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Agenda - 06-07-2022; 8-a - Minutes
1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 7, 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: April 26, 2022 Business Meeting Attachment 2: April 28, 2022 Joint Meeting with Orange County Board of Education and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education Attachment 3: May 3, 2022 Business Meeting 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 DRAFT MINUTES 2 ORANGE COUNTY 3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 4 BUSINESS MEETING 5 April 26, 2022 6 7:00 p.m. 7 8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, April 9 26, 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, Sally Greene, Jean Hamilton, 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 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda 23 Commissioner McKee made a motion for the addition of a discussion item on whether 24 extensions to the state of emergency declarations should require board approval as item 6-d. 25 Commissioner Greene seconded the motion. 26 27 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 28 29 Chair Price dispensed with reading the public charge. 30 31 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) 32 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda 33 34 Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, read an email from Orange County resident Jacquie 35 Barker, who requested that her comment be included as part of the meeting record: 36 "There is a big crisis at OCS right now, teachers are leaving, and students are paying the price, 37 academically, mentally. Who are the biggest losers right now? The students are the biggest 38 losers, remember at your last joint meeting when Dr. Felder admitted that. The principal at 39 Cedar Ridge just put in his resignation. My daughter just lost a second IB teacher 2 weeks ago, 40 right after the best teacher of all her years at OCS left for another school, so another qualified 41 and talented teacher lost. And parents were not even notified. What now? The students are left 42 hanging, left in limbo at the end of their senior year with substitutes getting them ready for IB 43 exams that start this week. They are still learning new curriculums due to the learning loss last 44 year and overworked teachers. The Latin teacher does not get lunch, he does his planning 45 during class, he has to be absent for part of the class b/c he is being shuffled between two 46 schools. Another teacher said that she knows 10 teachers that are not returning to Cedar Ridge 47 next year. 48 So what is the problem, why are teachers continuing to leave, what is causing this mass exodus 49 as teachers are putting it? Have you seen the results from multiple teacher surveys, one of 50 which the district paid $40,000 for an equity audit to reveal the results. What will be done about 51 it? Why is more money being considered for more SEL from the school districts under your 2 1 approval, under the guise of closing the achievement gap when we all know it is just a lever for 2 the failing equity agenda. How many teachers want to endure more SEL training to their already 3 heavy workload. Is that one million dollars going to be well spent, ask yourself is that investment 4 going to retain teachers, is that money going to directly impact our student's achievement and 5 mental health? Are these Band-Aids or working at the root of the problem? Let's face the facts 6 that with a 19% attrition rate some things will have to wait until these priorities are addressed. 7 So we need you to work with the district and come up with a real plan? Year 1 of the OCS 8 strategic plan has a goal at Cedar Ridge to go from 12% proficiency in Math 1 to 50%, will that 9 goal will be reached with the loses we are seeing? 10 All these issues happened under your watch, from decisions you helped make, policies and 11 contracts you all voted for, money that you spent. We need change, the pandemic is over, that 12 is not a scapegoat anymore. We can't deny there is an increase in mental health issues this 13 year including self harm and suicide ideation, compare the numbers to last year when kids were 14 locked down, now they are back to school and mental health is worse. The constant barrage 15 that kids will die or cause someone else to die from covid, instilling fear of wearing a mask to be 16 safe, bullying those that don't wear one coming from teachers and students, the propaganda on 17 walls, doors and floors to vaccinate, keep a distance is harmful to everyone's mental health, it's 18 all part of the problem. You are going to see mental health data at the joint meeting this week, 19 it's unacceptable. Why? What is going on? Is it coming from the climate at schools, COVID 20 polices and protocols the school board has implemented or the loss of amazing teachers? What 21 can we do to help address these tough issues, our children are failing, their mental health is 22 declining, teachers are getting out. This is not just a school issue it is a community issue. It's 23 past time to have open adult conversations with the community immediately. My kids have been 24 in OCS schools since K, I have seen the changes over the years, why are we off the rails? We 25 are counting the days til graduation." 26 27 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda 28 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 29 30 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members 31 Commissioners Richards, McKee, Bedford, Hamilton, and Greene had no comments. 32 Commissioner Fowler gave updates on three meetings that she recently attended. She 33 said the ABC board is doing well and there are two new stores coming online: one in Southern 34 Village and one in Mebane. She said the stores have been slightly delayed due to supply chain 35 issues. She said regarding TARPO, she learned that the National Electric Vehicle Charging 36 Station's goal is to put one every fifteen miles along interstates. She said she serves on the 37 Library Taskforce and that they just had their first meeting. She said the goal of the task force is 38 to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with Chapel Hill Public Library for interoperability 39 with the county's library. 40 Chair Price said the groundbreaking for the 203 Project is set for 4 pm on May 5, 2022. 41 She said she attended the Occoneechee Village rededication on Saturday and that it was a very 42 nice celebration. She said there are two transportation related items on the meeting agenda. 43 She said the draft FY23 Orange County transit work program proposal is available for public 44 comment through May 11, 2022. She asked that this be incorporated with the transit items for 45 how it all fits together. 46 47 3 1 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations 2 a. Recognition of County Employee Retirements from January 1, 2022 through March 31, 3 2022 4 The Board recognized and expressed gratitude to retirees for their devotion and service to 5 Orange County and its residents. 6 7 BACKGROUND: The following employees have retired in the third quarter of this fiscal year: First Name Last Name Department Retirement Date Years of Service DENISE BROWN LIBRARYSERVICES 01/31/2022 23 GEORGE PIERCE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT 01/31/2022 28 TERESA OAKLEY SHERIFF 01/31/2022 18 RICKY HART CHILD SUPPORTSERVICES 01/31/2022 28 ANITA WOODS SOCIALSERVICES 01/31/2022 13 ALFRED YATES EMERGENCY SERVICES 02/27/2022 27 ALOYISUS FRAZIER SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT 02/28/2022 28 8 CRAIG BENEDICT PLANNING AND INSPECTIONS 03/31/2022 23 9 10 The Orange County Board of Commissioners thanks each of these retirees for their service to 11 Orange County and for their dedication in meeting the primary mission of Orange County, in 12 serving residents with fairness, respect and understanding. 13 14 Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources Director, introduced the item. She invited the 15 present retirees to the front to be recognized. She read the names of the retirees. Ricky Hart, 16 Aloysius Frazier, and Craig Benedict accepted their awards and had their photograph taken with 17 the Board. 18 Chair Price expressed her congratulations to the retirees. 19 Commissioner McKee said the Board appreciates their service. 20 21 b. Durham & Orange Transit Plan Governance Study— Interim Update 22 The Board received an update on the progress of the Durham & Orange Transit Plan 23 Governance Study and next steps. 24 25 BACKGROUND: In the early 2010's, Orange County approved a county-wide transit plan, 26 which included a joint recommendation for the development of the Durham-Orange Light Rail 27 Transit (DO LRT) project. In 2013, an interlocal agreement (ILA) was developed and approved 28 by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan 29 Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) Board, and the GoTriangle Board of Trustees. Upon the 30 discontinuation of the DO LRT project, it was determined that a new governance framework 31 (aka ILA) was necessary to guide the implementation of future County transit plans. 32 33 Project goals include: 34 . Creation of a clear, operationally efficient governance structure that ensures that Orange 35 County priorities are funded and implemented with the County transit taxes and fees. 36 • Formation of new levels of accountability, which includes development of an equitable 37 set of processes, seeking to gain further community trust. 38 39 In the fall of 2021, the study team invited the BOCC, as well as others serving on other transit 40 plan governing boards (GoTriangle & DCHC MPO) and staff, to participate in initial small-group 41 interviews. From those interviews, the team learned about overall needs, and the study process 42 continued to allow for a facilitated workshop with elected officials from each of the transit plan 4 1 governing boards (GoTriangle & DCHC MPO). These needs were defined through five overall 2 elements to be incorporated into a new governance framework: Representative, Equitable, 3 Collaborative, Transparent, and Accessible. 4 5 From these five elements, the elected officials helped to further weigh-in on just how much 6 change was necessary to primary elements of the existing framework. The feedback provided 7 leadership and guidance to develop draft alternatives for consideration in a new governance 8 framework. Staff from all three parties to the existing governance framework attended a joint 9 workshop in early March 2022. This workshop focused on critical elements that informed the 10 foundation of what a new ILA could offer to all parties. Discussion focused on multiple 11 alternatives of critical elements that comprise the following four areas: Membership, Voting 12 Structures, Financial Planning, and Program & Plan Development. Initial outcomes of this 13 workshop indicated: 14 • Formalizing greater involvement from multiple jurisdictions and entities at the Staff 15 Working Group (SWG) level and associated representative voting structures (the SWG 16 is the technical recommending body for plan implementation elements). 17 • Clearly defining roles & responsibilities for each signatory to the updated interlocal 18 agreement. 19 • Solidifying the County's role in annual work program/budget development with the tax 20 district administrator. 21 • Defining terminology and language consistently to ensure clarity and transparency for all 22 parties who will use this updated governance framework for plan implementation in the 23 future. 24 • While referencing State Statutes, the updated ILA and supporting documentation will 25 further define equity as it relates to utilization of tax revenues throughout the county, as 26 well as accounting for regional transit needs. 27 28 During the spring of 2022, staff and agency management reconvened for a second workshop 29 (See Attachment 1) to discuss outstanding elements and also reviewed draft governance 30 framework alternatives through an updated ILA between the County, DCHC MPO, and 31 GoTriangle, as well as draft supportive policies and procedures (updated SWG Bylaws, 32 Financial Policies, as well as incorporating plan implementation administration/management 33 elements throughout). County staff working on this study anticipate that draft alternatives can be 34 formed into a final set of recommendations that may be presented to the BOCC in June 2022. 35 36 Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor, introduced the item and began the 37 presentation. 38 39 5 1 Slide #1 ORANGE COUNTY NC?RTH CAROLINA Special Presentations Items 4.b. and 4.c. Brief Introduction Tuesday, April 26, 2022 2 3 4 Slide #2 Separate But Related Presentations • Tonight,you'll receive two separate presentations regarding transit planning in Orange County • The first will focus on the implementation governance structure between Orange County,Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization(DCHC MPO),and GoTriangle • The second will focus on the specific projects associated with Orange County priorities between now and 2040 5 ORANGE CWNTY 6 7 Slide #3 4B — Transit 'Plan Governance Study • Focus is updating the Interlocal Agreement(ILA)that is signed between Orange County,DCHC MPO and GoTriangle • Aims to prioritize Orange and Durham's efficient use of tax dollars on transit priorities and promote new levels of accountability • The ILA will identify roles and inform the annual work plan budgeting process • Atkins Consulting is presenting tonight 8 ORAKiGuOUNATY 9 10 Slide #4 4C — Transit Plan Update • Focus is the additional draft projects that will be prioritized with the Article 43 transit sales tax dollars and put into service between now and 2040 • As a function of the scope of the project,the consulting team is providing check-ins for any feedback and comments that may help inform the draft plan • Adoption process of the updated plan is anticipated forfall 2022 • Renaissance Planning is presenting tonight 11 ORANGE�OULdY 121 6 1 Adam Howell from Atkins Consulting Group continued the presentation: 2 Slide #5 ATKINS Durham&Orange Counties Transit Plan Governance Study Orange SOCC Interim Update April 26.2022 3 4 5 Slide #6 Update outline Project Need&Overview Project Coats Study Process to Bate Major Outcomes from Joint Staff workshops#t  Topics Resulting in both Majority&Minority Perspective ATKIN5 6 7 8 Slide #7 Project Need & Overview •b-€]Transit ® F.L ] Plans 8 5 -- Framework Updates ATKINS 9 7 1 Adam Howell said the first transit planning in the early 2010s was spearheaded by the 2 one-half cent sales tax for transit. He said that the first interlocal agreement in 2013, which was 3 primarily centered around the Durham light rail project. He said the light rail project was 4 discontinued in 2019 and that the current transit plan update started in 2020. 5 6 Slide #8 Primary State Enabling Legislation N.C.G.S.Chapter 160A—defines how a government body exists Article 26—Regional Pubiic Transportation Authority Act N.C.G.S.Chapter 105—defines how a government body is enabled to raise and provide revenue For necessary uses and purposes. Article 43—Local Government Publrc Transportatigi7 Sales Tax Act N.C.G.S.Chapter 153A—defines enumerated powers and responsibilities for Counties,but also defines the County role with levying revenue sources to support public transportation services (property tax assessment) ATKINS 7 8 Adam Howell said there are three primary chapters that allow the transit process to go 9 forward. 10 11 Slide #9 Project Goals Creating a clear, operationally efficient governance structure that ensures that Durham&Orange Counties' priorities are funded and implemented with the County transit taxes and fees Forming new levels of accountability, that includes development of an equitable set of processes which seek to pain community trust. ATKIN5 12 13 Adam Howell said this study was a result of a long listening process, including the Board 14 and their partners in the project. He said this process seeks to gain the communities input and 15 trust. 