
19 Commissioner Rich asked if it is the goal of the School Districts to insure that every
20 student of age learns to drive.
21 Del Burns said OCS follows the Statute.
22 Todd LoFrese said CHCCS would probably take a similar approach regarding inability to
23 pay.
24 Chair Kelly said CHCCS does waive other fees based on ability to pay, and Driver's
25 Education would be handled similarly.
26 Commissioner Rich asked if the Statute requires the School Districts to teach students of
27 age how to drive, but not how it is financed.
28 Chair Kelly said yes. He said School Districts must pay for two thirds to three quarters of
29 the Driver's Education Program. He said the School Districts can charge up to $65 per student,
30 but the actual cost per student is several hundred dollars.
31 Del Burns clarified that the Schools must offer the opportunity for Driver's Education.
32 Chair McKee said one can wait until age eighteen and take a driving test without having
33 completed Driver's Education.
34 Commissioner Rich said the Driver's Education fee allows those with financial means to
35 drive earlier, while discriminating against those without the means to pay the fee.
36 Todd LoFrese said the cost to provide both the classroom and road instruction for
37 CHCCS is about $205 per student.
38 Commissioner Burroughs asked if CHCCS was in the same situation as OCS, where
39 there is not actually lower student enrollment but rather lower enrollment than the projections
40 given last year, which were actually over projections.
41 Todd LoFrese said there were fewer students than projected; however, CHCCS did grow
42 this year and anticipates growing next year as well.
43 Commissioner Dorosin asked for the average teacher salary in CHCCS.
44 Todd LoFrese said the average salary is about$56,000.
45 Commissioner Dorosin said that is closer to the national average.
46 Commissioner Dorosin asked if Chapel Hill pays a teacher supplement; and, if so, how
47 much it is.
48 Todd LoFrese said both Districts pay a supplement to teachers. He said the supplement
49 depends on how many years of experience the teacher has. He said new teachers receive 12
50 percent; at fifteen years of service, teachers receive 15 percent; at twenty years of service,
51 teachers receive 20 percent; and at twenty five years or more of service, teachers receive 25
10
1 percent. He said the Project ADVANCE supports switching to a model that is not based on
2 years of service.
3 Commissioner Dorosin asked if a teacher would make more money working for OCS or
4 CHCCS.
5 Chair Halkiotis said CHCCS.
6 Tom Forcella said at entry level teaching positions, the two Districts are fairly equal.
7 Commissioner Dorosin said if Orange County is competing with Wake County, is it also
8 competing with itself between the two Districts.
9 Chair Halkiotis said a teacher working in OCS for twenty five years will max out at a 14
10 percent supplement versus the 25 percent in CHCCS. He said if teachers are looking for
11 money, they go south; if they are not, they go north.
12 Todd LoFrese said CHCCS is seeking to decouple longevity and teacher pay. He said
13 rather CHCCS seeks to link teacher pay to professional development and its implementation in
14 the classroom, as well as positive student results.
15 Commissioner Dorosin referenced the expansion request slide in the Power Point,
16 asking about the $236,500 for living wage adjustments. He asked for context around these
17 figures and if contracted staff positions are included in this figure.
18 Todd LoFrese said a large portion of this financial request is linked to a classified
19 employment compensation study that was conducted last year, which identified
20 recommendations regarding current market rates for classified staff and what they should be
21 paid. He said an example is teachers' assistants, who are all being paid the same amount
22 whether they are in a kindergarten class or a self-contained Exceptional Children's (EC) class,
23 although in the latter they may serve children with greater needs. He said one of the
24 recommendations was to provide a higher rate of pay for teacher's assistants in the EC
25 classrooms. He said about $36,000 of the requested sum is for the living wage adjustment to
26 insure that every District employee is earning at least the County living wage number. He said it
27 does not apply to District contracted services, which include cleaning services and child nutrition
28 management services.
29 Chair Kelly said there has not yet been a full discussion about the contracted
30 employees.
31 Commissioner Dorosin said, based on the aforementioned study, there are some District
32 employees who will need salary increases in order to bring them up to the living wage, exclusive
33 of the contracted employees.
34 Commissioner Dorosin said the ADVANCE model is interesting. He said there has been
35 some controversy about the school grades statute and how much emphasis it puts on high
36 stakes test results. He asked if the ADVANCE model will move away from the high stakes
37 testing outputs and move towards growth.
38 Tom Forcella said the original goal was to look more at the professional growth of
39 CHCCS teachers. He said this focuses more on the growth of the students during a school year
40 rather than their test scores.
41 Debbie Piscitelli said the goal is to teach students how to drive. She said the instructors
42 are visibly promoting classes throughout the year at various times. She said the instructors aim
43 to be very flexible regarding scheduling of road instruction, working with the students' schedules
44 and extracurricular activities. She said once the $40 fee was instated, her first concern was to
45 insure that students who had financial struggles were being offered flexibility in submitting their
46 payments.
47 Commissioner Price asked if there is anything that is an obvious immediate cut.
48 Todd LoFrese said no, those discussions have not occurred at this time.
49 Commissioner Pelissier asked for the teacher turnover rate in both counties, and if the
50 teacher turnover rate was different from that of the year prior.
11
1 Del Burns said he did not know the exact number for OCS, but that the percentage did
2 increase significantly. He said information gathered through exit interviews points to this
3 turnover being due to retirements at the top of the scale. He said that teachers with 25 to 30
4 years experience have no financial motivation to continue teaching.
5 Todd LoFrese said CHCCS had turnover that was a combination of teachers at the
6 earlier end of their career, along with those retiring at the top of the scale. He agreed with Del
7 Burns regarding teachers hitting a wall in financial compensation after 25 to 30 years. He said
8 the turnover rate in CHCCS was at about 14 percent, which is a 10-year high.
9 James Barrett said the numbers circulated by DPI are done on a March to March
10 comparison; therefore, it takes a full year to reflect the turnover that happens at the end of the
11 school year.
12 Commissioner Pelissier requested, in the future, that both of the School Districts provide
13 the BOCC with quick reference figures regarding any progress made in achievement gaps and
14 graduation rates.
15 Chair McKee said, should the BOCC allocate the $302 request from CHCCS, that
16 amount would have to go to both systems, which would drive the tax rate to about .03,
17 assuming that everything else within the County stayed the same. He said the .03 increase
18 would be on top of the .02 increase from last year, which is significant for those on fixed
19 incomes.
20 Chair McKee said the upcoming bond would also add to the tax rate going forward. He
21 said that Paul Laughton mentioned that the increase given last year was also $302.
22 Commissioner Jacobs asked if staff would take the last 10 years of school requests and
23 calculate what the tax rate would be had all requests been fully funded.
24 Commissioner Price said asked if CHCCS could get back to the BOCC regarding their
25 priorities if the per pupil increase were to be only $81, or even an average between the $302
26 and the $81.
27 Todd LoFrese said the big question is what is going to happen at the State level. He
28 said salaries traditionally make up the biggest component of CHCCS requested increases over
29 the years. He said what happens at the State level affects what CHCCS does at the local level.
30 Tom Forcella said the salary increases are such a big piece of the CHCCS request but
31 are not a part of the OCS request.
32 Chair McKee said the budget cuts by the State are not exclusive to the Schools, and that
33 the County too is facing these same challenges.
34 Chair Kelly said if the tax rate increase being requested this year had been made 10
35 years ago, then a tax increase would not be needed this year. He said the requests are not
36 really cumulative over time.
37 Chair Kelly said CHCCS have approached their budget in a similar fashion for years. He
38 said when items are prioritized ahead of time, it adds a great deal of stress to their staff and
39 teachers. He said the monies that are ultimately received typically warrant a new discussion
40 anyway.
