HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-05-22; 8-a - Minutes 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 5, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-a
SUBJECT: Minutes
DEPARTMENT: Board of County Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Minutes (Under Separate Cover) Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919-
245-2130
PURPOSE: To correct and/or approve the draft 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.
Attachment 1: February 22, 2022 Virtual Joint Meeting with Schools
Attachment 2: March 1, 2022 Business Meeting
Attachment 3: March 10, 2022 Work Session
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve minutes as
presented or as amended.
Attachment 1
1
1 MINUTES
2 JOINT MEETING WITH
3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
4 AND CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOLS
5 February 22, 2022
6 7:00 p.m.
7
8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a virtual joint meeting with the Orange
9 County Board of Education and Chapel-Hill Carrboro Board of Education on Tuesday,
10 February 22, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
11
12 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price (arrived at 8:05 p.m.), Vice
13 Chair Jamezetta Bedford, and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Jean Hamilton,
14 Earl McKee, and Anna Richards
15 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
16 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
17 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
18 Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen (All other staff members will be identified
19 appropriately below)
20 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Chair Carrie Doyle, Vice Chair
21 Brenda Stephens, and Board Members Will Atherton, Bonnie Hauser, Hillary MacKenzie,
22 Jennifer Moore, and Sarah Smylie
23 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: None
24 ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS (OCS) STAFF PRESENT: Superintendent Dr. Monique
25 Felder and Chief Finance Officer Rhonda Rath (All other staff members will be identified
26 appropriately below)
27 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Chair Deon Temne, Vice
28 Chair Rani Dasi, and Board Members George Griffin, Riza Jenkins, and Mike Sharp
29 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: Jillian La Serna and
30 Ashton Powell.
31 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO SCHOOLS (CHCCS) STAFF PRESENT:
32 Superintendent Dr. Nyah Hamlett and Chief Finance Officer Jonathon Scott (All other staff
33 members will be identified appropriately below)
34
35 Vice Chair Bedford called the Board of County Commissioners meeting to order at 7:00
36 p.m.
37
38 Due to current public health concerns, the Board of Commissioners conducted a virtual
39 joint meeting with the Orange County Board of Education and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of
40 Education on February 22, 2022 utilizing Zoom. Members of the Board of Commissioners will be
41 participating in the meeting remotely. As in prior meetings, members of the public are able to
42 view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-
43 Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).
44
45 A roll call of the County Commissioners was called; all members were present.
46 Vice Chair Bedford greeted everyone and introduced members of the Board of County
47 Commissioners and county staff.
48 Deon Temne, Chair of the Chapel Hill Carrboro Board of Education, greeted everyone
49 and introduced staff from the school system and members of the Chapel Hill Carrboro Board of
50 Education.
2
1 Carrie Doyle, Chair of the Orange County Board of Education, greeted everyone and
2 introduced staff from the school system and members of the Orange County Board of
3 Education.
4 The Board discussed the various School related issues that are of interest to the Board
5 of County Commissioners, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) Board of Education and
6 Orange County Schools (OCS) Board of Education.
7
8 BACKGROUND: The County/Schools Collaboration Work Group established the agenda items
9 for this Joint meeting. Both School systems provided attachments for the first agenda item.
10 The appropriate page numbers and/or attachment numbers are referenced in that agenda item.
11
12 1. District Proposals for Behavioral Health and Achievement Gap Initiatives
13 a. Orange County Schools —
14
15 Sherita Cobb, Director of Student Support Services, made the following presentation on
16 Mental Health Supports Updates:
17
18 Slide #1
• Restorative Practices • Multi-Tiered Systern of Support(MTSS)for SEL Needs
• Trauma Informed training • Say Something Anonymous Report App Tralning
• Community Partnerships (Student,Staff and Famllies)
• Gender Support Plan
• Circles • Equity Policy
• Backpack buddies • Gender Support Guidelines
• Panorama • Preferred Name Process
• PRis ■ Within our Exceptional Children's Classrooms(EC SED
• SEL Framework and AU settings),we utilize Zones of Regulation,Think
• School Counselors Social and SuperFlex to assist with SEL.
• Character Education • Student Health Advisory Council(SHAG)
• MTSS • ECATS MTSS Early Warning Signs
• SEL in MTSS • School based mental health(SEIMH)Collaboration with
• School social Workers Renaissance Wellness to provide therapy in all Orange
• Student Equity Teams County schools
• • Culturally Relevant Leadership Training with IDRA.
Adult SEL Support • Suicide Assessment Training
• Adult Restorative Practices Training • Threat Assessment Training
• Equity Committees • Orange County Staff trained on Human Trafficking and
Child Abuse Prevention
• GateKeeper Training
+
19 AVID programs,16 program.
20 Sherita Cobb said the district was looking into culturally relevant mental health training for
21 staff and students. She said they were also looking into gatekeeper training with all staff,
22 including bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and custodians. She said all staff interact with students
23 and make a difference in the lives of children. She said school counselors are supporting
24 character education and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) work for students and staff, as well as
25 adult SEL work.
26
27
28
29
3
1 Slide#2
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS UPDATES
Core SEL and Mental Wellness Supports: Aligning with Academic Objectivei
Tier 3
Student Community Support Liaison(D)J),Referral for
School-based Mental Health Support,Referral to Outside
Agency(DSS,DJJ,UNC Hospital,Freedom House etc.)
TIER 3 Individual and Small group session,School Level
refers to the interventions that are provided to Counselor Guidance Support,Teacher,School level
Individual students. Student Support Services and Administrative support,
TIER 2 Tier
refers to the interventions that are provided tot µhY Referral for School based Mental Health Support,
to small groups of students who need more Qpo� 0? Individual and Small group session,School Level
support than they are receiving in Tier I r
Counselor Guidance Support,Teacher,School level
Q, Student Support Services and Administrative
r
TIER a � support,Restorative Practices
refers to the high quality instruction 7
that is provided to all students in i Tier 1
the general education classroom. o
" Teacher,School Level Counselor Guidance Support,
f�z� �.��� School level Student Support Services and
p��ryG, '� WHPSOp�P Administrative support along with SEL curriculum and
support,Restorative Practices
2
3 Sherita Cobb said that they tie all their work to the Core SEL and mental wellness supports.
4 She said that this aligns with the academic objectives.
5
6 Slide #3
Core SEL and MentaL Wellness Supports:
Treatment, Referral, Re-entry
Q
111 �� 0 0000
SCHOOL a oo�o
16M, y
n n
7
8 Sherita Cobb said the goal is to provide treatment, referrals, and a re-entry plan to
9 provide wrap around support for students. She said they are looking at a SEL curriculum that
10 would best support students and staff and provide consistency across the district.
11
12
13
4
1 b. Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools —
2
3 Dr. Nyah Hamlett, Superintendent, made the following presentation:
4
5 Slide #1:
f IAPF1. 1 1111 w
ARIU1
5,GH00L,$
it
RI - Am
February 22.2022
HealthRecommended SpendIng Plan for Orange County
Mental
6
7
8 Slide #2
Grant Overview
• Si nce COVID -19,school dislrlcts across the country have
been challenged with providing supports to address
mental health needs and achievement gaps.
r The 2021-22 Chapel 1110 Board of Education's
Approved Budget Request presented to the Orange
Cc,unty BOCC contains an expansion budget request of
$1 million for additional resources to address the Mental
Health and Social Emotional teaming Supports.
■ in October of 2021, BOCC provides additional funding
for both School Districts to support Mental Health and
Student Achievement Gap Initiatives. Based on ADM
provided by NCDPI. CHCCS was awarded $868,000.
10
11 Dr. Hamlett read quotes from principals regarding the increased mental health needs
12 they see in their student populations. She said they are focused on wellness for employees and
13 students.
14
15
5
1 Slide #3
Current Assessment MNeeds andSupport
2121 - 2022 Budgetary Request from Elementary
and Middle School Principals
• Required Social and Emotional Learning/Mental
Health Improvement Flan
■ Fall 2021 Social Emotional Learning Student
Universal Screener
• C SEL Social and Emotional Learning Readiness
Engagement analysis
�IIJ?
3
4 Dr. Charlos Banks, Chief of School Support and Wellness, continued the presentation:
5
6 Slide #4
Required Social and Emotional LearninglMental
Health Improvement Component
• Assessment of Mental Health(MH)and Social and Emotional
Learning (SEL) Prevention Strength and Needs
Description of existing Mental Health and SEL Initiatives
i Preparation for new training requirements
• Plan alignment with existing academic objectives
•
Mental Health and SEL program evaluation and
policylpractice review
Student re-entry,case management and safety planning
�� � � .Alretin
Infnn1P-mio ry nirdad1ExTulyr=ICWC'SBcwdofEd
ura,i�n
7 l ° VV III
8 Dr. Charlos Banks said in November 2020, the state board of education required that
9 every school district in North Carolina have a mental health policy, and to create comprehensive
10 social and emotional learning and a mental health improvement plan by 2025. She said the slide
11 shows the components that must be in place for those plans.
12
13
6
1 Slide #5
MH/SEL Plan
Implementation Progress
Panorama SELLNni azi Scrmnar • Swal E-ubonal Leamng •Soeogn 4f SEL
3rcr,-03iepSELCLrnvjNm 4adas Pwam Ergs t—er l AnaN,vs - oinedurtlrranlelrrtfk foe mcoMul
K-6 3PARCSGmdlec 6-12 FalI2021 acf�ads
&haaltxad Ca-leaned Mina)Haahh Training a llslaRindrarequead six +plan dilgm en] Nhlh willing iLoWric
Sar„_a, RaffiYa1 Pracass IbI haurs a]SELANiMil Hachh- 4f�eC�41es
�0MMU Schaal Y4ar
ExsagTlawgs—YaudtMNnai Integra„an dEqut„fCeMwdClae�arrram
Haakh FSM Axl,Cmci RgAnbm, m •Prcr�rrarri review bT Ca.YTeilr Cba lad
57alegiaa—Launched 2037-21 Schaal
ConrauNly Rasitanty khdal Ye IF rr%rtGal hgdryh 5gfuirg
Mania)Had7h SjZcuisu;in all high Seleoun of Pr4gwas Wrfflon g tad for
schrals,Muhw"ad llcoan academ c pragesa.UIRM a1!�3e'55m rrl MaN , ,minul i daA+�ka[rnent 4f�tTE�IauE
0113r,i rurrN IAgmal 1-60N'SEL -Faa 2021
resit rraca lmplernemiion of MTSS team
• Cam-unrr Engage-M in rtnMi heak4f
SELpracKm-LaunMed 2020-21 SSInd *Ewa,n?qn of menidN heakp SUppV15 ill
Ya or elernarllary all iraYtltlle sreioi I&Ms
InfanmAan ptvsmtad at tha[crty.2M.1CM=5&hnd edEdu,[atlon hu&linZ
2
3
4
5 Slide #6
Social ■ Emotional
Comparison Results i. f2021
School safety favorable perceptions OKI ined 1G percentage points
(83 to 73%)in elementary schools and 12 percentage paints(76%
to 64%)in secondary schools.
Teacher - student relatlonships favorable perceptlons decllned(86%
to 63%) in elementary schools and 7 percentage paints (70% to
63%) in secondary sehddals.
Overall favorable perceptlons regarding school climate declined 7
percentage paints (76% to 69%) for elementary schools and 8
percentage polnts(60% -52%)to secondary schools.
VNII a W � I I �I�
6 UN -1W
ylah
7
8 Dr. Charlos Banks said the screenings are issued in the fall and spring to all students
9 and discussed the results as shown in the slide.
10
11
•-
�/4� rE�
En�ag�rrl�r�t �ssrla�er�# �aEL�E,4�
Critical
Components of Systemic SEL Implementation
. Build I-oundations Support anij Plan
Promote, ; !-
q Reflect on Data for Continuous Improvement
• Banks . • they conducted . social andemotional
4 She said this will help continue to emphasize the importance of social and emotional learning.
• Slide i
�4EL ELREA - Barriet`� �:nd' R��orrtmen��tic�n�
There is n�c+a+��an definition of SEL Crea.tr;s district SEL depertm�nt to
diskri�t'�ide glersee khe tiuc�rk and carry it fanusrd
Teacl�er feelthey d,,�nok navesu{,p�oA from Era,virieSEL faund�ti-anal lear�iing far alt
ire oerbtral office kCa fully implentienf 'SEL_ 5t.�ff�� pr�fes�ic�rial devClr�pmcr7k based
oat ,rr�rYe; �rrrpavler d�etper a�fulk
SEL Irralructlan�s�ncr�nsistent�r�eed�to reflecticrr�arrd enga+�ern�k
he expanded k�keac ner�and lntegrata�i
Into acadiemle i�struction There I�a n,�ed �,�mare rent art a �amant,
for a cour�lly engagement o�smponernt � g
E> r�Curren SEL curriculum ka ensure
SEL�needls to be Inrtegrated lrhto high scfrcrals carr afFer effective irr�tructian
,Assessment ar7tl Research
Lev�,rage data is maniiar pragress
tavu�rds{�asls
BA�ti�tI�RS ����M�FEN��#TIQF��
iM1 l
8 Dr. Charlos Banks said this slide highlights the barriers and recommendations to the
9 districts approach to implementing SEL. She said that teachers identified that they were not
1 sure if they were doing it rightclassrooms. - said that parents identified they were not
I I sure if this was for • or ones.
8
1 Slide #9
Recommendations
Advancing aad Wnrprl Heakh;Senvrces ai;a leverN{
Creating Equ4 and ExcieWence
Mental
fthl SEL Specielksts {3} A.deNdonal Supports
r��Ve services in
i -
supports provk-ledlo
shidents,staff and fanNlos
# `
2
3 Dr. Charlos Banks said that they are focused on implementing SEL services and they
4 are asking for seven mental health specialists to serve all grades. She said they are also asking
5 for supports of professional learning, curriculum development, and program evaluation.
6
7 Slide #10
Key Performance Indicators
SEL Universal Screener Student Surveys
Service Access and Delivery Measures by Student Groups
Measure of student referrals for specific 1nfractivns to be determined
by Assessment and Research Department
Strength and Diffi"icultiesQuestionnaireara similarnstrurrient
" WL'ti
8 WW VV III
9 Dr. Charlos Banks discussed the performance indicators they will be using to justify and
10 measure the request for those positions.
11
12 Dr. Monique Felder, Orange County Schools Superintendent, made the following
13 presentation:
14
15
9
1 Slide#1
No significant learning
occurs without a
significant relationship.
Dr.James Comer 1
2 j
3 Dr. Felder said that improving outcomes for students takes people, including custodians,
4 maintenance workers, administrators, transportation staff, child nutritionists, and all staff and
5 workers involved in the provision of education services.
6
7 Slide #2
L
Focus on entire
■ school community.
8
9 Dr. Felder said that they need consistent staffing to maintain relationships, which have
10 an impact on their achievement. She said they need to retain staff through fair compensation.
11
12 Slide #3
Jill
� I
Keep students safe while supporting
their academic,social,and emotional
fit development.
13 -
14 Dr. Felder said staff are the number one resource to care for students.
15
16 Chief Financial Officer Rhonda Rath continued the presentation:
17
18
10
1 Slide 44:
SURPLUSONLINE SALES TAX REVENUE SPENDING PLANI
.Tb
06
■ The stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused many educators to consider
leaving the profession.According to a recent survey,when asked about the likelihood
that they'll leave teaching in the next two years,54%of teachers said they are
"somewhat"or"very likely"to do so.(EdWeek TopSchoolJobs 21812022)
• Teacher Assistants are needed-now more than ever"reported in a recent article
published on the Brown Center Chalkboard by Ladd,Hemelt and Clifton(2022)
■ "Great principals lead effective schools.Under the leadership of a great principal,
teachers thrive,students engage with core content and school administrative functions
run smoothly"(ASC[],2021).
• Even more educators are leaving the field,and many are leaving mid-year.The worst
case scenario is becoming reality. There is literally not enough staff to keep schools
open.(NEA 2022)
ENGAGE. CHALLENGE. INSPIRE.
