HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 8-a - Minutes 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 7, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-a
SUBJECT: MINUTES
DEPARTMENT: Board of County
Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Minutes Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
(919) 245-2130
PURPOSE: To correct and/or approve the minutes as submitted by the Clerk to the Board as
listed below.
BACKGROUND: In accordance with 153A-42 of the General Statutes, the Governing Board has
the legal duty to approve all minutes that are entered into the official journal of the Board's
proceedings.
January 25, 2019 BOCC Retreat
February 12, 2019 BOCC Joint Meeting with Fire Departments (7:OOPM)
February 12, 2019 BOCC Joint Meeting with School Boards (8:30pm)
February 19, 2019 BOCC Regular Meeting
FINANCIAL IMPACT: NONE
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: NONE
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve minutes as presented
or as amended.
1
1 Attachment 1
2
3 DRAFT MINUTES
4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 ANNUAL PLANNING RETREAT
6 Cedar Grove Community Center
7 January 25, 2019
8 9:00 a.m.
9
10 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for their annual Board retreat on Friday,
11 January 25, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at the Cedar Grove Community Center in Hillsborough, N.C.
12
13 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Penny Rich and Commissioners Jamezetta
14 Bedford, Sally Greene, Mark Marcoplos, Earl McKee, and Renee Price
15 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
16 COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: John Roberts
17 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
18 Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker.
19 FACILITATOR: Will Dudenhausen, Dispute Settlement Center
20 Observers— Department Directors and members of the public and news media.
21 Department Heads: Quintana Stewart, Nancy Coston, Janice Tyler, Dinah Jeffries, Annette
22 Moore Steve Brantley, Sherrill Hampton, Theo Letman, Alan Dorman, Craig Benedict, Rachel
23 Raper Gary Donaldson. Duane Brinson, Jim Northup, David Stancil, Cait Fenhagen. Todd
24 McGee
25
26 Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
27
28 9:00 Convene
29
30 Chair Rich opened the meeting, and the facilitator welcomed the group, introduced
31 himself, credited the retreat committee, and went through general housekeeping items for the
32 group.
33 The facilitator reviewed the meeting plan for the group, which was approved by the
34 Board without any addenda.
35 Chair Rich greeted the group by thanking Orange County staff for their participation and
36 attendance. She also thanked the retreat committee for putting together the meeting plan.
37 She reminded the group about prior agreements to not use cell phones or laptops during the
38 meeting.
39 Bonnie Hammersley reminded the group of staff's role in the meeting, i.e. to act as a
40 resource and to present some brief information about each meeting topic. She said all
41 department directors were invited, but not all were able to attend. She discussed the theme for
42 the day, the rural-urban makeup of Orange County, and alluded to the presentation from Travis
43 Myren about the different demographics of these areas of Orange County.
44 Bonnie Hammersley welcomed the two new commissioners by describing a
45 conversation she had with Commissioner McKee about how much he learned about the urban
46 parts of Orange County when he was first elected and expressed hope that the icebreaker
47 would spur the same sort of understanding from the group. She turned the floor over to Travis
48 Myren.
49
50 9:20 Icebreaker Activity; Intracounty Differences - (Travis Myren/Bonnie Hammersley,
51 Orange County Commissioners) Maps and Overview followed by talk from board members;
2
1 discussion: what is an example of intergovernmental collaboration that has worked well, and
2 what is an example of where it has not; and for each, what was county's role in your example.
3
4 Travis Myren presented this item (maps)
5 • Urban/Rural Demographics and Characteristics
6 • Population Density plays a role in everything they will be talking about today and in how
7 we deliver services.
8 • Race— by census blocks-
9 Language —those who don't speak well or not at all- adults and children
10 Income— households receiving SNAP— and median house hold income- by census tract
11 Health Care—those adults/children receiving Medicaid by census tract
12
13 Intergovernmental Cooperation
14 Examples for Today
15 o Town and County
16 o County to County
17 o Regional Partnerships
18
19 Travis Myren said the maps and data he would use to present the intracounty
20 differences were prepared by NRI. He presented a map of population density and explained
21 how population density played a role in everything, from broadband access to transit, affordable
22 housing, and economic development.
23 Travis Myren presented a variety of maps starting with the racial makeup of the County
24 that used 2010 census data, highlighting the 70-85 corridor, going both directions. He then
25 presented a map highlighting areas of Limited English Proficiency, which also showed a similar
26 concentration along the corridor. He said much of that corridor contained affordable housing,
27 such as mobile homes. He said the adjacent map showed the percentage of children who spoke
28 little English.
29 Travis Myren then presented income maps, which showed the percentage of the
30 population receiving SNAP benefits. He said the map showed a similar concentration along the
31 Hwy 70-1-85 corridor with smaller pockets in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and the adjacent map
32 showed median household income of different sections of the county. He reviewed two more
33 income related maps, which also showed heavier concentrations of adults and children that
34 receive Medicaid benefits living along the Hwy70-1 -85 corridor.
35 Travis Myren said Orange County staff would present to the Board the various ways in
36 which the County works with towns, other counties, schools, and others in the region to work
37 towards solutions for affordable housing, transit, and economic development.
38
39 The facilitator asked for the group to begin discussion by reacting to the presentation by Travis
40 Myren.
41
42 Commissioner McKee described his perception of the more urban areas of Orange
43 County when he was elected. He said these perceptions were played out in the map
44 describing income, that showed the further south and east you went in Orange County, the
45 higher the income. He said he felt, at the time, that Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and much of the
46 southern part of the County were a different entity altogether. He said he did not feel that
47 southern Orange County represented the whole County, as his experience was living and
48 farming in northern Orange County.
49 Commissioner McKee said there was a need, when he was elected, to expand his
50 horizons to the southern part of the County. He said former Commissioner Alice Gordon, with
3
1 whom he initially felt like he had nothing in common, turned out to be a mentor for him. He said
2 the two could disagree politically, but were able to form a common path to make the County
3 better.
4 Commissioner McKee said even when Commissioners disagree, their diversity of
5 thought makes the County stronger.
6 Commissioner Marcoplos reminded the group that the divide in the County is often
7 described as Northern-Southern, when in fact it is more rural-urban. He said rural southwest
8 Orange area is the "lost corner" of Orange County, which consists of dairy farms and other rural
9 activity. He said it has more in common with northern Orange County than it does with Chapel
10 Hill.
11 Commissioner McKee agreed, and added that it has more in common with northern
12 Orange County than areas closer to Durham County. He said that 15 or 20 years ago he would
13 have been more likely to lump in southwest Orange with Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and that this
14 perception remains today with folks living in both areas.
15 Chair Rich reminded the group that many residents of Chapel Hill and Carrboro come
16 and go, while many rural residents have lived in the area for a long time. She said she wonders
17 if there is some resentment from folks that have lived here for so long, as a large portion of the
18 tax base lives in more transient urban areas. She said many Orange County families have lived
19 in the County for 200 or more years.
20 Commissioner McKee said he did not feel there was a personal resentment, but rather a
21 concern about the changes and new ideas the influx of people brings.
22 Chair Rich asked if it was resentment or fear of the changes.
23 Commissioner McKee referred to the history of Orange County in addressing the
24 question. He said during his time at North Carolina State University in the 1960's, he served in
25 different student organizations and felt he was fairly liberal politically, but when he returned to
26 Orange County and interacted with the county party, he realized many ideas he grew up with in
27 a rural area were not as progressive as he thought.
28 Commissioner McKee said resentment is created through fear of change and the
29 unknown, coupled with a reluctance to move out of comfort zones for people in rural areas of
30 Orange County.
31 Commissioner Marcoplos agreed that there was not personal resentment. He said he
32 has been a resident of rural Orange County for 25 years, and the transience in the urban areas
33 leads many residents to not understand the history of the County and the issues in the County,
34 which leads to a lot of political turnover due to contrasting views.
35 Commissioner McKee agreed and said Orange County's government has slowly moved
36 from rural areas dominating Orange County politics, to more representatives being elected from
37 the southern part of the county. He said around 1974 the first member was elected from in or
38 around Chapel Hill, and this trend continued through two more election cycles until urban areas
39 eventually took control of the board. He recognized that everything changed at that point, and
40 this created a lot of change in a relatively short period of time. He said this has lead to longtime
41 residents feeling that change, and seeing the County as quite different than the one in which
42 they grew up.
43 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the broader theme of intergovernmental collaboration
44 and how the prior conversations fit the theme so well. He said he did not want to further
45 entrench or exacerbate the divide and make it seem more significant than it is. He said the job
46 of the Board was to look at the needs of the County as a whole, referencing the maps from the
47 opening presentation showing needs across the County. He said the role of the Board of
48 County Commissioners should be to address unmet needs of citizens wherever they are in the
49 County, and not just areas that go unserved by town governments. He said that sort of thinking
50 is divisive and ignores the County's potential to serve all of its citizens in a variety of ways.
51
4
1 Commissioner Marcoplos asked about maps that show what commutes and other trips
2 look like for people moving from rural to urban areas.
3 Travis Myren said that in the light rail process there were some spaghetti maps
4 developed that show that.
5 Commissioner Greene said Chapel Hill had maps showing people commuting in and out
6 of Chapel Hill and were readily available, and also showed traffic in and out of the County.
7 Commissioner Price said the maps also show driving within the county. She said her
8 perspective, coming from 20 years living in the County and prior experience in both rural and
9 urban areas, is that everyone shares similar needs. She said they need food, access to
10 transportation, and better jobs, and the difference comes in how services are delivered, and
11 how the County collaborates with other jurisdictions to meet the needs of the citizens.
12 Commissioner Price said many of the people living in urban areas are not very far
13 removed from rural life, as many have only moved to more urban settings in the last generation
14 or half generation.
15 Commissioner Price said Hillsborough was experiencing a good deal of new residents
16 coming to a town where many residents have lived for a long time. She said she sees some
17 resentment coming from longtime residents, but has also seen some growth in bridge building.
18 She recalled a time when she was approached by a person who said to her, "You're not a
19 politician, because you didn't just start changing things." She said this is a perception people
20 have that politicians are not from here, and then make lots of changes.
21 Chair Rich spoke to the "One Orange County" idea referenced by Commissioner
22 Dorosin. She said sometimes the biggest challenge is not between residents of the County, but
23 leaders. She encouraged a continuing conversation to get the board on the same page, and
24 mentioned the counter-productive nature of competition over who gets political credit behind
25 ideas. She said the jurisdictions need to collaborate to solve issues for the greater benefit of the
26 County.
27 Commissioner Dorosin said all local elected officials need to be able to tell their
28 constituents how actions taken outside of their jurisdiction benefit the County as a whole. He
29 said there needs to be more recognition that what benefits the County as a whole, generally
30 benefits the municipalities and vice versa.
31 Chair Rich said this does not happen often.
32 Commissioner Dorosin said it is important to be able to justify the decisions they make
33 by noting how they benefit the entire county. He cited the Wegman's and Hillsborough EDD as
34 examples of projects the County has invested in that benefit the County as a whole.
35 Commissioner McKee said he had been questioned quite sharply by constituents on why
36 the County put money into Wegmans, as it was in Chapel Hill. He said he responded by
37 explaining that Chapel Hill and Orange County collaborated on that project, and that Wegmans
38 had a choice to be across the county line in Durham, but ultimately chose an Orange County
39 location because of congruence with values and viewpoints.
40 Commissioner McKee also cited Morinaga as an example, where skepticism proved to
41 be strong but the results were ultimately similarly strong. He said there was a lot of skepticism
42 on why Orange County was incentivizing a large corporation, and his response was that
43 projects like this keep tax rates down now and in the future.
44 Commissioner Greene asked if those answers were satisfying to residents.
45 Commissioner McKee said he was not sure their minds were changed, but these
46 examples were evidence that good collaboration has been improving in recent years. He said,
47 conversely, there has been less of a common direction in affordable housing, and further work is
48 needed in that area.
49 Commissioner Price said projects like Morinaga became palatable to people when they
50 realized there would be jobs attached to the project. She said Wegmans will eventually be
51 accepted for the same reason, but skepticism remains due to the project being located in
5
1 Chapel Hill and residents from unincorporated areas not understanding how it benefits them.
2 She stressed the need to communicate more effectively to constituents how they benefit from
3 decisions made on projects within jurisdictions.
4 Commissioner McKee recalled a conversation he had with a long-time resident who had
5 myriad complaints about the County government. He said he finally asked the resident, "What
6 do want me to do?" and the response was, "Put it back like it was." He said his response was
7 that the 1950's were not very good for a lot of people, and even if he could put it back, he would
8 not.
9 Commissioner Marcoplos said he recognized the need to communicate more with the
10 public in a time where the traditional media is not as robust as it once was. He said this has
11 resulted in a system where Chapel Hill and Carrboro get a lot of media coverage, but many
12 times more consequential decisions made at the County level are ignored. He said the number
13 of papers who have stopped publishing or had reduced coverage and readership.
14 Commissioner Price said many times people living in unincorporated areas want to be
15 recognized and have healthy representation from their local officials, as well as recognition that
16 what benefits rural areas of the County also benefits the municipalities.
17 Commissioner Dorosin said the representatives from municipalities need to speak to
18 this. He said an intergovernmental effort was needed to communicate to the public, such as a
19 website, where economic development and other successes could be listed on the website,
20 which could be hosted by the County. He said buy-in is needed from municipalities to truly
21 recognize the One County vision. He said there also needs to be recognition that the County is
22 interconnected and success is shared across the county. He expressed gratitude that the
23 conversation was happening as early as it was, before the Assembly of Governments meeting.
24 Commissioner Price recognized Annette Moore, of Human Rights and Relations for
25 pushing the "One Orange" theme. She also mentioned the publications that highlighted these
26 themes and successes throughout the County.
27 Chair Rich said it is important to recognize positives and successes, as opposed to
28 dwelling on the negative, when talking with the other jurisdictions. She said it makes it a lot
29 easier to have conversations about more difficult issues.
30 Commissioner Dorosin said a collaborative relationship with towns existed based on
31 funding for things like economic development, and this was an incentive for all to communicate
32 positively together on a "one orange" message.
33 Bonnie Hammersley said this was a good and robust conversation, and it would be a
34 good way to begin discussions at the Assembly of Governments.
35 Chair Rich agreed.
36 Commissioner McKee said he could provide an opening to the conversation based on
37 his perspectives at the AOG.
38 Bonnie Hammersley said when she moved here, people were upset with her for living in
39 Chapel Hill and not in "Orange County". She said Commissioner McKee's recollection of history
40 for the group was helpful in her understanding of how Orange County works.
41
42 Affordable Housing; Background
43 • Background Presentation (Sherrill Hampton): Affordable Housing; Existing programs,
44 successes and needs, budget and funding streams
45 • Open Discussion: Identifying priorities and consensus on affordable housing in Orange
46 County among the Board of County Commissioners
47 • Agreement on priorities to be discussed
48
49 Sherrill Hampton presented this item:
50
51 AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERVIEW
6
1 BY THE
2 HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
3 DEPARTMENT
4
5 For the past year and a half the department, under the leadership of a new Department
6 Director, has undertaken an internal review of its activities in order to complete a
7 restructure to more fully realize its County charge, as well as enhance effective use of
8 available resources.
9 The information shared today hopefully will provide guidance to the BOCC as it
10 reviews and sets policy for ongoing strategies to meet Orange County's identified
11 affordable housing and community development needs.
12 Current Conditions:
13 ❑ According to the 2017 Census data, Orange County has 138,644 residents, which is an
14 increase of 18% over the total population reported in 2000.
15 ❑ Of the County's households making less than $50,000 per year, 64% or 13,160 are housing
16 cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their gross income towards housing.
17 Of the total households in the County, 20% make less than 30% of AMI or$22,470
18 ❑ The median rent for a 3-bedroom unit is $1,470.
19 o As an update, the mean or average rent for a 3-bedroom unit in
20 Hillsborough as of January 2019 is $1176.
21 o In Chapel Hill, the mean or average rent for a 3-bedroom is $1792 as of
22 January 2019.
23 ❑ According to the OC Affordable Housing Coalition's 2018 Summit Report:
24 o Between 2009 and 2015, there has been a 16% increase in the cost of
25 rental housing in the County.
26 o There are zero (0) rental units of any size that are affordable to the 20%
27 of households who earn less than 30% of AMI.
28 In 2015, only 3% of the total housing units in the County were permanently affordable according
29 to the HUD definition of permanently affordable.
30 o The gap between the supply and the need for affordable housing is
31 wide.
32 o Seniors are the most cost-burdened age group.
33 o The number of low income households decreased more in Orange
34 County as compared to surrounding counties.
35 See Attachment A— Orange County Infographic.
36 Note that data in this section was derived from the 2012-2016 American
37 Community Survey's 5-year estimates, as well as Rentcafe.
38
39 Orange County FY 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan:
40 ❑ Identified the dire lack of affordable housing for very low income individuals and
41 families as one of the greatest needs.
42 ❑ Identified housing for persons age 62 and above as another of the greatest
43 needs.
44 ❑ Showed that there is a lack of"accessible" housing units in the County. Not
45 including elderly housing units, it appears that there is a need for at least 150
46 new accessible units.
7
1 ❑ Stated that while rising real estate values are good, it will also negatively impact
2 very low, low and moderate income individuals and families living in the County.
3 Other Key OCH&CD Findings:
4 ❑ Orange County lacks good infrastructure (water and sewer) in areas that may be
5 suitable and available for affordable housing development.
6
7 ❑ Cited housing rehabilitation assistance as another top need for both owner and
8 renter-occupied units where very low and low income individuals and families
9 reside.
10 ❑ Stated that approximately 40.5% of the housing units were built before 1980 and
11 therefore have a potential for lead-based paint hazards.
12 ❑ Cited a great need for an increase in the availability of mental health and
13 substance abuse case management and treatment for persons experiencing
14 and/or at risk of homelessness. Also stated that there is a need for more free
15 healthcare for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming
16 homeless.
17 Data in the Consolidated Plan was derived from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey.
18
19
20 Homelessness:
21 ❑ During the 2018 Point-in-Time Count, a total of 152 persons were determined
22 homeless.
23 ❑ The Point-in-Time Count noted that "chronic homelessness" in the County
24 decreased by 50% since 2010. See information in Attachment A section.
25 Other Key OCH&CD Findings:
26 ❑ Orange County lacks good infrastructure (water and sewer) in areas that may be
27 suitable and available for affordable housing development.
28 ❑ There is a lack of County-owned vacant land suitable for development.
29 ❑ There is a need for a review of land use, zoning and development regulations in
30 order to identify needed changes to facilitate affordable housing in the County.
31
32 Sherrill Hampton said they need to look at their regulatory requirements and how it affects the
33 attraction of developers and affordable housing development.
34
35 EXISTING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES- Graph
36 A Few Of The Current Items Being Evaluated By Staff.•
37 OCH&CD staff are currently reviewing the current questions in order to enhance program
38 services:
39 ❑ How can the County maximize its use of Affordable Housing Bond Funds? Do
40 they need a pre-development fund? Acquisition loans- landbanking- rental
41 rehabilitation
42 ❑ What will be the County's strategy for helping to preserve "naturally-occurring"
43 affordable housing? How might this be undertaken collaboratively with other
44 jurisdictions?
8
1 ❑ How can the County, working collaboratively, facilitate the enhancement of
2 permanent supportive housing?
3
4 Sherrill Hampton opened her presentation by greeting the group and offering her support
5 for a "One Orange" vision. She said her department had gone through a lot of restructuring and
6 planning over the last few years, and had worked with two firms to generate the data in her
7 presentation.
8 Sherrill Hampton said 64% of total households making less than $50,000/year were
9 "cost burdened" by housing (when a household spends more than 30% of their annual income
10 on housing).
11 Sherrill Hampton said the median rent for a 3-bedroom was $1470, and the discrepancy
12 between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill for mean and median rent on 3-bedroom rentals. She
13 said seniors were the most cost-burdened age-group in Orange County, with a widening gap
14 every year.
15 Commissioner Dorosin asked if"permanently affordable" could be defined.
16 Sherrill Hampton said this included government subsidized housing, land trust owned
17 land, and some others. She said the definition was derived by HUD and did not include the
18 private market.
19 Commissioner Greene said HUD's definition meant the properties would be affordable
20 for only 30 years and asked about deed-restricted housing.
21 Sherrill Hampton said those did not count in the overall numbers.
22 Chair Rich asked about land that may be unsuitable for development in the county
23 because of water/sewer access.
24 Sherrill Hampton said this land referenced land where there were not existing county
25 services, especially water and sewer, and the significant costs development entailed. The group
26 noted that the rural buffer was most of what was referenced here.
27 Commissioner Marcoplos said the Green Tract was a priority before the rural buffer.
28 Sherrill Hampton turned the conversation to the consolidated plan, which is to be
29 updated in 2020, led by the local government collaborative. She said, of the 9 County-owned
30 sites, maybe 2 of them would be suitable for affordable housing development due to
31 topographical challenges. She reviewed information about both homelessness and existing
32 programs and services.
33 Sherrill Hampton described the toolbox the County had at its disposal for working
34 through the challenge of affordable housing. She said the key areas to look at are: affordability,
35 availability, and accessibility. She said affordability is created by land cost regulations and
36 supply; and accessibility asks the question of whether or not housing is actually accessible to
37 people.
38 Sherrill Hampton said development, preservation, and supportive services make up the
39 toolbox. She then turned the attention towards goals, namely: expanding supply, improving
40 quality, increasing choices, and fostering diverse and livable neighborhoods. She said the
41 Fairview neighborhood and Tinted Woods community as examples, as well as some
42 neighborhoods out on 54. She reviewed efforts to enhance these communities.
43 Sherrill Hampton said there are several funding sources: the bond, the home program,
44 the land-banking fund, and the home park program, as well as preservation and supportive
45 housing programs. She said the team was looking at how to better utilize the bond for affordable
46 housing to take advantage of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing Units. She said 90% of
47 these occurred in urban-poor areas, which she sees this as an opportunity for collaboration with
48 the towns.
49
9
1 Sherrill Hampton described the rental rehabilitation fund and whether it should be
2 expanded.
3 Sherrill Hampton said the affordable housing goals were being met as it relates to
4 preservation activities.