41 Chair Kelly said good things would happen in OCS if they too had the $302 increase in
42 per pupil funding.
43
44 Jamezetta Bedford said this year and last year's efforts have been made to tie the
45 budget to the long range plans, and she said she is adamantly opposed charging anything for
46 Driver's Education. She said looking forward, if nothing changes, then the achievement gap is
47 not going to improve. She said it will be necessary to think outside the box, repurposing the
48 dollars to help achievement gaps and improve instructional excellence in the classroom.
49 Commissioner Price said the reasoning for her question is to look at the worse-case
50 scenario, and what it would look like to CHCCS if they did not get their full funding request. She
51 said both school systems are doing great things and all should be proud.
12
1 Chair Halkiotis said OCS has two retired Highway Patrolmen that teach their Driver's
2 Education courses. He said the State has been considering letting private driving schools take
3 over Driver's Education, costing families $400-$600 per child to participate. He said if that
4 course were followed, there will be children with financial means having the advantage of being
5 able to drive earlier, but there will also be children driving without licenses leading to accidents.
6 Chair Halkiotis said he believed at some point the State will pass along the costs for the
7 yellow school buses to the Counties which are a significant financial burden. Chair Halkiotis
8 said he believed that there will be more and more of these types of challenges.
9 Chair Kelly said that many students are opting out of driving at a younger age in the
10 CHCCS. He said it is an interesting phenomenon.
11 Commissioner Rich said she also knows children who do not drive and prefer the bus.
12 She expressed concern for the students who want to drive but are "locked out" because they
13 cannot afford the fee for the course.
14 Chair Kelly said they will do their best to answer Commissioner Price's question.
15
16 3. Discussion of a November 2016 Bond Referendum for School Capital Needs
17 Bonnie Hammersley said the BOCC discussed and approved the scheduling of a
18 November 2016 bond referendum totaling $125 million for school capital needs and supported
19 the concept of a Bond Education Committee. She said this committee's composition,
20 appointment process, and public outreach responsibilities will be discussed and decided on at a
21 future meeting.
22 Bonnie Hammersley said there is no immediate financial impact for this discussion
23 tonight, and she recommends for the Boards to discuss the issue of a November 2016 Bond
24 Referendum, discuss the Schools' older assessment findings, and provide direction to staff, as
25 appropriate.
26 Chair McKee said the BOCC vote was to move forward with the single issue of school
27 capital needs.
28 Chair Kelly asked if the intent of the bond is for older schools.
29 Chair McKee said the discussion moved across the board. He said older schools and
30 issues of safety and design of the older schools were discussed. He said the BOCC did focus
31 strongly on renovations of existing schools in order to increase school capacity. He said the
32 conversation mentioned the possibility of pushing back the need for new schools by renovating
33 existing buildings.
34 Commissioner Price said there are numerous safety concerns with many school
35 campuses not having appropriate security for the times in which we live.
36 Chair Kelly asked, for the purpose of educating the public, if there is a central theme
37 around older schools and their needs (safety, code violations, mold, capacity, etc), or are they
38 thinking about adding school wings or building new buildings.
39 Chair McKee said since the Commissioners did not establish the composition for the
40 task of a bond education committee and the November 2016 is 19 months away, there is time
41 for the BOCC to discuss the components of this bond. He said this needs to be a collaborative
42 effort with both School Boards to decide the specifics of the bond.
43 Chair Halkiotis said their Board had an opportunity to listen to their staff, school by
44 school, regarding what their facility priorities are going to be. He said most of their schools are
45 at least 55 years old. He said both of the High Schools are over capacity. He said Cedar Ridge
46 High School (CRHS) is 215 students over capacity and Orange High School is only 13 seats
47 under its full capacity. He said the CRHS academic wing is a priority. He said there is some
48 room with the elementary and middle schools.
49 Chair Halkiotis said safety within OCS is a top priority, citing Grady Brown Elementary
50 School as a particularly egregious example. He said renovations are critically important:
13
1 bathroom facilities, HVAC systems, roofing systems, unfunded state mandates, antiquated
2 science wings, etc.
3 Chair Halkiotis said Orange County Schools realize the bond will not be split 50/50 but
4 probably a 60/40 split. He said OCS will provide the BOCC with a 40 percent priority list with
5 safety as their top priority.
6 Commissioner Dorosin said the School Board came to the Board of County
7 Commissioners with a list of renovations for older facilities. He said he was confused as to why
8 Chair Kelly would think the bond would be for something else given the repeated emphasis
9 placed on the older buildings by the CHCCS School Board.
10 Chair Kelly said while the School Board makes requests, it does not assume approval.
11 He said the agenda abstract stated "Capital Needs" and he just sought clarification.
12 Andrew Davidson said CHCCS are very fortunate to have a supportive Board of County
13 Commissioners. He said the capital needs of both schools are about $320 million and $125
14 million would only cover about 40 percent of these needs. He said they have their work cut out
15 for them, but they are very appreciative of the Commissioners' support.
16 Michelle Brownstein said she applauded all the hard work thus far and was thrilled to
17 hear the BOCC's decision to have the Schools be the single issue on the bond. She said the
18 focus must remain on the older facilities for the sake of the entire County and its children. She
19 said there are a lot of capital needs, but the huge needs of the older schools are paramount,
20 and the focus must remain clear. She added that the very careful planning done thus far are
21 now documents of public record. She said the logistics of making renovations while continuing
22 to educate the children is going to be tricky, and focused collaboration across the County will be
23 crucial.
24 James Barrett said he has heard repeatedly from the public that the current state of the
25 schools is from chronic deferred maintenance. He said it will be important to have and be able
26 to demonstrate a plan for keeping up with ongoing maintenance needs going forward.
27 Commissioner Pelissier said there must be a serious conversation about how to address
28 the remaining maintenance issues the bond will not be able to cover, in order to assure the
29 public there is a plan in place.
30 Commissioner Jacobs said the dynamic tension between capital needs versus per pupil
31 needs must also be looked into. He said the more money there is per pupil, the less money
32 there is for capital needs.
33 Chair McKee added the schools' needs are not the only needs in the County. He said
34 there are Senior Centers bursting at the seams, undeveloped and therefore unusable park
35 lands, affordable housing issues, child care, and other needs. He said making the decision to
36 focus the bond solely on schools did not indicate an abandonment of those issues but rather a
37 choosing to take them off the table at this time.
38 Chair McKee said the bond will not address all the needs of the schools, but it will make
39 a start. He said the Commissioners did not address the Education Committee until there had
40 been conversations with the school boards about their priorities.
41
42 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Rich to
43 adjourn the meeting at 9:02pm.
44
45 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
46
47
48 Earl McKee, Chair
49
50 Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
51
1
I Attachment 3
2
3 DRAFT MINUTES
4 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 REGULAR MEETING
6 May 5, 2015
7 7:00 p.m.
8
9 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May
10 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough, N.C.
11
12 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair McKee and Commissioners Mark Dorosin,
13 Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Mia Burroughs
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Assistant County Manager
17 Cheryl Young and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
19
20 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
21 Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
22 He noted the following items at the Commissioners' places:
23
24 - PowerPoint slides for item 5a - Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance
25 (UDO) Text Amendments for Agricultural Support Enterprises within the Rural Buffer Land
26 Use Classification (No Additional Comments Accepted)
27 - PowerPoint slides for item 7b - Orange County Solar Development Initiatives Update
28
29 PUBLIC CHARGE
30 Chair McKee dispensed with the reading of the Public Charge.
31
32 2. Public Comments
33 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
34 Jennie Stroud said she is from the Rogers Road community in Chapel Hill, and her
35 community is still in desperate need of sewer infrastructure. She said the neighborhood is
36 having major issues with sewage coming up through the ground. She said the odor is awful
37 and it is becoming a health issue, and the mosquitoes are also very bad. She said the
38 community seeks to maintain their properties, their investments and their affordable housing.
