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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-15-2015 - Joint Mtg. - Carrboro APPROVED 11/17/2015 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN JOINT MEETING October 15, 2015 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in a joint meeting with the Town of Carrboro Aldermen on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, in Chapel Hill, N.C. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair McKee and Commissioners Mia Burroughs, Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier and Penny Rich COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Dorosin and Commissioner Price COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: Annette Moore, Staff Attorney COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Lydia Lavelle and Aldermen Bethany Chaney, Randee Haven-O'Donnell, Damon Seils, Sammy Slade, Jacquelyn Gist, and David Andrews, Town Manager CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEMBERS ABSENT: Alderman Johnson Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 7:42 p.m. 1. Southern Library Discussion — Site Selection and Potential Capital Needs Bonnie Hammersley deferred the discussion to Jeff Thompson, Orange County Director of Asset Management Services; Trish McQuire, Planning Director of Carrboro; and Michael Harvey, Orange County Planning Supervisor. Jeff Thompson reviewed the following information: Background: The Orange County Board of Commissioners authorized the County Manager to move forward with further site study of the 203 S. Greensboro site (owned by the Town of Carrboro — See Attachment 1 a) according to the Board adopted site criteria process on September 15, 2015 (see abstract at Attachment 1 b) and to begin site control negotiations with the Carrboro Town Manager. Included in Attachment 1 b is the County Manager's memo dated July 17, 2015 that summarizes the activities of County staff over the past several months and emphasizes clear communications between the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Carrboro Board of Aldermen. The Carrboro Board of Aldermen met on October 6, 2015 and authorized the Town Manager to work with the County Manager on site control negotiations of the 203 S. Greensboro parcel. Next steps in the process will include: 1) initial and follow-on discussions between the County Manager and the Town Manager as directed by the governing Boards; 2) detailed physical site due diligence to include geotechnical analysis, environmental analysis, storm water management impacts, utility capacity, traffic flow, and parking impacts; 3) land use analysis in partnership with Carrboro planning staff; and 4) Southern Branch Library operations and programming analysis in coordination with previous public input received in the spring of 2014. County staff will brief the Orange County Board of County Commissioners no later than December 7th with regard to the progress of the 203 S. Greensboro study. Jeff Thompson said similar themes emerged in all feedback provided to the Managers by the Town and the County. He said those themes are: 1) acknowledgment of the site's potential for a southern branch library 2) opportunities and challenges of an urban library site with downtown Carrboro 3) vehicular parking, management and capacity 4) potential for mixed uses on the property 5) options for site control for Orange County and Carrboro for collaboration Trish McQuire referred to the point about site control, saying there is interest in looking at options for funding from outside sources. Mayor Lavelle said she was aware of a grant that NCCU School of Law was seeking. She said it is a grant to create virtual judicial offices in public libraries across North Carolina, and said this proposed library was one of the sites. Alderman Gist said it is not possible to dig under this site, because there is granite underneath. She said the minute that Carrboro bought this land as a parking lot, it has been filled. She said the effect of taking this away from their small local businesses must be considered. She said co-location must be taken off the table. She said the citizens of Carrboro do not support co-location at all. Alderman Slade said he hoped an opportunity to support a site for co-location could be found. He offered the suggestion of the co-location of the Cat's Cradle as opposed to the Arts Center. He said the Cat's Cradle has been looking for another space in Town. He encouraged the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to think collaboratively with Carrboro about this possibility. Alderman Haven O'Donnell agreed with Alderman Slade, and said their Board would entertain a discussion about co-location