2
3
4 Slide #5:
• Loss of Funding since 2009 which has not been restored
• Significant Increases in personnel and benefits costs since 2009
u Retirement
■ 2008-2009 Retirement Rate:$.14%
■ 2016-2017 Retirement Rate:16.54%
• 2021-2022 Retirement.Rate:24.1%
■ Increase of 196%in rate
Health Insurance
■ 2008-2009 Per Employee Cost:$4,157
* 2016-2017 Per Employee Cost:$5,754
■ 2021-2022 Per Employee Cost:$7,017
■ Increase of$2,680 or 69%
• Declining enrollment
• K-3 Class Size legislation
ENGAG€ CHALLENGE. if?1,
5
6
7
8
11
1 Slide#6:
Legislation does not fund years of experience increases for non certifted staff leaving PSU's no alternative but
compressed salaryr schedules. Here is an example of a current QCS scale for teacher assistants on a grade 56
Grade 56-Teacher Assistant BASE Pay Scale
(does not incorporate any degree)
We Exp HOYr{)r Semi Main" MOM* Arlin tt Does rror—Le da
CcnoAt cozm of
(+��y�..� 7.65%FICA
24.1%Rnti mmont
"0-22 14.3E 1,24" 2.492 24.920 OR
-. _ 7r:local 5uyylamad[[
23 14.34 1,247.00 2.494 24.940
24 14.52 1258.00 I 2.516 25.160
25 14.64 1268.00 2.536 25,360
26 14.75 1278.50 2.557 2.5%570
�277 14.87 1288.54 2.577 25.770 I
43 1427 1.670.00 3,340 33.440
'Ca+nP+essbn-Pccuuls w1+M fha 7aY Mixte Pf mwa e+npbyles is YSry cruse b rMCaY a more v;Va+ialf�dM�pko'Ydes n r dame��nn
2 ENNGA{3E. C#IALLENGE. INSPIRE.
3
4 Slide #7:
HISTORYs. #076
Year Orange County Schools Orange County Government
Employees Employees
2008.2009 None 2.25%
2009.2010 None none
'010.2011 None none
,'011-2012 None nonE
_012-2013 1.2% 200%
2013-2014 Nnne 2 00%,
2014-2015 551)0 1.5051,
:015-2016 "acne' 2.00%
2016.2017 1.5% 3.00%
51000 annual salary increase:
2417-2018 ,3 bonus AL days(no expirabon.no rash value) 200%
2018.2019 2,0%
2018-2020 None 2.00ye
5
6
7
8
12
1 Slide #8:
FTATE TIEACHER SALARY HISTORY
2009-2010
28 54,913 54.094.17 1 $49,130 US5.582
503 54,585.83 $55,031]
29 54,984 54 153 33 149,840 $4,651 67
30 55,055 34,212.50 662 $56,620
31 $5,153 $4,29417 $51.530 $4.80917 $57.710
32+ $5,255 54.37917 552,550 55,886 54,905.00 $58,860
2020
21 55,000 $4.166,67 $50,000 $5,600 54.666.67 $56.000
22 $5.000 54.166.67 $50,000 $5,600 54,666.67 $56,000
23 $5,000 $4.166.67 $50,000 $5,600 54,666. .000
24 $5,000 $4.166.67 0,000 $5 666.67 $56,000
25+ $5,200 $40333.33 $52,004 $5,824 $4.853.33 $58,240
NOiE rbe oormuamer p—We.Wex 1-.-ed by an s n.of 2,EACH YEAR o th. f' N I A Cl f CHALLENGE. 'I N S IC'I R I
rind from:0I:1t h:'0711 I.201 MT CPI rn:c liy 5".IH THAT NN r.1 F Y(AR
2
3
4 Rhonda Rath said the consumer price index has gone up an average of 2% each year.
5
6 Slide #9
MARKET ANALYSIS
Job Class* Percent Below K-12 Cohort
Technology
(Technicians,Network Admin.Support) (35,2)%
District Support
(Clerical Support;Administrative Assistants;Non-Certified (25.9)o
Directors,Coordinators,Specialists,etc.)
Maintenance (14.8)96
(HVAC,Electricians,Plumbers,Carpenters,Trades,etc.)
School Office Support (10.2)%
(School Secretaries,Bookkeepers&Data Managers etc.)
Teacher Assistant (9.5)96
7 Custodial (5.0) 0
8
9 Rhonda Rath said that stability in schools impacts social and emotional learning and
10 achievements of students.
11 Commissioner McKee said he has had concerns that classified staff salaries were
12 considered last and he appreciated the focus on their salaries by Orange County Schools. He
13 said the focus on that will increase the outcome for the students. He said that he heard a lot
14 about mental health and social emotional learning, but he did not hear anything on student
15 achievement.
16 Commissioner Richards asked Orange County Schools where they were in the
17 implementation of the plan for behavioral health and the SEL.
13
1 Dr. Felder said that the initiatives are underway now and some are scheduled for next
2 year. She said those include identifying SEL curriculum for students.
3 Commissioner Richards said she would like to know what is in place now and what is
4 scheduled for next year, in detail and if that could be provided to the Commissioners later.
5 Sherita Cobb said that the presentation included what they are doing now and that next
6 semester they are looking to remain consistent in their social and emotional learning curriculum.
7 She said they want to find something that works for Orange County schools.
8 Commissioner Richards asked Dr. Charlos Banks of Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools
9 for similar information on the timeframe for their proposal.
10 Dr. Banks said that in 2020 the process was identified and included the SEL screener.
11 She said they also had in place curriculum for social emotion learning. She said they have also
12 had a collocated mental health service. She said that this includes youth first aid, crisis
13 prevention, and a district-wide training on resiliency. She said they implemented the mental
14 health specialist position in high school full time. She said they have been successfully able to
15 conduct the SEL readiness analysis. She said there is a comprehensive next steps report. She
16 said that all staff will complete mental health professional development. She said they are also
17 working on implementing a community wide engagement. She said there needs to be high
18 school learning curriculum identified to support students. She said it needs to be integrated in
19 academic instruction. She said that they are looking to expand the mental health support
20 specialist positions in the elementary and middle school levels.
21 Commissioner Hamilton asked each school district if they have a definition of social
22 emotional learning. She asked what the curriculum for social emotional learning looks like in
23 the schools. She asked if it would be for all students and if it would be a separate class. She
24 asked for an estimate of how many students fall into each tier.
25 Dr. Felder said that social emotional learning or SEL, is a process where they help
26 students gain and apply skills that help them manage their emotions, achieve goals, be able to
27 show empathy and make caring decisions. She said that SEL and academic achievement go
28 hand in hand.
29 Dr. Hamlett said that social emotional learning is explicitly taught and is embedded in the
30 instructional framework for the school district. She said that it is not a separate class but that it
31 is imbedded in the curriculum. She said they include relationship and soft skills that are needed
32 to interact with others.
33 Commissioner Hamilton asked if every classroom was doing this.
34 Dr. Felder said that every classroom is the goal. She said that she knows that it is a
35 deliberate focus from both districts to have it in every classroom.
36 Dr. Banks said an example is that morning classes start with morning gatherings and
37 check-ins before the lesson is started. She said that it provides an opportunity to give students a
38 voice so that teachers can attend to those needs. She said that social awareness is being
39 aware of the world around them and expanding that understanding of themselves and others in
40 their overall surroundings. She said that all learning is social and emotional.
41 Commissioner Fowler asked if things have become too academic. She said that
42 emphasizing social and emotional development is important before learning other things. She
43 asked how many vacancies are in the positions that Orange County and Chapel Hill Carrboro
44 have.
45 Dr. Felder said they have fifty-three vacant positions. She said the school system has
46 about 1,100 positions. She said that they started the school year with more vacancies than ever
47 before.
48 Commissioner Greene said the county funds were to be used for mental health or
49 achievement. She said she appreciated that Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools proposal to
50 allocate 100% of the funds towards mental health. She said she was having trouble connecting
51 the Orange County proposal for salary increases to mental health, especially for positions that
14
1 are not in the classroom. She said increases for those positions should come through the
2 budget process.
3 Dr. Felder said it takes all staff to support student achievement. She said they cannot
4 have student achievement without classified staff. She said since these are recurring funds, by
5 addressing the salary needs they are shoring up their staff since they have a high number of
6 vacancies.
7 Vice Chair Bedford asked if there are steps in increases for Orange County classified
8 staff in the supplement.
9 Rhonda Rath said they do not have steps for classified staff, and it is a flat percentage.
10 Vice Chair Bedford asked about certified staff.
11 Rhonda Rath said that certified staff is based on years of service in Orange County
12 Schools and goes from 12% to 18%.
13
14 Chair Price arrived at the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
15
16 Vice Chair Bedford said she was surprised by Orange County Schools' proposal being
17 about salaries and compensation. She asked about the vacancies in Chapel Hill Carrboro City
18 Schools. She said she is worried about setting up differences for students between the school
19 systems.
20 Dr. Hamlett said they have 205 vacancies. She said they also just finished a classified
21 compensation study and that was shared with their board last week. She said that next steps
22 will be embedded in the budget process and the commissioners will be seeing those then.
23 Vice Chair Bedford asked if Dr. Hamlett would have changed the proposal if she knew
24 there were no limits on the money.
25
26 Dr. Hamlett said they wanted to focus on what they knew would have a direct impact on
27 their students. She said there are vacancies and shortages in critical areas but that she wanted
28 to address the need for the achievement gap and the mental health needs. She said that is why
29 they included issues that were lifted up during the last budget cycle. She said that mental
30 distress in children is linked to lower academic achievement and poor study progress. She said
31 mental health impacts students' ability to graduate on-time. She said it impacts their physical
32 health and everything about their progress. She said her district chose to focus on mental health
33 and wellness first using the grant funds from Orange County. She listed several ways that
34 Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools are focusing on academic achievement. She said they are
35 doing an equity audit and an equity framework across the district. She said they are also
36 addressing learning loss in the achievement gap. She said they are also working on a
37 curriculum and instruction audit to address the achievement gap, as well.
38 Chair Deon Temne said there are other issues that affect the achievement gap such as
39 housing and it is a large complex problem. He said that it includes affordable housing, access to
40 broadband, and many other functions.
41 Commissioner McKee said he understands that mental health is a critical part of
42 education. He said that he does not understand how creating a new department in Chapel Hill
43 Carrboro City Schools improves educational outcomes. He said he is open to an explanation
44 because he is having a very hard time understanding it.
45 Board Member Dasi said her son is in the fifth grade and needs the social and emotional
46 supports to succeed in school. She said kids are coming to school underprepared to learn. She
47 said that the pandemic has had impacts on children that need to be addressed. She said that it
48 is important to create an environment where children can access information before academics
49 are stressed. She said that having more conversations with students and teachers might bring
50 awareness of how important this need is. She said teachers are quitting in the middle of the
51 year and kids do not know how to deal with that on top of all other stresses.
15
1 Commissioner McKee said that he appreciates what Board Member Dasi said and said
2 that without tutors and teaching assistants, his son would not have succeeded in school. He
3 said he is worried that the new department and positions would take funds away from other
4 positions, like those that can tutor and be in the classroom. He said that he does not have an
5 issue with the school systems deciding how to use their funds, but he is trying to understand
6 both.
7 Dr. Hamlett said that many gaps exist. She said that readiness to learn needs to be
8 addressed first. She said many students come to school hungry or from abusive homes and
9 those things must be addressed by professionals first. She said the expectation from Orange
10 County was that the funds could be used solely for mental health.
11 Commissioner McKee asked Rhonda Rath to put up the slide highlighting salary
12 differences between Orange County Schools and Orange County Government employees.
13 Rhonda Rath said the chart represents increases for classified staff because of state
14 funding amounts.
15 Commissioner McKee said he does not see the comparison as equivalent since Orange
16 County Government does not control the salaries of Orange County Schools employees.
17 Rhonda Rath said that if the school district chose to give a pay increase in years that the
18 state did not provide the salary funding, it would have come out of the local funding for the
19 district.
20 Rhonda Rath showed the slide that reviews state teacher salary history.
21 Commissioner McKee said that comparing the salaries for a 32+ year teacher vs. a 25+
22 year teacher is not a valid comparison.
23 Commissioner Bedford said there were changes to the maximum salary at the state
24 level.
25 Rhonda Rath said that of the 1100 positions that Dr. Felder referred to, 260 positions are
26 funded solely by the local budget. She said the state funds 600 positions and all of the other
27 positions are funded through other sources. She said they cannot implement a salary increase
28 unless there is state legislation allowing the use of those funds for that purpose.
29 Chair Carrie Doyle said that they are in the process of stabilizing their school spaces as
30 a priority. She said that staff members are drawn away to other jobs and the county government
31 piece is about various places and markets where their employees are leaving for. She said that
32 other districts do not have the same compression that they do.
33 Board Member Sarah Smylie said that the salary supplement is for years of service in
34 Orange County and not for years of service in teaching. She said Orange County Schools is
35 addressing mental health with other resources and that this is not the entire picture. She said
36 the role of a teacher assistant is important and that the district wants them to stay. She said
37 principals also have a significant impact on the school.
38 Commissioner McKee said he was pleased by the focus of Orange County Schools on
39 the salaries of staff.
40 Dr. Felder said Orange County Schools interpreted the rules of the funding to be used
41 for support of the mental health and wellbeing of students or staff. She said by improving
42 salaries for staff, they will improve the mental health of employees.
43 Commissioner Hamilton said that by having two school districts, each one can focus on
44 the needs of their individual communities. She said these funds were needed by the school
45 districts at the beginning of the fiscal year. She said educating students is complex and multi-
46 faceted. She said she wanted to encourage school districts to use the funds as they see fit.
47 Commissioner Fowler agreed with Commissioner Hamilton. She said she supported
48 both plans and she wanted to trust the districts to know what was best for students. She said
49 her only concern was finding the mental health professionals to fill the spots in Chapel Hill
50 Carrboro City Schools' proposal.
16
1 Bonnie Hauser said Dr. Felder is implementing multitiered system of supports (MTSS) in
2 Orange County. She said that all students in tier 2 or 3 intervention got a plan. She said it is
3 SEL and academics put together. She said the plan brings all the resources of Orange County
4 Schools to that child. She said the classified compression study is $3 million and about half will
5 go to teaching assistants. She said that teacher salary supplements will cost $650,000. She
6 said the salary issues are contributing to instability in the schools, because Orange County
7 Schools is not competitive. She said bringing this proposal to the BOCC has been a difficult
8 conversation.
9 Commissioner Greene expressed appreciation to Orange County Schools for their
10 explanation.
11 Vice Chair Bedford said that identification of children with autism has increased in the
12 last few decades, and children with autism have long lasting social and emotional learning
13 needs.
14
15 2. District Updates
16 a. OCS — Superintendent, Dr. Monique Felder, CHCCS — Superintendent, Dr. Nyah Hamlett
17
18 i. Masking
19
20 Sylvia Compton, lead nurse at Orange County Schools, explained the masking updates
21 that were approved the previous evening at the Orange County Schools Board of Education
22 meeting. She said the district approved optional masking indoors for students within 72 hours
23 of Orange County ending the county-wide indoor mask mandate. She said they would be
24 watching the metrics and to see if the community was in high to substantial transmission rates,
25 and if there are secondary cases of transmission in the schools that exceed 2% of the school
26 population. She said masking would resume at that point. She said that currently, students are
27 masking indoors, with optional masking outdoors. She said that on March 1, students will be
28 able to have lunches indoors or outdoors., without masks, and they will allow children to talk.
29 She said they are still monitoring for COVID-19 positive and presumptive positive cases and will
30 have children mask for 10 days if they have been exposed. She presented information from
31 the following slide:
32
33
17
1 Slide #1
MASKING UPDATES DF l�
1. OCS follows all local Orange County mask mandates.
2. Decisions regarding masking plans are reviewed with the ABC Science
Collaborative and the Orange County Health Department,
3. Plans are in place to lift mask requirements when mask mandate is lifted
MSKI
4. High filtration masks(N95IKN9513-Ply Surgical)are available to all staff
members.
5. Parents/guardians can request high filtration masks for students.
6. Mask exemptions are authorized for individuals meeting waiver criteria.
7. Mask compliance checks continue to take place in schools and buildings.
ENGAGE. CHALLENGE. INSPIRE.
2
3 Jarwin Hester, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, said that change in the
4 COVID-19 variant provided the opportunity to review masking and filtration. He said masks are
5 readily available for staff members. He said there is a high compliance rate for masking in
6 schools.
7 Chair Carrie Doyle said that there was a presentation at the board meeting which
8 informed the school district's decision to change the mask requirement.
9 Dr. Felder said that the district also consulted with the Orange County Public Health
10 department. She said both the ABC Collaborative and Public Health were in agreement.
