HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-05-2016 - 5-a - Minutes 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 5, 2016
Action Agenda
Item No. 5-a
SUBJECT: MINUTES
DEPARTMENT: Board of County
Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Minutes Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
(919) 245-2130
PURPOSE: To correct and/or approve the minutes as submitted by the Clerk to the Board as
listed below.
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.
April 5, 2016 BOCC Regular Meeting
April 7, 2016 BOCC Budget Work Session
April 18, 2016 BOCC Legislative Breakfast Meeting
FINANCIAL IMPACT: NONE
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: NONE
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve minutes as
presented or as amended.
1
1 Attachment 1
2
3 DRAFT MINUTES
4 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 REGULAR MEETING
6 April 5, 2016
7 7:00 p.m.
8
9 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 5, 2016
10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building, in Hillsborough, N.C.
11
12 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair McKee and Commissioners Mia Burroughs,
13 Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
17 Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
19
20 Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
21 Chair McKee mentioned the passing of R.D. Smith, a long time educator in Orange
22 County.
23
24 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
25
26 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to
27 move the consent agenda forward before Item 4, Proclamations and Special Presentations,
28 since these items may be time extensive.
29
30 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
31
32 Chair McKee noted the following additional items at the Commissioners' places:
33 - white sheet: hand out for item 4d, Orange County Food Council.
34 - red folder: additional information for item 7a, New Slogan for Interstate NCDOT Welcome
35 Sign.
36
37 PUBLIC CHARGE
38
39 Chair McKee dispensed with the reading of the Public Charge.
40
41 2. Public Comments
42
43 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
44 Don O'Leary spoke on the social justice issue and read a passage from the King
45 James Version of the Bible. He said this issue with having men using ladies rooms, and
46 vice versa, is designed to upset people. He suggested all commissioners pray that the
47 Lord forgives them for supporting this issue. He said this issue is not about gay or
48 lesbian people, but rather it is about control. He said he does not see how this issue is
49 social justice for his wife or him. He said ordinances like the one proposed in Charlotte
50 will cause mayhem and are not right.
2
1
2 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
3 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda
4 below.)
5
6 2. Petitions by Board Members
7 Commissioner Jacobs petitioned that the legislature not convene this year. He identified
8 potential economic fallout from legislation.
9 Commissioner Price said that former Chapel Hill Mayor Sandy McClamroch also passed
10 away.
11 Commissioner Price petitioned the Board to formally oppose HB2 as it relates to
12 discrimination and the stripping of local authority from municipalities and counties. She said
13 various cities have passed similar resolutions.
14 Commissioner Dorosin petitioned for a post-election report from the Board of Elections.
15 Commissioner Dorosin gave props to the Board of Elections, noting their great efforts, in
16 response to a Board of County Commissioners' (BOCC) request, reaching out to formally
17 incarcerated persons about getting re-registered, etc.
18 Chair McKee asked the Manager to follow up on Commissioner Dorosin's requested
19 report.
20 Commissioner Rich echoed Commissioner Dorosin's request for the post election
21 report.
22 Commissioner Rich said when meeting summaries are sent out to be sure to include the
23 break down on how commissioners vote on contested motions.
24 Donna Baker said this is done in the minutes and can also be done in the summaries.
25 Commissioner Rich congratulated Smith Middle School where students were active in
26 creating a gender-neutral bathroom.
27 Commissioner Pelissier had no petitions.
28 Commissioner Burroughs had no petitions.
29 Chair McKee said he agreed with Commissioner Price's petition to oppose HB2, as it
30 covered a lot more than just the bathroom issue. He said it impinged on county government's
31 ability to voice their residents' opinions.
32 Commissioner Jacobs requested that part of the resolution note the importance of
33 having an open governmental process.
34
35 6. Consent Agenda
36
37 • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
38
39 • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
40
41 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Burroughs
42 to approve the remaining items on the Consent Agenda.
43
44 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
45
46 • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
47
48 a. Minutes
49 The Board approved the minutes from March 1, 2016 as submitted by the Clerk to the Board.
50
3
1 b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds
2 The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, to release motor vehicle
3 property tax values for six (6) taxpayers with a total of six (6) bills that will result in a reduction
4 of revenue in accordance with NCGS.
5 c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds
6 The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, to release property tax
7 values for three (3) taxpayers with a total of seven (7) bills that will result in a reduction of
8 revenue in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 105-381.
9 d. North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program: Orange County Sheriff's Office
10 Traffic Safety Project
11 The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, recognizing federal funding
12 for traffic safety projects to the Sheriff's Office; and authorized the Chair to sign.
13 e. Request for an Additional 1.0 FTE for a Behavioral Health Social Work Clinical
14 Specialist for Integrated Behavioral Health Services
15 The Board approved a Board of Health recommended request for an additional 1.0 FTE (full
16 time equivalent) position for a behavioral health Social Work Clinical Specialist to support the
17 continuation of a successful pilot program integrating behavioral and mental health treatment
18 services into the Health Department's Medical Clinic. The position will cost a total of$6,323 for
19 the remainder of the current fiscal year and $79,694 for FY 2016-17. The position will be fully
20 funded using maintenance of effort funds currently paid to Cardinal Innovations for mental
21 health services.
22 f. Request for Road Additions to the State Maintained Secondary Road System
23 The Board made a recommendation to the North Carolina Department of Transportation
24 (NCDOT), and the North Carolina Board of Transportation (NCBOT), concerning a petition to
25 add Governor Holt Street, Governor Sanford Street, Governor Martin Street, Governor Umstead
26 Circle, Governor Broughton Street, Governor Hunt Street, Governor Cherry Circle and
27 Governor Moore Street in Governors Grove Subdivision to the State Maintained Secondary
28 Road System.
29 g. Modifications to Beaver Valley Recorded Final Plat— Modification of Right-of-Way for
30 Beaver Valley Drive
31 The Board modified a recorded subdivision plat modifying the extension of Beaver Valley Drive.
32 h. License Agreement Renewal — Eno River Farmers' Market, Inc.
33 The Board approved a renewed license agreement for the Eno River Farmers' Market, Inc., for
34 use of the Farmers' Market Pavilion from April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2019 and authorized
35 the Chair to sign.
36 i. Community Home Trust Request— Housing Bond Program
37 The Board approved the request of Community Home Trust to use the approved
38 reallocated $75,000 of Affordable Housing Bond Funds for anticipated repairs to the
39 HVAC systems at Greenbridge Condominiums as grant funding.
40 j. Resolution Regarding a Purchase Agreement between Orange County Schools and
41 Chase Equipment Finance to Provide Computers for Teachers and Students
42 The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, approving a purchase
43 agreement between Orange County Schools (OCS) and Chase Equipment Finance for the
44 purchase of computers for teachers and students to upgrade the District's digital technology
45 and authorized the Chair to sign.
46
47
48
49 k. Change in BOCC Regular Meeting Schedule for 2016
4
1 The Board amended its regular meeting calendar for 2016 to re-schedule the date of the Joint
2 Meeting between the Board and the Chapel Hill Town Council to Thursday, June 2, 2016 at
3 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd. in Chapel Hill.
4
5
6 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
7
8 a. Sexual Assault Awareness Month
9 The Board considered a proclamation recognizing April 2016 as Sexual Assault
10 Awareness Month in Orange County and authorizing the Chair to sign.
11 Sara Stephens, Orange County Rape Crisis Center, read the proclamation:
12
13 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
14 Proclamation
15 "Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2016 Proclamation
16 WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center assisted over 500 survivors of sexual
17 violence, their loved ones, and community professionals during 2015; and
18
19 WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center works with the county's two school systems
20 and other groups to provide students with age-appropriate information about violence
21 prevention, reaching over 13,500 youth and adults each year; and
22
23 WHEREAS, the coordination of the Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is
24 bringing together members of law enforcement, the medical community, the legal system, and
25 other community advocates to improve services for survivors of sexual assault who come
26 forward; and
27
28 WHEREAS, 1 in 5 American women have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives
29 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010); and
30
31 WHEREAS, in the United States rape is the most costly crime to its survivors, totaling $127
32 billion a year considering factors such as medical cost, lost earnings, pain, suffering, and lost
33 quality of life (U.S. Department of Justice, 1996); and
34
35 WHEREAS, in the United States 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of
36 sexual or physical violence committed by an intimate partner (Centers for Disease Control and
37 Prevention, 2010); and
38
39 WHEREAS, there are more than 16,500 sex offenders registered as living in North Carolina
40 (Department of Justice, 2015); and
41
42 WHEREAS, victim-blaming continues to be an enormous problem in instances of rape and
43 sexual assault; and
44
45 WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, a nonprofit agency that has served this
46 community since 1974, is working to stop sexual violence and its impact through support,
47 education, and advocacy;
48
49 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners,
50 do hereby proclaim the month of April 2016 as "SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH",
5
1 and encourage all residents to speak out against sexual violence and to support their local
2 community's efforts to prevent and respond to these appalling crimes.
3
4 This, the 5th day of April 2016.
5
6 A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Burroughs for
7 the Board to approve the proclamation designating April as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month"
8 in Orange County and authorized the Chair to sign the proclamation.
9
10 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
11
12
13 b. National County Government Month in Orange County
14 The Board considered a proclamation recognizing April 2016 as National County
15 Government Month in Orange County and authorizing the Chair to sign.
16 Laurie Paolicelli, Orange County Community Relations Director, read the proclamation:
17
18 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
19 Proclamation
20 National County Government Month -April 2016 "Safe and Secure Counties"
21
22 WHEREAS, the nation's 3,069 counties serving more than 300 million Americans provide
23 essential services to create healthy, safe, vibrant and economically resilient communities; and
24
25 WHEREAS, Orange County and all counties take pride in our responsibility to protect and
26 enhance the health, well-being and safety of our residents in efficient and cost-effective ways;
27 and
28
29 WHEREAS, through National Association of Counties (NACo) President Sallie Clark's "Safe
30 and Secure Counties" initiative, NACo is encouraging counties to focus on strengthening the
31 safety and security of their communities; and
32
33 WHEREAS, in order to remain healthy, vibrant, safe, and economically competitive, America's
34 counties provide public health, justice, emergency management and economic services that
35 play a key role in everything from residents' daily health to disaster response; and
36
37 WHEREAS, each year since 1991 the National Association of Counties has encouraged
38 counties across the country to actively promote programs and services to the public we serve;
39
40 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners
41 does hereby proclaim April 2016 as National County Government Month and encourage all
42 County officials, employees, schools and residents to participate in the Orange County
43 Government Expo activities on Friday, April 8, 2016.
44
45 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier for
46 the Board to approve the proclamation recognizing April as National County Government Month
47 in Orange County and authorized the Chair to sign the proclamation.
48
49 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
50
6
1 c. Public Safety Telecommunications Week
2 The Board considered a proclamation recognizing the week of April 10 through 16, 2016
3 as Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Orange County and authorizing the Chair to
4 sign.
5 Chair McKee publicly commended Interim Emergency Services Director, Dinah Jeffries;
6 the Sheriff; and all public safety officials involved in insuring safety after the NCAA
7 Championship game.
8 Dinah Jeffries thanked Chair McKee for his comments and also commended her staff
9 for their efforts. She said Orange County has a superior commitment to public safety.
10 Kevin Medlin, Interim 9-1-1 Communications Operations Manager, read the
11 proclamation:
12
13 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
14 PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK 2016
15 A PROCLAMATION
16
17 WHEREAS, Thousands of dedicated Telecommunicators daily serve the residents of the United
18 States and Canada by answering their telephone calls for law enforcement, fire, and emergency
19 medical services by dispatching the appropriate assistance as quickly as possible; and
20
21 WHEREAS, Professional Telecommunicators are the link between those residents who call for
22 help and the agencies which provide the help; and
23
24 WHEREAS, The critical functions performed by professional Telecommunicators impact all
25 aspects of public safety and include those performed by forestry and conservation operations,
26 highway safety and maintenance activities, and many other operations performed by federal,
27 state and local government agencies; and
28
29 WHEREAS, Professional Telecommunicators work to improve the emergency response
30 capabilities of these communication systems through their leadership and participation in
31 training programs and other activities provided by the Association of Public Safety
32 Communications Officials - International and the National Emergency Number Association; and
33
34 WHEREAS, These associations are organizations of more than 100,000 people engaged in the
35 design, installation and operation of emergency response communications that have set aside
36 the week beginning April 10, 2016 to recognize Telecommunicators and their crucial role in the
37 protection of life and property;
38
39 NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim the
40 week of April 10-16, 2016 as "Public Safety Telecommunications Week" in Orange County,
41 North Carolina, in honor and recognition of our County's Telecommunicators and the vital
42 contributions they make to the safety and well being of our residents, those passing through our
43 county and our public safety providers.
44
45 Adopted this 5th day of April 2016.
46
47 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
48 Board to approve the proclamation recognizing the week of April 10 through 16, 2016 as Public
49 Safety Telecommunications Week in Orange County and authorized the Chair to sign the
50 proclamation.
7
1
2 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
3
4
5 d. Orange County Food Council
6 The Board received an update on the status of the formation of the Orange County
7 Food Council and consider a request that one member of the Board be appointed to the Council
8 representing Orange County.
9 Mike Ortosky, Orange County Agriculture Economic Developer, reviewed the following
10 information:
11
12 PURPOSE: To receive an update on the status of the formation of the Orange County Food
13 Council and consider a request that one member of the Board be appointed to the Council
14 representing Orange County.
15
16 BACKGROUND: In response to changing demand for local food systems, healthier eating
17 habits, need for viable farming options, and food access issues, Food Councils are increasingly
18 becoming an instrument for input from local residents and for guiding businesses and policy
19 makers. A grassroots Task Force was formed and has been meeting regularly for over a year
20 to develop a local food council. The Orange County Economic Development Office funded the
21 facilitation of the initial formative meetings. Two public meetings have also been conducted and
22 a preliminary food assessment has been completed to further inform the process.