with the Cat's Cradle, which is a beloved and successful local business. She said the Cat's Cradle is only seeking 10,000 square feet. She said if the library project moves forward at this location, there will need to be a parking plan for the downtown businesses. She said creative parking plans for this site were floated several years ago, and she thinks the conversation is worth having and pursuing. Mayor Lavelle said the Arts Center and Kidzu presented an elaborate co-location plan, and her takeaway was that the public was not ready to support the project in the way it was presented. She said the organizations were told to go back to the drawing board. She said she does not want to forget these groups, but the Board of Aldermen was clear that the library process was not to be slowed down. She agreed parking is a huge concern. Jackie Gist said the people who spoke in favor of an Arts Center co-location were part of that Center. Chair McKee said the idea of a southern branch of the library has been years in the making, and nothing is simple about this process. He added that Orange County is committed to finding a site that is workable for all. He said almost all of the sites considered thus far have had issues. He encouraged both staffs to continue to work together. 2. Rogers Road Updates a) Rogers Road Sewer Line — County and Town Perspectives Bonnie Hammersley said Travis Myren has been participating on the project team, and he would give an update on the schedule. Travis Myren said the sewer extension is underway, and earlier this summer the County executed two contracts to move this forward. He said the first contract was with Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) and drawings for the design work are expected in a few weeks. He said the easement acquisition process would also begin, kicking off with a community meeting. He said the second contract is with the Jackson Center to do community outreach and help the County work with property owners one-on-one as easements are needed. Travis Myren said there is a project team that meets on a weekly basis. Travis Myren said the upcoming major decision points are: updated cost estimates plus drawings, and as the project proceeds into construction, a subsequent interlocal agreement that finances the construction. Alderman Slade asked if there was a way to equitably reflect the funding. David Andrews said Carrboro has set aside $900,000 for their portion of this project. He said Carrboro is in support of the concept of a district. Commissioner Rich asked if this amount was from an estimate given two years ago. David Andrews said the preliminary estimates have not changed that much, but there may be some adjustments needed. Chair McKee asked David Andrews if Carrboro had been given a presentation on the district concept. David Andrews said not yet, but one is expected on October 20tH David Andrews said the Managers have been very positive about this project. b) Potential or Actual Positions of County and Carrboro on Rogers Road Sewer and Water District No presentation or discussion. 3. Collaborative Efforts on Affordable Housing Chair McKee said there was concern regarding the amount of monies allocated to the bond referendum for affordable housing. He said it is well understood by the BOCC that $5 million is not enough to address all the affordable housing needs. He said the BOCC will address many of these needs through the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) or the budget. Bonnie Hammersley said Audrey Spencer-Horsley, Director of Housing, Human Rights, and Community Development; was supposed to attend tonight but she has not arrived yet. Bonnie Hammersley said she met with Ms. Spencer-Horsley today and she is working on a plan that will include community outreach. She said Ms. Spencer-Horsley would be giving a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners on November 15 to lay out the framework going forward. She said Ms. Spencer-Horsley has been working closely with the Town of Carrboro and will continue to do so. Chair McKee said she is working on a plan for the Board of County Commissioners and all of the partners, to determine how everyone can more effectively work together on this issue. Alderman Chaney asked Carrboro staff to forward the Town's plans to Audrey Spencer- Horsley. Chair McKee said the BOCC had already received these plans. Commissioner Rich thanked everyone for the efforts regarding affordable housing and said it is very important that this issue is being addressed with a unified front. Alderman Gist said it is also important to keep the middle class in mind as well. Commissioner Pelissier said sharing information is a good start, but she urged