16 17 8 1 Slide #10 Study Process to Date • Initial Stakeholder Interivew • Joint Elected Officials Workshop - • Feer Interview ATKINS 2 3 Adam Howell said they met with over seventy people in September and October 2021. 4 He said the first conversation with elected officials took place in November 2021. He said they 5 had a conversation as to what transit should look like and to determine their priorities. He said 6 in December 2021 they interviewed the Wake Transit Program. 7 8 Slide #11 Study Process to Bate -a • Alternatives Development • Joint Staff Workshop #1 r • Joint Staff Workshop#2 ATKINS 9 10 Adam Howell said that his team focused on developing a series of alternatives in 11 January 2022. He said they developed a draft interlocal agreement, as well as policies and 12 procedures to support the interlocal agreement. He said they had their first joint staff workshop 13 in March 2022, and that the conversation was continued in April 2022. 14 15 9 1 Slide #12 1v3ajor Outcomes from Joint Staff Workshops#1 & #2 !alit Sn d r%%r YS3.a MSeal i dcrWar s Y2 I'A.pP'Y2I o. Durhaw Coui ity Prarnary A4gre&MERT(ILAI r Orange Cour�ry Prm7ary A{lreement(ILAl C}rangeCuutlCgSWG 15SYft9ylaW&) DllrharnCountvSWG ISWGBglawsY Orarge Cminty SW G 15WG BVIawsY ❑urham5WG IIADellned GraMe SWG,I I LA Defined! 5WG{Yuorwr�iSLVfi 9yiaws� 5WG€hair&A35ignmeotRole(SWG&ylaws( CrrageCounty SWGIILAdeFned,iWIBNewsY Voting co Annual VhrrkPragrarn(&Budget)Approvaa (ILA] +Cunrlitr Prlrj anon;I i.AI (,,r wnsus by all Appropriate Parties Tabled for Fu rtheT Discosr,-qn' on Proposed RecornmeMation ATKIN', 2 3 Adam Howell said membership and voting structures are the primary elements for 4 determining who needs to be part of decision-making. 5 6 Slide #13 lvicijoi UuLcuI"�,Ies tron-I ,point Staff Workshops#1 & ##2 lot�tSlalwhakkr p3 Nlrr'2#_ IolmSgk�holdar !12 '## Critical Definitions-Re...IILA) �r Criikal D9phnitions-Model&Financial Plan �` Equitable Use of Net Pnxeeds ('LAI i Egrwtable Use of Net Proceeds(ILA[ Process DeFlnitlons-Randal Model&Plan Development{ILA} Supporting increased Cost of Existing Services " FuwncialPok-VNeeds jsuppertingpolicy outline] Mulrl-Year Plan DeveicawenT Aimndrnent Prescess&Thresholds tesr c 3nitiaticnJARPrrn'at♦ Mulri-Year vision Plan uWetate-Elenxnts& Z PPoCess ilL) Annual Work PrograrnAmendnaent ProcessThresholds for Initiiadon E for Initiation/Approval Ammual Work Program Elements Defined(ILA] Tabled for Further Disrtission' 7 8 Adam Howell said the other three elements they focused on during the workshop were 9 financial planning, multi-year plan development, and annual work program development. He 10 said the annual work program draft came out today. 11 12 10 1 Slide #14 Topics Resulting in both Majority & Minority Perspective Orange County SWG Memberships &Associated Voting Structure enrrfirmed nlrernatiue GoTriangle Preferred Alternative rrom March 11 Workshop Voting Members: Voting Members: CwCoady 47le CCUmr Ad-1— cl.." 4i...snbxse,i ml Legend l a P _J DUK-a4n 2 2 - oCK-no r i.18`W�J,—sl! p/ Tp�n nlCh#DFHI ' Crau.Hr#ttarolt Sp1YMyl.ah•me1Tl Pd.rirtrlMnn6CNT IV$a 'llWlf N[h - T_. al .ft_ Has PAS-i.on h Tdrnal HJKWlh nrvd M.mrt. Nan-V"eig Memhem Tkw Mrr.4'al.yrfvrbrcr W•l wi--h UKC Chwed HJ1 P.'-M=1'u1'.0 rrtr...aF itRr rill Tov..-ar CJnMrm P/on-VQtK18 Py1F+nLxrs: T_ar Mldelcur^ TICY, [r,n16'IrhR. • uNCdhm.l Kli ATKINS 2 3 Adam Howell said one topic that resulted in both a majority and minority perspective was 4 who is formally invited and codified as part of the staff working group, as well as who is 5 allocated a vote for making recommendations. He said the alternative voting structure from the 6 March 1St workshop identified a need to give Chapel Hill two votes because they are a primary 7 transportation provider. He said that formal invites have been sent to the towns of Carrboro, 8 Mebane, and Hillsborough to participate. He said that TJCOG and UNC would be at the table 9 but as non-voting members. He said two of the three parties prefer an alternative voting 10 structure. He said GoTriangle's preferred alternative structure would have only transit operators 11 with a formal say. 12 13 Slide #15 Topics Resulting in both Majority & Minority Perspective Voting on Annual Work Program & Budget Approval Process Recommended language would provide.- > The County first opportunity to consider approval of the Annual Work Program as recommended by the Staff Working Group. r County would have oversight to'Approve.'or'Deny' Upon Approval,GoTnangle SOT would receive County Work Program(which includes budgets). k GoTnangle would not be able to make any changes,but could approve or deny while producing a list of Significant Concerns of technical issues This fanguagelprocess was confirmed by both Corgi€yes,as well as MX-MPO Go Triangle raised concerns over schedule related to how the annual work program and budget should reacfr Go Tdangle SOT with the SO CC now berngl recommended to review first. ATKINS 14 15 11 1 Adam Howell discussed how they are going to expand collaboration with the partners. 2 He said that this process will give the county the first right to review the annual work plan. He 3 said that GoTriangle raised concern over this because of the schedule shift and related tax 4 documentation. 5 6 Slide #16 Y rf durharn & Orange Counties Transit Plan Governance Study Orange County Travis Myren Atkins Prolectmanager Staff Contacts Tom Mien,AIGP Adam Howell.AIGP ,7 Tom Ten Eyck 8 9 10 Commissioner Fowler asked how the differences of opinion on voting structures would 11 be rectified. 12 Adam Howell said they will draft an interlocal agreement that has both formats of 13 recommended language from each perspective. He said it would then go to the attorneys before 14 adoption. 15 Chair Price referred to slide #12. She said that Orange County stands out and asked 16 why the staff working group bylaws are in bright pink for the county. 17 Adam Howell said the reason is because there was not an agreement in the first 18 workshop, and they carried it to the second. He said the issue was lack of agreement on who 19 should be a formal member on the staff work group. 20 Chair Price asked if it was still in question. 21 Adam Howell said yes. 22 Chair Price asked if the MPO and GoTriangle voting members are staff members. 23 Adam Howell said they are all staff seats and part of the technical group. 24 Chair Price said that each jurisdiction also has people engaged and asked how balance 25 is achieved if Chapel Hill has two votes, Carrboro and Mebane only get one vote, and then a 26 person from the MPO or GoTriangle is also from Chapel Hill. 27 Adam Howell said that is not part of this process and can change from year to year. He 28 said that is up to the staff group to work out through a subsequent process. 29 Commissioner Richards asked which alternative will be chosen. 30 Adam Howell said the majority of the parties are leaning towards the left option on slide 31 #14. He said that it has been a collaborative process. He said that GoTriangle's concerns, and 32 thoughts have been considered. He said that staff from each group are talking all of the 33 alternatives through. He said both alternatives are still on the table and will be discussed. 34 Travis Myren said that by operation of statute, the three parties that will have approval 35 power will be the county, the MPO Board, and GoTriangle. He said that is where the ultimate 36 approvals will come in. 12 1 Commissioner Richards clarified that two of three prefer the option on the left. 2 Travis Myren said staff representatives from the county and the MPO prefer the more 3 inclusive option, as shown in the left on slide #14. 4 Commissioner Richards asked when the decision will be made. 5 Travis Myren said June or December. 6 Commissioner Richards asked if the discussion of the alternatives will be resolved by 7 June. 8 Travis Myren said it may or may not be. 9 Commissioner McKee said he is curious as to what GoTriangle's arguments are. 10 Adam Howell said GoTriangle feels that transit operators outside of the three primary 11 signatories should be the only ones responsible for making the decisions. He said the option on 12 the right on slide #14 allows only those that are in charge of operating transit services having a 13 decision-making role. 14 Commissioner McKee said he disagrees because GoTriangle does not exist without 15 county funding. He said he has no issue with GoTriangle managing the system and driving the 16 buses. 17 Commissioner Bedford asked at what point the commissioners will be asked what option 18 they prefer. 19 Travis Myren said that was one of the reasons they are bringing it tonight and if they 20 have preferences, they can let them know. 21 Commissioner Bedford said she preferred the option on the left that includes the towns. 22 She said that for the annual work program and budget approval process, she hopes they can 23 move forward with the change to see the responsibilities for both parties. 24 Commissioner Greene said she appreciated the effort and transparency that has went 25 into the work already. She said that she prefers the alternative that is more inclusive and on the 26 left side. 27 Chair Price said as a member of the board of trustees for GoTriangle, one of the issues 28 they have focused on is being more inclusive. She said she is in favor of the option that is more 29 inclusive, the one on the left of slide #14. She said that the option from staff is counter to what 30 the board of trustees would support. She said they are talking about focusing on the community 31 and what they need versus the project. 32 Commissioner Hamilton said she liked the priorities, and they clearly reflect her view of 33 accountability and gaining community input. She said that the more inclusive alternative is what 34 she would be in favor of. She said she would like the annual work plan to come to the 35 commissioners. 36 Adam Howell said the county was the priority in receiving the update, but that 37 GoTriangle and the MPO will be receiving this same update next month. 38 39 c. Orange County Transit Plan Update Presentation 40 The Board received information on the Orange County Transit Plan (OCTP) Update process 41 and draft recommendations for new bus operations and capital projects for any preliminary 42 feedback and comments that may help inform a draft plan. 43 BACKGROUND: In 2012, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) along 44 with the Durham-Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) and 45 GoTriangle adopted Orange County's first comprehensive Transit Plan. This Plan was funded 46 using a newly adopted Article 43 Half-Cent Sales Tax, and it included investments in new and 47 expanded bus service and new capital infrastructure projects such as the Chapel Hill North- 48 South Bus Rapid Transit Project, the Hillsborough Train Station, and the Durham-Orange Light 49 Rail Transit (DO-LRT) Project. The Plan was updated in 2017 to meet federal requirements 50 associated with the DO-LRT Project. 51 13 1 In March 2019, the DO-LRT Project was discontinued. This project was central to the Transit 2 Plan, was the Plan's primary investment, represented a critical partnership between Durham 3 and Orange counties, and served as the transit infrastructure around which other transit 4 services and growth strategies were planned. In response to the discontinuation of the light rail 5 project, a staff team began the process of creating a potential planning framework to create a 6 new Orange County Transit Plan that prioritizes investments, funds service improvements, and 7 improves the resiliency of the public transit network. 8 9 At its November 17, 2019 meeting, the Orange County BOCC approved the planning framework 10 for updating the Orange County Transit Plan. The framework included a Policy Steering 11 Committee (PSC) composed of two (2) Commissioners serving as Co-Chairs, and one 12 representative each from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Mebane to lead the process. 13 The County and/ or municipal appointees are intended to represent the interests of GoTriangle 14 and DCHC MPO. 15 The PSC is aided by a staff team which is led by County staff and includes representatives from 16 the same organizations as well as staff support from the Triangle J Council of Governments 17 (TJCOG), the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO), and the University of North 18 Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Both the PSC and the staff team provide direction and guidance 19 to the consulting firm whose tasks include analyzing data, facilitating public input processes, 20 soliciting feedback from specific stakeholders, and drafting the Transit Plan. The new Plan is 21 intended to outline transit investment priorities through 2040. 22 23 In January 2020, Orange County Planning staff began work with Renaissance Planning, Inc., 24 the consulting firm chosen to update the Orange County Transit Plan. Over the past two years, 25 Planning staff and the consulting team have established key project deliverables and the 26 timetable for their delivery, defined the scope of the consulting work, established a project 27 website (www.octransit2020.com), created the public participation and outreach plans, and 28 conducted regular meetings with the PSC, transit service providers, and key stakeholders with 29 updates on the plan's progress. 30 31 Following is a list of key process milestones carried out by the consultant, PSC, transit service 32 providers and staff teams: 33 34 • Held bi-monthly meetings with progress updates for the PSC during the 2020 calendar 35 year (May 2020) 36 • Received the Transit Choices Brochure (TCB), a visual document that illustrates the 37 concepts and continuums of transit planning, and the Regional Connections Opportunity 38 (RCO) Report, a technical assessment of key issues and opportunities for effective 39 transit service (July 2020) 40 • Held the first Transit Summit over the Zoom platform and received a memo of key 41 themes from the summit discussions and first public survey (October 2020) 42 • Met with Durham City and County representatives to discuss progress of Durham Transit 43 Plan Update relative to the Orange County Transit Plan Update (November 2020) 44 • Received draft versions of conceptual scenarios and graphics with an accompanying 45 memo (January 2021) 46 • Held recurring monthly PSC meetings over Zoom with updates for first half of 2021 47 (January 2021 —June 2021) 48 • Received final versions of conceptual scenarios and graphics with an accompanying 49 memo (May 2021) 14 1 • Held an in-person Transit Summit for PSC members to discuss core values and visions 2 for the fiscally constrained plan and learned of aspirational future projects (July 2021) 3 • Received draft recommended network and plan as well as draft conceptual vision map 4 for transit service provider feedback and scheduling of future PSC meetings (October 5 2021) 6 • Held PSC Work Session #1 to look at the final recommended network and conceptual 7 vision map with purpose of permitting project management team to begin round two of 8 public outreach (January 2022) 9 • Created public outreach opportunities with a second round of surveying (where over 10 1,000 surveys were collected) and two focus groups (held on February 8th and February 11 1611) that included local stakeholders (February 2022) 12 • Held PSC Work Session #2 to look at the feedback received from public outreach and 13 assess the draft network, which resulted in a request to provide check-in presentations 14 to the local elected boards (March 2022) 15 16 Key takeaways from the public outreach include the overall approval of projects as they were 17 outlined and an agreement of the need for more regional projects in the future. After discussing 18 the need to wait for the Transit Plan Governance Study to conclude prior to the Transit Plan 19 Update's adoption, the PSC advised the project management team to begin scheduling check-in 20 meetings with the municipalities in the local government as well as the BOCC. 21 22 Remaining Consultant Deliverables — Next Steps 23 Attachment 1 is a memo from Renaissance Planning that, among other items, outlines its 24 remaining work and next steps of the Transit Plan Update. Generally, these items include: 25 • Additional check-in meetings with Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough; 26 • Final PSC Work Session; and 27 • Delivery of a final report to the Orange County staff team. 28 29 Adoption Process 30 The 2017 Orange County Transit Plan was adopted by the Orange County BOCC on April 27, 31 2017 before it was adopted by DCHC MPO and the GoTriangle Board of Trustees on April 28, 32 2017. The final Plan will be presented to the Orange County BOCC after the summer break, 33 and Orange County staff will guide the 2022 Transit Plan Update through the adoption process 34 following the critical path outlined below: 35 36 Orange County: 37 • Orange Unified Transportation Board recommendation 38 • BOCC Public Hearing 39 • BOCC adoption consideration 40 41 DCHC MPO: 42 • Technical Committee recommendation 43 • Board adoption consideration 44 45 GoTriangle: 46 Board adoption consideration 47 48 49 Caroline Dwyer, of Renaissance Planning, introduced the item. 50 15 1 Slide #1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS UPDATE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSIT PLAN UPDATE April 26,2022 ORANGE C©U� RENAISSANCE LANM. ,•� - .. ANpPNG 2 3 4 Slide #2 PROJECT TEAM X-• Praj..t Manager.Carolme D"r,AICP RENAISSANCE cdw.,** l Mh.work.