5 Commissioner Marcoplos asked about the urgent repair program.
6 Sherrill Hampton said it is a state and locally funded major program. She said the cost of
7 repair was most times much more than the $8000 given by the program, and that the additional
8 funds from the BOCC were appreciated. She said that single-family funding was very important,
9 but additional investments would be needed; and the cost and extent of repairs, and a greater
10 pool of contactors would be needed as well.
11 Commissioner Dorosin asked about a theoretical house that needed $35,000 of repairs,
12 and whether they would have to come back multiple times.
13 Sherrill Hampton described the variety of grants that could be leveraged to pay for a
14 project, including state and local funds. She said these are deed-restricted, revolving loans.
15
16 The Board began a discussion on affordable housing and areas for broad consensus.
17
18 Commissioner Bedford said it is important to include thoughts on transportation with the
19 affordable housing discussion.
20 Commissioner Marcoplos said the urgent repair funds are very important, and urged the
21 group to consider expanding that program, with the possibility of partnering with local training
22 programs and community colleges. He suggested a one or two-day "building blitz" with donated
23 supplies to participate in the urgent repair program as an annual event.
24 Chair Rich said it is important to get housing density in the right places, especially
25 around transit stops and the Greene Tract.
26 Commissioner McKee asked about having a conversation of moving into the rural buffer.
27 Commissioner Marcoplos said he was skeptical there would be consensus.
28 Chair Rich said she believed the Board should use available land and incentives to build
29 affordable housing.
30 Commissioner Greene said increasing the county's supply of land would also be
31 important.
32 Chair Rich agreed.
33 Commissioner Dorosin said the biggest issue with the rural buffer is a lack of
34 infrastructure. He expressed skepticism that using Habitat for Humanity, the Land Trust, and the
35 occasional DHIC project would produce more than incremental results. He said that investment
36 in housing supply and business required investment in infrastructure.
37 Commissioner Dorosin said without infrastructure investment, all investment would be in
38 municipalities.
39 Commissioner Greene echoed Commissioner Bedford's point about investing in areas
40 that have access to transit.
41 Commissioner Dorosin said access to transit disqualified too many areas, perhaps.
42 Commissioner Greene referred to Carrboro's use of a formula that recognized the large
43 cost that transit had on citizens.
44 Commissioner Bedford said she hoped for a further conversation around transit
45 expansion.
46 Chair Rich echoed the potential of using existing infrastructure in economic development
47 districts for encouraging housing investments.
48 Commissioner Bedford said there are lessons to be learned about RTP, and the lack of
49 mixed-use development that has increased costs for people that work there while also
50 exacerbating traffic issues.
10
1 Commissioner McKee said the rural buffer area has become sacrosanct, and that
2 investment may be needed outside of the towns to truly take on the affordable housing issue.
3 He said land costs were many times too high in urban areas to create affordability. He said the
4 entire County needed to have that conversation.
5 Commissioner Marcoplos said they agree more than he realizes. He said some areas
6 might be good to think about, and expressed that he is open to the discussion. He said there
7 were different types of transportation that made areas accessible, and offered the possibility of
8 senior neighborhoods with van transportation.
9 Commissioner Dorosin said he wanted to make sure the group considered incentivizing
10 participation in housing choice voucher programs for landlords that also participate in rehab
11 programs. He said investment in development of the types of housing that are affordable here,
12 like manufactured housing, was worth considering. He said 0% of houses are affordable for
13 people making less than 20% AMI.
14 Chair Rich said there was disagreement about density within the Chapel Hill Town
15 Council, and it has resulted in some difficulties in collaboration. She said this has kept the
16 Greene Tract Committee from moving forward.
17 Commissioner Bedford echoed concern for those making less than 20% AMI, and also
18 said those with felony convictions have a lot of trouble finding housing. She said UNC held
19 some responsibility to aid in affordable housing discussions, and there is also an issue with a
20 lack of funding. She pointed to some land in Morris Grove, which has some issues including
21 road accessibility.
22 Chair Rich expressed concern that jointly owned land sometimes prohibited investment
23 without partners due to issues like zoning.
24 Commissioner Price echoed the importance of having discussions around land in the
25 rural buffer and land outside Hillsborough, with some very high water and sewer costs. She
26 expressed an interest in seeing affordable housing discussions as also community
27 development, discussions.
28 Commissioner Marcoplos said he is concerned that Hillsborough does not have an
29 affordable housing program.
30 Commissioner Price agreed.
31 Commissioner Marcoplos said land around Hillsborough was cheaper than other
32 available land.
33 Commissioner Dorosin said this fits in a "One County" vision, and that the County can
34 work with them to develop more plans if it gets a lot of traction.
35
36 The meeting stopped for a break at approximately 11:00 a.m.
37
38 Affordable Housing; Areas for Intergovernmental Collaboration- Travis Myren
39 Brief talk from staff(Travis Myren) about existing collaboration with 4 jurisdictions
40 • What is notable about efforts of the four identified jurisdictions relating to affordable
41 housing? How are we currently collaborating with the four identified jurisdictions on the
42 issue of affordable housing that fit within our priority areas? What other information do
43 we need?
44 • What are other areas of potential collaboration that exist? How can we explore these?
45 Who will be responsible for this? What are next steps and what resources are needed?
46
47 Affordable Housing; Areas for Intergovernmental Collaboration
48 Travis Myren reviewed issues concerning current areas of collaboration on affordable
49 housing. He mentioned local government collaborative, which includes elected officials and
11
1 senior housing staff from the jurisdictions. He said they are currently working on new units, high
2 priority areas, and housing for teachers and other target populations.
3 Travis Myren described the differences between rural and urban areas, and how
4 strategies had to be different in the different areas. He said transportation, as fixed routes are
5 especially unfeasible in rural areas, made the needs and strategies in each area different. He
6 said if transportation is a high priority, investments should probably be made in urban areas.
7 Travis Myren described work with the towns on the Greene Tract, and the other areas
8 available for development. He said he hoped to have a revised agreement from the group on
9 how the Greene Tract is to be developed.
10 Travis Myren said mobile homes are being displaced, and collaboration occurred
11 between the County on mitigating the displacement of residents. He said there have been
12 conversations concerning flooding at Camelot in Chapel Hill and how that affected not only
13 emergency services, but also affordable housing supply.
14 Bonnie Hammersley said the town mayors and chairs have been meeting concerning
15 development of the Greene Tract, and this same team worked on Rogers Road. She added
16 said staff teams are continuing to meet but are waiting on the towns for direction.
17 The facilitator framed the ensuing conversation to be focused on collaboration. He said
18 the group had broad consensus on the definition of the problem and many steps that needed to
19 be taken, as well as broad agreement that more housing was needed that was affordable,
20 livable, had access to transportation and services. He said the BOCC desires to have
21 discussions around the rural buffer area, density of housing desired in different areas, and
22 incentivization of efforts in rehabilitation and possibly land acquisition. He said there are some
23 target populations: those that are below 20% AMI, ex-felons, those that are being displaced,
24 and local employees.
25 Commissioner Greene said she wanted to address structural issues with this
26 conversation in addressing interjurisdictional cooperation. She said the issue was not new and
27 went back a long time. She said there was a time, prior to the arrival of the current County
28 Manager, when there was broad agreement to put together an affordable housing group among
29 the local government entities. She said not much came from it, until finally the local government
30 Collaborative was formed. She said she was worried that it was not as effective as it could be.
31 She asked the group about its effectiveness.
32 Commissioner Marcoplos said he is the current BOCC representative to the local
33 government collaborative, and the group has developed a list of priorities, with more
34 collaboration amongst stakeholders as a high priority. He said the group was often focused on
35 performing tasks such as working on agreements for HUD, and that opportunities for
36 collaboration are limited as the group is currently constructed.
37 Commissioner Greene said the group was meant to be a collaborative, but has ended up
38 being focused on minutiae.
39 Commissioner Dorosin said the group needs a specific charge to collaborate.
40 Commissioner Greene agreed.
41 Commissioner Dorosin credited the staffs with a more collaborative relationship than the
42 elected officials. He said that while the group has succeeded as a vehicle for information
43 sharing, it has not grown past that.
44
45 Commissioner Marcoplos said the group was working towards a more collaborative
46 relationship as he rotated off the committee, and some of it is due to turnover.
47 Chair Rich said the group only meets quarterly, and perhaps it should meet monthly.
48 Commissioner Greene said the group should focus more on policy.
49 Commissioner Dorosin said the local government entities needed to agree on highest
50 priorities as the resources for affordable housing are limited. He said low-cost rentals and low-
51 income seniors are potential priorities, along with other identified priorities. He said the entities
12
1 need to also agree broadly on policy. He suggested it could be access to infrastructure or
2 transit, or perhaps a preference for high-density projects to prioritize spending, which would also
3 have to be agreed upon. He said if they could agree on that, it would frame the conversation in
4 a better way. He said he sees this as a framework for the group to work on.
5 Commissioner Greene concurred that the group needed such a framework. She said the
6 lack of such a framework and plan for the group has handcuffed it. She said she wants to
7 communicate broad priorities clearly and have a group that might also include non-profits and
8 other stakeholders.
9
10 There seemed to be broad agreement among the group to work an existing group towards
11 further collaborative efforts and agreements on policy.
12
13 Commissioner Marcoplos added to the conversation about prioritization by referencing
14 Durham's efforts.
15
16 The facilitator summarized the next steps in affordable housing:
17
18 - Create a coalition for affordable housing or leverage an existing group- Policy Focused
19 - ID priorities, needs, and target groups to be served
20 - Continue discussion with other government entities to continue moving the conversation
21 forward
22 - Develop a charge for the new group
23 - Use the Greene Tract as a case study and model for future use by the group
24 - Invite Hillsborough and Mebane, and get input from all on agenda and charge.
25
26
27 Lunch Break: 12:00 p.m.- 12:45 p.m.
28
29
30 12:45 Transit; Background
31
32 • Background Presentation (Theo Letman): Public Transit; Current Role of Orange
33 County, unmet needs existing programs, budget and funding streams
34 • Open Discussion: Identifying gaps and priorities on how Orange County Board of
35 Commissioners can assist with the need for greater access to public transit in the county
36 • Agreement on priorities to be discussed
37
38 Theo Letman presented the following PowerPoint presentation:
39 Theo Letman said the role of Orange County Public Transportation in providing
40 transportation in urban and rural transportation that works with regional partners and partners
41 with other counties. He said the County delivers 3 fixed routes and multiple demand-response
42 services and has 23 employees and 17 light transit vehicles. He referenced a new program,
43 which would establish a transit demand management program. He said OPT also works to
44 improve transit in the area by working to encourage carpooling and using public transit systems.
45
46 Public Transportation: Current Role of Orange County
47
48 Background:
13
1 • Orange County Public Transportation is the County's transit system, providing both
2 urban and rural transportation, in partnership with Go Triangle and Chapel Hill Transit
3 systems.
4 • OCPT operates within Orange County and also enters into neighboring counties. OCPT
5 currently delivers 3 fixed routes and multiple demand response services such as
6 Medicaid transportation, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Rural Operating
7 Assistance and Senior transportation.
8 • OCPT currently has 23 employees, and operates a fleet of 17 LTV (light transit vehicles),
9 which are maintained by AMS (Asset Management Service) mechanics.
10 • With grant funding from TJCOG (Triangle J Council of Governments), Orange County
11 was able to establish a TDM (Transportation Demand Management) program, purposed
12 in reducing traffic and air pollution by promoting commute alternatives such as transit,
13 telework, carpooling, vanpooling, biking and walking.
14 UNMET NEEDS- Existing Programs
15 In 2018 Orange County partnered with Go Triangle and Nelson Nygaard consultant
16 group to produce a Short Range Transit Plan, which included public participation and is
17 fiscally constrained.
18 • The Plan identifies recommendations to serve unmet transit needs: providing transit
19 service coverage to the rural areas ("Mobility on Demand" aka- micro transit), increased
20 trip frequency and service hours for the fixed routes, and adding various transit
21 amenities such as bus shelters, and park and ride locations.
22 • OCPT is upgrading its dispatching and scheduling system to take advantage of the latest
23 technology in the industry to manage the various services we provide and provide an
24 external platform for patrons to access real time ride information and schedule trips.
25 BUDGET
26 • OCPT has increased its budget annually over the last few fiscal years. Total in operating
27 grant revenue since FY16:
28 FY16 - $414,742
29 FY17 - $572,881
30 FY18 - $855,798
31 FY19 - $1,619,044
32 • -FY16 first fiscal year OCPT was a stand alone department
33 • -FY17, first year of OCPT with new Transit Director
34 • *Source: Munis reports
35
36 FUNDING SOURCES:
37 In 2017 Orange County Public Transportation became aware of various "Urbanized
38 Area" grant funds that have been apportioned to Orange County by the FTA (Federal
39 Transit Administration), through the two MPO's (Metropolitan Planning Organizations)-
40 DCHC (Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro) and Burlington Graham; and "Air Quality" grant
41 funds through TARPO (Triangle Area rural Planning Organization). Listed below are the
42 multiple funding sources available to OCPT for Operations, Administrative and Capital
43 assistance for both the rural and urbanized areas.
44 Federal
45 -5307 Urbanized area grants- DCHCMPO, BGMPO apportionments
46 -5310 Senior programs transportation- through Orange County Department on Aging
47 -5311 CTP (Community Transportation Program)- Rural area administrative grant
48 -5339 Bus and Bus Facilities- Capital purchases of replacement vehicles and equipment
49 State
50 -Article 43 Tax district- includes transit sales tax proceeds and vehicle registration fees
14
1 -Medicaid transportation —through Orange County Department of Social Services
2 -ROAP- Rural Operating Assistance Program (EDTAP, RGP, EMPL)
3 -CMAQ- Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant-through TARPO
4
5 OCPT Ride Data and Statistics- slide
6
7 The median cost is $14, and that includes everything.
8 He said residents are charged $12.50.
9
10 ORANGE COUNTY TRANSIT PLAN:
11 • The Orange County Transit Plan final draft was prepared by Go Triangle, and the
12 consultant firm Nelson Nygaard in the fall 2018.
13 • Nelson Nygaard was also contracted to do the short range transit planning for Wake
14 County, Go Triangle and Chapel Hill Transit.
15 • The report covers existing conditions public outreach and involvement, future service
16 strategies and service prioritizations based on existing funding and projections.
17 • The plan provides mobility options for the residents of Orange County which will provide
18 connectivity with our transit partners throughout the region.
19 • BOCC inquiries about the Transit Plan
20
21 Conclusion
22 • OCPT is committed to provide SAFE, CUSTOMER FOCUSED, and QUALITY
23 Transportation services for our community, Orange County North Carolina.
24
25 Theo Letman described the Short-Range Transit Planning process that involves the
26 public in a fiscally constrained planning process to identify and meet unmet needs. He said
27 there is a need to focus on needs in the rural areas. The planning process also plans to look at
28 micro-planning processes used in other areas of the country. The study also plans to look at
29 more frequent routes, as opposed to just looking at different routes.
30 Theo Letman also referenced the purchase of new dispatching software, where
31 customers can access planning services from their cell phones. The software also includes bus
32 tracking software. He then spoke to revenue streams and their increase since 2016. He
33 mentioned that OPT was able to access some funds designed for urban areas that they didn't
34 know about before.
35 Chair Rich asked questions about rider copay on some programs, which equaled $3.00
36 and $12.75 each way.
37 Commissioner Dorosin asked how much it cost the county.
38 Theo Letman said their costs were at $14.51/ride, and that is good for the area.
39 Theo Letman said the rider statistics show over 21,000 riders fixed route and 32,000
40 demand response riders.
41 Travis Myren said demand-response is the bulk of the ridership.
42 Chair Rich asked what demand would continue to grow.
43 Theo Letman said a lot of riders were elderly and that number should continue to grow.
44 He said UNC and Duke had outpatient centers accessible via OPT now.
45 Commissioner Dorosin asked about the decline from 2016-2018.
46
47 Theo Letman said this was caused by the discontinuation of two fixed routes, which
48 were non-compliant.
49 Commissioner Dorosin asked about private transportation service.
15
1 Theo Letman said there is one, and that some apartment neighborhoods and senior
2 living neighborhoods also have this as a service they provide.
3 Theo Letman described the planning report, which was received in late 2018. He also
4 had some answers from inquiries at a previous board meeting. He said the question about the
5 Hillsborough Circulator would be addressed soon and that article 43 money would be used.
6 Theo Letman said instituting a fare on the Hillsborough Circulator would require a public
7 hearing. He also said that a zone fare structure may be required for a micro-transit operation.
8 Commissioner Marcoplos received an answer to the White Cross transit project. He
9 replied that it would be difficult to reprioritize based on the involvement of GoTriangle and
10 Chapel Hill Transit.
11 Theo Letman said that OPT is committed to providing safe, customer-focused, public
12 transportation services for the community.
13 Chair Rich asked about the Hillsborough circulator and the reverse circulator. She said it
14 is time to work towards a MOU with Hillsborough on this, especially if it is to remain fare-free.
15 Commissioner Dorosin suggested an in-kind system to work with them when it comes to
16 sidewalks and developments.
17 Chair Rich said it is time for a partnership and Hillsborough will soon have more
18 resources.
19 Commissioner Marcoplos asked about timeframe on the reverse circulator.
20 Theo Letman responded that he hopes for FY2020 as the rollout.
21 Commissioner McKee said this will give them time to talk with Hillsborough.
22 Theo Letman described the on-demand structure and how rides are scheduled based on
23 mutual scheduling. He said that it is based on demand at the time. Commissioner McKee noted
24 that sometimes this could lead to all-day trips for people, as people have to wait for other
25 passengers to be ready to return. He said that is why he likes the idea of micro-transit.
26 Commissioner Dorosin asked for clarification on how micro-transit works.
27 Theo Letman used the example of dialysis and explained that it may make sense to
28 have micro-transit available to people when using vans is inefficient.
29 Commissioner McKee concurred and explained that dialysis is exactly the type of
30 example he is thinking of.
31 Commissioner Price asked what is delaying the Reverse Circulator route.
32 Theo Letman said GoTriangle has asked them to hold off until the completion of the
33 planning assessment.
34 Bonnie Hammersley said there is clear vision for OPT, which includes a heavier focus on
35 on-demand services, as that is the most appropriate role for OPT.
36 Bonnie Hammersley said she wanted to address the Orange-Alamance run, which is
37 seeing low ridership. She wondered if a public hearing would be necessary to end the route.
38 Theo Letman said a public meeting would not be required, and that the transit plan
39 contained some information on the low level of ridership for that route.
40 Bonnie Hammersley asked if the plan recommended cutting that route.
41 Theo Letman said the plan gave options for consideration given the finite resources
42 involved.
43 Bonnie Hammersley asked Mr. Letman to talk about the numbers for the midday,
44 Orange-Alamance route.
45 Theo Letman said there were only 66 riders all year on that route.
46 Commissioner Price asked whether the route itself is the problem, and a lack of public
47 input the cause of the problem. She compared it to the issues the Hillsborough Circulator
48 encountered at first that were caused by a similar lack of public input, so the route did not go
49 where people wanted to go. She said people consistently ask her when there will be a bus stop
50 along Highway 70.
16
1 Both Bonnie Hammersley and Theo Letman clarified that there are bus stops on
2 Highway 70, but those were only for the midday OPT route, not for the GoTriangle routes.
3 Commissioner Price said there is still a group that ends up unserved that work in retail
4 type jobs that start in the midday.
5 Bonnie Hammersley said the route's future is ultimately up to the BOCC, and they could
6 decide how to use the resources if they are hearing from residents.
7 There was then some agreement among the board that perhaps the Orange-Alamance
8 route would be better served by on-demand.
9 The facilitator clarified to the group that since they had made progress already on how
10 existing collaborations worked, they would combine the next two conversations. The group
11 would consider items for consensus as well as areas for intergovernmental collaboration in one
12 conversation. The group agreed.
13 The facilitator started the conversation by highlighting areas of consensus among the
14 group. The group agreed that partnership with Hillsborough is a priority and that talks had begun
15 already. The group also agreed that the train station and land use would be included.
16 Commissioner Dorosin said a memorandum of understanding should be developed that
17 included many aspects of county-town agreement on transit, including: bikes, the train station,
18 bus routes, sidewalk plans and more.
19 Chair Rich agreed that this is underway, and she supports a formal memorandum. She
20 said the Manager is already in contact with Hillsborough.
21 Bonnie Hammersley agreed, and said that she hopes to bring progress back to the
22 Board.
23 Commissioner Marcoplos said he is interested in having conversations with Hillsborough
24 around partnership, especially concerning the train station and economic development.
25 Commissioner Dorosin agreed, and said the booming population of Hillsborough creates
26 opportunities in all three themes of the day. He said offering support and forging a stronger
27 partnership would serve Hillsborough and the county.
28 Commissioner Price said she feels that there is also an opportunity for elected officials to
29 reach out, past just the staff level. She said it is important to approach them collaboratively.
30 Commissioner Dorosin brought up other collaborations and what is working well and
31 what needs to change. He said both the north-south bus rapid transit and the relationship with
32 GoTriangle are topics for discussion. He said the County feels like communication has been
33 difficult with GoTriangle in the past.
34 Commissioner Marcoplos reiterated that it is important for the County to lead with their
35 desire to support the whole County in discussions, especially about the train station. He said
36 the train station is a tremendous opportunity for collaboration in transit, economic development,
37 and affordable housing.
38 Chair Rich said the conversation needs to open, and that this is a good time to
39 reevaluate partnerships. She said that which is good for the jurisdictions, is good for the whole
40 County. She said she recently found out the train station was funded at a GoTriangle meeting,
41 not directly from Hillsborough.
42 Commissioner Dorosin said the BOCC has expressed interest in involvement with the
43 train station, but perhaps needed to take the next step of proactive planning as opposed to a
44 more ad hoc approach. He asked the group how they can better engage in that way.
45 Commissioner McKee said that while the BOCC has an appointee to the board of
46 GoTriangle that does not lead to leverage. He said he does not believe GoTriangle have been
47 great partners. He asked if the Board could create a better partnership with GoTriangle.
48
49 Commissioner Marcoplos said this is a long conversation to have, but there is a lot of
50 second-guessing of GoTriangle. He alluded to when the tunnel was announced in Durham, and
51 how people wanted answers as soon as it came out.
