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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-16-2021 Virtual Business Meeting 1 APPROVED 4/20/21 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VIRTUAL BUSINESS MEETING MARCH 16, 2021 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Virtual Business Meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford, and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton, Mark Dorosin, Sally Greene, and Earl McKee COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: NONE COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Chair Price called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A roll call was called; all members were present. Due to current public health concerns, the Board of Commissioners is conducting a Virtual Business Meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Members of the Board of Commissioners participated in the meeting remotely. As in prior meetings, members of the public were able to view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at http://www.orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable). In this new virtual process, there are two methods for public comment. • Written submittals by email • Speaking during the virtual meeting Detailed public comment instructions for each method are provided at the bottom of this agenda. (Pre-registration is required.) 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda Chair Price dispensed with reading the public charge: Public Charge: The Board of Commissioners pledges its respect to all present. The Board asks those attending this meeting to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner toward each other, county staff and the commissioners. At any time should a member of the Board or the public fail to observe this charge, the Chair will take steps to restore order and decorum. Should it become impossible to restore order and continue the meeting, the Chair will recess the meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed. The BOCC asks that all electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and computers should please be turned off or set to silent/vibrate. Please be kind to everyone. 2 Arts Moment— No Arts Moment was available for this meeting. 2. Public Comments a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Latarndra Strong read a letter from the members of the Concerned Citizenry of the Efland Cheeks Community: Dear Orange County Board of County Commissioners: At this time, we, the Concerned Citizens of the Efland-Cheeks Community, wish to express our concern and disappointment with how matters continue to get handled as issues arise in northwestern parts of Orange County. As a community, we have seen many changes take place over time, the changes we see occurring are not for the betterment of our community. For example, we have seen our adult populations age to senior status, while community resources allocated to service aging populations get redirected to Centers outside of our community. We have seen low skill jobs that pay a living wage leave our community get replaced by low wage retail/food service jobs. We have seen our communities become riddled with drugs, as the same good jobs that left the area are not replaced with comparable jobs, and incarceration becomes the only mechanism employed to address drug use/sells. We have seen zoning changes that impact our community most adversely (e.g., Black Cheeks Crossing area rezoned to commercial/industrial depressing the home values and preventing the ability to make significant home improvements), while other areas are systematically kept rural (aka white). And most recently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we found out how severely our communities are impacted from technology dead zones and a lack of capital. We are fully aware that Orange County is one of the wealthiest counties in the State of North Carolina, the average property value is $292,500, and the average wage is $61,130. The County's Black population comprises less than twelve percent of the population. However, these facts are not so for Cheeks Township, Tract 011101. The average income of Tract 011101 is over $7,000 lower than the median income of the County, over 32% of the residents of Tract 011101 earn less than $30,000, and the average age of the residents of Tract 011101 is higher than the County's median age. Moreover, of this Census tract, Black populations make up almost 20% of the population and we are overrepresented regarding markers that designate poverty like food stamps. This means the average income of Blacks in the Community is significantly lower than the median. We care about the environment just as others do. But if changes are not made to address our present-day survival, we will not have a reason to concern ourselves with future survival or the environment. Even though many of us vote, we suspect many of you have never even taken the time to walk the streets of our community. Many of the Blacks who live in this community's ancestors have owned land or resided in this area since racialized slavery ended. As concerned citizens we have one request, consider the irreparable harm that the Efland-Cheeks Community has suffered in the past and present as you plan for the future of Orange County. We put our trust in you when you were elected and our lives, our children's lives, and the lives of our children's children are depending on the decisions you make today and tomorrow. John Dempsey read the following letter: Dear Commissioners, 3 The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has recently published a conservation plan to direct management activities for three freshwater mussels in addition to the Carolina Madtom and the Neuse River Waterdog within the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico river basins. Published December 10, 2020, this is in addition to the Federal Endangered Species protections proposed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and currently under review in Congress. Titled: The Conservation Plan for Five Rare Aquatic Species Restricted to the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins in North Carolina it calls for "Establishing and maintaining working relationships between governing bodies (federal, state, and local), universities, private landowners, private companies, and conservation organizations" such as the Triangle Land Conservancy, to explore conservation easements and other strategies for protecting these five species from extinction over the next 100 years. It plans for the release of Carolina Madtoms into the Upper Eno watershed. Also, it is of note that all of Sevenmile Creek, along with the first and second order creeks that feed into it, are included in the range of the Neuse River Waterdog as defined by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. If you come up the Eno River, into the South Fork Little River and then on into Sevenmile Creek, the areas defined in the Buckhorn Area Plan as parcels B, C & D, look like they are already developed, just fine. A comprehensive land use plan would identify and address its environmental impact. In my opinion, the Buckhorn Area Plan is not a land use plan but rather a real estate marketing plan. If adopted it would set a path for industrial and manufacturing development resulting in the degradation of a critical watershed and Hillsborough's municipal water supply. In addition, the Buckhorn Area Plan would set goals for land use that would be in direct opposition to people and organizations, including those in the North Carolina State government, whose jobs include working to protect this environmental resource for us all. Why not ask the Committee for the Environment to study the short and long term environmental impact of the Buckhorn Area Plan? And why weren't Orange County residents at the table earlier to participate in the discussion of an area so critical to their health and welfare? Shouldn't we be protecting the headwaters of Hillsborough's municipal water supply? There is currently zoning in place that allows plenty of time to study and address the serious environmental questions raised but left unanswered in the Buckhorn Area Plan. Fiona Johann read the following letter: Good evening, I'm Fiona Johann and I live in Orange County. I am here again for public comment because I believe it is important for citizens in the area to stay informed on how things are progressing with the Buckhorn Area Plan. The last time I spoke during a public comment on March 2, 1 asked that two items come out of the March 9 joint working session with the Orange County BOCC and Mebane City Council concerning the BAP. The first, and I believe the most important ask, was for a clear plan on public engagement on the proposed Buckhorn Area Plan. The second was for the two governments to consider a binding agreement on a joint area plan. I understand that the commissioners and city council have different priorities, but I had truly hoped that while in a 90 minute zoom discussion with 7 commissioners and 6 council members, with over 220 collective years of civic responsibilities 4 among them that a path moving forward on public engagement would have been evident. Instead the task was handed off to county and city staff and we have yet to hear anything about next steps. So I ask again, what is the plan for public engagement? When will the board of commissioners and Mebane City Council be in the same room again and be able to hear the public speak on the matter? If this plan is truly to help those in the area and those that might one day move to it, we need a plan soon. Moving slowly, and by default not having a plan, would be even worse for residents. It would mean that City of Mebane will continue to annex properties as buyers come along and County residents will be surrounded by Mebane city zoning and UDO. Conflicting UDOs mixed together in the same area will lead to many headaches for not only the residents and developers, but also the board of commissioners and Mebane city council. In respect to the commissioners' and public's time I will not rehash any of my previously made points in my past public comments, you can read those on the ocbocc public email. I ask that today you hear one thing, we need a plan for public engagement and fast. This plan needs to happen