everyone to remember that conversation must occur at both the staff and elected official level in all jurisdictions. Alderman Haven-O'Donnell said she appreciated Commissioner Pelissier's comments. She said that people in the services industries such as teachers, police and firefighters are not making middle class salaries and cannot afford to live in Orange County. She said community is deepened when the service people live in the community. She said Durham has started to create housing for their service people, and she would like to look at this possibility and build a framework to support the service people of Orange County. Alderman Chaney said the people that come to purchase Habitat homes are State employees. She said this challenges them to raise their wages so that subsidies can be used for those who really need it. She said the State Employee Credit Union (SECU) is heavily invested in workforce housing, and she said is it worth opening a conversation with SECU about a public partnership on this issue. She said she is glad that Orange County is investing some of the bond money in affordable housing. Alderman Chaney said the affordable housing discussion did not start off with a vision, and if it had the allocation of bond funds, it may have gone differently. Alderman Chaney said if the right mechanism and a strategic plan for affordable housing can be established, she believes the County can move forward. Chair McKee said Bonnie Hammersley was writing down the idea about SECU. He said the point that the conversation started with the schools is the primary reason the BOCC has asked Audrey to create a master plan for affordable housing. He said additionally a plan for seniors has been requested, so a vision can be determined for these issues. He said this will not change the past bond discussion, and this bond will not cover all needs; but the focus of the bond was on the schools. Chair McKee said there is not just $5 million in the bond, but additionally the Board of County Commissioners voted to put a minimum of$1 million in the annual CIP, which could go to both capital and operating needs. Mayor Lavelle said all plans to address affordable housing must be creative. Chair McKee said in the spring Commissioner Jacobs proposed land-banking land for affordable housing, and Orange County has dedicated $1 million for this purpose. Alderman Slade said there is a tiny home movement for homeless people that are mentally disabled. He said there is a project in Chatham County that could be a good resource. He said there are benefits to locating affordable homes in urban areas since there is public transportation. Commissioner Pelissier said there was a presentation about the Chatham County Project at the Partnership for Homelessness. She said at the Assembly of Governments (AOG) meeting in November that the Greene Tract will be discussed. She said Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County own this property, and it would be a great place for an experiment with tiny homes. Bonnie Hammersley said Ms. Spencer-Horsley had called and was following time frames on the agenda and did not think she needed to be at the meeting until 9:10 p.m. 4. Update on One-Quarter(1/4) Cent Sales Tax Proceeds and Uses Bonnie Hammersley said this presentation was given to the BOCC on Tuesday night. Paul Laughton, Orange County Director of Finance and Administrative Services, reviewed the financial side of the '/4 cents sales tax and proceeds, as of 2015. He said 50 percent of the Article 46 sales tax goes toward education, and 50 percent towards economic development. He reviewed the tables in Attachment 4-b, Article 46 Sales Tax Proceeds Budgeted and Use (since Inception on April 1, 2012). Steve Brantley made the following PowerPoint presentation: Orange County Economic Development Discussion of Article 46 (One Quarter Cent Sales Tax for Economic Development) Economic Development Programs in Orange County Funded by "Article 46" (One Quarter Cent Sales Tax for Economic Development) (Pie chart) Economic Development Programs in Orange County Funded by "Article 46" (One Quarter Cent Sales Tax for Economic Development) • Debt Service on Ud|UUes& Infrastructure to 3 Economic Development Districts Article 4O annual funding: $75O,OOOO[ OO96Oftotal • Small Business Loan Fund Article 4O annual funding: $2OO,OOOO[ 1O96Oftotal • Innovation/Incubator Center for Entrepreneurial Developments (LaUNCh Chapel Hill) Article 4O annual funding: $1OO,OOOO[ 896Of total funding • GrnaU Business Investment Grants Article 4O annual funding: $1OO,OOOO[ 896Oftotal • Agricultural Economic Development Grants Article 4O annual funding: $OO,OOOO[ 596Oftotal • Marketing and Collaborative Outreach