HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-05-2001-8k~.
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 5, 2001
Action Agend
Item No.
SUBJECT: Si n Translation Pro'ect -Board of Count Commissioners' Goal
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Draft example of `Safety Sign'
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Commissioner Barry Jacobs
Clerk to the Board Beverly Blythe
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To provide information on the 1999-2000 Board of County Commissioners-
approved goal to: °Translate signs into Spanish especially at key govemment buildings" and
present a recommendation for Board approval.
BACKGROUND: On June 21, 1999, the BOCC adopted the goal to, "Translate signs into
Spanish especially at key govemment buildings." This goal was formulated in response to the
needs of the growing Hispanic/Latino population in Orange County. The 2000 census
information indicates that the Hispanic or Latino population is 5,273 or 4.5% of the total
population of Orange County, which is 118,227. The Hispanic population in 1990 was 1,275. A
subcommittee of the Orange County Risk Management team has been compiling information on
the project since June 2000. A Board of County Commissioners Communications Task Force
reviewed the information and made suggestions for aphased-in approach that is described in
this abstract which will spread the cost over a longer period of time. Commissioners Gordon
and Jacobs served on this task force. The BOCC is being asked to approve all three phases.
The committee conducted a survey and found that current signage, in many cases, is
inadequate for both English and Spanish speakers using County services. Some signs do not
meet ADA standards; other buildings have acquired a wide variety of sign styles over many
years. It was determined that citizens may have a hard time finding their way around some of
the County buildings.
An informal poll of Department Heads with heavy public contact yielded an estimate of about
100 visits per month to Orange County buildings by Spanish-speaking people.
The costs in this abstract do not include labor or administrative costs. The Buildings ~ Grounds
division of Public Works will mount the signs. The project will be integrated over time into the
division's normal work schedule. The project will also require administrative time from the
Clerk's office. The costs do include an estimated $100 for translation services.
Key buildings identified by the committee include the Government Services Center, the
Government Services Annex, Northern Human Services Center, Planning and Agriculture
facility, Central Recreation Center, Richard E. Whiffed Human Services building, Skills
Development Center, the Southern Human Services Center and the Court facilities. Due to
heavy usage, signs will also be provided for the Dental Clinic at Carr Mill Mall.
PHASEI
Retrofit key county buildings as listed above with interior signs with universal symbols (where
applicable; i.e., handicapped symbol) and with Spanish translations. The signs will also meet
ADA standards. The signs will include restroom, safety, directional, department names, and
internal department signs. This phase also includes providing the general `safety sign,' saying
No smoking - No weapons (English and Spanish) and hours of operation which will be placed
on the outside of public entrances to ALL -not just key county-owned buildings. This sign also
will be placed at the entrances to departments in leased buildings. Inside each building (lobby
area) will be a sign which will say "For Translation Services Call" and give the telephone
number to call (EMS). This will not only be stated in Spanish but will be stated in French,
Japanese and Korean as well as Spanish
Estimated production cost for Phase, I: $26,224
PHASE II
Provide external building signs, parking signs, and large indoor and outdoor directories for
county facilities. External sign costs will vary greatly. Different sizes will be required and
stylistic constraints placed on signs by the towns of Orange County vary.
Estimated production cost: Not yet determined.
PHASE III
Provide on the outside of each office' the name or names of those individuals who work in that
particular office or office area.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding for Phase I of this initiative, totaling $2fi,224, would be included
in the 2001-02 fiscal year budget for the Clerk's Office.
RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the sign project
as presented.
1 ~
~r
S 1/2" x 11" (Approx.)
No Smoking
No Fumar
No Weapons
No Armas
Hours of Operation:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
6" x 9" (Approx.)
Des services de traduction, necessitez:
~~' ~~F~ TI~N~ Flo
Para Ios servicios de traduccion, Ilarne:
(919) 968-2050