11 Commissioner McKee expressed his appreciation for the Orange County Schools for
12 meeting in person and for allowing Orange County Government to have the opportunity to lift
13 their mask mandate first.
14 Chair Price asked for clarification of the time frame for mask relaxation.
15 Sylvia Compton said lunch time rules are slowly being relaxed.
16 Dr. Hamlett said that SB 173 is being discussed in the general assembly and that it will
17 not allow districts to require masks if it becomes law. She said it would allow the parents to
18 decide about masks for children. She said as of now, the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools
19 district is still requiring masks. She said they are continuing to eat outdoors so they will continue
20 to take advantage of that. She said they will discuss this topic again on March 3.
21
22 ii. Mental Health Supports
23
24 The districts did not have anything further to add.
25
26 iii. Teacher retention & recruitment
27
28 Board Member Rani Dasi said Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools is in a crisis for teacher
29 recruitment and retention. She said in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, they had 228
30 and 246 resignations, respectively. She said in the current year, they have already had 198
31 resignations, an increase of seventy-seven from the same time frame last year. She said the
32 district is working creatively to address teacher shortages. She said that other districts are
33 beginning to outpace Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools ability to provide salary supplements.
18
1 Board Member Mike Sharp said a survey was done with other markets and they are
2 looking into a classified compensation study. He said that only five positions were above
3 average market pay and thirty-five were below average for the market. He said salaries are not
4 competitive. He said to get all classified positions to the midpoint would be $3.4 million.
5 Joyce Hatcher, Chief Human Resources Officer for Orange County Schools, presented
6 the following slides:
7
8 Slide #1
► ' y
Recruiting & Hiring Challenges:
• CTE Teachers
• K-5 Core Teachers ._
s 6-12- Science
Teachers
• 6-12 Math Teachers
• K-12 EC Teacher
r
R Substitute Teachers
• School Nurses
Bus Drivers
9
10
11 Slide #2
(01) Current Vacancies & Recruitryient Strategies
Summary of Vacancies(as of 2.22.22) Recruitment Strategies
• Recruitment Retention Bonus
Certified Positions: • Central Services staffing
30 certified (requires a state license)
8 support staff Support
3 Central Office Administrative
• Stipends paid to teachers for
covering planning periods
Classified Positions.
• Paid overtime to non-exempt
5 classified positions(non-licensed) staff
6 District Support r District COVID-19 CAPTAINS
1 School Support e Utilize national job posting
board
Total Vacant Positions • Utilize salary studies
53 Total Positions • Utilize volunteers
• Utilize retirees
12
13
14 iv. School Safety
15
16 Chair Deon Temne said some of the safety work will be completed in the next few
17 weeks.
19
1 Dr. Hamlett said that the work of the task force focuses on school safety rather than
2 school resource officers. She said that they are speaking with different groups, including
3 students, to determine what it means to be safe in Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. She said
4 the feedback has emphasized mental health and social emotional learning needs. She said
5 they are doing safety walkthroughs of all buildings.
6 Chair Deon Temne invited the Board of Commissioners to do a walkthrough of the
7 buildings.
8 Dr. Felder said that student and staff safety is a priority in Orange County Schools.
9 Nick Mincey, Director of Construction and Facilities at Orange County Schools,
10 presented the following slide:
SCHOOL SAFETYi
1. Focus on interior and exterior door security to ensure all doors are
able to be locked
2. Radio system upgrades
3. Air Purifiers and PPE
4. Traffic Review/Roadway Safety in School Zones
a. Carpool congestion and accidents are concerns
i, Orange High Sch Road & New Grady Brown Sch Rd
b. Walk zones
i. Designated walk zones will need Crossing Guards(funding?)
5. Intercom system improvements and renovations
& Drills and plan awareness with fully occupied buildings
ENGAGE. CHALLENGE. INSPIRE.
11
12 Dr. Felder said there are staffing shortages in the trades such as locksmiths and
13 plumbers.
14 Commissioner Richards asked when the safety audit results for Chapel Hill Carrboro
15 City Schools will be discussed.
16 Chair Deon Temne said that specific safety weaknesses are not shared due to safety
17 concerns.
18 Dr. Hamlett said that information from the audit will be used in the budget development
19 process.
20 Commissioner Richards said she was looking forward to hearing more how they can
21 improve the safety of campuses.
22 Chair Deon Temne said that the community should understand that school campuses
23 should not be accessed recreationally during school hours.
24 Commissioner Fowler said she knows funds have been allocated for facility repairs and
25 that those would address safety needs. She asked if safety needs are being addressed in the
26 use of those funds.
27 Chair Deon Temne said yes. He said that there will be other needs that will be
28 presented as they improve the safety plans. He said there will also be needs that are shown that
29 exceed the funds available.
30 Commissioner Fowler asked if that will be part of the Capital Improvement Plan budget
31 to use those funds.
32 Dr. Hamlett said yes. She said that there will be over $7.9 million in safety measures
33 over a ten-year period.
34 Commissioner Fowler asked if the district has a plan for the 18 million they had asked for
35 a delay on.
20
1 Dr. Hamlett said yes.
2
3 v. Equity Audit/Strategic Plan Development
4
5 Dr. Hamlett said the strategic plan expired in December of 2021, but they have been
6 given permission to slow down and restart the process. She said they are working with a partner
7 called Insight Education Group. She said they worked through an equity audit that consisted of
8 focus groups and a deep dive into data review. She said they concluded that part of the work on
9 February 11 and that the draft results will be available in early March 2022. She said those
10 results will inform action steps. She said a steering committee plays a critical role in drafting the
11 strategic plan and developing core values, mission, and vision. She said that they are meeting
12 with community stakeholder groups. She said the Board has been doing work on the mission
13 and vision. She said they will continue to work with the partners and the strategic steering
14 committee. She said the Board will vote to approve strategic plan.
15 Dr. Felder made the following presentation:
16
17 Slide #1:
•
s i
M
18
19
20 Slide #2
• Highlights:
o Strong Infrastructure:
■ Equity Policy
a Equity Resolution
a Equity Plan&Framework
Chief Equity Officer position
• Recommendations:
o Systemic focus
o Communication
o Build capacity
o Equitable resource allocation
EN :,GE.CHALLENGE. INSPIRE.
21
22 Dr. Felder said equity and education is at the core of everything they do in Orange
23 County Schools. She said in Winter 2021, the district commissioned an equity assessment to
24 evaluate the district's overall academic program, policies and practices. She said that was
25 Phase 1. She said the next phase will focus on the district's budget and finances. She said the
26 methodology included a staff and student survey, focus groups, and a review of artifacts.
27 Slide #3
21
STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT
OCS MISSION
Educating students in a safe,
acs vls�o�u
indusive environment Mere
we engage,challenge,and
inspire thern to reach their
maximurn potential
Preparing every learner for
lifelgng service and
success
_ ik
ENGAGE. CHALLENGE. INSPIRE.
1
2 Dr. Felder said the assessment revealed that Orange County Schools has a lot of good
3 things in place, including strong infrastructure, such as an equity resolution, equity framework,
4 and a chief equity officer. She said they have an equity policy that is aligned to their strategic
5 plan. She said the recommendation was to improve the infrastructure, including making the
6 equity focus more systemic and pervasive. She said they have islands of excellence. She said
7 equity is everyone's responsibility. She said there will be more professional development for
8 staff and a reallocation of resources. She said district's strategic plan expired in 2020. She
9 said that a new plan is in the process of being launched.
10
11 Slide #4
StudentsBELIE
ty
1. Valu 4"0
2. Put
3. Excellence in All - .•
Prioritize4.
5. Provide a Safe Environment
Whole6. Serve the •
7. Inclusive Culture&Climate Starts with Us
Accountability
9. Collaborate To Do Great Work
12
13
14
22
1 Slide #5
OCS Strategic Plan Goals
1. Teaching Tomorrow's leaders
3t 2, Excellence&Efficiency
3, Exemplary Staff
4. Empowering Culture
2
3 Dr. Felder said all students will benefit from having access to rigorous instruction. She
4 said each strategic plan goal has an equity emphasis and is aligned to the equity plan.
5 Dr. Felder said that Orange County Schools has a new logo to reflect their focus on
6 teaching and learning and their goal to prepare students for the workforce. She said they also
7 wanted to set their district apart from other Orange County school districts in other states.
8 Dr. Rodney Trice, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer for Chapel Hill Carrboro City
9 Schools, said there were three phases of their district's equity audit. He said the first was a
10 review of achievement data. He said the audit did a deep dive of their artifacts, such as policies
11 and what they speak to, curricula, and student work. He said the audit did a good job of pulling
12 in different communities and asking specific questions about racial equity. He presented the
13 draft equity framework that the district is sharing with the community and getting feedback on.
14
15 Dr. Trice said the outer ring represents the state of being the district must be in before
16 they can work on actions. He said they have a commitment to social justice actions and righting
23
1 wrongs that have taken place in the community. He said that race is permanent in society, and
2 they have a job to be antiracism in their actions and outcomes. He said that they are continuing
3 the work with One Orange. He said that every educator must wake up every morning and
4 realize they need to focus on issues that affect student achievement.
5 He said the inner triangle represents the actions of the district. He said that this is
6 focused on strategies that affect schools and leadership. He said that students should not have
7 to give up who they are to be successful in the schools. He said they will work on coaching
8 teachers on how to affirm student's culture. He said they want to affirm students' culture as a
9 tool to increase academic achievement. He said that critical consciousness is related to student
10 and family engagement. He said they want to hear from the community about what hurdles they
11 face in the district and what would be helpful. He said the inner ring is about how the equity and
12 engagement office will operate. He said that equity work does not just exist in the department,
13 and it must be aligned in practices to address the achievement gap.
14
15 3. County Updates — Deputy County Manager, Travis Myren
16 a. Broadband
17
18 Deputy County Manager Travis Myren made the following presentation:
19
20 Slide #1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Update On Broadband and Affordable Housing
043ard a!CUrnmL"Irknars and .Whoal R43ards 10Int hgasa[ing
Frtrruaiy ]?,7Ci7'D
21
22
23
24
1 Slide #2
Housing in and Broadband Priorities Deflected
in ADPA Allocations to Date
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-z-wigLcsitc,--a-inarshipmErdtiwmulassnass 5 28.879
_ang i.Yne +snaovr-w-Aasminm program § 250,000
'air.N��v far Ham.:oa.nar Asslsranca-W,� $ 9,905
l9raadhand Inirast U=h,ra 139511n"lm wrnanu:,an
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434.1.aflocidifedfo i5toadharrdPrujoci ORANGE COUNTY
N10FUTI f C4ROLLNA
2
3 Travis Myren said the county has been doing a lot of work on broadband over the last
4 two years and that 90% of the ARPA funds have gone to housing and eviction diversion and
5 broadband.
6
7 Slide #3
The Problem
* Estlmated 5.200
households are unserved
or underserved
Lac*awess to 255rnbps
,. downkledby 3 mbps uMasd
Orange County SChools
s+ $120,000 CARES grantfor
hotspots
'Hi'gh priority in Long
Term Recovery Plan
f6_otifyandAlddress
i Ls Regu�afay�ane sto
EL 4F79rTNG"RLaGOI'EY}'
ORANGE COUNTY
MZIorad+ss�s.[ca,.n+a..asr+rxaa t[.,+wr sasks�.�r.sxr.+,aye.rvn s[[a.sE€E�.seer�=.auys5u=:.: RTI I CAROLINA
9 Travis Myren said the yellow dots indicate addresses that have been self-reported.
10
25
1 Slide #4
The Problem
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additional
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• Represented by
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map
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ORANGE COUNTY
2
3 Travis Myren said that they will be working to publicize this data collection so they can
4 get as much information as possible on needs.
5
6 Slide #5
Task Force
Charge-November 2020
— Discuss i)roadbatld sralutirarm that wilA improve the quality of brgh speed intemet
ser Ices to Orange County restdentt;
Rec r"'rid a plain to the MArd of Orange CoLmly Cammtsslomrs that Will
expaixl reliable high-speed interr,at s vlces to all coLmly residervs and
bL*Inesses,
Membership
Comte Wmuar¢d4ranw Comy Resid®rn-A
Large
Chapel Fill Carrbaaro"Schools Qrarge Courriy Resiaar-.AC
Supenrbendenl f0estgreet Large
Orange Cvmiy khgM Orange Gnunty Resider-,at
Supenr[endenI Mesily*0 Large
INC aepartrrrent nr Ydamiman Qranga Csmy Residarrl-.At
7ertln 1090 INCDM RwesertatloR I Large
Board ol'ro nmaaaners- 2 Orange Cmury Resider-.At
Large ORANGE COUNTY
NORT]t CARCt NA
7
8
9
10
26
1 Slide #6
Request for Pmpe al
rtRnswKw.oranr�e[ta�nrwnc anxY.+7s aso:a�'tnriCr�i�.
Goals and Evalual on Criteria
Covcaga
Stlmuiata Compefiflon
Con4jumar A?Fordabitl[y
ORANGE COUNTY
n10Fsr]r CaRYLINA
2
3
4 Slide #7
Next Steps
Negotiations
- Week of February 2 ts,
Contract Development
* Board Consideration
ORANGE COUNTY
NOWn[CAROLINA
5
6 Travis Myren said a finalist has been selected and negotiations are ongoing.
7
8
27
1 b. Affordable Housing
2
3 Deputy County Manager Travis Myren made the following presentation:
4
5 Slide #1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Update on Affordable Housing Efforts.
6
7
8 Slide #2
Emergency Housing Assistance
EHA NTKI Payments N,1r<oTne Leae1
Stir'
534i,v)i
Rota Lhmugh Feb runey 20.2422 -
S7,071,739 total grants ORANGE COUNTY
1T10unique households KxxtriiCk]toLLNA
9
10
28
1 Slide #3
Emergency Housing Assistance
EHA C -ctPa.ynie^is by Race and Et1rcily
,.%Nt, aNva
22t* �t0 eaun
cift,
[PL_
HlewlmFPl GNrri...—
Nas ww
ax
At ddle Eashm
Go Lathmuijh Feu ILia?y 20.2922
ORANGE COUNTY
n10Ftr]f CaRYLINA
2
3
4 Slide #4
Emergency Housing Assistance
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Data through Nawentbur 2021 -
ORANGE COUNTY
NOWn t CAROLINA
5
6
7
8
29
1 Slide #5
Questions and Discussion
ORANGE COUNTY
2
3
4 Bonnie Hauser asked what the time frame is for providing broadband service and what
5 the target area will be.
6 Travis Myren said the target areas are the areas that are unserved or underserved. He
7 said service will be deployed within 2 years. He said that most of the proposals included fiber to
8 the home within 2 years.
9 Commissioner McKee said that the RFP focused on fiber to the home. He said that the
10 broadband committee believes they are ahead of the rest in the process. He said finding
11 contractors and materials will become a problem in the future, so the county should move
12 forward quickly.
13 Bonnie Hauser asked if it will be every home in the next two years.
14 Commissioner McKee said he could not say there would be service to every home, but
15 that to most homes within 2 years.
16 Bonnie Hauser clarified that it includes last mile service.
17 Commissioner McKee said yes.
18 Commissioner Bedford said the final $2.5 million in the CIP from the 2016 bond has
19 been awarded. She said it would provide true, permanent affordable housing.
20 Commissioner Richards asked if staff was in touch with the Big Bold Ideas affordable
21 housing plan that talks about employers like hospitals.
22 Travis Myren said that the Housing Director, Corey Root, is on the Big Bold Ideas
23 committee.
24 Commissioner Richards said their report shows other employers being involved with
25 building affordable housing on properties they own. She said Durham Tech is building housing
26 for students. She said in terms of teacher retention, housing becomes an issue. She said that
27 this is something that can be considered for open spaces on school property.
28 Chair Deon Temne said it was important to define who is impacted by affordable housing
29 and what is affordable. He asked if there was a definition of what it means to be affordable in
30 this community.
31 Commissioner Greene said that the rule of thumb is that an individual should not spend
32 more than 30% of their income on housing. She said if the housing that is available exceeds
33 that percentage, then the person needs help with affordable housing. She said it is needed at
34 all levels, but the need is greatest at the lower income levels.
35 Chair Price said there has been discussion in recent years on work force housing to
36 differentiate between affordable and work force needs.
30
1 Commissioner Greene said there is a debate in the housing community over the term
2 work force housing. She said that it might be easier to say subsidized vs. unsubsidized.