17
1 Commissioner McKee said his worries are not about that, but more about being kept up
2 to speed on issues like the train station.
3 Commissioner Marcoplos said communication is tricky on large projects that involve
4 complicated negotiation.
5 Commissioner McKee addressed the transit relationship with the Town of Carrboro by
6 encouraging a stronger relationship. He expressed interest in exploring the southern routes that
7 go in and out of Carrboro.
8 Chair Rich said Carrboro is represented through Chapel Hill Transit.
9 Commissioner Price said NCDOT wanted to widen 54 west of Carrboro, but Carrboro
10 was not necessarily supportive, as they prefer bike lanes or mass transit options. She said this
11 is evidence that Carrboro needs to be involved in the larger conversation as well.
12 Commissioner Marcoplos said Carrboro has an interest in being involved in the
13 conversation as they are affected by traffic in a way that other communities often aren't. The
14 group seemed to agree.
15 Commissioner Price stressed the importance of being in communication with all the
16 jurisdictions, using the train station as an example. She said she worries that plans get made
17 without input and knowledge of the other jurisdictions.
18 Commissioner Dorosin said transit is an excellent example of the "one Orange" theme.
19 He referenced transit and traffic issues that have an impact on the entire county. He said he
20 wants to collaborate in a way with other jurisdictions that encourages creating a unified vision
21 and recognizes that vision in project planning. He encouraged thinking that emphasizes
22 thinking of projects not as "Carrboro's thing" or"Mebane's thing", but as part of a grander vision
23 for the entire county. He said the BOCC is uniquely able to act as a convener of the County's
24 other jurisdictions because they have a responsibility to serve the entire county.
25 Commissioner Price reminded the group that many County residents rely on transit to
26 reach County services.
27 Commissioner McKee said he anticipated conversations where other jurisdictions will not
28 have money to pay for investment into collaborative projects. He said Orange County does not
29 have unlimited funds for this either.
30 Chair Rich said the BOCC did have a unique role to care about the rest of the
31 jurisdictions. She said she recently asked Travis Myren to find information on the bus that ran
32 to Durham Tech, only to find out it had been cancelled. She said this is as an example of the
33 difficulty of getting information, even on issues that directly affect the BOCC.
34 Commissioner Greene asked whether or not there is any leverage the County has to
35 preserve the Durham Tech route.
36 Travis Myren said these projects are funded through Article 43 tax money, which is
37 controlled by the County. He advised the group that this is where leverage would be, but said
38 that it is also a question of whether you want use leverage.
39 Bonnie Hammersley said the County has really tried to push for the Durham Tech route.
40 She credited Chapel Hill with looking at the issue before a decision was made, and said their
41 decision was made on ridership. She said it is important to signal your intent to collaborate to
42 benefit not just the whole County, but the jurisdictions as well. She said this helped her to
43 create a more collaborative environment when she started her role as County Manager.
44 Commissioner Marcoplos said there are good reasons the transit system is not going to
45 Durham Tech.
46 Commissioner Rich said her concern is with the lack of communication, not the decision
47 to which Chapel Hill eventually came.
48
49 Commissioner Greene referred to the Caraway Village approval process, and said they
50 set aside an acre for affordable housing apartments and that development had to be completed
51 within ten years or the land would revert to town ownership. She said this is a possibility for a
18
1 partnership with a developer for affordable housing in the development. She said this particular
2 development is close to 1-40 and mass transit.
3 Commissioner Bedford asked about the possibility of a unified software system for
4 transit that would work between transit authorities for access for seniors and others.
5 Theo Letman said this is in the works, and that the transit authorities grouped together to
6 make a software purchase more economical.
7 The facilitator noted some next steps on transit: starting conversations about a unified
8 transit vision for Orange County, creating a strong partnership with Hillsborough and creating an
9 MOU, revisiting conversations with Carrboro about transit west of 54.
10 Chair Rich asked about interjurisdictional transit groups.
11 Bonnie Hammersley said there have been some efforts at the staff level.
12 Commissioner Dorosin said an informal group meeting would be a good idea to explore
13 with colleagues in other jurisdictions.
14 Bonnie Hammersley said it is important for the department heads, in attendance today,
15 to hear the need for collaboration.
16 Commissioner Dorosin said the conversation on transit is also happening at an
17 opportune moment, as a collective conversation will be needed after a decision is made on the
18 light rail project.
19
20 Economic Development; Background
21 Steve Brantley said he will focus on three topics for his presentation: the recently
22 completed SWOT analysis of the economic development districts; Article 46 and examples of
23 use; and examples of intergovernmental collaboration for economic development.
24 Steve Brantley presented the three different economic development district and said the
25 Art's Commission is no longer a part of it. He described the state and county grants that go
26 towards economic development. He said while funding from the general fund has been flat for 8
27 or 9 years, funding from Article 46 has provided additional funding.
28 Steve Brantley said the SWOT analysis shows that there is less developable land than
29 initially thought when the economic development districts were created.
30 Steve Brantley said some projects necessitate more sewer capacity than the districts
31 can handle, and that home building has encroached on some of the districts, particularly the
32 Eno district. He said homes and industrial areas don't mix well together.
33 Steve Brantley said the SWOT analysis shows that sewer and water capacity has not
34 been finished in some areas that may be desirable for development, and the SWOT analysis
35 shows that land prices are too high for development.
36 Steve Brantley reviewed the recommendations made by the consultants: work with
37 Mebane on a water/sewer agreement, consider optioning or buying property, potentially build a
38 shell building on properties, explore properties outside the economic development districts, and
39 to look at properties close to current water/sewer planning.
40 Steve Brantley referenced two items from the September work sessions: pre-zoning
41 properties currently zoned Agriculture to Residential and a GIS site-selection study. He said the
42 study will look at the development potential of sites adjacent to Economic Development
43 Districts. He highlighted areas where residential areas are hindering industries from coming in,
44 and one area near Buckhorn Road where a property owner is selling property for residential
45 use.
46 Commissioner Price asked what is wrong with having residential areas in close proximity
47 to industry.
48
49 Steve Brantley answered that many potential investors have looked at property in the
50 districts and have been put off by nearby residential areas. He said the activities of industry and
51 residential areas do not mix, citing industry near children waiting for a bus as an example. He
19
1 said competition in nearby counties do not have as many residential areas close to areas ripe
2 for industrial development.
3 Commissioner Dorosin asked about possible solutions to this issue. He asked about
4 redrawing the districts.
5 Commissioner McKee said it is an option that needs to be considered and that the
6 viability of the current zones needs to be protected.
7 Commissioner Price said she is thinking more of Buckhorn Village.
8 Steve Brantley said it is about creating a critical mass of some sort of operation.
9 Commissioner Dorosin presented options including redrawing the districts to exclude
10 housing that exists and recruiting more compatible businesses. He said it is unfortunate that it
11 has been difficult to build on the momentum of Morinaga and asked for more options.
12 Travis Myren suggested that rezoning may be a tool.
13 Commissioner Rich echoed the call for options to deal with the incompatibility of
14 residential and industrial areas.
15 Commissioner Marcoplos asked for a continued update on the rezoning progress.
16 Steve Brantley said work is underway to identify properties for rezoning, and that there
17 are currently pieces of property unavailable to the county because they are not currently in the
18 Economic Development District. He noted a GIS study would help to value these properties. He
19 said when showing property to interested parties, it would be helpful to have a shell building to
20 show them.
21 Steve Brantley said sewer capacity limitations are also an issue, and suggested talking
22 to Mebane about changes to sewer restrictions.
23 Commissioner Dorosin asked about the most important step to be taken.
24 Steve Brantley said establishing the current districts as industrial or commercial areas is
25 a key step. He also suggested fast tracking utilities to these areas. He said an area near
26 Mebane where a letter of intent has been signed after phase 2 sewer was finished.
27 Commissioner Rich asked for other options besides light industrial.
28 Steve Brantley reminded the group that utilities have only been available since 2012.
29 Steve Brantley again asked the group if the districts should be redrawn. He said there is
30 some property that is currently for sale in the Buckhorn area.
31 Commissioner Greene asked about the prospect of an office park as opposed to an
32 industrial project.
33 Steve Brantley said office parks are often time created by developers as opposed to
34 industries. He did note that some developers have looked at some of the spaces for office
35 parks, but the area is not ultimately on par with RTP yet. He said that currently the properties
36 are most attractive to industry and warehousing.
37 Commissioner Price asked about the Gravelly Hill soccer fields, and the effect on
38 attracting industry.
39 Steve Brantley said the school can detract from the attractiveness. He said the solar
40 farm has an effect as it detracts from the available acreage.
41 Commissioner McKee asked about the pre-zoning again and an update.
42 Steve Brantley said he would send an email with the response from planning.
43 Commissioner Marcoplos asked for a draft rezoning plan.
44 Steve Brantley said there is not a plan yet, and the planning director announced that the
45 process has not begun on rezoning. He also addressed timing by saying that areas, which are
46 zoned as primary water and sewer areas, do not take long. He said land outside of those areas
47 takes significantly longer to rezone.
48 Commissioner McKee said there is a lack of developable land in the Eno district, and
49 suggested that it may be the place to pull back from. He said the area has changed a lot in the
50 30 years since the districts were developed, and that without developable land, chances to
20
1 attract industry will disappear. He said he fears that sitting back and doing nothing will result in a
2 lack of options. He said that residential development does not always break even.
3 Commissioner Dorosin refocused the conversation on economic development as a
4 county wide goal. He echoed Commissioner McKee's call for action and also called for
5 engaging colleagues in other jurisdictions. He referred to a recent request from Carrboro
6 concerning more Article 46 funding and other areas for potential collaboration in other
7 jurisdictions. He said the lack of return on investment in the current Economic Development
8 Districts makes the "one Orange" idea a tougher sell when the investments do not yield results.
9 Commissioner McKee said he is eager to see plans from the other jurisdictions on
10 economic development, and that he is more than willing to consider other ways to invest
11 resources.
12 Chair Rich said the conversation about economic development has been happening a
13 long time. She said the lack of a long-term strategy and a lack of consistent success in her 6
14 years on the board are both disappointing.
15 Commissioner Price said she supports considering changes to the Buckhorn district in
16 light of the SWOT analysis, as well as further conversations with jurisdictions about investment
17 inside the towns.
18 Commissioner Price said the lack of economic development impact has led to many
19 young people leaving the County because of better opportunities elsewhere.
20 Commissioner Marcoplos checked with the group about their support for making
21 changes in zoning for the Buckhorn economic development district. The group agreed that they
22 would at least like to see a plan.
23 Commissioner Marcoplos suggested that the Board should explore whether or not there
24 is a way to explore development of land along Highway 10 inside the rural buffer while honoring
25 the intent of the rural buffer. He suggested looking at rezoning there.
26 Commissioner Marcoplos also supported the idea of expanding the water and sewer
27 agreements with OWASA.
28 Commissioner Dorosin redirected the conversation to collaboration with other
29 jurisdictions.
30 Commissioner McKee said funds not working well in a district could be used in other
31 jurisdictions. He reminded the group that sewer and water have only been available in the
32 districts for 7 years.
33 Commissioner Dorosin said investments have been made and that residential growth
34 could be at risk.
35 Commissioner McKee reminded the group that the Gravelly Hill sewer and water access
36 wasn't put in for residential areas.
37 Steve Brantley said the perception that the Buckhorn district is a failure does not take
38 into account the competition 4 miles away in Alamance County.
39 Chair Rich said she never called it a failure, but does not see it progressing.
40 Steve Brantley said the SWOT analysis shows that Alamance is a significant competitor.
41 He said one of the most attractive pieces of land the county has contains no roads and utilities,
42 and a lack of utilities has hindered immediate progress. He said he has seen a lot of interest in
43 the districts and mentioned the success of attracting an industry when utilities were in place.
44 Steve Brantley then identified a piece of property off the interstate that has the best
45 appeal for investment.
46 Commissioner Dorosin asked why the county cannot meet with the owner and market
47 the property.
48
49 Steve Brantley said the property is outside the sewer/water agreement and has zoning
50 issues. He added that he is limited in what he can sell by what he can show, and the topography
51 is not ideal and houses are now in the areas.
21
1 Steve Brantley finished his presentation by showing the completions of the properties in
2 phase one and phase 2 and mentioned current interest in the properties.
3 Commissioner McKee said the date for work to begin on Eno is May 1st
4 Steve Brantley said it has been 9 or 10 years for the area to get water and sewer access
5 Commissioner Dorosin said he is worried that Eno Development District may end up a
6 "checkerboard" like the Buckhorn area after the wait for utilities. He praised the work of the
7 economic development team, and asked for priorities for change and overcoming strategies. He
8 said adding a parcel or cutting residential areas out of districts are options.
9 Steve Brantley said he would be happy to generate a list in conjunction with staff and
10 advisory board that would make recommendations on potential new acquisitions and changes to
11 existing zoning.
12 Commissioner Price asked if the group agrees about moving forward with the Eno
13 district.
14 Travis Myren said the process is in design, and money commitments are to be made
15 soon.
16 The Board moved forward with a discussion of interjurisdictional collaboration on
17 economic development at the suggestion of Commissioner McKee.
18 Commissioner McKee said it would be good for the group to consider alternate projects
19 to look at that could be collaborative projects. He also recognized that the board would have to
20 shift priorities if they want to focus on those projects, as funds are limited.
21 Commissioner Price said she wants to see a plan for intergovernmental collaboration
22 with the municipalities, especially for projects in unincorporated areas of the county close to the
23 urban areas.
24 Commissioner Dorosin said, in terms of collaboration, if jobs were the overall goal that
25 the conversation needs to be collective with the municipalities.
26 Commissioner Bedford said sustainability is also important.
27 Commissioner Dorosin lamented instances where the County missed out on information
28 sharing from municipalities to encourage collaborative and mutually beneficial outcomes. He
29 also addressed an instance where the County may have missed an opportunity for collaboration
30 with Carrboro and suggested it be revisited. He suggested collaboration at the staff level and
31 institutionalizing the collaboration around economic development.
32 Chair Rich said Wegman's is a good example of collaboration with municipalities.
33 Commissioner Dorosin agreed and said economic development does not stop at
34 jurisdictional lines and suggested a unified plan for economic development.
35 Bonnie Hammersley said collaboration around economic development starts at the
36 Manager level. She said the collaboration around the Wegman's project started at that level.
37 She said there are monthly manager meetings, and more frequent meetings when needed
38 Bonnie Hammersley said perhaps an economic development office that serves the entire
39 County and includes all jurisdictions would be beneficial. She also said conversations need to
40 start at the beginning of projects.
41 Commissioner Greene asked Steve Brantley if he still attended meetings for Chapel Hill
42 Economic Development.
43 Steve Brantley said he does attend. He said that he does consider that the economic
44 development office serves the entire county.
45 Commissioner Greene asked if there had been good outcomes from the meetings.
46 Steve Brantley answered that he generates prospect leads and learns about area
47 development to promote. He believes the meetings to be of high value.
48
49 Chair Rich brought up Gateway Station and suggested collaboration around the project
50 begin as soon as possible. She said it could be a fourth economic development district and an
51 opportunity to work towards a different type of economic development that includes retail,
22
1 commercial, office, and residential. She said it is time to start thinking about and planning
2 potential involvement in the project for the county.
3 Commissioner McKee asked about the type of economic development in this area.
4 Chair Rich clarified that it will include office, retail, and residential space. She added that
5 Chapel Hill has an unmet need for office space.
6 Commissioner McKee asked how residential development qualifies as economic
7 development.
8 Chair Rich said the area included no single-family homes.
9
10 3:35 Wrap Up/Evaluation
11 Commissioner Dorosin said it would be helpful to get feedback from the towns at the
12 AOG meeting about the collaborative message.
13 Commissioner Greene said she liked the retreat agenda.
14 Commissioner Dorosin said the direct interaction was helpful.
15 Commissioner Marcoplos agreed.
16 Chair Rich said it was confusing with information in their agenda packet versus what the
17 Board received today at the meeting, and maybe for future meetings this could be avoided.
18 Commissioner Marcoplos said he liked hanging out with staff and playing pool.
19 Commissioner Dorosin said there is not enough interaction between staff and elected
20 officials at the retreats, and this may not be the right venue for this type of interaction.
21 Bonnie Hammersley said this is the Board of County Commissioners retreat and staff
22 understands this.
23 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to see some intergovernmental athletic
24 events.
25 Commissioner McKee said zoning and the issue of the Eno EDD are topics that need to
26 come back to the Board for further discussion, as well as the water and sewer boundary.
27 Commissioner Price said they did not get a chance to discuss incubators and local
28 farmers.
29
30 The meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m.
31
32 Penny Rich, Chair
33
34
35 Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
36
37
1
1 Attachment 2
2
3 DRAFT MINUTES
4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 JOINT MEETING WITH THE
6 ORANGE COUNTY CHIEF'S ASSOCIATION
7 February 12, 2019
8 7:00 p.m.
9
10 The Orange County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Orange County Fire
11 Chief's Association on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building in
12 Hillsborough, N.C.
13
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Penny Rich and Commissioners Jamezetta
15 Bedford, Mark Dorosin, Sally Greene, Mark Marcoplos, Earl McKee and Renee Price
16 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
17 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
18 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
19 Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker (All other staff members will be identified
20 appropriately below)
21
22 VOLUNTEER FIRE CHIEFS/SORS/ES PRESENT:
23 Matt Sullivan, Fire Chief, Town of Chapel Hill; Brad Allison, Fire Chief, Caldwell FD; Chief
24 Susanna Williams, Town of Carrboro; Jeff Borland, Fire Chief, Cedar Grove FD; Phillip Nasseri,
25 Fire Chief, White Cross FD; Jeff Cabe, Fire Chief, Orange Rural FD; John Stroud, Fire Chief,
26 North Chatham FD; Kevin Brooks, Fire Chief, Efland FD; Pete Hallenbeck, Efland Deputy Fire
27 Chief; Matthew Mauzy, Chief, South Orange Rescue Squad (SORS); Charles Bowden, Fire
28 Chief, New Hope FD; Steve McCauley, Fire Chief, Orange Grove FD; Keith Hayes, Chief, Eno
29 FD; Dinah Jeffries, Orange County Emergency Services Director, Kim Woodard, Orange County
30 ES Operations Manager, Kirby Saunders, Orange County ES Coordinator, Kevin Medlin,
31 Orange County ES Communications Operations Manager, Jason Shepherd, Orange County
32 Fire Marshall
33
34 High School Fire Academies: CHCCS -
35 VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS. — CHAIRS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
36 Bill Waddell, Orange Grove BOD President; Wayne Paschall, Eno BOD; Fred Stipe, SORS
37 BOD President; Cliff Carroll, New Hope BOD President, Tony Blake, White Cross BOD
38 President
39
40 THIS MEETING DID NOT FOLLOW THE AGENDA AND NEITHER DID THE SCHOOLS!!
41
42 Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
43
44 Welcome and Introductions
45
46 1. 2018 Highlights - Significant Impact Incidents and Events and Related Services
47
48 2. Collaboration and Teamwork Across Departments
49 a) County Mutual Aid Agreement
50 b) Quarterly Training
51
2
1 3. Meeting Benchmarks and Providing Service
2
3 4. Council Priorities
4 a) Training (Current and New Fire Fighters)
5 b) Radios/Communication
6 c) Workforce Development
7
8 5. High School Fire Academies
9
10 6. Training Center
11
12 Chief Sullivan said the Fire Chiefs Association is comprised of 10 fire departments,
13 SORS, and Emergency Services and it meets 6 times a year and he is the president this year.
14 He said Assistant Chief Holden of the Orange Rural Fire Department died while in service, and
15 there are countless individuals everyday that make the ultimate sacrifice.
16 Chief Sullivan said North Chatham and Durham and Mebane Fire Departments also are
17 involved in their association. He said Commissioners also serve as liaisons to the association,
18 which is very helpful.
19 Chief Sullivan made the following PowerPoint presentation:
20
21 Joint Meeting
22 Orange County Board of Commissioners and Orange County Fire Chief's Association
23 February 12, 2019
24
25 Tonight's Discussion
26 • 2018 Highlights
27 • Collaboration and Teamwork
28 • Meeting Benchmarks and Providing Service
29 • Priorities:
30 o Training
31 o Communication/Radios
32 o Workforce Development and Preservation
33 • High School Fire Academies
34 • Training Center
35
36 Who we are - patches
37
38 2018 and the importance of teamwork
39 • 2 Hurricanes
40 • 2 Major Winter Storms
41 • High Interest Large Gatherings
42 • Countywide Mutual Aid Agreement
43 o Quarterly Training
44 o 4 Department Structure Fire Dispatch
45 • PageTrack Software
46
47 Highlights:
48 • ISO ratings have been reduced
49 • Received grants to upgrade their fire training facilities, new facilities, co-location of EMS
50 units
3
1 • Trying to recruit a diverse workforce
2 • Trying to increase their workforce
3
4 Service and Value to Orange County
5 • 17 Million Dollar Question- contribution of service Orange County by the volunteer
6 firefighters.
7 • Risk Assessment Committee- He said that they are looking to have shared resources
8 across the county departments.
9
10 Emergency Communications
11 Enhanced emergency communications are needed in Orange County, and the Chiefs
12 are looking at a comprehensive package for this.
13
14 Workforce Development and Preservation
15 • High School Fire Academies
16 • Training Facility Importance- Durham Tech plays a major role in their training
17
18 Chief Sullivan said the items below are priorities:
19
20 • Health and Safety-
21 o Critical Incident Stress Management - they are retiring firefighters due to mental
22 illness
23 o Cancer Prevention -firefighters are dying at alarming rates across the nation and
24 here in Orange County and they need to take a whole look at this
25
26 Traininq Center Update
27 Chief Sullivan said last year Chief Phillip Nasseri applied for, and received, a federal
28 grant for$330,000 for a training facility.
29 Chief Sullivan said the Chiefs have ordered the facility and now need to centrally locate
30 it. He said there are two maps at the Commissioners' regarding possible locations: Durham
31 Tech and Blackwood Farms
32 Durham Tech — He said he, other fire chiefs, and Travis Myren went to Durham Tech to
33 try discussing co-locating on their Orange County campus, but unfortunately the property
34 is in the backyard of residential properties and he is afraid of the "not in my backyard"
35 concerns. He said this visit did reveal the fact that Durham Tech has some funding to
36 assist with this facility, in exchange for use of the facility.