in some fashion, and to talk about land use without public input is irresponsible. The drafted Buckhorn Area Plan itself says, "Public input is important to the success of any planning effort." When will Orange County residents have the time to speak outside of 3-minute public comments? Janine Zanin read the following comments: My name is Janine Zanin and I live in Efland. It is no secret that our community has been extremely frustrated by the lack of public engagement by Orange County around the Buckhorn Area Plan. After months of public comment begging to be heard, it was very disappointing to be relegated to the sidelines, with no voice in the conversation, when you met with the city of Mebane last week. It was downright aggravating to listen in on that conversation and hear you receive misinformation. And the fact that some of the misinformation you received was related to Mebane's public engagement process thus far is just infuriating. It is our sincere hope that one of the actions you will take after last week's meeting is to put forth a clear plan for public engagement. Until that happens, we will keep showing up at your meetings, three minutes at a time, and we will be holding our own public information sessions. We invite you to attend to get a more well-rounded and accurate view of the land use issues in our community, as well as a clear picture of the process as it's been thus far. There is information on the slide behind me about how you can join us. Janine Zanin showed a slide on a community information session regarding the Buckhorn Area Plan, which will take place on March 20, 2021 from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm. Janine Zanin continued reading her comments: With my three minutes tonight, I want to make two points: 1. The public engagement process that actually happened bore little resemblance to the process that was described at your meeting with Mebane. 2. In spite of the annexation rules, you DO have some say in what happens within the future growth areas because you have a say in how Orange County invests its revenue. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT When Cy, Jesse, and Craig were asked about public engagement they said: "We did mail to the entire area and expanded area outside the study area for that public involvement meeting." No, they did not. They only mailed property owners whose property lay 5 within the boundaries of the five future growth areas. I have a copy of the letter here on the screen behind me. Janine Zanin showed a copy of the letter received by her neighbor. She continued reading her comments: My neighbor received it because she owns a home within Growth Area B. I did not receive a letter, nor did any of my neighbors. Our neighborhood is sandwiched between Growth Areas B & C. Craig Benedict said: "For the public info meeting that was a joint letter that came from the county for November 7th and 8th. One was with the Planning Board and one was public information. Jointly signed and sent from Mebane, Piedmont and the County." As you can see from the letter my neighbor received, the letter announcing the Planning Board meeting and the public info session came from Cy Stober, City of Mebane. And it was dated October 28th and I believe it arrived at our neighbor's home in early November, days before the planning board meeting. Landowners within1000 feet of the future growth areas did get notice of the City Council meeting in December. I received that notice as did my neighbors. But we were not invited to the public information session. INVESTMENT: You heard during that meeting that the future growth areas are not immediately actionable. They require further investment .... let's think critically about where to invest. And let's not limit our reflections to the investment we've made in sewer lines. We've also invested county dollars in the middle school, the soccer fields, and the Seven Mile Creek Nature Preserve and we should preserve those investments as well. Patty O'Connor read the following letter: Good evening commissioners, It wasn't my intent to speak at this meeting or for that matter, even attend it---until I heard the Orange County Planning Board chair, Mr. Blankford speak at your March 9th meeting. And the alarm bells went off. I found it curious that Mr. Blankford reported that with the last two MPD-CZ zoning requests, no one on either side was willing to compromise. He seemed to view the many citizen concerns as complaints, designed to interfere with a unanimous decision to proceed. Several of you duly noted that conflict can easily arise out of poor communication, and a lack of transparency. I hope Mr. Blankford made note of those comments and took them to heart. However, I am curious about who he was speaking of and why he thinks compromise is even in order when you're talking about burying 240 thousand gallons of gasoline on a protected watershed. There was plenty of compromise offered—it simply didn't involve threatening our community's water. It did involve making plans for the Efland community with the current zoning laws in place and some type of sustainable development that would have positive impacts and retain the rural character of the community. I'm not sure why he didn't see that. I bring this up now because here we are again, with the BAP on the table and the same community water involved. In my estimation, Mebane seems eager to proceed with industrial development and annexation. And it's evident that the OC planning board and planning 6 department don't fully appreciate the genuine and indisputable value of our water and perhaps, other natural resources—if they did, Buc-ee's would never have gotten the first green light. So we don't go down the same (Beaver) trail, I respectfully ask that you hang onto the reins and give specific direction and guidance to both the Planning Board and the Planning Department on how to meaningfully engage Orange County citizens so that our county's resources are appropriately used for the good of the community and protected, as necessary. Perhaps some joint training with the Commission for the Environment (CFE) should be considered for the planners and citizens, alike. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members Commissioner Greene said the Broadband Task Force, which she and Commissioner McKee are co-chairing, has met once and will meet again on March 17, 2021. She said a member of the task force is helping the committee examine grants and other funding sources. She said the task force will meet every two weeks. Commissioner Greene said the transit policy committee, which she and Commissioner Dorosin are co-chairing, has completed Phase 1 of planning, which involves examining the landscape and receiving public engagement. She said the next steps are to examine how much revenue is projected for is Article 43 sales tax, and determining the priorities, in order to present back to the public. She said through 2025, revenue to support extra transit projects is very constrained, under $1 million per year. She said from 2025 to 2035, the tax revenue will increase to $4.8 million annually. She said after 2035, tax revenue will increase to $8 million annually. She said, for perspective, a bus rapid transit system costs between $12 and $80 million per mile. She said the policy committee determined that the 2017 plan is good, except that it lacks connectivity to Durham County, due to light rail no longer being an option. She said the policy committee is looking at a bus connector to Durham, or other type of rapid transit connector, depending on the available budget. She said when the draft plan goes back for public comment, the policy committee will consider other ideas for meeting underserved areas of the County; however, revenue for the next several years will continue to be constrained. She said the transit policy committee will meet with the Durham County Board of Commissioners to discuss connection between the counties. Commissioner Greene said she and Commissioner Bedford attended the Family Success Alliance (FSA) meeting, and she chaired the Area Agency on Aging board meeting in the past week. She said both boards discussed how partner organizations are doing. She said one partner, Volunteers for Youth, needs mentors for ages 8-14. She said the goal of Volunteers for Youth is to keep young people out of the teen court program. She said at the Area Agency on Aging meeting, she learned about direct care providers, and that there is a shortage of workers in that field due to low wages. She said 40%of these workers are undocumented. She said the takeaway is that some of our community are doing fine, pandemic or not, but many in the community are just hanging on. She read a quote attributed to several people, "Be kind to everyone, for everyone you meet is facing a great battle." Commissioner McKee thanked Commissioner Greene for the comments for the Broadband Task Force. He said there is interest from state legislators for addressing the broadband needs in the community, and he has hope for moving forward. Commissioner Bedford said she attended the Partnership to End Homelessness meeting, which involves many agencies in the community. She said the committee is doing a significant amount of work on racial equity training. 