39 Chair McKee said the BOCC agreed with the urgency of the issue. He asked Bonnie
40 Hammersley to have staff give a detailed timeline for the sewer project to the Board and Ms.
41 Stroud.
42
43 Commissioner Price arrived at 7.08pm.
44
45 Commissioner Dorosin asked the County Manager if there is some form of mosquito
46 control that Orange County can access for this area.
47 Chair McKee echoed this request.
48
49 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
2
1 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda
2 below.)
3
4 3. Announcements and Petitions by Board Members
5 Commissioner Jacobs asked what types of pesticides and herbicides are used by the
6 County on County properties.
7 Commissioner Jacobs said the State Economic Development Partnership Director is
8 coming to speak to the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce, and he asked Steve Brantley for
9 an update regarding the current relationship between the BOCC and the State Economic
10 Development Partnership.
11 Commissioner Jacobs said he had read a letter from the agenda review team, in
12 reference to his petition at the last Board meeting, about discussing the issue of the petitions
13 process at an upcoming work session. He said the letter advised there to be a discussion
14 between the Chair and the Board members. He suggested that such a discussion should take
15 place in a public forum, and asked if the topic could be included in a regular meeting or a work
16 session.
17 Chair McKee said the request would be reviewed again during agenda review.
18 Commissioner Jacobs asked if this discussion could take place before the Board takes
19 their summer break.
20 Chair McKee said yes.
21 Commissioner Rich said she supported Commissioner Jacobs' request. She said a
22 more lengthy discussion, including the input of all commissioners, would be very helpful.
23 Commissioner Price said an email was received regarding an applicant to the Chapel
24 Hill Planning Board, and she would like more information.
25 Chair McKee said more details have come to light since this email was received, and
26 he would formulate a response to bring everyone up to date.
27 Commissioner Price said the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
28 (NCACC) distributes a State magazine, and the Orange County Economic Development team
29 was recognized for their Orange County Expo at University Mall.
30 Commissioner Pelissier said the Board of Health uses dashboards for performance
31 indicators. She asked if there could be a presentation at a future work session about
32 dashboards. She said she feels dashboards may be a useful tool for multiple County
33 departments, but would like everyone to be educated about them prior to making any decisions.
34 Commissioner Dorosin requested that staff review all County-owned property, to see if
35 there is any property that could be used for affordable housing.
36 Commissioner Rich requested information regarding the need for a dialogue with
37 Chapel Hill and Carrboro regarding the Greene Tract property. She said the Greene Tract
38 property would be a perfect place for affordable housing.
39 Commissioner Rich said the Board of Elections demonstrated their new voting
40 machines this afternoon from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. She said most people are working during
41 these hours, and she suggested having an evening presentation, so that more members of the
42 public can attend.
43 Chair McKee said the request will be passed along to the Board of Elections.
44 Commissioner Pelissier suggested having the Greene Tract conversation at the next
45 Assembly of Governments (AOG) meeting in November. She said she has heard interest from
46 a variety of elected officials throughout the County.
47 Commissioner Jacobs said he raised the issue about trails, on the County owned
48 portion of the Greene Tract, during the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) discussion. He said the
49 trails discussion did not require the presence of other local governments to move forward.
3
1 Chair McKee said the Greene Tract has been a recurrent topic of discussion the entire
2 time he has served on the BOCC. He said it may be time to move the conversation forward.
3
4 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
5
6 a. Historic Preservation Month in Orange County
7 The Board considered approving a proclamation proclaiming May 2015 as Historic
8 Preservation Month in Orange County, authorizing the Chair to sign, and extending an invitation
9 to the public to support the preservation of the County's irreplaceable historic and
10 archaeological resources.
11 Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator for the Department of Environment,
12 Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR), introduced Historic Preservation Commission
13 Chair Todd Dickinson, who read the proclamation:
14
15 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
16 HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH IN ORANGE COUNTY
17 PROCLAMATION
18
19 WHEREAS, Orange County can be proud of its long history of recognizing and protecting its
20 rich historic and archaeological resources through the dedicated efforts of individuals, non-profit
21 groups, municipal and county governments; and
22
23 WHEREAS, Orange County partners with the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, Preservation
24 Chapel Hill, and other non-profit groups and local governments to preserve these important,
25 and often irreplaceable, resources; and
26
27 WHEREAS, Orange County has demonstrated its commitment to historic preservation by using
28 the restored Alexander Dickson House in Hillsborough as a visitor center, repairing and
29 restoring historic farmsteads at future county park sites, preserving the historic Old County
30 Courthouse, and designating important properties with historic and architectural significance as
31 local landmarks; and
32
33 WHEREAS, Orange County recently renovated the former auditorium in the Whitted Center for
34 use as a permanent meeting room for the Board of County Commissioners and is presently
35 renovating the Cedar Grove School for new use as a community center, thereby ensuring the
36 preservation of these historic school buildings for enjoyment and use by all residents; and
37
38 WHEREAS, Orange County government works actively to protect its own archaeological and
39 cultural resources during County-funded construction projects through a "Cultural and
40 Archaeological Policy" that serves as a model for other counties in North Carolina; and
41
42 WHEREAS, the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission has obtained grant funding
43 for a project to permanently document the County's historic resources by producing a book
44 depicting its historic houses and farmsteads, in partnership with the Town of Hillsborough and
45 the State Historic Preservation Office; and
46
47 WHEREAS, historic preservation is an effective tool for fostering local pride and maintaining
48 community and rural character while enhancing livability; and
49
4
1 WHEREAS, historic preservation is relevant for all residents of Orange County, both urban and
2 rural, of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic and cultural backgrounds;
3
4 NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May
5 2015 as Historic Preservation Month and call upon the people of Orange County to join their
6 fellow residents in recognizing and participating in this special observance.
7
8 THIS, THE 5th DAY OF MAY, 2015.
9
10 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
11 Board to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation designating May as Historic
12 Preservation Month in Orange County and recommended the Board to extend an invitation to
13 the public to support the preservation of the County's irreplaceable historic and archaeological
14 resources.
15
16 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
17
18 b. Older Americans Month Proclamation
19 The Board considered approving a proclamation joining Federal and State governments
20 in designating the month of May 2015 as Older Americans Month, and a time to honor older
21 adults for their contributions to society and to Orange County, and authorizing the Chair to sign
22 the proclamation.
23 Janice Tyler, Director of the Orange County Department on Aging, introduced Mary Kay
24 Kraft and Norma White, both who are Project Engage Leaders.
25 Mary Kay Kraft read the proclamation:
26
27 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
28 Proclamation
29 Older Americans Month — May 2015
30 Theme - "Get Into the Act"
31
32 WHEREAS, Orange County includes over 23,000 persons aged 60 and older; and
33
34 WHEREAS, Orange County includes a thriving community of older adults who deserve
35 recognition for their contribution and sacrifices to ensure a better life for future generations; and
36
37 WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners is committed to helping all individuals
38 live longer, healthier lives in the communities of their choice for as long as possible; and
39
40 WHEREAS, we recognize the value of community engagement and service in helping older
41 adults remain healthy and active while giving back to others; and
42
43 WHEREAS, our community can provide opportunities to enrich the lives of individuals of all
44 ages by:
45
46 ■ Promoting and engaging in activity, wellness, and social inclusion.
47 ■ Emphasizing home and community-based services that support independent living.