37 Blackwood Farm site: he said the Chiefs understand this is a valuable asset to Orange
38 County. He said this property is an ideal location to place this facility, but this is an
39 Orange County decision.
40 He said the training facility prop is movable (picture on slide), and the Fire Chiefs
41 association now owns it. He said a location will be needed by the end of August 2019.
42
43 Phillip Nasseri said the property needs to be bought and paid for by the end of August,
44 so a location needs to be hammered out by mid-March, in order to do the grading. He said
45 there are lots of possible locations, but he does not want the cost of grading to outweigh the
46 cost of the building. He said the location needs to be economically feasible, easily accessible,
47 centrally located, and close to city water. He said Durham Tech is amenable to help fund it, and
48 discussions are ongoing. He said Durham Tech may be willing to contribute to an off-site
49 location as well.
50 Chief Sullivan said the Chiefs will continue to work on this as it is so desperately needed.
4
1 Commissioner Price asked if the Chiefs are interested in a particular spot at Blackwood
2 Farm.
3 Phillip Nasseri said the location needs to have at least 2 acres of space, but it is up to
4 the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. He said it would be nice to have a flat,
5 clear space.
6 Chief Sullivan said Orange County is blessed to make all kinds of decisions, and this is a
7 direct reflection of the quality public safety services that undergird the community.
8 Commissioner Dorosin said he is the new liaison to the Fire Chiefs committee, and there
9 is a lot to recommend Durham Tech as a site: water and sewer already there; goal of trying to
10 create an Orange County fire academy at Durham Tech. He said the Board of County
11 Commissioners can play a more significant role with Durham Tech and this process, and this is
12 an opportunity to work collaboratively. He said the Commissioners need to prioritize these
13 negotiations, as this facility hits on multiple goals that they share.
14 Commissioner McKee said the $17 million figure came out of the Emergency Services
15 work group from 2011-12, and that number is probably low now. He said there is a deadline for
16 this process because this a federal grant, and time is not on their side.
17 Commissioner Price said echoed Commissioner McKee's comments about time. She
18 said if they decide to go with Durham Tech to make sure they partner with them in all aspects of
19 fire training. She said $17 million is too low.
20 Chair Rich said she is impressed with how the fire departments coordinate with one
21 another, and a lot can be learned from this coordination. She said she has a meeting with
22 Durham Tech this week, and she will discuss this with them. She asked if there are more
23 specifics available about the timeline, as March is very soon.
24 Phillip Nasseri said they need enough time to get the grading done for the facility, and
25 the foundation marked up. He said the facility is pre-fabricated, and takes about 5 days to
26 assemble. He said he is trying to get everything done expeditiously.
27 Chair Rich said the grading at Durham Tech would be easier than Blackwood Farm.
28 Phillip Nasseri said there is a lot of rock at Durham Tech, and is not the most level
29 terrain. He said if Durham Tech agrees to the memorandum of understanding, it can help fund
30 to remove the rock. He said if Durham Tech does not work as a location, it has said that some
31 funding may still be available for another site, as long as Durham Tech can use the facility.
32 Chair Rich asked if the Town of Hillsborough would need to be involved in approval.
33 Travis Myren said Durham Tech's existing Special Use Permit would allow for any
34 educational facilities related to the educational mission. He said if the Town sees this facility as
35 fitting those parameters, it is possible that the current SUP would cover the installation of this
36 facility. He said if the Town will not allow the SUP to cover the installation, the time line will be
37 much longer.
38 Commissioner Marcoplos agreed with pursuing the Durham Tech site, but asked if the
39 Millhouse Road site could be more specifically pinpointed, should Durham Tech fall through.
40 Chief Sullivan said the Town of Chapel Hill has a small parcel of land between the transit
41 and the public works facilities. He said this property was supposed for a transfer station and he
42 may be able to use this property temporarily. He said the structure is portable, and could be
43 moved at a later date. He said the County has two large parcels on Eubanks, which may also
44 be possibilities.
45 Commissioner Dorosin asked if those locations are too far south.
46 Chief Sullivan said possibly.
47
48 Chief Hayes (Eno Fire Department) said it was brought to his attention that a resident
49 came to the February 5th Board of County Commissioners meeting with some complaints, which
50 he wanted to address:
5
1 The resident expressed concern about station 2 on St. Mary's Road, and its lack of EMS
2 services. He said this has been a work in process, and EMS will be stationed here full
3 time within 2-3 weeks. He said the resident expressed concern about the sprinkler
4 system failing should the power go out (due to well water), but noted that this station has
5 a 100K generator.
6 He said there are firefighters that live on St. Mary's Road, who pass station 2 going to
7 work Monday through Friday, and there are people at this station daily.
8 He said during storms, EMS and the Sheriff's department utilize this station. He said a
9 lack of tracks in the snow does not mean the station is unstaffed, but rather no calls
10 have been run.
11 The resident stated the department only has a "john boat with a paddle". He said the
12 department has a zodiac military style boat with two paddles for water rescue. He said
13 the boat does not have a motor at this time due to budgetary constraints, but if the
14 department receives a water rescue call, Orange Rural Fire Department goes along, and
15 SORS is on standby, if necessary.
16 The resident said the department cannot answer calls in the State Park, but this is not
17 true, and resources do not come from Alamance County, as claimed by the resident. He
18 said there are 15 personnel on a 48 person staff who are trained in water rescue.
19
20 Commissioner Dorosin asked if Chief Hayes could provide this information in writing so
21 the Board could respond to the resident.
22 Chair Rich said Dinah Jeffries had already responded.
23 Commissioner Dorosin said this information should be made publically available to refute
24 the allegations made by the resident.
25 Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the two paddles and a high quality boat, and asked
26 if a motor would be useful.
27 Chief Hayes said a motor would be very useful, but require the purchase of a different
28 style boat as the current boat is not equipped for a motor. He said funds will not allow for such
29 a purchase at this time.
30 The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
31
32
33 Penny Rich, Chair
34
35
36 Donna Baker
37 Clerk to the Board
38
1
1 Attachment 3
2
3 DRAFT
4 MINUTES
5 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
6 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION
7 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
8 BOCC/BOARD OF EDUCATION JOINT MEETING
9 February 12, 2019
10 8:30 p.m.
11 (following the Joint Meeting with the Fire Chiefs)
12
13 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a joint meeting with the Chapel Hill-
14 Carrboro Board of Education and Orange County Board of Education on Tuesday, February 12,
15 2019 at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough, N.C.
16
17 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Penny Rich and Commissioners Mark Dorosin,
18 Jamezetta Bedford, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, Mark Marcoplos, and Renee Price
19 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
20 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
21 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO (CHCCS) BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Chair Margaret
22 Samuels, and Board members Joal Braun, Rani Dasi, James Barrett, Pat Heinrich, Amy Fowler,
23 and Mary Ann Wolf and Superintendent Pam Baldwin, and other CHCCS staff: Pam Jones,
24 Patrick Abele
25 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: None
26 ORANGE COUNTY (OCS) BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Chair Brenda Stephens and
27 Board members Sarah Smylie, Will Atherton, Hillary MacKenzie and Superintendent Dr. Todd
28 Wirt
29 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: Dr. Steve Halkiotis, Tony McKnight
30 and Matthew Roberts
31 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
32 Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
33 appropriately below.)
34
35 Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 8:28 p.m.
36
37 Welcome and Opening Remarks —
38 Chair Rich said at the school collaboration meeting it was determined that this evening's
39 meeting should be more of a conversation and more informal.
40 OCS Chair Stephens thanked the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for this
41 opportunity to dialogue, and she said Dr. Halkiotis was unable to attend tonight. She said
42 Hillary MacKenzie recently delivered some OCS swag bags to the BOCC.
43 CHCCS Chair Samuels said in the packets, CHCCS highlighted 4 areas, and also
44 included its strategic plan. She said CHCCS just completed a two-day retreat.
45 CHCCS Chair Samuels shared a few highlights:
46• Phoenix Academy
47• Equity Advisory Council
48• New safety director
49• Broke ground at Chapel Hill High School
50• Innovative partnerships with Elon, NCCU and NCSU
2
1
2 1. Budget, Capital Funding, and Class Size Mandate
3
4 See Attachment 1 A (page 3), Attachment 1 C (page 22), and Attachment 1 D (page 26) for the
5 CHCCS information, and Attachment 1 B (page 21) for the OCS information related to these
6 issues.
7
8 OCS
9 Superintendent Wirt said the OCS budget committee has been trying to meet and work
10 on the OCS budget earlier, and have created a one-page "early look" at the OCS continuation
11 budget.
12 Rhonda Raff, OCS Chief Financial Officer, reviewed attachment 1 b, the OCS
13 Continuation Budget and they are expecting a shortfall of $1,520,885 and thus would be
14 requesting a $211 increase in per pupil funding this year.
15 Will Atherton said OCS wants to put more diversity into the teaching population, such as
16 allowing Teacher Assistants (TAs) to get a teaching degree and become teachers locally, as
17 opposed to sourcing teachers from other districts/states. He said another initiative is looking at
18 an equity director and staff, to not only roll out policy, but to implement and get measurable data
19 and outcomes.
20 Sarah Smylie said, in order to balance last year's budget, OCS eliminated TAs working
21 as substitutes on teacher workdays, and OCS is considering reinstating TAs for at least the first
22 5 teacher workdays.
23 Commissioner Dorosin referred to charter schools, and said the student populations are
24 increasing. He said he recently attended a conference on these issues, and said numbers in
25 Orange County are a little over 10%. He asked if the school staff see trends and impacts of this
26 issue.
27 Superintendent Wirt said it impacts OCS system by declining enrollment, which means
28 fewer employees. He said over 60% of charter students in the OCS district have never stepped
29 a foot in the OCS schools, and when students start in an OCS school, the student tends to
30 remain. He said staff has to work on things that are not the typical core business of public
31 schools: marketing, branding, school tours, etc. He said OCS welcomes competition, but it is
32 not always equal competition, and the playing field is not level. He said charter schools already
33 have many things that the legislature will not afford to public schools: flexibility with school
34 calendar and licensure, class size, etc. He said OCS serves a diverse community, and this is
35 reflected in the students. He said the charter schools do not reflect the same diversity, but
36 when one compares test scores and letter grades, it is a challenging competitive environment.
37 He said the bottom line is for OCS to continue to produce a better product with better and
38 equitable outcomes. He said OCS is focused on the students it already has, and will work to
39 attract those that it does not.
40 Will Atherton said there is a lot of misinformation about the differences between OCS
41 and charter schools in regards to achievement and programs offered. He said OCS is looking
42 into how to better market all that OCS has to offer.
43
44 CHCCS
45 Superintendent Baldwin said CHCCS has a new strategic plan, and had a great retreat
46 and conversation about structure.
47 Mary Ann Wolfe said the CHCCS mission is distinctly designed, and CHCCS is looking
48 at 4 areas:
49 • Student success, and looking at the whole child
50 • Employee experience, and honoring the expertise that is already in CHCCS
3
1 • Family and community engagement is becoming increasingly intentional
2 • Organizational effectiveness at all levels of the system
3
4 Mary Ann Wolfe said as CHCCS makes decisions, it repeatedly returns to these 4 areas
5 to ask if the decision supports the areas.
6 Rani Dasi said CHCCS is aligning its budget to its strategic plan. She said Jennifer
7 Bennett has come on staff as a new financial leader. She said CHCCS is reassessing its capital
8 needs, and Chapel Hill High renovations are underway and on track. She said CHCCS is
9 working on Town of Chapel Hill (TOCH) reimbursements for Chapel Hill High School. She said
10 CHCCS is assessing the needs of current schools as well.
11 Joal Broun said given the upcoming class size mandates, a rough estimate indicates the
12 need for an additional 30 teachers at a cost of$2.2 million. She said it is hoped that the State
13 will provide some funds to offset these costs. She said CHCCS is also looking at how this
14 mandate will impact buildings, and 11 schools have pre-K, which is a factor. She said it is
15 unclear if existing facilities can accommodate this mandate.
16 Commissioner McKee referred to the Chapel Hill High (CHHS) project, and asked if this
17 project is close to, or over budget.
18 Patrick Adele said the CHHS project is currently on budget, and the CTE building is on
19 reserves and is part of the project to be funded by the additional money that was set aside.
20 Chair Rich asked if the number of charter students is known.
21 James Barrett said 115 out of 12,200 total CHCCS students attend charter schools.
22 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if these students are going to charter schools in
23 Chatham County.
24 James Barrett said the students go all over.
25 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is an update on school discipline and racial
26 disparities.
27 Superintendent Baldwin said CHCCS is working on this, and training staff on restorative
28 justice practices.
29 Superintendent Baldwin said CHCCS is also working on mental health training, and how
30 to have relationships with students that may avoid incidents happening in the first place. She
31 said CHCCS is planning ongoing conversations about the effectiveness of consequences. She
32 said CHCCS is partnering with Engaging Schools on the student code of conduct, specifically
33 listening to student voices about what is happening in the classrooms and hallways. She said
34 most data reflects incidents occurring outside the classroom (hallways, buses, etc.), and looking
35 at duty and supervision schedules.
36 Amy Fowler said the discipline referrals for students of color did go down, but the
37 amount of overall referrals also went down, so the disproportion remains.
38 Commissioner Greene asked if there are other ways to measure improvement in equity,
39 in addition to the disciplinary referral data.
40 Superintendent Baldwin said through survey work, and not just one data point. She said
41 there are many conversations with teachers/social workers/counselors and through family and
42 community engagement.
43 Amy Fowler said one in five adolescents will deal with mental health issues, and CHCCS
44 is addressing this and the whole child. She said social-emotional skills at a young age indicate
45 rates of success in adulthood, and are just as important as educational skills. She said mental
46 health is a critical factor in all elements of education.
47 Chair Stephens said the disciplinary data in OCS indicates that students of color are
48 being sent out of the classroom less. She said the district continues work with restorative
49 justice practices, and is also working with Engaging Schools.
50 Superintendent Wirt said OCS has trained over 60% of certified staff in restorative
51 practices, and have been working with engaging schools for almost a year. He said Engaging
4
1 Schools has worked with school systems across the country, especially pertaining to student
2 code of conduct. He said the OCS equity taskforce is heavily involved, and all stakeholders are
3 being consulted. He said a new code of conduct should be presented to the OCS Board this
4 spring, and then comprehensive staff training will occur from bus drivers to nutrition workers to
5 teachers. He said OCS is committed to doing this work differently.
6 Chair Rich said there was a program at the Passmore Center, where 5 young men of
7 color spoke about their school experience and the lack of encouragement they receive in
8 comparison to their white counterparts. She said there were not many educators there, but it
9 was an eye-opening event, and the students voiced great passion for helping the next round of
10 students coming up behind them in the school district. She asked if OCS hears these voices.
11 Chair Stephens said Dr. Wirt has an advisory council at OCS.
12 Chair Rich said these students were from both school districts.
13 Superintendent Wirt said OCS has a superintendent student advisory council, and these
14 groups take a lot of work. He said there are other groups too. He said moving forward OCS will
15 need to formally create some student leadership groups around the issue of equity, with whom
16 OCS leadership will regularly interact.
17 Commissioner Price said the County specifically asked those students to speak at this
18 event, and she and her friends noted that these students raised the same concerns that existed
19 when they were in school. She said the voices of people of color, and women of color, are not
20 heard. She said it is a societal issue, and all have to be involved to make this work.
21 Sarah Smylie said one student spoke of a teacher advising him not to let a guidance
22 counselor ever tell him he cannot take a class. She said the equity work needs to continue to
23 the point that it is the norm for teachers to encourage.
24 Rani Dasi said equity is not a layer of the work, it is the work, and they need to
25 intentionally change the structures to support students.
26 Chair Rich asked if the work at the board levels is passed down to the teachers.
27 Superintendent Baldwin said the kids are way ahead of the adults, and are often involved
28 in the professional development of teachers.
29 Commissioner Price said it is so important to look at cultural differences, backgrounds
30 and environments. She said people of color should not be expected to assimilate into the
31 dominant culture.
32 Mary Ann Wolfe said CHCCS went through a culturally responsive curriculum scorecard
33 yesterday, which was an enlightening and powerful activity.
34 Superintendent Wirt said passing an equity policy was so important in OCS because it
35 makes some strong statements, but it also draws a line in the sand of how equity training is
36 completed. He said he could not find in OCS archives any trace of any type of equity training
37 with staff, but OCS is planning to do it now. He said it will be different, challenging and difficult
38 work, but the outcomes cannot continue to be the same as they have for multiple decades. He
39 said disparity data does not mean that OCS is full of racist staff, but rather there are policies in
40 place that continue to be implemented that have unintentionally lead to disparity.
41 Commissioner McKee asked if, given that 5% of the students in Orange County have no
42 representation at these types of meetings, would it be beneficial to ask charter schools to send
43 a representative to these meetings. He said he has had no interaction with the charter school
44 systems, but sits on a board that provides them funding. He said there is an unlevel playing
45 field between the public schools and the charter schools, but thinking that charter schools will go
46 away is foolish.
47 James Barrett agreed with Commissioner McKee.
48 Rani Dasi said she also agreed, and public schools should serve as hubs of public
49 information, but added that equity is not an overlay and the commitment to implementation
50 would be important.
5
1 Commissioner Marcoplos said he visited the Expedition School last year, and noted that
2 the staff is trying to do its best for the students, and it would be good to have representatives in
3 the room with the public school leaders. He would like to start with some semi-formal meetings
4 to establish relationships, before inviting them to the larger roundtable.
5 Commissioner Price agreed with this too, and said charter schools are always open to
6 visitors.
7 Commissioner McKee said he would hate to have a future board be sitting here watching
8 the charter school numbers increasing, leading to an "us versus them situation". He agreed with
9 Commissioner Marcoplos about starting off slowly.
10 Superintendent Wirt said charter schools are public schools, and it would be important to
11 be clear that charter schools are not being invited to the table to ask for capital dollars. He said
12 he would welcome the opportunity to meet with the charter schools, but would want to be very
13 clear on the purpose of such meetings.
14 Commissioner McKee said these are valid points, and would want to proceed
15 purposefully with clear parameters.
16 Commissioner Dorosin said it may require some legislative action, and the current
17 legislative leadership is committed to undermining traditional public education. He said the only
18 accountability of charter schools is parental choice.
19 Commissioner Bedford referred to the CHCCS capital investment plan, and the total of
20 unfunded capital needs, and said she will be looking for this information from OCS when they
21 meet again.
22 Commissioner Bedford referred to the Durham Tech Partnership Update, and the
23 concern about the awareness of educational opportunities. She asked both school districts if
24 student-counseling services have been independently reviewed.
25 James Barrett said CHCCS has a new Executive Director of Counseling, who is doing
26 great work. He said she also oversees the System of Care Director, and has a clear focus on
27 all the pieces of student success.
28 James Barrett the public schools can be billed as a hub of information for the community,
29 but sometimes the district's own programs are not well publicized. He said his daughter is in
30 one of these partnership programs, and is thriving. He said it is free, which is a bonus. He said
31 the classes show up on her high school and college transcript. He said access to the school
32 counselors is critical for parents/students to learn how to navigate the process.
33 Superintendent Baldwin said an outside organization evaluated the CHCCS counseling
34 program for two years, and staff continue to work through this report, and it is one of the
35 reasons there is now a Student Services Department at the central office level. She said there
36 is still a communication gap in making sure that all students have access to the variety of
37 programming available, which all are working on together to amend.
38 Superintendent Wirt said OCS has 188 courses being taken through College and Career
39 promise, and this number steadily increases. He said Durham Tech has been a great partner in
40 this process. He said OCS provides transportation for students, and has staff at both high
41 schools to assist students. He said funding for counselors at the state level is very low, and his
42 district repeatedly advocates for more. He said the acuity of need varies from school to school,
43 and he hopes any additional funding that may come will have some flexibility so that schools
44 can use it in ways that best meet the needs of their school.
45 James Barrett said the other main legislative agenda is calendar flexibility, and the ability
46 to line up the K-12 calendar with the college calendar.
47 Will Atherton referred to capital improvement and bond funds, and said it is important to
48 look at the SAPFO policy as it focuses on capacity and not on age of building. He said there
49 are schools that have $21 million in need, and it may be more prudent in building a new facility.
50 Chair Rich said this group is meeting now, with another meeting coming up.
6
1 Commissioner Greene said the intent was that once school repair costs got to a tipping
2 point, a new school should be built.
3 Chair Rich said it is a question of at what point does one look at the capital needs, and
4 the conversation is turning towards realizing that buildings can only receive so many band aids.
5 She said if a new school is built, or a school is added onto, then SAPFO capacity is taken care
6 of.
7 Commissioner Greene said this can be done either way, according to the current
8 language, and asked if the group is considering revising this to say that a new school must be
9 built.
10 Chair Rich said no decisions have been made. She said the group knows where the
11 tipping points are with projections, but the group is adding the capital needs of the older
12 schools.
13 Commissioner Bedford said one school was originally a high school, and is now an
14 elementary school, which it was never designed to be. She said it becomes a question of
15 whether good money is being thrown after bad in doing repairs. She asked if there is a way to
16 use SAPFO to consider those elements of some of the older schools to do what is best.
17 Commissioner Price asked if, in the past, when the numbers started shifting did they
18 start shifting the students as well.
19 Rani Dasi said level of service is relevant to the system, not specific schools. She said if
20 one school is overcrowded, then the system would redistrict.
21 Commissioner Greene said it seems like SAPFO is not the problem.
22 Rani Dasi said the funding is the problem.
23 Will Atherton said when he read the SAPFO for the first time, and it talked about a
24 method for determining when new construction is needed, it talks about percent of capacity, as
25 opposed to any mention of aging buildings; even those that have 99% capital improvement
26 requirements. He said some of these buildings should maybe be considered for new
27 construction, even though they are not over capacity. He said it does not give a true picture of
28 what is going on.
29 Commissioner Greene said that makes more sense, and SAPFO would not say such
30 things as it was designed to go along with growing populations.