— PLANNING 91J"Z6-5032x401 rM, 5 6 Caroline Dwyer said their team includes world-renowned partners. 7 8 Slide #3 AGENDA Project Overview&Schedule .Transit Plan:What's included? Engagement Projects .Conceptual Trans it Vision Map Plan Documentation Next Steps 9 10 11 16 1 Slide #4 PROJECT OVERVIEW & SCHEDULE PLANAMPTIGN aprkg Sunnier Fall NOW Gum er Fall4h rMar-5(�rg Fall 2424 2424 2011 2U21 2021 2021 2422 2622 2 3 Caroline Dwyer said that input from the decision makers and the public has been very 4 important to the project development. She said the draft plan is almost ready to present. She 5 said there were two phases of public engagement. She said that hopefully the plan will be 6 adopted in the fall of 2022. 7 8 Slide #5 TRANSIT PLAN UPDATE: WHAT'S INCLUDED * Programmed projects are Expeialures,Re�nues.and Balaice•;FY22 -401 carried over: Capital $25 co investments and service $20 C* improvements in previously adopted transit plans 11500 (2012, 2017) excluding LIST $1000 • New projects: capital investments and service 3500 improvements) funded with unallocated transit ta �. � x { 1 revenues —TercelE yaneYlves �Ee9Yne4ecf Rewrues —6ela seg6ellcMl 9 10 Caroline Dwyer said that the first plan was in 2012 and this new project includes 11 revenues above and beyond the previous revenues for new projects in Orange County. 12 17 1 Slide #6 ENGAGEMENT ' ` , Two PHASES � Phase 1 (Fall 2020) — •Goal-Identify Needs&Priorities -f - •Methods:Virtual Transit Summit, s online survey .; Phase 2(wintertSpring 2022) - •Goal-Vol Proposed Projects •Methods:Virtual focus groups,online survey, pop ups at transit stops 2 3 Caroline Dwyer said they vetted the proposed projects to make sure they were useful. 4 She said over 1,000 people responded to the online survey and she felt they got good 5 representation geographically. She said they heard is that people want more readily available 6 transportation options. 7 8 Slide #7 PROJECTS: SELECTION •Funded using projected transit tax * •• revenues (rather than taking an debt) •GoTriangle financial model forecasts used to determine available future revenues •• • •Already-programmed capital and service improvements are included in expenses 9 10 Caroline Dwyer said many of the projects are funded primarily through local funding. 11 12 Slide #8 PROJECTS: SELECTION • For each potential project,we considered: •, • 1. Is the project identifled as an unfunded or emerging priority by transit service providers? 2. Does the Improvement meet needs expressed by • • public? •• 3. Does the Improvement reflect values identified by PSC?Equity,enviro—eMaf sustarna'i#4y,tWw.rc pmsperily. affordable and atlarnable quality of Pre,tranaporta[lon and act for ell 4. Does the project support the conceptual transit vision or fill a regional connectivity gap? 13 14 Caroline Dwyer said they held a summit in July 2021 with the policy steering committee 15 that allowed them to identify values for project selection. She said they will be documented in 16 the transit plan. She said that improving service will incrementally support the conceptual 17 transit vision. 18 19 18 1 Slide #9 INCLUDED PROJECTS: SERVICE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT TransitPraieWBarvice NgtN*w Add mml peak Revenue Hours vetrclee Bervkel rarram�nts ChapCHNITransirCW: mproveweekday midday serviceto30n*Wtea. 1.50D 4 Chapol Hill 7ra ri sk HS:add waekand service wfth 1 bus(70 min frequency)(8 am until 830dpm) 1.1TT 4 Oran-go County Putrlic TransperWonSMa6iltyrtin Gamantl Betvica 3,200 0 ChapeMWI TrarwtNS 24010 3 11 Phi and Sun s4rnrce umll 9 NA. US 15-5501 PratactBundle Go7rhm&e 400140-rv.Gcnsoidate irio one pffftBm ria Manning❑rta Cenhcm and Jcrtes Ferry Rork and Rid®. 20,06 21. Schedule effective 15-miRde service midday,and improved Sunday and evening service. Chap#fHO lTwa t8.Eftad swvleeta Paltwson Ptacnaad poowleSalturday sormc4 untd A MA. 5,340 1 ChapVH01lTta W.I rovemo+rwglpwwira"ncy0•vwy10w~*saadottw15•minuwsormewyll 3240 2 noon ProvIde Sehwday somceamll11 PM and Sunclay sWeeuntl9Phi. Ca kalin rovernenls FordheavEphousChwchImprovemwta{440WOmnedon) FordhanvMannisgGueueJump and ShoulderRunning hmprnavemWN9a t'emmr vx 1 — ^F-W cVfh a rexsyxe h, andccc&arc asrwrretl'do he rhs2d WM aurhan 2 3 Caroline Dwyer said that a queue jump line helps a bus avoid traffic and stay on 4 schedule. 5 6 Slide #10 MIND • -� CONCEPTUAL TRANSIT VISION vxmr.x+ MAP ! RM#I p Arius! xv uw LliJ� Represents G• y aspirational, currently unfunded, ` LE6EHU longef-term `' .�nmrtlr r r transit '• �� U9,7IIFrPrew investments ,v Yetw�, 44 Transit plan document will explicitly connect 1Antq= proposed i.wax: r +� aco-.err Investments! projects to future transit corridors 7 � ti .I.�Y4iMCpHiiIM FrY�FYhWV 8 Caroline Dwyer said most of these plans lay the groundwork to move towards projects in 9 the future. She said that this is a very long timeline and requires a lot of coordination. She said 10 the goal is to have an idea and that the concepts help guide future work. 11 Commissioner Fowler said she did not see a stop for the 15-501 BRT at the south end 12 near the UNC hospital. 13 Caroline Dwyer said NS BRT is not shown on the map, but it would connect between 14 Southern Village and Caraway. She said there is an opportunity to connect in the middle by 15 connecting the 15-501 BRT to the NS BRT. She said at this time it is conceptual and not a 19 1 solidified route. She said this shows a general idea of what it looks like, and they can more 2 clearly show that. 3 Commissioner Fowler said it appears that the 15-501 route ends without a connection. 4 Caroline Dwyer said it kind of does, because they don't have an exact endpoint at this 5 time but more of a general area. She said there is a possibility that they could make a 6 connection to Highway 54 and the possibility it could go a different direction if it heads down 7 Franklin St. She said an alternatives analysis would hammer down some of those specifics. 8 She said she would make sure that the non-draft version depicts the possible connections more 9 clearly. 10 Commissioner Richards asked if the infrastructure bill has opportunities for transit. 11 Caroline Dwyer said yes and that there are two kinds of funding. She said one is 12 formula funding to states based on size and that it will be up to the state for how that is spent. 13 She said the second is discretionary grant programs and which have to be applied for and 14 require a local match. She said there will be more opportunities than there have been in the 15 past. She said a regional strategy would be useful so that entities are not competing against 16 one another. 17 Commissioner Richards asked how they might go about the priorities and possibly 18 moving some of the projects in sooner, if they are only depending on the tax. 19 Caroline Dwyer said only depending on the tax would make it a long process. She said 20 they would have to acquire some federal funding. She said it is worth a conversation the DCHC 21 to have a regional plan for that instead of everyone competing with each other. She said 22 everyone working regionally is better for everyone because it is a very competitive environment. 23 She said having the planning done will help you be ready for when the opportunities are 24 announced. 25 Commissioner Richards said she is assuming the efficiencies are included, such as 26 energy savings. 27 Caroline Dwyer said there are different ways to make transportation more sustainable. 28 She said that the best thing to do is land use plans that make it easy to use transit to reduce 29 vehicle trips. 30 Commissioner Fowler asked how committing to this plan affects the ability to use federal 31 funds. 32 Caroline Dwyer said that this set of projects will have a huge impact on the ability to 33 compete for federal funding. She said there are opportunities to fund some studies but those 34 are not so large that you would be precluded from pursuing those opportunities. 35 Commissioner Fowler asked where the funding would come from if dollars are 36 committed to this plan. 37 Caroline Dwyer said they will have to produce alternative sources of funding such as an 38 increase in transit tax or public-private partnerships. 39 40 20 1 Slide #11 IMPLEMENTATION Transit Pro4e uSeMee Op!%;AnRuall Capirtalaost 1mpl.Year Cost servkelmprovemerift Cf el Hill TransitCW.Impraveweelodeymidday serYketD30miMft9s- $181,425 NSA FY23 Chepet Hlll Trtlr►W HS:add wooendserwce w4h i bus f70m0 fr quenc+yj{8 am urwll $162,326 NSA FY23* 18:30pm) Orange County Publle Trwi:W rtamn Mobwy-an•C*mand Sew* $229,6+16 FY24 CW*4HIIITmm4NS:Improvemamingpeak ir"urwcytoevery 6m+mes,Pro-Ade #299,676 $1,966,683 F'Y26 Sawrclay sernse umll 11 PM and Sunday servlce unci 9 PM. US 16.661 Projects(C4Trlan0e400+406,Chapel HA Transit 0:Chapel I-W Transit J) $2,489,481^ $2,749,477•* 1 FY"29 Ca kalwn rnertls FortlrwmZpheausChwchlmProvemerNs 4% FC+snnectlon) I WA J$6,000,000 1 FY2629 ForawwManftn Qum Jump,and Showdee RunnIng InVrcvem ms I N+A I$0,D0D.000 I FY26,29 '9y arrkr�nar f b Fv23 4 bt h PW ae� and a xaLs are assunra d AD he ahamY WM DuThavn CNinty. C9niwto I riles CperaligCoslAnnual Irlll on Faclor 25694 unrnn cosi d CPT per hour Currem"all ofNTparhour Si5374 Curranl coal of CRT per hour 311866 osl ick 2 3 Caroline Dwyer said there was more money than they thought this year to begin 4 improvements. She said that the CW route is in the DCHC 2023 plan. She said the latest 5 project is for US 15-501. 6 7 Slide #12 PLAN DOCUMENTATION • Transit equity—woven throughout the plan,in all sections • Executive summary(also functions as a standalone document describing the plan update and projects) About the Plan • Purpose,valuers,and goals • Frey players and parties Planning history and process,Incl ud Ing engagement • Regional and County Snapshots • Soctoeconomlc drivers • Spatial trends and dynamics * Transit inventory and performance R Project Descriptions • Unfunded PrForitieWProjects Budget,implementation Plan,and Schedule Next Steps g 9 Caroline Dwyer said this is basically a table of contents for the plan. She said this is the 10 first update they have provided but will be doing the same to all of the jurisdictions. 11 12 21 1 Slide #13 NEXT STEPS • Projeet updates to Boards and Commissions(April-May 2022) Completion of draft Orange County Transit Plan Update Documentatlon(April 2022) Final Policy Steering Committee Meeting(May 20,2022) Receive PSC comments and feedback(until June 3,2022) Final Orange County Transit Plan Update documentation(6130122) Orange County Transit Plan Update approval and adoption(Fa112022) 2 3 Caroline Dwyer said that they will be back in the fall to work this through the adoption 4 process. 5 6 Slide #14 QUESTIONS & COMMENTS On behalf of the project team,we thank you for your time and consideration, Renaissance Planning Project Manager Caroline Dwyer,AICP cdwyer0citiesthatwork.cam RENAISSANCE 01M36.5032 x401 PLANNING 7 8 Commissioner McKee asked about what types of transportation will be used for the 9 Mobility on Demand system. 10 Caroline Dwyer said they are using a standard minivan. 11 Commissioner Bedford asked if it was wheelchair accessible. 12 Commissioner McKee asked if it was like Uber. 13 Caroline Dwyer said it is similar to an Uber rideshare. 14 Commissioner McKee said he has advocated for an Uber-like service for the rural part of 15 the county. He said that a doctor's trip to Chapel Hill can be an all-day trip. He said that a lot of 16 citizens need service. He said that his concern is getting those citizens access to transportation. 17 He asked about the reverse circulator for the Hillsborough route and asked if that was still in 18 discussion. 19 Caroline Dwyer said she would have to follow-up on that. 22 1 Chair Price said it has been under discussion for years. She said they have been trying 2 to figure out how to have two routes. 3 Caroline Dwyer said she was not sure if there is a project that addresses that. 4 Travis Myren said they would get back to the Board on that. 5 Commissioner McKee asked what the balance is of the transit tax. 6 Caroline Dwyer said she does not know the fund balance. 7 Chair Price asked about Mobility on Demand. She said there was one that only 8 operated on Friday and Saturday and not one that would operate during the day. 9 Caroline Dwyer said the pilot was only available two days a week, but this would be an 10 expansion to five days a week. 11 Bonnie Hammersley said the demand was high enough to expand. 12 Chair Price said slide #11 showed no capital funding 13 Caroline Dwyer said there was no allocated funding for additional vehicles. 14 Chair Price said even if the plan goes to year 29 there will be no funding allocated. 15 Caroline Dwyer said that was correct but does not mean that it cannot be if more funding 16 becomes available. 17 Chair Price said that since this is going to be used in the rural areas, they will need 18 additional vehicles and maintenance. 19 Commissioner Hamilton asked what the term "net new revenue hours" means. 20 Caroline Dwyer said there is a current amount of revenue hours on each route. She said 21 "net new revenue hours" are hours that go above what is existing and would be provided in the 22 new plan. She said that the use of transit tax funds can only be used for improvements and not 23 existing transit service. She said this is a way to document that it is in addition and not an 24 enhancement to an existing service. 25 Commissioner Hamilton asked if the transit tax is only to be used for enhanced service 26 each year, how is the existing service paid. 27 Caroline Dwyer said it is still funded through the transit tax. She said they are just 28 looking at a little tiny piece of it — the amount that has not already been spent on something 29 else. She said they know how much it costs for all current service, and they add an inflation 30 factor so they know how much it will cost over time. She said the update is about spending any 31 additional money and that has to be used to fund the new service. 32 Commissioner Hamilton said they generate about $8 million per year and the FY 23 33 implementation year only has a couple of projects. 