7 Commissioner Bedford petitioned the Board to consider changing the current appointment structure to the Family Success Alliance and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. She said the Family Success Alliance has two commissioner liaisons, but there are none to Affordable Housing Advisory Board. Commissioner Bedford asked if the Board would consider moving one liaison position to the Affordable Housing Advisory Board from the Family Success Alliance. Commissioner Hamilton said the Chamber for Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro will have a forum, featuring economist Michael Walden, on March 25, 2021 from 8:30 to 10 a.m., and invited anyone interested to attend. Commissioner Fowler said she attended the "Lunch and Learn" today hosted by Orange County, and the group heard from Joann Wilson, who was the "first" in many things that she did. She said Joann Wilson grew up in East Raleigh, and went on to become a professor of medicine at Duke University. She said in many of the places she went, Wilson was the first African-American and the first woman. She said Joann Wilson's story was very inspirational. Commissioner Dorosin asked if staff would include information about money that was allocated in the fiscal year 2020-21 budget that were not spent or reallocated impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in upcoming budget presentations. He said, for example, the Chapel Hill Library received over $500,000 in the fiscal year 2020-21 budget, but it has been closed for about a year. He said he would like to know how those funds were used, if they were used at all. He said if the funds were not used, he asked if the funds rolled back into the Town of Chapel Hill's general fund. He said he would also like the same information on funding for schools, in particular funds allocated for capital improvements. He asked if school funds are still earmarked for the original projects. He said he also has similar questions on funding for School Resource Officer positions, since schools were not open. Commissioner Dorosin said he would like to know the next steps on Buckhorn Area Plan. He said the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) needs a short term and mid term timeline, given the time and encroaching development pressures. He asked if there could be a list of action steps created. Bonnie Hammersley said after the March 9, 2021 work session, she contacted the Town of Mebane to discuss next steps. She, the Deputy County Manager, and the Planning Director will be meeting with the Town Manager of Mebane and his staff to put together next steps, including a plan for community engagement, which will be brought to the Board for approval. Chair Price said the Big Night In For The Arts was a great success, and offered congratulations to Katie Murray, Arts Commission Director, for her efforts. She said there are many activities scheduled to recognize the importance of the arts in communities. She said the North Carolina Arts Commission will be hosting an event in the upcoming week. She said the same day as Big Night In For The Arts, she met with the Arts and Culture Commission for NACo during the legislative conference, and the Commission was successful in getting four different steering committees to accept their resolution to have more funding for the arts, including veterans' health, juvenile justice, and the environment. She said the arts have a big impact on the community, and arts and culture can help with the transition out of the pandemic, keeping people motivated and improving the economy. Chair Price said Dr. Sonny Kelly will be doing a performance titled "Haunted" on March 27, 2021. She said Orange County Arts Commission and other community groups are cosponsoring the performance, and it will be streamed for free online. Chair Price said she met with the Mayors of the municipalities in the County to discuss relief funds that are available for housing. She said the Mayors, Chair, Managers, and Staff will meet to discuss coordinated efforts for housing, and will bring it back to the Board for further discussion. 8 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. Resolution for the Re-naming the New Orange County Environmental Agricultural Center (EAC) to the Orange County Bonnie B. Davis Environmental and Agricultural Center The Board considered voting to approve a resolution re-naming the new Orange County Environmental Agricultural Center (EAC) to the Orange County Bonnie B. Davis Environmental and Agricultural Center. BACKGROUND: Bonnie B. Davis joined the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in the 1950's. Ms. Davis retired from Orange County Cooperative Extension Department in 1990 after over 40 years as the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent. Ms. Davis passed away on July 27, 2018. A proposal to re-name the New Orange County Environmental Agricultural Center (EAC) to the Orange County Bonnie B. Davis Environmental and Agricultural Center was presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration on February 16, 2021. The Board subsequently adopted a motion to consider the proposal as outlined in the Board's attached policy. As further noted in the policy, the next step is for the Board to consider a resolution approving the re-naming. Bonnie Hammersley reviewed the background of this item, and recommended that the Board approve the resolution. Chair Price said there were several letters of recommendation in the Board's agenda packet, along with an excerpt from the policy regarding the naming of County buildings. Rashid Neighbors, grandson of Ms. Davis, thanked the Commissioners for recognizing his grandmother's contributions, love, and commitment to the Orange County Cooperative Extension. He said the family is very proud of her legacy and impacts on the Orange County community. He said the cooperative extension agencies were established to provide research based information from land grant universities to local citizens. He said his grandmother believed information is power, and she spent her life ensuring that everyone has access to information. He said he is sure she is smiling down, watching the town expand and grow. He also noted that his grandparents were avid gardeners and had a garden on Highway 57. His said his family is looking at how to bring that garden back to life, by partnering with Orange County Cooperative Extension and the 4-H club, and to use it as a teaching and learning garden. Chair Price thanked Mr. Neighbors for his comments, and invited the family to attend the ribbon cutting later in the year. Chair Price then read the resolution: ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION RE-NAMING THE NEW ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL AGRICULTURAL CENTER (EAC) TO THE ORANGE COUNTY BONNIE B. DAVIS ENVIRONMENTAL AND AGRICULTURAL CENTER 9 WHEREAS, Bonnie B. Davis joined the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in the 1950's and retired from Orange County Cooperative Extension Department in 1990 after over 40 years as the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent; and WHEREAS, Bonnie B. Davis was appointed the first Orange County "Colored" Home Demonstration Agent (now known as Family and Consumer Sciences Agent); and WHEREAS, Bonnie B. Davis leadership strengths served as a foundation to facilitate racial integration in the Orange County Extension office, and her positive attitude spread among 4-H youth, home demonstration club members (better known now as Extension & Community Association), and Extension employees; and WHEREAS, Bonnie B. Davis was a founding member of Friends of Department of Social Services and the Women of Distinction Extension Club, an active member of the Mars Hill Extension Club and other Extension Clubs which have served as the community connection for the NC Cooperative Extension FCS program for years; and WHEREAS, Bonnie B. Davis was the Chairperson for the Board of Social Services, was a founding member of Orange Congregations in Mission, a member of the Regional Library Board of Trustee, and was an active board member of the Orange County Literacy Council; and WHEREAS, Bonnie B. Davis received many state and local awards and was a recipient of the Orange County Pauli Murray award in 2000; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby re-name the new Orange County Environmental Agricultural Center (EAC) to the Orange County Bonnie B. Davis Environmental and Agricultural Center. This the 16th day of March, 2021. Renee Price, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution re-naming the new Orange County Environmental Agricultural Center (EAC) to the Orange County Bonnie B. Davis Environmental and Agricultural Center. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner Dorosin said this resolution and renaming is exactly what he had hoped for when the County revisited the naming policies for buildings in the County. He thanked the Board for making the change, so that people like Ms. Davis can be honored. Chair Price agreed, and said Ms. Davis was the bedrock for the community. b. World Water Day Proclamation 10 The Board considered voting to approve a proclamation naming March 22, 2021 as World Water Day in Orange County. Brennan Bouma, Sustainability Coordinator, thanked the Commissioners for giving him the opportunity to recognize the value of water and highlight the World Water Day tradition established by the United Nations. He said the tradition emphasizes the critical role water plays in our lives, economy, and environment. He said the theme this year is "Valuing Water." He said water is valued in many ways around the world, from industrial to religious, and the ways we relate to water are different, but all are important. Catherine Matthews said she is a member of A Voice for Efland and Orange and the group has joined with the Women's League for International Peace and Freedom to sponsor a celebration of Orange County's World Water Day. She invited the Commissioners and public to attend a World Water Day celebration on March 21, 2021 at Camp Chestnut Ridge, which will begin with a blessing of the water by members from the Choctaw and Occaneechee-Saponi tribes. She said the Raging Grannies will perform songs about water, and Tim Spruill will discuss the value of Seven Mile Creek in Orange County. She said a number of water activities will be held for children and adults, and there will be a closing ceremony at the end of the event. She said she will forward a flyer to the BOCC to make sure it has the information on the celebration. Commissioner Dorosin read the resolution: BACKGROUND: In 1992, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare the 22nd of March each year as "World Day for Water." In observing World Water Day, governments are invited to devote the Day to the promotion of public awareness, focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources. This year, according to the UN, the theme for World Water Day is "Valuing Water," with the aim of generating a global, public conversation about how people value water for all its uses and in different contexts so to better safeguard this precious resource for everyone. On World Water Day itself, the annual UN World Water Development Report will be released, focusing on the same topic as the campaign and recommending policy direction to decision makers. The report released last year on World Water Day 2020 provided data and recommendations under the theme of"Water and Climate Change." Upcoming activities related to World Water Day include "Groundwater Awareness Week," occurring March 7th through 13th. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORLD WATER DAY PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the United Nations (UN) has declared March 22nd as World Water Day and has invited governments around the world to devote the Day to the promotion of public awareness of the importance of freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources; and WHEREAS, the intended goal of World Water Day 2021 is to reflect on the various ways that different people value water around the globe and in Orange County as it relates to their health, hygiene, dignity, and productivity at home, at work, and in recreation; and 11 WHEREAS, today, water around the world is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change; and WHEREAS, according to UN estimates, 2.2 billion people around the world are living without access to safe water; and WHEREAS, climate change is and will continue to strain the availability, quality, and quantity of water for the basic human needs of potentially billions of people; and WHEREAS, the UN Sustainable Development Goals provide the clear goal of providing safe water and sanitation for all people by 2030; and WHEREAS, the United States uses 82.3 billion gallons per day of fresh groundwater for public supply, private supply, irrigation, livestock, manufacturing, mining, thermoelectric power, and other purposes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey; and WHEREAS, water use has a direct link to overall monthly housing affordability when considering that ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and WHEREAS, Orange County recognizes that water and sanitation measures are key to poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability; and WHEREAS, people around the world and in Orange County value water for its cultural, religious and spiritual meanings; and WHEREAS, Orange County serves as the headwaters for three of the major NC river systems —the Cape Fear, the Neuse and the Roanoke; and WHEREAS, the County contains 15 different watersheds, 10 of which are used downstream for drinking water; and WHEREAS, Orange County has been working for decades to monitor and preserve water quality and quantity for residents though programs such as the Groundwater Observation Well Network and policies such as the Critical Watershed Protection Overlay Districts; and WHEREAS, dedicated community organizations such as the Triangle Women's International League for Peace and Freedom understand the critical value of water and work to support water preservation and protection in an effort to make water accessible to all; and WHEREAS, Orange County residents are helping to protect water quality and quantity by practicing and supporting responsible agricultural practices, wetland protection and restoration, and innovative wastewater management and reuse programs; NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do proclaim March 22, 2021 as "World Water Day" in Orange County and challenge residents to celebrate the Day by sharing with each other the ways in which they value water. THIS THE 16th DAY OF MARCH, 2021. 12 Renee Price, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Greene to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation recognizing March 22, 2021 World Water Day. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS 5. Public Hearings a. Public Hearing on 2019 Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) For the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program The Board conducted a public hearing on the Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) for the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program. Erika Brandt, Housing and Community Development Manager, introduced the item and read the following background information: BACKGROUND: Each year, Orange County reports on activities undertaken with funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the HOME Program. This annual report, called the Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER), documents the progress towards implementing the priorities and activities identified in the Annual Action Plan. During the 2019 CAPER period (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020), the County disbursed approximately $375,000 in HOME funds and an additional $98,000 in local matching funds (contributed by the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, as well as the County) for eligible housing activities. These activities included acquisition of rental properties to be preserved for low- income renters, provision of down payment assistance for low-income homebuyers, rehabilitation of affordable rental units, and provision of tenant-based rental assistance. Orange County must hold a public hearing to obtain public comments and feedback on the Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) during the public comment period from March 16 through March 31, 2021. The CAPER is available electronically at: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenterNiew/l 5049/2019-CAPER-DRAFT A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler to open the public hearing. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS PUBLIC COMMENTS: Riley J. Ruske said the BOCC has previously expressed support for illegal alien immigration activities. He read the federal laws related to the consequences of supporting 13 illegal alien immigration in the United States. He asked how citizens can be sure that this program is not being executed in a manner that violates federal law. A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner McKee to close the public hearing. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner Dorosin asked if this is the time for the Board to ask questions, or if it will come back for future discussion. Erika Brandt said this meeting would be the best time to ask questions. Commissioner Dorosin referred to page 4 of the report, where it says there are $350,000 and another $14,000 for program income, but only $180,000 was spent in 2019. He said some requests were probably not funded, and asked if the rest of those funds are rolled over and available for reallocation. He also asked what is the reasoning for any difference in funding allocations. Erika Brandt said only a subset of the 2019 awarded funding was disbursed in that same year. She said in 2019, funds were disbursed that had been awarded in prior years. She said this is the usual practice of the program, and it can take time for funds to actually be disbursed to recipients. She said all awards made in 2019 are still on track to be expended. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the other projects that were listed are in the pipeline to receive funding. Erik Brandt said yes, funding is reserved. Commissioner Hamilton said she had the same question as Commissioner Dorosin. She asked if there are reasons why some projects do not get funded in the year they are requested. She asked if there is a barrier, or is it a typical lag. Erika Brandt said she would follow up with an email with specifics. Commissioner Hamilton asked if this was usual or is this something that just happened in 2019. Erika Brandt said from her perspective it is pretty typical, due to the complexities of the projects. Commissioner Fowler asked if the Home Consortium discusses or develops plans for those who are displaced from mobile home parks. She asked if there is a collaborative plan to address this. Erika Brandt said various staff members are involved in those conversations. Chair Price said the public comment period is from March 16 to March 31. She asked, since the board is meeting remotely, if can residents submit comments with the closing of the public hearing. She asked if the virtual aspect affects the public hearing requirements. John Roberts said in this public hearing, the need for a public comment period is coming from another agency. He said the public can comment until March 31. He said as long as people know they can still make comments, this is just a public hearing, and there is no decision to be made. Chair Price asked if there is a deadline to make decisions. Erika Brandt said there is not a decision to be made, and this is just a report to be submitted to Housing and Urban Development. She said all submitted comments will be included in the report. She said the report will be submitted in April. 6. Regular Agenda 14 a. Recommendations for Employee Health Insurance and Other Benefits The Board considered voting to approve the Manager's recommendations regarding employee health and dental insurance and other employee benefits effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The Manager is recommending no increase in appropriations for the FY2021/2022 Health and Dental Budget and is also recommending that the County continue to participate as a member of the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool (NCHIP). Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources Director, introduced the item and highlighted some of the background information. She asked for the Board to approve the insurance rates, which had no increase, and to approve continued participation in the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool (NCHIP). BACKGROUND: The County provides employees with a comprehensive benefits plan, including health, dental and life insurance, an employee assistance program, flexible compensation plan and paid leave for permanent employees. Additionally, the County contributes to the Local Governmental Employee's Retirement System and a supplemental retirement plan. The County's health plan has been self-insured since 2014. On February 6, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners (Action Agenda Item 4-b) approved joining NCHIP and in FY2018/2019 the County became an inaugural member of the North Carolina Health Insurance Plan (NCHIP) as permissible under Article 23 of Chapter 58 of the North Carolina General Statutes (the "Local Government Risk Pool Act"). North Carolina Law allows local governments to enter into contracts to establish health insurance pools as a means of providing health insurance to employees and its membership offers economies of scale and risk pooling to members as a means in providing financial stability in the administration of health insurance programs. NCHIP operates with a Board of Directors with members having a vote and say in how NCHIP operates. Each local government member has representation on NCHIP's Board. The Executive Board is responsible for reviewing financials, evaluating vendor relationships, evaluating new members/partners, discussing trends and innovative strategies and planning stability in funding health insurance costs. Membership allows counties, cities and towns across North Carolina to work collaboratively in creating a stable, predictable, and sustainable health care program. NCHIP currently contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and Prime Therapeutics, a division of BCBSNC, to administer medical and prescription claims for its members. In FY2019/2020 and FY2020/2021, the Board of County Commissions approved the County's continued participation in the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool with no increase to the Health Insurance Fund. A total health insurance budget of$13.3 million (including health savings account contributions) is based on current enrollments of employees and pre-65 retirees and the budget and its respective premium equivalent rates for health insurance for employees and pre-65 retirees have been maintained. The County has continued to maintain financial stability since the onset of NCHIP membership and subsequently there has been no increase to employees or to the County's Health Insurance budget. Further, the County has not increased insurance premium equivalents for 15 employees since 2015; the County incurred the total funding responsibility of any premium equivalent increase. Health Insurance The following table summarizes the breakdown of the County and employee contribution relationship for both health insurance plans based on current enrollment for employees and pre- 65 retirees. Also, demonstrated on the table is the County contribution for $1,416 for health savings accounts for employees and pre-65 retirees enrolled in the High Deductible Plan. Attachment 1 shows more detail of this summary. NCHIP RATES ORANGE COUNTY (SUMMARY) July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 Enrollment Enrollment Enrollment TOTAL EMPLOYEE EMPLOYER PPO HDP Total COST CONTRIBUTION CONTRIBUTION ACTIVE 721 197 918 $11,181,542 $1,206,319 $9,975,223 PRE-65 105 14 119 $1,400,467 $128,232 $1,272,235 RETIREES TOTAL 1037 $12,582,009 $1,334,551 $11,247,458 Health $1,416 Savings Account ACTIVE $278,952 197 $278,952 $0 $278,952 PRE-65 $19,824 14 RETIREES $19,824 $0 $19,824 TOTAL $298,776 $0 $298,776 ACTIVE $11,460,494 $1,206,319 $10,254,175 PRE-65 RETIREES $1,420,291 $128,232 $1,292,059 TOTAL ENROLLMENT AND HEALTH SAVINGS $12,880,785 $1,334,551 $11,546,234 ACCOUNT The Monthly/Semi-Monthly rates are listed as follows: WHIP ORANGE COUNTY July 1,2021-June30, 2022 Current PPO Plan Premium Monthly Monthly Semi-Monthly Semi Monthly Equivalent County Cost Employee Cost County Cost Employee Cost Share Share Share Share Employee Only $806.59 $806.59 $0.00 $403.30 $0.00 Employee+Spouse $1,631.71 $1,222.51 $409.20 $611.26 $204.60 Employee+Child(ren) $1,267.24 $1,037.34 $229.90 $518.67 $114.95 Employee+Family $2,293.71 $1,558.87 $734.84 $779.44 $367.42 16 Current PPO Plan Premium Monthly Monthly Semi-Monthly Semi Monthly Equivalent County Cost Employee Cost County Cost Employee Cost Share Share Share Share Employee Only $680.52 $680.52 $0.00 $340.26 $0.00 Employee+Spouse $1,369.50 $1,109.29 $260.21 $554.65 $130.11 Employee+Child(ren) $1,065.16 $916.04 $149.12 $458.02 $74.56 Employee+Family $1,922.26 $1,441.70 $480.56 $720.85 $240.28 Dental and Vision Insurance Delta Dental is the County's Dental provider and Community Eye Care provides the County's vision plan. The County will continue to provide coverage with Delta Dental and Community Eye Care. Vision premiums are paid 100 percent by employees and to date no increase has been proposed by Community Eye Care. The Board of County Commissioners approved an increase of funding totaling $92,236 (County contribution of$73,286) for the FY2020/2021 Dental Fund. The total Dental Fund budget is currently $670,596 and no increase is recommended. Monthly rates for dental coverage are listed below: Monthly Monthly Monthly Semi Monthly Premium Tier Premium Orange Employee Employee Cost Equivalent County Cost Cost Share Share Share Employee_only $30.49 $30.49 $0.00 $0.00 Employee_childr en $82.32 $34.58 $47.74 $23.87 se Employee_spou $73.17 $33.85 $39.32 $19.66 Family 1 $106.71 1 $36.51 1 $70.20 1 $35.10 Commissioner Dorosin asked if this means employees will have no increase to insurance costs, as well as no increase to the County contributions. Brenda Bartholomew said yes. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin to approve an increase of$0 to the Health and Dental Insurance Fund and recommends the County continued participation as a member in the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool (NCHIP). Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Orange County's Proposed 2021 Legislative Agenda The Board: 17 1) reviewed and discussed the Legislative Issues Work Group's (LIWG) proposed 2021 legislative package and any other potential items for inclusion in Orange County's legislative agenda package for the 2021 North Carolina General Assembly Session; 2) considered approval of the 2021 Orange County Legislative Priority Issues document for submittal to the County's legislative delegation; and 3) considered approval of the Other Orange County 2021 Legislative Interests document to also be shared with Orange County's legislative delegation. Greg Wilder, Assistant to the County Manager, introduced the item and highlighted some of the background information. BACKGROUND: The 2021 North Carolina General Assembly session convened on January 27, 2021. The Board of Commissioners has historically appointed a Legislative Issues Work Group (LIWG) to work with staff to develop a proposed legislative package for the County. Based on the work of the LIWG, the BOCC has then reviewed and approved packages of legislative items to present to Orange County's legislative delegation. Commissioners Renee Price and Amy Fowler are serving on the 2021 LIWG and have worked with staff on the proposed 2021 legislative package, which consists of the two attached documents, in preparation for the Board's April 19, 2021 Legislative Breakfast meeting with Orange County's legislative delegation. As the LIWG considered its approach for this year, the Group decided to identify a set of Legislative Priorities and a set of Other Legislative Interests. The Group ultimately identified twenty-two (22) Legislative Priorities, acknowledging that the full Board of Commissioners may want to consider modifying the list, exchanging one item for another item, other potential revisions, etc. Attachment 1 is the draft list of twenty-two (22) potential 2021 Orange County Priority Legislative Issues from the LIWG. While the LIWG wanted to focus on the twenty-two (22) Priorities in Attachment 1, it also decided that the County should also express its positions on other topics. Attachment 2 is a draft listing of Other Orange County 2021 Legislative Interests. It includes issues the Board has submitted in past years to the County's legislative delegation, with some updates as necessary, as well as a few new items. The Board will need to discuss and consider Attachments 1 and 2 as provided by the LIWG. The work of the Legislative Issues Work Group to this point is based on the current information available for the 2021 General Assembly Session. The issues addressed by the Group may evolve and change over the session and require additional attention by the Group and Board of Commissioners. New issues may also arise necessitating additional review. Greg Wilder said once the legislative agenda is approved, it will be sent to the County's legislative delegation prior to the April 19, 2021 legislative breakfast meeting. Commissioner Fowler said there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed, and she welcomes comments for prioritizing issues over others. Chair Price agreed, and said the work group wanted to present a wide variety of issues to the legislative delegation, including issues that would be easier for the delegates to gain momentum on during the legislative process. 18 Commissioner Greene asked if this year's legislative agenda is different from the previous year. Chair Price said, since there was no breakfast meeting last year, some items from were continued to the new legislative agenda. Commissioner Fowler said some items were reprioritized and some language was changed from the previous list. Greg Wilder said several are similar, but some are new, such as training for law enforcement officers. He said a dangerous dogs item is listed, but has been revamped based on advice from the Animal Services Advisory Board. Commissioner Hamilton said some of the items describe the background of the issue and why it is included, but others do not have much information listed. She asked if there could be consistency in presenting the items with the rationale for why they are priorities. She said, for example, the Smart Start and NC Pre-K item, she would like the reason for including it on the list to be added. Commissioner Hamilton said she would not put the dangerous dogs issue as a priority, but rather would add it to the "other" interests, and, conversely she would add expansion of classes, school impact fee authority, state funding education capital, maternity leave for school employees to the priority list. She said she wants to support teachers in the County, and set the foundation for investing in our people. She said all school issues should be included as a priority. She said she does not have concerns about including items that are likely to get passed, but rather wants this document to communicate what is important to the BOCC. She said the politics of the state will ultimately win out, but it is important for the BOCC to be clear about its priorities. Chair Price said items were included that could have some movement, not that they would definitely get passed. Commissioner McKee said he is glad to see broadband at the top of the list. Commissioner Dorosin said he wanted to be specific on the minimum wage increase, and state that the goal is $15 an hour. Commissioner Dorosin said he does not consider restoring straight party ticket as a voting priority. He said expanding early voting, expanding weekend voting, making election day a holiday, automatic registration, eliminating felon disenfranchisement upon completion of incarceration, etc. are more important. He said if the BOCC is going to name specific things, there is many more that are far more important that straight party ticket voting. Commissioner Dorosin said he wanted to move up Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) funding as a priority, and asked for flexible billing systems in general, not just in an emergency. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the monument protection act, and said given the Board's commitment to racial equity, he thinks this should be at the top of the list. Commissioner Dorosin said he would add no expansion of funding for private school vouchers to the list. He said he would also like to include no expansion of the virtual charter school program, as it is the lowest performing charter school in the state. He said similar programs in other states have many issues such as fiscal misconduct. He said money should not be diverted out of the public school system. Chair Price asked for clarification of the school voucher bill. Commissioner Dorosin said there is already a voucher program, and the bill would expand eligibility, expand voucher availability, and increase advertisement for the program. Commissioner Dorosin said there was a previously listed issue about red flag legislation for gun owners, who are identified as a potential danger to themselves or others, could be made to surrender weapons. He said it is a public safety mechanism to keep weapons out of the hands of potentially dangerous people. 19 Chair Price said the reason the OWASA item was on the second list was due to current movement on the item with other stakeholders. She said progress is already being made. Chair Price said the straight party ticket voting idea was from a previous list. Chair Price said the minimum wage amount was left open since there are different opinions on what that should be, and $15 per hour may not be enough. Commissioner Dorosin said he would prefer it to be stated as at least $15 an hour. Commissioner Greene said the BOCC should oppose any legislation that limits the power of local government to limit or revise law enforcement practices. She said a bill is out there trying to limit local authority over the police. John Roberts said there is push back on the bill, and it would be good to add it to the legislative agenda if the Board is supportive. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the County Attorney could send the bill number so it could be noted on the legislative agenda. Chair Price said the eviction items and dangerous dog items were requested by staff and advisory boards. Commissioner Fowler expressed appreciation for all of the comments, and agreed with them. She asked if the BOCC still wants two different lists, or should it be reduced to one. Commissioner McKee said the Board should focus on just a few items, between five and eight total. Commissioner McKee said the impact fees are not likely to ever come back. Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is usually one list, or does the Board typically approve two lists. Chair Price said there have usually been two, with critical items on the first page and up for discussion at the meeting with the legislative delegation. Greg Wilder said there has been about 7 to 14 top priority items numbered in the past. He said the Board focused on the priority items, with the second page as information for further discussion if the opportunity comes up. Chair Price said the list also sometimes includes items from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), or at least denotes overlapping issues. Commissioner Bedford said she would take out the recommendation for additional law enforcement for the opioid epidemic. Commissioner Bedford said she would like the water and sewer changes to come up front, and then make clusters of priorities as determined by the group: schools, health, etc. Commissioner Bedford said she would move the earned income credit and the dangerous dogs items to the second list. Commissioner Greene said she agrees with the direction of the conversation, but the Board is making a lot of changes and wondered if there is time to make these changes, and discuss it again one more time before the breakfast. She would like to discuss if there should just be a few priorities, or if the full list should be included. Greg Wilder said there is another Business Meeting before the April 19, 2021 legislative breakfast. He asked John Roberts if there is any concern with delaying the completion of the document. John Roberts said there are no local issues that are coming up, and the general filing deadline is late March or early April. He said he does not see how delaying impacts anything, but would need to ask the delegation to be certain. Commissioner Greene said if the legislative breakfast is not until April 19, there seems to be time to discuss and further refine the list. Greg Wilder said the thought was to send the list to the delegation now so it would have it in hand while it is in discussions at the General Assembly, as well as to be prepared for the April 19 breakfast. 20 Commissioner Greene said the full list could be sent now, and the Board could refine it in preparation for the actual breakfast. Chair Price said she expects that is what will happen, and the goal for tonight was to refine the top priorities. Commissioner Dorosin said he is fine with having one list of everything, but that the Board should identify the top five things that it wants to focus on with the delegation. He said the longer list should be grouped by topic, but a cover page should be developed with five specific top goals. Chair Price asked if there should be two lists and groupings within those lists, or should there be one list with groupings. Commissioner Dorosin said there should be one list with groupings under specific headings. Commissioner Fowler asked if the last day of filing for the General Assembly could be identified. John Roberts said it is April 6 in Senate, and the end of April in the House, but must be submitted to bill drafting by the first week of April. Commissioner Fowler asked if it is helpful to have the legislative breakfast occurring after filing is complete. John Roberts said this is the way it happens every year. Commissioner Fowler said perhaps this should be changed in the future. Commissioner McKee said it is important to identify five priorities tonight, so the County can notify the delegation. He said the other items are concerns, but the Board should focus on five items. He suggested broadband as one of the five items. Chair Price said the work group wanted a base to bring to the Board for discussion. Commissioner McKee said he understood why so many were presented. Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated having the full list. He said he supports prioritizing broadband, minimum wage, racial equity and criminal justice, Leandro remedial action plan, and add OWASA. Commissioner Fowler said she would like to add mental health. Commissioner McKee agreed. Commissioner Dorosin asked Commissioner Fowler if the Board wants to stick to five items, which one would she pull out. Commissioner Fowler asked if Commissioner Dorosin could explain more about the OWASA issue. Commissioner Dorosin said OWASA needs the authority to have flexible billing practices, which has been heightened by the economic issues around the pandemic. Chair Price said Representative Verla Insko already has a bill related to this in the works. Chair Price said she supports adding mental health. She said she would like to consider adding evictions information. She said it becomes important for preventing homelessness, as an eviction, in one's history, can prevent someone from getting housing. Commissioner Hamilton said she thinks a list of five to eight priorities is fine, and it does not have to be five. Commissioner Hamilton asked if this document has a real impact. She said she does not want to get caught up in prioritizing, if the agenda does not have an impact on the delegation's activities. She said she sees this as an exercise in voicing Orange County's priorities. Commissioner Greene said the agenda has an impact as a voice for the residents of Orange County. She said it is more than a statement of values and interests. 21 Commissioner Greene said the OWASA item is very concrete and she would not devalue it since there is already a bill in the works. She said she would support adding it to the priority list to show full support of the existing bill. She said she could support a list of 6 top priorities. Commissioner McKee said choosing priorities helps the Board focus on where the seven of them want to go as a Board. He said the list does have an impact on the legislators. He said he is ok with going with six priority items, although he does not expect the OWASA bill to be successful. Commissioner Bedford said she supports the 6 priorities. She said it is important to add mental health, due to the pandemic and MCO disengagement. She said there is bipartisan effort to increase innovation waivers, and it is important to have this reconsidered as the waitlist for services are growing. Chair Price reviewed the final priority list to send to the delegation: broadband and digital infrastructure, minimum wage increase to at least $15 an hour, full funding of Leandro remedial action plan, racial equity and criminal justice, mental health item on page 2, and OWASA (#28). She asked if evictions can be included. The Board decided no. Commissioner Dorosin he would still like to change the language on the voting items. Chair Price asked him to do so. Commissioner McKee asked if the Board agreed to send the list to the delegation prior to the breakfast. The Board agreed by consensus. Chair Price said there was further research that needed to be done on school vouchers, gun ownership, loss of local control regarding law enforcement practices and funding (senate bill 100), and virtual charter schools. Commissioner Greene agreed with Commissioner Fowler about scheduling the breakfast before the filing deadlines. She said it is more helpful earlier in the legislative session. Greg Wilder said the legislative working group is organized in December, and first meetings do not occur until January. He said due to timing of the organization of the group, this meeting was the first available time to bring the list to the full board. Chair Price said new legislators also need time to get adjusted. A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Fowler to recess the meeting for 5 minutes. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS RECONVENE THE MEETING Commissioner Dorosin was not yet present, but due to a quorum of board members being present, Chair Price asked for a motion to reconvene the meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee to reconvene at 9:10 p.m. Roll call ensued 22 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 7. Reports a. Mobility On Demand (M.O.D.) Pilot Program Implementation The Board received an update on activities related to the Orange County Public Transportation Mobility on Demand Pilot Program and related transit services. BACKGROUND: Orange County Public Transportation, in an effort to expand its services based in part on public participation comments received through various outreach efforts pursuant to the long range transportation planning process, has implemented a rideshare pilot program. Working in collaboration with Transloc, through a pilot grant with the Ford Motor Company, and using Article 43 Tax District funds, the County has been able to procure five (5) wheelchair accessible passenger vans, tablets, and also provide for driver salaries to cover this new service. Trip reservations for the service can be accessed by a website platform which is linked on the Orange County Public Transportation website, or by downloading the app from either the Apple store or Goggle store. Customers can also call the OCPT dispatch line at 919.245.2008. The pilot began on March 5, 2021 and will be fare free for the first month. Starting April 2nd, the fare will be $5 per trip, payable on the app. To ensure Federal Transit Administration, North Carolina Department of Transportation, and Transportation Security Administration COVID protocols are followed, all passengers are required to wear face masks while riding on board MOD vans. Vehicles will be sanitized regularly by Orange County staff and vendors to ensure the customers have as safe, healthy, and clean riding experience as feasible. Theo Letman, Transportation Director, made the following PowerPoint presentation: ORANGE COUNTY NOM-H(:AROLINA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES j MOD - Mobility On Demand MIRD Pilot Project r 23 �. fay "Mobility MOO Is a mbcrotransltservl ethat expands on ourexistingoN-rings while being: • Scalable Efficient 0 R A N G U N T Y Costeffectbve • Innovative;this concept n5i ii relatively sry. new to the publictransit industry. • Sbml larto Uber/Lyft M O U I L I T E D Many transit agencies have begu n to experiment with microtranslt,providing the INeWgetyouwhe uneedtogo! on-demand eMciencyof ride sharingapps with the h Igher capacity of agency-owned vehicles. Microtransltprojects: • Help to stretch transit budgets further • Grown customer awareness Learn more about community needs Rideshare Companies Ober/Lytt created the market for rideshare type services in 2014. Their service models use: • Smartphoneapps • Let customers book trips,pay fares and get real time a rrivalestimates • Use tech that shows the customer ��. vehicleanddriveridentification. • Employ part tl me"contractors"who sign on for work when they are available.Thisat times may delay the ride until an on duty contractor/ vehicle is available in the area. + often vehidesarepersonal occupancy vehicles(POVs)wh Ich are usually sedans. C1CPT has partneredwith Transloc to provide: • The free Transloc app for smartphonm • Bookingwebsite, y y httas:l/c,ndtmand.transloc.eom/ • Fare collection services • Marketingmaterials This partnership is funded by: • A grant with the Ford Motor Company (which Transloc Is a subsldbary) • Matched by Article 43 tax district Transloc had alsoprevlouslysponso red a funds;which are managed by theGCHC similar project with GoTrianglein the RTP MPOtoensure-financialcapadty, (RegearchTrlangl,%%rk).That project was satisfactory continuing control,and Seared more to con nedingoutlying technlcaI capacity compllance customers with the fted route network. standards are met. 24 Phased r_; TransLoccieveloped simulations tounderstand Now the service would operate and recommended the project have a phased B approach,gauged by ridership trends and ;:.•,',r demands. • 'e Recommendations: • Start with smaller service area/zones • Operate when emtingOCPT services aren't Y i Y- available: • Fridaysfrom 5pm,9pm • Saturdays from 9am-5pm The phased roll-out: • Provides new transltoptlons for customers after normal working hours on a weeknight and provide a I I day service on saturdays. • Complleciatato gauge Interest Inthe service. Phased Implementatlon __ Phase I-{Pilot} • Zone 1—HlllsbaroughAhismne encompasses Hillsborough proper down to M Eubanks Park and Rid@ area,lnclusiveof ;:..:,.. Southern Human Services Center(Wearer Dairy Rd.),was not to encroach upon Chapel ;J�©. •e NIII Translt's senrlce a rea. Phase I4-Full Sery ce{runnirwall three zones) • Lone 2-Hillsborough N&W:this zone w1I I MOD On-Demand) serve Cedar Grove community to the north and out to Mebane(i.e.Efland,Tanger Outleto to the west,so as to not encroach upon the Ala mance service area. • Zane 3-Hillsborough—Durham(15-501 Corridor:this zone wi I I provide service to the - Orange County side of1S501.soasnotto eneraaeh en the Du rharrm Ceu my service - area. 3 _ The fare structure is$5 per trips r within a zone. Once a trip crosses over another boundarythe fare will increase to i nclude that add itiona I wne. Exa mple:A trip from Mebane to 15- 541 would cross three baundarles f and wst$15 per trip(crossed three boundaries). i Fares must be pa id at the ti me of • MAID.drivers will never carry or collect baakingthe trip through the app,or fares,for their own safety. the trip will not be scheduled, • The pilot will betare-free from 5 March until 2 Apri1 2021 25 ■ Pick$you up where you are. OCIFF initiated service with existing staff to ensure. Fakes you where you wani to go. Safety At a fraction of Customerservice tfre cost for a Operational perFor"nce private rideshare. I ntegrlty • OW HHIRING • Active recruitment for part- • nre irpasitionsis Ogoln ongoing a,i.. As COVID-19 pandemic { J-1G[ l- imv roves,hopeful that we ► will receive mare a ppl ica nts TM bus..P 1.M.-rouse. f ■ Microtransitisanewtransittravelconcept f f t being adapted by many transit agencies across the United States. Brings demand-responsive services to new patrons • Convenience and choice rides,to meet last mile,later night and weekend service.It gives customers flexibility to use transit Transl_4c' when they need it,as opposed to predetermined schedule. OCFTIs excited tobringMoblllty4n Demand to our community to use and enjoyl NO u vn•xxe�y�,�� �r��riu5�� .00 ! t ■r 26 Commissioner McKee asked if there is a plan in place for residents who do not have a computer or phone that is capable of making the appointment or paying. Theo Letman said residents can call the office to make an appointment. He said staff is working on a system to allow riders to pay using a fare card system, which can be reloaded with money to pay for rides. Commissioner McKee asked if the process to get to down town Chapel Hill could be identified. Theo Letman said the MOD program would get the rider to the Southern Human Services Center or the Eubanks Park and Ride, where one can then switch to Chapel Hill transit. Commissioner McKee said the final slide showing the $5/trip is misleading, since if a rider crosses a border, the rate will go up. He said this should be made clearer. Commissioner Greene said congratulations, and this is the type of project we need to make our funds go further for transportation. She asked if the total number of cars could be identified. Theo Letman said the program can respond with five vans, but the rest of the transit fleet can also be available. Commissioner Greene asked if the program has been well received. Theo Letman said families really excited about opportunities for shopping and getting to and from work after normal services have stopped. Commissioner Hamilton referred to the round trip fare from northern Orange County to Chapel Hill, and clarified that this would it be $15 each way. Theo Letman said yes. Commissioner Hamilton asked if it is $15 per person, or would a family pay $15. Theo Letman said that is a good question, and they would probably charge one rate for the whole family. Commissioner Hamilton asked if there was a process used to determine the rates, and is there a ridership threshold that needs to be met to make the project viable. Theo Letman said a fare study was completed, and looked at similar services in other areas, and this price point was acceptable and user friendly. He said this is a pilot program, and they will accept comments. Commissioner Hamilton asked if a certain projected ridership is desired. Theo Letman said staff ran scenarios, which he will send to the BOCC. He said this is a choice ride program, and he thinks it will expand the existing services, and is likely the transportation of the future. Commissioner Dorosin said all of the vehicles involved are vans, which seems counter intuitive if only one person is being collected. He said private ride sharing services will charge a little less if one shares with another person. He said, environmentally, the booking software should provide an option to ride share and maximize van trips. Theo Letman said the vans have a capacity of five people, but COVID-19 precautions mean that the vans are not full due to social distancing at this time. He said if the demand is high, the full transit fleet could be brought in. Commissioner Dorosin said, in the future, the program should look at other types of vehicles, such as electric, to reduce the environmental impact. Commissioner Dorosin said the advantage of this program is that is reaches the lower density population, but it does put more cars on the road. He said there is much to learn from other programs that have already provided this service. He encouraged staff to gather feedback from the ridership. He asked if there is a timeline for the pilot. Theo Letman said 6 months. 