31 Will Atherton said he just recommending at using it as a broader tool to help everyone
32 be on the same page.
33 Superintendent Wirt said as long-term access is considered, it is important to note
34 Durham Tech in Durham is far away. He said Durham Tech has discussed expanding its
35 Orange County campus, and he is supportive of this.
36
37 2. Collaboration with Durham Technical Community College
38
39 CHCCS
40
41 BACKGROUND:
42 TO: Dr. Pamela Baldwin, Superintendent
43 FROM: Jessica O'Donovan, Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services
44 Quincy Williams, Exec Director, Elementary Schools & Special Programs
45 Kathi Breweur, Director, Career and Technical Education
46 RE: Durham Technical Community College Partnership Update
47 Date: January 30, 2019
48
49 Alignment to Strategic Plan Goals:
50
51 Student Success
7
1• Goal 5: Facilitate a program that ensures all students have equitable opportunities by mitigating
2 barriers to rigorous instruction and post-secondary opportunities.
3
4 Organizational Effectiveness
5• Goal 2: Review, evaluate and adjust programs, processes and resources to promote student
6 success.
7
8 High school students across the state have the opportunity to take community college courses
9 tuition free via the Career and College Promise (CCP). Unfortunately, only a few students at
10 each of our four high schools take advantage of these educational opportunities. A few
11 examples of CCP courses our students are currently taking with Durham Tech include: online
12 Fire Protection, online Security Concepts, online Anatomy and Physiology I & 11, and a few
13 college transfer courses. Although Alamance Community College (ACC) is not our service area
14 provider, ACC also provides Career and College Promise opportunities for our students (when
15 those courses are not offered/available at Durham Tech). Alamance provides a
16 photography/videography teacher for those ACC classes on the campus at East. Approximately
17 60 - 75 students attend these classes each semester. There are two main factors why more of
18 our juniors and seniors are not participating in these tuition free courses:
19• Transportation , which is a barrier for many of our students
20• Awareness of these educational opportunities
21
22 Efforts are being made to address these factors and strengthen our partnership with Durham
23 Technical Community College (DTCC). Over the last month, the district has met with a team
24 from DTCC to plan a number of additional opportunities, as outlined below.
25
26 Instead of our students traveling to either the Lawson Street or Orange County campus of
27 Durham Tech, we are in the process of establishing an MOU to bring Durham Technical
28 Community College courses and staff to our campuses.
29• Draft MOU with DTCC regarding CCP
30
31 To enhance existing pathways at our schools and provide the opportunity for students to obtain
32 college credit while in high school, Durham Technical Community College (DTCC) is working
33 with us to provide the following:
34
35 CHHS -
36• Continue online offerings in Fire Protection
37• Continue online offerings in Network Engineering
38• Provide onsite instruction for C# Programming and Advanced C# Programming
39
40 ECHHS -
41• Continue online offerings in Medical Terminology I & 11
42• Provide onsite instruction for either Medical Terminology or Anatomy & Physiology I & II
43
44 CHS and PAHS -
45 Because pathways options are limited in these two schools, student survey results were
46 gathered to ensure that any courses we consider adding meet the needs and interests of the
47 students.
48• Develop a plan for students to attend Nurse Assisting classes on Franklin Street
49• Provide onsite instruction for a Medical class leading to a certificate - course TBD
50
8
1 The high school course book is being revised to include CCP classes and provide students and
2 parents more information regarding CCP opportunities. Other steps to increase awareness
3 include:
4• Durham Tech will assign a staff member to work solely with our CHCCS students to assist with
5 registration and transition to college courses.
69 This Durham Tech staff member will be at Gear up for high school and parent nights to provide
7 information about CCP to all stakeholders
8• Additional onsite classes will be added each year
9 o Example: Cybersecurity onsite instruction will be added at CHHS in 2020-2021
10
11 Next Steps:
12• Finalize MOU
13• Finalize course options at each high school
149 Update course offerings book
159 Secure a working space area at each school for the DTCC liaison
16• Develop a transportation plan for students attending Nurse Assisting program on Franklin St.
17• Provide DTCC with course tallies to begin the hiring/scheduling process
18• Develop Master Schedule to include CCP classes
19
20
21 OCS
22
23 Orange County Schools (OCS)
24 Partnership with Durham Technical Community College (DTCC)
25 Career and College Promise (CCP) Partnership
26 CCP provides opportunities for eligible NC high school students to obtain college certificates,
27 diplomas, and associate degrees that lead to college transfer and/or entry-level job skills. Allows
28 students to begin a certification or diploma program in a particular technical field or career area.
29 There are six (6) pathways at DTCC. CTE is one of the three.
30
31 NCWORKS Career Coach - Linda Hall, Cedar Ridge High School
329 The Career Coach works collaboratively with faculty and staff of Durham Tech and Cedar Ridge
33 High School to promote and deliver a seamless transition process for high school students into
34 the college.
35• The Career Coach will identify potential CCP CTE career pathways and/or changes to current
36 pathways based on industry needs.
379 The Career Coach is responsible for helping high school students define their career aspirations
38 and identify community college programs and/or training to meet their career goals.
39• The Career Coach will educate students to make informed decisions regarding career and
40 academic plans in preparation for success in post-secondary education and training.
41
42 College Liaison - Abby McAlister - Orange High 3 days a week.
43• Supports CCP students
449 Provides support for seniors planning to continue their education at DTCC
459 Funding is split between county and DTCC
46
47 Articulation Agreement
48 Includes 7 program areas with 29 courses.
49
50 Other Partnerships
9
1• Senior Day - Each spring students planning to attend DTCC as well as undecided students
2 travel to the Hillsborough Campus of DTCC. Those accepted complete orientation.
3• Durham Tech Tours
4• DTCC provides guest speakers for CTE classes.
5• DTCC is represented on the OCS CTE Business Advisory Council. The current representative is
6 Penny Gluck.
7• 8t" graders - Discovery Day at DTCC
8• $500 per semester (up to 4 semesters) scholarships for OCS graduates that attend DTCC.
9
10 Middle College High School at Durham Technical Community College
11 22 current students (11 Cedar Ridge High School, 8 Orange High, 3 Homeschool)
12
13 3. Joint Legislative Strategy
14
15 BACKGROUND:
16 The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) is a volunteer membership association
17 representing all 115 local boards of education in North Carolina and the board of the Cherokee
18 nation. NCSBA provides advocacy, leadership, and services that enable school boards to
19 govern at the highest level. For the general improvement and betterment of public education in
20 North Carolina, NCSBA will advocate for the following items during the 2019-20 biennium
21 legislative session.
22
23 Ensuring Student Success
24 School Calendar: Given North Carolina's recent experiences with Hurricanes Florence,
25 Michael and Matthew, along with numerous annual snowstorms, locally elected officials could
26 better plan and prepare for weather related school closings if they had more control to set local
27 school calendars.
28
29 Additionally, calendar flexibility is currently granted to public charter schools and low-performing
30 (Restart) schools because it can positively impact student achievement. By allowing similar
31 flexibility to ALL public schools, local school boards can choose to:
32• Schedule first semester exams before winter break
33• Align K-12 calendars with Community College and University calendars
34
35 School Technology: Dating back to a 2008 court judgment of$748 million, the State still owes
36 public schools $730 million in technology funding. An arrangement to settle the debt has not yet
37 been established. The ongoing transition among NC's public schools into the digital age is a
38 widely supported investment. NCSBA I committed to working with the General Assembly to
39 reach a mutually beneficial resolution.
40
41 K-3 Class Size: The State Board of Education should be granted authority to provide waivers to
42 school districts for K-3 class size requirements if the local board of education can demonstrate
43 that space is not available in the school district and/or demonstrate that the necessary certified
44 teachers are not available for employment.
45
46 Low-Performing Schools: Revise the definition of a low-performing school because a school
47 that "meets expected growth" should not be labeled as such. Additionally, a grant program
48 should be established to implement new innovative programs in low-performing schools.
49
50 Providing a Safe Learning Environment:
10
1 Student Support Personnel (School Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, and
2 Nurses): It is critical to properly staff public schools with the necessary support structure for the
3 social, emotional, and mental health needs of students. The General Assembly should provide
4 sufficient allotments to meet the nationally recommended staff to student ratios for these
5 positions.
6
7 School Resource Officers: The General Assembly should provide the appropriate funding to
8 have a full-time resource officer in each school. Additional pay, training, and education should
9 be provided for this unique law enforcement position.
10
11 Chair Samuels said CHCCS reviewed this at its retreat today. She said the main areas
12 of focus are calendar flexibility, support staff in general, state construction bonds, teacher
13 retention and recruitment, etc.
14 Chair Stephens OCS has similar issues to CHCCS: calendar flexibility, exams before the
15 holidays, school technology (the state owes them $730 million), fund support personnel,
16 construction, etc.
17 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the districts are going to endorse their own legislative
18 goals or sign on to this list from the School Boards Association.
19 Chair Samuels said CHCCS has its legislative breakfast coming up, and has not passed
20 its legislative agenda yet.
21 Chair Stephens said OCS has not done so either. She said this is the School Board
22 Association's agenda, but it is aligned with the Superintendents, Principals, and Assistant
23 Principals groups as well. She said all educators across the state are of one mind.
24 Commissioner Dorosin said Orange County's draft legislative agenda has 5 school
25 priorities: additional revenue options, bond, lottery for capital needs, calendar flexibility, full
26 funding for ADM growth, increase class size reductions, and full funding for drivers' ed. He said
27 he does not see full funding for driver's education on either of the school boards' lists, and
28 asked if the BOCC should remove this item from its list.
29 James Barrett said he thinks this has been fixed and to take it off the list.
30 Commissioner Dorosin said the paper talked about extra monies sitting in a voucher pot,
31 and it seems that there may be some traction for legislation to stop putting more money into that
32 fund and repurpose it for other uses. He said it is around $18 million.
33 Superintendent Baldwin said it is very important to pay attention to the school funding
34 formula, which is changing right now. She said it has been initially presented as a block grant,
35 but that received push back, and now it is under the school funding formula amendment with a
36 committee working on it as the state level. She said it will mean a shift in funding for local
37 government to support more locally paid teachers and personnel. She said it being presented
38 under the umbrella to flexibility to LEAs; making decisions about your local personnel and
39 whether the local government will pay for them or not.
40 Commissioner Greene asked if a virtual charter school could be explained.
41 James Barrett said it is a for-profit company that offers online classes then collects a per
42 pupil fee from the state. He said these programs do not deliver results, and students are
43 regressing. He said this was a pilot program that has received a multi-year extension.
44 Commissioner Dorosin said these two online charter schools are the lowest performing in
45 the state, and just got extended for four more years.
46
47 4. Other Business
48 Commissioner Marcoplos said he brought up the issue of concussions about 2 years ago,
49 and the following week an OCS football player went into a coma. He asked if there is any
50 continued response or monitoring of the health hazard of football in high school.
11
1 Superintendent Wirt said OCS presented a report to its board a couple of months ago,
2 which he can send to the BOCC. He said OCS reconditions its helmets annually and has a
3 partnership with UNC that has placed probes in several helmets to gather data. He said the
4 coaches also go through a certification process. He said football is important to the OCS
5 community, and the programs have served many young men over the years. He said he will
6 forward a comprehensive list of all safety precautions that OCS takes to the BOCC.
7 Will Atherton said OCS also partnered with UNC on how to identify concussions, as well
8 as alternate methods of assessment and recovery.
9 Superintendent Baldwin said CHCCS is participating in the same research studies, and
10 she said numbers are down in football, but not so in areas such as playgrounds, etc. She said
11 this is an overall safety conversation regarding head and neck injuries. She said there are other
12 sports that have similar injuries but without the same amount of safety equipment as football.
13 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the number of concussions per CHCCS football
14 season could be identified.
15 Superintendent Baldwin said she can forward this information to the BOCC.
16 Superintendent Wirt said it will be in the report that he will forward.
17 Joal Broun said there is also similar research being done with UNC about soccer.
18 Amy Fowler said, as a pediatrician, she is seeing many more people seeking clearance,
19 and the responsibility being put on physicians to sign off, as opposed to the schools. She said
20 she is glad to hear that there are ongoing studies, and research is showing that concussions are
21 not solely to blame, but also repeated injuries. She said the long-term effects are undeniable.
22 Chair Samuels said CHCCS has data on statistics in the district, which can be
23 forwarded.
24
25 The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
26
27 Penny Rich, Chair
28
29
30 Donna Baker
31 Clerk to the Board
1
1 Attachment 4
2
3 DRAFT MINUTES
4 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 REGULAR MEETING
6 February 19, 2019
7 7:00 p.m.
8
9 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February
10 19, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
11
12 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Penny Rich and Commissioners
13 Jamezetta Bedford, Mark Dorosin, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Mark Marcoplos
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Price
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County
17 Manager Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will
18 be identified appropriately below)
19
20 Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
21 Chair Rich said Commissioner Price is out of town.
22
23 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
24 Chair Rich noted the following items at the Commissioners' places:
25
26 - PowerPoint for item 4-a
27 - PowerPoint for item 6-b
28 -Additional information for item 6-c
29
30 *** Arts Commission Appointment (11 b)— Clerk to the Board Donna Baker asked if this item
31 could be moved up to 4-c, since Katie Murray, Arts Commission Director, is in attendance for
32 the Arts Moment.
33 The Board agreed by consensus.
34
35 PUBLIC CHARGE
36 Chair Rich acknowledged the public charge.
37
38 Arts Moment
39 Katie Murray, Arts Commission Coordinator, introduced the artist:
40 Agnieszka Stachura is a first generation American Yankee expat living in the South.
41 If she's not writing, she's most likely baking, knitting, spinning wool, or watching very, very
42 bad TV. Her work has appeared in Fifth Wednesday Journal, Damselfly Press, The Broken
43 Plate, Funny Times, and The Sun, among other publications. She read a short piece called
44 "Heritage," which discussed the effects of a flood on a family's life and home.
45
46 2. Public Comments
47
48 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
49 Karen Dunn, Club Nova Executive Director, introduced Rosemary Waldorf, and said
50 they are here on behalf of Club Nova.
2
1 Rosemary Waldorf reviewed the following comments:
2 Thank you for allowing us to make this progress report on Club Nova. I'm Rosemary
3 Waldorf, co-chair of the Club Nova Capital Campaign, and with me are Board President
4 Gretchen Davis and Executive Karen Dunn. We are deeply appreciative of the critical
5 support that our local governments provide, through annual support of our programs,
6 strong partnerships with our law enforcement and courts, and of course your moral
7 support.
8
9 A Quick Overview
10 Club Nova operates as an accredited Clubhouse Model of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. We
11 work with individuals living with sever and persistent mental illness (SMI), predominantly
12 schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Serious mental illness often strikes a
13 young person, affecting school, work, family and social life. Mental illness can cause
14 isolation, suicide risk, loss of income, poor health, hospitalizations, homelessness,
15 incarceration, crisis and poverty.
16
17 One in 25 adults lives with SMI. With a population of approximately 140,000 citizens in
18 Orange County, we estimate that as many as 5,000 are living with mental illness. We see
19 this need daily in the UNC Health Care's Emergency Department; often half the beds are
20 occupied by persons experiencing a mental health crisis.
21
22 Research demonstrates that the Clubhouse Model, along with quality psychiatric care, is a
23 cost effective, comprehensive program. We help our members return to employment and
24 education, maintain homes, obtain health care, avert crises and build meaningful
25 relationships.
26
27 We have numbers that testify to Club Nova's effectiveness:
28
29 Re-Hospitalization:
30 • 40% of those living with mental illness in the US are re-hospitalized within a year;
31 • 12% is Club Nova's rate of re-hospitalization
32
33 Homelessness:
34 24% of the nation's homeless people live with mental illness; less than 2% of Club
35 Nova members are homeless (one member is now in Community House)
36
37 Incarceration:
38 • 64% of those in local jails throughout the US live with mental illness;
39 • 0% of Club Nova members have been incarcerated in the last 5 years
40 • A recent study of NC prison inmates found that 70% have mental health problems.
41 Our jails have become warehouses for people living with severe and persistent
42 mental illness
43
44 Employment:
45 • 80% of those living with mental illness in the US are unemployed
46 • 32% of our members are able to secure employment.
47
48 Cost Effectiveness:
49
3
1 We can demonstrate that we save the community $2 million/year by keeping people out of
2 jails and psychiatric hospitals and homeless shelters, yet we operate on an annual budget
3 of around $950,000. We can serve a member for an entire year for less than the cost
4 of one week of psychiatric hospitalizations, which is around $7,000.
5
6 We also support families of members and relieve our court system.
7
8 Our Future
9
10 We intend to construct a 12,000 square foot facility to replace our crowded and inadequate
11 100-year-old clubhouse. This new facility will enable us to:
12 • Serve 150 members per day, rather than 45
13 • Serve 300 members per year, rather than 120
14 • Serve 900 family members per year, rather than 360
15 • Serve 300+ students per year, rather than 50-100
16
17 We are working with the UNC Emergency Department to reduce chronic use of the ER by
18 people living with severe mental illness. Our goal is to divert appropriate individuals to Club
19 Nova after they are discharged.
20
21 We are in the third year of a capital campaign to raise $4.5 million needed to design, build
22 and equip our new building.
23
24 To date we have raised $2 million in cash and pledges. We have a pledge for a $500,000
25 capital grant from our MCP, Cardinal Innovations Health are, IF we raise 80% of our goal
26 but the end of this year. This is a stiff challenge, but we are working hard to meet this goal.
27
28 We are asking all our local government partners to support our capital campaign by
29 granting us money to cover $260,000 of our estimated $300,000 in transition costs. We
30 are asking Orange County for $125,000, Chapel Hill for $75,000, Carrboro for$50,000, and
31 Hillsborough for $10,000. This is a unique, one-time request in Club Nova's history. We
32 are asking for the amounts above to be allocated across two fiscal years. We anticipate
33 that our transition period (construction) will stretch across 2 years. Transition assistance
34 would not be a capital grant but would county towards the Cardinal challenge grant.
35
36 Attached is a budget for transition costs from demolition to moving into the new building.
37
38 As you weigh your decision, we ask you to consider that every year we provide a lifeline to
39 around 120 people that our society has neglected, and in doing so we save the community
40 $2 million a year.
41
42 Thanks you again for your time, your consideration, and your unwavering support in the
43 past.
44
45 Sincerely,
46 Rosemary Waldorf and Eleanor Kinnaird, Campaign Co-Chairs
47 Gretchen Davis, for the entire Club Nova Board of Directors
48 Karen Dunn, for all Club Nova Members and Staff
49
50 Commissioner Marcoplos arrived at 7:14 p.m.
4
1
2 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
3 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda
4 below.)
5
6 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
7 Commissioner Dorosin said at last week's Board of County Commissioners'
8 (BOCC) meeting, with the Fire Chiefs, there was a discussion about a training facility at
9 Durham Tech. He said this location seemed to be the first choice, and it needs to be fast
10 tracked. He asked if staff could be directed to make this a high priority, and as the Board
11 representative to the Chiefs Council, he will be glad to be part of any discussions with
12 Durham Tech.
13 Chair Rich said to also include Commissioner Marcoplos in these conversations,
14 since he is the Board's Durham Tech representative.
15 Commissioner McKee said he had no comments, but heartily endorsed
16 Commissioner Dorosin's comments about the training center and expediting this process.
17 Commissioner Greene said she sent a memo to the Board today about the Emerging
18 Issues Conference she attended last week, specifically on connecting urban and rural issues.
19 She said two particularly interesting topics were the presentation of the "One Minnesota"
20 concept, and "Project 40" which is a vision of regional food planning, based in Wake County.
21 She said the Orange County Food Council's coordinator is on the steering committee, and the
22 desire is to have 40% of our food to be locally sourced by 2040. She said this project gives
23 excellent context for what the Orange County Food Council is, and aspires to do.
24 Chair Rich said Commissioner Greene's memo also had something about DHIC
25 taking over the naturally occurring affordable housing. She said she would like to learn
26 more about this, and thanked her for the overall report.
27 Commissioner Marcoplos said he attended the Agricultural Summit, and one thing
28 that stuck with him was the idea of having Spanish classes at the Breeze Farm. He
29 petitioned the staff to looking into making this a reality.
30 Commissioner Bedford said she had no comments.
31 Chair Rich proposed a resolution honoring UNC Professor Bill Ferris who won two
32 Grammys last week.
33 Chair Rich congratulated the 6t" Advance Corps class at the School of Government
34 (SOG). She encouraged all to take this program, and said it requires a week of living on
35 campus.
36 Chair Rich said she and Commissioner Dorosin are moving forward with the "One
37 Orange" concept, and she talked with the Mayors about having a social event for all
38 departments: "One Orange Inaugural Games" to occur in the fall, including the school
39 boards.
40 Chair Rich met with Don Saylor, Chair of the Yolo County California County
41 Commissioners, whose area is right outside of Sacramento in a university environment. He
42 visited Orange County and toured several different parts of the County, and was
43 particularly impressed by Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center (PFAP).
44 Chair Rich wished Sheriff Blackwood a happy birthday.
45 Chair Rich said PFAP has requested for a BOCC Member to serve as a liaison to the
46 PFAP Board of Directors, now that Commissioner Jacobs has retired. She said the PFAP
47 Board meets from 4 to 6 times a year, typically mornings from 9 to 11 am (but this could
48 change).
49 Chair Rich said 3 commissioners were interested, but she suggested nominating
50 Commissioner Bedford.
5
1
2 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Greene
3 to appoint Commissioner Bedford for the PFAP Board for 2019.
4
5 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
6
7 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
8
9 a. OWASA Annual Update Presentation
10 The Board received a presentation and information from the Orange Water and
11 Sewer Authority (OWASA) on recent activities.
12
13 BACKGROUND:
14 At the beginning of each calendar year over the last decade, OWASA representatives have
15 appeared before the Board of Commissioners to make a presentation on recent OWASA
16 activities. Ray DuBose and Jody Eimers, Orange County appointees to the OWASA Board,
17 will provide an overview on several initiatives from OWASA's annual report.