23
24 The Task Force has proposed 15 positions (from specific professional and community-related
25 positions to include elected officials) and plans for the first Council to meet within the next 60
26 days. Applications have been received from many sources and the Task Force is considering
27 those as it also asks for elected officials from Orange County, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and
28 Carrboro to be Council members.
29 Cyril Murphy, Orange County Food Council Task Force Member and Food Service
30 Director at Camp Chestnut Ridge, presented the following PowerPoint slides:
31
32 Orange County Food Council
33
34 Common Purpose
35 The Orange County Food Council is building a local food system that ensures health,
36 sustainable agriculture and access for all.
37
38 Food Councils
39 • Non-profit organizations
40 • Advisory boards to city or county government
41 • Facilitate connections — across departmental silos and within the community
42 • Provide focus —through assessing, learning, and identifying priorities
43 • Policy and programming recommendations that drive action
44
45 What Food Councils can do:
46 • Advocate for a policy to require that 10% of all food served at county catered events and
47 small department-sponsored meeting be sourced locally.
48 • Improve access to food processing resources and kitchen equipment/facilities for local
49 food entrepreneurs.
50 • Assist in writing/support policy to allow community gardens on city-owned property.
8
1 • Advocate for a policy limiting the sugary products available in vending machines, and
2 approved for fundraising at local public schools.
3
4 What have we done so far:
5 Collaborative Agreement
6 • Defines Purpose, Common Values, Structure, Decision-making Process and
7 Membership
8 • Membership stakeholder categories:
9 o Food Access/security
10 o Agriculture
11 o Health/Healthcare
12 o Economic Development
13 o Environmental stewardship/justice
14 o Planning
15 o Public education
16 o Retail: grocers, restaurant, wholesale
17 o Waste management
18 o Elected officials from municipalities
19 o UNC
20 o Faith-based organizations
21 o Consumers (diverse including across lifespan, ethnicity)
22
23 Sarah Prager, Orange County Food Council Member and Chapel Hill Farmer's Market
24 Coordinator, continued the presentation:
25
26 Baseline Orange County Food Assessment: Purpose &Approach
27 Purpose: Understand how the Orange County Food Council may support a successful and
28 socially, economically, and environmentally just system providing safe, culturally appropriate,
29 and nutritionally sound food.
30
31 Food Assessment: Data Collected
32
33 Cyril Murphy resumed the presentation:
34
35 Next Steps...
36 • Finalize Council membership including representation from all municipal elected bodies.
37 o Includes appointment of Orange County Commissioner to Council seat
38 • Transition from Task Force to Council
39 • Hire part-time Coordinator
40 • Complete Qualitative portion of Baseline Food Assessment
41 • Create Food Security Action Plan for Orange County
42 • Conduct outreach and hold two large community forums over the first year of the
43 council's life.
44
45 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the handout, noting that "a majority of Chapel Hill and
46 Carrboro is a classified food desert". He asked if there could be clarification of this statement.
47 Sarah Prager said the USDA classifies a food desert area partly by looking at income
48 levels, and the (UNC) student population brings the overall income level down. She said the
49 food desert measurement is a half mile. She said the USDA only considers grocery stores that
9
1 have a certain level of sales. She said this can ignore local data and culture, which is why
2 qualitative data is vital.
3 Commissioner Dorosin encouraged the changing of the language in this hand out,
4 because though it may be technically accurate, it is very misleading.
5 Commissioner Jacobs thanked Mike Ortosky, Steve Brantley, Orange County Economic
6 Development Director, and Molly DeMarco, Center for Health Promotion and Disease
7 Prevention at the University of North Carolina, for their leadership thus far through the county
8 process.
9 Commissioner Jacobs said he disagreed with Commissioner Dorosin's comments and
10 said downtown Chapel Hill is a food desert for fresh, affordable food, outside of a restaurant
11 setting. He said many neighborhoods are over a half a mile from a grocery store and
12 suggested not changing the language until there is more data and discussion.
13 Commissioner Price said the summary focuses more on Chapel Hill and Carrboro and
14 noted that Hillsborough has some food deserts too.
15 Commissioner Price asked if there are any farmers or non-profits on the council.
16 Mike Ortosky said the Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) was approached and a
17 member from this board is on this council.
18 Cyril Murphy said there are representatives from non-profits such as Chestnut Ridge, as
19 well as from Community Gardens and the school systems.
20 Commissioner Pelissier said she would like the BOCC to receive an annual update from
21 the Food Council.
22 Commissioner Pelissier asked if there was going to be any interaction between the Food
23 Council and the APB.
24 Mike Ortosky said yes, the Council will reach out to farmers, food service people, as well
25 as those in need of food access.
26 Commissioner Rich said the University of North Carolina students should not be
27 forgotten as many of them cannot afford to eat.
28 Commissioner Jacobs said he would like to be the BOCC representative to the Council.
29 Commissioner Rich backed Commissioner Jacobs for this.
30 Cyril Murphy said elected officials would have a one-year commitment which would be
31 renewable.
32 Commissioner Price said Durham Tech students have many food needs as well. She
33 suggested speaking with that community, about potential involvement in the Council as well.
34 Chair McKee said to reach out to the traditional farmers as well.
35 Commissioner Jacobs volunteered to serve on the Council, and Commissioner Rich
36 volunteered to be the alternate.
37 The Board agreed by consensus.
38
39 e. Fair Housing Month Proclamation
40 The Board considered a proclamation recognizing April 2016 as Fair Housing Month in
41 Orange County and authorizing the Chair to sign.
42 Susie Enoch, Human Relation Commission (HRC), member read the proclamation:
43
44 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
45 PROCLAMATION
46 FAIR HOUSING MONTH
47
48 WHEREAS, April 2016 marks the 48th anniversary of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968
49 (formally known as the Fair Housing Act) and the 33rd anniversary of the North
10
1 Carolina Fair Housing Act prohibiting discrimination in housing on the basis of
2 race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability and familial status; and
3
4 WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners enacted the Orange County Civil
5 Rights Ordinance on June 6, 1994, which affords to the residents of Orange
6 County the protections guaranteed by the Fair Housing Act and additionally
7 encompasses the protected classes of Veteran Status and Age; and
8
9 WHEREAS, Orange County and the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
10 as well as concerned residents and the housing industry are working to make fair
11 housing opportunities possible for everyone by encouraging others to abide by
12 the letter and the spirit of fair housing laws; and
13
14 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development annually declares the
15 month of April as National Fair Housing Month, designating Shared Opportunity
16 in Every Community as the national theme and ideal for 2016; and
17
18 WHEREAS, despite the protections afforded by the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance and
19 the Fair Housing Act, illegal housing discrimination still occurs in our nation and
20 within our County; and
21
22 WHEREAS, by supporting and promoting fair housing and equal opportunity, we are
23 contributing to the strength of our County, State and Nation;
24
25 NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County North
26 Carolina, do proclaim April 2016 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH and commend this observance to
27 all Orange County residents.
28
29 This the 5t" day of April 2016.
30
31 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
32 Board to approve the proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation.
33
34 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
35
36 f. Proposed Orange County FY 2016 - 2020 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
37 The Board received the Draft of the Proposed Orange County FY 2016- 2020
38 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan.
39 Bonnie Hammersley said the objective this evening is to do an overview of the
40 presentation, and a more in depth conversation will occur at the work session on May 10.
41 Audrey Spencer Horsley, Housing, Human Rights, Community Development Director,
42 reviewed the following information:
43
44 PURPOSE: To receive the Draft of the Proposed Orange County FY 2016- 2020 Affordable
45 Housing Strategic Plan.
46
47 BACKGROUND: This Proposed 2016— 2020 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (AHSP) has
48 been developed as the County's vision for addressing affordable housing needs over the next
49 five (5) years. Affordable housing is a foundation for achieving self-sufficiency and promotes
50 stronger, more inclusive communities.
11
1
2 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on January 29, 2016 for an annual retreat. In
3 reviewing the previous six goals the Board has used since 2009, affordable housing was a high
4 priority under Goal 1: Ensure a community network of basic human services and infrastructure
5 that maintains, protects, and promotes the well-being of all county residents. The Board stated
6 that there be a priority for decent, standard housing options for all residents regardless of
7 household income level and that funds be used to develop a targeted number of units (set
8 numerical goal), especially rentals. The AHSP addresses this priority of the Board.
9
10 The AHSP analyzes the current rental and homeowner housing market, examines housing
11 market trends and economic trends, specifically in relation to household income and identifies
12 the widening gap between needs and affordable housing countywide as well as public policies
13 and actions affecting affordable housing in the County. The AHSP identifies goals for the next
14 five years, and proposes strategies and opportunities to meet those goals.
15
16 In order to begin to meet the need for affordable housing in Orange County, particularly
17 residents who are most cost burdened at 30% to 50 % median income as discussed in the
18 AHSP, the ASHP has an overarching shared countywide goal of creating 1,000 assisted
19 affordable housing units in five years. The shared countywide goal of 1,000 assisted units are
20 to be provided through acquisition, construction, urgent repair, assisted housing, and
21 rehabilitation of the existing housing stock over the next five (5) years.
22
23 At least 500 of those units are recommended to be new assisted rental units that do not exist
24 today. They would be created through the planned November 2016 $5 million bond referendum
25 for affordable housing. Of those 500 new units, twenty-five to thirty percent (25%-30%) will be
26 targeted to serve extremely and very low-income households, at or below 30% — 50% of
27 median income. Another twenty-five to thirty percent (25%-30%) of the new units would be
28 targeted to serve special needs populations including the homeless, persons with physical
29 and/or mental disabilities and older adults. The remaining 500 units would be units provided for
30 individuals and households that are at or below 50-80% of median income for the County and
31 would include rental and homeownership units.
32
33 The AHSP has identified ten goals with strategies provided for each goal and action and
34 recommendations to implement them. The thirty-three: Actions (A)/Recommendations(R) are
35 listed with each goal and set of strategies. Those numbered with (AR) are
36 Actions/Recommendations staff is requesting to pursue immediately and or require funding
37 decisions. With the Board's approval of the AHSP, staff will bring back to the Board detailed
38 work plans and metrics in collaboration with community and municipal partners and County
39 agencies.
40
41 The ASHP builds on the analyses, data, community-wide input, findings and strategies in the
42 Orange County Consolidated Plan and the Analysis of Impediments to fair housing choice
43 prepared for the Orange County HOME Consortium that is comprised of Orange County and
44 the Town of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Hillsborough. The AHSP identifies the
45 critical need for affordable housing for individuals and households of extremely and very low
46 income and for population groups with special needs including the homeless, persons with
47 physical and or mental disabilities and the elderly.
48
49 The AHSP reviewed existing affordable housing programs and tools of the County and covers
50 an assessment of the county's housing stock. This included examining mobile home parks of
12
1 the County, a source of affordable housing; publicly owned land and other development
2 opportunities; and challenges for preserving and increasing the supply of affordable housing
3 given the County's existing and planned infrastructure and access to transportation,
4 employment, services and other community assets.
5
6 Community meetings and outreach have been planned with nonprofit providers and various
7 community organizations. This provides an additional opportunity for the public, various
8 agencies and other interested parties to have further input into the AHSP and comment on the
9 goals, strategies and actions and recommendations.
10
11 Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated the target numbers. He asked if 500 of the
12 targeted housing units are going to be new rental units, which do not currently exist. He asked
13 if these estimated numbers are starting from scratch or adding to an existing pool on affordable
14 rental properties.
15 Audrey Spencer Horsley said the current inventory is a rough estimate, as of now. She
16 counted units where she knew she was not double counting. She said the goal is to look at
17 everything that has been funded by Orange County.
18 Audrey Spencer Horsley said to date there are 560 housing choice vouchers units, and
19 are not currently maxed out on the number of units where federal assistance could be received.
20 She said some of the goals are to incentivize the housing choice program, determine how to
21 bring on more stock, and to help some participants to become homeowners. She said the
22 maximum number of units is 623. She said there are also 449 low-income, tax credit
23 properties, 214 rental units and 299 homeowner units assisted through the Home program.
24 Audrey Spencer Horsley said 177 units were completed through the bond of 1997, and
25 there is a conservative estimate of 175 units completed through the bond of 2001. She said
26 there are approximately 2000 assisted units, and 550-600 units on homeowner side. She said
27 there have also been approximately 400 homeowner urgent repairs.
28 Audrey Spencer Horsley said it is important to keep an eye on those renting private
29 housing stock, as some of these can be affordable due to age or necessary updates. She said
30 there may be owners willing to sell rather than upgrade themselves, which may be a way to
31 keep renters in their homes.
32 Audrey Spencer Horsley reviewed a listing of upcoming community meetings. She said
33 the goal of these meetings is to inform as many members of the community as possible.
34 Commissioner Price asked if mobile homes were being counted.
35 Audrey Spencer Horsley said mobile homes are counted in the overall housing stock,
36 and there is no differentiation between rentals and owned.
37
38 ORANGE COUNTY
39 AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN
40 Board of Orange County Commissioners
41 Presentation
42 March 22, 2016
43
44 AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN
45 • County's long-range vision for addressing affordable housing needs over the next five
46 (5) years.
47 • AHSP analyzes the current housing market, examines trends in the housing market
48 economic opportunities of Orange County
49 • Identifies shortcomings in affordable housing countywide and proposes strategies to
50 meet those goals.