27 Commissioner Dorosin said the three-month mark may be a good time to gather some data, to then compare with the 6 month data. Theo Letman said the consultant for the project is going to look an electric van to see if it would be appropriate for the program. Chair Price asked if a needs assessment was done when planning the project. She expressed concern that people on a limited income could not afford a $30 ride to 15-501. Theo Letman said he reviewed the existing programs in the area and the data that was collected on the programs. He said the MOD program is focused on an area without a fixed route transportation system, so it has greater potential for success. Chair Price said she sees the program growing, as many people expressed a need for door-to-door service. She said she would like to see the use of more electric cars. Chair Price asked if there are options for those on limited budgets. Theo Letman said this is a pilot, and if the fares are found to be cost prohibitive then they can be adjusted accordingly. Chair Price asked if the circulator will ever go in the other direction. Theo Letman said yes, this is in the planning stages, but was held up due to COVID-19. Commissioner McKee asked if the grant from Ford Motor Company was used for operations, the purchase of vehicles, or both. Theo Letman said operations, including the overhead administrative costs. Commissioner McKee asked if the grant has a time limit. Theo Letman said the grant is for the duration of the pilot program, which is 6 months. Commissioner McKee asked if the article 43 tax revenue would be used thereafter. Theo Letman said yes, and this is already in the budget. Commissioner McKee clarified that the vans being used are passenger vans and not SUVs. Theo Letman said yes, they are passenger vans. Commissioner McKee said, as the program moves forward from the pilot, there could be more of a mixture of vehicles being used, as the needs are more clearly determined. Chair Price said vans can transport an entire family, which is useful. She encouraged ride sharing for smaller groups. Theo Letman said passenger vans are also ADA accessible. Chair Price said she is optimistic it will work. Commissioner Fowler asked if there are sneeze guards in place for COVID-19. Theo Letman said the program follows guidelines for mask wearing and social distancing. He said sneeze guards can be added if necessary, but mask wearing and air circulation is most important. Commissioner Dorosin said other ride share programs do not have sneeze guards in place. Public Comment Riley J. Ruske expressed frustration about the waste of funding on transit programs. He said he is concerned about the competition of a government-funded program with the private sector, and the cost of the rides will not cover the operational costs of the program. He said Orange County has some of the highest property taxes in the State, and the residents should be given a break. 8. Consent Agenda • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda 28 • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda Item 8-a was approved with the changes in an email sent to Commissioners earlier on March 16, 2021. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Fowler to approve the consent agenda with the adjustments made to the February 16, 2021 meeting minutes. Roll call ensued. VOTE: UNANMIOUS a. Minutes The Board approved the draft minutes for the February 2, February 9, and February 16, 2021 Board of County Commissioners meetings. b. Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) — Receipt and Transmittal of 2021 Annual Technical Advisory Committee Report The Board received the Draft 2021 Annual Report of the SAPFO Technical Advisory Committee (SAPFOTAC) and transmitted it to the SAPFO partners for comments before the Report is presented to the Board of Commissioners for certification in May 2021. c. Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget Amendment#9 The Board approved budget and capital project ordinance amendments for fiscal year 2020-21 for Housing and Community Development; Orange Rural Fire Department; Department of Social Services; and County Capital Projects. d. Change in BOCC Meeting Schedule for 2021 The Board approved changes to the Board of Commissioners' meeting calendar for 2021. e. Advisory Boards and Commissions —Appointments The Board approved the Advisory Boards and Commissions appointments as reviewed and discussed during the Board's March 9, 2021 Work Session. 9. County Manager's Report None 10. County Attorney's Report None 11. *Appointments a. Board of Equalization and Review —Appointments The Board considered making appointments to the Board of Equalization and Review. BACKGROUND: The positions to be filled for the new terms on the Board of Equalization and Review are as follows: VOLUNTEER POSITION TYPE OF TERM EXPIRATION TO BE DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE APPOINTED TERM Hunter Beattie Member Full Term 03/31/2023 Barbara Levine Member Full Term 03/31/2023 29 To Be Member Full Term 03/31/2023 Determined To Be Alternate Full Term 03/31/2023 Determined To Be Alternate Full Term 03/31/2023 Determined To Be Alternate Full Term 03/31/2023 Determined NOTE: Dr. Andrew Landstrom sent a request to Chad Phillips (Tax Administration Department) that he is only interested in one of the Alternate positions. NOTE - If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancies remain: POSITION EXPIRATION VACANCY INFORMATION DESIGNATION DATE Alternate 03/31/2023 No additional applicants Alternate 03/31/2023 No additional applicants Alternate 03/31/2023 No additional applicants Alternate 03/31/2023 No additional applicants Appointment of Chair: VOLUNTEER POSITION TYPE OF TERM EXPIRATION TO BE DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE APPOINTED TERM AS CHAIR Hunter Beattie Chair Full Term 03/31/2023 Laura Jensen presented the item and noted that one applicant, Dr. Andrew Landstrom, is only interested in an alternate position. She said Leon Meyers has submitted an application, since the Board's last discussion of appointments to the Board of Equalization and Review. Chair Price said, if appointed, Leon Meyers would be serving on two boards. Laura Jensen said yes, as he is currently on the Board of Adjustment. Commissioner McKee asked if there could be clarification about avoiding having members on two boards. Chair Price said, as she understands it, one can serve on two boards and one task force. Commissioner Dorosin said there is not a policy, but it is an informal practice to avoid assigning people to multiple boards. He said he supports not having members serving on multiple boards, in order to diversify the boards, unless there is a specific liaison from one board to another. Commissioner Fowler asked for clarification of the applicants. Laura Jensen reviewed the applicants for the board: Leon Meyers, Andrew Landstrom (alternate only), Reginald Morgan (reappointment), and Karen Morisette. Commissioner Hamilton asked if Karen Morisette was discussed at the last meeting. Laura Jensen said there was a similar discussion, but no conclusion, and thus the item is back before the BOCC at tonight's meeting. 30 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Bedford to appoint Hunter Beattie for a member position and as Chair; Barbara Levine as a member; Karen Morisette as a member; Reginald Morgan as an alternate; and Andrew Landstrom as an alternate. Commissioner Dorosin asked if Andrew Landstrom serves on the Orange Parks and Recreation Council. Laura Jensen said no, the listing is incorrect, and he serves on the Hillsborough Parks and Recreation Council. Roll call ensued. VOTE: UNANMIOUS b. Orange County Board of Adjustment—Appointments The Board considered making appointments to the Orange County Board of Adjustment. BACKGROUND: The following appointment information is for Board consideration: VOLUNTEER POSITION TYPE OF TERM EXPIRATION TO BE DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE APPOINTED TERM Leon Meyers At-Large Move from an 06/30/2022 Alternate Position to a Regular At-Large Position Elizabeth At-Large Alternate Partial Term 06/30/2021 Bronson To Be At-Large Alternate Partial Term 06/30/2022 Determined NOTE: Per County Attorney John Roberts, "The requirement for a planning board member to serve on the board of adjustment originated with the BOCC through insertion of that requirement into the procedural rules of the boards. However, that requirement was removed and is no longer applicable and the BOCC may appoint whomever it chooses to board of adjustment vacancies. The webpage Commissioner Fowler referenced will need to be updated to reflect this requirement no longer exists." NOTE — If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancies remain: None John Roberts reviewed the information previously shared with the Board, and said the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) does not contain a requirement for a Planning Board member to also be on the Board of Adjustment. Laura Jensen reviewed the previous recommendations from the March 9, 2021 work session, and the two applicants for the remaining at-large alternate position. A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner McKee to appoint Nathan Robinson to the remaining position. 31 Roll call ensued. VOTE: UNANMIOUS 12. Information Items • February 16, 2021 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections • Tax Assessor's Report— Releases/Refunds under $100 13. Closed Session "Pursuant to G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(3) "to consult with an attorney retained by the Board in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the Board." A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Fowler to go into closed session at 9:59 p.m. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner McKee to reconvene into regular session at 10:22 p.m. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANMIOUS 14. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner McKee to adjourn the meeting at 10:22 p.m. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS Renee Price, Chair 32 Laura Jensen Clerk to the Board Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.