18
19 Ray Dubose made the following PowerPoint presentation:
20
21 OWASA's Annual Update for Board of County Commissioner
22 Jody Eimers and Raymond DuBose
23 February 19, 2019
24
25 ■ OWASA orientation for new County Commissioners, Jamezetta Bedford and Sally
26 Greene, on February 7, 2019
27 ■ First Quarterly Meeting of Members of the BOCC and Appointees to OWASA Board on
28 January 30, 2019
29
30 Water System Resiliency
31 ✓ Plan to invest -$33 million to replace -16 miles of water pipe over next 5 years
32 ✓ Added resources for staff to improve valve exercise/maintenance program and capital
33 improvements program execution
34 ✓ Developing new water main assessment and replacement prioritization model
35 ✓ Working closely with community partners and stakeholders on resiliency solutions
36
37 Sewers for the Historic Rogers Road Area
38 • 84% of pipe installed (approx. 3.5 of miles new sewer when complete)
39 • Due to rock, completion now projected by the end of April 2019
40 • Revised construction costs is $4,963,119.44
41
42 Public Meetings related to Rock:
43 • March 1, 2018
44 . March 13, 2018 with only Tallyho Trail residents
45 • April 3, 2018 statement sent to residents about rock removal
46 • April 5, 2018
47 • November 27, 2018
48
49 OWASA's Affordability Outreach Program Update:
50 Strategies for Addressing Affordability
6
1 • Rates and Billing
2 • Information and Outreach
3 • Bill Assistance
4 • Water Efficiency Retrofits
5 • Leak Identification
6 • Community Partnership
7
8 Care to Share Contributions - graph
9
10 Leak Notification and Mobilization with Aqua Vista Web Portal
11
12 Aqua Vista
13 • Pick Your Due Date
14 o Customers can select the billing due date that best aligns with their financial
15 situation and income stream
16 • Proactive Notifications
17
18 OWASA's Key Goals for Diversity and Inclusion
19 1. The diversity of OWASA's workforce reflects the communities we serve.
20 2. Inclusive work environment for everyone that encourages and supports each Team
21 member to contribute to their full ability towards OWASA's Mission.
22
23 Formed Employee Support Groups
24 Leadership
25 o Make D&I a priority for OWASA
26 o Provide resources for D&I (time, training, and funds)
27 o Sustain program momentum
28 o Role models, champions, and cheerleaders for D&I
29 o Accountability for D&I
30 Recruitment
31 o Review and improve recruitment and selection processes
32 o Ensure consistency in fairness and equity throughout OWASA
33 o Discuss measurable progress indicators
34 o Promote awareness of OWASA's D&I initiative
35 o Promote awareness of opportunities for development and growth at OWASA
36 Resource
37 o Safe space for everyone to provide views and experiences concerning D&I from
38 top down and bottom up
39 o Empower and encourage employees to reach out
40 o Be role models and ambassadors for D&I
41 o Liaison with leadership
42
43 Mandatory Training for Supervisors and Voluntary Training for Employees
44 OWASA Board of Directors
45 • 5 training/work sessions with consultant
46 • Provide staff resources and support for Diversity and Inclusion program
47 • Receive routine reports from staff on accomplishments and action plans
48
49 PUBLIC COMMENT:
7
1 Myra Dotson said she is here to address OWASA's role in greenhouse gas emissions,
2 and she has lived in the Orange Grove community, where OWASA has dumped sewage sludge
3 in her neighborhood for a long time. She said Orange County is the 5t" most sludge county in
4 the state, out of 100 counties. She said dumping sludge on land contaminates water, soil, food,
5 plants, wildlife, etc. She said many of the toxins are bio accumulated, meaning the quantity of
6 toxins add up. She said sludge gives off gases and dust, which is carried by the wind near and
7 far, and this is where sewage sludge and climate change intersect. She said it is hypocritical to
8 have OWASA play a role in climate change when it is contributing so greatly to pollution. She
9 said OWASA also has 2 uncovered industrial storage tanks off of highway 54 that hold millions
10 of gallons, which are also releasing untold amount of dangerous gases. She said the first gas
11 that sludge emits is mercury gas, which she and her neighbors have been routinely exposed to
12 for the past 40 years, not to mention the workers handling the sludge. She said many other
13 dangerous gases are also given off, and she has much scientific data to show these dangers.
14 Commissioner Dorosin said referred to the Rogers Road area, and requested an update
15 once the mains are in the ground and the process of what happens from April, with the mains
16 getting in the ground, up to actual homes being connected.
17 Chair Rich asked if this was a request for information, or a petition.
18 Commissioner Dorosin said this could be an information item to begin with.
19 Chair Rich said all governmental partners should be included as well.
20 Commissioner Dorosin said there was an ad hoc committee at one time.
21 Bonnie Hammersley said she would provide that information to the Board.
22
23 b. Resolution Supporting Local Control of School Calendars
24 The Board considered voting to approve a resolution expressing support for local
25 boards of education and the restoration of local control of school calendars.
26
27 BACKGROUND:
28 Until 2003, local boards of education in North Carolina established calendars for their
29 respective school years. In 2004 the North Carolina General Assembly seized control of
30 setting school calendars and imposed a one-size-fits-all mandate on how school calendars
31 are to be set. It was stated at the time that the goal was to provide uniformity across the
32 state as well as enhance North Carolina's tourism business.
33
34 The current one-size-fits-all school calendar start date is no earlier than the Monday closest
35 to August 26 and the end date is no later than the Friday closest to June 11. This means
36 high schools do not complete the first semester until mid to late January, and requires high
37 school students to take first semester exams after the winter break, which negatively
38 impacts test scores.
39
40 The parameters of the calendar also makes it nearly impossible for high school students or
41 recent winter graduates to take courses at a nearby community college or university during
42 the second semester, with the second semester for high schools starting two to three
43 weeks later than community colleges and universities.
44
45 The current calendar structure also results in longer summers, contributing to more
46 "summer learning loss" for students, which has a disproportionate impact on low-income
47 children, and negatively impact child nutrition, as low-income children who have access to
48 regular meals at school through the free and reduced priced meal program may not have
49 access to regular meals at home.
50
8
1 The Orange County Schools Board of Education adopted the resolution provided at
2 Attachment 1 requesting that the Board of Commissioners adopt a resolution in support of
3 the restoration of local control of school calendars. The Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools
4 Board of Education adopted the resolution provided at Attachment 2 requesting that the
5 Board of Commissioners adopt a resolution in support of the restoration of local control of
6 school calendars.
7
8 Commissioner Dorosin said he had a suggested addition to discuss after the
9 resolution is read.
10 Commissioner Bedford read the draft resolution and the revised resolution is below:
11
12 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
13 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LOCAL CONTROL OF SCHOOL CALENDARS
14
15 WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Statutes give local boards of education powers of
16 supervision and control of local school systems; and
17
18 WHEREAS, local control over establishing school calendars is an integral component of
19 school system supervision and administrative powers with which local boards of education
20 have been vested; and
21
22 WHEREAS, in 2004 the North Carolina General Assembly seized control of setting school
23 calendars and imposed a one-size-fits-all mandate on how school calendars are to be set;
24 and
25
26 WHEREAS, the current one-size-fits-all school calendar start date is no earlier than the
27 Monday closest to August 26 and the end date is no later than the Friday closest to June
28 11; and
29
30 WHEREAS, the State mandated late August start date means high schools do not
31 complete the first semester until mid to late January; and
32
33 WHEREAS, the current law essentially requires high school students to take first semester
34 exams after the winter break, which negatively impacts test scores, according to students
35 and educators; and
36
37 WHEREAS, the second semester for high schools starts two to three weeks later than
38 community colleges and universities; and
39
40 WHEREAS, superintendents report that the calendar misalignment makes it nearly
41 impossible for high school students or recent winter graduates to take courses at a nearby
42 community college or university during the second semester; and
43
44 WHEREAS, exams for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes are
45 given on the same day nationwide, and the current calendar law shortens the amount of
46 time North Carolina's students have to learn the material before test day; and
47
48 WHEREAS, it is well-documented through multiple studies that children will experience a
49 phenomenon known as summer learning loss, which has a disproportionate impact on low-
50 income children; and
9
1
2 WHEREAS, long summer breaks can also negatively impact child nutrition, as low-income
3 children who have access to regular meals at school through the free and reduced priced
4 meal program may not have access to regular meals at home; and
5
6 WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners encourages the school districts
7 to develop and continue to expand their year round educational programs; and
8
9 WHEREAS, with little flexibility built in to the calendar, scheduling make-up days is
10 extremely challenging; and
11
12 WHEREAS, major hurricanes and severe winter snow storms have caused Orange County
13 Schools to miss 17 school days over the past three years; and
14
15 WHEREAS, major hurricanes and severe winter snow storms have caused Chapel Hill
16 Carrboro City Schools to miss 16 school days over the past three years; and
17
18 WHEREAS, fall sports and band begin August 1, schedules for extracurriculars have not
19 changed to coincide with the State-mandated school calendar; and
20
21 WHEREAS, local boards of education are best equipped to understand the balancing act of
22 meeting the community's needs and maximizing student success; and
23
24 WHEREAS, restoring local control of school calendars will allow local boards of education
25 to best meet the calendar preferences of the families, educators, and businesses in our
26 community while allowing for innovative experimental approaches to improve student
27 achievement.
28
29 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
30 expresses its support for local boards of education and the restoration of local control of
31 school calendars and requests that the North Carolina General Assembly and Governor
32 Roy Cooper adopt and ratify legislation returning school calendar responsibility to local
33 school boards of education.
34
35 This the 191" day of February 2019.
36
37 Commissioner Dorosin suggested adding the following language after the
38 comments about the summer: "WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners
39 encourages the school districts to develop and continue to expand their year round
40 educational programs".
41 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Commissioner Dorosin wants this as an option.
42 Commissioner Dorosin said yes, to encourage school districts having the option to
43 establish or expand year-round learning programs.
44 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Commissioner Dorosin was encouraging every
45 school to be year round.
46 Commissioner Dorosin said, personally, he thinks all schools should be year round,
47 but he is not suggesting that for this resolution.
48 Chair Rich asked if the school system needs approval from the General Assembly
49 to become a year-round school.
10
1 Commissioner Dorosin said no, but his suggested addition is keeping in context
2 with the spirit of the resolution, which is that schools should have control over what they do;
3 and not having control around breaks, not only limits flexibility, but has tangible adverse
4 impacts on students, in particular at-risk students.
5
6 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin
7 for the Board to approve the revised Resolution supporting local control of school
8 calendars.
9
10 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
11
12 MOVED UP 11-b
13 c. Arts Commission —Appointment
14 The Board considered making an appointment to the Arts Commission.
15
16 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner McKee
17 to appoint the following to the Arts Commission:
18
19 Justin Haslett to the Arts Commission for the At-Large position #14 for a partial term
20 ending 09/30/2019.
21
22 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
23
24 5. Public Hearings
25 NONE
26
27
28 6. Regular Agenda
29 a. Memorandum of Understandinq with the Towns for the Orange County Food
30 Council
31 The Board considered entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Towns
32 of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough for mutual support of the Orange County Food
33 Council (OCFC).
34
35 BACKGROUND:
36 OCFC is a coalition of community members committed to building a healthy food system
37 for all Orange County. The OCFC includes representatives from local government,
38 educational food institutions, and food-related agencies, as well as individual citizen-
39 consumers, food producers, providers and entrepreneurs. The mission of OCFC is to grow
40 a community-driven food system that ensures access to nutritious foods for all, promotes
41 sustainable agricultural, increases economic development, and advances social justice.
42
43 The OCFC approached Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and
44 Hillsborough in the spring of 2018 with a proposal for a shared funding arrangement to
45 fund a full-time Coordinator (Attachment 2) and operating expenses. The Towns provided
46 input to Orange County in the development of the MOU, job description, and work plan.
47 Responsive to all jurisdictions' input, the MOU stipulates the formation of an Executive
48 Committee with representation of elected officials from each jurisdiction to oversee the
49 OCFC. The work plan also included more extensive measurable goals and performance
50 measures.
11
1
2 The proposed MOU covers a 2-year period from the date of execution, which would be in
3 effect for portions of the fiscal years 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21, and could be
4 renewed for up to five additional two-year terms. The MOU requires the OCFC to provide
5 progress reports every six months. The jurisdictions' will have the opportunity to evaluate
6 the renewal of the MOU upon the expiration of each two-year terms.
7
8 The Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough approved the OCFC MOU in December 2018,
9 followed by approval of the Town of Chapel Hill on January 30, 2019 with an amendment
10 that a seat be designated for"food access". The Towns' have concurred with the change
11 through the Town Managers. The MOU is before the Orange County Board of
12 Commissioners (BOCC) for final approval as amended.
13
14 FINANCIAL IMPACT: The development of the OCFC MOU is modeled after that of the
15 Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness MOU. The proposed budget for a full
16 fiscal year is $71,000, which includes $58,774 in salary and benefits for the Coordinator
17 position and $12,226 in operating costs. The MOU proposes a population-based formula to
18 determine each jurisdiction's portion of funding. Based on the 2010 Census data, the
19 percentage contributions are as follows:
20 • Orange County - 39% - $27,690
21 • Town of Carrboro - 15% - $10,650
22 • Town of Chapel Hill - 41% - $29,110
23 • Town of Hillsborough - 5% - $3,550
24
25 Bonnie Hammersley presented this item.
26 Bonnie Hammersley said Commissioner Greene read through the MOU and
27 identified some errors, and, in consultation with County Attorney, staff will make those
28 changes when this item comes back to the BOCC.
29 Bonnie Hammersley said the Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough have already
30 approved this, and Chapel Hill has requested another seat of food access. She said all
31 Managers agreed to this additional seat. She said the MOU proposes a population-based
32 formula, based on the 2010 census data. She said those funds will pay for a Food Council
33 Coordinator, as well as some operating expenses. She said Carrboro and Hillsborough
34 approved the MOU in December 2018, and Chapel Hill did so in January 2019. She said
35 the MOU is before the BOCC for final amended approval.
36 Chair Rich said the acting coordinator is present, as well as the Chair.
37 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a process to determine how the non-elected
38 official council members are chosen, and also asked if it is known what will happen to the
39 existing food council.
40 Bonnie Hammersley said the Food Council will exist as it does today, and approval
41 of this MOU will allow the recruitment of a Food Council Coordinator. She said the
42 positions will be filled by the Coordinator, per designations. She said the executive
43 committee will be determined every year, as the elected officials choose to serve on it, just
44 as is done with the Partnership to End Homelessness (PTEH).
45 Commissioner Dorosin said he served on the PTEH, but cannot remember how the
46 providers got assigned to it. He asked if the PTEH coordinator made these selections.
47 Bonnie Hammersley said the Coordinator brings forward possible names via the
48 committee, and they choose the members.
49 Commissioner Greene said she believes there are by laws with the PTEH that
50 specify the categories of people to serve on the committee (which can be modified
12
1 depending on changing needs), and the Food Council will probably do the same. She said,
2 in her experience, the Food Council is very attentive to the needs of the community and
3 seeks balance in all it does.
4 Commissioner Dorosin clarified that this is not something that is starting from
5 scratch, since the Food Council already exists, and what is being done is framing a new
6 structure to continue to do this work. He asked if the only difference is the MOU, or will
7 new bylaws be needed.
8 Bonnie Hammersley said this is bringing the towns on board to fund a position that
9 will coordinate the Food Council, as the half time position, funded by the County via outside
10 agency funding, is no longer sustainable. She said the Food Council will go forward as it is
11 now, and the position for the Coordinator will be posted.
12 Commissioner Dorosin said this is a way of institutionalizing the Council, and
13 creating sustainability, which is an exciting step forward.
14 Bonnie Hammersley said yes.
15 Commissioner Greene said she is the liaison to this group, and this request to all
16 jurisdictions is coming as the Food Council started with non-governmental money, which
17 was always intended to be start up funding. She said the question remained as to whether
18 the Food Council would become integrated within the government, or become a permanent
19 501(c)(3). She said this solution seems to be the best one as it contributes to
20 sustainability.
21 Chair Rich said she is also very excited about this step forward, and the ability to
22 continue the excellent work of this Council.
23
24 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner Bedford
25 for the Board to approve the revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Town
26 of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill and the Town of Hillsborough for mutual support of the
27 Orange County Food Council based on a population-based formula.
28
29 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
30
31 Commissioner Dorosin suggested that even though this does not include Mebane,
32 to at least extend an olive branch asking Mebane to join in.
33 Bonnie Hammersley said she would contact the City Manager.
34
35 b. 2019 Greene Tract Resolution and Conceptual Plan
36 The Board considered voting to approve the Greene Tract resolution and
37 conceptual plan.
38
39 BACKGROUND:
40 The Greene Tract is a 164 acre parcel of which 104 acres is jointly owned by Orange
41 County/Chapel Hill/Carrboro and 60 acres owned by Orange County (Headwaters
42 Preserve). In 2001/2002, local governments approved a resolution conceptualizing uses of
43 the 104-acre joint owned area. This new resolution will add land use categories in a new
44 configuration and modify acreage as developed by the recent process noted below.
45
46 Last year, local governments agreed to have the managers, mayors, and chair (MMC)
47 consider preservation and development options for the Greene Tract. In May 2017, a joint
48 staff work group was requested to examine the development potential of the existing
49 Greene Tract and provide three alternatives illustrating high, medium, and low development
50 alternatives.
13
1
2 The MMCs requested that each alternative include specific elements and goals including,
3 but not limited to, incorporate a future elementary school and park site, preserve valuable
4 environmental features and corridors, protect historical and cultural resources, encourage
5 cost effective infrastructure, and identify areas for future development. These alternatives,
6 vetted through a multijurisdictional staff work group, assisted in the development of the
7 conceptual plan contained in Attachment 1.
8
9 In addition, the MMCs recommended staff examine the reconfiguration of the joint owned
10 and county owned tracts. The purpose of this request was to determine the feasibility in
11 adopting a revised resolution supporting the reconfiguration of these tracts. The 60 acres,
12 which are county owned, would be established as prime preservation areas. As a result,
13 the staff work group amended the proposed conceptual plan based on the proposed
14 reconfigured joint owned and county owned tracts.
15
16 January 30, 2018 Assembly of Governments Meeting
17 At the January 30, 2018 Assembly of Governments meeting, the proposed modified
18 headwaters preserve area and alternatives were presented to elected officials. At that time,
19 the Orange County Board of Commissioners requested input from the Chapel Hill Town
20 Council and Carrboro Board of Aldermen regarding the possible reconfiguration of the
21 Headwaters Preserve area and input regarding the Greene Tract alternatives.
22
23 February 20, 2018 Board of County Commissioners Meeting
24 The Orange County Board of Commissioners supported modification to the Headwaters
25 Preserve area and the high development alternative in February 2018. In addition, the
26 Board authorized County staff to communicate the Board's preferences to Chapel Hill and
27 Carrboro town staffs and request feedback regarding reconfiguration of the Headwaters
28 Preserve area and the Greene Tract conceptual plan from the towns.
29
30 Chapel Hill Town Council and Carrboro Aldermen
31 The Chapel Hill Town Council considered this item on June 6, 2018 and stated support for
32 the reconfiguration of the Headwaters Preserve Area. The Carrboro Board of Aldermen
33 considered this item on June 12 and stated support for the reconfiguration of the
34 Headwaters Preserve area. Elected officials from the towns stated concern with determine
35 density and affordable housing goals at that time. As a result, the resolution and
36 conceptual plan does not include any reference to density or affordable housing thresholds
37 for the Greene Tract, but primarily the location and acreage of uses including a general
38 description of use categories. Attachment 2 includes additional background information on
39 this item.
40
41 Following Board confirmation, the staff work group drafted the resolution contained in
42 Attachment 1 to modify the 104 acres jointly owned by Orange County/Chapel Hill/Carrboro
43 and 60 acres owned by Orange County (Headwaters Preserve). In addition, staff drafted
44 the conceptual plan which includes future land uses, proposed land use definitions, and
45 ownership status/transfers based on comments received from MMCs, elected officials, and
46 staff throughout the process.
47
48 January 29, 2019 Assembly of Governments Meeting
14
1 The Greene Tract Resolution and Conceptual plan was presented at the January 29, 2019
2 Assembly of Governments meeting. Elected officials stated support for the resolution and
3 conceptual plan.
4
5 February 12, 2019 Carrboro Board of Aldermen Meeting
6 The 2019 Greene Tract Resolution and Conceptual Plan were adopted by the Carrboro
7 Board of Aldermen.
8
9 February 20, 2019 Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting
10 The resolution and conceptual plan is scheduled for review and adoption consideration by
11 the Chapel Hill Town Council.
12
13 With adoption by all three governing boards, the resulting resolution would supersede the
14 2002 Resolution, approved December 10, 2002, which outlined the County and Towns'
15 intentions for developing the Greene Tract. The December 10, 2002 BOCC abstract which
16 includes the approved resolution can be found at the following link:
17 http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=8376&dbid=0
18 Any amendments to the resolution and conceptual plan by the Town of Chapel Hill and the
19 Town of Carrboro would prompt a return to the BOCC for consideration.
20
21 Next Steps (following adoption of the 2019 Greene Tract Resolution and Conceptual Plan
22 by all parties)
23
24 A. Commence survey work for recombination - Spring 2019
25
26 In order to modify the existing Headwaters Preserve area, a recombination survey will need
27 to be completed illustrating the new parcel lines of the Headwaters Preserve area (County
28 owned) and Joint Owned area. This survey will be reviewed as a recombination plat by the
29 Chapel Hill Planning Department. Once complete, the recombination survey will be
30 presented for approval to the BOCC and the chair's signature for the Headwaters Preserve
31 and all three local governments for the joint area. Funding for this will be requested through
32 an interlocal agreement similar to the Rogers Road community sewer planning.
33
34 B. Initiate process to determine development and preservation goals - Summer 2019
35
36 Land use, density, and affordable housing options for the Greene Tract were presented
37 and reviewed by the elected officials. Comments were previously received by Board
38 members; however, no final decisions were made by the three individual Boards. As a
39 result, development and preservation options will be further evaluated and discussed in
40 order to determine goals for the Greene Tract in regards to development type, land use,
41 preservation, density, and affordable housing. This phase will include community outreach.