3 Chair Price said the definition and use of terms varies depending on the circle its being
4 discussed in. She said she imagines that all the terms will continue to be more narrowly defined.
5 Bonnie Hauser said that she wanted to encourage teacher housing. She said some
6 turnover is occurring due to teachers not being able to afford to live in Orange County. She
7 suggested assistance for first time home buyers.
8 Board Member Will Atherton said the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance
9 (SAPFO) is still important and needs to be updated. He expressed thanks to the county for
10 making the Whitted Building available for board of education meetings and would like for this to
11 be a long-term partnership.
12 Board Member Hillary Mackenzie invited the commissioners to do a safety walkthrough
13 of Orange County Schools.
14 Board Member George Griffin said between the three organizations, they touch the lives
15 of every single person in Orange County. He said regarding the strategic plan in Chapel Hill
16 Carrboro City Schools, they've begun using language about being innovative and creative and
17 taking risks. He said the language must infuse what they do, so they do not let the past push
18 them in the same direction. He said without clear focus they will just keep doing the same
19 things.
20 Board Member Riza Jenkins said that her district has been having intentional and
21 challenging conversations. She said that the next time they come before the Orange County
22 Board of Commissioners, the presentation will be a prelude to a bigger budget discussion. She
23 said she loved hearing the presentations and looks forward to future meetings.
24 Board Member Brenda Stephens said Orange County Schools has mentioned building
25 teacher housing on school property.
26 Chair Carrie Doyle thanked everyone for their comments.
27 Dr. Felder thanked everyone for their support.
28 Commissioner Bedford thanked the school district board chairs for their assistance.
29
30 A motion was made by Chair Price, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to adjourn the
31 meeting at 10:13 p.m.
32
33 Roll call ensued
34
35 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
36
37
38 Renee Price, Chair
39
40
41 Laura Jensen
42 Clerk to the Board
43
44 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.
Attachment 2
1
1 MINUTES
2 ORANGE COUNTY
3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
4 BUSINESS MEETING
5 March 1, 2022
6 7:00 p.m.
7
8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, March
9 1, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC.
10
11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford,
12 and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Anna
13 Richards
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
17 Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
19
20 Chair Price called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
21
22 Chair Price welcomed everyone to the first in-person business meeting held by the
23 county in two years due to the pandemic. She also noted that it is Women's History Month and
24 it is the first time that six women have served on the Board of Commissioners.
25
26 Chair Price announced that the Emergency Management partners met this morning, and
27 then immediately leaders met with the Orange County Health Director. She said that some of
28 the mask mandates will be modified on March 7th at 5:00 pm. She said that a press release will
29 go out tomorrow morning detailing all of the modifications. She said that they will recommend,
30 rather than mandate masks. She said that masking will still be mandated in public transit,
31 medical facilities, and congregate living spaces. She said that the press release will specify the
32 measurements used going forward and that they will reserve right to return to mandate.
33
34 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
35 Chair Price dispensed with reading the public charge.
36
37 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour)
38 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
39 Jean Ranc said she wrote a letter to the commissioners on February 19th and is now
40 glad to hear that there will be changes to the mandate. She said she is a retired psychologist
41 from the UNC Department of Psychiatry, and also a background in medicine. She said she was
42 an Orange County resident since 1982 but moved to Chatham County during the past year. She
43 said she looks forward to reading the press release that will go out tomorrow regarding changes
44 to the mandates. She said she is not affiliated with any political party, and scientific research
45 has shown that paper, plastic, and cloth masks don't protect anyone from respiratory diseases,
46 including COVID.
47
48 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
49 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.)
50
51 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
2
1 Commissioner McKee said he requested the Board go back to meeting in public
2 several months ago and expressed thanks to the Board for this return tonight. He said he
3 appreciates the decision made today to revise the mask mandates and he believes this is the
4 right step. He said he intended to ask for an addition to the agenda this evening for a public
5 discussion on when and how to end the mask mandate but that was circumvented by the
6 decision today.
7 Commissioner Richards said today is the start of Women's History Month and
8 seconded Chair Price's comments regarding the Board of Commissioners having six women
9 members for the first time in its history. She said she looks forward to reading the press release
10 tomorrow on the changes to the mandate and expressed thanks to Chair Price and other local
11 leaders for moving the county forward.
12 Commissioner Bedford had no comments.
13 Commissioner Hamilton thanked members of the public who shared their views on the
14 mask mandate with the Board. She said the Board received emails encouraging the removal of
15 the mask mandate, as well as maintaining protections. She said that no matter what perspective
16 was shared, it was clear how difficult life has been for everyone during the pandemic. She said
17 that the frustrations of the guidelines not being communicated clearly has added to everyone's
18 suffering. She said she serves on a subcommittee of the Board of Health that reviewed the
19 current CDC guidelines to assess the relevance for the community. She said that the
20 subcommittee determined the guidelines were useful for determining when to end local mask
21 mandates. She explained that local data was also reviewed, which showed that Orange County
22 is moving in the right direction, and that local mandates would likely be lifted within a week. She
23 said that this is consistent with the decision made today. She noted that COVID-19 is still
24 circulating in the community, and many people will continue to wear masks out of necessity.
25 She encouraged respect for those who continue to wear masks. She noted the importance of
26 the number of hospitalizations being used as a metric to determine when to lift the mask
27 mandate. She explained that if hospitals are filled with COVID patients or there are staffing
28 shortages, it makes it harder for patients with other issues to be served. She said that she
29 thinks it is important to follow guidelines. She said it is unknown if there will be more variants.
30 She said she will advocate for a more transparent approach to making the decisions. She said
31 the decision-making power should be expanded beyond the chairs and the mayors and should
32 include the boards and councils.
33 Commissioner Greene commended Carrboro for being recognized as one of the top
34 five small arts communities in the country. She said that the North Carolina Association of
35 County Commissioners (NCACC) is continuing its series of webinars on strategies for using the
36 opioid settlement money. She shared that she moderated one of the sessions yesterday about
37 how to work with justice-involved individuals. She said a lot involved the FIT program and it was
38 very rewarding and useful.
39 Commissioner Fowler said she attended the ABC Board meeting on February 22nd.
40 She said that they increased their minimum wage to meet the new living wage criteria and
41 adjusted other salaries to address compression. She said they want to revisit raising the
42 General Manager's salary and will be bringing a formal request to the Board. She said that they
43 heard presentations from various community organizations that work to address substance
44 abuse. She said that the presenter from Campus and Community Collision pointed out that
45 excessive drinking leads to $111 billion costs to community. She said she appreciates the
46 opinions and comments of the public but that she believes the mandate should be based on
47 data with clear criteria. She said this decision was made by the Chair and mayors, with input
48 from the health department, and they used guidelines rather than opinions. She said that the
49 CDC website is changing daily. She said that she believes the county will be in a "safe" range to
50 make masks recommended rather than required by March 7, 2022. She noted that the schools
51 have a lot of vacancies and few substitutes to fill those needs. She said that the current
3
1 recommendation is for teachers to stay out for 5 days if they develop COVID. She said she
2 thinks that will impact schools where they may not want to jump in line behind the
3 recommendations and may need to make their own decisions.
4 Chair Price said the Emergency Management Partnership includes a few elected
5 officials as well as folks from Emergency Services and Emergency Management, as well as
6 UNC Health. She said their decisions are based on recommendations from those experts. She
7 said that Todd McGee has started the County's Government Academy and encouraged people
8 to participate and learn more about how to get involved with the county through advisory
9 boards. She said she attended the launch of the Summer Careers Academy, funded by the
10 Board, and open to young people aged 16-24. She said that it teaches skills, trades, and allows
11 them to apprentice and then move onto jobs. She said there is a focus on people coming from
12 low wealth families, refugee families, and BIPOC communities. She congratulated the Economic
13 Development Department for Thermo-Fischer Scientific, located in Orange County, being
14 recognized as the 2nd largest fourth quarter 2021 project by investment.
15
16 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
17 None.
18
19 5. Public Hearings
20 None.
21
22 6. Regular Agenda
23 a. Orange County's Proposed 2022 Legislative Agenda
24 The Board reviewed and discussed the Legislative Issues Work Group's (LIWG) proposed 2022
25 legislative package and any other potential items for inclusion in Orange County's legislative
26 agenda package for the 2022 North Carolina General Assembly Session; considered approval
27 of the 2022 Orange County Priority Legislative Issues document for submittal to Orange
28 County's legislative delegation; and considered approval of the 2022 Orange County Legislative
29 Interests document to also be shared with Orange County's legislative delegation.
30
31 BACKGROUND: In preparation for each North Carolina General Assembly session, the Board
32 of Commissioners has historically appointed two members to work with staff on a Legislative
33 Issues Work Group (LIWG) to develop a proposed legislative package for the County. Based
34 on the work of the LIWG, the BOCC has then reviewed and approved packages of legislative
35 items to present to Orange County's legislative delegation.
36
37 Commissioners Renee Price and Anna Richards are serving on the 2022 LIWG and have
38 worked with staff on the proposed 2022 legislative package, which consists of the two attached
39 documents, in preparation for the Board's March 21, 2022 Legislative Breakfast meeting with
40 Orange County's legislative delegation.
41
42 As the LIWG considered its approach for this year, the Group (similar to last year) decided to
43 identify a set of Legislative Priorities and a broader set of Legislative Interests. The Group
44 ultimately identified five (5) Legislative Priorities, acknowledging that the full Board of
45 Commissioners may consider modifying the list, exchanging one item for another item, other
46 potential revisions, etc. Attachment 1 is the draft list of five (5) recommended 2022 Orange
47 County Priority Legislative Issues from the LIWG.
48
49 While the LIWG wanted to focus on the five (5) Priorities in Attachment 1, it also decided that
50 the county should express its positions on other topics. Attachment 2 is a draft broader listing of
4
1 2022 Orange County Legislative Interests. It includes issues the Board has submitted in past
2 years to the county's legislative delegation, with some updates as necessary.
3
4 The Board will need to discuss and consider Attachments 1 and 2 as provided by the LIWG.
5
6 The work of the Legislative Issues Work Group to this point is based on the current information
7 available for the 2022 General Assembly Session. The issues addressed by the Group may
8 evolve and change over the session and require additional attention by the Group and Board of
9 Commissioners. New issues may also arise necessitating additional review.
10
11 Greg Wilder, Assistant to the County Manager for Legislative Affairs, reviewed the
12 background information for the item. He noted that the March 21, 2022 Legislative Breakfast is
13 planned to take place via Zoom.
14 Chair Price asked Greg Wilder to explain what happens at the Legislative Breakfast.
15 Greg Wilder stated that the Board members and three members of the legislative
16 delegation join with staff to meet and discuss the five legislative priorities identified by the
17 Commissioners. He said that they also discuss other topics the delegation wants to share with
18 the commissioners and vice versa. He said the meeting typically lasts 1.5 hours. He said that
19 the delegation sometimes gives feedback on items they think will move forward and they can
20 ask for additional information as needed.
21 Commissioner Hamilton thanked Chair Price and Commissioner Richards for working on
22 the legislative issues list. She said the list is excellent. She said she would like to add a priority
23 focused on capital needs of the schools, given the level of need.
24 Chair Price said that has been in the document in the past.
25 Greg Wilder noted that the issue is part of item number 17 on Attachment 2.
26 Commissioner Hamilton said she thinks there should be a separate highlighted issue.
27 Chair Price clarified that Commissioner Hamilton is proposing to move 17b to its own
28 separate item.
29 Commissioner Hamilton said she would like the infrastructure capital part of 17 to be a
30 new item.
31 Greg Wilder suggested a new item to read "support legislation to provide additional
32 capital funding to support school infrastructure, renovations, and improvements".
33 Commissioner Greene suggested making that 17b.
34 Commissioner Hamilton said she would prefer the item be its own as number 18.
35 Commissioner Fowler suggested making it 17a since it is priority and agreed that it
36 should be more prominent on the list.
37 Chair Price said the Board will discuss these issues with the delegation and that it would
38 be fine to make it a separate item.
39 Commissioner Fowler shared appreciation for highlighting mental health on the list. She
40 said that is a priority that the state is failing on. She said that there is a deficit to take care of
41 folks with mental health issues. She said the state is currently serving 13,500 and there are over
42 15,000 on registry of unmet need. She said there is another list called community alternative
43 services for folks with chronic disabilities and there are 2,500 on the list with zero on the waitlist.
44 She said that the state's recommendation to address those needs is increasing the cap to 5,000
45 with 1,000 this year and 1,000 next year. She said that this is merely a drop in the bucket that
46 they need to continue pressure on the General Assembly to increase those slots. She said this
47 is an equity issue where mental health needs are being treated differently than other health
48 needs.
49 Commissioner Bedford said there has been talk for years about another state bond for
50 school capital, and whether that is written or spoken at the Legislative Breakfast, she thinks it
51 should be highlighted to the delegation.
5
1 Commissioner McKee said he is satisfied with the list.
2 Commissioner Hamilton said this document is valuable for the community and for the
3 delegation. She said she agrees mental health is a huge importance. She asked what is meant
4 in the priority that reads "seeks to fund a plan" vs. just putting more money into existing
5 programs. She said that existing programs will need more funding.
6 Chair Price said they are looking for some sort of a plan. She said that right now they are
7 going through Medicaid transformation and there will also be something after that. She said that
8 she and several commissioners attended a legislative breakfast on mental health and there is
9 so much that goes into this issue. She said the point is to get the issues across to the
10 delegation. She said there are limitations to what the legislative delegation will be able to do
11 within the climate of the General Assembly. She said the point is to say that a lot of work is
12 needed in mental health and to get that across to the delegation.
13 Commissioner Hamilton said that the mental health breakfast was eye-opening. She
14 said that she learned that the mental health system was dismantled, and we need to rethink
15 how mental health services are provided in this state and provide more funds.
16 Commissioner Fowler said the Olmstead plan was made to address the state's deficits,
17 so continuing to support that, and fund the plan at the General Assembly level, would be helpful.
18 She said she's glad to see Medicaid expansion on the list because it will also positively impact
19 mental health care and provide more funding. She said even if people qualify for services, they
20 are not getting them because there are not enough providers. She said that they raised the
21 minimum wage for people doing direct support, so hopefully that will have an impact. She said
22 that overall, the world needs more people going into psychiatry. She said that overall, she is
23 pleased with the list.
24
25 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to
26 approve the 2022 Orange County Priority Legislative Issues document, and to approve the 2022
27 Orange County Legislative Interests document, with amendments as discussed, for submittal to
28 Orange County's legislative delegation.
29
30 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
31
32 Greg Wilder clarified that the addition of an item reading "support legislation to provide
33 additional capital funding to support school infrastructure, renovations, and improvements" will
34 be added to Attachment 2 as item 18.
35 Chair Price said yes.
36 Chair Price reminded the Board that the Legislative Breakfast will be March 22, 2022 at
37 8:30 AM.
38
39 7. Reports
40 a. 203 Project Status Update
41 The Board received an update of the 203 Project including the current status of the Guaranteed
42 Maximum Price (GMP) development and to provide direction on the range of options to consider
43 as next steps. Final consideration is currently scheduled for the Board's Business meeting on
44 March 15, 2022.
45
46 BACKGROUND: At the March 10, 2020 Orange County Board of Commissioners' Business
47 meeting, the Board approved a final scope and budget for the construction of the 203 Project,
48 named for its address at 203 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC. This project is a joint
49 venture between the Town of Carrboro and Orange County that is intended to construct an
50 Orange County library branch, as well as permanent facilities for the Skill Development office.
51 The Town of Carrboro portion of the project includes meeting spaces, a small theater, and
6
1 offices. The proposed site of the development at South Greensboro Street is located on an
2 existing Carrboro municipal parking lot near the center of the town. At that meeting, the Board
3 approved a construction budget of $11,777,000 for the Orange County portion of the project.
4 The total approved construction budget, including Carrboro's portion, was $22,282,000
5 (Attachment 1).