48 ■ Ensuring community members of all ages benefit from the contributions and experience
5
1 of older adults.
2
3 NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May
4 2015 to be Older Americans Month and urge all residents to take time this month to celebrate
5 older adults and the people who serve and support them as powerful and vital individuals who
6 greatly contribute to the community.
7
8 THIS, THE 5th DAY OF MAY, 2015.
9
10 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
11 Board to approve the proclamation, designating May as Older Americans Month, and to
12 authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation.
13
14 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
15
16 5. Public Hearings
17
18 a. Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendments for
19 Agricultural Support Enterprises within the Rural Buffer Land Use Classification
20 (No Additional Comments Accepted)
21 The Board considered: 1. Receiving the Planning Board's recommendation; 2. Closing
22 the public hearing; 3. Deliberating as necessary on the proposed amendments; and 4. Deciding
23 accordingly and/or adopting the Statement of Consistency and the Ordinance amending the
24 Comprehensive Plan and UDO as recommended by the Planning Board and staff to implement
25 a program commonly referred to as "Agricultural Support Enterprises" within the Rural Buffer
26 land use classification.
27 Perdita Holtz made the following PowerPoint presentation:
28
29 Agricultural Support Enterprises with the Rural Buffer Land Use Classification
30
31 Recent History
32 • Heard at February 2014 quarterly public hearing
33 • Joint Planning public hearing in March 2014 for necessary amendments to the joint
34 planning documents
35 -Adopted by the three local governments in April 2015
36 • Implementing regulations to the County's Comprehensive Plan and Unified
37 Development Ordinance are under consideration tonight
38
39 Changes from Version Presented at Public Hearing
40 • Shown in green text in Attachment 3
41 • Incorporate recommendations made by the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill
42 Remove four additional uses from consideration as an ASE-CZ in the rural buffer
43 -Agricultural Processing Facility
44 -Microbrewery with Major Events
45 -Winery with Major Events
46 -Assembly Facility, Greater than 300 Occupants
47 Provide opportunity for Agricultural Preservation Board to comment on ASE projects in
48 the rural buffer
6
1 • Encourage Reuse of Existing Farm Buildings in the rural buffer by potentially reducing
2 required setback areas
3 • Clarify that Veterinary Clinics and Veterinary Hospitals are intended primarily for large
4 animal facilities
5
6 Planning Board Recommendation
7 • May 7, 2014 — unanimously recommended approval of the amendments as originally
8 proposed
9 • April 1, 2015 — reviewed changes made in response to Towns' recommendation.
10 -Voted 7-1 to recommend approval of the amendments
11
12 Recommendation for Tonight
13 • Receive the Planning Board's recommendation
14 • Close the public hearing
15 • Deliberate as desired
16 • Decide accordingly
17 -Adopt the Statement of Consistency in Attachment 2
18 -Adopt Ordinance in Attachment 3
19
20 Commissioner Jacobs said he had never seen staff characterize a Planning Board
21 member's time of service in an abstract, to qualify their vote.
22 Perdita Holtz said staff wanted to show that the Planning Board had voted unanimously
23 in 2014, but not so in 2015. She said the member that voted no was not a member of the
24 Board in 2014.
25 Commissioner Jacobs said he thought it was inappropriate to put that information in an
26 abstract, because it singled a person out.
27 Commissioner Price asked how a major event at a winery or micro brewery is defined,
28 as compared to a minor event.
29 Perdita Holtz said the two primary qualifiers of major versus minor events are the
30 frequency of events, and the number of people in attendance at the events.
31 Commissioner Price asked if the number of people attending must be under 300.
32 Perdita Holtz said she believed it is under 150 people.
33 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to
34 close the public hearing.
35
36 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
37
38 Commissioner Jacobs thanked Perdita Holtz, and the planning staff, for working with the
39 BOCC through this long process. He said some philosophical differences with the Towns were
40 resolved.
41 Commissioner Rich asked if Perdita Holtz could remind the Board of the content of the
42 one year check-in.
43 Perdita Holtz said one recommendation is to have an annual report on any activities
44 within the Rural Buffer pertaining to Agricultural Support Enterprises. She said the update will
45 likely be a written or verbal report at the annual AOG Meeting.
46 Commissioner Rich asked if there is any expected action to be taken after the report
47 comes in.
48 Perdita Holtz said, at this time, it is only a report but if needed, future dialogue could
49 occur.
7
1
2 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Rich for the
3 Board to adopt the Statement of Consistency, contained within Attachment 2, and the
4 Ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan and UDO contained within Attachment 3, as
5 recommended by the Planning Board and staff.
6
7 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
8
9 b. Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan — FY 2015-2020
10 The Board considered: 1. Receiving comments from the public regarding the FY 2015-
11 2016 Annual Action Plan for the HOME Program in Orange County; 2) Closing the public
12 hearing; and 3) Adopting the resolution approving the FY 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan.
13 Audrey Spencer-Horsley, Director of the Department of Housing, Human Rights and
14 Community Development, said there will probably not be many public comments due to the
15 amount of outreach their departments and other organizations did ahead of time. The plan's
16 primary focus is to determine the housing needs in Orange County and to develop goals from
17 that.
18 She reviewed some of the highlights of the findings from the needs assessment from
19 the Consolidated Plan:
20 • Affordable housing for older adults
21 • Affordable rental housing
22
23 PUBLIC COMMENT:
24 Minister Robert Campbell said he lives in the Rogers — Eubanks neighborhood. He said
25 the Orange County Community Development Plan, as related to housing, does not assist those
26 who live in manufactured homes, and his application was denied. He said his home is still
27 under the guidelines of zoning and policies, but the stipulations do vary. He said if the BOCC
28 desires to maintain affordable homes, owners of manufactured housing are left out of the loop,
29 though they are on minimum incomes. He said it was hurtful that it took the people who visited
30 him only ten minutes to tell him his application was denied, though on his original application a
31 year ago he noted he lived in a mobile home.
32 Chair McKee asked the Housing Director to address Minister Campbell.
33 Audrey Spencer-Horsely said the rehab funding received through the State is not an
34 eligibility process. The State has to go out to look at a property to see if a house can be
35 brought up to a certain standard, with the understanding that only a certain dollar amount can
36 be spent on bringing the property up to that standard. She said the applications are addressed
37 in the order in which they are received, which is likely why it took a year for Minister Campbell's
38 application to be reviewed. She added many times applications are received, but there is not
39 enough time or staff to follow up on all applications.
40 Chair McKee said he would be interested in how the process addresses a manufactured
41 home that is brought in on a chassis, versus one that is set up on the site.
42 Audrey Spencer-Horsely said she would do further research. She said it is her
43 understanding that manufactured housing is not eligible for the rehabilitation funding. She said
44 there is no other source of funding for rehabilitation.
45 Chair McKee asked for a definitive statement on state regulation to be gathered, for
46 future reference.
47 Commissioner Dorosin said there has been a real disconnect between the issue raised
48 by Minister Campbell and the State. He said the Board believes this is a priority and he said if
49 this State funding does not address rehabilitation for manufactured housing, then Orange
50 County should create funding locally.
8
1 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there are numbers available regarding the members of
2 elderly population that are considered low-income. He said the report in the packet states that
3 housing for the elderly should be a priority, but it does not break down how many are
4 considered low-income.
5 Audrey Spencer-Horsely said the report does include tables that provide this
6 information.
7 Commissioner Jacobs said he supported Commissioner Dorosin, and he suggested that
8 the Manufactured Housing Association would likely be one of the County's most aggressive
9 allies and should be brought into the conversation regarding affordable housing.
10 Commissioner Rich asked if there is a definition of a manufactured home, and if it varies
11 between government entities.
