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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09-15-2016 1 APPROVED 11/1/2016 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEBANE CITY COUNCIL JOINT MEETING September 15, 2016 6:00PM The Orange County Board of Commissioners and the City of Mebane met in a joint meeting on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at the West Campus Office Building in Hillsborough, N.C. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Earl McKee and Commissioners Mia Burroughs, Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) MEBANE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Glendel Stephenson, and Council Members, Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Hooks, Everette Greene, Patty Philipps, Jill Auditori MEBANE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Tim Bradley MEBANE CITY COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: City Manager David Cheek and Assistant City Manager Chris Rollins, Lawson Brown (Attorney) and Franz Holt (Engineer) Welcome, Call to Order, and Opening Comments Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m., and welcomed all to the meeting. Mayor Stephenson said Mebane and Orange County have had an increasingly good relationship for the past 27 years. He said 22% of Mebane is in Orange County. He said Orange County has spent millions of dollars in Mebane's Economic Development District (EDD) with water and sewer, and the Town is here to help Orange County in any way to grow this joint area. Chair McKee asked that all attendees introduce themselves. 1. Update on Efland Sewer Background: Orange County has begun to transfer certain phases of utility construction consistent with the original and later amended joint utility service agreement. Much of the more recent water and sewer infrastructure work has been for economic development purposes in designated zones. Over$5 Million in `backbone' infrastructure has been completed. Morinaga was able to use one of the earlier infrastructure phases. An additional $8 million of work is in process that will facilitate additional economic development potential and will permit the existing sewer flow from Efland to be transferred to Mebane. The project will be bid in the next 2017. It includes 8,300 linear foot of gravity, one (1) new lift station and 19,000 linear foot of sewer force main including jack and bore under 1-85/1-40. Design has been coordinated with Mebane and its engineers. The project, due to its scope, will take approximately 15 months (projected completion in July 2018). Howard Fleming, Orange County Engineering and Stormwater Division Supervisor, made the following PowerPoint presentation: 2 PROJECT Efland Sewer to Mebane, Phase 2 Extension ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST $3,961,000 (BUDGET = $4,973,000) PROJECT TIME LINE ➢ Orange County has begun to transfer to Mebane the previously-completed phases of utility construction, as well as the maintenance of the subject system for the Central Efland Phase 1 & 2 areas shown on the Capital Projects Exhibit. This is all consistent with the original and later-amended joint utility service agreement. ➢ Much of the more recent water and sewer infrastructure work has been for economic development purposes in designated EDD zones. ➢ Over $5 Million of`backbone' water and sewer infrastructure has been completed. ➢ Morinaga was able to use one of the earlier infrastructure phases. ➢ An additional $8 million is in process that will facilitate additional economic development potential and will permit the existing sewer flow from Efland to be transferred to Mebane. ➢ This funding includes approximately $3 million to serve EDD Zones D2, D3, D4 & E1, as depicted on the Capital Projects Exhibit, subject to development trends. ➢ The design has been coordinated with the City of Mebane and their engineers, Alley, Williams Carmen & King. Howard Fleming said the following information is a correction to the timeline contained within the abstract for this item: ➢ The Efland Sewer to Mebane, Phase 2 Extension project construction documents are expected to be completed over the next few months. ➢ We expect project bids in early 2017. ➢ Due to its complexity and scope, project construction will take approximately 15 months to complete ➢ The current target for completion is summer of 2018. AS TO THE SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR THE PHASE 2 EXTENSION PROJECT The project overview is depicted on the 2-page BOCC Exhibit and generally consists of the construction of the following elements: • Approximately 8,300 linear feet (1.6 miles) of gravity sewer (8" & 12") plus two (2) add alternates — 8" sewer lines to facilitate service (no connections) to the residences on Mt. Willing Rd. & Center St. north of 1-40/85 and south of Turner St., which we hope to be able to include in the project, depending on the outcome of the bids. • The project includes bore &jack installations under the railroad tracks, Mt. Willing Road, 1-40/85 and West Ten Road. • A submersible sewage pump station (700 gpm) along West Ten Road. This is strategically located to provide a future downstream connection point for a future extension to serve EDD Zones D2, D3 & D4, as depicted on the Capital Projects Exhibit. 