Article 4O annual funding: $2O,OOOO[ 1.596Oftotal • Collateral Material, Advertising, Publishing Article 46 funding: $20,000 or 1.596 of total Total Allocation Per Year: $1'250'000 or 100% Debt Service on Utilities and Infrastructure to 3 Economic Development Districts Article 46 annual funding: $750,000 or 60% of total Examples of : Town of Carrboro * County's 50/50 financial participation with the Town of Carrboro to share in the co-pay requirement for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that funded the repair ofa failing sewer line on Roberson Street. The ud|ib/ line has now been repaired. Buokhorn Economic Development District * Over $4 million spent or committed to fund a backbone water & sewer utility line in the Buokhorn Economic Development District to help recruit prospective industries & business considering sites. Debt Service on Utilities & Infrastructure to 3 Economic Development Districts Article 46 annual funding: $750,000 or 60% of total Promects ^ Buokhorn-W1ebane Phase 2 - Completed ^ Buokhorn EOO Phase Extension - Design 9996 ^ EnoEOOUd|ides — Feasibi|itv ^ Hillsborough EOO Utilities — Conceptual ^ Buokhorn-W1ebane Phase 3 and 4 — Conceptual Economic Development Account (Undesignated Proceeds, Not Debt) ^ W1orina0aArea |nfrastructure — Comp|eted ^ ED Utility Extension Projects — Prospective industry, project specific infrastructure Small Business Loan Fund Article 46 annual funding: $200,000 or 16% of total • Article 46 includes a provision to provide up to $200,000.00 annually in additional lending flexibility to Orange County's existing Small Business Loan Program. • The Program's current loan portfolio is supported by a separate source of revolving funds previously authorized by the BOCC, and no Article 46 monies have been required, to date, to supplement the Program. • There are no loan delinquencies in the Program's activity. Entrepreneurial & Incubator Support Article 46 funding: $100,000 or 8% of total Examples of Use: • "LaUNCh Chapel Hill" innovation center is funded 50/50 through an Interlocal Agreement between Orange County & Town of Chapel Hill. The Interlocal Agreement expires on 12/31/15. • Orange County will contribute $140,000.00 for 3 '/2 year through the initial Interlocal Agreement. UNC & private sponsors also contribute. • At the request of LaUNCh, the Town of Chapel Hill and UNC, staff will soon present to the BOCC a recommended proposal for a 3-year extension of the Interlocal Agreement, at the same annual cost, to continue the County's financial commitment to LaUNCh. Small Business Investment Grant Article 46 annual funding: $100,000 or 8% of total Summary of Grant Awards to date: • Grant program was approved by the BOCC in March 2015. • Subcommittee comprised of Orange County Economic Development advisory board members meet quarterly to review grant applications. • 8 initial grants totaling $61,712.00 were recently awarded in the program's first round of nd application reviews during the 2 Q 2015. • 5 applications were deferred until the second review period • 34 new and/or deferred grant applications requesting a total of$243,541.67 in grant awards have been submitted for the second subcommittee review meeting on Oct. 20, 2015. Small Business Investment Grant Article 46 annual funding: $100,000 or 8% of total Approved Grants: • Carrboro Community Acupuncture (Kim Calandra — business expansion) • Tempeh Girl (Beth May— sales expansion) • Woman Craft (Katherine Palomba — promotional activities) • Trill Financial (Simon Jung — computer testing equipment) • MasterPeace Barber (Mark Holt— repairs to business location) • Regulator Brewing (Anna McDonald Dobbs — marketing) • Seal The Seasons (Patrick Mateer & Will Collins — machinery) • The Accidental Baker (Kevin Mason — new bakery equipment) Agricultural Investment Grant Article 46 annual funding: $60,000 or 5% of total Summary of Awards to date: • Grant program was approved by the BOCC in March 2015. • 7 initial agriculture grants totaling $57,987.00 were recently approved in the program's first quarterly round of applicant reviews. • Grant program is funded by up to $60,000.00 annually from Article 46 proceeds. Agricultural Investment Grant Article 46 annual funding: $60,000 or 5% of total Approved Grants (first quarterly review): • Taylor Fish Farm (Valee Taylor—tilapia fish farming) • BoxCarr Farm (Austin Genke —fencing for milk goats) • ColorFields Farm (Kelly Morrison — greenhouses) • Four Leaf Farm (Tim McCaller— greenhouses) • Smith Family Farm (Dawn Denson —well for irrigation) • Dawn Breaker Farms (Ben Grimes — poultry processing equipment) • Sweet Retreat Orchards (Aniko Redmon — irrigation system) Agricultural Investment Grant Article 46 annual