12 Audrey Spencer-Horsely said she knows there is a definition that the Department of
13 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses, and she will research if the State uses a
14 different one.
15 Chair McKee said there continues to be a stigma associated with mobile homes and
16 manufactured housing. He said this stigma is unnecessary and should be eradicated. He said
17 as a young adult he lived in a mobile home for fourteen years, as it was what he could afford.
18 He said the new emphasis on tiny houses is very much like the mobile home in which he used
19 to live.
20 Commissioner Rich said she agreed and she felt that public sentiment is moving away
21 from the stigma.
22 John Roberts said North Carolina has a definition of a mobile home and he read it:
23 "Manufactured home - A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling
24 mode, is eight feet or more in width or is 40 feet or more in length, or when erected on site, is
25 320 or more square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as
26 a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, and
27 includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems contained therein."
28
29 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier for
30 the Board to close the public hearing.
31
32 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
33
34 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
35 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF
36 THE FY 2015-2020 CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR THE CONSORTIUM
37 ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
38
39 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, that the Commissioners
40 authorize the County Manager to submit the FY 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan for housing and
41 community development programs to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
42 for the Orange County Consortium including all understandings, assurances, and certifications
43 required therein.
44
45
46 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Manager is hereby designated as the authorized
47 representative of the County to act in connection with the submission of the FY 2015-2020
48 Consolidated Plan and the annual updates to provide such additional information as may be
49 required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
50
9
1 This, the 5th day of May, 2015.
2
3 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Rich for the
4 Board to adopt the resolution approving the FY 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan.
5
6 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
7
8 c. Consolidated Plan Annual Action Plan/HOME Program
9 The Board considered: 1. Receiving comments from the public regarding the FY 2015-
10 2016 Annual Action Plan for the HOME Program in Orange County; 2) Closing the public
11 hearing; 3) Adopting a Resolution approving the FY 2015-2016 Consolidated Housing Plan
12 Annual Action Plan; and approving the proposed HOME Program Activities for 2015 - 2016; and
13 4) Authorizing the Manager to implement the HOME Program as approved by the BOCC
14 including the ability to execute agreements with partnering non-profit organizations after
15 consultation with the County Attorney.
16
17 Audrey Spencer-Horsley said the recommendations were made by the HOME
18 Consortium Committee and she reviewed the funding.
19 She said this is the first time the submission would be done entirely electronically. She
20 said previously the submission had been done jointly with the Town of Chapel Hill. She said
21 this year HUD requested separate plans, and the County appealed. She said HUD allowed a
22 consolidated 5-year regional plan from the County and the Town together; but moving forward
23 there will be separate actions plans, submitted both by the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange
24 County.
25 Commissioner Rich asked if Habitat for Humanity knows how much initial funding there
26 is.
27 Audrey Spencer-Horsley said the funding is usually based on what an organization
28 received the prior year. She said there is no limit on what an organization can request, but they
29 may not receive that amount.
30 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the funds allocated to Empowerment are different than
31 those previously decided upon.
32 Audrey Spencer-Horsely she believed the allocations are based on the Committee's
33 recommendations. She said some contingencies have been followed up on, per the request of
34 the Committee.
35 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Rich for the
36 Board to close the public hearing.
37
38 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
39
40 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
41 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
42 THE ORANGE COUNTY FY 2015-2016 HOME PROGRAM DESIGN
43
44 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Orange County Board of Commissioners as a member of the
45 Orange County HOME Consortium approves the submission of the FY 2015-2016 Consolidate
46 Plan Annual Action Plan HOME Program activities.
47
48 Homeownership Assistance
10
1 Funds would be allocated to Orange County Habitat for Humanity to provide deferred payment
2 zero interest second mortgages for ten (11) homes throughout Orange County. Homes will be
3 sold to households earning between 30 percent and 65 percent of the area median income.
4 (Requested amount: $270,000)
5 $100,455
6
7 New Construction
8 Funds would be allocated to the Downtown Housing Improvement Corporation, Inc. (DHIC) to
9 support the new construction of 80 apartment homes for households at less than 60% AMI on
10 Legion Road in Chapel Hill. Greenfield Place will have a mix of one, two and three bedroom
11 units along with a community building and other amenities.
12 (Requested amount: $300,000)
13 $154,500
14
15 Acquisition
16 Funds would be allocated to EmPOWERment, Inc., for the acquisition of a single family
17 property for lease to households earning 80% or less AMI.
18 (Requested amount: $60,000)
19 $30,000
20
21 Housing Rehabilitation
22 Funds would be allocated to EmPOWERment, Inc., for rehabilitation of a single family property
23 for lease to veteran households earning 80% or less AMI.
24 (Requested amount: $46,500)
25 $46,500
26
27 Tenant Based Rental Assistance
28 Funds would be provided to Housing for New Hope to support homeless outreach and increase
29 housing support that assist the homeless of Orange County acquire permanent housing.
30 (Requested amount: $50,000)
31 $50,000
32
33 Program Administration
34 $ 31,183
35
36 TOTAL FY 2015-2016 HOME PROGRAM FUNDS
37 $412,638
38
39 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Manager is hereby designated as the authorized
40 representative of the County to act in connection with the submission of this plan and to provide
41 such additional information as may be required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
42 Development
43
44 This, the 5th day of May, 2015.
45
46 A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Rich for the
47 Board to Adopt the Resolution approving the FY 2015-2016 Consolidated Housing Plan Annual
48 Action Plan; and approving the proposed HOME Program Activities for 2015—2016.
49
50 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
11
1
2 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier
3 authorizing the Manager to implement the HOME Program as approved by the BOCC including
4 the ability to execute agreements with partnering non-profit organizations after consultation with
5 the County Attorney.
6
7 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
8
9 6. Consent Agenda
10 • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
11 NONE
12
13 • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
14 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price to
15 approve the remaining items on the consent agenda.
16
17 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
18
19 Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
20
21 a. Minutes
22 The Board approved the minutes from March 26, 2015, Assembly of Governments Meeting;
23 and March 26, 2015, Joint Meeting with the Town of Chapel Hill, as submitted by the Clerk to
24 the Board.
25 b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds
26 The Board approved a resolution to release motor vehicle property tax values for twelve (12)
27 taxpayers with a total of twelve (12) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue in accordance
28 with NCGS.
29 c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds
30 The Board approved and adopted a resolution to release property tax values for three (3)
31 taxpayers with a total of three (3) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue in accordance
32 with North Carolina General Statute 105-381.
33 d. Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Amendment Outlines
34 and Schedules for Four(4) Proposed Text Amendments
35 The Board approved process components and schedules for four (4) government initiated
36 Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendments and direct the staff to proceed
37 accordingly.
38 e. Amendment and Extension to Existing Interlocal Agreement with the Town of
39 Hillsborough for Plan Review, Inspection, Building Official and Related Services
40 The Board approved the Interlocal Agreement between Orange County and the Town of
41 Hillsborough to provide enforcement of the North Carolina Building Codes including plan review,
42 building official and related services pertaining to the North Carolina State Building Codes and
43 authorize execution of the Agreement.
44 f. Request for Road Additions to the State Maintained Secondary Road System (Eno
45 Ridge Subdivision)
46 The Board approved to: 1. Forward the Petition for Addition to the State Maintained System to
47 the North Carolina Department of Transportation for New Salou Drive, Trumpet Court, Vine
48 Court, Bee Balm Court, Onslow Court, High Ridge Drive and Climbing Aster Court in Eno Ridge
49 Subdivision; and 2. Recommend the North Carolina Department of Transportation accept the
50 roads for maintenance as State Secondary Roads.