13
1
2 1,000 Units in Five Years
3 • Create 1,000 Affordable Housing Units in Five Years:
4 o 250 units —targeted for very low income individuals and household
5 o 250 units —targeted for special needs populations
6 o 500 units —targeted for 50% to 80% median income
7 o Countywide shared goal
8 o Acquisition, construction, urgent repair, assisted housing, and rehabilitation
9
10 Goal 1: Continuum of Affordable Housinq —Action Recommendations
11 • AR1: Publicly Owned Small Parcel Development
12 • AR2: Development and Maintenance of Inventory
13 • AR3: Housing Authority as Property Manager
14 • AR4: Design Competition for larger scale development
15 • AR8: Preserve inventory of mobile homes
16 • AR11: Community plan for housing emergencies; coordinated intake for homeless
17 seeking services
18
19 Goal 2: Increase Housinq and Employment, Reduce Poverty
20 • AR12: Strengthen interagency collaboration and draw on existing expertise and
21 capacity to implement the Strategic Plan
22 o Family Success Alliance
23 o Master Aging Plan
24 o Partnership to End Homelessness
25 o Advisory Boards and Commissions
26 o Housing Authority
27 o Municipal Partners
28
29 Goal 3: Provide housinq and services to populations with special needs
30 • AR16: Address unmet community housing needs in collaboration with partners
31 o Emergency shelter for individuals and families
32 o Domestic violence shelter
33 o More permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities and young people
34 experiencing homelessness
35
36 Goal 4: Provide adequate supply of housinq options for older residents
37 • AR 19: Expand the Urgent Repair Program to serve 25 additional older residents or
38 people with disabilities
39 o Add $150,000 to $200,000 to current budget
40 o Eliminate the current waiting list
41
42 Goal 5: Preserve current supply of rental housinq and prevent future loss
43 • AR 21: Increase funding available for housing rehabilitation projects
44 o Leverage maximum funding through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
45 o Add $200,000 to $250,000 in County funding for older housing rehabilitation — an
46 additional seven homes annually.
47
48 Goal 6: Improve knowledqe of fair housinq laws and requlations
49 • A 23: Strengthen education and outreach programs
14
1 o Fair Housing Act
2 o Orange County Human Relations Ordinance
3
4 Goal 7: Access to job opportunities and skill development
5 • AR 24: Study, plan and develop bus routes or other public transportation alternatives
6 o Access to business nodes for employment
7 o Access to job training and other supportive services and community amenities
8
9 Goal 8: Provide staffing to deliver high quality housing services
10 • AR 25: Provide leadership and support to community partners to implement the
11 strategic plan
12 o Continue broad community/stakeholder involvement
13 • AR 25: Continue to strengthen internal management of affordable housing programs
14 and services
15 o Including cooperation and support of other agencies
16 • Track and report on implementation of the strategic plan to the Board of County
17 Commissioners and community partners
18
19 Goal 9: Identify resources to help meet the needs identified in the plan
20 • AR28: Identify a dedicated source of funding and a plan of implementation
21 • AR29: Maintain a set aside of funding for land banking and property acquisition
22 • AR30: Partner with community and municipal partners on projects, grant applications
23 • AR31: Support opportunities to partner with community and municipal partners on
24 implementing strategies
25
26 Goal 10: Encourage and support intergovernmental cooperation
27 • AR32: Continue joint planning efforts related to outside funding opportunities
28 • AR33: Collaborate and exchange information with municipalities on affordable housing
29 issues
30 o Funding
31 o Planning
32 o Training
33 o Problem solving
34 o Civic engagement
35 o Building community partnerships
36
37 Commissioner Rich referred to goals 30 and 31 and asked if conversations with
38 municipal partners have started and how the partnerships are taking shape.
39 Audrey Spencer Horsley said one-on-one conversations have been occurring. She
40 gave the example of doing outreach with non-profits. She said four non-profits responded to
41 their questionnaire, which provided an overview of the strategic plans of these non-profits, and
42 can in turn allow all to be more effective partners.
43 Audrey Spencer Horsley said meetings with Chapel Hill Housing staff have also
44 occurred.
45 Commissioner Rich said this should be a countywide effort including the municipalities
46 and not everyone acting in silos.
47 Commissioner Jacobs said determining mobile home ownership versus renters is
48 important information in order to be able to better plan going forward with the affordable
49 housing plan.
15
1 Audrey Spencer Horsley said gathering this information will require a more intensive
2 study which she hopes to accomplish at a later date.
3 Bonnie Hammersley said mobile homes are being reviewed through the tax office and
4 she hopes to have these figures for the May 10 work session.
5 Commissioner Jacobs referred to the fifth bullet point, on page 13 of document, and
6 asked if the term "white" could be clarified, as the statistic seems to be inaccurate.
7 Audrey Spencer Horsley said the households that were identified as white represent the
8 largest percentage of ownership in that group.
9 Commissioner Jacobs asked if this information could be provided for all ethnicities.
10 Commissioner Jacobs said Mebane is building much more housing than Orange
11 County, and it would be worth reviewing what kind of housing stock is in the Extraterritorial
12 Jurisdiction (ETJ) of Mebane.
13 Commissioner Price asked if in planning for these 1000 units, is it being considered that
14 some people living in mobile homes may want to move out into a stick built home.
15 Audrey Spencer Horsley said it is important to know what the property owner's intent is.
16 Commissioner Price said to include these types of people in the calculations.
17
18 PUBLIC COMMENT:
19 Robert Dowling thanked the Board of Commissioners for their long-standing
20 commitment to affordable housing. He commended Audrey Spencer Horsley for this strategic
21 plan.
22 He said the plan would benefit from better focus, perhaps reducing it to 6-8 priorities. He said
23 affordable housing is a priority for all the other local municipalities, and they have provided
24 funding for their own strategic plans. He said all assets should be leveraged together for
25 maximized impact. He said this effort is working against the tide and a group effort is essential.
26 Robert Dowling said the plan should recognize projects that are already in place or
27 forthcoming.
28 Chair McKee said this plan is a beginning point and it is being reviewed and defined. He
29 said the Board committed to being on the same page as other governmental entities.
30 Dan Levine said he is active with the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition. He
31 said he and others are here to thank the Board of County Commissioners for their commitment
32 to affordable housing in Orange County and the funding through a bond. He also commended
33 Audrey Spencer Horsley for this draft plan. He said they are here as a resource for Orange
34 County.
35 Doris Bailey thanked Audrey Spencer Horsley and the Board of County Commissioners
36 for realizing the need for affordable housing, especially for rental units.
37 Commissioner Price said there are a lot of community meetings upcoming, but none of
38 them are north of Highway 70. She asked if it would be possible to add a meeting in Cedar
39 Grove.
40 Audrey Spencer Horsley said yes.
41 Commissioner Pelissier referred to the issue of affordability, and said people are looking
42 at both housing and transportation combined being 45% of their household income. She said
43 as this plan moves forward, to consider transportation as a real part of the equation.
44 Commissioner Burroughs said she liked the set goals, and Audrey Spencer Horsley's
45 explanation of where the 1000 units are coming from. She appreciated the balance between
46 ownership and rental.
47 Commissioner Burroughs said mobile homes are a good source of affordable housing,
48 but there needs to be a clear emergency service plan for those in mobile home parks.
49 Audrey Spencer Horsley said locating a community center near such communities is
50 one option.
16
1 Commissioner Rich asked if a timeline for discussion of costs for the plan is known.
2 She said she would like to look at this in a broader time frame, such as 5 or 10 years.
3 Bonnie Hammersley said this plan is broad so the Board could prioritize the options,
4 knowing that all cannot be completed in one year. She said the plan over five years can be
5 determined and the funding then allocated to accomplish the plan.
6 Commissioner Rich said how does this plan work given the Board's commitment to
7 giving non-profits more funding, and asked if these funds will be in addition to this.
8 Bonnie Hammersley said this $1 million will be part of the operating budget this year, per
9 the BOCC direction. She said the County currently spends $800,000, and the $1 million
10 includes the additional $200,000 that the Board of County Commissioners approved last year.
11 Commissioner Rich asked if the extra $200,000 will be distributed in a particular way.
12 Bonnie Hammersley said those decisions are at the Board's discretion.
13 Commissioner Rich said additional outside agency funding would not be affected by
14 these funds.
15 Bonnie Hammersley said yes.
16
17 Commissioner Jacobs listed things he wanted more information on or wanted to
18 highlight:
19 • Orange County Housing Authority— he does not know their capabilities, and he would
20 like some information about Audrey Spencer Horsley's vision of this group's
21 participation;
22 • Incentives — break them out in detail, and show how more incentives can be provided;
23 • Units — he said would like to talk about the type of units, not just the quantity;
24 • The 120 acres on the Greene Tract was not mentioned;
25 • Urgent home repairs — he is glad this was included;
26 • Suggestion to have some standards for those units being funded by the County, such as
27 handicapped accessible; and
28 • A mobile home strategy is needed.
29
30 Audrey Spencer Horsley said the Greene Tract is included in large-scale development.
31 Audrey Spencer Horsley said the plan is a framework. She said when the BOCC
32 prioritizes the goals and strategies, the discussion can go deeper into many of these phases
33 and issues.
34 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the proposed mobile home strategy, and said the
35 impetus for what he brought forward came from talking to people living in these mobile homes
36 who are facing challenges. He said a strategy will not come to pass until there is a level of
37 engagement with the actual renters or homeowners.
38 Commissioner Dorosin said the issue is how to actualize the overall plan and what can
39 be accomplished based on needs, costs and maximizing expenses.
40 Commissioner Dorosin highlighted in the report the relationship of fair housing and racial
41 and ethnic diversity in the context of affordable housing.
42 Commissioner Dorosin said he sees the future of the Orange County Housing Authority
43 to be like the Chapel Hill Housing Authority: a government agency managing rental housing,
44 and a quasi-department of the County.
45 Commissioner Rich referred to Hispanic families and asked if documented residents,
46 undocumented residents, or both are being considered.
47 Commissioner Dorosin said these numbers probably include both documented and
48 undocumented residents and are most likely understated.
49 Commissioner Price said many departments in Orange County support both
50 documented and undocumented residents.
17
1 Commissioner Dorosin said housing funding may be different in this regard.
2 Chair McKee asked John Roberts to research this question and to bring an answer back
3 to the BOCC.
4 Chair McKee referred to the Eno Haven project and said whatever action is taken, it is
5 important not to isolate this community, and create a perceived low-income neighborhood. He
6 said he supports lifting people, not isolating them.
7 Chair McKee referred to goal number 5, funding available for housing rehabilitation
8 projects, and advocated an increase in this amount, as people like to stay in their homes.
9 Chair McKee said it is important for all numbers to align, across the County, Towns,
10 agencies, etc.
11 Audrey Spencer Horsley said the numbers may not perfectly align, but the overall trends
12 that the numbers show do align.
13 Commissioner Price said when it comes to this type of data, certain programs use just
14 census data and more local entities use different sources for data.
15 Audrey Spencer Horsley referred to the existing minimum housing standards and said
16 there is no way to enforce them. She encouraged the Board to think about this going forward,
17 as it is important.
18
19
20 5. Public Hearings
21
22 a. Orange County's Proposed 2016 Legislative Agenda
23 The Board considered:
24 1) Conducting a public hearing on Orange County's potential legislative items for the 2016
25 North Carolina General Assembly Session;
26 2) Closing the public hearing and review and discuss the Legislative Issues Work Group's
27 (LIWG) proposed 2016 legislative package and any other potential items for inclusion in
28 Orange County's legislative agenda package for the 2016 North Carolina General
29 Assembly Session;
30 3) Consider approval of one proposed legislative matters resolution on Statewide Issues;
31 4) Consider approval of one proposed legislative matters resolution on the Orange County
32 detention center property; and
33 5) Consider identifying three to five specific items from the entire package to highlight for
34 priority discussion at the April 18, 2016 breakfast meeting with Orange County's
35 legislative delegation.
36
37 Greg Wilder, Assistant to the County Manager for Legislative Affairs, reviewed the
38 following information:
39
40 BACKGROUND:
41 The North Carolina General Assembly "short session" will convene on Monday, April 25, 2016.
42 In past years the Board of Commissioners has appointed two Commissioners to serve on a
43 Legislative Issues Work Group (LIWG) to work with staff to develop a proposed legislative
44 package for the County. Based on the work of the LIWG, the BOCC has then reviewed and
45 approved packages of legislative items to pursue for the respective North Carolina General
46 Assembly sessions. Commissioners Penny Rich and Mia Burroughs are serving on the 2016
47 LIWG and have worked with staff on the proposed 2016 legislative package, which is attached.
48
49 At its March 22, 2016 regular meeting, the Board approved an item on the Consent agenda
50 providing notice of this public hearing on Orange County's proposed 2016 legislative agenda.
18
1 Staff subsequently published the public hearing notice in three different local newspapers. The
2 notice of the public hearing was also posted on the County's website and on Facebook and
3 Twitter.
4
5 After conducting and closing the public hearing, the Board will likely want to review and discuss
6 during the public hearing. The Board will then need to consider both legislative matters
7 resolutions based on the public hearing and Board discussion.
8
9 The first proposed legislative matters resolution (Attachment 2) addresses a broad range of
10 statewide issues. The second legislative matters resolution (Attachment 3) concerns a request
11 for the introduction of a local bill for the Orange County detention center property.
12
13 Following consideration of the resolutions, and in preparation for its April 18, 2016 breakfast
14 meeting with Orange County's legislative delegation, the Board may want to consider identifying
15 three to five specific items from the entire package to highlight for priority discussion.
16
17 The work of the Legislative Issues Work Group to this point is based on the current information
18 available for the 2016 General Assembly Session. The issues addressed by the Group may
19 evolve and change over the session and require additional attention by the Group and Board of
20 Commissioners. New issues may also arise necessitating additional review.
21 For reference purposes only, staff has provided the North Carolina Association of County
22 Commissioners (NCACC) 2015-16 Adopted Legislative Goals (Attachment 4)which were
23 adopted by NCACC in late January 2015. Some of the items in the legislative matters resolution
24 regarding statewide issues (Attachment 2) generally coincide with NCACC's goals and those
25 items are noted in the resolution accordingly.