3 • Approximately 19,000 linear feet (3.6 miles) of sewer force main (10" & 12") Chris Rollins said Mebane is handling all of the routine maintenance now, and is ready to proceed. Council Member Ed Hooks asked if the number of citizens that will be served is known. Chris Rollins said about 400 residents in Efland. He said these residents already have water and sewer; it will simply be treated in Mebane instead of Hillsborough. Commissioner Dorosin asked if rates will change. Howard Fleming said rates will remain the same as they are paying now. 2. Transit Service Orange Public Transportation Update Background: Orange County Public Transportation (OPT) is in the process of implementing bus expansion services. Services are supported by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) rural grant programs, half cent sales tax, vehicle tag fees, urban funding through the Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Burlington Graham MPO and fare receipts. OPT accepted delivery of seven new replacement buses during the summer 2015 and three additional replacement vehicles in the summer 2016. Older, infrequently used buses have been sold and all new vehicles are in service. New bus operators were hired and trained to support both expanded and existing services. Screening and hiring continues for pending services. Five new approved services include: • Recent service additions — August 2015: Orange-Chapel Hill Connector with expanded service to Cedar Grove —This is an Increased frequency to hourly service on the mid-day fixed route service that OPT operates on the Hillsborough-Chapel Hill route. This complements the peak hour service that is operated as GoTriangle Route 420, managed by Chapel Hill Transit under an agreement with GoTriangle. (See Attachment 1) — June 2016: Expanded Senior Center Service - Later Senior Center service was added on weekdays to provide additional service to the county's Senior Centers, particularly the Passmore Senior Center. Two route-deviation services are now provided at 3:30 pm in addition to 1:00 pm service times. • Pending service additions — Efland-Hillsborough Commuter Loop— Complementing the GoTriangle ODX peak hour commuter service between Mebane/Efland, Hillsborough and Duke/VA Hospital, downtown Durham, OPT will operate peak period/peak direction service from Efland to connect with the ODX at its Hillsborough stop, enabling Efland residents to connect to Duke and Durham. It also provides connecting service to the 420 Chapel Hill Route to UNC — Orange-Alamance Connector (US 70 midday) The Orange-Alamance Connector will be operated by OPT to complement the GoTriangle ODX service. It will provide mid- day service on weekdays between Mebane/Efland and Hillsborough. A Congestion mitigation and air quality improvement (CMAQ) Program Grant was applied for and final approvals were received in February 2016. Service is pending receipt of the grant-funded vehicle. — Rural Deviated Zonal Routes - This combined service will provide general public service (no eligibility requirements) in the rural areas of Orange County on a deviated fixed-route basis. Each of the three zones (Northeastern, Northwestern and Southern) will receive service two days per week. 4 Peter Murphy, Orange Public Transportation (OPT) Administrator, said last year the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed a 5-year plan to increase bus services in Orange County. Peter Murphy made the following PowerPoint presentation: Orange County Board of Commissioners Mebane City Council September 15, 2016 OPT Service Expansion Status • New Vehicles o Ten of the fleet's seventeen vehicles replaced in the past sixteen months. New grant funded vehicles approved. • Recent Service Additions o Orange-Chapel Hill Connector expanded hourly service with Cedar Grove Extension — Started August 2015 o Expanded Senior Center Service —Started June 1, 2016 with 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. departures • Approved Pending Services o Efland-Hillsborough Commuter Loop-map o Orange-Alamance Connector (US 70 midday)— CMAQ Grant-map o Rural Deviated Zonal Routes-map Current Service Orange-Chapel Hill Midday Connector with Cedar Grove expansion (map) Efland-Hillsborough Commuter Loop FY17 2nd Quarter(map) Orange-Alamance Connector(US 70 midday) FY17 4th Quarter(map) Northwester and Northeastern Rural Deviated Zonal Routes FY17 3rd Quarter(map) Southern Rural Deviated Zonal Routes FY17 3rd Quarter(map) Commissioner Price asked if bus routes could extend closer to Orange High School road. Peter Murphy said there is currently no property available for a stop on the park and ride line. He said other options are being considered. Peter Murphy said there are about 10 funding sources supporting the variety of pubic transportation services. He said there is an agreement with the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Public Transportation Division to oversee urban funding, which was a major hurdle to overcome. He said these funding sources allow more routes to be offered without using local monies. Chair McKee asked if there is any