HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04-03-20181
APPROVED 4/17/2018
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
April 3, 2018
7:00 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 3, 2018
at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building, in Hillsborough, N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Dorosin and Commissioners Barry Jacobs,
Earl McKee, Mark Marcoplos, Renee Price and Penny Rich
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Mia Burroughs
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
COUNTY STAFF P RESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
appropriately below)
Chair Dorosin called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
Chair Dorosin noted the following items at the Commissioners’ places:
- PowerPoint for Item 4-c: Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
- PowerPoint for Item 6 -a: Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application-Triple Crown Farms
- PowerPoint for Item 6 -b: Site Acquisition Development of a Multi-Purpose County Campus
- Food Council Handout: Commissioner Rich will speak to this under board announcements
- blue sheet: Proposed draft resolution from Commissioner Price ( to be considered at a
future meeting) titled – Orange County Supports 3DaysCount: “A
NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO MAKE COMMUNITIES SAFER AND ENSURE
BETTER OUTCOMES FOR ALL BY APPLYING COMMON SENSE
SOLUTIONS TO WIDESPREAD PRETRIAL JUSTICE CHALLENGES”.
- lavender sheet: Proposed Draft Proclamation from Commissioner Price (to be considered at
a future meeting) titled: National County Government Month - April 2018--
"Serving the Underserved"
- Hand out from Chamber of Commerce: Chair Dorosin to speak to this item under Board
petitions and announcements
- Hand out- Arts Moment: Chair Dorosin to speak to this item under Board petitions and
announcements
Chair Dorosin suggested moving Item 11-b – Parks and Recreation Council Appointments –
up on the agenda to Item 4-d.
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) agreed by consensus.
PUBLIC CHARGE
Chair Dorosin dispensed with the reading of the public charge.
Arts Moment - Fred Joiner
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Katie Murray, Orange County Arts Commission Director, reviewed the following
information:
Fred Joiner is a poet and curator living and creating in Chapel Hill, NC. His work has
appeared in Callaloo, Gargoyle, and Fledgling Rag, among other publications. Fred has read
his work nationally and internationally. Joiner is a two-time winner of the Larry Neal Award for
Poetry and a 2014 Artist Fellowship Winner as awarded by the D.C. Commission on the Arts
and Humanities. Most recently, one of Joiner’s poems recently won the Smithsonian’s National
Museum of African Art’s Divine Comedy Poetry Contest, in response to Konate’s textile work.
As a curator of literary and visual arts programming, Joiner has worked with the American
Poetry Museum, Belfast Exposed Gallery (Northern Ireland), Hillyer Artspace, Honfleur Gallery,
Medina Galerie (Bamako, Mali), the Phillips Collection, the Prince Georges African American
Museum and Cultural Center, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and others. He is the co-founder
of The Center for Poetic Thought currently based at the Monroe Street Market in Washington,
DC. Joiner is a Board Member of The American Poetry Museum and the Orange County Arts
Commission.
Fred Joiner read one of his poems.
2. Public Comments
a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
Gary Williamson said he wanted to speak on the flag ordinance, which he is
against. He said all people are different, and for an elected body to decide what people
can and cannot do on their own personal property is wrong. He said he is supportive of
everyone’s heritage, and his is southern. He said his friend wants to put up a flag to
support their southern heritage, and this is his right. He said 32 people are preparing to
put up flags in Orange County, and these people do not feel the need to speak out to
the BOCC, as raising flags on private property is their right. He said the BOCC should
think carefully about any actions it takes, and this is a very touchy subject. He said the
people desiring to raise these flags and support southern heritage, are not filled with
hate.
b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
(These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda
below.)
3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
Commissioner McKee had no comments.
Commissioner Jacobs said the fence on the bridge on Orange Grove Road has been
successfully installed.
Commissioner Jacobs asked for a follow up report on the status of a program to
encourage monarch butterflies on County owned properties. He said he believed he petitioned
about this before, and he would like this added as an information item.
Commissioner Jacobs said the Chapel Hill North-South Bus Rapid Transit (N-S BRT)
policy committee reconvened recently, and spent time talking about a connection with
Hillsborough. He said it was decided not to go on I-40, but on new NC-86.
Commissioner Jacobs said the Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) met last week for
the first time in a year, and he and Commissioner Marcoplos attended. He said there was
discussion about moving up in priority the recycling of food waste. He said they are at 62% in
waste recycling, which leads the state.
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Commissioner Jacobs said on April 27 the Justice Advisory Council (JAC) will be
sponsoring an inaugural local re-entry council meeting at Whitted, which will hopefully lead to
some federal funding to help those leaving incarceration.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an update regarding the two railroads that have
jurisdiction over the Hillsborough train station. He said Jeff Mann, GoTriangle, offered to
gather information about this, and Commissioner Jacobs asked if Chair Dorosin would write a
letter requesting that Jeff Mann follow up on this issue.
Commissioner Jacobs encouraged the teachers of NC to be empowered by the
teachers in West Virginia and other states, who are going on strike for more pay.
Commissioner Rich referred to the information at the Commissioners’ places about the
Food Council. She said there is a need for increased education on the work of the Food
Council. She said securing funding for the Food Council is also a pressing need, and she
hopes that all governments will get involved to cover these costs.
Commissioner Rich said she was at the Governor’s Mansion last week for a “Women in
Power” day. He said the Governor is planning a report on the Economic Status of Women in
North Carolina in May. She said she signed up for one that is very specific to Orange County.
Commissioner Rich said in the future, Orange County should do more to celebrate and
acknowledge women’s history month in March, and suggested involving the Human Relations
Commission (HRC) in such a plan.
Commissioner Rich said there is a lot of information about kids vaping in schools, and
asked if the Health Department is addressing this in any way with the schools.
Commissioner Marcoplos said the GoTriangle Board met last week, and discussed
three noteworthy items:
1.) the Transit Advisory Committee was appointed and all Orange County’s choices
were appointed;
2.) there was a presentation from the Hartsook companies, an international fundraising
company that GoTriangle hired to explore how to raise the money indicated in the
cost share agreement. He said the Board was supposed to listen, and determine
whether to award a contract to this company. He said the consultant was very
confident that raising the money is a doable task, and he was asked to proceed.
He said $30-35 million was already raised through in-kind donations, primarily from
the universities;
3.) a presentation about bicycle and pedestrian connections that will be built around
the stations.
Commissioner Price said while at the National Association of Counties (NACo)
conference, the National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO) passed a resolution
dealing with pretrial justice and release. She said Orange County has done a lot in the area,
but NABCO suggested that each member bring the blue sheet at the Commissioners’ places
back to their counties for consideration to be passed, and forwarded to the state level.
Commissioner Price referred to the lavender sheet, and said April is National County
Month. She said NACo offered this sample resolution. She said NACo’s initiative this year is
“serving the underserved,” and perhaps the County might like to highlight what it is doing with
fair housing, the Family Success Alliance, etc.
Commissioner Price said she also attended the Women’s History month gathering in
Raleigh, and looks forward to seeing the data that is gathered.
Commissioner Price said this is a week of remembrance for Martin Luther King, and
tomorrow marks 50 years since he was assassinated. She said the country has come along
way, but still has a long way to go.
Chair Dorosin said he received a letter from the Chapel Hill Carrboro Chamber of
Commerce, a hand out at the Commissioners’ places, requesting that a Commissioner or a
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member of Management serve as an ex-officio, non-voting officer on the Chamber’s Board of
Directors.
Commissioner McKee said this is an opportune time for the BOCC to serve on this
board, and if no one else is interested, he would be willing to serve.
The Board decided to wait until Commissioner Burroughs returned on April 10th to make
a decision.
Chair Dorosin referred to the Arts Moment, and whether the Board wants to open it up
to Arts groups, in addition to individual artists. He said Katie Murray indicated she is open to
the BOCC’s wishes, and has booked the arts moment until October 2018.
The Board decided to defer this decision to a later date.
4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
a. Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation
The Board considered voting to approve a proclamation recognizing April 2018 as
Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign.