26
27 PUBLIC COMMENT:
28 Jordan Tony lives in Carrboro and works in the recycling industry. He said there is a
29 push to overturn the ban on electronics recycling in landfills. He said he wants to voice his
30 opposition to this, for both environmental and economic reasons.
31 Jordan Tony said the other issue he would like to address is the pressure to restrict the
32 ability of local governments to assess recycling fees. He said the recycling market is volatile,
33 but the environmental benefits are not.
34
35 A motion was made by Commissioner Burroughs, seconded by Commissioner Price to
36 close the public hearing on Orange County's potential legislative items for the 2016 North
37 Carolina General Assembly Session.
38
39 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
40
41
42 Discussion ensued by the Board on items they would like to bring forward to the
43 Legislative Delegation.
44
45
46 Commissioner Price suggested the following edits:
47 #3- expansion of Medicaid Program: she said the word "expand" is a trigger word in Raleigh,
48 and suggested using "increased access" instead.
49 #4- Mental Health: she referred to the mention of crisis beds, and recommended changing the
50 wording to intervention and treatment.
19
1 #5- Identify the Stepping-Up Initiative: if this item is chosen, it may be wise to identify this
2 initiative.
3 #10-Homestead Exemption: she referred to section "c", noting it may adversely affect poorer
4 counties.
5 Commissioner Dorosin suggested making #10 a local option.
6 Commissioner Price said this would be good, but she believes it is not permissible.
7 John Roberts said this area is restricted, because it is state legislated.
8 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the County could adopt an ordinance to give a tax
9 refund.
10 John Roberts said the County could adopt an ordinance to give a grant to low-income
11 people who meet certain criteria.
12 Commissioner Price said to delete section 10-c.
13 #25 - Commissioner Price suggested cautionary language with Department of Transportation
14 issues, as the County does not want to become responsible for maintaining roads.
15 #26 - Bona Fide Farm Use: she finds this potentially controversial, but referred to Chair
16 McKee's wisdom.
17 #17-Voter Registration and Voting: insert "and maintain" after support legislation to restore
18
19 Chair McKee said he does not have a problem with #26.
20
21 A motion was made by Commissioner Price seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to make
22 technical changes in resolution as expressed by Commissioner Price.
23 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
24
25
26 Commissioner Dorosin suggested the following edits:
27 #23 —add a call for the repeal of HB2
28 Commissioner Dorosin asked Commissioner Price about the North Carolina's
29 Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) response to HB2.
30 Commissioner Dorosin asked if NCACC could be pushed to adopt a position on this bill.
31 Commissioner Price said NCACC is against HB2, due to its restriction on county
32 authority.
33 Commissioner Dorosin asked if NCACC is coming out a statement calling for a repeal of
34 the bill.
35 Commissioner Price said she does not know, but will find out.
36
37 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin seconded by Commissioner Rich to make
38 technical changes in resolution as expressed above.
39 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
40
41 Commissioner Jacobs suggested the following edits:
42 #15 — Electronics Recycling — add at the end of the item: "to oppose lifting restrictions on the
43 disposal of electronics in the landfill"
44 #22 — Broadband —add to the end: "to ensure community access to critical broadband services
45 and maintain level of service"
46 #26 — Bona Fide Farm use- delete last line "enhance public participation in the process". This
47 should be one of the top three priorities brought to their legislators, as it is extremely pertinent
48 to Orange County.
49 Bonnie Hammersley said if one person used a federal farm number for something that
50 may cause controversy that there should be a public process.
20
1
2 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs seconded Commissioner Rich to make the
3 technical changes proposed by Commissioner Jacobs.
4
5 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
6
7 A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to
8 approve the amended legislative matters resolution on Statewide Issues- Resolution 1-
9 attachment 2.
10
11 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
12
13
14 5) Consider identifying three to five specific items from the entire package to
15 highlight for priority discussion at the April 18, 2016 breakfast meeting with
16 Orange County's legislative delegation.
17
18 The Board discussed and narrowed down the top five (5) priorities:
19
20 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
21 approve the items as amended below to discuss with the Legislative Delegation on April 18th:
22
23 #26 - Bona Fide Farms - Commissioner Jacobs
24 #6 - Raise Age for Juvenile Jurisdiction in Criminal Court - Commissioner Burroughs
25 #22 - Broadband- Commissioner Rich and Commissioner Price
26 #23 -Pprotected classes - Commissioner Rich
27 #19 - Priority School Issues - Commissioner Rich
28
29 VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Commissioner Price)
30
31 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin to
32 approve the legislative matters resolution on the Orange County detention center property,
33 attachment three.
34
35
36 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
37
38 7. Regular Agenda
39
40 a. New Slogan for Interstate NCDOT Welcome Sign
41 The Board will review slogans submitted for the Orange County Interstate Welcome
42 Sign campaign that were submitted by residents and consider choosing a slogan for the sign.
43
44 Bonnie Hammersley suggested moving Item 7a to another meeting, due to the late
45 hour.
46
47 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Rich to table
48 Item 7a.
49
50 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
21
1 b. Award of Environment &Agriculture Center Professional Services Agreement
2 The Board considered authorizing Orange County to enter into a Professional Services
3 Agreement with HH Architecture of Raleigh, NC for design services for the Environment &
4 Agriculture Center (EAC) capital project upon final review of the County Attorney; and authorize
5 the Chair to execute the Agreement and any subsequent design amendments for contingent
6 and unforeseen design requirements on behalf of the Board.
7 Jeff Thompson, Orange County Director of Asset Management Services, reviewed the
8 following information:
9
10 BACKGROUND: On September 10, 2015 Orange County received responses to its Request
11 for Qualifications ("RFQ") issued on August 18, 2015 for professional design services for the
12 Environment & Agriculture Center capital project in accordance with North Carolina
13 Procurement Law and the Federal Mini-Brooks Act governing the selection and procurement of
14 professional services firms. The facility is contemplated to be designed from April 2016 through
15 the fall of 2016.
16
17 Staff reviewed responses from the nine (9) firms listed below. A staff panel consisting of
18 representatives from DEAPR, Economic Development, Cooperative Extension, Farm Services,
19 Soil and Water, the Commission for the Environment, and AMS evaluated the RFQ responses
20 and interviewed the highlighted*firms in October:
21 • Boomerang Design
22 • ESPA Architects and Planners
23 • Frank Harmon Architect
24 • HH Architecture*
25 • Hobbs Architects, PA*
26 • Innovative Design*
27 • MHA Works
28 • RND Architecture
29 • Smith Sinnett Architecture*
30
31 The staff panel selected HH Architecture to enter into fee negotiations with the County based
32 upon the firm's experience, portfolio of work, and the interview. Staff has negotiated an initial
33 basic services fee for design services (see Attachment 2, "HH Architecture Professional
34 Services Proposal") of $249,800, which includes significant stakeholder design input, an
35 extensive cost-benefit study comparing a major renovation to a deconstruction/new construction
36 process, and standard architectural and engineering design services.
37
38 Commissioner Pelissier said there was a reference in the scope to the Triangle J
39 Council of Governments (TJCOG) High Performance Building standards and the fact that they
40 are not being pursued. She asked if the high performance building standards could be
41 explained.
42 Jeff Thompson said the County has a policy to follow the Triangle J High Performance
43 Building standards, which look similar to the LEED standards, without the fees.
44 Commissioner Pelissier asked if there are going to be energy savings features.
45 Jeff Thompson said yes.
46 Commissioner Jacobs referred to the letter from HH Architecture about the scope and
47 asked if the local forestry operations office is the office currently on old 86.
48 David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR)
49 Director, said it is the County Forest Ranger who will be located in this building.
22
1 Commissioner Jacobs said he does not remember if the Board discussed this building,
2 the BOCC vision for it, and the costs.
3 Jeff Thompson said this was part of the Space Study Work Group, and the thrust of the
4 conversation is to make the existing services in that facility more efficient from a space
5 standpoint and bringing the building up to current standards.
6 Commissioner Jacobs said he was uncomfortable moving forward without further
7 discussion.
8 Bonnie Hammersley said this is going to be a long process, because one part of the
9 process is stakeholder involvement in the design portion. She said the Board will be involved in
10 that process.
11 Commissioner Jacobs said a huge mistake was made following this exact procedure
12 with the Southwest Branch Library. He said he would like the Board to have input first before
13 receiving input from other stakeholders.
14 Commissioner Dorosin said he thought the Board had a conversation about different
15 options, and concluded that all services should all remain co-located, with the building either
16 being rehabbed or making a new building on the same parcel of land. He suggested reviewing
17 the minutes for prior conversations.
18 Chair McKee said the item has been discussed several times and he does support
19 keeping the services in the same location. He said he does not support this capital project as
20 he feels the building has life left in it, with some minor renovations. He said there are many
21 other major projects that will need millions of dollars such as the schools and affordable
22 housing. He said the building may not be ideal, but it is not falling down and is not a valid
23 expenditure of$3 million. He said he also does not support $300,000 to pursue a plan as he
24 feels it is committing to an unnecessary project.
25 Commissioner Burroughs asked if the rationale for moving the project forward could be
26 explained by someone who served on the space committee.
27 Chair McKee said he served on that committee but did not speak out at that time as the
28 committee was not making decisions. He said Commissioner Price also served on the Space
29 Study committee.
30 Commissioner Price said the argument was made that the building is old and would
31 need renovations at some point, whether sooner or later. She said her greater concern was
32 that the services remain co-located. She said if a new building were proposed, she would
33 support having it on the same parcel of land.
34 Jeff Thompson said context is important, and a submission was made for a new HVAC
35 system and roof a few years ago. He said at that time, the submission was denied, and a new
36 location favored. He said he believes the current location is excellent, and he would support
37 maintaining it with either a new building or renovation of the current one.
38 Commissioner Burroughs said the two options are to spend $1 million now and get a few
39 more years of life or spend $3 million in the coming year and get a lot more years.
40 Jeff Thompson said the larger investment would offer greater energy efficiency as well
41 as greater space efficiency.
42 Commissioner Burroughs said she appreciates Chair McKee's points but would support
43 the larger investment.
44 Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Burroughs and said this is going to be
45 an extensive cost benefit analysis which seems sensible. He said he must have missed a
46 portion of the discussions on this topic.
47 Commissioner Rich agreed with Commissioners Burroughs and Jacobs.
48
49 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded Commissioner Pelissier by for
50 the Board to:
23
1 1) Authorize Orange County to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with HH
2 Architecture of Raleigh, NC for the design services for the Environment &Agriculture
3 Center capital project upon final review of the County Attorney; and
4
5 2) Authorize the Chair to execute the initial Agreement and any subsequent design
6 amendments for contingent and unforeseen design requirements on behalf of the
7 Board.
8
9 VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Chair McKee)
10
11 c. Recommendations for Employee Health Insurance and Other Benefits
12 The Board considered approving the Manager's recommendation to contract with
13 United Health Care regarding employee health and dental insurance and other employee
14 benefits effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.
15 Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources Director, reviewed the following information:
16
17 BACKGROUND: The County provides employees with a comprehensive benefits plan,
18 including health, dental and life insurance, an employee assistance program, flexible
19 compensation plan and paid leave for permanent employees. Additionally, the County
20 contributes to the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System and a supplemental
21 retirement plan.
22
23 Staff provided relevant information related to the recommendations of this abstract to the Board
24 of County Commissioners at the March 29, 2016 Work Session Meeting.
25
26 The County has been self-funded since January 1, 2014 for medical and pharmacy plans and
27 continues to be self-insured for the dental plan. The County transitioned from a twelve-month
28 calendar plan year to a twelve-month fiscal plan year in 2015 aligning with the County's fiscal
29 year. In February 2015, the Board of County Commissioners approved Gallagher Benefit
30 Services (GBS) as Broker of Record for the administration of benefit programs, which include
31 health, dental, vision, and other voluntary programs for employees and retirees.
32
33 Since the County's insurance plan is self-funded, the County uses a third party administrator
34 (TPA) to administer and manage claims. To take advantage of changing market dynamics and
35 services, the County periodically solicits proposals from companies offering TPA services. On
36 behalf of Orange County, Gallagher Benefit Services (GBS) conducted a competitive solicitation
37 for service consideration in FY2016-2017.
38
39 Currently, UnitedHealth Care (UHC) is the Third Party Administrator (TPA) for the County's
40 Medical Plan. GBS conducted a TPA Marketing Analysis. UHC, Meritain/Aetna, CIGNA and
41 BCBSNC provided quotes to GBS for review and recommendation by the Manager. With
42 careful consideration of all proposals, it is recommended to continue TPA services with
43 UnitedHealth Care.
44
45 The UHC renewal was negotiated from $41.50 per employee per month to $29.50 per
46 employee per month with a guaranteed fee for 2 years and a 3 percent rate cap for July 1,
47 2018's renewal; this equates to approximately $150,000 savings. The difference between the
48 top two competitors was $6,500 for annual fixed costs. The variable cost or the
49 utilization/claims costs were essentially identical between the top two competitors.
50
24
1 Wellness funding by the TPA was also considered and UHC was the most competitive. UHC
2 will fund $25,000 each year for the next three years. The closest competitor was $12,500
3 respectively.
4
5 Health Insurance
6 Gallagher Benefit Services (GBS) estimates no change in the FY2016-2017 health care budget.
7 In addition, no plan design changes are recommended. All covered benefits, co-pays, co-
8 insurance and deductibles are expected to remain the same. Administrative fees and claims
9 utilization are considered when setting premium equivalent rates. The administrative fee
10 savings of$150,000 represents approximately 1.29 percent of the current FY budget ($11.6
11 million). The administrative fee reduction is projected to be absorbed within claims utilization;
12 therefore the Manager is not recommending a change to the current year budget or premium
13 equivalents for FY2016-2017.
14
15 Dental and Vision Insurance
16 Delta Dental is the County's current dental provider and Community Eye Care provides the
17 County's vision plan. As part of three-year contract, the County will continue providing dental
18 coverage through Delta Dental. The current budget for dental insurance coverage is
19 approximately $320,000 annually. No increase in premium is recommended for FY 2016-2017.