42 Presentation to elected officials Fall of 2019.
43
44 C. Commence Implementation Strategy- Fall 2019
45
46 Craig Benedict, Planning Director, made the following PowerPoint presentation:
47
48 Greene Tract Resolution and Conceptual Plan
49 Orange County Board of Commissioners
50 February 19, 2019
15
1 Item 6-b
2
3 Greene Tract Flow Chart
4
5 Greene Tract (Jurisdictional Context) — map
6
7 Greene Tract
8 Ownership Status/Possible Transfers Map
9
10 Greene Tract Resolution and Conceptual Plan (Proposed future land use)
11
12 Greene Tract Resolution and Conceptual Plan
13 Elements of the Resolution
14 o Modify Headwaters Preserve and Joint Owned areas
15 o Approve Conceptual Plan and land use definitions
16 ■ Designate acreage and land uses (Less than 15% future deviation)
17 ■ Does not include any reference to density or affordable housing
18 thresholds
19 o Allow staff to proceed with recombination
20 o Ownership transfers - Joint ownership to County and County ownership to Joint
21 ownership
22 o Recommend additional actions
23 ■ Pursue a conservation easement protecting the reconfigured
24 "Headwaters Preserve" (60 acres)
25 ■ Pursue a conservation easement protecting the Joint Owned Preserve
26 (22 acres)
27 ■ Solicit input from the public, stakeholders, and elected officials regarding
28 land use and affordable housing needs and development principles/goals
29 With adoption by all three governing boards, the resulting resolution would supersede
30 the 2002 Resolution
31
32 Greene Tract Flow Chart
33
34 Recommendation
35 The Manager recommends the Board:
36 1. Receive the resolution and conceptual plan;
37 2. Discuss as appropriate;
38 3. Approve the Greene Tract resolution and conceptual plan (Attachment 1) including
39 definitions as noted in Exhibit 1; and
40 4. Recommend that the timeline noted herein related to Next Steps A, B, and C be
41 pursued with all due diligence
42
43 Commissioner Greene asked if any thought has been given to the conservation
44 easements, such as who would hold them, as well as the timing. She asked if Orange County
45 could take the lead in getting this process going.
46 Craig Benedict said after staff finds out exactly what the 60-acre shape will be, staff can
47 work with another entity. He said staff has approached the Triangle Land Conservancy in the
48 past, who was not interested, but this is now better environmental lands than it was before, and
49 shows the connectivity to the preserve. He said a third party may be more interested at this
50 time.
16
1 Commissioner Greene said the North Carolina Botanical Garden Foundation might
2 be worth contacting as well.
3 Commissioner Marcoplos clarified that the serious work on the preservation goals
4 will happen during the summer.
5 Craig Benedict said yes, and staff will talk more about this next Wednesday. He
6 said details will need to be ironed out, such as typical development and preservation goals;
7 how many units can be there; which portion will be affordable housing; will it be a mixed
8 income community as previously desired, etc.
9 Commissioner Marcoplos said he foresees some serious discussions about this that
10 may take some time. He said the Mayors and Chairs will do this work, and he suggested it
11 would be helpful to have a connection to the rest of the Board during the summer.
12 Craig Benedict said staff can bring back briefings, and plans to have community
13 meetings.
14 Craig Benedict said staff has moved with more speed recently by updating boards,
15 having community meetings, getting feedback, and then repeating the process.
16 Commissioner Dorosin said Chair Rich can update the Board as needed.
17 Commissioner Marcoplos said this is a huge opportunity, and the Board needs to
18 get this right.
19 Commissioner Greene said as the policymakers, it is not ideal to settle this during
20 the summer.
21 Chair Rich said it is ambitious to think this will be settled over the summer, but she
22 will keep the Board informed.
23 Commissioner Dorosin said the key is to keep the momentum going, and use the
24 summer to go forward with the process.
25 Chair Rich said she was greatly encouraged about the Greene Tract at the most
26 recent Mayors' meeting, and all seem to realize that now is the time to move forward. She
27 said bringing the conversation back to some of the boards is the challenge.
28 Commissioner Dorosin said he is available to help in any way since this is tangible,
29 and can be used to make a real difference in the community.
30
31 A RESOLUTION APPROVING MODIFICATIONS TO THE 60 ACRE PORTION OF THE
32 GREENE TRACT IN COUNTY OWNERSHIP AND CONCEPTUAL PLAN FOR THE 104
33 ACRE PORTION IN JOINT OWNERSHIP
34
35 WHEREAS, Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill jointly acquired the
36 property (104 acres) known as the Greene Tract in 1984 which was purchased from the
37 joint solid waste management system; and
38
39 WHEREAS, title to 60 acres (also known as Headwaters Preserve) of this property was
40 deeded exclusively to the Orange County Solid Waste Enterprise Fund in 2000 under
41 provisions of the 1999 Interlocal Agreement for Solid Waste Management and was
42 purchased by Orange County via reimbursement to the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund in
43 2016; and
44
45 WHEREAS, Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill adopted the 2002
46 Resolution which called for approximately 86 acres for open space and 18 acres for
47 affordable housing on the jointly owned land; and
48
17
1 WHEREAS, the Greene Tract is part of the Historic Rogers Road Neighborhood where the
2 Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro are researching market development potential and
3 zoning constraints to implement a planning program in the overall area; and
4
5 WHEREAS, over the last 16 years, various joint planning studies, including the Historic
6 Rogers Road Task Force Report and Mapping Our Community's Future, and collaborations
7 with the community and school district have suggested land use and acreage needs; and
8
9 WHEREAS, Mayors for Carrboro and Chapel Hill and the Orange County Board of
10 Commissioner Chair agreed to jointly pursue an update to the 2002 Resolution and have
11 been meeting with respective management and supporting staff, as suggested by the
12 elected officials at an Assembly of Governments meeting in 2017, to determine next steps
13 for preservation and development of the Greene Tract, and
14
15 WHEREAS, analysis of the Greene Tract's past, present, and future identified the following
16 land use needs and goals:
17 • Preserve valuable environmental features and corridors
18 • Protect historical and cultural resources
19 • Promote cost effective infrastructure
20 • Incorporate school and recreation site
21 • Earmark development areas for mixed income housing and mixed use potential
22
23 WHEREAS, the staff work group considered direction from the respective governing
24 boards, specialized staff, housing partners, and community in developing a conceptual plan
25 for the Greene Tract;
26
27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of
28 Commissioners:
29 1. Approve the accompanying map to modify the existing county owned (60 acres) and
30 joint owned (104 acres) portions of the Greene Tract as shown in Exhibit 1.
31 2. Approve the accompanying conceptual master plan as shown in Exhibit 1 for the joint
32 owned portion of the Greene Tract, not deeded exclusively to Orange County, which
33 designates the following:
34 • Approximately 22 acres for joint preserve
35 • Approximately 11 acres for public school site
36 • Approximately 4 acres for public recreational facility site
37 Approximately 67 acres for housing/mixed use
38 3. Authorize the exchange of acreage from Joint owned to County owned and County
39 owned to Joint owned commencing the recombination process as illustrated in Exhibit
40 2.
41 4. Explore protecting the areas shown on the conceptual plan as Joint Owned Preserve
42 and Headwaters Preserve
43 5. Solicit input from the public and respective governing boards regarding land use and
44 mixed income housing needs during the master plan process.
45
46 This the 19t" day of February, 2019.
47
48 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner
49 Marcoplos for the Board to approve the Greene Tract resolution and conceptual plan
18
1 (Attachment 1) including definitions as noted in Exhibit 1; and pursue the timeline related to
2 Next Steps A, B, and C with all due diligence.
3
4 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
5
6 PUBLIC COMMENT
7 Sam Ebi lives on Billabong Lane. He thanked the Board for its work, and asked if
8 any agency has done an environmental impact study. He said this is the first time he and
9 his neighbors have heard about this project. He requested an environmental impact
10 statement, as a lot of wildlife lives in this area, and he wonders where it can go.
11 James Morgan said he also lives on Billabong Lane. He said he saw previous
12 iterations of this plan several years ago, but this is the first time he's seen a school location
13 determined. He said he has two concerns: a sewer system was recently installed, and he
14 sees no access point from the school site to the sewer system; and the road connection
15 from Merin Road to Purefoy, serving the school, which would be problematic for the
16 intersection of Merin and Homestead, which is not capable to taking a stop light. He said
17 these issues need to be addressed in the early stages of any development plan.
18 Beverly Ferraro said she also lives on Billabong Lane, and she echoed the
19 comments of the two previous speakers. She said accessing the school via Merin Road
20 seems overwhelming, at best.
21 Sally Council said the concept is not new to her, and she commended the Board on
22 some of its priorities for this land. She said preservation of the natural landscape is key,
23 and she is pleased the Board is including this. She said there is also great concern to
24 provide preservation to the neighbors who already live near this land. She said the
25 residents have always been committed to a natural buffer space to protect themselves from
26 traffic, clearing, and new construction. She said the last 5 years have shown immense
27 change and growth surrounding her home, and this is the first time she seen the school site
28 be proposed to butt up against Billabong Lane. She said there appears to be no original
29 buffer left. She said accessing the school from Merin Road would be an awful idea.
30 Sally Council asked if the difference between open space and preservation of
31 headwaters could be explained.
32 Craig Benedict said the headwaters tract would continue to be owned by the
33 County, but it would be for preservation purposes. He said the other, darker green, area is
34 a jointly owned by Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County, and connecting the two areas
35 together would allow passage of a lot of animals in that general area.
36 Sally Council asked if this would be preserved intact, or if there would be clearing.
37 Craig Benedict said it would be 100% preserved, but a road can go through it, if
38 necessary. He said the goal is full preservation of wetlands, plus stream buffers.
39 Myra Dotson said she has been distressed to see the development around the
40 landfill.
41 John Roberts said there have been some legal issues recently along Merin Road,
42 and the County has to redo the gravel driveway from Billabong up to the Greene Tract,
43 which gives the County southern access. He said it is not a public road.
44
45 c. Orange County's Proposed 2019 Legislative Agenda
46 The Board considered the Legislative Issues Work Group's (LIWG) proposed 2019
47 legislative package and any other potential items for inclusion in Orange County's
48 legislative agenda package for the 2019 North Carolina General Assembly Session;
49 consider approval of the 2019 Orange County Priority Legislative Issues document; and
50 consider approval of the Other Orange County Legislative Interests document.
19
1 Greg Wilder, County Manager's Office, reviewed the following background
2 information:
3
4 BACKGROUND:
5 The 2019 North Carolina General Assembly "long session" convened on
6 January 30, 2019. The Board of Commissioners has historically appointed a Legislative
7 Issues Work Group (LIWG) to work with staff to develop a proposed legislative package for
8 the County. Based on the work of the LIWG, the BOCC has then reviewed and approved
9 packages of legislative items to present to Orange County's legislative delegation.
10
11 Commissioners Renee Price and Mark Dorosin are serving on the 2019 LIWG and have
12 worked with staff on the proposed 2019 legislative package, which consists of the two
13 attached documents, in preparation for the Board's March 11, 2019 Legislative Breakfast
14 meeting with Orange County's legislative delegation.
15
16 As the LIWG considered its approach for this year, the Group decided to keep the list of
17 priority legislative issues short and focused, aiming for five to seven legislative priorities.
18 The group ultimately identified seven legislative priorities, acknowledging that the full Board
19 of Commissioners may want to consider modifying the list, exchanging an item for another
20 item, or other potential revisions. Attachment 1 is the draft list of seven potential 2019
21 Orange County Priority Legislative Issues.
22
23 While the LIWG wanted to focus on the seven priorities in Attachment 1, it also decided
24 that the County should continue to express its positions on multiple other topics that were
25 relevant in previous years and continue for 2019. Attachment 2 is a draft listing of Other
26 Orange County Legislative Interests. It includes legislative issues the Board has submitted
27 in past years to the County's legislative delegation.
28
29 The Board will need to discuss and consider Attachments 1 and 2 as provided by the
30 LIWG. The work of the Legislative Issues Work Group to this point is based on the current
31 information available for the 2019 General Assembly Session. The issues addressed by the
32 Group may evolve and change over the session and require additional attention by the
33 Group and Board of Commissioners. New issues may also arise necessitating additional
34 review.
35
36 Commissioner Dorosin said he and Commissioner Price worked on this work group
37 who reviewed attachment 2, and prioritized 7 top priorities (attachment 1). He said the list
38 is open for review and edit. He reviewed these top priorities below:
39
40 2019- Orange County Priority Legislative Issues 1
41
42 Broadband/Digital Infrastructure — Support legislation, funding, and other efforts that provide
43 counties with flexibility and opportunities to support options for increasing access to high-speed
44 internet connectivity and expanding digital infrastructure/broadband capability to the un-served
45 and under-served areas of the state. Access to high speed internet connections will reduce
46 disparities, enhance quality of life for all the State's residents, and broaden opportunities in
47 areas such as education, jobs creation, small business development, health care, civic
48 participation, and growth in farm enterprises.
49
50 Priority School Issues — Support legislation to address the following issues related to schools:
20
1 a) Provide local school systems with calendar flexibility, including the opportunity to align with
2 nearby community college schedules;
3 b) Provide full funding for State allotments including Average Daily Membership (ADM) growth,
4 and support legislation to provide for an overall increase in funding based on average daily
5 memberships outside of the current formula system;
6 c) Impose class size reductions commensurate with State funding for staffing; and
7 d) Provide additional revenue options, including a statewide bond and lottery proceeds, to
8 equitably address statewide public school and community college capital challenges and meet
9 identified needs.
10
11 Expansion of Medicaid Program — Support legislation to increase access to the Medicaid
12 program to make health insurance available to approximately 500,000 more North Carolina
13 residents and as additional support for rural hospitals.
14
15 Minimum Wage Increase — Support legislation to raise the minimum wage to enhance
16 people's economic security, improve access to safe and secure housing, boost the economy
17 with increased spending, decrease dependence on government assistance programs, and
18 improve the lives of families.
19
20 Mental Health Funding — Seek legislation that:
21 a) provides adequate State-funded mental health, developmental disability, and substance
22 abuse services and facilities at the local level, accessible and affordable to all residents and
23 that sufficient state resources fund service provision costs inclusive of sufficient crisis
24 intervention and treatment, and to structure appropriate county participation in governance; and
25 b) provides funding to develop and implement a plan to reduce the number of people with
26 mental health issues in countyjails (See EXHIBIT A— National Association of Counties (NACo)
27 Stepping Up Initiative);
28
29 Non-Partisan Redistricting Process for Elections — Support legislation to establish a
30 process for an independent, non-partisan redistricting process after each United States Census
31 for the election of representatives from North Carolina to the United States House of
32 Representatives, the North Carolina House, and the North Carolina Senate;
33
34 Criminal Justice Reform/Juvenile Jurisdiction — Support legislation to develop and fund a
35 plan to:
36 a) help reduce unnecessary charges and arrests by expanding the use of pre-arrest diversion
37 and the issuance of citations or summons, replace reliance on money bail with non-financial
38 conditions of release such as written promises to appear, or the least restrictive available
39 conditions, and restrict detention to the small number of people for whom no condition or
40 combination of conditions can reasonably assure appearance in court and public safety, reduce
41 disparity within the pretrial justice system; support the collection of local data regarding pre-trial
42 release outcomes; and increased funding for pre-trial release supervision programs that utilize
43 evidence-based best practices; and
44 b) address developmentally inappropriate limits on juvenile court jurisdiction, demographic and
45 geographic disparities, inadequate representation in juvenile court, unnecessary juvenile
46 detention, lifelong collateral consequences stemming from juvenile court involvement, and
47 punitive school policies and practices that push students into the court system.
48
49 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to propose good agricultural practices
50 (GAP) certification, which is a certification process that farmers can go through regarding
21
1 how the farmer handles the food produced at their farm. He said farms that are GAP
2 certified can sell food to schools, and it helps in general marketing. He said the biggest
3 hurdle for farmers seems to be the expense ($1000-$1200). He said this certification is
4 done through the State Department of Agriculture, but he does not know why it cannot be
5 done through local jurisdictions at a lesser cost.
6 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to pursue some legislation to give local
7 jurisdictions the authority to certify GAP farmers.
8 Bonnie Hammersley said the Board of County Commissioners approved $50,000 to
9 support farmers in the GAP certification process, about two years ago, and the Economic
10 Development/Ag staff could not identify farmers in Orange County who wanted to
11 participate in the program.
12 Bonnie Hammersley said this session was included at the Ag Summit in hopes that
13 more farmers would learn about GAP certification and consider going through the process.
14 Commissioner Marcoplos said that is great to hear, and it is important to get the
15 word out about this program and the available funding.
16 Bonnie Hammersley said staff has been trying to do that for over two years.
17 Commissioner Marcoplos said there were many local farmers at the Ag Summit that
18 seemed very interested. He said this information is helpful in Orange County, but there is
19 still statewide merit to pursuing legislative action.
20 Commissioner Greene said Durham County farmers have caught onto this
21 certification, as Durham Public Schools are using local food. She said she would love to
22 see Orange County do the same.
23 Commissioner McKee said another avenue to get the word out is the ASCS
24 (Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service), from which every farmer in the nation
25 receives communication.
26 Commissioner Greene applauded the list, and said it is consistent with the State's
27 proposal, plus a little local flavor. She said #20 (Land Water and Agriculture Preservation
28 Funding) is one she is interested in, and asked if the County has healthy funding for these
29 type of needs, or is this something that should be added to the list.
30 Bonnie Hammersley said the County continues to put money to grow its match from
31 the State, and this fund is pretty healthy for easements and land conservation.
32 Commissioner Bedford said she liked the 7 priorities, and asked if it is appropriate
33 to add something to the long list about funding/advocacy regarding the census.
34 Greg Wilder said staff can add that as item #38.
35
36 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner
37 Marcoplos for the Board to:
38
39 -Consider approval of the 2019 Orange County Priority Legislative Issues document; and
40 -Consider approval of the Other Orange County Legislative Interests document to add #38.
41
42 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
43
44 Pending action by the Board, staff will work with the Chair to draft a cover letter for the
45 materials to be presented to Orange County's legislative delegation at the March 11, 2019
46 Legislative Breakfast.
47
48 d. Authorization to Contract with the County's Financial Advisor to Conduct a
49 Third Party Financial Analysis of the New Financial Plan for the Durham-
50 Orange Light Rail Transit Protect
22
1 The Board considered voting to authorize the County Manager to sign an
2 agreement with Davenport & Company, LLC to provide a third party analysis of a new,
3 proposed financial plan for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Project at a cost not to exceed
4 $30,000.
5 Travis Myren presented this item:
6
7 BACKGROUND:
8 On April 27, 2017, the Board of Orange County Commissioners adopted the Interlocal
9 Cost Sharing Agreement for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project as well as the
10 Orange County Transit Plan. As part of the Board's consideration of these items, the
11 County engaged its financial advisor, Davenport & Company, LLC, to conduct a third party
12 analysis of the proposed financial plan and report their findings to the Board of Orange
13 County Commissioners.
14
15 The Article 43 Transit Sales Tax, a portion of Vehicle Registration Fees, and a portion of
16 rental car fees are used to fund transit projects approved in the Transit Plan, including the
17 light rail project. The 2017 Davenport analysis (attached) focused on long term borrowing
18 costs and annual cash flow needs. The analysis demonstrated that all of the projects
19 contained in the Transit Plan could be funded using transit revenues alone.
20
21 GoTriangle is expected to propose an amended financial model due to new costs
22 associated with the Durham-Orange Light Rail Project. When the final proposed financial
23 model is completed, Board action at this time would allow the County Manager to
24 immediately engage the County's financial advisor to update the analysis completed in
25 2017 and offer any new observations associated with the new financial plan. The cost of
26 the analysis would be capped at $30,000.
27
28 In order for the light rail project to proceed, a new Interlocal Cost Sharing Agreement and
29 an Amended Orange County Transit Plan will need to be approved by the Board of Orange
30 County Commissioners. GoTriangle is requesting these approvals during the month of
31 March to meet a State imposed April 30 deadline.
32
33 PUBLIC COMMENT:
34 Joan Guilky said there have been major changes in the plan in the last year,
35 significantly increasing costs. She said the review last year from Davenport included
36 financing costs that had not been included in the GoTriangle reports. She said it is
37 essential to authorize Davenport to complete a new analysis, so that all parties can work
38 from the same facts and figures.
39
40 Patricia Clayton read the following comments:
41 I am Pat Clayton I am speaking on behalf of the Northern Orange National Association for the
42 Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
43
44 We are gravely concerned about the escalating costs of light rail project, and large, last minute
45 issues and risks surrounding the project. That is why we are asking you to retain Independent
46 Financial advisors, Davenport and Company to evaluate the new project plan when it comes
47 out.
48
49 At a minimum, we would like to hear Davenport's analysis of the project's costs, debt and
50 contingency, and risks to our schools and essential services. We are especially interested in
23
1 the project reserves, and how you will protect Orange County when the light rail project funds
2 are gone.
3
4 We also would like to know more about operating and maintenance costs, and how much of our
5 transit taxes will be tied up to keep the trains running. That will help all of us understand how
6 much — if any money will be left over for buses, demand services and other services that are
7 needed in Northern Orange.
8
9 Once we've heard from Davenport, our next question to you will be when can we expect you to
10 add services to Northern Orange. We don't mind paying transit taxes but we expect to see
11 services that work.
12
13 Please retain Davenport so we can all be fully informed about the costs and risks of the light rail
14 project, and its impact on providing transit services to Northern Orange County
15
16 Bonnie Hauser read the following comments:
17 1 am Bonnie Hauser and I am speaking on behalf of Schley Grange and Orange County Voice.
18
19 We have been following the light rail project for years and are also concerned about the
20 escalating costs, and significant last minute changes. Your board will not have much time to
21 consider the implications of these changes on the county's finances.
22
23 That's just one of the many reasons to retain Davenport and Company to evaluate the new
24 project plan when it comes out. Even if they discover that everything is fine, their fee is a small
25 price to pay for those assurances.
26
27 For our new commissioners, in 2017, Davenport was the first to fully quantify the project
28 interest payments of over$800 million dollars payable until 2062. If GoTriangle's powerpoint
29 presentation is any indication, those numbers will go up. Also — Davenport helped everyone
30 understand the cash balances, which were unacceptable to your board. That's why private
31 investors were brought into the mix. Its now possible that GoTriangle will ask your board to
32 backstop costs that you couldn't afford in 2017.