34 Caroline Dwyer said that is correct because most of that $8 million has already been 35 spoken for. 36 Commissioner Hamilton asked how the capital will be paid for in projects like the US 15- 37 501 project. 38 Caroline Dwyer said it is included in the transit tax. She said you do not have to find new 39 funds because these projections include capital, updates, and maintenance. She said the 40 projects on 15-501 will include a cost-share with Durham. 41 Commissioner Hamilton asked if the plan has a way to pull the federal dollars and 42 planning that is needed. 43 Caroline Dwyer said it is not in the plan. She said they could start planning for it, but it 44 does not have to be paid for through a transit tax. She said the county could go to DCHC to tap 45 into their federal and state funds. 46 Commissioner Hamilton said that transit has more acronyms than anything. She said 47 that this is a draft plan, and it will come back to formally approve. She asked if it has to go to the 48 other boards as well. 49 Caroline Dwyer said that is true but that she does not know exactly what that process 50 looks like. She said there will be a joint adoption of the plan. She said they have worked closely 51 with the transit providers and that nothing in this plan is not a surprise. 23 1 Commissioner Fowler asked what the units are for net new revenue hours. 2 Caroline Dwyer said it is an hour and is a standard unit of measurement in the industry 3 to calculate service cost. 4 Commissioner Greene said this process has been very helpful and thanked Caroline 5 Dwyer for her work. She said there should be an emphasis of what the unfunded ideas will look 6 like. She said she sees the document as a framework that needs to be fleshed out. She said it 7 will be a multiyear and multi layered investment. She asked how the plan will articulate the 8 importance of connecting land use planning and transportation planning. 9 Caroline Dwyer said the combination is inherent in the work her firm does. She said in 10 the plan itself, they try to be explicit, and it is a complimentary relationship. She said that using 11 the land use and transit plans together they integrate into transit plan. She said that they 12 integrate this in the document. She said you cannot look at transit in a vacuum. 13 Chair Price said she would like to look at going from east to west and west to east. She 14 said that Hillsborough is the center of the county and that there is Durham Tech. She said there 15 is quite a bit of travel from Mebane into Durham. She said most of the plan is Chapel Hill and 16 then Chapel Hill going to Durham - other than the Mobility on Demand service. She said she 17 would like Hillsborough to be considered going forward. 18 Caroline Dwyer said she sees those trends in the analysis that they have done. She 19 said the advice in the plan is to keep an eye on those and to make sure they are being 20 considered for transit and land use plans. 21 Tom Altieri said staff has been taking notes and they will follow up with the Board on 22 several items. 23 Commissioner Bedford said integrating the land use and transit plans support the 24 governments of having the towns be a part of the voting staff because it brings additional 25 perspectives. 26 27 5. Public Hearings 28 a. Public Hearing on FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan for the HOME Investment 29 Partnerships Program 30 The Board conducted a public hearing on the Annual Action Plan for the HOME Investment 31 Partnerships Program. 32 33 BACKGROUND: Every year, state and local governments ("Participating Jurisdictions") that 34 receive HOME Investment Partnerships Program ("HOME") funds from the U.S. Department of 35 Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") are required to complete an Annual Action Plan that 36 lays out how they will allocate HUD funds for the upcoming program year in order to address the 37 goals and priorities in the Consolidated Plan. A summary of the draft Annual Action Plan for FY 38 2022-2023 is in Attachment 1. 39 40 For FY 2022-2023, Orange County anticipates receiving the following HOME resources: 41 Estimated FY 2022-2023 HOME Funds $ 378,743 10% Program Administration $ 37,874 Estimated FY 2022-2023 HOME Funds Minus 10% Admin $ 340,869 HOME Program Income $ 13,306 Local Match $ 85,217 Total Allocation + Program Income + Match $ 439,392 42 43 The above amounts are estimates and may be adjusted according to the actual allocation 44 received from HUD. 45 24 1 Orange County is a special type of Participating Jurisdiction, called a Consortium, consisting of 2 Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. Orange County 3 serves as the lead entity for the Orange County HOME Consortium. The Consortium has 4 drafted the FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan based on the HOME award recommendations 5 made by the Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative, detailed below. 6 7 The Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative (the "Collaborative"), comprised of one 8 (1) elected official and staff members from Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel 9 Hill, and Hillsborough, reviewed the received applications for the FY 2022-2023 HOME Program 10 on March 3, 2022 and made the following funding recommendations for consideration by each 11 of the jurisdictions' elected bodies: 12 Applicant and Project Funding Funding Requested Awarded Community Empowerment Fund — Homebuyer Assistance $50,000 $50,000 EmPOWERment— Rental Acquisition $105,000 $105,000 Gateway— Refinancing Debt & Rental Rehab $771,800 $0 Habitat for Humanity— Homebuyer Assistance $475,000 $134,392 Rebuilding Together of the Triangle - $150,000 $150,000 Administration 10% of HOME Funds, per statute $ 37,874 $ 37,874 Total $1,551,800 $439,392 13 14 As the chart above shows, all applicants except for the Gateway project received either full or 15 partial funding. The Gateway application requested debt refinancing and unit upgrades for a 16 project-based Section 8 apartment complex in Hillsborough and requested more funding 17 ($771,800) than the Consortium expects to have for all projects for the FY 2022-2023 HOME 18 Program ($439,392). Discussions with the applicant revealed that partial funding for this project 19 would not be a viable option, because the debt refinancing must be paired with the renovations. 20 The applicant asked if partial funding could be guaranteed over a 5-year period, but HOME 21 funds do not allow for multiyear allocations. Staff is working with this project applicant to pursue 22 other funding streams to preserve affordable housing resource at Gateway. 23 24 In accordance with HUD requirements and the Orange County Citizen Participation Plan, the 25 Orange County HOME Consortium must hold a public hearing to obtain residents' comments 26 and feedback on the draft Annual Action Plan during the public comment period, from April 1 — 27 May 2, 2022. 28 29 Notice of this public hearing was published in The Herald Sun and La Noficia. Copies of the 30 draft Annual Action Plan were posted on the Orange County Department of Housing and 31 Community Development website, and a link to the website and draft plan were circulated by 32 public notice in the newspapers listed above, as well as email outreach to more than 100 33 relevant stakeholders to include local service providers, nonprofit organizations, government 34 entities, elected officials, and interested residents. 35 36 All comments received during this hearing, and anytime during the public comment period, will 37 be incorporated into the final Annual Action Plan to be submitted to HUD. Before submitting the 38 final plan, the Board of Commissioners will consider the approval of the Annual Action Plan and 39 the FY 2022-2023 HOME Program Design (funding recommendations) later in 2022. The 40 governing boards for the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough are also scheduled 25 1 to consider the approval in 2022, in order for the final plan to be submitted to HUD by the 2 federal deadline in July 2022. 3 4 Corey Root, Housing and Community Development Director, introduced the item. She 5 said that HUD did not have the award amount available yet and she would be coming back to 6 the Board when the award is known in May. She said usually they know this amount by March. 7 She said the notice they received from HUD regarding the change was not sufficient enough to 8 cancel the public hearing since it had already been noticed. She reviewed the material in the 9 agenda abstract. 10 11 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to 12 open the public hearing. 13 14 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 15 16 PUBLIC COMMENT: 17 Douglas Call, of Habitat for Humanity, said his organization helps homeowners with 18 down payments. He said these down payments are getting larger and larger due to the increase 19 in values. He said in FY17 they were given $285,000 and they helped twelve families. He said 20 that in FY20 there was less money available at $131,000, and that helped six families. He said 21 that last year, $450,000 was allocated to help fifteen families at $30,000 each. He said they 22 have nineteen homes they plan to close on this year. He said they hope to serve affordable 23 housing community as much as possible. He said that it will allow only $7,000 for each family. 24 He said they had requested $475,000 but these requests were made before the conflict in 25 Ukraine. He said there are a lot of changes in the amount of money that is allocated from 26 federal dollars. He said he was here to give details on how they use the funding and if further 27 monies become available, he will return to make a request to add to that amount. He said that 28 some homes built in Hillsborough that were assessing for $180,000 3-4 years ago are now 29 assessing at $300,000. 30 31 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, 32 to close the public hearing. 33 34 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 35 36 Chair Price said this would be up for approval at a future Board meeting 37 38 6. Regular Agenda 39 a. Approval of a Network Development Agreement for Broadband Deployment 40 The Board approved a Network Development Agreement with North State Communications 41 Advanced Services, LLC to deploy broadband service in unserved locations in Orange County 42 and to allocate an additional $5 million, for a total of $10 million, in American Rescue Plan Act 43 funds to fully fund the Agreement. 44 45 BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for households in Orange 46 County to have access to broadband internet, which is defined as twenty-five megabits per 47 second (mbps) download speed and 3 mbps upload speed Broadband has become a necessity 48 to fully participate in educational instruction, commerce, and civic life. This need is particularly 49 acute in the rural parts of Orange County where low density impedes the ability of internet 50 service providers to recover the cost of a significant capital investment. 51 26 1 In recognition of this need, the Board of Commissioners created a Broadband Task Force in 2 November of 2020. The Task Force was charged with discussing broadband solutions that will 3 improve the quality of high-speed internet services to Orange County residents and to 4 recommend a plan to the Board of Orange County Commissioners that will expand reliable high 5 speed internet services to all county residents and businesses. The Task Force is co-chaired 6 by Commissioners Sally Greene and Earl McKee and includes representation from the County 7 Manager's Office, both School Districts, Durham Technical Community College, and five at- 8 large community members. 9 10 Broadband Task Force Members Doug Noell Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schls. Super. (Designee) Earl McKee Board of Commissioners- 1 Erica Bryant County Manager(Designee) Patricia Hull Orange County Resident-At-Large Paul Cardillo Orange County Resident-At-Large Ryan Miller Orange County Schls. Super. (Designee) Sally Greene Board of Commissioners- 2 Terri Buckner Orange County Resident-At-Large Todd Broucksou Orange County Resident-At-Large Vasu Kilaru Orange County Resident-At-Large Victoria Deaton Durham Technical Community College Repr. 11 12 The American Rescue Plan Act also recognized the necessity of high-speed internet 13 connections throughout the nation and specifically named broadband expansion as one of the 14 eligible uses for funds distributed to local governments through this program. The Board of 15 Commissioners originally reserved $5 million of the County's $28.8 million direct allocation from 16 the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fund a broadband infrastructure design and 17 implementation program. 18 19 The Broadband Task Force reviewed different models to deploy broadband technology and 20 chose to seek alternatives that delivered upload and download speeds of at least 100 mbps, 21 consistent with the terms of the American Rescue Act Plan. The Task Force designed a 22 request for proposal (RFP) to seek providers that could meet that standard and serve the 23 County's unserved and underserved homes. The Task Force also created a detailed scoring 24 matrix and appointed a member to serve on the evaluation and contract negotiation team. The 25 RFP was issued on September 13, 2021, with one amendment added on October 11, 2021. 26 27 In November 2021 the NC General Assembly expanded County authority to provide grants for 28 the purpose of accelerating broadband service in unserved areas. As part of the Appropriations 29 Act (SL 2021-180), state and federal grant funds were now allowed to be used under this 30 authority (as opposed to only unrestricted general funds previously) and the potential providers 31 expanded except by limiting any location where a private provider has been designated to 32 receive funds through State or federally funded programs designed specifically for broadband 33 service deployment (i.e. the G.R.E.A.T. grant fund). 34 35 The County received four proposals from internet service providers in response to the RFP. 36 The evaluation team scored the proposals and began contract negotiations with North State 37 Communications Advanced Services, LLC. The information below summarizes the major 38 provisions contained in the attached contract. 27 1 2 1. Network and Coverage 3 North State Communications will engineer, build, operate, and maintain a fiber to the 4 premises (FTTP) network in Orange County consisting of over 615 miles of fiber that will 5 enable connections to approximately 9,898 unserved locations. The network's coverage is 6 depicted on a map in Attachment A. The precise address points served are listed in 7 Attachment B (138 Page Document Only Available at: 8 www.orangecountync.gov/servicesites). Any address points that were inadvertently omitted 9 from Attachment B, but are in the coverage area, will be added to the list of addresses 10 covered automatically. The provider will be responsible for procuring all easements and 11 rights of way and will continue to make best efforts at reaching blocked locations for five 12 years after the completion of construction. 13 14 The network will offer up to two gigabit per second (gbps) symmetrical fiber broadband 15 internet access to every home and business passed. The minimum level service offered to 16 each home and business will be 100 mbps symmetrical. 17 18 The network covers all of the homes identified by the County as unserved with the exception 19 of approximately twenty (20) households south of Chapel Hill. Since the North State project 20 will not provide coverage in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, building the network out to these 21 homes would add significant cost. Several other broadband providers serve this area, so a 22 less expensive solution may be available given the proximity of these homes to Chapel Hill. 23 Staff will examine alternatives to serve these homes. An additional unserved address 24 identified by the County in the eastern portion of the County will be served by North State 25 Communications through a construction project outside the scope of this agreement. 