6
7 This project is being performed through a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery
8 method. This delivery method entails a commitment by the Construction Manager (CM) to
9 deliver the project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) which is based on the
10 construction documents and specifications at the time of the GMP plus any reasonably inferred
11 items or tasks. The project architect selected for the project is Perkins & Will and the
12 Construction Manager is the Barnhill Contracting Company.
13
14 The design process began shortly after the approval of the project with the start of Schematic
15 Design (SD) development. At the completion of the Schematic Design phase in November
16 2020, a construction estimate derived from the design showed that the project was significantly
17 over budget. A Value Engineering (VE) effort immediately ensued and scope modifications
18 were made to bring the project costs down. After the completion of Value Engineering, the
19 project was still over budget, and at the March 2, 2021 BOCC Business meeting, the Board
20 approved additional funding through a combination of capital funding reallocation and a minor
21 scope reduction to close the budget gap of $1,807,160. Including the CMAR fee of $723,520,
22 Orange County's portion of the construction budget totaled $14,232,856. The total construction
23 budget, including Carrboro's portion, grew from $22,282,000 to $25,306,336. The cost overrun
24 was attributed the escalating costs associated with the parking deck. The Town of Carrboro did
25 not incur a cost overrun at that point in time. See the Chart#1, below for further detail:
26
27 Chart#1
203 Project
Original Construction Budget Town Orange County Total
Construction 10,505,000 11,777,000 $22,282,000.00
CMAR Fee 568,480 723,520 $1,292,000.00
Total Const 11,073,480 12,500,520 $23,574,000.00
BOCC Schematic Budget Adjustment $1,807,160 $1,807,160.00
14,307,680 $25,381,160.00
Scope Adjustment(Part of BOCC Change) -74,824 -$74,824.00
28 Revised Construction Budget(March 2021) $11,073,480 $14,232,856 $25,306,336.00
29
30 The project next proceeded into the Design Development (DD) phase of project design. Upon
31 completion of Design Development in May 2021, a new construction estimate was prepared,
32 and the project was once again found to be significantly over budget. Another round of Value
33 Engineering (VE) ensued, additional modifications were made, and the project cost was brought
34 down within budget.
35
36 On February 4, 2022, a memorandum was sent to the BOCC and Carrboro Town Council
37 (Attachment 2) that provided a project bidding, approval, and financing schedule. Per the
38 schedule, thirty-two bid packages were released for bidding on January 17, 2022 with received
39 bids opened on February 9, 2022. Unfortunately, several bid packages could not be opened on
40 that date due to insufficient bidding by members of the construction community.
41
7
1 Re-bidding of those deficient packages began on February 10, 2022 and were opened on
2 February 17, 2022. The tabulation of all of the bid packages has produced a tentative
3 Guaranteed Maximum Price of $34,692,067 (Attachment 3). This GMP is $9,385,731 over the
4 March 2021 revised approved construction budget of $25,306,336. Orange County's share of
5 the construction costs rose from $14,232,856 to $19,202,063, an increase of $4,969,207 over
6 the March 2021 budget adjustment. See Chart#2 below for more details:
7
8 Chart#2
Town Orange County Total
Revised Construction Budget(March 2021) $11,073,480.00 $14,232,856.00 $25,306,336.00
Project GMP(tentative) $15,490,004.00 $19,202,063.00 $34,692,067.00
9 Estimated Additional Funds Needed $4,416,524.00 $4,969,207.00 $9,385,731.00
10
11 The escalation of construction costs can be attributed to the unprecedented supply chain
12 disruptions and labor shortages associated with the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. While all
13 sub-components of the construction budget experienced some escalation in the range of 3-5%,
14 several areas stand out for their outsized contribution to the overall escalation:
15 • Glass and Glazing increased 84% from $800,000 to $1,470,000.
16 • Drywall and metal studs increased 40% from $999,000 to $1,398,609.
17 • Electrical costs increased 36% from $2,900,000 to $3,946,000.
18
19 Barnhill Contracting Company is now in the process of reviewing and revising these numbers
20 and is expected to provide a final GMP by March 7, 2022. An agenda item requesting final
21 review of the project GMP is scheduled for the Board's March 15, 2022 Business meeting.
22
23 A total project cost based upon this tentative GMP, including design fees, Furniture, Fixtures
24 and Equipment (FFE) and contingencies, is shown below:
25
03/01/22 Total Project Budget(Updated with GMP)
Town Orange County Total
A.Construction
Total Construction&CMAR $15,490,004.00 $19,202,063.00 $34,692,067.00
B.Design
Architectural Fees(Ratio of CBO/OC Sq. Ft. =44.52/55.48) $752,074.13 $937,220.87 $1,689,295.00
Supp.Architectural Fees(Ratio of CBO/OC Sq. Ft. =44.52/55.48) $252,784.56 $315,015.44 $567,800.00
$1,004,858.69 $1,252,236.31 $2,257,095.00
C.FFE&Contingency
Furniture,Fixtures and Equipment(FF&E) $1,688,850.00 $802,225.00 $2,491,075.00
Owner's Contingency(5%) @ Ratio of CBO/OC 44.52/55.48 $772,245.00 $962,358.00 $1,734,603.00
Subtotal FFE&Contingency $2,461,095.00 $1,764,583.00 $4,225,678.00
TOTAL Project Budget $18,955,957.69 $22,218,882.31 $41,174,840.00
26
27
28 Steve Arndt, Asset Management Services Director, reviewed the background information
29 for the item and introduced Eric Hyde from Perkins and Will architecture firm, and a
30 representative from Barnhill Construction, Robert Eagle.
8
1 He gave the following PowerPoint presentation:
2
3 Slide #1
Agenda Item is
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
203 Project
Guaranteed Maximum Price{GMP} Update
. 203
pp07E��
Board of Orange County Commissioners
4 March 1,2022
5
6 Slide #2
ORANGE COON r
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8 Steve Arndt said that the project is a 56,000 sq ft facility and a joint venture between
9 county and town of Carrboro for library and skills development center.
10
11
9
1 Slide #3
The 203 Proj' t — Budget Evolution
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Iv 1tT[[,`I&ROU ern
2
3
4 Slide #4
The 203 Project — Budget Evolution
• Schematic Design D) completed in
November 2020.
. Project significantly over budget.
i Value Engineering (VE) reduced the
budget deficit to $1 ,807,160.
i BOCC approved budget
modifications at March 2. 2021
regular meeting
ORANGE COUNTY
nrdu-1-1i CIA iz0>_1rvw
5
6
7
8
10
1 Slide #5
The 203 Project — Budget Evolution
Total
Original Project Budgpt $28,195,195-OCA
Revised Budget (March 2021)
203 Project Budget
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2
3
4 Slide #6
The 203 Project — Budget Evolution
. Design Development
(DD) completed in May
2021 , y
• DD construction
estimate over budget.
VE efforts able to bring �,
L
the project back withinrevised construction
budget. ORANGE COUNTY
(8 -
h C 12 I"l 1 CAROLINA
5
6 Steve Arndt said that the design phase finalizes schematic design and adds more detail.
7
8
11
1 Slide #7
I he 203 Pro" c k — L u cj�_�e
{ Design work finished in November 2021
Bidding for the GIVIP started on January 17111, 2022
and finished on February 16th, 2022.
• The tabulation of all of the bid packages has
produced a tentative Guaranteed Maximum Price
for construction of $34,692,067.
f Total Project Cost jumped from $31 ,034,082 to
41 ,174,840. The County share increased by $5.4
million.
ORANGE COUNTY
NgDRI"rl iA1101-1 NA
2
3
4 Slide #8
The 203 Project — Budget Evolution
4rionaI TYtal Budget $28,195,195,44
ReVISed rural Bud get TMarch 202 1) $31,034,982.44
Tata I B ud get w ith Project G MPI I tentative) 541,174,944 6L1
203 Project Budget
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5
6
7
8
12
1 Slide #9
Biggest 'Variances
1(M Design
81d Packages Bthmate GMP DIfference
Site water&Sewer $69,784,00 $345,210.00 $275,426.00
Landscape Irrigations $191,620.00 $328,332.00 $136,712,00
Concrete $5,385087,00 $7,697,777.00 $1,322,690.00
Steel $735'551,00 $2,319.77&40 51.584r227.00
brVWaii $1,406r105,00 52rf76,000.00 $769r895.00
Plumbing $566,5.93,00 $844,+442.00 $277,84-4.00
Total 59,354,745.00 $13,711,539.00 $4,3%,794=
Labor Shortages - Average hourly earnings in construction rase
5.8% from February 2021 to January 2022 ,
• Supply Chain issues caused producer prices to soar. in the
construction industry, producer prices jumped by 19.6% in, 2021
ORANGE
2
3 Steve Arndt said that during the last year, concrete, steel, and drywall costs increased
4 dramatically.
5
6 Slide #10
Total Project Budget
03101121 Toral Ro]ee7.Bud@pr(Updated with GM PI _
Towit ofi lt! 4.3t1®ty Total
A.Comttruclbn
TatAl Umvrust pn 8,CMAR $13,444 4.00 519,2Qz,f)rd.00 $MAM097.00
L,L106W
wf.hivectural FessiRa4iu of COO10C Sq,ft.-44.52155.48) 57521074.13 93:37,22CM SL684,295.
supR-Architectur-al Fees(Ratio of CBO/ 5%Ft.-1-4,52IS'S,1y 5252.(!14.56 5315,U15.44 $5WAM.Do
S1'M4,Lt 8.6® $4252,Z34i31 S2,MM
L FFE 1��erdi71'
Furniture,rirtturesand Equtpment]FF$E] $1AK950.00 5802,225.00 52:,im.075.
Owl leef'i,C�IYrailgerlfy I%@Rano of CBDDC 44..52:155.48 $77Z,245.70 5962,35&-00 $1.734,60].
SurmialFFE&Comwip-my $24h O9f OD 51,7154,583.00 ,$+1.12:5,578.0U
T0TALPrclestRtmdZ t 3 551%7.69 $22,219,682.33 Sa1.174.8d0.
ORANGE COUNTY
KGlR-Irl I{'_aROL]NA
7
8 Steve Arndt said that the design fees have not changed at all during the project.
9
10
13
1 Slide #11
• Debt Finance the total
budget shortfall of
$5,400,333. OKANGE COUNTY
�
NgDR7"II CAR01_INA
2
3 Steve Arndt said that if they proceed with the project, this shortfall would have to be
4 financed through the issuance of debt.
5
6 Slide #12
Debt Finance Schedule. $8. 1 M Increase
sff s 2022 Senn 202';2
Tatal #18.565,105 SI $24051.190 Total $21,6^65.439 S31,i2O,0O3 #33.095„44i W1d4M
2023 559,072 559472 2423 741,884 741334 182,261
2024 82e,255 745,430 1.573t115 2024 3'Jyy '7_ 999.445 2,686717 513,.32
2025 926,255 702,166 a,53U413 2025 1097127 939.022 2,037294 500,8rs1
2026 826.795 670.667 1,499.142 2025 1098 72 889.604 1.967-872 4815,330
2027 828.755 633.610 1.461671 2027 1.098.272 840.17E 1.938.460 476,579
2028 828.259 699.344 1.474.699 202E 1098.272 790.756 1.669.028 464A29
2029 826,255 559,072 1.367 229 2029 3092.27., 741.334 1,639605 4524278
2030 928,255 521,601 1.8.50 056 2030 1099.272 691,811 1,790193 440,127
2031 926,255 494,529 1,312785 2031 1098Q72 642,469 3,740;781 427,975
2032 82B,755 447.756 1.776.513 2037 1098-272 593,067 1.691.339 415,116
2039 828.766 409.91315 1.23B.242 2035 1.098.272 543.644 1.641.916 403,fi75
2034 826.290 372.735 1.704.970 2034 L098272 494.777 1.592494 39124
2035 626,255 335,443 1,1630a9 2035 1099.272 444,644 1,543072 379,373
2036 828.255 2913,172 1,328427 2036 1099.272 393.87.6 3,493850 367229
2037 929,255 260,944 1,069:..158 2087 3098.272 845,956 1,444.229 355.72
2038 826.735 223.679 1.051684 2066 1098272 296,585 1.394-803 34$921
2039 828,736 185.367 1,014.619 2939 1098.272 247.111 1.345,383 330,770
2040 826.755 149.065 977.311 2940 1098-272 197.660 1.796,961 RUN
2041 926,755 .113,634 9410 070 2041 1099.272 1411 1,246539 304,469
4042 928,255 74.548 9027,919 2042 1099172 99.644 1.197 116 794,128
2043 U2,255 37,771 11527 2043 1099.272 49,422 }-8 167
RANGE C UNI-Y
h44C RTLI C-ARCM_INA
7
8 Steve Arndt said that the actual total difference is total cost of borrowing the money over
9 20 years, with interest.
10
14
1 Slide #13
Options — Deduct Alternates
O- Accepting Deduct Alternates 1■C WERMYUSUNVA"BW
TM Z,
could save up to $811 ,509 . `
Stelling out both Skills .and
Library would also eliminate
ne,OirP�nnw 9wn.1.�, - 1F'I,fi lg950 iR'3iY M,9l1 fFlf11 5 ',W:t*ya.,:
need for FF&E, an additional
$802,225
+.'] C+�r Cal Ss.tl�.n.Nl EISCiiT4Y: lI+OC V�Y. ".9r.Yr..:.
ar,..,,w.. rriru•� 9 =a,�s
• Total Savings $1,613,13
• However, the Skills Center i --
currently renting space at the �t_ , _
Europa enter at
$119, 041month, $238,8481year. U."
O�.ANG RANGE
rC)RTr s c-ArtOLINA
3 Steve Arndt said that some savings on list are relevant to Carrboro only. He said that
4 they need to weigh ongoing operating costs from the skills center rental vs. investment in this
5 facility.
6
7 Slide #14
Options — Attempt to VE Select bid packages
• Concrete, Steel and Drywall
saw the greatest escalation. -
. VE might result in contract
savings. - -
�
* However, savings would be _
retroactive (after financing).
Current bids only good for 90
days.
FWAZI _L M101-1 lrY
�l r.rrt�x-�-ii c_n. iaraA
8
9
10
11
15
1 Slide #15
uestions/D iSC LIS iori
OC 5KIIL5GMLC4-MENTCLA55R0DM3
W JPW
ORANGE COUNTY
2
3 Commissioner Richards asked about the increased site water and sewer increase.
4 Steve Arndt said it was a surprising increase that can be attributed to the labor shortage
5 and the fact that increased demand for services allow contractors to choose projects with more
6 flexibility. He said staff worked diligently to get multiple bids for all of the packages. He said that
7 these numbers are the best they can do at this time.
8 Commissioner Richards said it creates a confidence issue in the numbers and makes
9 her worry about other numbers. She asked about the "not to exceed amount".
10 Steve Arndt said the GMP, or guaranteed maximum price, is Barnhill Construction
11 guaranteeing that this is the top dollar amount the county will be charged for the project.
12 Commissioner Richards asked what the contingency is in the budget.
13 Bonnie Hammersley said it is 5%, which is the standard.
14 Commissioner Fowler asked if it is 5% or$5 million in contingency.
15 Bonnie Hammersley said it is 5%.
16 Commissioner Fowler asked if shelling out the facilities would affect functionality.
17 Steve Arndt said yes. He said the facilities would be without carpet, paint, lights, and
18 furnishing and would ultimately have to be finished at a later date.
19 Commissioner Fowler said if the facility isn't functional, then costs will still be incurred
20 from renting the space for the skills center. She said by shelling it out, the whole reason the
21 county wants the building, for a library and skills center, would not be achieved. She said that
22 option would essentially be building parking. She said that during a previous presentation, there
23 was an option to reduce the size of the parking deck in order to reduce costs. She asked if that
24 was still an option.
25 Steve Arndt said it's not on the table at this time, and the Board at the time decided not
26 to move forward with that cost saving option.
27 Bonnie Hammersley said anything is an option that the Board would like staff to work on.
28 She said there aren't many options left now because the project has been completely value
29 engineered, but anything the Board directs between now and March 15th when this comes back
16
1 to the Board, can be looked at. She said that the Board can direct them to do anything they
2 would like for them to speak with Carrboro about.
3 Commissioner Fowler said that labor costs and supply costs went up and asked what
4 was included in the total percentage increase of 32.7°/x.
5 Steve Arndt said that number was based on a report from the AGC that looked at
6 numbers from 2020 and 2021. He said that what was bid in February is based on the current
7 environment.
8 Commissioner Fowler asked if there were any parts of the project that had no bids
9 received.
10 Steve Arndt said bids were due February 9 and several packages didn't have sufficient
11 bids, so staff had resolicit bids and those were all reopened on February 16.
12 Commissioner Fowler clarified that now all bids are received.
13 Steve Arndt said yes. He said he expects to see the final GMP March 7th and expects it
14 to be very similar to what is presented here.