12
1 g. Request for Road Additions to the State Maintained Secondary Road System
2 (Ashwick Subdivision)
3 The Board approved to: 1. Forward the Petition for Addition to the State Maintained System to
4 the North Carolina Department of Transportation for Ashwick Drive, Glenwick Lane, Norwich
5 Court, Farnswick Place, Chadwick Lane, and Benwich Lane in Ashwick Subdivision; and 2.
6 Recommend the North Carolina Department of Transportation accept the roads for
7 maintenance as State Secondary Roads.
8
9 7. Regular Agenda
10
11 a. Designation of the White Cross School as an Orange County Local Historic
12 Landmark
13 The Board considered adopting an ordinance to designate the White Cross School as
14 an Orange County Local Historic Landmark and authorizing the Chair to sign, and also thanking
15 the owners, Jay and Danielle Sunde, for their ongoing efforts to preserve this important historic
16 rural school building.
17 Peter Sandbeck reviewed PowerPoint slides that contained photographs of the property.
18 Peter Sandbeck said the first White Cross School was burned in 1932. He said the
19 current building stands on Highway 54 West in Central White Cross. He said, at the point of its
20 construction, the building was called a consolidated school. He said its construction was part of
21 an ambitious plan by the Board of Education to replace one and two room schools with new
22 brick schools featuring modern amenities. He said the Preservation Commission has
23 determined that the White Cross School possesses special historical and architectural
24 significance. The State Historic Preservation Office has reviewed the Preservation Committee's
25 conclusions, as required by ordinance and State law.
26 Peter Sandbeck said the current owners are renovating the building. He said it is
27 currently used as a very active and successful preschool. He showed a slide of the parcel
28 being proposed for designation; saying it has been reviewed with Tax Administration. He said
29 there is a larger 2.69 acre parcel, but the landmark will be only just around the historic school
30 building.
31 Peter Sandbeck said the County has three other historic Consolidated Schools that have
32 been preserved: St. Mary's School, The Murphy School, and the Cedar Grove School. He said
33 all three schools are in use and it is wonderful to see preservation for the generations to come.
34 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the parcel was going to be sub-divided into two parcels.
35 Peter Sandbeck said the State does not require the parcel to be sub-divided for the
36 landmark process. He added the State does require the Tax Administration to be consulted, in
37 order to determine an acreage value for the portion of parcel.
38 Chair McKee asked if the reduction on the tax roll only applies to the landmarked portion
39 of the property.
40 Peter Sandbeck said yes.
41
42 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
43 Board to adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the attached ordinance to designate the White
44 Cross School as an Orange County Local Historic Landmark, and also thank the owners, Jay
45 and Danielle Sunde, for their ongoing efforts to preserve this important historic rural school
46 building.
47
48 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
49
50 b. Orange County Solar Development Initiatives Update
13
1 The Board considered a recommendation to: 1. Receive an update and provide
2 feedback on the County's discussions to further educate and develop solar energy initiatives
3 (rooftop photovoltaic, ground-mounted solar arrays, solar power storage technology, etc.) within
4 Orange County in alignment with the 2015 "Solarize" Campaigns organized by NextClimate
5 (Orange County, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough); 2. Endorse the development of a
6 pilot solar photovoltaic system within County facilities, beginning with the Rogers Road
7 Community Center; and 3. Include the proposed pilot within the 2015 Orange County "Solarize"
8 campaigns.
9 Brennan Bouma is the Orange County Sustainability Coordinator, and he introduced
10 Rob Pinder, from NextClimate.org.
11 Brennan Bouma made the following PowerPoint presentation:
12
13 County Solar Initiatives & Collaboration with "Solarize Orange County"
14
15 Solar Initiatives -Action Items
16 • Receive information
17 • Permission to continue to develop pilot solar photovoltaic system
18 • Permission to include pilot in 2015 Solarize Orange County Campaign
19
20 Solar Initiatives - Background
21 • History of interest
22 • Difficult economics
23 • Recent innovations
24 -New tools for initial assessments
25 -Financing
26
27 Research
28 • Energy Storage
29 — Tesla Powerwall
30 • Ground-mounted Solar Arrays
31 — Research report from UNC School of Government
32 — Meeting with County residents
33 — Upcoming research report from UNC
34
35 • Roof-mounted Solar Arrays
36
37 Solar Initiatives - Guiding Principles
38 • Roof integrity
39 — New or recently replaced
40 — Adequate structural capacity
41 • Southern exposure or flat
42 • Avoid shade (present and future)
43 • Start small but visible
44 • Incentivize investment
45
46 Initial Assessment & Rogers Road Community Solar Proposed
47 • Approached by interested group
14
1 In parallel with this analysis, a team of interested residents and solar experts
2 approached Orange County about the feasibility of installing solar panels on the Rogers
3 Road Community Center for the benefit of the Rogers-Eubanks community.
4 David Caldwell, RENA
5 Ty Fenton, UnitedSolarinitiative.org, nonprofit bringing solar projects to low-income
6 communities around the world
7 Rob Pinder, NextClimate.org, nonprofit helping community solar projects in Orange
8 County
9 Laura Wenzel, private citizen in neighboring community
10 Ed Witkin, Owner of Carrboro Solar Works, LL. Also works with
11 UnitedSolarinitiative.org
12
13 Brennan Bouma said he had been working closely with this group to assess the
14 feasibility and benefits of this project as a potential pilot solar project for Orange County. He
15 said the Rogers Road Community Center (RRCC) seemed to fit the County's list of
16 characteristics, and staff worked with the RRCC team to conduct an initial solar energy
17 assessment on this building. He said staff has employed the "PVWatts" calculator from the
18 National Renewable Energy Laboratory to assist in modeling, sizing, and prioritizing solar
19 photovoltaic infrastructure investments (j1po 11 v atts.nrelo_ ov/ v watts h
20 Rob Pender, of www.NextClimate.org, said the intent of the "Solarize" campaigns is to
21 lower the cost of rooftop photovoltaic systems through pulling together interested households
22 and commercial users into a group-purchasing deal. NextClimate, a local 501 c (3) non-profit,
23 organizes the four Solarize campaigns that are active in Orange County (Orange County,
24 Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro).
25 Rob Pender said in 2014, NextClimate brought together two solar installation companies
26 (Yes! Solar Solutions and Southern Energy Management), and two financing organizations
27 (Admiral's Bank and Self Help Credit Union) with the mission to bring affordable solar power to
28 the people of Orange County, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. He said their efforts
29 resulted in new solar installations on 90 homes and small businesses across Orange County in
30 2014. He said in 2015, NextClimate is expanding its reach to create Solarize Research
31 Triangle, bringing solar investment and benefits to RTP workplaces.
32
33 Rogers Road Community Solar
34
35 • Invest in a project that will benefit the whole community
36 • Build community pride with a highly visible, future-oriented project
37 • Create an educational resource on clean energy
38 • Use clean energy, reducing air pollution from coal
39 • Expose youth to career possibilities in "green"jobs
40
41 Potential Solar Projects
42 • Solar farm in bioretention field
43 • Solar panels on individual homes
44 • Solar electricity at community center
45 All projects depend on available financing options
46
47 Solarize Orange County
48 • Residential focus
49 • Group discounts
15
1 • Free solar assessment
2 • Vetted solar installers and financing
3 • McDougal Middle School partnership - educational 1 kW community solar photovoltaic
4 array
5 Brennan Bouma said the system at the RRCC would be around 24 kilowatts. He said it
6 would cover between 80 and 100 percent of the projected electricity use of the building. He
7 said it would have an initial cost of$90,000 to $100,000. He said once the analysis showed
8 that a PV system was feasible on Rogers Road Community Center, the team shifted focus
9 towards how it might be paid for, and how the Community might be able to benefit from such a
10 system.