20 In fact, the County will improve the dental plan design by removing diagnostic and preventative
21 services from the annual maximum of$1,200 of covered services to promote preventative oral
22 health care.
23
24 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
25 Board to:
26 1. Approve the recommendation of contracting with UnitedHealth Care as the County's
27 Third Party Administrator for the County's health insurance programs;
28 2. Grant authority to the Manager to renew the Third Party Administrator contract with
29 UnitedHealth Care;
30 3. Grant authority to the Manager to contract with a Stop Loss Insurance Carrier as
31 appropriate;
32 4. Maintain current premium equivalent rates for FY2016-2017 health coverage
33 renewal;
34 5. Approve the recommended changes to the Dental program of removing diagnostic
35 and preventative services from the annual maximum; and
36 6. Approve aligning all dental services to a fiscal year verses a calendar year.
37
38 VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Commissioner Rich)
39
40 Commissioner Rich commended staff's efforts but said she voted no because United
41 Healthcare is part of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and she believes
42 ALEC writes laws that are detrimental to the state of North Carolina.
43
44 8. Reports
45 NONE
46
47 9. County Manager's Report
48
49 Bonnie Hammersley reviewed the items below:
50 Projected April 7, 2016 Budget Work Session Items
25
1 BOCC Goals and Priorities Follow-up
2 Discussion on 2016-2021 Manager's Recommended Capital Investment Plan
3
4 Projected April 12, 2016 Regular Work Session Items
5 School Facilities Needs Discussion with School Systems
6
7 Bonnie Hammersley noted there is also an Information Item on the Southern Branch
8 Library in the Commissioners' packets.
9
10 10. County Attorney's Report
11 NONE
12
13 11. Appointments
14
15 a. Arts Commission —Appointment
16 The Board considered making an appointment to the Arts Commission.
17
18 A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin to
19 appoint the following to the Arts Commission:
20
21 Appointment to a first full term (position #15) At-Large for Delia Keefe expiring 03/31/2019.
22
23 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
24
25 b. Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau —Appointment
26 The Board considered making an appointment to the Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors
27 Bureau.
28
29 A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to
30 appoint the following to the Chapel Hill Orange County Visitor's Bureau:
31
32 Appointment to a partial term (position #3) Orange County/ Hillsborough Chamber of
33 Commerce for Allison Nichols-Clapper expiring 12/31/2017.
34
35 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
36
37 12. Board Comments
38 Commissioner Burroughs said the Board of Health is considering a ban on e-cigarettes
39 in restaurants, bars and closed areas, and there will be a public comment period from April 10
40 to April 27. She said the Board of Health will vote on this item at their next meeting.
41 Commissioner Pelissier said she attended the Chamber's State of the Community
42 Report, and all of the data is available on line. She said after the presentation, there small
43 group discussions about economic development, K-12 education, housing, and transportation
44 occurred which were interesting.
45 Commissioner Rich said she spent a morning last week with Community Center Director
46 David Caldwell touring the community centers.
47 Commissioner Dorosin had no comments.
48 Commissioner Price said she attended the district meeting of the NCACC last week,
49 where she shared updates from Orange County regarding crisis intervention training. She said
50 many counties praised the efforts being made here.
26
1 Commissioner Price said there was a meeting in Cedar Grove last weekend where the
2 community center was discussed. She said the center was then toured and it is coming along
3 beautifully. She said the community is very excited.
4 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a target date for opening this community center.
5 Jeff Thompson said the target date for moving staff in is April 18th, with a soft opening in
6 early May, and a grand opening on June 17th
7 Commissioner Jacobs read an excerpt from the CEO of Pay Pal as to why the company
8 is not bringing 400 jobs to Charlotte.
9 Chair McKee encouraged the Board to accept the invitation to visit Emergency Services
10 and watch how special or extraordinary events are handled in Orange County.
11
12 13. Information Items
13
14 • March 22, 2016 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List
15 • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis
16 • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections
17 • Tax Assessor's Report — Releases/Refunds under $100
18 • Earth Evening Flyer
19 • Letter Regarding Youth Misdemeanor Diversion Program
20 • Memorandum with Southern Branch Library Update
21 • BOCC Chair Letter Regarding Petitions from March 22, 2016 Regular Meeting
22
23 14. Closed Session
24 NONE
25
26 15. Adjournment
27
28 A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to
29 adjourn the meeting at 11:09 p.m.
30
31 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
32
33
34 Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
35
36
37 Earl McKee, Chair
38
39
1
1 Attachment 2
2
3 DRAFT MINUTES
4 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 Budget Work Session
6 April 7, 2016
7 7:00 p.m.
8
9 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in a budget work session on Thursday, April
10 7, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, in Chapel Hill, N.C.
11
12 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair McKee and Commissioners Mia Burroughs,
13 Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy Manager Travis
17 Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
19
20 Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
21
22 1. BOCC Retreat Follow-up on the Established Goals and Priorities
23 Bonnie Hammersley said this is an opportunity to review information and fine tune the
24 goals and priorities/updates discussed at the January 29th retreat, which she will use as she
25 moves forward with the operating budget and the Capital Investment Plan (CIP).
26
27 ORANGE COUNTY
28 Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC)
29 BOCC RETREAT FOLLOW-UP
30 GOALS AND PRIORITIES
31
32 BOCC RETREAT FOLLOW-UP
33 Goal 1: Ensure a community network of basic human services and infrastructure that
34 maintains, protects, and promotes the well being of all county residents.
35
36 1) AFFORDABLE HOUSING (5 VOTES)
37 • Decent, standard housing options for all residents regardless of household income level.
38 • Funds to develop targeted number of units (set numerical goal).
39 • Develop explicit plan to inform bond expenditures and other BOCC affordable housing
40 funding.
41
42 2) FAMILY SUCCESS ALLIANCE (FSA) (3 VOTES)
43 • Additional support to expand FSA
44 • All County departments coordinate with efforts of FSA
45
46 2) COMMUNITY CENTERS (3 VOTES)
47 • Decentralize community resources through community centers
48 • Provide food, hot meals, and essential services to residents in need.
2
1 • Complete Cedar Grove community center and explore service expansion for community
2 centers.
3
4
5 3) NON-PROFIT FUNDING (1 VOTE)
6 • Review process and adequacy of dollar amount.
7
8 3) AGING/MENTAL HEALTH (1 VOTE)
9 • Convening including state legislators on serious gaps in quality and quantity of long term
10 senior care, especially low-income seniors.
11 • Thorough review of services from Cardinal.
12
13 3) TRANSPORTATION (1 VOTE)
14 • Identify initiatives or ways to leverage current programs to help break cycle of poverty
15 • Employment as articulated by staff (crossed with transportation as relevant).
16 • Survey of unmet transportation needs for education and employment needs of low
17 income residents, used to prioritize additional services.
18
19 Goal 2: Promote an interactive and transparent engaging system of governance that
20 reflects community values.
21
22 1) OUTREACH/INTERNET ACCESS (3 VOTES)
23 • Continue upgrades to IT and explore new outreach methods, including old school
24 methods, use of multiple language efforts.
25 • Expand internet access through County hotspots or incentives to private parties.
26 2) RESIDENTS ACCESS TO COUNTY (2 VOTES)
27 • Human answering phone
28 • Rumor page —stop bad information flow
29 • Make the website functional
30 • Communicate the role of a County Commission
31 2) INTERGOVERNMENTAL FUNDING FORMULA(2 VOTES)
32 3) INCREASE DIVERSITY ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (0 VOTES)
33
34 Goal 3: Implement planning and economic development policies which create a
35 balanced, dynamic local economy, and which promote diversity, sustainable growth, and
36 enhanced revenue while embracing community values.
37
38 1) PARTNERSHIPS (2 VOTES)
39 • Reinvigorate joint planning with neighbors
40 • Partnerships with other governments, staff, and residents
41 1) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (2 VOTES)
42 • Clarify what types of development are wanted and what infrastructure is needed
43 • Increase in the number of living wage jobs or opportunities for gainful employment
44 (salaried positions) and options.
45 1) SUB-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (2 VOTES)
46 • Continue good work to fund priorities in other goals.
47 • Target small business loan/grant fund to identified needs (i.e., childcare).
48 2) REVISIT COUNTY FAIR (0 VOTES)
49
3
1 Goal 4: Invest in quality County facilities, a diverse work force, and technology to
2 achieve a high performing County government.
3
4 1) HOUSING LIVING WAGE FOR ORANGE COUNTY STAFF (4 VOTES)
5 2) SUPPORT THE MANAGER'S INTERNAL STRATEGIC INITIATIVES TO ENSURE
6 QUALITY IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL KEY PRIORITIES (3 VOTES)
7 3) IDENTIFY DEFINITE FACILITY NEEDS OR CONSOLIDATIONS (0 VOTES)
8 3) HONOR HISTORICAL CONTEXT IN DECISIONS AND COMMUNICATION (0 VOTES)
9 • Manager committed to implementing this idea when preparing agenda abstracts
10 o Institutional memory (internal)
11 o County's cultural heritage
12
13 Goal 5: Create, preserve, and protect a natural environment that includes clean water,
14 clean air, wildlife, important natural lands, and sustainable energy for present and future
15 generations.
16
17 1) INCLUDE LOCAL AGRICULTURE AS KEY TO UNMENTIONED "OPEN SPACE." (6
18 VOTES)
19 2) DEVELOP PLAN FOR RESIDENTS AND FARMERS AND BUSINESSES TO PREPARE
20 FOR AND ADJUST TO EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE (1 VOTE)
21 3) BEGIN PLANNING RE: WATER RESOURCES AS ORANGE COUNTY CONTINUES TO
22 GROW AND DEVELOP (0 VOTES)
23
24 Goal 6: Ensure a high quality of life and lifelong learning that champions diversity,
25 education at all levels, libraries, parks, recreation, and animal welfare.
26
27 1) EDUCATION: AT-RISK CHILDREN (5 votes)
28 • Increase support to expand pre-kindergarten services
29 • Continue to close the achievement gaps and end the school to prison pipeline.
30 2) CONNECT STUDENTS TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES (4 VOTES)
31 3) MOVE TOWARD A JOINT EFFORT WITH TOWNS ON PARKS AND TRAILS
32 DEVELOPMENT (2 VOTES)
33 4) INCREASE COLLABORATION BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS (1 VOTE)
34 4) BOND REFERENDUM (1 VOTE)
35 • Smooth bond process for educational facilities (affordable housing per goal 1)
36 • Identify criteria for bond referendum projects — schools and housing.
37 4) FUND K-12 AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES AT LEAST AT 2015-16 LEVELS (1 VOTE)
38
39 APPLY TO ALL GOALS (7 VOTES)
40 • More aggressive social agenda
41 • Bridge diverse cultural populations and values.
42 Social Justice Goals:
43 • Foster a community culture that rejects oppression and inequity.
44 • Ensure economic self-sufficiency.
45 • Create a safe community.
46 • Establish sustainable and equitable land use and environmental policies.
47 • Enable full civic participation.
48
4
1 Commissioner Rich arrived at 7:13 p.m.
2
3 Commissioner Burroughs said all these goals are not attainable or affordable in one
4 year, and asked the Manager if she has a strategy for weighing out one item against another.
5 Bonnie Hammersley said all budget initiatives are being ranked through criteria, the first
6 of which asks if the initiative aligns with the Board of County Commissioners' goals.
7 Bonnie Hammersley said the level of difficulty to implement, and timeframes are also
8 strongly considered.
9 Bonnie Hammersley resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
10 NEXT STEPS:
11 1.) The BOCC will formally approve retreat minutes. Approved on 2/16/16.
12 2.) The Manager will recommend funding for priority related budget initiatives in the FY2016-17
13 budget.
14 3.) The BOCC considers FY2016-17 budget recommendations for funding of policy initiatives.
15 4.) The Manager's office will facilitate staff teams to create implementation strategies for the
16 policy priorities funded in the adopted budget.
17
18 Commissioner Price asked if these votes are firm moving forward, noting that things can
19 change.
20 Bonnie Hammersley said the votes show items that were a priority at the time of the
21 retreat. She noted the items that received no votes are still important and need to be
22 addressed.
23 Commissioner Dorosin said it is important to be flexible but it is critical for the BOCC to
24 set priorities. He said this is a long list and the BOCC must prioritize.
25 Commissioner Rich agreed noting when priorities are set and broadcast, it is easier for
26 the public to understand what the Board is doing.
27 Commissioner Pelissier said she struggled with the social justice goal and its lack of
28 specificity.
29 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a reason that items with zero votes were listed if
30 making priorities is the aim.
31 Bonnie Hammersley said all items listed were nominated but each Commissioner had
32 only so many votes. She said items can move up or down on the list of priorities due to shifting
33 variables.
34 Commissioner Jacobs referred to the social justice goals and said it is a way to reinforce
35 these goals and the Board's commitment to them.
36 Commissioner Dorosin said the items with zero votes should be put in a "parking lot".
37 He said goals will remain the same, unless voted otherwise, but priorities may change each
38 year.
39 Commissioner Dorosin said he sees the social justice goals as strategies for the overall
40 goals.
41 Commissioner Price said she understood the goals to be the Board's priorities. She
42 said she was questioning the priorities and if they are part of each goal then there should be
43 flexibility going forward.
44 Bonnie Hammersley said once the Board determines which goals and priorities it will
45 adopt, the votes will not be listed.
46 Commissioner Rich suggested that they add goals and social goals on each agenda
47 abstract instead of just the social justice goals.
48 Commissioner Dorosin said he disagreed with the Manager and thinks that the priority
49 votes should be posted on the web.
5
1 Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Dorosin, and said clarification should
2 be given that each Commissioner was given 3 votes per topic at the retreat but there are
3 priorities that are explicit.