Annette Moore, Human Relations Director, reviewed the information below:
BACKGROUND:
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center defines sexual violence as “any type of
unwanted sexual contact, including sexual assault and rape.” This can include anything from
sexual harassment to non-consensual sharing of private intimate images to rape. Sexual
violence impacts everyone. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime “2017
National Crime Victim’s Rights Week Resource Guide: Crime and Victimization Fact Sheet”:
• 44% of women and 23% of men will experience sexual assault;
• 19% of women and 2% of men will be raped;
• 38% of heterosexual women who were raped were between the ages of 18 -24;
• 28% of persons raped were between the ages of 11-17 when first raped;
• 64% of multiracial women and 40% of multiracial men reported being sexually
assaulted other than rape;
• 75% of bisexual women are more likely to be sexual assaulted compared to 46% of
same sex and 43% of heterosexual women;
• In 2014, an estimated 20,300 military members reported being sexually assaulted
10,600 men and 9,600 women;
• Sexual violence is 2.5 times more prevalent that the most commonly occurring diseases
–including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS combined;
• 1 in 5 female students experienced attempted or completed sexual assault while in
college and 65% of those surveyed reported the incident to a friend, family member, or
roommate and less than 10% reported it to police or school officials;
• 4% of inmates in state and federal prison report experiencing sexual assault, the most
common for being staff misconduct.
A National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey in 2010 indicated that among females
who had been raped 51.1% reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an
acquaintance. For males, more than half reported being raped by an acquaintance and 15.1%
by a stranger. The economic burden of sexual violence is estimated at a lifetime cost of 1
$122,461 per victim, or $3.1 trillion for all rape victims. The costs include lost productivity,
medical costs, criminal justice service activities, and victim property loss and damage.
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The Orange County Rape Crisis Center, a non-profit, volunteer agency, which has been
serving the community since 1974 is working with others in the community to stop sexual
violence and its impact through support, education and advocacy. The Orange County Rape
Crisis Center assisted over 675 survivors of sexual violence, their loved ones, and community
professionals during 2017. The Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is
bringing together members of law enforcement, the medical community, the legal system and
other community advocates to improve services for survivors of sexual assault who come
forward.
Julia Da Silva, Rape Crisis Center Vice President, read the Proclamation:
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Proclamation
“Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2018 Proclamation”
WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center assisted over 675 survivors of sexual
violence, their loved ones, and community professionals during 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center works with the county’s two school
systems and other groups to provide students with age-appropriate information about violence
prevention, reaching over 17,000 youth and adults each year; and
WHEREAS, the coordination of the Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is
bringing together members of law enforcement, the medical community, the legal system, and
other community advocates to improve services for survivors of sexual assault who come
forward; and
WHEREAS, 1 in 5 American women have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010); and
WHEREAS, in the United States rape is the most costly crime to its survivors, totaling $127
billion a year considering factors such as medical cost, lost earnings, pain, suffering, and lost
quality of life (U.S. Department of Justice, 1996); and
WHEREAS, in the United States 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of
sexual or physical violence committed by an intimate partner (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2010); and
WHEREAS, there are more than 16,500 sex offenders registered as living in North Carolina
(Department of Justice, 2015)
WHEREAS, victim-blaming continues to be an enormous problem in instances of rape and
sexual assault; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, a nonprofit agency that has served this
community since 1974, is working to stop sexual violence and its impact through support,
education, and advocacy;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do
hereby proclaim the month of April 2018 as “SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH”
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and encourage all residents to speak out against sexual violence and to support their local
community’s efforts to prevent and respond to these appalling crimes.
This the 3rd day of April 2018.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Price for the
Board approve the proclamation designating April 2018 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month”
in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
b. Fair Housing Month Proclamation
The Board considered voting to proclaim April 2018 as Fair Housing Month in Orange
County, North Carolina and authorize the Chair to sign.
Annette Moore reviewed the information below, and said she will take the Women’s
History Month suggestion back to the HRC:
BACKGROUND:
The month of April is National Fair Housing Month. April 2018 will mark the 50th anniversary of
the enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the 24th anniversary of the Orange
County Civil Rights Ordinance. These laws grant every person a right to live where they
choose, free from discrimination on the basis race, color, national origin, sex, religion, familial
status, or disability.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has chosen “Fifty Years of Opening
Doors” as the 2018 Fair Housing Month theme. The chosen theme expresses the ideal of fair
and equal housing opportunities in every community.
Established in 1987, the Orange County Human Relations Commission (“HRC”) is charged
with enforcing the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance that prohibits discrimination in
housing and public accommodations on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, familial status,
national origin, color, veteran’s status and disability.
During Fair Housing Month the Human Rights and Relations Department and the Human
Relations Commission along with other community organizations will co-sponsor a variety of
events to commemorate Fair Housing Month.
Commissioner Jacobs read the proclamation:
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
FAIR HOUSING MONTH
WHEREAS, April 11, 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of
1968 (formally known as the Fair Housing Act) and the 35th anniversary of the
North Carolina Fair Housing Act prohibiting discrimination in housing on the
basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability and familial status;
and
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WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners enacted the Orange County Civil
Rights Ordinance on June 6, 1994, which affords to the residents of Orange
County the protections guaranteed by the Fair Housing Act and additionally
encompasses the protected classes of Veteran Status and Age; and
WHEREAS, Orange County and the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
as well as concerned residents and the housing industry are working to make
fair housing opportunities possible for everyone by encouraging others to abide
by the letter and the spirit of fair housing laws; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development annually declares the
month of April as National Fair Housing Month, designating Fifty Years of
Opening Doors as the national theme and ideal for 2018; and
WHEREAS, despite the protections afforded by the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance and
the Fair Housing Act, illegal housing discrimination still occurs in our nation and
within our County; and
WHEREAS, by supporting and promoting fair housing and equal opportunity, we are
contributing to the strength of our County, State and Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County North
Carolina, do proclaim April 2018 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH and commend this observance to
all Orange County residents.
This the 3rd day of April 2018.
A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Rich for the
Board to approve the proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
c. Presentation of Manager’s Recommended FY 2018-23 Capital Investment Plan
(CIP)
The Board received the Manager’s Recommended FY 2018-23 Capital Investment Plan
in preparation for Board review and discussion at the April 10, 2018 Budget work session.
Travis Myren reviewed the following information:
BACKGROUND:
Each year, the County produces a Capital Investment Plan (CIP) that establishes a budget-
planning guide related to capital needs for the County as well as Schools. The current CIP
consists of a 5-year plan that is evaluated annually to include year-to-year changes in
priorities, needs, and available resources. Approval of the CIP commits the County to the first
year funding only of the capital projects; all other years are used as a planning tool and serves
as a financial plan.
Capital Investment Plan – Overview
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The FY 2018-23 CIP includes County Projects, School Projects, and Proprietary Projects. The
School Projects include Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools, and
Durham Technical Community College – Orange County Campus projects. The Proprietary
Projects include Water and Sewer, Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, and Sportsplex projects.
The CIP has been prepared anticipating moderate economic growth of approximately 2% in
property tax growth and 4% in sales tax growth annually over the next five years. Many of the
projects in the CIP will rely on debt financing to fund the projects.
Travis Myren made the following PowerPoint presentation:
ORANGE COUNTY
CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN
FY2018-23
Board of Orange County Commissioners
April 3, 2018
Agenda Item 4(c)
CIP Themes and Cost Drivers
– School Bond Projects
• Chapel Hill High School Cost Escalation
• Borrowing and Cash Flow Schedule
• Potential FY2017-18 Capital Budget Amendment
– Affordable Housing Bond
• Last Bond Draw of $2.5 Million
– Public Safety
• Detention Center & Potential Northern Campus Development
– Debt Service Structuring
• Subject to Approval by the Local Government Commission
• Debt Service to General Fund Revenue Policy
• Potential Tax Impacts
Recommended CIP Total Expenditures by Year (graph)
Total Recommended Capital Budget Expenditures (graph)
Recommended CIP schools capital projects (graph)
Recommended CIP County Capital Projects (graph)
FY 18 -19 Recommended CIP Expenditures $28.5m total (graph)
FY 19 -20 -Recommended CIP Expenditures$26.1M total (graph)
Recommended CIP Proprietary Capital Projects (graph)
Debt Service to General Fund Revenue Policy Debt Service Structuring – three cases
(graph)
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Next Steps
– Document Review
• Clerk to the Board’s Office
• County Manager’s Office
• Orange County Libraries
• Orange County Website – orangecountync.gov
– Upcoming Budget Meetings
• April 10 Work Session for Capital Investment Plan
• April 24 Joint Meeting with Schools
• May 1 Presentation of FY2018-19 Recommended Operating Budget
• May 10 & 17 Public Hearings on Operating Budget and CIP
• May 24 Work Session for Schools and Outside Agencies
• May 31 Work Session for Fire Dist., Public Safety, Support, Gen. Govt.