benefit to connecting with the Burlington buses. Conversation ensued about the Commuter Loop connecting with the Burlington buses. Council Member Ed Hooks said the Burlington System could be petitioned, as in the past; however results have been dissatisfactory in value for service. He said it would be ideal to have a system in Mebane where citizens could connect more easily. Council Member Everette Greene said he sees buses from Orange County in Mebane all of the time, with many stops throughout Mebane. He said the bus routes are well used. 5 Commissioner Jacobs asked if the PART system, which goes to the University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospital, also goes through Mebane. Council Member Ed Hooks said yes, about 4 times per day. He said the missing piece of the puzzle is the residents of Mebane being able to get to the hub. Commissioner Price asked if the locations of the bus stops in Mebane could be identified. Council Member Ed Hooks said Cone Health, Tanger Outlet, and City Hall. Chris Rollins said when Burlington spoke to Mebane about its routes, there was very positive conversations with OPT regarding the Hillsborough Circulator route. He said nothing came of those conversations at that time, but it garnered useful information for future plans. Commissioner Rich said this is a 5-year plan, and asked Peter Murphy if he could clarify how long it takes to gather data in order to determine that the routes are working. Peter Murphy said a route will likely be left to run for about a year, in order to get the proper analysis. He said from there, routes will be adjusted as needed. Commissioner Price asked if the buses are going both directions at one time, or is it similar to the circulator. Peter Murphy said there is only one bus operating on it now. He said there is argument that the more frequent a service is offered, the greater the ridership; but it is a balance figuring it out. Commissioner Price asked if combining the Efland-Hillsborough with the Orange Alamance was ever considered. Peter Murphy said they have complementing services during the peak hours. Peter Murphy resumed the presentation: Orange County OPT Ridership Data FY2014-2015 (graph) OPT Service Improvements • Fareboxes approved o Electronic bus passes o GoPass capability • Technology approved o Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) o Passenger Call Back System Commissioner Pelissier said the ridership, shown in the PowerPoint presentation, has gone up, which is encouraging as other bus ridership have gone down, like GoTriangle, and Durham. Commissioner Pelissier said Duke University is prominent in the success of the Orange Alamance because they surveyed their own employees and their riding needs. 3. Planning and Development Background: Orange County Planning staff, primarily Perdita Holtz, has been participating in the City of Mebane's planning efforts related to the "Mebane by Design" comprehensive land development plan. The planning effort is led by Piedmont Triad Regional Council planning staff and a 29- member advisory committee was appointed by the City Council. Committee meetings began in January 2016 and, to date, seven meetings have taken place. Additionally, a public outreach meeting was held in March and another community anticipated to be held in the fall. Within Orange County, the general study area includes lands south of High Rock Road, west of Mill Creek Road and Frazier Road, and north of Hebron Church Road. The 6 study area includes the Buckhorn Economic Development District. The purpose of the discussion will be to explore mutual interests and opportunities in joint planning initiatives as well as the new residential developments and the impact on Orange County schools. Chris Rollins made the following PowerPoint presentation: Comprehensive Land Development Plan Mebane By Design ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS & MEBANE CITY COUNCIL September 15, 2016 Recent & Current Planning Projects 2014 Recreation Master Plan 2015 Bike & Pedestrian Plan 2016 Comprehensive Land Development Plan 2016 Capital Improvement Plan 2016 Comprehensive Transportation Plan 2016 Long Range Water & Sewer Study 2017 Traffic Separation Study with NCRR, Norfolk South & NCDOT Six Plans —One Strategy (chart) GREEN GROWTH TOOLBOX Wildlife & Natural Resource Stewardship in Planning Vision and Policy Recommendations Public Involvement Summary • 5 Advisory Committee Meetings between January and June • Focus groups: MOTM and Downtown • March Public Meeting and Survey • Future public meeting TBA • Key Deliverables • Key Issues Workshop • Vision and Goals Workshop • Community Meeting Survey • Growth Strategy Workshops o Identification o Examples from other municipalities o Uses, lot sizes, connectivity, etc. Vision of Mebane in 2035 THEMES • Vibrant • Connected • Infrastructure • Economic engine • Quality of life • Downtown preservation 7 Desired Outcomes of the Planning Process THEMES • Public input • Robust infrastructure plan • Reuse • Equitable and diverse policies • Proactive Population & Comparison Population & Study Area (chart) • Mebane's study area is just under 40 square miles • Similar to Holly Springs' study area of 