26 27 2. County Contribution and Timeline 28 The cost to build the entire network is approximately $45 million. The agreement requires 29 Orange County to pay up to $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as a 30 grant to North State in three installments: 31 32 • $1,000,000 within 30 days of contract execution 33 • $3,000,000 after enabling connections to 3,000 homes no later than December 31, 2023 34 • $6,000,000 after enabling connections to the remaining 6,898 homes no later than 35 December 31, 2024 36 37 Some of the households defined as unserved are located in areas where a different provider 38 was awarded Rural Digital Opportunity Funds (RDOF). State law currently prohibits the use 39 of other State or Federal funding sources to be applied in areas where RDOF was awarded. 40 Therefore, none of the County's funds will be used to serve households in those areas. 41 However, North State will build the network and serve the homes in those areas using the 42 company's own funds. A detailed timeline for construction activities is included in 43 Attachment C. Assuming that the contract is executed by April 30, 2022, the construction 44 timeline would make services available to homes according to the following schedule. 45 Phase Homes Added Date 1 2,000 April 2023 2 2,000 July 2023 3 2,000 October 2023 28 4 2,000 January 2024 5 1,000 Aril 2024 6 898 July 2024 TOTAL 9,898 1 2 3. Reporting and Inspections 3 North State Communications is required to provide at least monthly progress reports to the 4 County. These reports will contain: 5 6 • Nature of work completed during the preceding period; 7 • Estimated percentages of physical completion for the network; 8 • Number of route miles of fiber constructed and activated; 9 • Overall project schedule status; 10 • Overall project budget status; 11 • Number of locations passed by network section; 12 . Number of residential subscriptions by service type added in that quarter, and to date; 13 • Any delays that have occurred, or are continuing to occur, with a detailed explanation 14 and plan to address such delay; 15 • Any anticipated delays in the work, with a detailed explanation; 16 • Responses to particular requests for information from County; 17 • Any proposed changes to the work; and 18 • Other information reasonably requested by County. 19 20 4. Service Costs 21 Under the terms of the agreement, North State will offer a low-cost service with a minimum 22 speed of 200 mbps symmetrical for no more than $40 per month, prior to any federal or 23 state subsidies available, until at least two years from the date construction is completed. 24 Consistent with the terms of the American Rescue Plan Act, North State must also 25 participate in the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program 26 as long as it is available. 27 28 The contract further provides that the standard rates that are in place at the time of first 29 customer activation will not increase by more than ten percent (10%) per year for any 30 service levels until at least January 1, 2026. 31 32 29 1 5. Connections to the Network 2 North State will install services to any residence passed by the network. Connections of up 3 to 1000 feet in length will be installed at no additional cost to the customer. 4 5 6. Network Quality and Reliability 6 North State has agreed to maintain a reliable, high-quality network as detailed in Attachment 7 E. The network will meet or exceed the performance standards detailed in the attachment 8 for service speed, packet loss, and latency to guarantee a high performing network. 9 10 7. Customer Service 11 North State has also agreed to response time and customer service standards as detailed in 12 Attachment E. These standards include a 24 hour a day, seven day a week call center with 13 performance metrics for answer times as well as performance standards for customer 14 appointments, customer activations, service restorations in the event of an outage, and the 15 ability for the County to access customer complaint reports and monitor complaint 16 disposition. 17 18 8. Broadband Service to County Facilities 19 The County has identified 34 County owned or leased public facilities, including volunteer 20 fire stations that will be passed by the network. North State has agreed to provide free 21 services to those facilities at no charge until June 30, 2028. A list of those facilities is 22 contained in Attachment F. 23 24 Communications Plan 25 If the Board approves the agreement, the County's Community Relations Department, in 26 cooperation with North State, has prepared press, social media, and marketing materials to 27 communicate the program to the public. In addition, the Broadband Task Force will hold a 28 series of Town Hall meetings to inform the public of the program and allow North State 29 representatives to address questions or concerns. 30 31 Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager, introduced the item. 32 33 Slide #1 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Agreement with North State Communications for Broadband Deployment Board of Orange County Commission@r! April 26,202Z 34 35 Slide #2 30 Background Broadband Task Force—November 2020 — Discuss broadband solutions that will improve the quality of ttigh speed intemet services to Orange Coumy resodents; Recowm nd a plan to[he Board or Orange County Commissioners that will expand reliable high-speed Internet servlces to all county residents and businesses. Membership lrwdbwd T**rbrcr Mvn-bvn D) ffl Pell [hWeIHIIIc Tot vCity 5r tsuper,;Tirmeel Erirn Bryrd [sooty Marvg�se.lfwslgs.� MOM HtP 4ranpeCtvTly eil-Xvi-M M P"Cardmo 3rmgaComyRwASwfi-At-Lwin wily 0r –fn,!Mrlr ilaidd TCe F-7 Ternb new 4rangKc Wknajerrl-At-Lwr Twdw—rb- ZOranpecouTlyrteaderrl-At-la`r - Nllaxu 0—L Ce.ntvR—dwn-AI:-Up ORANGE COUNTY P�t� CSrherrTechnlrallCo�Caff%e Pepr. KYORTJ L utROLLN,l 1 �y 2 3 Slide #3 Background American Rescue Plan Act Allocation—June 2021 — $5 million re"i-vatiorn of funds Request for Proposal—September 2021 • Expansion of County Grant Authority-November 2021 — AJlnws for use of State and Federal Funds for broadbAnd acceleration grants Four Responses Received—December 2021 Contract Consideration—April 2022 ?RANGE COUNTY NIORT]L C ARCSLLNA 4 5 6 31 1 Slide #4 North State Coverage 5.1898 localldns served Lack access 16 25mbps downkuedby 3 mbps upkad - Fiber to the Premises (Home)Network Min lmurnspeeds of 100 megabit per second upload and download (symmetrical) • Up to 2 gipblt per second upload and download speeds ORANGE COUNTY IMWn I CAR aLINA 2 3 Travis Myren said residences that are in the blue area will be added to the service area 4 list. 5 6 Slide #5 Locations Served Available electronically-www.oranpecountyno govlseralcesltes .14m9Na11. ;7WMI+li�c � m[iAPil mWll s.�c- awwl.L� mlvll. - m M!!Il1L[i [ryyry lLLK 16� YNk11[m I�iyRoR4�1+' �+NRI.I.xW iLM m44{. rtYYd�Y01Y uYI�I�R w ffil5 iT `." wart tensa# ivaYlLhlfLL 4f iis: ..... nn+anwwlmrr ;ay�ru er . u.r+ll[r warn +wm Me.� tl�•. �••••. r�bllb iuw .m.� .u[eaxe r �wvie..tt ��s. ■ North State www-north state-net website will be updated with address search tool Residents can sign up for email updates Addresses inadvertently ornitted but in service area are automatically added ORANGE COUNTY NORTI I CAROLINA 7 8 9 Travis Myren noted again that homes will be added to service even if the address does 10 not appear on this list, but it is inside the blue shaded area on slide #4. 11 12 32 1 Slide #6 Construction Timeline • Services will be available on staggered schedule Mmw Ham"Added Datwr 1 2000 Acrd 3023 2 20W u 3 921167 01d 6�2C13� d :2964 J9fw317,11724 "11167 ` ni 291a 5 ,695 JWy 2024 TOTAL 0.4" • North State has installation resources and materials available • Reference checks indicated no concerns about budget or schedule in similar projects • Payment schedule is back loaded to provide financial incenti+vefor full completion ORANGE COUNTY NORTl t CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide #7 Count} Contribution Full network build will cost—$45 million ■ County contribution-$10 million over three installments — V.D00,000wifthin30daysafsarrtractexeca>Aion — 53,001},17045�rtrrrnalbrr►�cannaratticrasto3.i?4[SN�rnas+maAal�r�snD+rcrm�rr31,2�3 — $6,000,OOsePoerenabbkgcannecdonstatldaremaining 6,89ahormsmlaterthm[)ecmrbw 31.2024 • County funds not applied to locations awarded Rural Digital Opportunity Funds(RDOF) — North State to bulla out to thota zncatlont,with company running;1,900 beatims • Recommend ad+ditiona1$5 million in American Rescue:Plan Act (ABPA)funds — Spec ificallynoted aspriority for ARPAspending Onetime grant _ $12.2 millan balanca after North State grant ORANGE COUNTY NIORT7 r C-kR LINA 5 6 7 8 33 1 Slide #8 Service and Connection Casts • 200 megabit Per second service for no more than$40 per month - Two years from completion of construction-2025 • Participation in federal Affordable Connectivity Program that subsidizes subscription costs • Standard rates will not increase by more than 10%until 2026 • Service connections FTTP conduction up to 1.000 feet at no cost to the customer Network design so that 95%of locations are<1,OOU feet • Public service facility connections - 34 County facilities,EMS substations,volunteer fire stations - No cfiarge until June 30,2025 ORANGE COUNTY NIOWnEFARJD G1%k 2 3 Travis Myren said that North State will participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program 4 with a $30 a month subsidy for internet subscriptions for families below 200% of the federal 5 poverty threshold, which is $55,000 for a family of four. 6 7 Slide #9 Customer Service and Network Performance • Custorrlerervice Call Center-207 AMeimmenls-spuciflc Lime or 4 flour wlndow Activation-within 10 days - Customer Complaint Report-number and description with resolution • Network Performance - Network Outage-begin work in under 24 flours - Service Interruption-90%resolved in 5 days or less speed-60%of advurllsed spend Packet Loss-<1%{Microsoft reconwwndation for business class video conferencing) - Latency-<40 milliseconds (Microsoft recomn ds <50ms for video conferencing) ORANGE COUNTY NtA r-1l t.ARS 1A'NA 8 9 10 34 1 Slide #10 Communications Plan • Email notice to 130 residents interested in Broadband • Press,social media prepared to go out tonight • Broadband Task Force Town Hall Meetings — North State partIclpatlaro • North State marketing including mailers to home addresses ORANGE COUNTY MIRM[GkROLGNA 2 3 4 Slide #11 Manager's Recommendation • Approve and authorize the County Managerto sign the contract and any amendments that do not exceed the contract amount with North State Communications Advanced Services,Lt_G • Allocate an additional$5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, for a total of$10 million, to fully fund this agreement. ORANGE COUNTY NORTJ[CAROLINA 5 6 Chair Price asked if in the motion the Board should state the date of approval. 7 Travis Myren said it was not necessary. 8 Commissioner Richards asked what the communication plan is for the other 120 homes 9 or 9,000 people. 10 Travis Myren said the representative from North State will discuss the marketing plan. 11 Commissioner McKee said those 120 have been communicating with the Board for 12 years on the issue. He said that their concerns about current providers have been voiced and 13 they were part of the conversation. 14 Commissioner Hamilton asked about the network outage time frame and what the 15 industry expectations are. 16 Travis Myren said that realistically the outage would be taken care of well within the time 17 frame, but that it represents a little better than industry standard. 18 Chair Price asked if North State would take care of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund 19 (RDOF). 35 1 Travis said the county is prohibited from spending funds in those areas. He said that a 2 different provider will cover those areas but that the timeline is long and uncertain. He said that 3 North State agreed to cover those customers with their own money. 4 Derek Kelly introduced colleagues and made the following presentation: 5 6 Slide #1 Orange County L%iii NorthState 7 8 9 Derek Kelly thanked the board for their efforts in broadband and noted that he recalled 10 their efforts many years back with Century Link, as well. 11 12 Slide #2 Heritage of Customer ServiceL:'.."Vu� B .`w NorthState Lumas Ear Annotrrres begin building aogasibon of Larno* Lurnos and Sprit. EGG Armmun[es sale Fiher4a-M-Horne in NeorkS(Febl and Integrate and Rebrand of Segra Commercial Virginia aNuisition of$piril as&egra;Jana �Apnl).closed Cxsater 2006 2011 2017 2019 2021 Oct. 2021 A NorthState NOAhStale Lumss and MnMr late begins building Lurnos spits horn Saga.acquires armun[ed as sland-alone liber cher-ro-theklorne InnTel s and isstras hDal Ncrrh54a1e Metj. hrradbandgrowlh ptatrbnn. North Carolina Puble Of[Mri7{PO) closed in May 2020 Pa--------------a ;Ea�AdoPW u"rr nwawrOd Me�lao*aa A*e+m'. 13 14 36 1 Derek Kelly said that North State started in North Carolina. He said they are operating as 2 Lumos and North State, but they will have a singular brand soon. 3 4 Slide #3 Lam:.V: 'r '� Northstate NarKhState LL.0 n1l3 KF FFCYri'P[LVGi reMer�+rsl�lr'+14.�+aw.n{.rr �w4r1�1�1A.aF 5rrnrN.p I+.rweh FeMlrt ONPNI 1KR4dWy/f11 MM4rIMM rrywr pm 1fROP'�xs.aM 6re.srxn lv,rivr Yrlsastlf]It��rM nlr1Py lwM ly,rr'c.�rr4�ll �•��J��•�x�WI�~ten rtiwnl esawhm Mndl moi. uwiY W W+.1ri i3alfriN tfn Mf101rrmllrEFulr�rrewl lll�vmwwl�. •...•�ri9Y 'ader+�rlw wp•-.--..-.],W la-1trdWrdhaMPPIP V 48l}rhrl lrrr�+rG%r9+4+M yntFT.7!�r4�`-0841(r!leMPti rnBlr lar?K,+Pwr+!�' �,. �•_�• na,b.ws.q,br Lu�biMolwrurw rlr+.r hrrt$Lavm n.nnNin Rarlv+tM{a�p.iilkhid+iOh lw sowaa.s� ...rix+o��.�n ww x+wnra.e,isllow+l r+.�lu+ls d4�Rr r......,r.��. xrrs�.�+f\snm am 119iQ rslae•Mtrnwnm.mm Im evne.ruo bf IM nidal North tate MordhStusc expamdPn4 its lGtdlif5-Ger-opS,lr nrtsvark LrLn Ahslnwrsa&nVerd,Oa gr arrd"r Camrdlm Mp Mon5Y,0Modditkno1f,a?Mim on;'Minessrsnrp ham ar mPo-ultrp-fM op-speed lntrmrt Ey mid-mA Nkh Paint,Nt IN69,3622)—h arapWd cmunuing"pamKn of Its ultra.hlgh.spwd flier irhe.�•,I,.,:h�.ril:+r1.51,'arema*ur<e<0I.Vonir,dgrowh imo new of Alan+arxe,. [y,�H�yld,nl;,oge, a--]Wayne Coie6 im#4wxh ca+o la,aii mo >a+1 re Ow rwlrws end es businses and mare thm EN rmiks of fiber to its network.by Ired-20.33. 5 6 7 Slide #4 Successful Public Private Partnerships L:.: '' Northstate Lumas partners with the Ailleghany Highlands,VA to build"Future Proof Fiber Internet with 100% :overage In Service Area • Leveraged USDA Rural Utilities Service Imtlative In collaboration with local leadersh i pin the cou nty,city and towns t�r • Oam pletilon of fiber expansion me rks an increase of morethan 1-2,000fiber- capable addresses and mare than 650 route miles of f bet • Pa rtnerl nj wIth AlleghsnyHlghlands Chamber of Com merceon'Live Uniquely, work Remotely"carripa gn • UnlverseIcoverage ann,unaementevent held In November 202 1 8 9 Derek Kelly said they have a longstanding history of partnering with government entities. 10 11 37 1 Slide #5 North State Successful Public Private Partnerships Lurmos partners w1t11 Botetaurt County.VA and plans to reach universal coverage ahead of schedule by EOY2023/ea rly 2024 * LunKshas provided nber-tea-the-li4me rlocstolncrettwo5,003 howeholdsIn BotetowtCounty FCC ACAMpregrernrnprovadesfundingm mBch3,70GhBFdto rea ms hmusehalds w rth over 2-900 Wrig on Ga thou t county Broadband ACAM fuMirg originally intended to provdeFTTH over ter year renew to reach those arses bort Lumos aocElerated to build Tibertoelladdr+e s,meaning2024vs2028 °moi Wh, Boterolltt Co,.atyr w6s"ai dad w 2Q21 VATI gf*+,,i Tor nioi a tn*A 5W aartrwsea and the county reowed a serxx a 2022 PATI grant for 400 HI-Is wlrch rd bring universal fiber broadt)arxl coweiage to BOteroul l Couarty Lumos also worked vdM IBoBetotrrt IeudetsWto Irian boblaM T}art5 cf Countythat competrux did mot II►ave plans to pursue 2 3 Derek Kelly said that the Virginia project is similar to the Orange County design and that 4 they will be finishing four years before their federal requirement. 