4 Commissioner Burroughs said to drop the zero votes, but put the other votes up.
5 Commissioner Jacobs said put the zero votes as "other things listed".
6 Commissioner Pelissier suggested calling social justice goals something else.
7 Bonnie Hammersley suggested using social justice "values".
8
9 2. Discussion of Manager's Recommended FY 2016-2021 Capital Investment Plan
10 Chair McKee said he had a conversation with the Manager and School Board chairs
11 today and they all decided not to address the schools' item tonight but wait until the joint
12 meeting on April 12th
13
14 Capital Investment Plan — Overview
15 The FY 2016-21 CIP includes County Projects, School Projects, and Proprietary Projects. The
16 School Projects include Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools, and
17 Durham Technical Community College— Orange County Campus projects. The Proprietary
18 Projects include Water and Sewer, Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, and Sportsplex projects.
19
20 The CIP has been prepared anticipating continued slow economic growth of between 1-2%
21 annually over the next five years. Many of the projects in the CIP will rely on debt financing to
22 fund the projects.
23 Travis Myren said the PowerPoint presentation follows the transmittal letter in the
24 Board's CIP book. He presented the following PowerPoint slides, along with corresponding
25 department heads present for questions:
26
27 County Manager's Recommended FY2016-21 Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
28 April 7, 2016 CIP Work Session.
29
30 Capital Investment Plan
31 Continuation Funding
32 • Southern Branch Library - $6.38 million: Page 31
33 o Construction cost estimates based on 10,000 to 12,000 square foot urban
34 library to be determined through schematic design
35 o Operating Costs FY2017-18 - $1,279,216
36
37 Bonnie Hammersley said there was a question regarding land acquisition costs.
38 Jeff Thompson, Director of Asset Management Services, said land acquisition and study
39 monies were allocated to the project in FY 2010.
40 Bonnie Hammersley said there had also been some questions regarding the size of the
41 library. She said a study was completed that determined 20,000 square feet as an appropriate
42 size, but this was when a site in Hillsborough was being considered. She said she has always
43 heard a gross of 15,000 square feet with a net of 10,000 to 12,000 square feet.
44 Bonnie Hammersley said operating costs are an important variable to consider for
45 certain items.
46 Bonnie Hammersley continued the PowerPoint presentation:
47
48 Proposed Library Site (aerial photograph)
49
50 Southern Branch Library Conceptual Site Sketch
6
1
2 Updated Project Schedule (chart)
3
4 Commissioner Dorosin asked if, based on the timeline, there are any expenditures in
5 2016-17.
6 Jeff Thompson said some due diligence costs and professional costs have already been
7 incurred and there may be more, once further studies are completed.
8 Commissioner Dorosin asked if such expenses would come from construction.
9 Jeff Thompson said the funds would come from professional services.
10 Paul Laughton, Finance and Administrative Services, said to date $116,000 has been
11 spent.
12 Commissioner Dorosin said this project is listed next year at $6.38 million, which has
13 been set aside, but little would be spent. He asked if there would be ramifications of pushing it
14 to 2017-18.
15 Bonnie Hammersley said there was some uncertainty with Carrboro's timeline but that
16 has now been somewhat finalized. She said the CIP is a moving target and is used as a
17 planning document.
18 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the spending expectations for 2016-17 are known.
19 Jeff Thompson said less than $50,000 and these are for studies and possibly
20 professional services, such as title work, etc.
21 Commissioner Jacobs said last year money for the South Human Services campus was
22 moved back a year to bring them some more flexibility within their debt capacity.
23 Commissioner Jacobs said he appreciated the definitive nature of the size of this facility,
24 and this is where he was trying to go with the new agricultural facility at the last BOCC meeting.
25 He said it is important to be as specific as possible, and up front with the public. He said the
26 functions of this proposed library still need to be defined and clarified.
27 Commissioner Jacobs said before this project begins a commitment from Carrboro is
28 needed, regarding their participation in the operating budget.
29 Bonnie Hammersley said once the studies are completed, she and the Carrboro
30 Manager work on an agreement to bring back to the Board,before moving forward.
31 Commissioner Pelissier said the meeting space is not just intended for Carrboro, and
32 the vision did not come just from the visioning groups. She said she recalled given projected
33 population growth that an estimated 20,000 square feet would be needed for this library, with
34 the possibility for expansion. She said she is not clear what the Board is trying to build here.
35 Commissioner Pelissier referred to the schedule and the feasibility study, which is to be
36 completed, and then reviewed by Kidzu and the Arts Center. She asked if this study is still
37 going to occur.
38 Bonnie Hammersley said Carrboro is still working with Kidzu and the Arts Center and
39 that is why it is still in there, as it refers to Carrboro's space issues.
40 Commissioner Rich asked if the operating costs of McDougal and Cybrary are known.
41 Bonnie Hammersley said she will get this information.
42 Commissioner Rich asked if Carrboro owns the land and if the County will be building
43 the library on Carrboro land.
44 Bonnie Hammersley said Carrboro owns the land but a final agreement has yet to be
45 reached. She said three options are being considered: purchase the land from Carrboro and
46 build; have a public-private partnership with a developer; and work solely with Carrboro, which
47 would be a partner in the process. She said she understands Carrboro's desire is to have a
48 partnership with the County.
49 Commissioner Rich asked if the library will be a free standing building.
50 Bonnie Hammersley said that has yet to be determined.
7
1 Commissioner Rich said when she has spoken with Carrboro residents there is a desire
2 for an urban library. She asked if Carrboro owns the land, would any environmental issues be
3 Carrboro's responsibility to deal with.
4 Bonnie Hammersley said yes.
5 Commissioner Burroughs said it makes sense to move the item out to the 2017-18
6 budget and with relation to the size, she was not present when the topic was discussed in the
7 past. She said growth is a determining factor, as well as continually changing technology. She
8 said it will be important to compare needs to wants to affordability and to see how it all relates
9 to the Board's priorities. She advocated for a smaller library as well as conservative spending.
10 Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Burroughs. He said the previous
11 manager was in favor of a large 20,000 square foot suburban library, but the Board never
12 approved this. He said there has been a great deal of discussion with the public surrounding
13 this topic, and agreed with the difficulty of ever changing technology. He noted that the Chapel
14 Hill library is less than three miles away
15 Commissioner Price said she has heard of the need of this library since her tenure on
16 this board. She said the possibility of a meeting space is a plus.
17 Bonnie Hammersley said the current operating costs for McDougle and Cybrary are
18 currently $216,068, and the $1.2 million includes $700,000 in debt to borrow to build the library
19 over a 15-year period.
20 Commissioner Dorosin said he also said he has heard of this project as a priority to
21 Carrboro residents.
22 Chair McKee said it is not unusual for the BOCC to delay a project for a variety of
23 reasons.
24 Commissioner Dorosin said reasoning can be offered but all the public will hear is that
25 the Board of County Commissioners is delaying this again.
26 Chair McKee asked if a parking deck would be part of the building, or if Carrboro would
27 manage it and the County lease it. He also asked how it would be paid for.
28 Jeff Thompson said if a standalone library was being built, there would need to be 50
29 parking spaces. He said any additional parking would be negotiated with Carrboro.
30 Chair McKee asked if the parking lot costs are included in the $5.6 million construction
31 costs.
32 Jeff Thompson said yes.
33 Chair McKee referred to the last line of the schedule and asked if the building is going to
34 be leased before it is built.
35 Jeff Thompson said off site parking can be allowed, per Carrboro's discussion about
36 parking.
37 Bonnie Hammersley said the chart before the Board was created by Carrboro and may
38 include some items that do not involve Orange County.
39 Commissioner Jacobs said there are examples of urban buildings where parking is not
40 present. He said sometimes parking has to be sacrificed. He said if parking must be a part of
41 this project, the County should have some flexibility in negotiations regarding its financial
42 responsibilities.
43 Bonnie Hammersley said these discussions have yet to occur, but as the process moves
44 forward such topics will certainly be raised. She said Carrboro has been open to discussion.
45 Commissioner Burroughs applauded staff's efforts in maintaining open communication
46 with Carrboro given past miscommunications.
47 Commissioner Rich asked if there is a plan for communicating updates with the general
48 public.
8
1 Bonnie Hammersley said the Friends of the Carrboro Library are updated through the
2 librarian and herself and there are also public meetings. She said she can discuss this further
3 with the Carrboro Manager.
4 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
5
6 Continuation Funding
7 • Detention Facility - $500,000: Page 37
8 o Continuation of design services for FY2016-17
9 o Total facility estimate of $20,591,331 in FY2017-18 including construction
10 administration, equipment and furnishings
11 o Cost estimate based on 144 bed facility with expansion capabilities to 250
12 beds if necessary
13 o Timing assumes modification of the land lease with the State
14 o Consultant to conduct staffing analysis to recommend most efficient use of
15 staff resources and project operating cost.
16
17 Chair McKee asked if the figures include the potential relocation of the Sheriff's office.
18 Travis Myren said currently only the detention facility is authorized but options can be
19 brought back to the Board.
20 Chair McKee said the sooner this discussion can happen, the better. He asked if the
21 lease will need to be adjusted, based on changes made by the legislature.
22 Jeff Thompson said yes.
23 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is place in the timeline to discuss the usage of the
24 old jail.
25 Travis Myren said that is not included in the CIP.
26 Jeff Thompson said after the legislature issue, a discussion will need to occur with all
27 stakeholders. He said this will be plugged into the schedule going forward.
28 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
29
30 Continuation Funding
31 • Historic Rogers Road Sewer- $5.68M Page 43
32 o County CIP includes total project costs
33 o Chapel Hill (43%) and Carrboro (14%) will participate in cost-sharing
34 o County and Towns will develop an inter-local agreement for construction
35 costs
36 o Construction scheduled to begin in March/April 2017
37 o Operating cost will be part of an agreement with Orange Water and Sewer
38 Authority (OWASA)
39 o OWASA availability fees and on site plumbing not included in above
40 estimate.
41
42 Rogers Road Proposed Sewer Alignment (map)
43
44 Commissioner Jacobs suggested that staff examine OWASA's fees to look for
45 differences from a typical project.
46 Bonnie Hammersley said these conversations are occurring now.
47 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
48
49 Continuation Funding
50 • Conservation Easements - $500,000: Page 59
9
1 o Component of the Lands Legacy Program
2 o $500,000 budgeted annually through the 10 year CIP
3 o $250,000 in County funds (anticipates matching grants)
4 o $200,000 of current year $250,000 is expended or committed
5
6 Policy Priorities
7 • Affordable Housing - $3.5M: Page 47&48
8 o CIP assumes successful bond referendum in November
9 o Priorities to be established in the Strategic Plan for Affordable Housing
10
11 Commissioner Jacobs asked if the County had paid for its portion of the Green Tract.
12 Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Management Director, said yes.
13 Commissioner Jacobs asked if the figure for the 43% paid by Orange County is known.
14 Gayle Wilson said he could not remember.
15 Commissioner Jacobs said he raised the possibility of buying out partners who do not
16 want to act and would like to find out what the other entities paid.
17 Paul Laughton said the County paid $452,745 over five years.
18 Commissioner Jacobs said Chapel Hill would have paid exactly the same, with Carrboro
19 paying 14%.
20 Paul Laughton said all three entities are paid up.
21 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
22
23 Policy Priorities
24 • Community Centers - $35,000: Page 73
25 • Efland Cheeks Community Center Interior and Exterior Remodel
26 o Design services for interior renovation and landscaping
27 o Construction and equipment ($391,000) included in FY 2017-18
28 o New operating expenses of approximately $67,000 to provide enhanced
29 services
30
31 Efland Cheeks Community Center Site (aerial photograph)
32
33 Chair McKee asked if a discussion on enhanced services has occurred.
34 David Stancil said this may come up during budget discussions. He said there has been
35 discussion between stakeholders to determine a way to get the center open on a regular basis.
36 Bonnie Hammersley said the greater issue is having more dedicated staff to open and
37 close the centers.
38 Chair McKee said there needs to be a discussion about what services can be moved
39 back in to these community centers.
40 Bonnie Hammersley said there is now a Community Center Coordinator, which helps to
41 keep the communities informed.
42 David Stancil said the Rogers Road Community Center model is being followed.
43 Commissioner Jacobs recommended that the Manager and staff have an internal
44 discussion about moving services to these community centers, before there is a public
45 discussion.
46 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
47
48 Policy Priorities
49 • Seymour Center- $990,000: Page 29
50 o Interior remodel adds 4,000 square feet of programmable space
10
1 o Parking lot construction adds 55 paved spaces
2 o Larger expansion (12,000) square feet possible based on needs expressed
3 in Master Aging Plan
4
5
6 Seymour Center Site with Parking (aerial map)
7
8
9 Seymour Center Remodel Option 1S Floor
10
11
12 Seymour Center Remodel Option 2-1 Floor
13
14 Commissioner Jacobs suggested adding parking signage, to allow easier accessibility
15 for the seniors.
16 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the $990,000 includes the road shown on the map.
17 Jeff Thompson said no.
18 Commissioner Dorosin said he thought all these renovations were to be part of the
19 expanded campus.
20 Jeff Thompson said there is an item later in the presentation pertaining to this.
21 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
22
23 Policy Priorities
24 • Water and Sewer - $145,000: Page 76
25
26 Continuation Funding
27 • Buckhorn EDD Ph. 2 Ext. - $4.973 million: Page 80
28 o County CIP includes total project costs
29 o Debt service to be financed with Article 46 funds
30 o Once constructed, the City of Mebane will own and operate the infrastructure
31 with no ongoing operating costs for the County.
32
33 Efland Sewer to Mebane Buckhorn EDD (aerial photographs)
34 Continuation Funding
35 • Hillsborough EDD - Page 82
36 o County CIP includes total project costs.
37 o County and Hillsborough will need a new utility inter-local agreement that
38 also includes a land use provision.