• June 7 Work Session for Human Services and Comm. Services
• June 12 Amendments and Intent to Adopt
• June 19 Adoption of Operating Budget and CIP
Commissioner McKee referred to the debt structure slide, and clarified that tax
increases would be required in order to make the payments.
Travis Myren said the tax increases will be bigger in the early years, because this
principal is hitting faster in the early years.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the tax increases could be projected, and if the tax
increases will ever go down.
Travis Myren said cases 2 and 3 are the same scenarios that the BOCC saw at the
retreat, which was a tax increase between 4 and 5 cents.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if it known how far out this increase would go.
Travis Myren said at least until 2024 or 2025, but he would get more specific
information and bring it back to the BOCC.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if that would be about the time the schools would want
another bond.
Travis Myren said that is when the County’s debt capacity would start freeing up, and it
would be possible to maintain a similar level of taxation, while having some room to pay for
additional capital.
Commissioner Jacobs said it may be a tax increase for the foreseeable future.
Travis Myren said that is a policy decision to be made by the BOCC.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if, at next week’s Budget Work Session, staff could
explain why so much money has to be spent on Chapel Hill High School up front.
Travis Myren said yes.
Commissioner Price asked if the percentage of the fund balance will remain the same.
Travis Myren said yes, that policy would remain at 16%, and this policy is for the
amount of debt service.
Commissioner Price asked if the maintenance of the Orange County Schools (OCS) is
built into this CIP.
Travis Myren said all of the projects included here are the same projects that the
schools have put in their facility reports. He said the maintenance part would be in the
operating budget.
Commissioner Price said some of the schools are in very poor condition, and asked if
there is a plan in place to keep the schools stabilized until major renovation can occur.
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Travis Myren said OCS is comfortable with this project schedule, and OCS has a lot of
smaller specific projects, as opposed to one major, complex project.
Commissioner Rich asked if the 21% for the school capital project is included in the
48.1% budget goal that the BOCC aims to hit each year.
Travis Myren said the 48.1% is the percentage of the operating budget, and the 21% is
in addition to that.
Commissioner Rich asked if staff could provide the amount that schools have received
over the years, above and beyond the 48.1%.
Chair Dorosin asked if all three of the options on the slide would require approval from
the Local Government Commission (LGC).
Travis Myren said the red line is typically what they see from everybody, and the
County is asking for some consideration, to smooth payments out over time, because of its
affordability policies.
Chair Dorosin referred to the 15% policy target, and asked if this is set by the LGC or
by the BOCC.
Travis Myren said this is a locally established policy by the BOCC, which can be
revisited.
d. (11-b) Orange County Parks and Recreation Council – Appointment – MOVED
The Board considered making an appointment to the Orange County Parks and
Recreation Council.
David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR)
Director, said a member of the Parks and Recreation Council, who is in the Town of Carrboro
seat, and is unable to continue to serve. He said the Council has found a suggested
replacement.
A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos to
appoint the following to the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council:
• Appointment to a first full term (Position #1) “Carrboro City Limits” representative for
Michael Zelek expiring 03/31/2021.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
5. Public Hearings
a. Orange County Consolidated Plan – Annual Action Plan Update and Proposed
Uses of the FY2018-2019 HOME Funds
The Board received input from the public regarding the proposed Annual Action Plan
and update of the FY 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development
Programs in Orange County, as well as the proposed uses of FY 2018-2019 HOME funds.
Sherrill Hampton, Housing Director, reviewed the information below:
BACKGROUND:
In May 2015, a Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development
Programs in Orange County was developed and approved by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD). This document details the housing needs of very low income,
low income and moderate-income families and special population groups in addition to
outlining
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the strategies and plans for addressing those needs. FY 2018-2019 will be the fourth year of
the 5-year Plan.
Each year, local communities are required to reassess the needs of the community. The Public
Hearing provides an opportunity for the public, public agencies and other interested parties to
provide input as it relates to the annual update of the Consolidated Plan and proposed Annual
Action Plan. In addition, the public is asked to comment on the proposed use of FY 2018-2019
Program Year funds. The Orange County HOME Consortium, known as the Orange County
Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative, anticipates the following Federal financial
resources:
FY 2018 HOME Funds: $289,693.00
HOME Program Income: $ 13,306.00
HOME Match : $ 65,181.00
Total $368,180.00
The above amounts are estimates only and may be adjusted according to the allocation
received from HUD.
Renee Holmes, Housing Programs Coordinator, reviewed the following information:
The HOME Consortium, known as the Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing
Collaborative, comprised of one (1) elected official and staff members from Orange County,
the
Town of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Hillsborough reviewed the applications
received and made recommendations regarding funding for consideration by local elected
officials in May 2018 as follows:
Community Home Trust - Homeowner Assistance $ 60,000.00
Empowerment, Inc. – Rental Acquisition $145,000.00
Habitat for Humanity –Homeownership $ 60,000.00
Inter-Faith Council for Social Services (IFC) – Rapid Re-Housing and
General Tenant-Based Assistance $ 25,000.00
Orange County – Housing Rehabilitation $ 49,211.00
Administration $ 28,969.00
Total $368,180.00
Commissioner McKee asked if any of the approved funds reverted back in the past
year, due to un-use.
Sherrill Hampton said there was one reversion of approximately $20,000 to HOME this
past summer, but that was on older projects.
Commissioner McKee said he would like to see that all funds are used, so there is none
left to revert back.
Commissioner Price asked if the housing rehabilitation for Orange County is part of the
urgent repair program.
Sherrill Hampton said staff is looking at the broad category of housing rehabilitation,
which includes urgent repair. She said this program is for the elderly or handicapped, and
goes up to $8000 per unit. She said there is a state grant, as well as local funds provided by
the BOCC.
Commissioner Price asked if the funds being requested are a part of this program.
Sherrill Hampton said no, these are HOME funds, which can be used for rehab as well
as acquisition, second mortgage, and homebuyer assistance. She said these funds remained
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after their projects; and due to the enormous housing rehab needs on existing, older housing
stock, staff is asking the BOCC if the remaining $49,000 can be used.
Commissioner Jacobs said he has previously heard concerns raised that the County’s
urgent repair fund is not very nimble, and that there is a long waiting list.
Sherrill Hampton said this is true, and she and her team are working on that going
forward. She said in the coming year, there will be changes to this process. She said many
homes that come in for urgent repair end up having code violations, which delay the process.
The FY 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan will be submitted to HUD on or before May 15, 2018.
This Public Hearing is one of two (2) public hearings held as a part of Orange County’s
engagement of its residents concerning local housing and community developments needs
and the HOME Program.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jenny Prater said she has a Habitat for Humanity house, where she has lived since
2011. She has two children, and said she had been in a duplex apartment that was not very
nice in 2010. She said she looked for a home, but could not find anything in her budget that
was livable. She said some personal issues made her unable to get a loan, though she has a
good job at UNC. She said she is grateful for Habitat and the HOME funds, which have
provided her a stable home.
Marisa Martini said she works for Habitat as the Community Development Manager,
and thanked the Board of County Commissioners for its support. She reviewed the many
homes in Habitat’s inventory that have benefited from HOME funds, and said homeowners are
here tonight to share their stories.
Norbert Ronyambo shared his story of his ownership of a Habitat home, and thanked
the Board of County Commissioners for its support of affordable housing through HOME
Funds, which has enabled him to own a home in Orange County.