35 square miles Population Projection: Mebane (graph) Current Population & Growth 2010 Population Density • Population of 11,393 in 2010 (within City Limits) 2035 Population Density • Adding almost 20,000 to the study area with current zoning 2035 Population Density • Adding almost 20,000 inside the ETJ with current zoning 2035 Population Density • Adding almost 20,000 inside the City Limits with current zoning Summary • Where will population growth occur? o Estimate currently zoned residential land in City Limits can accommodate additional 15,000 people o Requires development of vacant land, infill or current residential areas • Where do the additional 4-5,000 people go? o Can we or do we increase the capacity within the City Limits to accommodate? o Or do City Limits expand? • Scenario Modeling will incorporate group's input on where growth should occur Growth Strategy Growth Strategy Overview Purpose 1. Identify areas and expected intensity of future growth 2. Define land uses, average lot sizes and other information for each area 3. Recommend policies that support future desired state of growth areas • Areas expecting a higher intensity of growth over the next 5 years are G-1, G-2 & G- 3 (1 being highest) 8 • Areas expecting a lower intensity of growth is G-4 • Conservation areas have high natural resource value, intermixed within all growth area categories Areas Primary Growth Strategy Areas G-2 • Areas with prime access to most existing infrastructure & services • Additional infrastructure may be needed to utilize these areas o Adopt policies to fund infrastructure in the development process • Suitable development should be encouraged over the next 5 years • Two (2) locations identified in G-2 category Primary Growth Strategy Area G-3 • Areas with prime access to some existing City infrastructure & services • Additional infrastructure may be needed to utilize these areas o Adopt policies to fund infrastructure in the development process • Suitable development should be encouraged over the next 5 years • One (1) location identified in G-3 category Secondary Growth Strategy Area G-4 • Areas with access or potential access to City infrastructure & services or that are already developed • Suitable development sites should be moderately encouraged for mid- to long-range development over the next 5 to 10 years • Cost of new infrastructure & services should be strongly considered before approving large scale development, redevelopment or rezoning • G-4 or secondary growth areas make up the balance of Mebane's study area, once the G-1, G-2, G-3 and Conservation Corridors are removed Conservation Areas & Corridors • Areas highly encouraged to remain in a natural state, open space, recreation, greenways or very low-density, rural uses over the next 15 years • Cluster residential development should be strongly encouraged or required within Conservation Areas • Non-residential development should be encouraged in other locations • Also includes conservation areas along creeks, streams and rivers, and within areas containing floodplains, steep slopes, and/or severe soil limitations • Property owners should be encouraged to locate new land development outside of conservation areas and corridors as much as possible • Development credits should be provided for additional contiguous conservation areas protected Commissioner Pelissier asked if the number of homes in the conservation area is known. Chris Rollins said about 3. Commissioner Dorosin said it looks like there are a lot of doughnut holes within the general city limits. He asked if there are any plans to close these, or smooth out the boundaries. 9 Chris Rollins said most of Mebane's growth has occurred by petition annexation. He said Mebane does not have a history of forced annexation in order to clean up the City limits. Commissioner Dorosin asked about a specific doughnut hole in the northern part of the limits. Chris Rollins said this property, and several others around it, are for sale. Commissioner Jacobs asked if an infrastructure study has been completed for how growth impacts water and sewer. Chris Rollins said this study is being finalized now. He said people are using less water these days, both residential and commercial. Commissioner Price asked if there is a projection for residential growth coming into the Orange County portion of Mebane, east of City of Mebane. Chris Rollins said he does not have a number, but he thinks this will be a growth area due to the installation of water and sewer. Council Member Ed Hooks asked if the City staff contacts the County staff when a builder wants to build in the Orange County portion of Mebane. Chris Rollins said yes, and it has been helpful having County Planning Staff attend City meetings. Mayor Stephenson said Orange County participates on the Technical Review committee. Commissioner Jacobs asked if they have considered approaching developers to set aside school sites when they build subdivisions. Chris Rollins said this would be a wonderful plan, if it could be achieved. Commissioner Jacobs said it would have to be written into an ordinance. Chris Rollins said there is no ordinance yet, but he looks forward to these types of conversations. Mayor