11 Solar Economics
12 • No Investor
13 — 24 kilowatts
14 — 100% of energy
15 — $96,000 initial cost
16 — $2,700 annual savings
17 — Return on investment: 35 years
18 • Investor
19 — 24 kilowatts
20 — 100% of energy
21 — 96,000 initial cost
22 — $60,000 to $96,000 tax benefits
23 — $1,350 annual sales
24 — Transfer to County
25 — Return on Investment: 0 to 7 years
26
27 Social Benefits
28 • Education
29 • Environmental Sustainability
30 • Renewable Energy
31 • Community engagement and equity
32 • Collaboration
33 • Economic development
34
35 Solar Initiatives -Action Items
36 • Receive information
37 • Permission to continue to develop pilot solar photovoltaic system
38 • Permission to include pilot in 2015 Solarize Orange County Campaign
39
40 Next Steps
41 • Pursue investors
42 • Develop agreement
43 • Install pilot system
44 • Manage
45 • Assess and repeat elsewhere
46
47 If the Board agreed with the Manager's recommendation, staff would move forward with
48 the solar pilot project as a part of the 2015 Orange County "Solarize" campaigns, pursue both
49 solar investors and development partners through the appropriate statutory procurement
16
1 processes, and provide ongoing progress reports to the Board. Staff projects that the initial
2 pilot project will be completed and operational no later than December of 2015, and that this
3 could be the first of many facility photovoltaic solar systems providing renewable energy in lieu
4 of less sustainable energy sources.
5 Commissioner Price asked if the Tesla Powerwall will be a part of this process.
6 Brennan Bouma said the Tesla Powerwall just came out last week, and the presentation
7 is just a broad update.
8 Commissioner Price asked if the size of the Powerwall is known.
9 Brennan Bouma said the PowerPoint shows a picture of two of the cells, side by side.
10 He said up to nine cells can be stacked, side by side. He said it is about 7 inches thick by 2 to
11 3 feet tall, and is meant to hang on the wall.
12 Commissioner Jacobs said in the CIP, FY2017-2018 has a generator for the Rogers
13 Road Community Center for $50,000. He said there is a total of$400,000 in the CIP for
14 generators, over the years. He said it seems unwise to keep investing in generators when they
15 will soon hopefully be obsolete.
16 Commissioner Jacobs said by the time FY 2017-2018 arrives, he would like to
17 incorporate solar batteries instead of a generator. He said he would also like for staff to look at
18 alternative options within the realm of solar energy for the funds intended for generators.
19 Commissioner Rich asked if there could be clarification about how the panels would go
20 on the roof of the RRCC, and where the battery would be placed inside the building.
21 Brennan Bouma said, in regards to Commissioner Jacobs' comment, he would like to
22 consult the expert team regarding the possibility of solar battery back-ups in the future. He said
23 energy storage has been discussed and the costs of it are falling dramatically.
24 Brennan Bouma said the project could move forward in two ways:
25 1. Energy generated by the sun can be sold directly to the Utility Company. He said the
26 current rate for that energy is about 4 cents per kilowatt hour.
27 2. Net metering, where a separate meter is on the solar panels that keeps a tally
28 throughout the year and displaces the costs seen on energy bills.
29 Brennan Bouma said the second option is what is mostly being considered in Orange
30 County. He said this is about 8 to 10 cents per kilowatt hour.
31 Rob Pender said the number of$96,000 is a ball park number for a net metering
32 system. He said batteries are not included in that budget number, but the system is set up for
33 batteries to be added at a later time, when their cost decreases.
34 Jeff Thompson, Director of Orange County Asset Management Services, said at the
35 RRCC there is a utility room that is accessed from outside and that is where the wall mounted
36 batteries could be mounted. He said the pricing of the cost effective batteries being marketed
37 by Tesla is currently unknown. He said if this battery technology is real, then this would be a
38 solution for power for emergency situations.
39 Commissioner Pelissier asked if there are any plans to use solar energy at the Cedar
40 Grove Community Center, given that it is in the process of being renovated.
41 Jeff Thompson said yes. He said the RRCC would be the pilot project; and if the model
42 works, then it would be put into the Cedar Grove plan as well. He said it would be ideal to
43 implement this by the end of the year, prior to the end of the tax credit.
44 Chair McKee asked if there are any interested investors at this time.
45 Rob Pender said yes, there are interested investors, but no decisions would be made
46 without input from the BOCC.
47
48 A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Price for
49 the Board to endorse the development of a pilot solar photovoltaic system within County
17
1 facilities, beginning with the Rogers Road Community Center; and include this proposed pilot
2 within the 2015 Orange County "Solarize" campaigns.
3
4 Commissioner Rich said she is excited about involving all of the Rogers Road
5 Community in this project, including the young children.
6
7 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
8
9 c. Proposed Veterans Memorial Site on the Southern Campus
10 The Board considered: 1. Approving in principle the siting of a future Veterans Memorial
11 upon the Southern Campus in accordance with the recently approved Campus Master Plan,
12 with development contingent upon the approval of the Memorial according to the design
13 guidelines and other requirements stipulated within the approved Special Use Permit issued by
14 the Town of Chapel Hill; 2. Authorizing the Manager and staff to participate in the ongoing
15 project planning process; and 3. Reserving the right of final construction approval contingent
16 upon Board approval of: 1) ownership, 2) design; 3) budget and certification of adequate
17 development and construction funds raised; and 4) the approval of an ongoing operations and
18 maintenance agreement for the Memorial.
19 Jeff Thompson said this item regarded a potential site of a Veteran's Memorial at the
20 Southern Human Services Center. He said this is part of the developable area of their Special
21 Use Permit (SUP) from Chapel Hill. He said an endorsement of this first step, from the BOCC,
22 will allow this committee to raise funds for this effort.
23 Jeff Thompson said the future steps for the BOCC approval would be the memorial
24 ownership structure, certification of adequate funds raised, the design and construction
25 contracting approval, and an operating agreement for ongoing maintenance. He said this effort
26 has been underway for many years.
27 Jim Merritt, Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman, read the following letter to the
28 Board from the Committee and he introduced two other members from his board.
29
30 April 29, 2015
31
32 The Honorable Earl McKee
33 Chairman, Orange County Board of Commissioners
34 5200 Kiger Road
35 Rougemont, NC 27572
36
37 Dear Commissioner McKee:
38
39 On November 22, 2010, Colonel Fred Black, U.S. Army (Retired) and a Vietnam Veteran, then
40 serving as the Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman, petitioned the Town Council to
41 approve the siting of a proposed Veterans Memorial at Chapel Hill at the Chapel Hill Memorial
42 Cemetery. This request was approved and the Veterans Memorial Committee began the
43 design phase.
44
45 A preliminary concept design was developed and brought before the Town Council and
46 approved in April 2013.
47
48 This memorial is for all veterans and includes veterans in neighboring communities. We are
49 now formulating the plan for project funding where we will solicit funds needed for memorial
50 construction.
18
1
2 Concurrent with our efforts, veterans, students, and families of veterans of Orange County have
3 also asked the question, "Why don't we have a County Veterans Memorial?" That challenge
4 has created an opportunity for the veterans of Chapel Hill to join with County veterans to build a
5 noble memorial for the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County within Chapel Hill. We have
6 shared our memorial's concept with Orange County veterans and it has been well received.