Jackie Jenks is Executive Director of InterFaith Council for Social Services (IFC), and
she thanked the BOCC for its support, and proposed uses of the HOME funds, which include
many of IFC’s partners and some much-needed projects. She reviewed statistics about IFC
residents, and the extreme lack of affordable housing and rentals for those in the lower income
levels. She said it is a very difficult situation for residents to be in, and she supports the
County in all of its efforts to support affordable housing in Orange County.
Nery Urrutia said he owns a Habitat home, and it is healthy, worthy, and smart for
Orange County to support projects like Habitat for Humanity. He said it is not healthy for
people to live under bridges, in the woods, or in their cars because rents are unaffordable in
Orange County. He said he works and is able to pay the bills and afford a home through
Habitat.
Robert Dowling, Community Home Trust (CHT) Director, said housing is becoming a
larger challenge in Orange County, and affordable housing stock is not increasing. He said
the bond will be put to good use, and they need all of the funding they can get for affordable
rentals and houses. He said Sherrill Hampton has recommended $60,000 for CHT, $40,000 of
which will go to the Northside Initiative, where CHT is partnering with Self Help credit union.
He said he hopes $40,000 will cover 2 houses. He said the remaining $20,000 will be used for
resale of existing inventory, and hopefully this will cover 2 homes. He said the subsidies are
essential, and he is thankful to the Board of County Commissioners for their support.
Delores Bailey said she is the Director of Empowerment, Inc., which is the owner of 42
scattered sites affordable rental properties. She said this Friday Empowerment will close on a
bond home. She thanked the BOCC for having the foresight to put aside money for mobile
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home displacements. She also thanked the Board for helping Empowerment move forward on
9 new affordable rental properties this year, which were purchased with some HOME funds.
She thanked the County for all that it does.
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Rich to
close the public hearing.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Commissioner McKee thanked the providers for leveraging funds, and those that spoke
who have been beneficiaries of these funds.
Commissioner Price asked the providers, as they receive these monies, to please let
the BOCC know how much is leveraged, as this information is used to lobby Congress for
additional monies.
Chair Dorosin echoed Commissioner McKee’s comments.
6. Regular Agenda
a. Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application – Triple Crown Farms
The Board reviewed a request to modify a previously approved Major Subdivision
Preliminary Plat application.
PURPOSE:
To review and take action on a request to modify a previously approved Major Subdivision
Preliminary Plat application.
The request seeks to modify conditions associated with roadway construction within the Triple
Crown Farms subdivision, originally approved as a 20 lot single-family residential subdivision.
Specifically the applicant is seeking to modify the County’s original approval requiring internal
roadways to be constructed to NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) public road
standards allowing same to be constructed to Class A private road standards as detailed in
Section 7.8.5 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Roadway construction had
commenced when issues associated with complying with NCDOT standards were identified,
necessitating this request.
If approved, the roadways will be completed consistent with applicable County private road
standard. Once the roadways, and other required improvements, are completed the Final Plat
can be recorded within the Orange County Register of Deeds Office allowing for the creation
of the individual lots, allowing for the eventual development of single-family residences. Please
note at this time no development, other than installation of required infrastructure, is occurring
on the property.
BACKGROUND:
Triple Crown Farms Major Subdivision was approved by the by the BOCC on June 6, 2014.
The request includes changing the requirement for public roads built to NCDOT standards to
private roads built to Orange County private road standards.
The basic facts concerning the current application are as follows:
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Applicant(s)/Owner(s): 16 Parkside Lane, LLC
2807 Homestead Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Agent(s): Peter Bellantoni, PE
Pennoni Associates, Inc.
401 Providence Road, Suite 200
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Location: Intersection of Dairyland Road and Triple Crown Drive. Please
refer to Attachment 2 for a vicinity map of the parcel.
Parcel Information: a. PIN(s): 9850-90-5614; 9860-01-0141 (New PINs); 9850-91-0030
(Old PIN).
b. Size of parcel: 92.95 acres in new area (104.25 acres in original
area. Lot area was reduced after 11.17 acres was recorded via
exempt subdivision via recorded Plat Book 118
Page PG 21 with the Orange County Register of Deeds and
assigned PIN 9860-01-0141).
c. Zoning/Watershed: Rural Buffer (RB); and University Lake
Protected Overlay District (UNIV-PW).
d. Township: Chapel Hill.
e. School District(s): The project is split between the Chapel
Hill/Carrboro County Schools (14 lots), and Orange County Schools
(5 lots). Please refer to Attachment 3 for additional information.
f. Future Land Use Map Designation: Rural Buffer.
g. Growth Management System Designation: Rural.
h. Joint Land Use Plan Designation: Rural Buffer.
i. Existing Conditions/Physical Features: Varying topography with
heavy vegetation, primarily mixed hardwoods, throughout.
There are streams running through the property with varying slopes.
Stream corridor width varies from 120 feet to 250 feet. The property
is encumbered by floodplain along Dairyland Road.
j. Roads: Vehicular access to the parcel is through Dairyland Road
and Triple Crown Drive; both are NCDOT state maintained roads.
k. Water and Sewer Service: The property is not located within a
primary public utility service area according to the Water and
Sewer Management Planning Boundary Agreement
(WASMPBA).
Proposed lots are to be served by individual well and septic
systems.
Surrounding Land Uses:
a. NORTH: Single-family residences zoned RB
b. SOUTH: Single-family residences zoned RB
c. EAST: Single-family residences zoned RB
d. WEST: Single-family residence zoned RB
Patrick Mallett, Planner II, made the following PowerPoint presentation:
April 3, 2018
BOCC Item: 6a
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Triple Crown Farms
Preliminary Plat (Revised)
Review and Action on a 19-lot Major Subdivision off of Dairyland Road
Orange County Planning Department
Vicinity Map (map)
Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan (map)
Growth Management System
Preliminary Plat (Revised):
Plan Overview
Site Photograph – 1
Site Photograph – 2
Site Photograph -3
Site Photograph -4
Site Photograph -4
Site Photograph -5
RECOMMENDATION:
The Manager recommends the Board:
1. Receive the Planning Board and Planning Director’s recommendations on the
Preliminary Plat application for the revised Triple Crown Farms Subdivision,
2. Discuss the proposal as desired, and
3. Approve the Preliminary Plat as submitted and the Resolution of Approval contained in
Attachment 9.
Patrick Mallett said if the BOCC makes this change, there would need to be a
disclosure statement that acknowledges that these are privately maintained roads, and
changing them to NC Department of Transportation (DOT) public maintained roads would
require significant design, permitting, construction, and cost.
Chair Dorosin asked if that is included in the recommendations and resolution.
Patrick Mallett said yes, and that language would also be included in the road
maintenance agreement. He said the developer has met with DOT, and realized it would be
unable to meet DOT standards without great disturbance and significant cost, and, therefore,
needed to change the status of the roads.
Commissioner Rich referred to the disclosure statement, and asked if this transfers with
the sale of the home from one homeowner to the next.
Patrick Mallett said he would think it would, and the County would require that this be
recorded with the plat. He said the closing agent would have a copy of the plat, and all
recorded documents that are associated with the property.
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John Roberts said it would show up in the title search.
Commissioner McKee referred to the third photograph, and said he sees a culvert
already installed.
Patrick Mallett said it is a metal conspan that is in the process of being installed.
Commissioner McKee said he thought that the need to install a bridge would be a major part of
the additional expense, but he sees the sub-structure of the bridge in place with no roadbed on
top. He asked if the additional expenses could be identified.
Patrick Mallett said he would let the developer speak to that.
Commissioner McKee asked if the other crossings already preliminarily installed as
well.
Patrick Mallett said this is a large one. He said DOT has some rigid design standards,
and the standards for this type of road would require longer pipe, walls, different materials, etc.
He said the specific standards, combined with extensive inspections along the way has lead to
this disconnect.
Commissioner McKee said he is familiar with the standards, and he asked if the road
originally specked out to DOT standards.
Patrick Mallett said yes.
Commissioner McKee asked if that is the case, then why is the road built this way now,
and not to DOT standards.
Patrick Mallett said some of this has to do with design standards for roads that include
the materials, how to cross streams, etc., as well as other standards pertaining to direction,
grade, etc. He said, in this case, the anticipation was to raise the road, but the reality is that
there is about 20 feet of dirt fill to fill in, as well as side slopes, which was not realized until
much later.