5 6 Slide #6 Heritage of Customer Service &Innovation L S ., North state • Flmt to market in successfully deploying FTTH since ` 2006 in Virgin iaaInd North Carolina Expanding on nea rly 200K residimfaal and brts�irmms locations.the majority served with scalable high- be ndwl-oth igh- bendwldth fiber and current cepa bility up to SG symmetrical speeds L11*A i Gtl tifitiesteu ..-..-, Irv6ernet inr year More than 5,{]00rotrtemilesoffiber and growing backto r school- Nee rly 400elnpkxyees • GustornerSatisfactlonratingo(90% Multiple Accolades as one of the top FTTH providers: Broadband GotnmiirrOm WagaaineFirer-To-The-ftneTop 190 three years running Bronze Best of Business Award,dywhburg liminess JW gest lrttamet provkbx,,High Point,MC ekwan years rum ft 7 e 8 Derek Kelly said that their customers get someone from the United States with each 9 customer service call. He said they value customer service even more highly than the contract 10 reflects. 11 12 38 1 Slide #7 North5tate Polygon Lam: • Blue Polygon ■Orange Fiber Service Contract Boundary(excluding ROOF locations) Green Polygons ■ Northstate future build area * Purple Polygon ■ NorthState Alanna nce Cou My project(pending engineeringand construction) • Wh Ite Polygon=North State Future bu l Id area Point Legend= • Red Polnts=Underserved Addresses pmided r, by Orange County • Yellow Pol nts =ROOF Addresses within Orange County that North state wi I I serve,but not in contract • Orange Points=Self-Reported Underserved Address from Grange County(95) 2 3 Derek Kelly said they were looking to provide services to 28,000 homes in the county. 4 He said that most companies are looking for the unserved areas for grant application and other 5 companies are just interested in the city. He said his company is interested in doing both. 6 7 Slide #8 Communication&marketing L a.%P S r+ NorthState Is NorthState Fiber Internet available for your home? i71711+q•4,4'+iGrakNn R¢.`r-.,ir, Q �/IS' wrr•r rr.0 r rsx nrurrr rruf'wrrr WrirY+• 7f [}4• Ilecrwr.ies+xae Mt.V b`...n.xr XatESiri•f ir.•rw.,k'[g+�'�'txi.F�YweuAsr http://www.northstate.net �1 8 9 Derek Kelly said when people sign up on the website, they will get a notification via 10 email and regular mail letting them know when North State will begin digging in their area. He 11 said they are also working on an Orange County specific website. 12 Commissioner Greene asked for information on the staggered implementation process. 13 She asked how areas will be selected to go first. 39 1 Derek Kelly said that will be known after a detailed engineering process. He said the first 2 customers will be coming online next year. He said there will be a number of things to get 3 through in the permitting phase. He said that the installation and location of the fiber distribution 4 hubs (FDHs) will serve between 100-400 homes. He said the engineers are finalizing the 5 location plans and then the construction schedule will be established. He said they have 6 committed to focus on the unserved areas first to get everything completed in two years. He 7 said that sometimes the work will overlap into both areas at one time. 8 Commissioner McKee asked what the installation process will look like. 9 Derek Kelly said most of the network will be underground, but some areas could be 10 aerial. He said that conduit is installed, and areas require boring, plow, or open trench 11 methods. 12 Commissioner McKee said some people are sensitive about their property and 13 landscaping. He said boring is much less intrusive and this will be as unobtrusive as possible. 14 He said that some property may be dug up during the installation and the county should 15 highlight that while noting they will try to be unobtrusive. 16 Derek Kelly said boring is much more expensive, but they have a good track record of 17 putting everything back together as it is supposed to be on disturbed property. He said they 18 want happy customers for a long time. 19 20 PUBLIC COMMENT: 21 Laura Evans thanked the commissioners for considering the proposal. She said that her 22 26-home neighborhood is in approval. She asked that the contract be approved. She said they 23 have a 5MB internet plan and sometimes cannot even download a webpage. She described the 24 various methods they have researched to try to get a higher speed more reliable internet. She 25 said that either those efforts failed because either the provider wanted too much money or relied 26 on cell service which is very weak in her neighborhood. She said families are dependent on the 27 internet, and they do not have it. She said that homes and land will not sell without broadband. 28 She said they have been handicapped and disadvantaged. She said that internet is important 29 to livelihood. She said that she appreciates that specific addresses are listed. She said that 30 North State looks like a great fit, and that they seem to be appreciated by customers and their 31 prices are reasonable. She said that without the county's funding, they would be in the dark 32 ages. She specifically thanked Jim Northrup and Travis Myren for their assistance. She said 33 thanks to the board, they now have hope for high-speed internet. 34 Vann Evans said they have lived on Marion's Ford since 1975 and this is one of the best 35 things that has ever happened. He said the company can do whatever they want to get internet 36 so they can go to doctor's appointments and the children can do homework assignments. 37 Marcus Thrathen, an attorney with the firm Brooks Pearce, said he was speaking on 38 behalf of the North Carolina Cable Telecommunications Association. He said that one of their 39 members is Spectrum and that they are pleased to be a broadband provider in the area. He 40 said the Evans' testimony is what their members hear about all the time and his members want 41 to be part of the solution. He urged them to pause and make sure this is done right because this 42 is a unique opportunity to marry federal monies to this project. He said that regarding this 43 specific proposal, the counties authority to spend the grant funds is only to those unserved 44 areas. He said that is the one caution they have. He said that when Spectrum has looked at the 45 addresses, there appears to be substantial overlap with existing operations. He said that the 46 NC Department of Information Technology published their list they found 1,500 unserved homes 47 in Orange County. He said that the county's RFP found 5,000 homes. He said that the contract 48 will fund 10,000. He said that he knows the intent is to only serve unserved homes with those 49 grant funds. He said that he said that this is a process of not going through the state process 50 established by the General Assembly. 40 1 Marston Youngblood said he lives on Marion's Ford Road. He said that he did not sign 2 up to speak but wanted to after hearing from the Spectrum representative. He said they went to 3 all the providers — and the results were unsustainable and had unaffordable prices. He said they 4 are deeply grateful to the county for going with the North State providers and that this will be 5 done in a legally valid way. 6 7 Chair Price thanked the Broadband Task Force for their work on the issue. She said this 8 has been a longtime coming to get this far. She thanked staff, everyone that has been involved, 9 and North State. She thanked Jim Northrup for all his work on the issue. 10 Commissioner Fowler asked if Travis Myren or North State wanted to respond to the 11 legality of the contract. 12 John Roberts, County Attorney, said the county fully intends to comply with state law to 13 verify that there are no violations, and he will report back to the board and their next meeting. 14 Commissioner Bedford thanked the staff, the task force, the commissioners that have 15 worked on this, and Jim Northrup. She said that the pandemic exposed the needs for this utility 16 service, and she supports the County Manager's recommendation. 17 Commissioner McKee asked if there should be two motions, one on the project and one 18 on the allocation of the funding. 19 John Roberts said no. 20 Commissioner Greene said she and Commissioner McKee have worked on this since 21 March 2021 and met every two weeks. She listed the members of the Broadband Task Force. 22 She said a lot of things came together while the task force worked to get to this point. 23 24 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to 25 approve and authorize the County Manager to sign the attached contract and any amendments 26 that do not exceed the contract amount with North State Communications Advanced Services, 27 LLC to construct, operate, and maintain a fiber to the premises network in unserved parts of 28 Orange County, and to allocate an additional $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, for 29 a total of$10 million, to fully fund this agreement. 30 31 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 32 33 Commissioner McKee said the task force members were extremely dedicated. He said 34 when he made the petition for the task force in Fall 2020, he thought it would be $30 million. He 35 said the idea started off due to virtual schooling and feeling like children were not getting what 36 they needed. He said he did not have strong enough internet at his home to attend Board 37 meetings virtually. He said the Board stepped up with the investment. He thanked staff, the 38 Board, and the federal government for the ARPA funding. 39 40 b. Proposal to Name a Conference Room at the Orange County Visitors Center as "The 41 Lee Pavao Conference Room" 42 The Board discussed naming a Conference Room in the Orange County Visitors Center to "The 43 Lee Pavao Conference Room". 44 45 BACKGROUND: A number of community leaders (letters attached) have requested that the 46 Board of Orange County Commissioners consider naming a conference room in honor of the 47 late Lee Pavao. 48 49 Lee Pavao was a well-respected resident of the Orange County community for many years. 50 41 1 Lee Pavao served for eight years as an elected official on the Chapel Hill Town Council, 2 including two years as Mayor Pro-Tem. 3 4 Lee Pavao worked closely with Orange County leaders, the Board of County Commissioners 5 and Visitors Bureau, the Seymour Center, and many Orange County staff on community related 6 projects. 7 8 Lee Pavao was a champion of economic development and tourism and worked closely with 9 Orange County and Chapel Hill to establish a welcome center with associated programs. 10 11 In 2012, Lee Pavao received a standing ovation when he became a recipient of the Order of the 12 Long Leaf Pine award for his 30 years of volunteer service in Orange County. 13 14 Lee Pavao received many honors for his volunteer service including the Chapel Hill Historical 15 Society's 2014 Town Treasure Award, the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau's Tourism 16 Leadership Award and dozens of additional accolades. 17 18 In memoriam and appreciation of Lee Pavao, the proposal to name a conference room in the 19 recently relocated Orange County Visitors Center as "The Lee Pavao Conference Room" is 20 presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration. 21 22 Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager, introduced the item. 23 Chair Price said it was well-deserved. 24 By consensus, the Board stated its intent to consider adopting a resolution at a future 25 business meeting to name a conference room at the Orange County Visitors Center "The Lee 26 Pavao Conference Room." 27 Commissioner Greene said the Laurie Paolicelli was in the audience and that Lee Pavao 28 was a special friend of hers. 29 30 c. Report of the Climate Council Review Sub-Committee 31 The Board discussed the report and recommendations of the Climate Council Review Sub- 32 Committee and authorize staff to draft an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding that 33 details the membership, charge and boundaries of work, meeting frequency, appointment 34 process, and staff responsibilities of the Climate Council as outlined below. 35 36 BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners created a Climate Council Review Sub- 37 Committee to review the Orange County Climate Council in the Fall of 2021. The Board 38 appointed Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford, Amy Fowler, and Anna Richards to serve on the 39 Sub-Committee. The petition that initiated the Sub-Committee stated that the Sub-Committee 40 may recommend a restructuring of the Climate Council because of this assessment. 41 42 The Sub-Committee reviewed background materials, conducted a survey of current and former 43 climate council members, interviewed Climate Council members, and reviewed other models for 44 intergovernmental information sharing and coordination. This work is described in detail in the 45 Sub-Committee Report (attached). 46 47 Based on the research conducted by the Sub-Committee, the Sub-Committee is recommending 48 a reorganization of the Climate Council that is modeled after the Intergovernmental Parks Work 49 Group. This new structure and charge would be codified in an intergovernmental Memorandum 50 of Understanding (MOU) that details the membership, charge and boundaries of work, meeting 51 frequency, appointment process, and staff responsibilities. 42 1 2 The Sub-Committee also offers the following specific suggestions regarding the content of the 3 MOU. These suggestions are more fully described in the attached report. 4 5 • Decrease the overall size of the Council from thirty-one to sixteen members 6 7 • Focus membership on public sector entities 8 9 • Clarify that the Council's charge: 10 o Provide opportunities to engage with the community on concerns and ideas 11 regarding climate change and climate justice; 12 o Gather and exchange information on climate change mitigation and prevention; 13 o Maintain and update an inventory of climate change initiatives of the entities 14 represented on the Council; 15 o Promote communication between the municipalities and the County on future 16 opportunities and collaborative efforts; 17 o Provide updates on the Climate Action Plans of the entities represented on the 18 Council; 19 o Provide feedback on public education and public outreach conducted by the entities 20 represented on the Council or any collaborative education and outreach activities as 21 requested by those entities. 22 23 • Establish a meeting frequency of three times per year consistent with the 24 Intergovernmental Parks Work group. 25 26 • Charge each entity with appointing its own members 27 28 • Clarify that, as an intergovernmental entity, the Climate Council should not be 29 considered an advisory board of any of its constituent entities. 30 31 • County staff will work with the appointed County representatives to prepare agendas and 32 coordinate meetings. Each entity represented on the Council will be responsible for 33 providing individual agency updates and engaging in collaborative activities. 