Stephenson said a lot of apartments have been built in Mebane in the last few years, and residents want this to slow down. He said the City wants new jobs, and thus they have to have managed growth in this area of apartments. He said industry and housing have to be planned hand in hand. Council Member Ed Hooks asked if sewer services are being considered for Perry Hill. Council Member Philipps said this area is being considered in the proposed engineering study. Chris Rollins said getting sewer to this area would take some effort, but Orange Alamance water is there. He said staff could look into this, if desired. Commissioner Jacobs said he had heard that this would be a hard project to provide sewer to, but the concerns of this neighborhood should be addressed. He suggested for Mebane staff to look at this area, and maybe Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds can be secured. Chris Rollins said he would contact Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning Director, about doing a partnership on this. Commissioner Dorosin said to make this a priority, since it is an underserved area. Council Member Ed Hooks said the two areas with limited infrastructure in Mebane are roads and schools. He said these are the areas of greatest focus when considering growth going forward. 4. Farmland Preservation and Open Space Background: Orange County was among the first counties in the state to adopt the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program created by the NC General Assembly in the early 1990's. At present, the County has enrolled 76 farms and a total of 10,392 acres of farmland in this voluntary program. 10 The County has also worked since 2000 through its Lands Legacy Program with willing farm owners on the acquisition of agricultural conservation easements, leveraging over$4 million in state and federal grants to ensure the permanent conservation of 17 farms totaling 2,080 acres of Orange County prime and threatened farmland, with a focus on farms in water supply watersheds — recognizing that protection of farms with good conservation practices also helps protect water quality. A total of 13 Voluntary Agricultural District farms and three conservation easement farms are located in the portion of Back Creek watershed in western drinking water to the cities of Mebane and Graham. The purpose of the discussion was to explore mutual interests and opportunities in Farmland Preservation and Open Space initiatives. David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) Director) presented this item, with one map shown on a PowerPoint slide. David Stancil said the voluntary farmland preservation program was started in 1992 to protect farmlands, and there is around 11,000 acres in this program. David Stancil said the conservation easements program exists as well, which is a perpetual program. He said some of the most prime farmlands have been protected with their easements. David Stancil said there are many inquiries into both of these programs, and many easements have been done with several partners, in order to leverage grant funds. Commissioner Jacobs asked to add this item to the agenda because he remembered Council Member Tim Bradley had brought farmland preservation up years ago, and Orange County has the capability to assist Mebane, if so desired. He said they may want to talk about partnering in the area of recreation, since Orange County just purchased more land near the soccer complex. Council Member Everette Greene asked if Orange County has done any research on this. David Stancil said Orange County just finished a Master Park Plan, but there was a discussion two years ago, about trails around Lake Michael, and possibly co-locating facilities at schools. Commissioner Price asked if, with Mebane's growth, staff has heard any concerns about the urbanization coming into rural areas. David Stancil said he had heard some farmers talk about this years ago in the High Rock area, and they had some concerns. Council Member Ed Hooks said developers are required to install water and sewer when they develop land, and it is very expensive to install water and sewer in the area being discussed. Council Member Auditori asked if there is an opportunity for voluntary agricultural districts in the City Council's jurisdiction. David Stancil said Alamance County has farmland preservations, and municipalities can do this too. Commissioner Jacobs said the way the relationship with Mebane was originally resumed was over the Hebron community, which was upset by an annexation by Mebane. He said this community asked the County if it could incorporate in order to block the annexing. He said the County spoke to the legislatures, and did not want Mebane to annex, or the community to incorporate. He said the County was warned not to interfere with the annexation, and as a result, the two groups decided it would be beneficial to meet. He said the relationship has grown since then. 11 Chair McKee said there is some concern in the southwest portion of Orange County about a proposed event center being built in a rural area. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Earl McKee, Chair Donna Baker Clerk to the Board