Commissioner Price referred to the 2014 approval in their packet, and asked if this was
for this type of road or a DOT Road.
Patrick Mallett said the general design as indicated in the plan, is what the County
required, and it has not changed.
Commissioner Price asked if the 2014 approval was for a road built to DOT design
standards.
Patrick Mallett said yes.
Commissioner Price asked if the effects on the environment from this road are known.
Patrick Mallett said the project went through the 401 and 404 permitting with US Army
Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Environmental Quality. He said NC DOT has
different standards from these entities.
Commissioner Price asked if the impact is known, and what happens if there is a heavy
rain.
Patrick Mallett said the developer obtained erosion controls, stormwater reviews and
permits, and a preconference and stabilization to deal with stormwater, erosion control, etc.
Commissioner Price said the packet at the Commissioners’ places contains a document
from 2014, and asked if there is approval from erosion control for this proposal.
Patrick Mallett said yes, for this level of land disturbing activity.
Commissioner Price said she has concerns about future homeowners being well aware
of these disclosures, as well as 15 years from now, if the roads fails, and people will come to
Orange County and complain. She said the developer will be gone, and she wants to know
how the BOCC protects residents.
Patrick Mallett said that is the rationale of the disclosure statement.
Commissioner Marcoplos clarified that this is going to be less expensive than a DOT
road, and will that translate to savings to the homeowners.
Patrick Mallett said he would defer to the developer.
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Commissioner Marcoplos asked if this road will be narrower.
Patrick Mallett said the original approval contemplated paving 20 feet of asphalt, and
now plans to have it match the public roads in Triple Crown Estates that are 18 feet wide,
which reduces impervious cover.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he is curious about the finances of this.
Chair Dorosin asked the developer to come up.
Richard Penci said he is the licensed land surveyor on the project.
Commissioner McKee asked if the developer knew that the original plan was supposed
to be DOT Standards, and why it was not built accordingly.
Richard Penci said he cannot answer that question, because he was not with the firm
at that time.
Commissioner McKee said this is a concern to him, and the level of construction is very
far along, and the substructure is in, and the only thing lacking is to grade the subgrade and
pave; however, it does not match the original requirements, which were to be to DOT specs, as
he understands. He asked if there is a reason for this.
Danny Jones, the developer, showed the BOCC a picture on a phone, and said he was
told by his engineers that this is a geo-grid block wall, and it would be passed. He said he is
unsure why DOT knocked it down, and DOT required poured concrete walls. He said he has
documentation from personal engineers that say the bridge will be intact for 75 years. He said
the process was documented, and appropriate testing conducted. He said he is not an
engineer. He said the 401 permit had certain requirements from the Army Corps of Engineers,
and he tried not to impact the creek. He said the roads are built to state standards, as is the
creek crossing. He said the questions arise over the block wall, as opposed to poured
concrete walls. He said tearing out the block wall will have more negative impact on the creek,
than will help it in the long run.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if this change financially benefits the homeowners.
Danny Jones said he developed the first phase of the neighborhood, and those roads
would still be private if he had not begun the second phase of development, and pushed for
those roads to become public. He said the first phase began 12 years ago, and he’s only
begun to send this phase due to the economy improving. He said these changes would
provide a savings to the homeowner.
Commissioner McKee referred to preliminary plan approval information in the packet
and item #7, where it states the average price of houses, including lots, is $1.2 million. He
asked if this cost is per lot, or proposed 4 lots per year build out.
Danny Jones said the $1.2 million is the average price of a home in this subdivision.
Chair Dorosin asked if the developer put in this wall before getting approval, and if the
BOCC does not approve it, will the developer have to tear it down and build it to DOT
standards.
Danny Jones said if the BOCC does not approve this, his option would be to go to an
exempt subdivision with 10-acre lots.
Chair Dorosin asked if this gets approved, how much does this save the developer on
building the roads.
Danny Jones said it would save him nothing on the roads, and he would have to tear
out the wing walls and use poured concrete, which would do more harm. He said he would be
better off changing to an exempt subdivision.
Chair Dorosin asked if the number of houses would be less with the exempt subdivision
scenario.
Danny Jones said there would be 10 fewer homes that he could build.
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Commissioner Marcoplos said he is still confused about the bridge. He clarified that the
developer has documented assessments of the bridge completed by engineers, and it has
been deemed structurally sound.
Danny Jones said there were people present around the clock as the construction was
being completed, and everything is documented.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if all the homeowners could see these documents, and
have them referenced in their agreements, if they so chose.
Danny Jones said yes, and he is not sure why DOT turned it down. He said he has the
engineering to back up the data.
Chair Dorosin said if this passes, the developer will get some savings, and he asked
the developer if he would contribute any of those savings to affordable housing.
Danny Jones said if he made enough money, he would donate something.
Commissioner Rich said the developer already has a payment-in-lieu of $9100 for
parks.
Commissioner McKee said he remembered an issue with the Winfall subdivision where
the roads were not built to DOT standards, issues arose, and he received many complaints
from the residents. He said he understands that the disclosure would inform homeowners that
this is a private road, but he asked Michael Harvey, Current Planning Supervisor, if there is any
way to insure that there would not be a repeat occurrence of that situation at the Triple Crown
Farms project.
Michael Harvey said he cannot guarantee anything, and he said staff has put
safeguards in place, with the language in the recommendations, which clearly lays out that the
roads are not to DOT standards, the cost to make them so, and that the property owners would
be responsible for making the changes should public roads be desired. He said this language
cannot insure that a property owner will not raise complaints in the future.
Craig Benedict, Planning Director, said there is one step that staff added to the Unified
Development Ordinance (UDO), which states that before the developer turns this over to the
new home owners’ association (HOA), there is a required community meeting to go over
issues, and the roads would be one of the issues addressed.
Commissioner Price said that speaks directly to her concern. She said that meeting
happens in the beginning, but she is concerned about this issue years from now.
Craig Benedict said a road maintenance document, which is affixed to each of these
lots, is recorded and affixed to the lots in perpetuity.
Chair Dorosin asked John Roberts if the BOCC can add a payment for affordable
housing to these conditions.
John Roberts said that would be an impact fee, and the BOCC cannot do that.
Chair Dorosin said the County would have to rely on the good faith of the developer.
Commissioner McKee said he appreciates the intent of the BOCC to further affordable
housing, but he would object to encouraging a developer on the fly at a meeting, under duress
to support affordable housing. He said he is not saying it was the intent of the Chair to
ensnare the developer, but if he were sitting in the developer’s place this evening, he would
have felt no choice but to agree to the Chair’s suggestion. He said if the BOCC had a policy
ahead of time, that would be different; but he cannot support this type of action at a meeting
on the fly.
Commissioner McKee said he has a real concern about making an adjustment to a
previously approved project, which met DOT standards, that serves million dollar homes; or
any homes for that matter.
Chair Dorosin said the when the developer for the Hillsborough Economic Development
District (EDD) project was at a recent BOCC meeting, the Board suggested many conditions
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on the fly, to which no objections were raised. He said there is precedent for making such
requests in this forum, and he believes his comments are consistent with previous BOCC
action.
Commissioner McKee said he had a level of concern at that meeting as well, but his
concern is greater this evening.
Commissioner Marcoplos said one of the fundamental questions is whether this road is
going to be built to any standard of quality, and the answer is that it is being built to the
standards of the UDO, which indicates it will be built to a level of quality that makes it a bona
fide road.
Patrick Mallett said it has to meet one or the other: Class A standard for private roads,
or DOT standards.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he believes it is a functional road system.
Commissioner Rich said this is not the first time that the developer has heard about
affordable housing, and she apologized if he was insulted. She said the BOCC is strongly
committed to encouraging developers to consider affordable housing, and how they may help.
Chair Dorosin said he was not apologizing, as he does not think his comments were out
of turn.
Commissioner Rich said she wanted to apologize if anyone was insulted.
Commissioner Price said she does not see any way that the BOCC can prevent this
from proceeding, as it will be built to County standards.
Chair Dorosin said the BOCC can vote it down, and the developer will have to go to an
exempt subdivision.