39 o Once constructed, the Town of Hillsborough will own and operate the
40 infrastructure with no ongoing operating costs for the County.
41
42 Hillsborough EDD (map)
43
44 Craig Benedict said the map shows the intersection of 1-85 and old NC 86. He said
45 there has been a great deal of economic interest in this area, and the sewer line will be helpful
46 with that. He said there will hopefully be some partnership with the Town of Hillsborough
47 regarding water extension.
48 Commissioner Rich said Hillsborough is growing rapidly and asked if water supply
49 capabilities may be an issue in this area.
11
1 Craig Benedict said no. He said Hillsborough is aware of the necessary water supplies
2 to service these areas.
3 Chair McKee referred to page 17 of the handout and asked for clarification regarding
4 funding.
5 Craig Benedict said there was $150,000 for 2014-15 and $1 million in 2015-16.
6 Chair McKee asked if this means there are funds available to being work, once an
7 agreement with Hillsborough is reached.
8 Craig Benedict said yes. He said if timing speeds up, there are funds that can be
9 moved around to keep the project moving forward.
10 Chair McKee asked if $1.15 million would be sufficient to get water and sewer under I-
11 40.
12 Craig Benedict said yes.
13 Chair McKee asked if it would be the responsibility of the developer to continue the
14 water and sewer from the work done by the County and Town.
15 Craig Benedict said yes, the County and Town would create the backbone of the
16 system, and the developer would build from there.
17 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is any expectation for the developers to reimburse
18 these costs at any point.
19 Bonnie Hammersley said that would be an appealing option to consider.
20 Commissioner Jacobs said the original intent of the EDD was for the developers to fund
21 all water and sewer costs, to avoid public dollars paying for it. He said the amount of financial
22 burden that public dollars should bare is something to consider.
23 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
24
25 Policy Priorities
26 • Eno EDD-$120,000 (FY 16-17): Page 83
27 o Interlocal agreement with City of Durham
28 o Durham will take over operations with no operating cost to the County
29 o Gravity sewer in 100 acre are in NE corner
30 o Potential to serve adjacent areas using private pump stations
31 o Public meeting to be held at Murphy School to update community on revised
32 project scope
33
34 Eno EDD Sewer (map)
35
36 Commissioner Jacobs said helping mobile home parks connect to public utilities may be
37 a worthwhile affordable housing incentive.
38 Commissioner Jacobs said there is a bus that goes down highway 70, and it may be
39 worth talking to Duke about a potential park and ride in this area.
40 Craig Benedict said he and Steve Brantley, Economic Development Director, would
41 contact the University.
42 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
43
44 Policy Priorities
45 • Accessibility & Security Improvements - $190,000 Page 42
46 o Recommended through the Space Study Work Group and collaborative
47 accessibility survey process
48
49 Policy Priorities
50 • EMS Substation Co-location - $500,000: Page 53
12
1 o Lease agreement with Chapel Hill needed
2 o Future colocations recommended in future CIP years — precise locations may
3 change
4
5 Colocation with Chapel Hill Hamilton Road Station
6
7 EMS Existing and Proposed SubStations
8
9 Parks, Open Space, and Trail Development
10 • Blackwood Farm Park - $1.26M: Page 56
11 o FY2016-17 is Phase 1 of multi-year park development
12 o Major park construction scheduled for FY2017-18 ($1,815,000)
13 o Parks Operations Base scheduled for FY2018-19 ($2,572,000)
14 o New operating expenses for personnel and operations of approximately
15 $190,000 on full build out
16
17 Existing and Future Parks
18
19 David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Director
20 (DEAPR), said one of the most limiting aspects of this park is the driveway and the Master Plan
21 includes building a new driveway.
22 Commissioner Burroughs asked if there is timing sensitivity regarding the moving of the
23 parks operation base.
24 David Stancil said the sensitivity issue is simply one of efficiency, and it would make
25 sense to do this in phases.
26 Commissioner Burroughs asked if the need for additional parking is based on future
27 projections.
28 David Stancil said the parking lot has definitely been full on the weekend, and there is
29 occasional overflow. He said the parking and driveway must be addressed before anything else
30 can be accomplished.
31 Commissioner Burroughs said she may consider this as a lower priority given the
32 enormous fiscal projects facing the County in the coming years.
33 Commissioner Dorosin said the current plan is that the new driveway and parking lot will
34 be in place next year.
35 David Stancil said yes.
36 Commissioner Rich said a new driveway is needed soon to provide for safer entry and
37 exit to this park.
38 David Stancil presented the following slides:
39
40
41 Parks, Open Space, and Trail Development
42 • Cedar Grove Park— Phase II - $60,000: Page 58
43 o CIP recommends addition of baseball/softball field, tennis court, picnic
44 shelter, parking ($1,500,000) in FY2018-19
45 o New operating expenses of approximately $38,500 following the
46 improvements in FY2018-19
47
48 Parks, Open Space, and Trail Development
49 • Mountains to Sea Trail - $521,000: Page 64
50 o FY2016-17— Occoneechee Mountain to Seven Mile Creek segment
13
1 o Boardwalk sections, waystation, crossing improvements (1-85)
2 o Further trail construction scheduled for FY 2018-19 ($693,000)
3 o New operating expenses of approximately $26,000 following new trail
4 construction
5
6 Parks, Open Space, and Trail Development
7 • Hollow Rock Nature Park - $235,000: Page 65
8 o ADA loop trail, restrooms, wildlife viewing deck, boardwalk
9 o 50% cost share with Durham County
10 o New operating expense of approximately $48,000-$59,000 as property is
11 improved
12
13 Commissioner Dorosin asked if capital projects that cost $50,000-60,000 could be
14 funded in ways other than the CIP.
15 Bonnie Hammersley said there is not a specific policy but projects included in the CIP
16 typically stay above $50,000. She said there is recurring capital in the operating budgets that
17 are less than $50,000.
18 Paul Laughton said a total project may be $400,000, but may be listed in smaller
19 portions in certain years.
20 David Stancil resumed the presentation:
21
22 Parks, Open Space, and Trail Development
23 • River Park— Phase II - $50,000: Page 67
24 o Stormwater control, entry sign from new Churton St. bus turnout
25 o New operating expense of approximately $32,000 as park improvements
26 continue
27
28 Parks, Open Space, and Trail Development
29 • Little River Park— Phase II - $100,000: Page 69
30 o Prior year funds comprised of grants, Durham County cost share, and other
31 sources
32 o Primary task— repaving of original entry road
33 o 50% Cost share with Durham County
34
35 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is any interest in the large parcel of land next to
36 this park.
37 David Stancil said no.
38 David Stancil resumed the presentation:
39
40 Parks, Open Space, and Trail Development
41 • Fairview Park Access w/Parking - $325,000: Page 70
42 o New entry and parking lot to be under construction this fall
43
44 Parks, Open Space, and Trail Development
45 • Park Facility Renovations and Repairs: Page 74
46 o FY2016-17 Projects
47 ❖ Energy, Lighting and Signage - $52,000
48 ❖ Repair/Renovation of Park Amenities - $45,400
49 ❖ Safety and Security Improvements - $65,600
50 ❖ Park Landscaping and Stormwater - $32,000
14
1
2 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
3
4 Information Technology and Communications
5 • Information Technology Infrastructure - $500,000: Page 35
6 o Technology Infrastructure Projects
7 ❖ Server Upgrades
8 ❖ Laptop and Desktop Replacement
9 ❖ Data Storage
10 ❖ Network Equipment
11 ❖ Wireless Replacement and Expansion
12
13 Information Technology and Communications
14 • Technology Improvements - $500,000: Page 35
15 o Information Technology Governance Council Recommended
16 ❖ Encryption Software
17 ❖ Scheduling and Mobile Data Terminals — OPT
18 ❖ Mobile Computing and Vehicle Location — Sheriff's Office
19 ❖ Pretrial and Drug Court Case Management Software
20 ❖ KRONOS Timekeeping Improvements
21 ❖ MUNIS Financial System Content Management
22 ❖ Performance and Training Management Software— Human
23 Resources
24
25 Information Technology and Communications
26 • Fiber Connections for County facilities - $60,000: Page 35
27 o Multi-year project to connect all County facilities with fiber connections
28 o Partnerships possible with other agencies
29 ❖ Chapel Hill
30 ❖ Carrboro
31 ❖ Hillsborough
32 ❖ University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
33 ❖ Orange County Schools
34 ❖ Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools
35 ❖ Orange County Water and Sewer Authority
36 ❖ City of Mebane
37 ❖ Durham Tech
38 ❖ Duke University
39 ❖ Piedmont Electric
40 o Improved security, bandwidth, throughput, network services
41
42 Commissioner Rich asked for updates on the Hot Spot project.
43 Jim Northrup, Chief Information Officer, said there are 15 units and it has been a very
44 successful pilot. He said there are plans to expand this project. He said there is a partnership
45 with the schools, and Hot Spots have been made available to families that receive free or
46 reduced meals. He said additional partnerships are being pursued.
47 Commissioner Jacobs asked Jim Northup to look at roaming technology for schools.
48 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
49
50 Information Technology and Communications
15
1 • BOCC Technology Initiatives - $50,000: Page 35
2 o Potential to fund technology projects not included in department requests or
3 new, unexpected opportunities during the fiscal year
4
5 Information Technology and Communications
6 • Communication System Improvements - $166,000: Page 52
7 o Completes replacement of radios for Emergency Services
8 ❖ Outfit all vehicles with dual band radios (800Mhz and VHF)
9 ❖ Create a small inventory of backup radios in the event of a
10 disaster
11 o Sheriff Radios scheduled for replacement in FY 2017-18 ($920,000)
12
13 Critical Infrastructure Improvements
14 • Hardened 911 Center - $980,000: Page 55
15 o Provides primary hardened facility at Meadowlands site
16 o Approved equipment and installation is eligible for funding by 911 Board
17
18 Hardened 911 Center at Current Site
19
20 Jeff Thompson presented the following slides:
21
22 Critical Infrastructure Improvements
23 • Southern Human Services Center — $300,000: Page 30
24 o Facility vision study is currently underway focused on Health and Social
25 Services
26 o Construction funds recommended in FY2017-18 ($5,185,000)
27
28 Southern Human Services Master Plan
29
30 Jeff Thompson said this is the design phase for Phase 1 of the master plan.
31 Commissioner Jacobs said there was supposed to be an annual update on moving
32 dental services to Hillsborough. He asked if the Health Director could provide an update
33 regarding access to services.
34 Bonnie Hammersley said the Health Director has reported growth at the Hillsborough
35 facilities, but an update can be secured.
36 Chair McKee said there is a proposal to put a veteran's memorial on the knoll in the
37 front property. He asked if the road will impinge on the memorial.
38 Jeff Thompson said no.
39 Travis Myren resumed the presentation:
40
41 Other Critical Infrastructure Improvements
42 • Facility Roofing Projects - $206,700: Page 34
43 o Project priorities determined by Roof Asset Management Program study
44
45 Other Critical Infrastructure Improvements:
46 • Historic Courthouse Square - $40,000: Page 45
47 o Improve landscape features to create more public friendly square
48 o Rehabilitate building exterior
49 o Construction funds are recommended for FY 2017-18 ($245,000)
50
16
1 Historic Courthouse Site
2
3 Other Critical Infrastructure Improvements
4 • Generator Projects - $375,000: Page 46
5 o Community Centers may be used as temporary warming, cooling, and
6 recharging facilities during short term power disruptions
7
8
9 Enterprise Funds
10 • Solid Waste-Recycling - $345,432: Page 90
11 o FY2016-17 includes scheduled replacement of aging equipment
12
13 Enterprise Funds
14 • Solid Waste-Sanitation - $217,285: Page 93
15 o Front End Loader is being replaced with a Roll-Off Truck
16 o Complements the conversion to roll off containers at Convenience Centers
17
18 Enterprise Funds
19 • Sportsplex — $320,000: Page 98
20
21 Future Capital Projects
22 • FY2017-18
23 o School Capital Improvements — $8.3M: Page 104- deferred
24 o Water/Sewer—$895,000: Page 76
25 o Solid Waste — $1.1M: Page 89 &96
26 o Southern Orange Campus — $2M: Page 28
27 o Southern Human Services Center — $5.2M: Page 30
28 o Information Technology— $1.5M: Page 35
29 o Detention Facility— $20.6M: Page 37
30 o Environment & Ag Center— $3.15M: Page 39
31
32 Commissioner Jacobs referred to the Environment and Ag Center and said it is
33 important to outline the Board's vision for this when speaking with stakeholders.
34 Chair McKee asked if the analysis will consider all options and not just a complete tear
35 down and rebuild.
36 Jeff Thompson said yes, all options will be considered.
37 Chair McKee asked if maintenance could go by this building and spruce up the exterior,
38 as it is looking a bit scruffy.