15 Commissioner Fowler asked if it's possible for the GMP to continue going up.
16 Bonnie Hammersley said a GMP will only go up if the owner asks it to go up, which the
17 county won't do, or an act of God, like a huge rock beneath the site that requires removal.
18 Commissioner Fowler said that wasn't her experience with GMPs with the school board,
19 also working with Barnhill.
20 Bonnie Hammersley said that seems unusual.
21 Commissioner Greene clarified that shelling out means no library and no skills
22 development center. She asked what interest rate is applied to the total $8 million.
23 Steve Arndt said 4%.
24 Commissioner McKee said he doesn't see shelling out library as an option. He asked to
25 see the difference between pricing with and without a parking deck.
26 Steve Arndt said the parking deck couldn't be eliminated completely because part of
27 building is underneath.
28 Commissioner McKee clarified he just wants a general number in reduction or a range in
29 price.
30 Steve Arndt said there are 171 spaces in deck and 110 are the county's responsibility.
31 Bonnie Hammersley said the cost of entire parking deck was $8 million.
32 Commissioner McKee said he understands there has to be parking, but this started out
33 as a desire for a library, and increases seem to be getting out of hand. He said that funds for
34 other projects and services will be impacted by these increases, and a tax raise might be
35 required. He said that his concern is how to balance this scenario.
36 Eric Hyde said that about a year ago, they discussed that taking off 1 level of parking
37 deck would save $800,000 to 1 million.
38 Steve Arndt said that the parking deck is composed of concrete and that is one of the
39 major increases in cost. He said that it could be 40-50% higher than the costs projected last
40 year. He said that they would have to calculate that. He said that if the BOCC directs staff to
41 remove parking, they would have to go back and redesign that part of the project and rebid. He
42 said that would take a couple of months.
43 Commissioner McKee said he isn't suggesting that. He said he doesn't understand $2
44 million in architectural costs, and he is trying to get information to make a decision on. He said
45 that they have doubled the cost in a year and a half.
46 Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is a guaranteed time to complete the
47 construction.
48 Steve Arndt said yes and that is part of GMP.
49 Robert Eagle said that it is 18 months from notice to proceed and that there are
50 liquidated damages if they go over on time.
51 Steve Arndt said the clock starts running at the notice to proceed.
17
1 Commissioner Hamilton said she is also concerned about the price of the project. She
2 understands COVID-19 has made things difficult. She said that given the current international
3 climate is not leading her to think prices will decrease. She said that there are many needs that
4 the county has and that she looks at all projects against their competing needs. She said that
5 this is a priority.
6 Commissioner Bedford said that staffing projections increased but not as much as other
7 increases. She said that she agrees that parking is important. She said that interest rates
8 concern her. She asked if there is any possibility that Carrboro could adjust and fund more that
9 has been assigned to Orange County.
10 Chair Price said Carrboro is funding their portion and that the county is funding their
11 portion.
12 Bonnie Hammersley said the Town Council is looking at this tonight as well and will
13 come back on March 15th. She spoke to the Town Manager and the council has issues with the
14 increased cost of project as well.
15 Chair Price said she knows Carrboro needs 61 parking spaces but questioned the 110
16 spaces total.
17 Steve Arndt said there was a detailed analysis done on the demand for parking during
18 the design plan and 120 spaces were deemed to be accurately needed to accommodate both
19 facilities.
20 Chair Price said she hates to pave over open lands but wonders if there is an alternative
21 to parking, like a park and ride, and public transit, if that would alleviate the need to build the
22 deck. She remarked on the increases of concrete and steel. She said she is also shocked by
23 the increases. She asked if the water increase was based on construction only.
24 Steve Arndt said this is for construction.
25 Chair Price asked if there are trends showing a decrease in costs going forward.
26 Steve Arndt said at best, they could hope for a leveling off, but absent extreme economic
27 decrease, it likely won't change.
28 Chair Price asked if there is a way hear back from Carrboro quickly.
29 Bonnie Hammersley said she is talking with the Carrboro Town Manager in the morning,
30 and they will discuss the issues brought up by both boards.
31 Chair Price asked if analysis could be done again on proposed parking spaces.
32 Bonnie Hammersley said staff will look at that and look at what is required. She said they
33 do not have to do any more than the requirements.
34 Chair Price said that she was trying to say that some of the planning requirements may
35 be outdated and unreliable for actual use and demand.
36 Commissioner Greene said that if some of the parking were to be removed then that
37 would require a redesign of the project and a rebid.
38 Steve Arndt said that the bids are only good for 90 days for every bid.
39 Commissioner Greene said that there is a local government deadline coming up that
40 Carrboro is dealing with.
41 Bonnie Hammersley said they are working with that deadline but that it can be pushed
42 off to a later date, if needed.
43 Commissioner Greene said if the project must be rebid, there's a chance the costs will
44 go even higher, as well as interest rates.
45 Steve Arndt said yes.
46 Commissioner Greene said this is very unfortunate, but the project has come a long way
47 and need to find some way to get to the finish line.
48 Commissioner Bedford said when the CIP comes to the Board, she hopes some of the
49 increases can be applied, so help the Board understand inflation.
50 Steve Arndt said AMS was shocked by these numbers, and after seeing it, they revised
51 the CIP with finance.
18
1 Bonnie Hammersley said staff will get the final GMP on March 71h and will come back on
2 March 15th anticipating a decision. She said that the CIP will be presented on April 5tH
3 Commissioner Richards said shelling out is not a good idea but that she would like to
4 see other alternatives.
5 Bonnie Hammersley said she's been working on this project since coming to Orange
6 County. She said that the value engineering has reached capacity. She said there is an issue
7 with the project being split between two boards and with those boards having different priorities.
8 She said she supports whatever this Board does and understands the different priorities
9 between counties and municipalities. Bonnie Hammersley said staff has looked at this project
10 from a variety of angles and different designs and uses. She said staff will continue to do what
11 they can.
12 Chair Price asked what percentage of entire building construction parking is.
13 Steve Arndt said it is about 50% in area.
14 Commissioner Hamilton asked if the Board could have a preview of the CIP. She said
15 she would like to look at a comparison of other projects.
16 Bonnie Hammersley said staff can provide a model on March 15tH
17 Commissioner Hamilton said it would be helpful to get a sense of the projects in the
18 model.
19 Bonnie Hammersley said Travis Myren leads the CIP process, and staff is not at that
20 point yet.
21
22 8. Consent Agenda
23
24 • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
25 • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
26 • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
27
28 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene, to
29 approve the consent agenda.
30
31 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
32
33 a. Minutes
34 The Board approved minutes from the February 1, 2022 Virtual Business Meeting.
35 b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds
36 The Board approved a resolution to release motor vehicle property tax values for two taxpayers
37 with a total of two bills that will result in a reduction of revenue.
38 c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds
39 The Board approved a resolution to release property tax values for ten taxpayers with a total of
40 sixteen bills that will result in a reduction of revenue
41 d. Applications for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion
42 The Board approved a resolution for three untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from
43 ad valorem taxation for three bills for FY 2021/2022.
44
19
1 e. Approval of Revisions to Orange County Voluntary Farmland Protection Program
2 Ordinance (Code of Ordinances Chapter 48) and Boundary Adjustment for the New
3 Hope Voluntary Agricultural District
4 The Board adopted the proposed language adjustments to the County's Voluntary Farmland
5 Protection Program ordinance (Chapter 48, Orange County Code of Ordinances) and approved
6 the boundary adjustment for the New Hope Voluntary Agricultural District.
7 f. Eno River Farmers' Market— License Agreement Renewal
8 The Board approved the renewal of a license agreement, for a period of three years, between
9 Orange County and the Eno River Farmers Market (ERFM) for Saturday use of the David Price
10 Farmers' Market Pavilion and authorized the Chair to sign the agreement.
11 g. 2022 Amendment to Interlocal Agreement with Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
12 Related to the Historic Rogers Road Area Private Sewer Service Lateral Connection
13 Installations for Qualified Low-to-Moderate-Income (LMI) Homeowners — Cost Share
14 The Board approved the proposed 2022 amendment to the Interlocal Agreement and authorized
15 the County Manager and Finance Director to sign.
16 h. Acceptance of Planning Jurisdiction over Two (2) Parcels to Orange County
17 The Board received the property owner petition and Town of Chapel Hill resolution, and
18 accepted assignment of planning jurisdiction into Orange County for two (2) parcels.
19 i. Women's History Month Proclamation
20 The Board approved a proclamation recognizing March 2022 as Women's History Month in
21 Orange County.
22
23 9. County Manager's Report
24 Bonnie Hammersley said the county hired a new Sustainability Project Coordinator, Amy
25 Eckberg. She said that she spent 13 years with Wake County and then time with the Virginia
26 Clean Cities. She said she has heard from staff that this individual is highly impressive.
27 Bonnie Hammersley reminded the Board there will be a work session on March 101h
28 She said that the Board will hear from 10 boards for their annual report and will review
29 appointments to boards and commissions.
30
31 10. County Attorney's Report
32 John Roberts said the state legislature passed a new law regarding county
33 commissioners serving on non-profit boards. He said that some Board members serve on non-
34 profit boards that receive funding from the county, so they will need to work with him on a way to
35 excuse themselves from those votes. He shared that Town of Chapel Hill is discussing an
36 option of making elected officials part of an advisory board for the non-profits, specifically for
37 Community Home Trust, rather than being on their governing board.
38
39 11. *Appointments
40 None.
41
42 12. Information Items
43 • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis
44 • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections
45 • Tax Assessor's Report— Releases/Refunds under $100
46
47 13. Closed Session
48 None.
49
20
1 Chair Price asked the Clerk to send a Doodle poll to determine another date for the May
2 17th business meeting. She said that is scheduled the same evening as the Primary election.
3 The Clerk indicated that the date for the meeting was proposed to move to May 24th and
4 there will be a consent agenda item for the change on March 15tH
5
6 14. Adjournment
7 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler and seconded by Commissioner McKee to
8 adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
9
10 Roll call ensued
11
12 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
13
14
15 Renee Price, Chair
16
17
18 Tara May
19 Deputy Clerk to the Board
20
21 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.
Attachment 3
1
1 MINUTES
2 ORANGE COUNTY
3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
4 WORK SESSION
5 March 10, 2022
6 7:00 p.m.
7
8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Thursday, March 10,
9 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
10
11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford,
12 and Commissioners Sally Greene, Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee and Anna Richards
13 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Amy Fowler
14 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
15 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
16 Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified
17 appropriately below)
18
19 Chair Price called the Board of County Commissioners meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
20 Commissioner Amy Fowler was absent.
21 Chair Price asked for a motion to amend the agenda to include a discussion of the
22 process for state of emergency declarations.
23 Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to add an item about state of emergency
24 declarations, and Commissioner Bedford seconded the motion.
25
26 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
27
28 Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager, made the following presentation:
29
30 Slide #1
GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Emergency Declaration Summary
9oard of Qmngm rwozy ccm ossia"w
Wark Sssxlpn
March Ytl,20a
31
32
2
1 Slide #2
Authority
* North Carolina General Statutes
— Municipalities and Counties may make emwergency declarations
May delegate dectarauon authority to Mayor or Chalr
* Chapter 14—Grange County Code of Ordinances
Describes emergency situations
— Delads the types of restrictions
Delegates resporksiblity to Chair wwvlth line of succession
ORANGE COUNTY
NORT]I CkRULINA
2
3
4 Slide #3
Purpose to Declarations
* Operational Necessity for Rapid Response
— Activates Orange Cownty Emergency Operations Plan for internal coordination
Activates the Fmergeney Cperatiorks Center
— Authprixe* County Manager to take necessary action to protect lives and
pwarhl
* Prerequisite for Federal and StateAssistance Programs
— Rewired once per incident
No standing declaration:needed to continue to qualify for reimbursement
GRANGE COUNTY
NOR T]I CAROLINA
5
6
7
3
1 Slide #4
DeCiaring and Amending
Emergency Services Recommendation
— Can-uJtatian wtdr subject matter exerts
Draft dectaralion with Carly Attorney's Office
County Manager Recommendation
Chair of Board of CommissionersExecutes
Amending Emergency Declaration
— Done by Ghair or as directed by the Board
Rescinding Emergency Declaration
— Done by Chair QF as directed by the Board
ORANGE COUNTY
NOR77I C-kROLINA
2
3
4 Slide #5
Role of Towns
Independent Authority to hake Declaration
— Separate and apart from She County
Coordination of Rules and Restrictions
Carrtultation with subject matter exrper@s
— Draft declaration with County Attvmey's Offiee
ORANGE COUNTY
Ni7Wn r CAROLINA
5
6
7
8
4
1 Slide #6
COVID-19 Differences,
• Duration
• No Obvious End Point
• Geographio Coverage
• impaoton Private Entities
ORANGE COUNTY
NOR T]I+APO]INNM
2
3 Travis Myren said that unlike other emergencies, there was no obvious end point to the
4 COVID-19 pandemic. He said that stay at home orders impacted private entities in a way that
5 other emergencies do not.
6
7 Slide #7
Questions and Discussion
ORANGE COUNTY
NOR7][CAROLINA
8
9 Commissioner Bedford asked when the county is issuing a declaration, if it excludes the
10 towns, unless the towns want to join in.
11 Travis Myren said yes. He said the county invites the towns to participate for
12 coordination, but it is not necessary.
13 Commissioner Bedford asked how it works with municipalities split across counties, such
14 as Mebane.
15 John Roberts, County Attorney, said those municipalities usually do not participate and
16 issue their own orders.
17 Commissioner Bedford said that it could be a conflict for those municipalities that are
18 split between counties that have differing rules.
5
1 Commissioner Richards asked if the state of emergency declaration for COVID-19 was
2 done in consultation with the Board.
3 Travis Myren said that he thought it was done by the Board Chair at the time, in
4 consultation with the mayors.
5 Commissioner Richards said that this presented a good opportunity to rethink the
6 process since the standard process seems to be setup for a snowstorm, for example.
7 Commissioner McKee said there was no consultation with the Board because that was
8 the process in the past. He said that some states of emergency need quick action. He said that
9 the Board delegates the authority to the Chair to make these declarations because they need to
10 be able to implement them quickly, in the event of a standard state of emergency. He said that
11 he thinks that it is proper to continue in that fashion. He noted that COVID-19 presented a
12 different scenario, and he has no issue in how the declarations were issued up until now, but
13 that he wants to review how to go forward. He said he would like to allow Board input at some
14 point in time in future, long-term emergency declarations. He asked when the current
15 declaration ends.
16 Chair Price said it has been extended until May 1, 2022.
17 Commissioner McKee said in this case that he favors allowing the Board to weigh in
18 before extending the declaration or requiring masks again. He said it is a unique situation and
19 has no bearing on other states of emergency. He said he thinks they need a policy to determine
20 what is delegated to the Chair.
21 Chair Price asked when federal and state mandates expire.
22 Travis Myren said the federal transportation declaration was extended through April 18th
23 and said he was unsure about medical facilities.
24 Chair Price asked about the deadline for reimbursement for federal funds.
25 Travis Myren said eligible expenditures are ending soon. He said the declaration does
26 not have to be open during the entire expenditures period.
27 Commissioner Hamilton said she agreed about the importance for the Board to have
28 input emergencies like COVID that have a wide impact on the community. She asked how they
29 could put the policy in place. She said her reading of the policy says the chair can put the
30 declaration in place, but changes could be made by the Board. She said it would be helpful to
31 have guidance for Board input.
32 John Roberts said the Board has authority to direct the Chair to amend, rescind, or
33 extend any declaration. He said they could add language that says something along the lines
34 that "any declaration that extends past 10 days shall come back to the Board at a business
35 meeting for determination on how long it should be kept in place." He said that the board does
36 have an authority to direct how the declaration will go forward by directing the chair.
37 Commissioner Greene said she did not know the Board had that power. She said that
38 the County Attorney's suggestion about amending the language for duration and Board review
39 makes sense. She said for something that is beyond a hurricane, or natural disaster, and like
40 the pandemic that is becoming a part of life, maybe 30 days could be the duration that
41 discussion should go to the Board.
42 John Roberts said he can only remember two events in the last 13 years that extended
43 beyond the five days that they are automatically terminated by the ordinance. He said that if
44 they set a 30-day window, that maybe they would never have to use it.