Commissioner Price said she does not see on what grounds the BOCC could vote this
down.
Chair Dorosin said on the grounds that the permit said the road would be built to DOT
standards, and it is not.
Commissioner Price said she takes issue with the construction having already
proceeded, but if the developer plans to build to the County’s standards, she does not see how
the BOCC can stop it.
Chair Dorosin said the developer cannot build to County standards unless the BOCC
gives approval of this modification this evening.
Commissioner Price said she does not see grounds upon which the BOCC can deny
approval.
Patrick Mallett said the developer’s plan B would be an exempt subdivion, and would
proceed onwards with ten lots. He said there is not a wooded, pastoral or meadow option.
John Roberts said the BOCC has two options: vote against this or support this.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos for
the Board to:
Approve the Preliminary Plat as submitted and the Resolution of Approval contained in
Attachment 9.
VOTE: Ayes, 3 (Commissioner Rich, Commissioner Price, Commissioner Marcoplos); Nays, 3
(Commissioner McKee, Commissioner Jacobs, Chair Dorosin)
Motion does not carry with a tied vote.
Chair Dorosin said to bring this back when Commissioner Burroughs is present.
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John Roberts said the BOCC can continue this to a date certain when Commissioner
Burroughs is present.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos
to continue this agenda item to the April 17, 2018 BOCC meeting.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Danny Jones said he has a letter in his safe at home from 2014 which states his
approval from the BOCC was based on these roads being private.
Patrick Mallett said the rub is that the language says, “built to NC DOT standards”; so
whether it is public or private is somewhat irrelevant, and meeting the standards is the
requirement.
Chair Dorosin said staff will look into this document and make sure it is present on April
17th.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if staff could provide a history of the BOCC’s voting from
2014.
b. Site Acquisition Development of a Multi-Purpose County Campus
The Board considered voting to authorize the Manager to proceed with the acquisition
of approximately 21 acres located within the Hillsborough Highway 70/Cornelius Street corridor
known as the “Hwy 70 Site Assembly” for the development of the Orange County Northern
Campus site that addresses multiple County Capital Investment Plan initiatives; and to
authorize the Manager to execute the necessary documents for closing the transaction upon
final review of the County Attorney.
Jeff Thompson, Asset Management Services Director, reviewed the following
information:
PURPOSE: To:
1) Authorize the Manager to proceed with the acquisition of approximately 21 acres located
within the Hillsborough Highway 70/Cornelius Street corridor known as the “Hwy 70 Site
Assembly” for the development of the Orange County Northern Campus site that
addresses multiple County Capital Investment Plan initiatives; and
2) Authorize the Manager to execute the necessary documents for closing the transaction
upon final review of the County Attorney.
BACKGROUND:
On January 23, 2018, the Board of Orange County Commissioners validated a purchase and
sale agreement and necessary examination of a three parcel assembly of approximately 21
acres known as the Orange County Northern Campus assembly (note Attachment 1 – “Site
Assembly”). The Board directed the Manager and staff to continue the physical and regulatory
examination of the Site Assembly for potential acquisition on or before the outside closing date
of April 7, 2018.
Physical Due Diligence. Results of all examination efforts listed in this section yielded
satisfactory conclusions. Examination efforts included soils, geotechnical study, cultural &
archaeological study, utility availability and capacity, environmental study, wetland and storm
water management delineation, traffic circulation, off-site considerations, and conceptual land
planning for a campus contemplated to house an Orange County Detention Center,
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Environment and Agriculture Center, and Park Operations Base (note Attachment 2 –
“Conceptual Land Plan”).
Land Use. The Site Assembly is within the Town of Hillsborough Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction
(“ETJ”), governed by the Hillsborough Unified Development Ordinance (“UDO”), and is
currently zoned Rural Residential. With the support of the Hillsborough Town Manager and
Planning Director/Assistant Town Manager, Orange County has applied for a “Suburban
Office” Future Land Use Amendment as well as an Economic Development District (“EDD”)
Zoning
Amendment. These designations will allow all of the contemplated uses within this government
services campus to include an Orange County Detention Center, the Environment and
Agriculture Center, and the Park Operations Base. After the required public hearing process
and review by the Hillsborough Planning Board, the amendments were approved by the Town
Board on March 26, 2018. Voluntary annexation may be requested by the County at a future
time and was not an action required for this future land use and zoning amendment process.
Land Records Assessment. Survey, land records and title examination were performed and
yielded no significant exceptions.
Timeline. Should the Board authorize this acquisition, closing will occur on or before April 7,
2018. The anticipated development schedule is as follows:
Design Spring-Fall, 2018
Construction Manager at Risk Guaranteed Maximum Price Award* Winter, 2019
Construction Notice to Proceed Winter, 2019
Construction Winter, 2019-Fall, 2020
Occupancy Certifications; Move & Occupation Winter, 2020-Spring 2021
*BOCC Action
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The purchase price for the Site Assembly is $394,050 (note Attachment
3 – “Purchase and Sale Agreements”). Closing costs for the County total $1,906.16. Adequate
funds will have been appropriated for this initiative once the Detention Center, Environment
and Agriculture Center and Parks Operations Base Capital Projects are combined, because of
the efficiencies of the joint use of this site. The combined appropriations of $28.10 million are
adequate to support all project costs (including the land acquisition) as well as to provide for
project contingency funds.
Jeff Thompson made the following PowerPoint presentation:
Multi-Purpose County Campus Site Development Acquisition
April 3, 2018
Purpose
• Board authorization to acquire the “Northern Campus Assembly” parcels that addresses
multiple County Capital Investment Plan initiatives;
• Authorize the County Manager to execute the necessary documents upon final review
of the County Attorney
Background
• BOCC validation for examination – 1/23/18:
• Due diligence findings
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– Physical
– Land Use
– Land Records
• Community relations
• Timeline/next steps
Potential Downtown Detention Sites- Photo- - Existing Sites
• both incur excessive costs;
• no expansion capability;
• challenging zoning compliance permitting process
Potential Perimeter Sites (Cornelius Corridor)- Photo- MBF Site
• challenging sewer extension
• expensive acquisition
• existing facility oversized
• removal from commercial tax base
Northern Campus Site Assembly- Photo
• 20.5 acre parcel (expansion, availability of other uses)
• water and gravity sewer accessible
• excellent access to Justice Facility, roadways
• staff support
• single site and utility cost leverage for multiple facilities
Due Diligence/Feasibility Summary- graph
Due Diligence/Feasibility Summary- graph
Due Diligence/Feasibility Summary- graph
Timeline/Next Steps
Spring-Summer, 2018
– Schematic Design, Continued Stakeholder Input
– BOCC: Construction Manager at Risk Agreement Approval
Fall, 2018
– BOCC: Schematic Design Approval
Winter, Spring, 2019
– BOCC: Guaranteed Maximum Price Approval
– Begin Construction
Winter, Spring, 2021
– Completion, Training, Move, Occupancy
Community Relations
• Extensive project information curated on County website
• Continuation of public information/input sessions during project design and construction
Financial Impact
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• Parcel purchase price - $394,050
• Adequate Capital Investment Plan (CIP) appropriations for project
• Most efficient construction outcome would recommend Park Operations Base future
appropriation to synchronize with Detention and Agriculture Center projects
Manager’s Recommendation
• Board authorization to acquire the “Northern Campus Assembly” parcels that addresses
multiple County Capital Investment Plan initiatives;
• Authorize the County Manager to execute the necessary documents upon final review
of the County Attorney
Commissioner McKee said he previously asked staff to look at a parcel of land across
from McDonalds, and asked if there was an update.
Jeff Thompson said there is a blue line stream bisecting the property, which makes a
third of the property undevelopable. He said it would also require a forced main sewage.
Commissioner McKee asked if there is an update about the state owned site.
Jeff Thompson said this property is also not viable.
Commissioner McKee said he just wanted to make it clear that the County has pursued
other options.
Commissioner Marcoplos said the challenge going forward seems to be trying to impact
the neighborhood minimally.
Jeff Thompson said yes.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he originally questioned how to make the finished
campus as minimally invasive as possible, but now realizes that the actual construction would
be the most obtrusive part of the project. He asked if there is a potential for blasting.