33
34 As others have said, it's important that Davenport look at the project costs, debt and
35 contingency and how that has changed since 2017. Even if you protect the $149.5 million
36 dollar cap (and we hope you do), Orange County as no protection over debt increases.
37
38 There are also questions about operating costs and whether the transit taxes will be sufficient
39 to pay for them. Last summer the Herald Sun reported that GoTriangle was planning to borrow
40 money for operations — but we've not heard anything since.
41
42 In 2017, the project cash flows were tight but Durham had healthy reserves. That may change
43 if Durham assumes hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs. If the project gets into
44 trouble, what recourse will Orange County have?
45
46 The saying goes "trust but verify". It would be great to learn that everything looks great— but
47 you will only know for sure if you retain Davenport to look at the finances.
48
49 Thank you
50
24
1 Julie McClintock endorsed hiring Davenport so it can dig into this new financial
2 model, how the additional costs will be paid for, and if the central services and schools can
3 be protected. She said many in the community appreciated the resolution passed last fall
4 that limited the Board's spending on this project to $149.5 million, plus interest. She said
5 there is a petition asking the Board to stick to this resolution, which has 366 signatures thus
6 far. She said Davenport can evaluate the transit tax revenues, but she would also like to
7 note the following items in the risk category: ridership estimates seem ambitious, given
8 that this is one fixed route that does not include the airport, RTP or Raleigh; this may not
9 mitigate traffic as hoped; the loss of affordable housing; and gentrification. She said is also
10 especially concerned for Chapel Hill Transit.
11 Commissioner McKee said this mentions a $30,000 cap, and asked if this is straight
12 forward reprocessing as before, would it not be that much.
13 Travis Myren said it comes in the same general format, and the costs would be
14 lower.
15 Commissioner McKee asked is there a retainer fee if Orange County engages
16 Davenport, but ends up not using Davenport; simply for having Davenport on hold.
17 Travis Myren said a termination provision would need to be available for any
18 reason, and the County would pay Davenport for any work completed to date, and
19 Davenport would turn over any work completed to date.
20 Commissioner Dorosin clarified that they are still waiting to get final numbers from
21 GoTriangle, and there is nothing to review at this time.
22 Travis Myren said that is correct.
23
24 Commissioner McKee said there is nothing to review now, but his concern is that if
25 Davenport is not in place there may be a lag time once the numbers come out to having
26 them reviewed. He asked if this is correct.
27 Travis Myren said as soon as the financial model is received staff can engage
28 Davenport and allow the Manager to sign a contract and approve a budget amendment.
29 He said, in the absence of that, staff needs to wait for another Board cycle to do that, and
30 everyone is up against an April 301" deadline. He said it is a balancing act.
31 Commissioner McKee said there is a Board cycle of 2 weeks from the time a
32 decision is made.
33 Commissioner Marcoplos clarified that if the Board puts money down for a future
34 analysis, but does not need it, then the County can get all the money back.
35 Travis Myren said yes, they would terminate the contract with no penalty.
36 Chair Rich asked if it is known how long it would take to turn such a report around.
37 Travis Myren said maybe during a 2-week Board cycle, if the format is as it was in
38 the past.
39 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the process is that there will be some additional
40 information coming from FTA.
41 Travis Myren said yes.
42 Commissioner Dorosin asked if sometime between now and April 301" a revised
43 transit plan will come back to the Board.
44 Travis Myren said yes.
45 Commissioner Dorosin asked if it is known who will review the numbers when they
46 come back.
47 Travis Myren said Orange County, Durham County staff and GoTriangle will review
48 the numbers.
49 Chair Rich invited comments from the Board.
25
1 Commissioner McKee said since this was partially a response to his petition he
2 would comment first. He said GoTriangle invited all Board of County Commissioners
3 members to meet with GoTriangle staff to review the new information, and he met with
4 them last week. He said his takeaway from this meeting was that the changes through
5 downtown Durham, the open cut, the underground and elevated sections total $81 million
6 price range. He said going from 751 to 9t" street through the Duke University complex is
7 about 1.2 miles costing $90-100 million. He said these two portions total $171 million. He
8 said there is a small area at Shannon Road and University that has to have open cut, which
9 he will ignore as it is not a significant cost.
10 Commissioner McKee said he also spoke with GoTriangle staff about the private
11 investment funds, which may or may not come on line. He said if these funds do not come
12 to fruition, the counties will be expected to pick up the difference, which is $82 million, with
13 a grand total of$253 million, which will all be borrowed money with 3% interest, which is
14 $250 million over 45 years. He said if his ballpark figures are close, this adds $500 million
15 in additional costs, which is no small amount. He said what is a small amount, is $30,000
16 to pay Davenport to do an analysis and at the end, the cost is worthwhile. He said using
17 Davenport is not a criticism of Orange County staff. He said Davenport has an expertise
18 and should be used accordingly.
19 Commissioner McKee said GoTriangle staff also mentioned that there is a
20 possibility that the FTA would require an additional unknown percentage for contingency,
21 but he is not including this possibility at this time.
22 Commissioner Marcoplos said Commissioner McKee's numbers are basically
23 correct, and the added contingency is what all are waiting for from the FTA. He said there
24 will be added contingency. He said the private funding backstop will not go public until a
25 commitment is made from Duke. He said all indications point to great private funding
26 interest.
27 Commissioner Marcoplos said the backstop would exist to have a fund to backup
28 while the other agreements are being signed.
29 Commissioner Marcoplos said the Board passed a resolution that it would not
30 spend any more than $149.5 million, and so he questions the need for this petition and
31 proposal. He said Durham is well aware of this reality. He said in 2017 Davenport was
32 asked to look at the entire project and the financing, which was a huge project. He said
33 right now, the Board is waiting for a short list of numbers, and this request for an analysis
34 from Davenport is premature. He said he would like to get information first, and then see
35 what is needed. He said at the meeting last month, which upset everyone, there were
36 many financial staff in that room, who have a good handle on what is going on. He said his
37 point is that everyone wants to know what is going on and to protect Orange County, and
38 the odds are good that there will be enough information to understand everything and to
39 share it with the public, answering all questions. He said he is not in favor of committing to
40 this analysis now, but he is comfortable with keeping Davenport on hold and using them
41 after the numbers are received, and if questions still remain.
42 Commissioner Dorosin said he tends to agree with Commissioner Marcoplos, but
43 the information the Board is going to get is going to be very determinative. He said if Duke
44 does not commit, or if the numbers are going to be exorbitant, the Board will not need
45 Davenport to tell it to stop, as it will be obvious.
46 Commissioner Dorosin agreed that this is a different situation than in 2017, and he
47 feels like this time around it will be more obvious as to how to proceed. He said if it is not,
48 then the Board can hire Davenport. He would like to get the information back first.
49 Commissioner Greene said she thinks she agrees with Commissioner Dorosin, and
50 she was not a part of the Board when it passed a resolution limiting spending at $149.5
26
1 million, but she supported it and is committed to that resolution. She said if Duke does not
2 commit, the conversation is over.
3 Commissioner Greene said she agrees with Commissioner Dorosin to wait for the
4 numbers, and if they present a viable scenario then it may be valuable to engage
5 Davenport. She said it may be wise to have Davenport on retainer now.
6 Commissioner Bedford said she agrees with most of what has been said, but she
7 has more questions if Duke does commit and there are more numbers in hand. She said
8 this resolution seems to be pre-authorizing the Manager to engage Davenport if there are
9 questions about the numbers, which is what she would support. She would like to compare
10 Davenport's analysis form 2017 with one of current numbers, once these numbers are
11 received. She said if Durham is hiring an outside firm, it seems to support the hiring of
12 Davenport once there are numbers.
13 Commissioner Bedford encouraged the Board to pass this resolution, and it is not
14 about terminating the project, but rather understanding the numbers as a new cost share
15 agreement is negotiated.
16 Commissioner Marcoplos said a lot of these questions were answered in the
17 original analysis. He said Orange County is not going to pay the numbers they are dealing
18 with now, and it is wise to wait and see what will affect Orange County when the
19 information on any of these additional costs is received.
20 Commissioner Marcoplos said this financial burden is not on Orange County, and
21 he recommends not pre-authorizing any analysis by Davenport, but wait and see what the
22 numbers say.
23 Commissioner Bedford said Orange County is responsible for the interest, and if the
24 costs go up (even if these costs are assumed by Durham), Orange County is still
25 responsible for the interest according to the cost sharing agreement.
26 Commissioner Marcoplos said if costs go up, there would be a new cost share
27 agreement and Durham will cover the costs.
28 Commissioner Bedford said if that is in the writing then Davenport is not needed,
29 but if it is not in the writing then Davenport is needed.
30 Commissioner Marcoplos said the Durham Commissioners understand very clearly
31 that Orange County will not put forth any more money.
32 Chair Rich said when the State said it would not cover the money, the cost share
33 agreement was going to be redone as Durham would pick up additional costs and interest.
34 She said it all ties together that everyone is waiting on the numbers so that the cost share
35 agreement can be rewritten.
36 Chair Rich said the whole Board agreed to not surpass $149.5 million, and no one
37 asked the Board to do so. She said an additional resolution seems unnecessary. She said
38 she is fine with keeping Davenport on hold, and when the numbers come back it will be
39 obvious if this can proceed or not. She said it will be especially obvious to Durham if it will
40 be able to proceed. She said she does not want to get locked into something with
41 Davenport, and she does not want to endanger the very tight timeline.
42 Chair Rich said the Board signed an agreement, which was a result of many
43 meetings, to cap the amount Orange County will spend, and no one has asked the Board
44 to change this agreement.
45 Commissioner McKee said no one has asked us to change the agreement, but
46 these changes amount to a 5% change, which triggers a material change; therefore, the
47 current cost share agreement is not worth anything, as it has to be renegotiated.
48 Commissioner McKee asked if Commissioner Marcoplos and Chair Rich are saying
49 that Durham will definitively pick up the $81 million through the middle of Durham, the $90
27
1 million plus in Duke, backstop, $250 million interest, and the possible $200 million
2 contingency.
3 Commissioner Marcoplos said Durham is considering its options, as it knows
4 Orange County cannot afford it.
5 Commissioner McKee said having Davenport on retainer is a wise thing to do.
6 Commissioner Marcoplos said he hears the Board agreeing with Commissioner
7 McKee.
8 Commissioner McKee said the Board needs to retain Davenport now.
9 Chair Rich said Durham does not have the numbers either, but if Durham does not
10 pick up all the costs, then the project is over. She said if Duke says no it is over; if Durham
11 cannot make backstops, it is over.
12 Commissioner McKee said it will not be over, as the cost sharing agreement states
13 it will go to mitigation.
14
15 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Bedford
16 for the Board to:
17 1. To authorize the County Manager to sign an agreement with Davenport &
18 Company, LLC to provide a third party analysis of a new, proposed financial plan
19 when presented to our staff (Commissioner McKee) for the Durham-Orange Light
20 Rail Project at a cost not to exceed $30,000; and to retain the right to cancel at no
21 cost;
22
23 2. Consider authorizing staff to prepare a budget amendment that transfers funds from
24 the Board Contingency line item (approximately $20,700) and the Manager's
25 miscellaneous line item to the Finance Department to fund this analysis.
26
27 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would prefer the language to "consider"
28 Davenport to provide a third party analysis.
29 Commissioner McKee said he would not accept the friendly amendment, and the
30 Board needs to definitely signal that it accepts the possibility that it will be needed.
31 Commissioner Marcoplos said he does not want to spend this money unnecessarily,
32 and money would have to be put down to reserve Davenport's time.
33 Travis Myren said the Board will receive a presentation from GoTriangle on March
34 7I", and at that time, the Board could authorize the Manager to sign an agreement. He said
35 Commissioner McKee's motion would allow staff to move forward with Davenport should
36 numbers become available prior to the next BOCC meeting, allowing more space in the
37 timeline.
38 Commissioner Greene asked if the Board needs to make a refundable down
39 payment as a retainer to make sure Davenport can act quickly on March 7t", if that is when
40 the numbers are received.
41 Travis Myren said a retainer is not needed, and has put Davenport on notice that
42 the County may be engaging their services. He said it is more a matter of how much time
43 the Board wants to allow for those things to happen.
44 Commissioner McKee restated his motion, adding the wording "when presented to
45 our staff".
46 Commissioner Marcoplos said he is confused. He said the concern seems to be
47 that the numbers are going to be received too late in order to have time to complete the
48 analysis, but the analysis cannot be completed until the numbers are received.
49 Commissioner McKee said then there is no harm no foul.
28
1 Commissioner Marcoplos said this needs to be worded that the Board will decide
2 later, as there is not way to know if the analysis is needed without having the numbers.
3 Commissioner McKee said his additional wording covers that.
4 Chair Rich asked what would happen if numbers are not ready by March 7t"
5 Travis Myren said that would be a more precarious situation in regards to the
6 timeline, and perhaps the Board may want to wait until the 7t"
7 Chair Rich asked if waiting until the 7t" would change anything, or does the staff
8 need a plan to move forward with Davenport.
9 Travis McKee said the authority to move forward with Davenport would be
10 needed/helpful only if the financial numbers come to staff before the March 7t" meeting.
11 Commissioner Marcoplos said he does not want another Alice in Wonderland
12 scenario where the Board issues a resolution reaffirming one that it has already made. He
13 said if the Board does not clearly state the exact situation it is in —that the numbers do not
14 yet exist and that there may be a time crunch one they are received — it will lead to public
15 confusion and frustration.
16 Commissioner Greene said she is now concerned about timeframe, and if the
17 Board commits to analysis that time really does not allow for, would the Board jeopardize
18 the April 30t" deadline.
19 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the Board could possibly commit to a Davenport
20 analysis, reserving the right to not proceed as the numbers may give all the answers
21 everyone is seeking.
22 Commissioner Dorosin clarified that the time crunch is not getting Davenport to do
23 the work, but rather making sure the numbers are received in the first place, and it is
24 expected that the numbers will be received on March 7th at the latest.
25 Commissioner Dorosin said to make it clear in motion that the Board reserves the
26 right to cancel the retainer, at no cost, and not proceed with Davenport.
27 Commissioner Marcoplos said it is a desire to be prepared to hire Davenport, if
28 necessary, but not a promise to do so, as Davenport's services may not be necessary.
29 Commissioner McKee said he would accept this as a friendly amendment.
30 Commissioner Greene said she sees this as authorizing the Manager to act, not
31 requiring the Manager to act.
32 Commissioner Bedford said she agrees.
33 Commissioner McKee said the Board was supposed to receive these numbers last
34 Friday, which did not happen. He said the Board does not known when these numbers will
35 be received. He said his only concern is if the information should be received tomorrow,
36 that nothing can happen until March 7cn
37 Chair Rich said Travis Myren can keep the Board informed, and the numbers are
38 coming from the FTA not GoTriangle.
39 Commissioner McKee accepted Commissioner Dorosin's friendly amendment to
40 reserve the right to cancel at no cost.
41 Commissioner Marcoplos said it is not as simple as when the numbers drop, it is
42 also when the Board is able to take advantage of the financial experts who are already
43 involved in this project.
44 Commissioner McKee said he agrees, and if the numbers drop tomorrow morning,
45 those financial experts should be engaged immediately.
46 Commissioner Marcoplos said it may take a few days, and this is an essential part
47 of the process, unless the Board just wants to throw money around.
48 Commissioner McKee said he has no desire to toss money out until, and unless, the
49 numbers are available.
29
1 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the Board is voting on hiring Davenport as soon as
2 the numbers are receive, without any initial analysis from local financial experts; or is the
3 Board voting to hire Davenport after initial assessment of the numbers is completed locally,
4 and Davenport's services are deemed necessary.
5 Commissioner McKee said his motion is the former.
6 Donna Baker reread the motion.
7 Commissioner Greene said the motion authorizes the Manager, and does not
8 require, which she is fine with.
9 Commissioner Bedford agreed, and said it will be her professional discretion.
10 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the Manager understands the motion to mean that
11 she will have discretion as to whether or not to hire Davenport.
12 Bonnie Hammersley said she understands Commissioner McKee's motion to say
13 that when the numbers are received that she is to engage Davenport's services.
14 Commissioner Dorosin said to bring this back on the 7t" and if the numbers are
15 unclear to instruct Davenport to proceed with an analysis.
16 Chair Rich said there is a motion on the floor on which the Board needs to vote.
17
18 VOTE: Yeas, 2 (Commissioner McKee and Commissioner Bedford); Nays, 4
19 (Commissioner Dorosin Commissioner Greene Commissioner Marcoplos and Chair Rich)
20
21 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Greene for
22 the Board to wait until the March 7, 2019 BOCC regular meeting, after the BOCC has additional
23 financial numbers, to consider authorizing the County Manager to sign an agreement with
24 Davenport & Company, LLC to provide a third party analysis of a new, proposed financial plan
25 for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Project at a cost not to exceed $30,000. If needed prior to
26 March 7, 2019, an emergency BOCC meeting can be called to expedite the agreement.
27
28 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to create an alternative motion, which
29 incorporates not only having the numbers, but also a modest amount of time to get feed
30 back from local financial expertise.
31
32 Commissioner Dorosin said his motion says to bring it all back on the 7t", and have
33 that conversation at that time.
34 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to know if there is support for his
35 suggestion.
36 Commissioner Dorosin said if this numbers come in tomorrow, then all local experts
37 will have been able to weigh in by March 7t", but if the numbers do not come in until March
38 61", no one will have been able to comment by March 71" and the debate can be had at that
39 time. He said if the information comes tomorrow, an emergency meeting can be called.
40 He said the third party analysis will be valuable if it is needed, and the need cannot be
41 determined until the numbers come from the FTA.
42 Commissioner Bedford said the risk of waiting is that the numbers may come in
43 early, and should they come in early she likes the idea of calling an emergency meeting.
44 Commissioner Dorosin amended his motion to include language allowing for an
45 emergency meeting should one be necessary.
46 Commissioner McKee said he will vote for this motion, as doing otherwise would be
47 petty and to no effect. He said at some time experts will need to look at these numbers.
48 Commissioner Marcoplos having the numbers is only one piece of the puzzle, and
49 allowing local financial experts to weigh in is equally important, and could negate the need
50 to spend any money on a report by Davenport.
30
1 Commissioner McKee said there are so many moving parts and numbers in this
2 conversation that are unknown.
3
4 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
5
6 7. Reports
7 NONE
8
9 8. Consent Agenda
10 • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
11 • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
12
13 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Greene
14 to the Board to approve the remaining items on the Consent Agenda:
15
16 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
17
18 Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
19
20 a. Minutes
21 The Board approved the minutes from January 29 and February 5, 2019 as
22 submitted by the Clerk to the Board.
23 b. Fiscal Year 2018-19 Budget Amendment#6
24 The Board approved budget and capital project ordinance amendments for fiscal
25 year 2018-19 to Library Services; Health Department; Animal Services; Planning and
26 Inspections; Emergency Services; Social Services; Department on Aging; Human Services;
27 Orange County Northern Campus Capital Project; and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools
28 Projects.
29 c. Application for North Carolina Education Lottery Proceeds for Chapel Hill —
30 Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) and Contingent Approval of Budget
31 Amendment#6-A Related to CHCCS Capital Project Ordinances
32 The Board approved an application to the North Carolina Department of Public
33 Instruction (NCDPI) to release proceeds from the NC Education Lottery account related to
34 FY 2018-19 debt service payments for Chapel Hill — Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS), and
35 to approve Budget Amendment#6-A (amended School Capital Project Ordinances),
36 contingent on the NCDPI's approval of the application.
37 d. Resolution Acknowledging February 26, 2019, as Spay Neuter Day in Orange
38 County
39 The Board approved a resolution to make February 26, 2019, "Spay Neuter Day" in
40 Orange County.
41 e. New Three-Year Interlocal Agreement between Orange County and the Town of
42 Chapel Hill to Continue Joint Funding for the "LAUNCH, Inc." Small Business
43 Incubator
44 The Board voted to:
45 1) approve and authorize the County Manager to sign a new three-year Interlocal
46 Agreement that renews the County's contractual relationship and joint funding arrangement
47 with the Town of Chapel Hill enabling the tech incubator LAUNCH to continue to provide
48 entrepreneurial services that promote the growth and retention of small businesses; and
49 2) approve the Bylaws of the "LAUNCH, Inc." small business incubator in Chapel Hill that
50 was formed on January 1, 2019 as a new nonprofit organization, which includes authorizing
31
1 the Manager to serve as an executive board member of the new non-profit (or to designate
2 another County representative to serve in that capacity), thereby joining representatives
3 from the Town of Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as
4 executive board members.
5
6 9. County Manager's Report
7 NONE
8
9 10. County Attorney's Report
10 NONE
11
12 11. *Appointments
13
14 a. Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee —Appointment
15 The Board considered making an appointment to the Adult Care Home Community
16 Advisory Committee.
17
18 DEFERRED
19
20 b. Arts Commission —Appointment- DONE AS 4-c
21 The Board considered making an appointment to the Arts Commission.
22
23 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
24
25 c. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee —Appointment
26 The Board considered making two appointments to the Nursing Home Community
27 Advisory Committee.
28
29 DEFERRED
30
31 12. Information Items
32 The Board received the following information items:
33
34 9 February 5, 2019 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List
35 9 Memorandum Regarding FY2018-19 Capital Investment Plan Information Updates
36 9 Memorandum Regarding Greywater and/or Reclaimed Water Systems
37 9 Memorandum Regarding FY2018-19 Second Quarter Financial Report
38
39 13. Closed Session
40
41 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Greene
42 to adjourn the meeting into closed session at 9:56 p.m. for the following purpose:
43
44 "Pursuant to G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(3) "to consult with an attorney retained by the Board in
45 order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the Board."
46
47 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
48
49 RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION
50
32
1 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin seconded by Commissioner McKee to
2 reconvene into regular session at 10:10pm.
3
4 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
5
6 14. Adjournment
7
8 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin seconded by Commissioner McKee to
9 adjourn the meeting at 10:10pm.
10
11 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
12
13
14
15 Penny Rich, Chair
16
17
18
19 Donna Baker
20 Clerk to the Board