45 Chair Price said that emergencies on the coast can impact communities for a long time.
46 Commissioner Bedford said she is concerned. She said that she does not think it should
47 be automatic that a declaration come back to the board. She said that it might make more sense
48 to ask the manager to work with the emergency services department because they have
49 protocols and that would take the politics out of the decision. She suggested that the County
50 Manager work with staff to determine when and why declarations should be extended, ended, or
51 brought before the Board. She said an emergency should never be political.
6
1 Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager, said the normal protocol is that the emergency
2 management team discusses with the County Manager whether the county should be in a state
3 of emergency. She said then the County Attorney puts together the state of emergency
4 declaration, and then the Chair signs the declaration. She said staff on the ground advise the
5 Chair if the state of emergency needs to be extended. She said it is coming up from emergency
6 operations. She said she thinks the language does allow the Board to get involved, if needed.
7 She said in most cases, the state of emergency happens quickly and then is done. She said
8 they always follow up with the Board with the full impact. She said the pandemic just never
9 ended and provided a different situation than had ever been experienced.
10 Commissioner Bedford said it would be helpful if the team could share what the
11 parameters are for why emergency declarations would be reconsidered.
12 Commissioner Richards said she liked the words, "in consultation." She said she did not
13 want to mess anything up but that she wants to understand what the parameters are so she
14 could communicate clearly with the public. She said she wants to be able to share knowledge.
15 She said she did not want to interfere with the process.
16 Chair Price said that in the first half of the pandemic a lot of the information was
17 confidential, but it was coming from emergency management and with the health department.
18 She said the mayors and chairs were just signing the declaration, but it was being developed by
19 the people on the ground.
20 Commissioner Hamilton said she agreed that it is about being in consultation. She said
21 she just wanted to get information about the basis for the metrics. She said this would allow the
22 board to ask questions and understand. She said it is important as a Board to have that to
23 educate the community. She said they are held accountable as a Board. She said that this
24 unique situation of a long running emergency that it is vital that the whole board be involved.
25 She said that when we have a long running emergency, people get tired, and others need to be
26 deputized to get input. She said it was important to not let it get politicized and to look at the
27 best interests of the community.
28 Commissioner McKee said he would send language to the Board for amending the
29 policy.
30 Chair Price said that it can be brought to a future meeting for discussion and public
31 input.
32 Chair Price said she forgot to say at the beginning of the meeting that Commissioner
33 Fowler had an excused absence from the work session.
34
35
36 1. Boards and Commissions —Annual Work Plan Summaries
37 The Board received feedback and/or direction on the first group of boards and commissions'
38 annual work plan summaries with their Chairs (or representatives) in attendance. (A second
39 group of boards and commissions' annual work plan summaries is scheduled for the Board's
40 April 14, 2022 work session.)
41
42 BACKGROUND: In the past, as part of the Board of Commissioners' annual planning and goal
43 setting retreats, the Board requested and reviewed/provided feedback on annual plan
44 summaries from the County's internal boards and commissions. This information provided the
45 Board with a yearly overview of the boards and commissions and their projected goals for the
46 upcoming year. This particular process ended in 2007. The Board decided at its April 13, 2010
47 meeting to reinstate this process independent of the Board's annual retreats.
48
49 Boards and Commissions Represented at this meeting:
50
51 Board Name Representative(s) Presenting
7
1 Orange County Board of Adjustment Leon Meyers
2 Orange Unified Transportation Board Erik Broo
3 Orange County Planning Board Lamar Proctor
4 Economic Development Advisory Board Estella Johnson
5 Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Sharon Hill
6 & Laurie Paolicelli
7 Human Relations Commission Frances Castillo
8 Orange County Housing Authority Board Corey Root
9 Affordable Housing Advisory Board Jenn Sykes
10 Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Tony DuBois
11 Animal Services Advisory Board Ed Tiryakian
12 & Bryan Stuart
13
14 Tara May introduced the item.
15 Leon Meyers presented for the Board of Adjustment. He said the Board of Adjustment
16 met six times in the last year or so, for one work session, one orientation, one appeal case, two
17 variance cases, and a virtual meeting to approve minutes. He said there were issues with staff
18 support, which the Planning Director corrected. He said there is a regular member who has not
19 had any communication with the Board of Adjustment for over a year. He said that it was
20 important to move the alternates into regular member seats and to fill the alternate positions, so
21 the Board of Adjustment can operate.
22 Commissioner Richards asked what are the kinds of things that the Board of Adjustment
23 would take up.
24 Leon Meyers said the Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial board and it was created
25 by the North Carolina General Statutes and the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). He
26 said that it handles appeals of decisions that staff make, variances from the requirements of the
27 UDO, and a narrow class of special use permits.
28 Commissioner Richards asked about issues with the UDO and if it is handled separately,
29 or if it were collectively something the county would look at in the UDO.
30 Leon Meyers said the Board of Adjustment is not involved with the LIDO, except as a
31 distant advisory board.
32 Erik Broo presented for the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUT Board). He said
33 they have met five times and that the virtual meetings helped with a quorum. He said that the
34 major thing they did in 2021 was to make recommendations on the Orange County CTP. He
35 said they review NCDOT projects in Orange County at every meeting. He said they review the
36 Burlington Graham MPO 2045 MTP update. He said they get updates from Nish Trivedi and his
37 staff about projects, and they offer feedback. He said they meet regularly with TAS. He said
38 they pursue the non STIP items that are outside of NCDOT's realm and those can be
39 accomplished din a timelier manner. He said they monitor local and regional plans, like
40 Robeson county's goal to have traffic fatalities at zero. He said the board looks at other
41 community plans to determine if they are good fit for Orange County. He said they use the
42 website to push information out and solicit feedback. He said they are actively trying to support
43 multi-modal transportation projects, and this is a challenge. He said that everyone wants bike
44 lanes, but they have to be called 4-ft shoulders to be able to meet the guidelines. He said in
45 2022, they are going to look at the US 70 multi-modal corridor study. He said they will continue
46 to look at the DCHC 2050 transportation plan and they are also awaiting the DOTMSTA study.
47 He said the Grady Brown and Cedar Ridge High Schools are included in the area of the
48 DOTMSTA study and they will be reviewing the information so that hopefully the constituents
49 can have their concerns better heard through improvements. He said there is a possible casino
50 being built in southern Virginia and that would affect the traffic on NC 86, and they are paying
51 attention to issues like that. He said they are looking at alternative means to address local
8
1 issues and smaller projects. He said that for example, when light rail was a thing, there was a
2 tax, and it would be nice to be able to use those funds within the bounds that have been set. He
3 said they are trying to figure out how to do smaller projects within the boundaries that are set.
4 Commissioner Greene said the county was updating the Orange County transit plan and
5 revise it since light rail has ended. She asked if the OUT Board was consulted.
6 Erik Broo said yes, and they talk about it every meeting.
7 Commissioner Greene said the transit policy steering committee was meeting the next
8 day and they will be receiving results of the second round of input.
9 Craig Benedict, Planning Director, said the OUT Board is made of planning staff and
10 Orange County public transportation and they discuss the plan at each meeting.
11 Commissioner Greene asked if the OUT Board was specifically included.
12 Nish Trivedi said yes, they have been included in the input process.
13 Erik Broo said Nish Trivedi and his team were reviewing the document every meeting.
14 Chair Price said the bridge study discussion has been going on for over a decade. She
15 said she hopes this time something happens.
16 Erik Broo said the topic comes up frequently.
17 Chair Price said that over the years, NCDOT has begun listening to Orange County's
18 desire for bike lanes. She said they have to be called "4-foot shoulders," but are intended for
19 bikes.
20 Erik Broo said that he hopes NCDOT would offer funding for projects that are not directly
21 adjacent to roads, because it would show North Carolinians that they do care about multi-modal.
22 He said transportation does happen with bikes even though they are not on the road.
23 Chair Price said they are changing the culture.
24 Lamar Proctor presented for the Orange County Planning Board. He said the board met
25 ten times. He said they revised the LIDO as an update as required to meet the updates to NC
26 General Statute 160E. He said there were some substantive changes that were also discussed
27 by the Board of Commissioners. He said they also reviewed projects within the county. He said
28 they also reviewed changes that are happening in Durham that affect the Eno economic
29 development district because they are reducing public water and sewer to the area. He said
30 that it will not be as big as they wanted, regarding future growth, in that area. He said they have
31 a new chair, Adam Beeman. He said that Adam Beeman led a discussion on residential solar.
32 He said that it was eye opening to see the hoops they had to jump through and unforeseen
33 expenses to add solar to residential. He said that it dovetails with issues that the Planning
34 Board is concerned with. He said they will likely work more with other boards in the future. He
35 said new census data will require an update to the comprehensive plan. He said they will
36 continue to work on community outreach. He said they may teach a Planning 101 course to the
37 public, to help them learn the process and where their voice can be heard. He said that
38 broadband access is important to the Planning Board, as is climate change. He said that the
39 growth of Mebane into western Orange County is creating concern for residents. He said they
40 want to encourage renewable energy development. He said the Planning Board is concerned
41 with maintaining water resources. He said Orange County has some clean ecosystems that
42 should be protected and used wisely.
43 Commissioner Richards said there is a need to update the planning. She said that
44 between the UDO, the comprehensive plan, and the new census data, it all needs to be
45 updated. She said she wants to do all of that in a collaborative way. She asked if there is a
46 work plan to get that done in the next year.
47 Lamar Proctor said there were policies and procedures established that they would
48 follow.
49 Commissioner Richards asked about the work plan for tackling that.
50 Craig Benedict said that when the comprehensive plan was put together, there were
51 eight lead advisory boards. He said that it is especially important to include them. He said they
9
1 want to be inclusive with advisory boards. He said there is a process, but they need to bring
2 everyone together. He said in the coming months they will pull everyone together and get buy-in
3 right away. He said that there is a very deliberative process to make sure they are including the
4 advisory boards. He said that the process took several years in the past and he hopes that it
5 can be done a bit quicker this time.
6 Chair Price said in the previous process they used a world caf6 model to share ideas.
7 She said it was an interactive process.
8 Craig Benedict said that when he started, they were working on the 2025 Transportation
9 Plan and now they are working on the 2050. He said that he will be retiring but that the work
10 continues.
11 Estella Johnson presented for the Economic Development Advisory Board. She said
12 their subcommittee reviewed many small business grant applications and approved twenty-six
13 small business grant awards totaling $134,465. She said assisted in the Agriculture Economic
14 Development Grant Program to receive and review applications, approving ten grant awards
15 totaling $87,705 in support of Orange County's small farmers and food processors for the year.
16 She said members of the Advisory Board participated in a third round of the Board of
17 Commissioners' special COVID emergency small business grant program, approving forty-four
18 awards totaling $132,000 for the year. She said this activity was in addition to 2020's first two
19 rounds of special grant approvals that made seventy-eight awards totaling $520,131 for the prior
20 year. She said that the combined value of all grant award activity benefiting small businesses &
21 small farmers saw a total of $354,170 in economic development funding throughout rural
22 Orange County and the towns of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. She said all of these
23 business and agriculture/food processing grants were made possible by funds provided by the
24 County's special Article 46 (1/4 cent retail sales tax) proceeds. She said that thanks to Article
25 46 funding, these grant programs show that the real estate tax paid by the public is remaining in
26 Orange County. She said these funds are put to effective use to grow the local economy. She
27 said Economic Development Advisory Board members worked closely with staff to review all
28 applications and make strategic grant awards. She said all grant awards should be considered
29 important efforts to the county's continuing investment to our locally owned small businesses,
30 agricultural food processors, and farms, many of which are women and minority owned
31 businesses. She said the advisory board's goals in 2022 are to assist the Board of
32 Commissioners with their social justice goal to assist all residents with participation and sharing
33 of economic prosperity by continuing the small business grant and agricultural programs. She
34 said they also hope to continue collaborating with the county, the chambers of commerce of
35 Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro, and Durham Technical Community College. She said
36 they also offer assistance to the Board by making recommendations for the use of Article 46
37 revenue to prioritize funding for a mix of small businesses and entrepreneurial firms. She said
38 they also hope to attract larger industries as well. She commended the efforts of Economic
39 Development staff for their work with the Board of Commissioners to support small and large
40 businesses.
41 Estella Johnson said she is relatively new to the Economic Development Advisory
42 Board, but she would do her best to answer any questions.
43 Commissioner Greene commended the board and staff for the emphasis on agricultural
44 economic development and the food processing center. She said she hoped they could grow
45 that due to the potential.
46 Chair Price commended the board on their work for small business assistance and
47 family farms. She asked if the board felt there were sufficient grant funds for the number of
48 applicants.
49 Estella Johnson said there is never enough money because people are always in need.
50 She said that small businesses generate long-term jobs. She said she is not certain on the
10
1 amount of money available to them to supply to businesses. She said it is good for them to have
2 expert support.
3 Steve Brantley said they are fortunate that grant money is supported by Chapel Hill and
4 Carrboro where they have new grant programs made available by ARPA or accrued funding.
5 He said the county is the only organization that has funding available for farms or food
6 processors. He said that if there is more funding available that they would make more grants or
7 larger grants. He said the biggest difference between the agricultural grants and the other
8 businesses is a timing one. He said people in agriculture have a different cycle in when they
9 need funding. He said that other small business applicants do not have the same cyclicality. He
10 said that brand new startup type ventures are not really allowed with the guidelines. He said
11 there are funds available that have never been used and they are proposing to move it to allow
12 startups to be able to use it. He said they want to grow businesses with less than 12 months
13 operating history. He said the county is reinvesting in the community with economic
14 development.
15 Sharron Hill presented virtually for the Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau
16 Advisory Board. She said they moved to 308 West Franklin Street. She shared a video from
17 musician James Taylor that will play continuously at the visitor's bureau. She said that tourists
18 are returning to Chapel Hill. She said staff has completed a 2022 event and meeting guide.
19 She shared a new draft website that highlights the diversity of the area. She said they are going
20 to update language on the website to include the term BIPOC. She asked that people contact
21 the visitor's bureau with events that they would like highlighted.
22 Laurie Paolicelli of the Visitors Bureau, thanked Sharron Hill and Commissioner McKee
23 for serving on the advisory board. She said that there are also twelve other videos, including
24 Coach Brown, Governor Cooper, and Lewis Brown, all the mayors, and Chair Price. She said
25 they hope to have a grand opening for their new space after UNC Chapel Hill's graduation. She
26 said they are going after meeting planners now because the biggest struggle is mid-week.
27 Frances Castillo presented for the Human Relations Commission. She said that they
28 have spent a lot of time partnering with other organizations and working on community
29 development. She said they worked to educate tenants and landlords on their rights and
30 responsibilities. She said they collaborated with UNC Humanities K-12 and created a Pauli
31 Murray curriculum. She said that teachers can use the lesson plan and it is being used even
32 outside of North Carolina. She said they are beginning to publish documents in languages other
33 than English. She said that in 2021 they hosted the Pauli Murray awards, a community
34 conversation on defunding the police, letters to the editors on defunding police and violence
35 against the Asian Americans. She said they also took a month to dedicate to community
36 education on how to be a good advocate. She said that the upcoming year will be interesting as
37 they begin in-person meetings. She said that there are many issues, and they are putting
38 together resources to help the community address those. She said they want everyone on the
39 commission to go through GARE training. She said they have started attending the state human
40 relation commission meetings. She said that they want to address women's health and
41 women's economic opportunities. She said they want to work more with other advisory boards
42 and commissions.
43 Commissioner Richards said they passed a resolution supporting Orange County
44 schools. She said in the resolution they asked for help from the commission in how they can
45 move forward with broader conversations in the community. She said she just wanted to remind
46 everyone about that desire. She said she wanted to work with the commission on how to move
47 the county forward. She also said they would like help on diversifying boards.
48 Frances Castillo said there is a board diversity subcommittee that is studying that
49 subject. She said they are soliciting information from advisory boards about ethnicity of
50 members. She said they are also trying to make sure the human relations commission is
51 diverse.
11
1 Chair Price said that diversity on the boards has been an issue for years. She said it is
2 an issue of communication and feeling comfortable on the board. She said that is some of the
3 feedback she has gotten over the years. She said some people are fine being the only woman
4 or person of color on a board, but others do not. She said they have to encourage people to get
5 on board and raise their voices.
6 Frances Castillo one of the issues is the time and places that boards are meeting. She
7 said some are set up to be inaccessible. She said this prevents people from being on certain
8 boards.
9 Chair Price said some of it really has been that people do not want to be bothered if they
10 do not feel they will be comfortable.