funding: $60,000 or 5% of total New Proposed Agriculture Grants: (scheduled for second quarterly review on Nov. 18, 2015): • 3 new applications have been received. • 6 additional applications are anticipated to be submitted. • $60,000 in total awards is forecast for the upcoming second quarterly review of new applications. • Initial marketing round included radio and newspaper ads; most recent marketing effort had 800 post cards mailed out in Sept. 2015 to County-wide farms & agricultural- related small firms Marketing & Collaborative Outreach Article 46 annual funding: $20,000 or 1.5% of total Examples of Use: • Co-sponsor of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce `s Partnership for a Sustainable Community & Town of Chapel Hill to jointly fund a public-private consultant study by the firm "Urban3 LLC". The study created a 3-D mapping of property tax values per acre throughout the Orange County, and the economic development impact of increasing commercial and retail density in an urban area. • Hillsborough Chamber's "Riverwalk Movie Series" sponsor in 2015. • Carrboro Film Festival sponsor. • Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce's "General Member Breakfast" guest speaker series sponsor in 2015. • Orange County Agriculture Summit sponsor in 2015 to provide free attendance & meal for all participants. Advertising, Publishing & Collateral Materials Article 46 annual funding: $20,000 or 1.5% of total Examples of Use: • Participation in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce's annual PRIMETIME Business Expo. • New ad campaign & series of 3 business networking breakfast presentations with the Town of Chapel Hill, assisted by Chapel Hill Magazine, will begin in early 2016. • Ad campaign with WCHL 1360 AM radio highlighting activity by Orange County's Visitors Bureau & Economic Development. • Subscription to Buxton Company's "Scout" software to support retail retention & recruitment efforts. Alderman Chaney said sometimes non-profit organizations apply for Federal grants and need matching funds. She asked if the Article 46 funds would be appropriate for this. Steve Brantley said any request through the County would be received and reviewed according to their criteria for grants. Steve Brantley said there might be avenues in the agricultural grant process. Alderman Chaney said one area of need is support for local growers and aggregation. She asked if there is an update regarding this area in Orange County. Steve Brantley said that would warrant a follow up report regarding the things that have been going on behind the scenes. Commissioner Jacobs said it is likely that Orange County will be getting a proposal to use the Cedar Grove community building as a potential hub for aggregation. He said the County is moving in the right direction on this issue. Alderman Chaney asked if there are ways to reduce, and possibly redirect, liquidity, and if staffs could work together to gain some efficiency in how to use the loan funds. Alderman Slade expressed appreciation for the update, and for the direction Orange County is taking. He said he is interested in the proportions of funding from the sales tax. He said Carrboro represents 14 percent of the County population, but only receives 1 percent of these funds. He said Carrboro seeks more of these funds to go to locally owned businesses. Alderman Haven-O'Donnell said she wanted to thank both of the Economic Development directors for their hard work and dedication. She asked about LaUNCh and if the interlocal agreement would be renewed at end of the year. Steve Brantley said it is expected that LaUNCh, the Town of Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina (UNC) will make this request before the end of the year. Alderman Haven-O'Donnell asked if the County's economic development plans include any options for a design or maker center. She referenced a project at UNC involving 3D printers making prosthetic hands for children. She said such projects are going on right here in Orange County that should be encouraged and facilitated. Alderman Haven-O'Donnell reiterated the importance of focusing local, and that the County should promote the efforts of local agriculture, in particular. Chair McKee encouraged both the Town of Carrboro and the County to get the word out regarding the available agricultural grants. Bonnie Hammersley introduced the new Orange County Chief Financial Officer, Gary Donaldson. Commissioner Jacobs said there will be a consultant from Toronto, Canada at the November 4th Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) meeting to talk about food waste recycling. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Donna Baker, Clerk Earl McKee, Chair