34 35 Importance of a County Climate Action Plan 36 The Sub-Committee also recognized the need for the County to create its own Climate Action 37 Plan to identify the County's goals and strategies. The creation of the Plan would be led by the 38 County's Sustainability Coordinator and advised by and facilitated through the Commission for 39 the Environment. This Plan is a prerequisite to successful information sharing and 40 collaboration with other jurisdictions 41 42 Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager, introduced the item and made the following 43 presentation: 44 Slide #1 43 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Report of Climate Council Review Sub-Committee Board of Orange County commissioners April 26,2022 1 2, 3 Slide #2 Sub-Committee Background • Created by Board of Commissioners—Fall 2021 • Commissioners Bedford,Fowler,and Richards appointed to serve on the sub-committee • Charge - Review the atrucwre and fury "n of climate Ancil May recoam rid restructuring Climate Cmkncll ORANGE COUNTY NOR-]f CJARGIANA 4 5 6 44 1 Slide #3 Climate Council Background Assembly of Govemments-January 2019 — Idea to create multijunsbictional Climate Council • Goveming Board Action-Spring 2019 — No sinle consistent action across juri5diclions on membembip amd composition • Current Organization-31 members Coumly and Towns — Schod districts,IJNC, Durham Tectl.Cooperalive Extermien Orange Water and Sewn Authorlty(CWASA), UNC Hospital Chapel Hm-Carrboro and Northern Orange NAACP — O angelChalham Sierra Club Al targe appotntmerds • Average of 15.9 members at meetings in 2021 ORANGE COUNTY N011'n t CAROLINA 2 3 Travis Myren said that the first idea of the Climate Council came about at an Assembly 4 of Governments meeting in 2019. 5 6 Slide #4 Climate Council Background • Mission Statement — To aweterale joint action addressing the climate emergency by sharing suecersOul stralegles and Identifying equitable opporlumitles to reduce graanhousa gas emhsslons,provide stewardship of the natural world,and 1protcct ail County residerrta from climate lotpacts. • Climate Council Request for Memorandum of Understanding{MOU} -December2021 • Mayors and Chair request to draft MOU using Intergovernmental Parks Work Group as model GRANGE COUNTY NORT11 CAR01.INA 7 8 Travis Myren said the Climate Council asked the governments to formalize the Council 9 and the legal councils drafted the memorandum of understanding. 10 11 45 1 Slide #5 Sulo-Committee Research Survey to current and former members — 70%said Cliiwte Council added value Collaboration,relationships primary benefit No clear understanding of mission,Inconsistent parlielpalion primary weaknesses — Need to defrre specific ci}srge, responsibilities,and relalioftship with member governments Review of Existing Models — Intergovernmental Parks Work Group . Informabonshmi g and collaboration — Parlm hrp to End Homelessness. • Formal role me conn wum of care+murhpa sdicdonel furbding+dedicated etaff — Food Council Mulhauiedictionsi funcbW+debated slaff ORANGE COUNTY hNX')ItT1 r CARG1LtN.i 2 3 Travis Myren said that twelve surveys were returned. He said that the unclear 4 understanding of mission and participation were weaknesses. 5 6 Slide #6 Sub-Committee Recommendations mendation Use Intergovernmental Perks Work Group Model Not an advisory board,of the County Sixteen(16)members representirig institutions - County,ToWnsr OwASA, UNC and UNC Health,Coo native Extension, Durham Tech,Chamber of Commerce Charge - Share information,engage with community,identify opportunities for collaboratl�an Meeting frequency - Three times per year ORANGE COUNT.T h,ORI r CAAG_IN 7 8 Travis Myren said they recommended decreasing the membership numbers and 9 meeting less frequently. 10 11 46 1 Slide #7 Sub-Committee Recommendations ■ Appointments - By partielpatmg Institution with Clerk coordination Staffing - County staff and County-appolntedrepr+esentattves coordlnateagenda County ClimateAction Plan - Identify County's goals and strategies - Important to Information sharing and collaboration of Climate Council ORANGE COUNTY N'ORT1i CkROLINA 2 3 Travis Myren said the county would offer staff support with the entities selecting their 4 own representatives. He said the county should also develop an independent climate action 5 plan. He said that staff is working on a proposal for that now. 6 7 Slide #8 Manager's Recommendation 1)1scuss the recommendation a of the Sub-Committee A Authorize staff to draft an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding that details the membersh1p,charge and boundaries of work, rneeting frequency,appointrnentprocesses,and staff` responsibi I ities of the CIimate Council as outlined GRANGE COUNTY K7OR77I r-kROLINA 8 9 10 PUBLIC COMMENT: 11 12 Melissa McCullough, current chair of Orange County Climate Council, expressed 13 disappointed at the sub-committee process and recommendations. She said that she is well 14 versed in local climate action and bureaucracy. She said that the Climate Council was not 47 1 notified when these recommendations were released. She said that the Chapel Hill elected 2 representative asked for a delay in the presentation and she was told no. She said that the 3 Climate Council spent a better part of a year discussing these issues that are in the 4 recommendations. She said that along with the draft bylaws that addressed the issues, there 5 was also a background document that explained how they settled on them. She said that does 6 not appear to have been considered at all. She said that the subcommittee shows a lack of 7 recognition at what the council has done. She said that the Climate Council brings together a 8 group of diverse and very invested people. She said it needs input by so many in the 9 community and that these perspectives are represented on the council. She said that with the 10 recommendations, she believes that the subcommittee is stepping back from climate urgency. 11 She said that she believes that the recommendations neither solve the issues nor give climate 12 action the attention that it warrants. She suggested that they accept the Climate Council's 13 recommendation from 2021. She said that the group could draft an MOU formed by those that 14 have been involved in the process and that it would be more practical and effective. 15 16 Commissioner McKee said he appreciated the work of the sub-committee, and the 17 direction of the recommendations are correct. He said he has had concerns with the group and 18 that they were going out of scope. He said that he supported the recommendations. 19 Commissioner Greene said she has been outside of the subcommittee discussions and 20 that she was troubled by Melissa McCullough's comments and the disappointment that she 21 expressed. She said she knows that the people on the subcommittee are good people but that 22 she does not know what she thinks. She said that she wants to hear more about how the sub- 23 committee made their recommendations. She said it is not obvious as to why the public is 24 shutout. She said that they have a tiered process in mind. She said she agrees the Food 25 Council and Partnership to End Homelessness are not good models, but that they do both have 26 a structured way of reaching out into the community and getting input. She said that she is not 27 satisfied that they have reached the right answer and would like to hear from the subcommittee 28 members. 29 Commissioner Bedford said she started attending Climate Council meetings after former 30 Commissioner Dorosin left. She said that he had not been attending meetings for a while. She 31 said that there was sporadic attendance and that it was hard to achieve a quorum. She said 32 that it was an all-white, all retired, and not diverse group. She said that she does not think the 33 input has been anything other than erratic. She said they are interested in being more like a 34 non-profit or a department. She said that our own representative said that if changes were not 35 made, he would resign in December. She said that is one of the reasons she petitioned to 36 investigate the group. She said that another reason is the redundancy with the Commission for 37 the Environment. She said that it caused confusion to the public with why there are two and 38 which group is doing what. She said that some things that they do is hard to explain. She said 39 that it is also odd that they will allow a former commissioner to speak the whole time but not 40 allow any time for public comment. She said it is almost so functionally bad that it needs to be 41 reorganized. She said that they presented last May and the County Attorney said they do not 42 have the ability to appoint people. She said the few times that she attended there were not 43 appointments made, but that she watched a meeting during which they were making 44 appointments without any input from elected bodies. She said the fact only twelve members 45 filled out a survey supports that this is not a functional council. She said when they looked at 46 other models, the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group seemed workable. She also said they 47 determined that they need a county climate action plan. She said they were not fulfilling any 48 need to collaborate. She said that sometimes a member would bring something in and only to 49 present it to the council before they released it as a council document. She said the meetings 50 were a waste of time. She said that one of their own planners said her biggest fear was that 51 one of their subcommittees would actually bring back "big hairy ideas" that would require her 48 1 time and actually take her away from her job working on climate. She said that is when the 2 alarm bells were going off for her and she realized it was time to reorganize this group. 3 Commissioner Richards said the abstract does talk about the accomplishments of the 4 council. She said that what the recommendations are trying to do is take those things and 5 focus the charge to leverage and engage with the community, to gather and exchange 6 information, promote communication between county and municipalities on future opportunities, 7 and provide feedback on public education. She said that it is oriented on how we engage the 8 community and staff. She said that the goal is to take the strong things the council 9 accomplished and put the focus on actions that can move the needle and collaborating with the 10 community. She said the hope is to take the achievements and leverage them moving forward. 11 Commissioner Fowler said she wanted to acknowledge the accomplishment that council 12 members were able to achieve. She said when she first joined, she was trying get started on 13 the county's climate action plan. She said a climate action plan is foundational and they need 14 to know this before collaborating and complimenting others' work. She said they have not made 15 progress because they do not have their own plan. She said she found the structure of the 16 Intergovernmental Parks Work Group useful. She said she understood the confusion of who is 17 actually on the council. She said they need an MOU to make sure they are following 18 processes. She said that groups cannot develop their own decisions on how things should be 19 run. She said that council reached a point where they were looking for funding in order to do 20 communications rather than use the county's communications. She said there was a lack of 21 following governing rules that was concerning to her. She said she agreed that climate was 22 urgent and needs to be a focus. She said she finds it hard to collaborate until they have their 23 own climate plan. 24 Chair Price said that over the past year there have been expressed concerns about the 25 climate council. She said that there were concerns about attendance. She said that is why 26 there was a subcommittee formed to look into it. She said the work that has been done has 27 shown the need for a county climate action plan. She said that she has spoken to the County 28 Manager about the Committee for the Environment possibly revising their focus and taking on 29 climate change instead of just environmental protection. She said she appreciates what the 30 subcommittee has done in looking into the group and developing those recommendations. She 31 said that the recommendations seem to be a reasonable way to address climate change and 32 the urgency of it. She said that the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group seems like a 33 reasonable model to follow. She said that some people are wondering if the group needs to be 34 abolished but that for now, she thinks the recommendations are a reasonable solution. 35 Commissioner Greene said she agrees that the county needs to create its own climate 36 plan. She said that she wondered if there should be a council right now or if the people that are 37 engaged should be asked to work with the county. She said that she understands that it is not 38 functioning well, and she is not sure that the solution offered is the best solution. She said she 39 was not sure the recommendations are the right solution. She said this feels like a top-down 40 process rather than a more engaging process. She said she does not have a fully formed 41 decision, but maybe this is not the time for an inter-jurisdictional group to exist since the county 42 needs to concentrate on its own work in creating a plan. 43 Commissioner Hamilton said she wondered why we had a Commission for the 44 Environment and the Climate Council. She said the Commission for the Environment should be 45 the place to give input to the Board because it is a clearly established advisory council. She 46 said when she looks at the things the council has recommended that it really should be the 47 Commission for the Environment. She said if there is a Climate Council to help the 48 municipalities talk then it should be more like the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group. She 49 said it seems like a more efficient way to get the governmental roles on what can be done. She 50 said that she agrees that maybe there should not be a group right now and that it needs to be 51 clear who is doing the work that the board wants. She said it would be nice to get this on a work 49 1 session night so they can review the item before being asked to make a decision. 2 Chair Price said she noticed that the changes to membership take out a lot of the 3 community aspect to the council. She said it becomes more of a representation by staff and 4 governmental officials. 5 Commissioner Richards said there were thirty-one positions, but students could not 6 come because it was at 3 pm. She said half the people would not come. She said even 7 though it looks like the community was represented on paper that it was difficult to have the full 8 representative body there. She said they tried changing the meeting times but then that created 9 overtime for staff. She said that she was previously the NAACP representative on the council 10 but there were challenges bringing those people together. She said there was an honest effort, 11 but the structure made it hard to get the representation. 12 Chair Price says it seems like the Commission for the Environment would be the 13 community input because they are appointed by the board. She said they are at the point to 14 decide to move forward with the proposal or not. 15 Commissioner Bedford said she thought they could proceed on parallel tracks for with 16 their sustainability coordinator and the Commission for the Environment focusing on the climate 17 plan. She said that all council members will have the opportunity to participate in the MOU. She 18 said the attorneys have seen a draft. She said if they do not move forward will they lose 19 opportunities to share information. 20 Commissioner Greene said what about having a staff working group. 21 Commissioner Bedford said the staff have gotten to know each other and that has been 22 a real positive. She said that could be left to the County Manager to decide since that is not 23 policy. 24 Commissioner Greene said they could recommend that there be a staff working group. 