39 David Stancil said yes.
40
41 o EMS Substations — $1.2M: Page 53
42 o Blackwood Farm Park— $1.8M: Page 56
43 o Efland-Cheeks Community Center— $391,000: Page 73
44 o Park Facility Renovation and Repairs — $180,000: Page 74
45 o Sportsplex — $400,000: Page 100
46
47 Future Capital Projects
48 • FY2018-19
49 o School Capital Improvements — $47.8M: Page 104
17
1 o Water and Sewer— $375,000 : Page 76
2 o Solid Waste — $1.1M: Page 90 & 91
3 o Information Technology— $1.5M: Page 35
4 o Affordable Housing — $2.5: Page 48
5 o EMS Substations — $1.5M: Page 53
6 o Blackwood Farm Park— $2.6M: Page 56
7 o Cedar Grove Park— $1.5M: Page 58
8 o Mountains to Sea Trail — $700,000: Page 64
9 o Sportsplex — $400,000: Page 100
10
11 Future Capital Projects
12 • FY2019-20
13 o School Capital Improvements — $7.8M: Page 104
14 o Water/Sewer—$2.1M: Page 76
15 o Solid Waste — $2.1M: Page 90, 93 & 95
16 o Information Technology— $1.5M: Page 35
17 o EMS Substations — $1.5M: Page 53
18 o Soccer Center Phase II — $4.6M: Page 61
19 o Lands Legacy - $500,000: Page 62
20 o Millhouse Road Park— $6.4M: Page 63
21 o Sportsplex — $380,000: Page 100
22 • FY2020-21
23 o School Capital Improvements — $47.9M Page 104
24 o Water/Sewer—$25,000: Page 75
25 o Solid Waste — Recycling — $800,000: Page 90
26 o Southern Orange Campus — $2M: Page 28
27 o Information Technology— $1.5M: Page 35
28 o EMS Substations — $1.5M: Page 53
29 o Bingham District Park— $6.7M: Page 57
30 o Lands Legacy - $500,000: Page 62
31 o Cedar Grove Park— $1.5M: Page 58
32 o Northeast District Park— $7.7M: Page 66
33 o Little River Park— $3.8M: Page 69
34 o Sportsplex — $1.8M: Page 100
35
36 Appendices
37 • Debt Service and Debt Capacity
38 • General Fund — remains under the 15% debt capacity
39 • Water and Sewer Projects (Article 46 Sales Tax proceeds)
40 • Capital Funding, Debt Management, and Fund Balance Management Policies
41
42 Document Availability
43 • Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
44 • County Finance and Administrative Services Office
45 • Orange County Libraries
46 • Orange County Website: www.orangecountync.gov
47
48 A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Rich to
49 adjourn the meeting at 10:17 p.m.
18
1
2 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
3
4
5 Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
6
7
8 Earl McKee, Chair
1
1 Attachment 3
2
3 DRAFT MINUTES
4 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 Legislative Breakfast
6 April 18, 2016
7 8:30 a.m.
8
9 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a breakfast meeting with the Orange
10 County Legislative Delegation on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. at the Solid Waste
11 Administrative Offices in Chapel Hill, N.C.
12
13 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair McKee and Commissioners Mia Burroughs, Mark
14 Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich
15 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
16 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
17 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis
18 Myren, Clerk to the Board Donna Baker, Finance Director Gary Donaldson, Assistant to Manager for
19 Legislative Affairs Greg Wilder (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below)
20 LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION PRESENT: Senator Valerie Foushee, Representative Verla Insko,
21 Representative Graig Meyer
22
23 Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 8:42 a.m.
24
25 Chair McKee said the Board of Commissioners is pursuing avenues to repeal HB2.
26
27 Chair McKee said the Board had prioritized their legislative items and referred to their agenda package
28 with their priorities listed and discussion ensued on the various issues and the priority topics first.
29
30 Chair McKee asked that the discussion on the Bona Fide Farms topic be moved to the first item under
31 priority discussion since there were several members of the public in attendance for this item.
32
33 PRIORITY DISCUSSION TOPICS
34
35 Bona Fide Farms — Item #26
36 • Support legislation clarifying the farm use and agriculture exemption of 153A-340 that restricts
37 local zoning authority applies only to property on which the production of crops or livestock is
38 the primary use. Clarify that marketing and agri-tourism activities must be secondary uses of
39 the property and do not qualify for the exemption in the absence of the production of crops or
40 livestock. Local governments are seeing an increasing number of properties that, although they
41 meet one or more criteria for exemption, such as having a federal farm
42
43 Representative Insko asked if there was any legislation on the books with Bona Fide farms and Chair
44 McKee said no but they are looking for clarification on this issue.
45
46 John Roberts said any clarification/changes would need to be done through legislation.
47 Commissioner Pelissier had asked John Roberts to submit this proposed item to our internal
48 Legislative Issues Work Group because many individuals are trying to circumvent the rules on this
49 issue in this county.
50
51 John Roberts said currently all the statute requires to avoid regulation is the property owner meet one
52 of five criteria such as having a forestry plan that need not be approved by any governmental agency.
2
1 He added it is up to the Board if they want this submitted because there are so many loopholes and
2 legislative changes are the only way to close them.
3
4 Senator Foushee said if this is something they want the Delegation to introduce and support this
5 should not be done in their short session because she is not sure if it meets the criteria for a short
6 session.
7
8 Commissioner Dorosin said this issue came about because people are trying to get a farm
9 categorization in order to avoid zoning.
10
11 Senator Foushee said this would have to be a statewide bill not a local bill.
12
13 Representative Meyer said pressure that comes around this issue is from large farms like forestry and
14 livestock farms and this is an issue that would engage a lot of different industries. This is a
15 conversation that he would like to have time to talk to farmers and bring forth in a long session.
16
17 Commissioner Jacobs said this would go along with Item #31 –Agriculture- Support Conservation of
18 Working Lands and Farmland Preservation. He said these two items could address conflicts in
19 urbanizing areas and those areas that are trying to exploit agri-toursim rules.
20
21 Chair McKee said this is more of an issue in the urbanizing areas such as the proposed event venue in
22 the southern part of Orange County. He said this proposed property is not a farm, which exempts
23 them out of regulation.
24 Chair McKee said the conversation could start now with Farm Bureau and we could bring it back to the
25 long session next year. But if the Legislature does move forward with this, many of these farms are
26 small farms and the agri tourism events are critical to their function. But as it stands now this process
27 is being abused.
28 Chair McKee said he is seeing an increase in the area of non-farm activities.
29
30 Representative Insko said who is supportive of this issue in the community and who is opposed to it as
31 it now stands.
32
33 Chair McKee said the concerns are from neighborhoods that have been mainly for agricultural use and
34 now people are coming in and turning these into farms for commercial use.
35
36 Representative Insko said again - who is opposed to this proposed clarification.
37
38 Chair McKee said the agricultural community are concerned that if the language is "tightened" then
39 this may hurt their operations-because if you have a declining farm operation but your agri-tourism
40 increases-and five years down the line you are suddenly not farming but the other one—would you be
41 grandfathered in
42
43 Representative Insko said is this a zoning and tax issue.
44
45 John Roberts said with the Board it is a zoning issue but there are some potential tax implications.
46
47 Representative Meyer said this type of issue in the General Assembly is never a "cut and dry" issue
48 and may be amended and changed many times meaning it could move slower through the process.
49 Most legislators don't want to vote on something "under the radar". And if the Delegation takes the
50 time to review and talk this out, then that would enable them as legislators to get this up the statewide
51 chain by lobbying through the Farm Bureau.
52
53 Representative Insko said this should be a bill with a lot of statewide interest as related to farms.
54
3
1 Chair McKee asked the Legislative Delegation on behalf of the Board to talk to other legislators about
2 this going forward but as mentioned before, he thinks there will be push back.
3
4 Representative Meyer asked Chair McKee to get them information on context and statutory
5 information for them to circulate to their peers.
6
7 John Roberts said he would do this.
8
9
10 Broadband - Item #22
11 • Support legislation, funding, and other efforts to expand broadband capability to the un-served
12 and under-served areas of the State to enhance quality of life as well as expand opportunities
13 for jobs creation, small business development, and growth in farm enterprises. Orange County
14 opposes legislation limiting local governments' efforts to provide broadband and supports
15 legislation and regulations that would preserve local option and authority where needed to
16 deploy community broadband systems and ensure community access to critical broadband
17 services and to establish a minimum level of service.
18
19 Chair McKee asked Representative Meyer to speak to this item since he had been involved in
20 meetings with County staff and residents.
21
22 Representative Meyer said the credit belongs to Jim Northup and County staff because of the efforts
23 they had brought forth and he said the providers in the area say no one in the state is trying to learn
24 how to expand the use of Broadband except here in Orange County. He said the most hope is in the
25 Century link areas of service, where it would be to enhance the quality of service where there is already
26 existing Centurylink lines and service.
27
28 Representative Meyer said it would be more cost effective to do broadband through wireless instead of
29 hard wires. He said the County has also talked with Piedmont Electric about collaborating with them.
30
31 Commissioner Rich said she is on the NACo technology committee and there is a nationwide push to
32 make broadband a utility.
33
34 Representative Insko said this is so unconstitutional as related to education and students and this
35 does come up in education discussion in the General Assembly.
36
37 Representative Insko said is there any collaboration with the schools.
38
39 Commissioner Price said this is one of the top goals of the NCACC.
40
41 Representative Insko said what about the local and State Boards of Education (BOE).
42
43 Commissioner Price said they are trying to push this through as a basic utility.
44
45 Senator Foushee said it would be helpful if the State BOE and NCACC would collaborate on this
46 issue.
47
48 Representative Meyer said a nice budget appropriation from the state would put in a lot of rural
49 broadband.
50
51 Commissioner Jacobs said the Board of Commissioners will be meeting with both school boards next
52 week and they can bring this issue up then.
53
4
1 Representative Meyer said there is one Democrat that he knows of that will add a budget appropriation
2 in the General Assembly this year.
3
4 Representative Insko said there is interest in this because of the education component.
5
6 Priority School Issues — Item #19
7
8 • Support legislation to address the following three issues related to schools:
9 a) Provide local school systems with calendar flexibility;
10 b) Provide full funding for State allotments including Average Daily Membership (ADM) growth;
11 c) Provide full funding for Driver Education.
12
13 Senator Foushee said they file this same bill every year but it gets "shot" down by the eastern coastal
14 counties.
15
16 Representative Insko said there is a continuing discussion on the Driver Education issue but it is not a
17 top priority.
18
19 Commissioner Dorosin said is there anything positive that they can anticipate in this short session.
20
21 Senator Foushee said the "short session will just be a short session".
22
23
24 Raise Age for Juvenile Jurisdiction in Criminal Court- Item #6
25
26 • Support legislation to raise the age for juveniles being treated as adults in criminal court from
27 16 to 18
28
29 Commissioner Burroughs said she asked that this be on the priority list and is there hope that this will
30 get through.
31
32 Representative Insko said the Republicans are on board with this issue since they want to downsize
33 the jail population. They just don't know if it will be addressed in short session or be kicked back to the
34 long session next year.
35
36 Repeal of House Bill 2 and Expansion of Protected Classes
37 • Seek statewide legislative action to repeal House Bill 2 and provide all North Carolina local
38 governments with the authority to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected
39 classes in order to protect these classes from discrimination and discriminatory practices.
40
41 Chair McKee said they will have a resolution on tomorrow's night meeting to repeal HB2 and the Clerk
42 will forward this to the Legislators.
43
44 Representative Insko said she is not hearing that the Republicans think the HB2 bill is a mistake.
45
46 Representative Meyer said they will be introducing a repeal bill next week and the best they can hope
47 for is that they move on what the Governor did on gender identity but that still leaves in place the other
48 bad parts of the bill.
49
50 Chair McKee said would it be possible to pull certain sections out of the bill such as the redress issue.
51
52 Senator Foushee said maybe the redress issue but not the protected classes.
53
54 Commissioner Dorosin appreciated the Legislators' opposition to this bill on the day this bill passed.
5
1
2 Commissioner Dorosin said what else should they as a Board be anticipating from the General
3 Assembly (GA) during this short session.
4
5 Representative Meyer said he is not sure about the achievements in education issue.
6
7 Representative Insko said in general that the GA would like to avoid any controversial issues before
8 the November election.
9
10 Commissioner Rich said what about the funding of schools.
11
12 Representative Insko said the ADM is still down significantly and they need to keep lobbying for an
13 increase.
14
15 Commissioner Rich said she is going to petition the Board of County Commissioners at tomorrow's
16 night meeting to put forth a resolution in reference to raising the ADM back to the amount that is was
17 in 2008.
18
19 Representative Insko said companies want to come to N.C. and they want good public schools.
20
21 Other Concerns/Comments:
22 Commissioner Pelissier said she is upset about the LMEs and the level of services they provide. She
23 said she had hoped that there would be a way for the counties to have some input.
24
25 Representative Insko said she has concerns about that too and she hoped to meet with Board
26 members to talk about what is going on with Cardinal Innovations. She said she would hope
27 complaints would come to the County level instead of Cardinal since the county puts in a significant
28 amount of monies into Cardinal.
29
30 Commissioner Pelissier asked about the cap of light rail and she said that one of the messages that
31 Go Triangle is putting out is that this will connect three of the largest businesses in N.C. and the cap is
32 a problem.
33
34 Senator Foushee said this too will be used as a bargaining chip in the Legislature. She said there are
35 some in the Senate that are listening too about feedback on this issue.
36
37 Representative Insko said Democrats like them are not in the room where decisions are being made at
38 the State level.
39
40 Commissioner Jacobs said do the Democrats in the Legislature have access to counties' legislative
41 agendas.
42
43 Representative Insko said yes.
44
45 Representative Meyer said he thinks they will get Item #32 done - Aquatic Weed Control Authority.
46 Discussion ensued.
47
48 Representative Insko thanked Commissioner Pelissier for her service on the Board of Commissioners
49 since this will be the last meeting with her as far as a Legislative Breakfast.
50
51 Commissioner Jacobs referred to the hand out at their places that the Clerk forwarded to everyone
52 over the weekend—which referenced draft bills on: environmental studies for riparian buffer
53 requirements for intermittent streams, studies whether nutrient management strategies are effective or
6
1 will be effective for overall water quality management and to prohibit the Director of Water Resources
2 from requiring on-site stormwater control measures under certain circumstances.
3
4 Commissioner Burroughs said Bonnie Hammersley and Colleen Bridger are working to get more
5 information on the LMEs.
6
7 Representative Insko said she too will try and get more information.
8
9 Senator Foushee said with the proposed legislation for jail construction that they have been working
10 with John Roberts on this and they want to insure this is legislation they can address in the short
11 session as a local bill; if not then they will try and get it attached to another bill due to the short session
12 criteria.
13
14 The meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
15
16
17 Earl McKee, Chair
18
19
20 Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
21
22