11 Corey Root presented on behalf of the Orange County Housing Authority Board. She
12 said the board is currently without a chair or vice chair, so she was presenting for them. She
13 said the board has gone through a lot of changes. She said the first substantial change is they
14 have increased the number of leases. She said they have issued a high number of vouchers.
15 She said they are being used in collaboration with the Partnership to End Homelessness. She
16 said they have identified people exiting homelessness and they meet criteria to receive those
17 vouchers. She said there are over one hundred households that have been issued vouchers.
18 She said that there are not enough affordable housing units in the community to meet the need.
19 She said that structured support in housing searches is also being provided. She said that HUD
20 made additional vouchers available and Orange County qualified for nineteen of those. She said
21 that the guidelines are exactly what Orange County is already doing. She said three of the
22 nineteen are leased. She said that the housing vouchers come with a service fee that they can
23 use for furniture or household goods. She said they are working to lower barriers for those with
24 vouchers. She said they are working to make it more accessible and understandable. She said
25 they have reduced their voucher package to three pages for recertification with HUD to make it
26 kinder to clients who are in need. She said the previous version was ten pages with a lot of
27 scary language. She said they are trying to reduce the paperwork in all their programs.
28 Commissioner Bedford asked what permanent supportive housing is.
29 Corey Root said permanent supportive housing is a model to address needs for those
30 who have experienced chronic homelessness and who also have a disability. She said it is
31 housing subsidies with an addition of services. She said the people who provide services have
32 one of the toughest jobs in Orange County. She said some people have trouble finding units,
33 even with vouchers. She said affordable housing is moving towards a mixed income type of
34 housing.
35 Jenn Sykes presented for the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. She said they are
36 involved in outside agency funding review. She said they work on community engagement to
37 help residents understand what is available to them. She said they believe that housing is a key
38 component for having a healthy life. She said they review action plans for federal HOME funds
39 and expand partnerships within the community. She said that next year they also want to
40 engage with criminal justice and immigrant refugee partners. She said they want to increase
41 financial support for affordable housing. She said they want to remain engaged with local
42 governments as they discuss affordable housing. She said they consult and review the
43 proposed land uses for the Greene Tract. She said they are also aligning with the county-wide
44 racial equity plan.
45 Commissioner Richards asked if the board was involved with the Big Bold Idea housing
46 committee.
47 Jenn Sykes said that Corey Root is a member of that committee.
48 Commissioner Richards asked if Corey Root will report back to the Board of
49 Commissioners on that committee.
50 Corey Root said she is not sure at this time how this information will be shared.
12
1 Tony DuBois presented on behalf of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. He said
2 they are different than advisory boards because they are an independent subdivision of the
3 state and generate revenue and distribute profits. He said that employees working with the
4 public have had a difficult job over the pandemic. He described the increase in sales at the
5 stores. He said they are a living wage employer, and that they are building new locations in
6 Mebane and Southern Village. He said they have increased their grants during the pandemic.
7 He said they have focused on best ways to distribute the money. He said they recently
8 renewed their living wage certification, but it creates salary compression. He said that they
9 have been able to pay off debt and upgrade stores. He listed some of the organizations that
10 they have helped financially.
11 Chair Price said she noticed the increase in sales.
12 Commissioner Richards asked if law enforcement has specific programs about alcohol
13 prevention and if they support those.
14 Pat Burns from the ABC Advisory Board said all agencies submit a grant request to
15 describe what they will use the funds for. He said a lot of this goes toward the multijurisdictional
16 agencies with a strong focus on underage drinking.
17 Ed Tiryakian presented on behalf of the Animal Services Advisory Board. He said he
18 has been on the board for 8 years and his final term will end in June. He said he understands
19 the importance of the advisory boards on bringing attention to issues. He said they are currently
20 considering if roosters should be regulated in the developed parts of the county. He said they
21 are investigating if high density areas should be rezoned for no roosters. He said they have
22 frequently reviewed the dangerous dogs ordinance. He said that several years ago they asked
23 the Board of Commissioners to remove the word "vicious" from the ordinance. He said that was
24 changed to "dangerous." He said they also requested an appeals process for removing muzzles
25 from dangerous dogs after 18 months. He said there are state statutes for lifelong muzzle
26 requirements and the board asked the Board of Commissioners to discuss a local bill with state
27 legislators for removing the lifelong muzzle requirement. He said it would be viewed by the
28 legislators as a study. He said they have made changes for investigating dangerous dog
29 declarations. He said there have been decreases in the number of incidents for dangerous
30 dogs. He said that their board has a requirement for geographic diversity. He said that maybe
31 this makes sense but is that the type of diversity that is most relevant. He said they are having
32 meetings at other locations in Orange County to hopefully attract interest from residents in what
33 the advisory board does. He said they are thinking of bringing other Animal Services programs
34 to those locations during the meetings. He said they have been working on amending the
35 animal ordinance to update the language and address different types of issues. He said people
36 want to own exotic animals, but often they find out about it after there is an incident. He said
37 they will present the ordinance to the Board of Commissioners later in the year. He discussed
38 the recent wolf dog situation. He credited the community for finding homes for the captured
39 dogs and for the Animal Services Director for keeping them healthy during the duration of their
40 time at Animal Services. He said it was exceedingly difficult to find homes for the wolf dogs. He
41 said the last three wolf dogs were placed with an organization called Mattersville that builds
42 homes for veterans. He said that Mattersville wanted the wolf dogs but needed help paying for
43 fencing. He said that the community raised $10,000 in a week for the organization. He said the
44 community is very invested in animal welfare.
45 Chair Price asked if the ordinance will be finished before Mr. Tiryakian leaves.
46 Ed Tiryakian said yes.
47 Commissioner McKee said that those requested legislative studies have been presented
48 to Representatives Insko and Meyer. He said Representative Insko has announced that she will
49 extend her time in the legislature until May.
50 Commissioner Bedford asked if animals got COVID-19 in the shelter.
13
1 Dr. Sandra Strong, Animal Services Director, said none since she arrived in the county
2 in June 2021. She said that the shelter did house animals for short periods of time for people in
3 the hospital with COVID-19.
4
5
6 2. Affordable Housing Advisory Board —Appointments Discussion
7
8 The Board discussed appointments to the Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
9
10 BACKGROUND: The Affordable Housing Advisory Board prioritizes affordable housing needs
11 and assesses project proposals. The board also publicizes the County's housing objectives,
12 monitors the progress of local housing programs, explores new funding opportunities, and
13 works to increase the community's awareness of, understanding of, commitment to, and
14 involvement in producing attractive affordable housing.
15
16 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all fifteen (15) At-Large members.
17
18 The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration:
19
NAME SPECIAL TYPE OF EXPIRATION
REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTMENT DATE
TERM
Alice Mahood At-Large Partial Term 06/30/2022
Anjail Taylor At-Large Partial Term 06/30/2023
Hasan Abdullah At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2024
20
21 If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancy remains:
22
POSITION EXPIRATION VACANCY INFORMATION
DESIGNATION DATE
At-Large 06/30/2022 Vacant since 08/10/2021.
23
24 Tara May introduced the item.
25 Commissioner Richards said Alice Mahood is on two boards.
26 Tara May said yes. She said the advisory board policy is that people cannot serve on
27 more than two advisory boards, but that they are not restricted from serving on boards that do
28 not act as advisory boards or short-term task forces or work groups. She said that Alice
29 Mahood serves on the ABC Board and the Housing Authority Board, which are not listed as
30 advisory boards under the policy. She said that Alice Mahood could still be eligible for the
31 board.
32 Commissioner Richards asked who made the recommendation.
33
34 Tara May said it was the recommendation of the Housing Authority Board.
35 Commissioner Bedford said she would like to consider Ehmu Ra Ho instead of Alice
36 Mahood for the at-large partial term appointment and concurred with the recommendation for
37 Hasan Abdullah and Anjail Taylor.
38 Chair Price concurred with Commissioner Bedford's suggestions.
39 The Board agreed by consensus on the Ehmu Ra Ho, Hasan Abdullah, and Anjail
40 Taylor.
14
1 Tara May said there will be another appointment for the Board to consider for the
2 Affordable Housing Advisory Board at a future meeting.
3
4
5 3. Economic Development Advisory Board —Appointments Discussion
6 The Board discussed appointments to the Economic Development Advisory Board.
7
8 BACKGROUND: The Economic Development Advisory Board works cohesively with the
9 County's Economic Development staff and other economic development partners to position
10 Orange County as a competitive location for business opportunities.
11
12 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all ten (10) members, with representation from
13 various fields.
14
15 The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration:
16
NAME SPECIAL TYPE OF EXPIRATION
REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTMENT DATE
TERM
Elise Tyler Tourism First Full Term 06/30/2024
Hasan Abdullah Core Business Partial Term 06/30/2022
Community
17
18 If the individuals listed above are appointed, no vacancies remain.
19
20 Tara May introduced the item.
21 Commissioner Bedford said she supported the recommended applicants.
22 The Board agreed by consensus on the recommended applicants.
23
24
25 4. Orange County Planning Board —Appointments Discussion
26 The Board discussed appointments to the Orange County Planning Board.
27
28 BACKGROUND: The Orange County Planning Board studies Orange County and surrounding
29 areas to determine objectives in the development of the County, prepares and recommends
30 plans to achieve that development, and reviews development applications and makes
31 recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.
32
33 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all twelve members.
34
35
15
1 The following individual is presented for Board consideration:
2
NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION
DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE
TERM
Statler Gilfillen Eno Township First Full Term 03/31/2025
BOCC At-Large First Full Term 03/31/2025
Appointment
3
4 If the individuals listed above are appointed, no vacancies remain.
5
6 Tara May introduced the item. She said that Statler Gilfillen was previously appointed to
7 an at-large position, but staff requested that he be moved to the Eno Township position, which
8 would leave his current position vacant.
9 Commissioner McKee asked if the reasoning was because there were no other
10 applicants for the Eno Township position.
11 Tara May said yes. She said three applicants for the At-Large position have indicated
12 that they are no longer interested in being on the Planning Board.
13 Commissioner Greene suggested Elizabeth Bronson for the At-Large position.
14 Chair Price said she was interested in appointing Steve Kaufman.
15 Commissioner McKee said he was interested in appointing Elizabeth Bronson.
16 Commissioner Bedford said she also was interested in Jeff Scott. She said this is a
17 board that needs diversity.
18 The Board agreed by consensus on Statler Gilfillen and Elizabeth Bronson.
19
20
21 5. Arts Commission —Appointment Discussion
22 The Board discussed an appointment to the Arts Commission.
23
24 BACKGROUND: The Arts Commission recommends strategies to promote the artistic and
25 cultural growth of Orange County, advises the Board of Commissioners on matters involving the
26 arts, and acts as the granting panel for funding programs available to individual artists and non-
27 profit groups sponsoring arts projects in Orange County.
28
29 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all fifteen (15) At-Large members.
30
31 The following individual is recommended for Board consideration:
32
NAME SPECIAL TYPE OF EXPIRATION
REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTMENT DATE
TERM
Mark Bett er At-Large Partial Term 03/31/2023
33
34 If the individuals listed above are appointed, no vacancies remain.
35
36 Tara May introduced the item.
37 Commissioner Richards said she noticed several positions will be available in the next
38 six months. She asked for the process for filling those vacancies.
39 Tara May described the process for asking for recommendations from advisory boards.
40 She said that she contacts staff quarterly to let them know which terms are expiring in hopes of
16
1 getting it on the Board's agenda before they expire. She said she brings them to the Board
2 when they are available.
3 Commissioner Richards said she saw an applicant named Lamar Richards.
4 Tara May said she is unsure why the Arts Commission did not recommend him but that
5 she had tried to contact Lamar Richards to gauge his interest and he did not respond. She did
6 not hear back from Arts Commission staff on if they had talked to him but that she will get that
7 information for the Board.
8 Commissioner Hamilton said Mark Bettger is a good addition because he is the interim
9 director of the Arts Center.
10 The Board agreed by consensus on the recommended applicant.
11
12
13 6. Commission for the Environment—Appointments Discussion
14 The Board discussed appointments to the Commission for the Environment.
15
16 BACKGROUND: The Commission for the Environment advises the Board of Commissioners
17 on matters affecting the environment with particular emphasis on protection. It educates public
18 and local officials on environmental issues and performs special studies and projects. It also
19 recommends environmental initiatives and study changes in environmental science and local
20 and federal regulations.
21
22 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all fifteen members, including 10 At-Large
23 members and five members with expertise in specific fields.
24
25 The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration:
26
NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION
DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE
TERM
Taylor Oakley At-Large Partial Term 12/31/2022
Ian Morse At-Large Partial Term 12/31/2023
27
28 If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancy remains:
29
POSITION EXPIRATION VACANCY INFORMATION
DESIGNATION DATE
At-Large 12/31/2024 Vacant since 02/08/2022.
30
31
32 Tara May introduced the item. She said the Commission for the Environment requested
33 more time to fill the one remaining vacancy.
34 The Board agreed by consensus on the recommended applicants.
35
36
37 7. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee —Appointments Discussion
38 The Board discussed appointments to the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee.
39
40 BACKGROUND: The Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee helps to maintain the
41 intent of the Residents' Bill of Rights, promotes community involvement, and provides public
17
1 education on long-term care issues. The regional ombudsman with Triangle J Council of
2 Governments provides specialized training and support.
3
4 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all ten (10) members.
5
6 REMINDER: As of July 1, 2017, House Bill 248 was adopted by the North Carolina General
7 Assembly regarding the training period for pending members of the "Adult Care Home
8 Community Advisory Committee and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee".
9 Applicants will be selected from the County "Applicant Interest List" for a condensed training
10 and if an applicant successfully completes the training, that individual would be recommended
11 for appointment. Therefore, when an applicant is recommended for appointment, it would
12 initially be for a one-year preliminary term and their training will have already been completed.
13
14 The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration:
15
NAME SPECIAL TYPE OF EXPIRATION
REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTMENT DATE
TERM
Jacqulyn At-Large First Full Term 03/31/2025
Podger (re-appointment)
Martha Bell At-Large One- ear extension 01/31/2023
16
17 SPECIAL NOTATION: None of the other applicants have completed the mandatory pre-
18 appointment training and are therefore not eligible for appointment at this time.
19
20 If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancies remain:
21
POSITION EXPIRATION VACANCY INFORMATION
DESIGNATION DATE
At-Large 06/30/2022 Vacant since 08/25/2021
At-Large 03/31/2023 Vacant since 08/25/2021
At-Large 03/31/2023 Vacant since 06/21/2017
Nursing Home 06/30/2023 Vacant since 12/12/2018
Administration
At-Large 09/30/2023 Vacant since 11/06/2019
22
23 Tara May introduced the item.
24 The Board agreed by consensus on the recommended applicants.
25
26
27 8. Orange County Parks and Recreation Council —Appointments Discussion
28 The Board discussed appointments to the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council.
29
30 BACKGROUND: The Orange County Parks and Recreation Council consults with and advises
31 the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, and the Board of County
32 Commissioners on matters affecting parks planning, development and operation; recreation
33 facilities, policies and programs; and public trails and open space.
34
35 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all twelve members with representatives from
36 each of the county's townships plus its municipalities.
18
1
2 The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration:
NAME POSITION DESCRIPTION TYPE OF EXPIRATION
APPOINTMENT DATE
TERM
Greg Hughes At-Large First Full Term (re- 03/31/2025
appointment
Rebecca Hillsborough Township First Full Term 03/31/2025
Truluck
Jessie At-Large First Full Term 03/31/2025
Birckhead
3
4 If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancy remains:
5
POSITION EXPIRATION VACANCY INFORMATION
DESIGNATION DATE
Chapel Hill 03/31/2023 Vacant since 10/13/2021.
Township
Hillsborough Town 09/30/2022 Vacant since 01/18/2022.
Limits
6
7 If the individual listed above is appointed, no vacancies remain.
8
9 Tara May introduced the item.
10 Commissioner Richards asked for clarification of current vacancies. She said there are
11 three that say they expire in 2022.
12 Tara May said that if the three recommended applicants are appointed the remaining
13 vacancies would be for the Chapel Hill Township and the Hillsborough Town Limits. She said
14 there would still be two vacant seats.
15 The Board agreed by consensus on the recommended applicants.
16
17 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to
18 adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
19
20 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
21
22
23 Renee Price, Chair
24
25
26 Laura Jensen
27 Clerk to the Board
28
29 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.