Jeff Thompson said yes.
Commissioner Marcoplos said blasting could possibly affect well and septic tanks and
he suggested having a mitigation fund in case this happens.
Jeff Thompson said staff could look into this.
Commissioner Price said the abstract should reflect that the Hillsborough Planning
Board rejected this rezoning plan, even though the Town Board approved it. She said it is
important to mitigate the effect of light and noise after the project is completed.
Commissioner Jacobs thanked the Hillsborough Town Board for this rezoning. He
agreed with Commissioner Marcoplos about mitigation, and said people should not have to
prove that the blasting caused damage, but rather the County will accept the fact at face value.
Commissioner Jacobs suggested setting up quarterly public information meetings going
forward, to invite neighbors to share concerns and questions, and allow staff to provide
updates in the projects. He said he would like to be a congenial process, and not adversarial.
Commissioner Jacobs said he hoped the BOCC will name the facility after the person
he previously suggested.
Commissioner Price suggested involving the community in naming decisions.
Bonnie Hammersley said she turned the name suggested by Commissioner Jacobs
over to the HRC to find the family, and ask if the County could use the name.
Commissioner Rich said to put all of the project information on the website, and be
ahead of the message.
Commissioner Rich asked if blasting companies have insurance for mitigation.
John Roberts said companies should have this insurance.
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Commissioner Marcoplos said in the case of the Orange Water and Sewer Authority
(OWASA) and the stone quarry, OWASA took the word of the residents about the blasting
issues and wells and septic systems.
Commissioner Price said she is happy with the Town of Hillsborough’s decision and this
evening’s presentation, she just mentioned including the Town Planning Board’s rejection of
this as a way to be fully transparent with the community.
Commissioner Jacobs said to incorporate the Hillsborough Planning board decision in
the narrative moving forward.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Billy Holloway said he feels like this is a done deal, and this project has pros and cons.
He said during the construction he knows there will be noise, and he lives 100 feet from the
property. He said he is retired and likes to sleep in, and construction starts at 6:30 a.m. He
asked if there are any barriers that can be put up to reduce this noise to their homes. He said
he and Jeff Thompson have a good relationship, and they have worked many issues out
already. He said now this noise, vibrations, and blasting are new concerns.
Mark O’Neal said he is a real estate agent, and was involved in the site selection
process. He said one of the sellers, Betty Tilley, could not be present this evening, and she
had some comments that she wanted him to share with the BOCC. He said he provided a
letter from Mrs. Tilley to the BOCC, which highlighted the positive aspects of the project. He
said Mrs. Tilley is retired from Orange County Schools (OCS) and she is proud that the County
is going to re-purpose her site. He said the other family members around the site have been
good to work with.
Sheriff Blackwood addressed the critical need for a new detention center. He said the
current one is aging, has serious challenges, and is not reflective of who Orange County is.
He said he is not proud of it, and his department wants to bring continued hope with this
project, for both the detention center staff and inmates. He said some of the current
challenges are structural and infrastructural.
Commissioner Price asked the Sheriff about the amount of traffic that will be coming in
and out of the jail.
Sheriff Blackwood said the traffic will be about the same as it is now, which is minimal.
He said he cannot predict traffic patterns.
Commissioner Price said she has heard concerns from the public that there will be
police cars coming and going all night with sirens blasting.
Sheriff Blackwood said the operations are not centrally located, and staffs do not come
back to the office for briefing, but rather do it electronically. He said the cars with running
sirens are out and about in the County. He said if an event occurs that requires all staff to
respond, then yes there will be sirens, but they will be leaving Hillsborough, not coming in. He
said the entire department is a necessary evil.
Commissioner McKee asked if the BOCC approves this tonight, is it only approving the
acquisition of the land, and not specific uses.
Bonnie Hammersley said BOCC approval would be approving specific uses.
Commissioner McKee said he is supportive of the need for a detention center, but he is
not supportive of a recreation or agricultural center, due to budget constraints. He asked if the
BOCC will have another opportunity to approve specific projects moving forward.
Bonnie Hammersley said this opportunity will be available during the Capital Investment
Plan (CIP). She said if not all of the uses are included, the economics of the project will not
work. She said no significant or irreversible work will be done between now and the adoption
of the budget on June 19th. She said these discussions can be part of the budget process.
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Commissioner McKee clarified that, other than the purchase of the property, and the
intent to move forward with the detention center, nothing is set in concrete with this vote.
Bonnie Hammersley said she cannot answer that right now, because of the economics
that make this project work.
Jeff Thompson said last year, the options for the agricultural center were reviewed, and
the BOCC gave direction to go into the Cornelius Road corridor, and the dollars for that are
already appropriated in the CIP. He said the BOCC indicated a desire to repurpose the
Revere Road site, and pursue a greenfield option in the Cornelius Road corridor.
Commissioner McKee said he was opposed to those decisions as well.
Jeff Thompson said the important point is that the money is already appropriated for
the greenfield site for the Agricultural Center.
A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos, seconded by Commissioner Rich for
the Board to:
1) Authorize the Manager to proceed with the acquisition of approximately 21 acres
located with the Hillsborough Highway 70/Cornelius Street corridor known as the “Hwy
70 Site Assembly” for the development of the Orange County Northern Campus site that
addresses multiple County Capital Investment Plan initiatives; and
2) Authorize the Manager to sign the necessary documents for closing the transaction
upon final review of the County Attorney.
Commissioner McKee said he will vote for this motion, but he will continue to try and
find a way to delay these other projects, due to budget constraints.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
c. Framework for 2018 Orange County Economic Development Summit
The Board considered voting to approve and authorize staff to proceed with a
framework option allowing staff time to plan the event and to hire any outside
consultants/planners needed; and to identify one or more of the topics to be discussed in
conjunction with the selected option.
Todd McGee, Communications Director, reviewed the following information:
BACKGROUND:
The Board of County Commissioners appropriated $30,000 in the FY 2017-18 budget from the
Article 46 sales tax to host an Economic Development Summit. Staff solicited potential topics
from the BOCC in February and has developed three options based around that feedback.
Option 1: Summit on the Hill
In conjunction with WCHL radio (1360 AM and 97.9 FM), this would be a live discussion about
the County’s economic development efforts focused up to four areas. The program would be
broadcast live on WCHL on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, from 3-7 p.m. during the drive-time
hours, which would provide maximum audience. The radio station’s programming is also live-
streamed via its website, which would make it accessible to people throughout Orange County.
One hour of programming would be devoted to each of four topics (a different topic each hour)
with unique panels of experts, including members of the Board of Commissioners and local
stakeholders, to discuss and respond to questions from listeners. All the programming would
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be archived on WCHL’s website (Chapelboro.com), providing a Listen on Demand option that
could be promoted for the rest of the year.
W CHL would conduct extensive promotion in the six weeks leading up to the event, including
creating a social media hashtag to provide the community an avenue to submit questions and
comments before and during the broadcast. The County would also extensively promote the
event through social media, the website and electronic publications. Panelists would be able to
respond in realtime to comments submitted by listeners. After the event, WCHL would host a
reception with other community leaders at University Mall.
The radio station would handle all logistics (reaching out to panelists, coordinating
appearances, recording promos, etc.) for the program and for the reception afterwards.
This option provides an opportunity to spread the message of the County’s economic
development efforts to a wider audience. Members of the BOCC would have the opportunity to
interact directly with residents through the social media component and/or questions called in
during the show. Pre-recorded segments from individuals who have received Arts Commission
or Economic Development grants or started out in the Piedmont Food and Agricultural
Processing Center (PFAP) or LAUNCH would highlight local successes, emphasizing the
County’s efforts to boost local businesses and start-ups.
Option 2: A live event to be held in the fall
The event would be held in the morning at the Whitted Building, or another location, with a
breakfast and then sessions afterwards. The target date would be sometime after the Board’s
summer break.
Option 3: Combination of a live event in the fall with potential involvement of WCHL and
simulcast on the County’s government channel (1301)
The event would be held in the morning at the Whitted Building (or Southern Human Services
meeting room), with a breakfast and then sessions afterwards. The target date would be
sometime after the Board’s summer break.