7
8 This County Memorial may be a good and appropriate fit for the Orange County Southern
9 Human Services complex on Homestead Rd. Space for a memorial on the "homestead" site
10 area may be available. The Veterans Committee has looked at this alternate site and, if
11 available, would provide a premiere location for a Veterans Memorial at Chapel Hill. It is well-
12 suited for a memorial on the upper hillside. There is ample parking, public transportation, and
13 the center is frequently visited by both Chapel Hill and County citizens.
14
15 I share this information with you now, as we have been asked to consider combining efforts.
16 The county will soon be asked about a memorial and an appropriate site. We think that
17 Homestead Road site in Chapel Hill would be well-served to be the home for a veterans'
18 memorial for the veterans of Orange County.
19
20 Most respectfully,
21
22 JIM MERRITT BRUCE RUNBERG
23 Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman Co-Chairman
24
25 Commissioner Price asked if the members of the Veterans Memorial Committee would
26 stand and be recognized. Commissioner Price said there are also some Committee members
27 from the Northern and Central parts of the County that have joined in this effort. She thanked
28 them for their service in general, and specifically for their work on this Memorial.
29 Commissioner Price asked if the approval process can be done in conjunction with the
30 Town of Chapel Hill.
31 Commissioner Jacobs recognized Mr. York who had helped bring this Memorial to
32 fruition. He said a design was created by David Swanson, in conjunction with the group
33 working on a Chapel Hill Cemetery version of the Veterans' Memorial. He said this design may
34 well still work for the Southern Human Services Center site. He said students from Stanford
35 Middle School presented five different proposed Memorial designs to the Veterans Memorial
36 Committee. He said these designs were not incompatible with the design of David Swanson.
37 He said he hoped their presentations could be incorporated with that original design. He said it
38 was wonderful to see the students so engaged in honoring Veterans.
39 Commissioner Jacobs said both he and Commissioner Price were honored to work
40 with such a group as this. He said he hopes the proposed site will be more visible, more
41 flexible, larger, and able to accommodate more visitors.
42 Commissioner Jacobs said in reference to the Southern Human Services Center site,
43 the road will go right by this Memorial as people visit the Southern Human Services Center. He
44 said this is a great opportunity to embrace the honoring of local Veterans in a way that is
45 integral to the daily business of Orange County Government.
46 Commissioner Rich said she was on the Chapel Hill Town Council when Mr. Merritt first
47 brought this proposal forward. She said she was concerned about the placement of the site in
48 reference to the future road, but Commissioner Jacobs assured her of the design.
49 Commissioner Rich asked if there is a timeframe for this project.
50 Jeff Thompson said there is at least a two to three year timeframe for raising funds.
19
1 Commissioner Price said as soon as the BOCC endorses this project, the process to
2 raise funds can begin.
3 Commissioner Price said the design will be flexible and would be able to go almost
4 anywhere.
5 Commissioner Rich said this is a great addition to the Southern Human Services
6 Center site, as the re-development process of this site moves forward.
7
8 A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs for the
9 Board to: 1) Approve in principle the siting of a future Veterans Memorial upon the Southern
10 Campus in accordance with the recently approved Campus Master Plan, with development
11 contingent upon the approval of the Memorial according to the design guidelines and other
12 requirements stipulated within the approved Special Use Permit issued by the Town of Chapel
13 Hill; 2) Authorize the Manager and staff to participate in the ongoing project planning process;
14 and 3) Reserve the right of final construction approval contingent upon Board approval of: 1)
15 ownership, 2) design; 3) budget and certification of adequate development and construction
16 funds raised; and 4) approve of an ongoing operations and maintenance agreement for the
17 Memorial.
18
19 Bruce Runberg, Co—Chair of the Veterans Memorial Committee, thanked
20 Commissioner Price and Commissioner Jacobs for their involvement. He said the Committee is
21 very pleased with the proposed site. He said in regards to the raising of funds, if this proposal
22 is endorsed tonight, the campaign will begin tomorrow.
23 Commissioner Jacobs acknowledged the County Manager as being the person who
24 originally suggested the Southern Human Services Center as the potential site for this
25 memorial.
26 Chair McKee said the Stanford Middle School students originally wanted to make their
27 presentation to the Board of Commissioners, and he had encouraged them to make their
28 presentations to the Veterans' Memorial Committee directly.
29 Chair McKee asked if the Chapel Hill Town Council is being closely communicated
30 with, as they have already approved the site in the cemetery. He said the project should be a
31 unified one between the two entities.
32
33 A motion was made by Commissioner Price to add a friendly amendment to ensure
34 that Orange County works jointly with Chapel Hill.
35
36 Commissioner Rich said she thought this was already part of the motion.
37 Jeff Thompson said the guidelines in the SUP are limited; simply following a set of
38 guidelines that are published. He said the ownership, the operations agreement, and the
39 design of the Memorial would be under the approval of the Board. He said, with the friendly
40 amendment, Chapel Hill would have the ability to approve alongside the Board.
41 Commissioner Price said she would like to have some of the approvals done jointly with
42 the Town of Chapel Hill, as the Town has already put in so much effort. She said the abstract
43 seemed to read that the Memorial is an Orange County project, and she wanted to see it as a
44 joint effort with the Town of Chapel Hill.
45 Bruce Runberg said the Veterans' Memorial Committee also sent a letter to the Chapel
46 Hill Mayor and the Chapel Hill Town Council; and that the Committee would coordinate with
47 Orange County and with the Town of Chapel Hill through this process. He said he does not
48 anticipate any problems.
49 Commissioner Jacobs said under recommendation # 2, they could add the statement
50 "to continue coordination with the Town of Chapel Hill."
20
1 Both Commissioners Price and Jacobs agreed to the friendly amendment.
2
3 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
4
5 8. Reports
6
7 NONE
8
9 9. County Manager's Report
10 Bonnie Hammersley reviewed the item below:
11
12 Projected May 12, 2015 Regular Work Session Items
13 • Presentation by Partnership to End Homelessness
14 • Potential Revisions to the Existing Public Hearing Process
15 • Private Road and Access Standards
16 • Educational Facility Impact Fees and Age-Restricted Housing
17
18 10. County Attorney's Report
19
20 NONE
21
22 11. Appointments
23
24 NONE
25
26 12. Board Comments
27 Commissioner Rich said yesterday she, Commissioner Pelissier and Commissioner
28 Jacobs visited the new Chatham County Detention Center. She said it was a very informative
29 visit. She encouraged others to visit it before Orange County designs their own jail.
30 Commissioner Rich said she and Commissioner Pelissier took the Earth Day Bus Tour
31 of the new Triangle Transit bus route. She said there was also the ribbon cutting for the new
32 charging stations on Earth Night too. She said Earth Night was a lot of fun.
33 Commissioner Dorosin had no comments.
34 Commissioner Pelissier said the three Commissioners toured the jail while it was not
35 operational, but would like to tour it again, once it is operational.
36 Commissioner Pelissier said she will miss next week's work session as she is going to
37 New York City with the Family Success Alliance. She said they will attend two and half days of
38 presentations at the Harlem Children's Zone.
39 Commissioner Price had no comments.
40 Commissioner Jacobs had no comments.
41 Chair McKee said he attended and enjoyed the Moorefields event. He said he hopes
42 the efforts prove to help update and revitalize the house and grounds, which are already lovely.
43
44 13. Information Items
45
46 • April 21, 2015 BOCC Regular Meeting Follow-up Actions List
47 • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis
48 • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections
49 • Tax Assessor's Report— Releases/Refunds under $100
50 • BOCC Chair Letter Regarding Petitions from April 21, 2015 Regular Meeting
21
1
2 14. Closed Session
3
4 NONE
5
6 15. Adjournment
7
8 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Rich to
9 adjourn the meeting at 9:03 p.m.
10
11 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
12
13
14 Earl McKee, Chair
15
16 Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
17