The four topics below were initially developed for the one-hour discussions under Option 1, or
as a “choose one” for the Option 2 live event. Pending the Board’s preference regarding
Options 1, 2 or 3, the Board could choose to mix and match from among all four topics for the
Summit.
• Branding, Arts and Recreational Activities as Economic Drivers – The Orange
County/Chapel Hill Visitors Bureau recently completed an assessment of the
potential for a multipurpose sports/recreation facility. In addition, Orange County
already has existing assets (Soccer.com complex in Mebane and the Mountains to
the Sea Trail) that can be tapped to create more recreation-related tourism revenue
for the County.
• Agritourism and Local Agriculture – Orange County is home to many small
specialty farms that can attract visitors and create more economic output in the
County through more jobs (note the County hosts an Agriculture Summit each
winter that addresses many of these topics).
• Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Workforce Development and Job Creation –
What kind of jobs can we expect to bring to Orange County? UNC Hospitals and
the Hillsborough campus will create demand for more workers in the healthcare
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industry. What is Durham Technical Community College doing to help meet this
demand?
• Business/Industrial Recruitment or Other Hot Topic – In 2015, Orange County
Economic Development helped recruit Morinaga America Foods to a site in Mebane
for its first U.S. plant. In 2017, the County collaborated with the Town of Chapel Hill
to recruit a Wegman’s Supermarket to Chapel Hill. What is the County doing to
continue to attract new businesses and industries to the County.
Commissioner Price asked if there is an end product from this event, and the
investment of funds into it.
Todd McGee said Orange County is doing a lot with economic development, and
educating the residents about all that Orange County is doing is important. He said this would
be one of the benefits of this endeavor, and would allow the community to hear many of the
success stories.
Commissioner McKee said he would like to see the “business/industrial recruitment”
topic cover, including incentives that were used with Morinaga and Wegmans.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he liked option 3, taking place at Whitted and also
having a live feed.
Commissioner Rich said she also liked option 3, as it will provide an opportunity to
update the residents. She suggested using Facebook live during the event, as well as Twitter
too. She said the 6-week promotion would probably include having the Board of County
Commissioners doing radio promotion.
Todd McGee said the radio station would create a hash tag for the event in advance,
gather questions, and also do the Facebook live and Twitter.
Commissioner Jacobs said it would be good to have both personal and electronic
interactions. He said the County used to do an event like this, but the Chamber of Commerce
took over years ago, due to the County’s Economic Development office falling apart.
Commissioner Marcoplos said this could be the beginning of Orange County telling and
reclaiming its own story.
Chair Dorosin said there is consensus for option 3, and suggested picking the topics at
a later date.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Rich for the
Board to approve and authorize staff to proceed with a framework option allowing staff time to
plan the event and to hire any outside consultants/planners needed for Option 3.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
7. Reports
NONE
8. Consent Agenda
• Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
Item f by Commissioner Price
• Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
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A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price to
approve the remaining items on the Consent Agenda.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
• Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
f. Planning Document Amendment Outline Form – Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Area Access
Management Plan Update
Commissioner Price asked if the community will be able to see the plan before the
meeting.
Craig Benedict said yes, there will be a community outreach meeting, and the plan will
be available to all beforehand by hard copies or electronically on their website.
A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos to
move agenda item 8-f.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
a. Minutes – None
b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds
The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporate by reference, to release motor vehicle
property tax values for five taxpayers with a total of five bills that will result in a reduction of
revenue in accordance with NCGS.
c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds
The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, to release property tax
values for seven taxpayers with a total of twelve bills that will result in a reduction of revenue in
accordance with North Carolina General Statute 105-381.
d. Appointment of County Review Officers
The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign the resolution appointing Deborah
Blaylock, Kimberly P. Cecil and Dawn B. Perry to be Review Officers for Orange County.
e. Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application – Morgan Ridge Subdivision
The Board reviewed and took action on a Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat application. The
majority of the land area encompassing the project is located within Chatham County’s
planning jurisdiction while the proposed roadway access point is within Orange County.
f. Planning Document Amendment Outline Form – Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Area
Access Management Plan Update
The Board voted to initiate an update to the Efland-Buckhorn-Mebane Access Management
Plan.
9. County Manager’s Report
Bonnie Hammersley said there is an information item on the CIP, and she reviewed
some of the highlights below:
Sportsplex:
This project is currently under construction and is anticipated to be complete in the summer of
2018. Site work is largely complete, but has endured wet winter weather challenges. The
building construction is underway. County staff is working with the Town of Hillsborough and
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the Forest Ridge subdivision regarding the sidewalk expansion connecting the Sportsplex
property to the Forest Ridge subdivision.
Facility Accessibility and Safety Upgrades:
In FY2017-18 this project included installing security cameras at multiple facilities across the
County. All the cameras planned for installation in FY2017-18 have been installed and are
operational. The facilities that have new cameras include Efland Cheeks Community Center,
Rogers Road Community Center, Court Street Annex, Historic Courthouse, and the Orange
County Fuel Station. This project is complete.
Passmore Center Expansion:
This project is currently under construction and is anticipated to be complete in the late
summer of 2018. Site work is largely complete and, like the Sportsplex Fieldhouse, has
endured wet winter weather challenges. The building construction is anticipated to start late
spring.
Southern Campus Expansion:
The Board of County Commissioners awarded a professional services agreement with Smith
Sinnett Architecture on November 2, 2017. Both phases of this project are currently in the
schematic design phase. Schematic design includes programming, conceptual design, as well
as thorough technical review by the Town of Chapel Hill planning staff (as governed by the
master plan special use permit). The Board of Orange County Commissioners will review this
schematic design in June, 2018. Development design and construction documents for Phase 1
(Seymour Center expansion, roadway straightening, and additional Seymour Center parking)
are anticipated to be complete in the winter of 2018. Construction of Phase 1 is anticipated to
be complete is the late winter 2020. Phase 2 construction (meeting facility, Health and Dental
Clinic, Department of Social Services construction) is anticipated to start and finish
approximately nine months behind Phase 1 or in the late fall 2020.
Commissioner Jacobs referred to the Sportsplex, and said he saw a document stating
that the Town of Hillsborough did not require the developer of Forrest Ridge to provide a
sidewalk, and was trying to extort it from the County. He asked if there is an update on this
issue.
Jeff Thompson said staff worked with the Forest Ridge group, who is interested in a
connection, and the County is interested in a sidewalk. He said staff has arranged for Forrest
Ridge to pay for the area on its side of Highway 70, and the crossing over to connect to the
sidewalk on the County’s side of the facility.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if that is different from what the Town of Hillsborough
originally requested.
Jeff Thompson said the request came from Forrest Ridge. He said a sidewalk had
been planned, but DOT was contemplating widening highway 70, which put the sidewalk on
hold. He said the DOT widening issue was lifted at the same time that Forrest Ridge
requested a connection. He said Hillsborough helped with these negotiations.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if DOT will allow a crosswalk.
Jeff Thompson said yes, and it is on the Forrest Ridge component of the work. He said
it is a stamped crosswalk, and it does not have any other than signage, but it will be a safe
crosswalk.
Commissioner Rich asked if vehicles will know to stop for pedestrians at the crosswalk.
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Jeff Thompson said adequate signage will be posted, and a reduction in speed limit
has been requested, which DOT is evaluating. He said the speed limit is currently 40-45 miles
per hour.
Commissioner Rich said to keep an eye on this.
10. County Attorney’s Report
NONE
11. *Appointments
a. Carrboro Northern Transition Area Advisory Committee – Appointment
The Board considered making an appointment to the Carrboro Northern Transition Area
Advisory Committee.
A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
appoint the following to the Carrboro NTA Advisory Committee:
• Appointment to a second full term (Position #2) “BOCC Appointee” position for Anahid
Vrana expiring 01/31/2021.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
12. Information Items
• March 20, 2018 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List
• Tax Collector’s Report – Numerical Analysis
• Tax Collector’s Report – Measure of Enforced Collections
• Tax Assessor's Report – Releases/Refunds under $100
• Memorandum - FY2017-18 Capital Investment Plan Information Updates
13. Closed Session
NONE
14. Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Donna Baker
Clerk to the Board