25 Bonnie Hammersley said they already are working together. She said part of the 26 advantage of the intergovernmental sustainability group is that there needs to be collaboration 27 with the towns as they put their plan together. She said that while there is not one plan, that 28 they do have many pieces to a climate action plan in other documents. She said that it is just 29 not combined. She said that there was an understanding that out of the Climate Council would 30 come our climate action plan. She said that never happened and she does not know why. She 31 said there were gaps between sustainability coordinators. She said that during the pandemic, 32 they saw the true value of the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group in working together. She 33 said that when the Climate Council was established, there was a question from the 34 Commission for the Environment as to their purpose. She said some people went over to the 35 Climate Council so that created redundancy. She said the Commission for the Environment has 36 a desire to be a leader on the climate action plan and they have been for so long. 37 Chair Price said members of the Commission for the Environment have the expertise for 38 the project work that is needed. 39 Commissioner McKee said it might be the best route to have staff move forward and to 40 disband this group and start over. 41 Chair Price said she thinks that is what the recommendation is. 42 Commissioner McKee said he wants to make sure that is what he is hearing. 43 Chair Price said that the council has not been functioning the way they were expected 44 or intended. She said that out of this, the different jurisdictions can continue to work together. 45 She said that Orange County will work on the climate action plan then Commission for the 46 Environment will assist. 47 Commissioner Bedford asked if they are suspending the Climate Council. 48 Chair Price said yes. 49 Commissioner Bedford said that is what is recommended. 50 Commissioner Richards said that for an intergovernmental agreement, the other 51 governments must be involved to adopt an MOU. She said this would not be solely Orange 50 1 County's staff creating this. She said the proposal is that we use the Intergovernmental Parks 2 as a model and specify the charge. She said there would be a new MOU created. 3 Chair Price said yes. She said the reference about the county doing a plan is because 4 they do not have one like the other jurisdictions have. 5 Commissioner Greene asked if Commissioner McKee was recommending a staff-only 6 working group. 7 Commissioner McKee said no. 8 Commissioner Greene clarified that it would be like the Intergovernmental Parks Work 9 Group with staff and then elected officials appointed. 10 Commissioner Hamilton said she would like to suspend the Climate Council for now, 11 because she is not sure she agrees with all of the recommendations in the presentation about 12 the charge. She said she would be happy to see an MOU. 13 14 Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to suspend the Climate Council and ask staff to 15 draft a memorandum of understanding with a restructured Climate Council based on the 16 Intergovernmental Parks Work Group and recognize the need for the county to create its own 17 climate action plan led by the county's sustainability coordinator and advised by and facilitated 18 through the Commission for the Environment. 19 Commissioner Bedford seconded the motion. 20 21 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 22 23 d. Discussion of Extensions to State of Emergency Declarations 24 This item was added at the beginning of the meeting. 25 26 Commissioner McKee said he heard there may be an extension of the local state of 27 emergency declaration until the end of June, which he disagreed with. He said he does not 28 think the numbers justify an extension. He said he wanted to put it out for consideration, and 29 he was fine if the Board wanted to discuss it at a future work session. He said he wanted to 30 propose updating the wording in the ordinance to state as follows: 31 "Emergency declarations once declared as per existing protocol by the Chair in 32 consultation with management that last more than 30 days will require Board of 33 Commissioner review and confirmation at the first formal business meeting of 34 the following month and each subsequent month in order to remain in effect." 35 Commissioner McKee said he did not think they had ever had an emergency last more 36 than two or three days. He said extending the review to 30 days is more reasonable than the 37 five days he originally suggested. He said he felt that to have an emergency declaration for 38 more than 30 days needs confirmation by the Board. He said he does not question any of the 39 commissioners, Chair, management or Emergency Services, but he felt that due to the impact 40 on the community, it needs to be a Board decision after 30 days. He said it could be as much 41 as 60 days depending on when it fell. He said that towns have ability to declare and impose 42 restrictions without the county being a part of it, so it should not be an impediment to the towns 43 deciding what is best for their own constituency. He said it was something that needed to be 44 looked at as a policy change, how does the county handle long-term emergency declarations. 45 Chair Price said it was timely because there is current state of emergency declaration 46 that could end on May 1St. She said there has been discussion about extending it, but that she 47 spoke with the County Attorney and Public Health Director and there may be a resolution to the 48 issue. She said the concern has been with transit workers and riders. She said right now there 49 is an emergency declaration, but the county lifted the mask mandate and satisfied FEMA 50 requirements. 51 John Roberts, County Attorney, said that his understanding is that this has come up for 51 1 a couple of reasons. He said one reason is because the towns want to continue meeting 2 remotely and the second is for protecting transit workers and the public who use public 3 transportation. He said as far as remote meetings go, the local declaration has no impact. He 4 said the state declaration is the only thing that grants local governments the authority (and 5 cities, the specific authority) to meet remotely. He said as far as transit is concerned, the Public 6 Health Director has broad authority to investigate and implement remedies to prevent the 7 spread of communicable disease, all the way up to and including quarantine and isolation of 8 individuals and groups. He said in that specific statutory language, the quarantine and isolation 9 authority shall only be used lesser alternatives have been tried and have been unsuccessful. 10 He said requiring masks on public transportation is within the Public Health Director's authority. 11 He said he spoke with the Public Health Director, and she was willing to issue that direction. 12 He said the managers can then implement that through their transit directors. 13 Chair Price said she has an upcoming meeting with the mayors. 14 Commissioner McKee said he would like to make a motion to include the wording he 15 read earlier in the meeting. 16 Chair Price asked if that could be done at this time since it is an ordinance change. 17 John Roberts said he had reservations with the wording. He said it needed to be more 18 specific. 19 Commissioner McKee withdrew the motion. He said would like to sit down and discuss 20 it as a policy change. 21 Chair Price said to make this a petition so staff can begin working on the wording 22 change. 23 Commissioner McKee said he would like to pursue this. He thanked the Board for being 24 willing to discuss it. 25 Commissioner Richards asked for clarification for if the state of emergency will be 26 extended. 27 Chair Price said it will not. 28 Commissioner Richards asked what the process for will be sharing information if the 29 declaration is extended. 30 Chair Price said she would send an email to the Board before May 1St 31 32 7. Reports 33 None. 34 35 8. Consent Agenda 36 37 • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda 38 • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda 39 • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda 40 41 Bonnie Hammersley said she would like to pull item 8-h to be discussed. 42 43 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene, to 44 approve the remaining items on the consent agenda. 45 46 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 47 48 a. Minutes 49 The Board approved the draft minutes for the March 15, 2022 and March 21, 2022 Board of 50 County Commissioners meetings. 51 b. Advisory Boards and Commissions —Appointments 52 1 The Board approved the Advisory Boards and Commissions appointments as reviewed and 2 discussed during the Board's April 14, 2022 Work Session. 3 c. Second Reading: Emergencv Services Franchise by Ordinance — First Choice Medical 4 Transport, LLC 5 The Board approved on Second Reading, in follow-up to First Reading approval at the Board's 6 April 5, 2022 Business meeting, granting the renewal of a franchise agreement by ordinance to 7 First Choice Medical Transport, LLC (First Choice) to provide routine convalescent transport 8 services and surge capacity emergency services for basic life support (BLS) transportation. 9 Approval on "Second Reading" is based on State law requirements that a franchise by 10 ordinance pass two readings in order to be granted by the Board of Commissioners. 11 d. Second Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance — LifeStar Emergency 12 Services - 2023, LLC 13 The Board approved on Second Reading, in follow-up to First Reading approval at the Board's 14 April 5, 2022 Business meeting, granting the renewal of a franchise agreement by ordinance to 15 LifeStar Emergency Services - 2023, LLC (LifeStar) to provide routine convalescent transport 16 services and surge capacity emergency services for basic life support (BLS) transportation. 17 Approval on "Second Reading" is based on State law requiring that a franchise by ordinance 18 pass two readings in order to be granted by the Board of Commissioners. 19 e. Second Reading: Emergencv Services Franchise by Ordinance — South Orange 20 Rescue Squad 21 The Board approved on Second Reading, in follow-up to First Reading approval at the Board's 22 April 5, 2022 Business meeting, granting the renewal of a franchise agreement by ordinance to 23 South Orange Rescue Squad, Inc. (SORS) to continue providing emergency services basic life 24 support transport service, special event coverage, as well as technical rescue services. 25 Approval on "Second Reading" is based on State law requiring that a franchise by ordinance 26 pass two readings in order to be granted by the Board of Commissioners. 27 f. Second Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance— North State Medical 28 Transport 29 The Board approved on Second Reading, in follow-up to First Reading approval at the Board's 30 April 5, 2022 Business meeting, granting the renewal and upgrade of a franchise agreement by 31 ordinance to North State Investment Group, LLC d/b/a North State Medical Transport (North 32 State) and the Franchise Agreement under which they will operate. Approval on "Second 33 Reading" is based on State law requiring that a franchise by ordinance pass two readings in 34 order to be granted by the Board of Commissioners. 35 g. Resolution Approving the Sale of Two Frontend Loading Vehicles to the City of Rocky 36 Mount, NC 37 The Board approved a resolution authorizing the selling of two frontend loading vehicles to the 38 City of Rocky Mount, NC. 39 h. Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budqet Amendment#10 40 The Board approved a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2021-22. 41 i. Approval of Contract Accepting Housing Staff Grant Funding from the Foundation for 42 Health Leadership and Innovation 43 The Board approved a contract accepting a grant from the Foundation for Health Leadership 44 and Innovation (FHLI) for two new positions in the Housing Department— a Team Lead for the 45 Housing Helpline and partial funding for a Housing Locator position (to be paired with ARPA 46 funding authorized in FY 2021-22 to create a 1.0 full time equivalent (FTE) position). 47 j. Second Amendment to the Development Agreement for the Construction of a Shared 48 Government Facility at 203 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC 49 The Board approved the Second Amendment to a Development Agreement by and between the 50 Town of Carrboro, NC and Orange County, NC for the design and construction of a jointly used 51 government facility at 203 Greensboro Street in the Town of Carrboro. 53 1 2 Regarding item 8-h, Bonnie Hammersley said section 13 regarding the Efland 3 Emergency Services Substation needed more work, so she asked that the Board vote on 4 sections 1 through 12 instead. 5 6 Commissioner Bedford made a motion to approve item 8-h less section 13, and 7 Commissioner McKee seconded the motion. 8 9 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 10 11 9. County Manager's Report 12 Bonnie Hammersley reminded the Board that they will be meeting with the schools on 13 April 28, 2022 and it will be a facilitator led discussion. She said the facilitator will help have 14 more discussion and there will be less staff presentations. She said the schools will not be 15 presenting their budgets at that meeting. She said the goals are to have a conversation 16 amongst the groups. 17 18 10. County Attorney's Report 19 John Roberts says the legislature will reconvene next week and he will update the 20 Board. 21 22 11. *Appointments 23 None. 24 25 12. Information Items 26 • April 5, 2022 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List 27 • Memorandum - Blackwood Farm Park Phase II Construction Project Progress 28 Information Update 29 30 13. Closed Session 31 None. 32 33 14. Adjournment 34 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to 35 adjourn the meeting at 10:36 p.m. 36 37 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 38 39 40 Renee Price, Chair 41 42 43 Laura Jensen 44 Clerk to the Board 45 46 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board. Attachment 2 1 1 DRAFT MINUTES 2 ORANGE COUNTY 3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 4 JOINT MEETING WITH 5 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND 6 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION 7 April 28, 2022 8 7:00 p.m. 9 10 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a joint meeting with the Orange County 11 Board of Education and Chapel-Hill Carrboro Board of Education on Thursday, April 28, 2022 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. 13 14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford, 15 and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee (arrived at 7:07 16 pm), and Anna Richards 17 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None 18 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts 19 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager 20 Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen (All other staff members will be identified 21 appropriately below) 22 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Vice-Chair Rani Dasi, and 23 Board Members George Griffin, Riza Jenkins, Ashton Powell, and Michael Sharp 24 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: Chair Deon Temne and 25 Jillian La Serna 26 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO SCHOOLS (CHCCS) STAFF PRESENT: Superintendent Dr. Nyah 27 Hamlett 28 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Chair Carrie Doyle, Vice-Chair 29 Brenda Stephens, and Board Members Will Atherton, Bonnie Hauser, and Sarah Smylie 30 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: Hillary MacKenzie and Jennifer Moore 31 ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS (OCS) STAFF PRESENT: Superintendent Dr. Monique Felder, 32 Deputy Superintendent Kathleen Dawson, Deputy Superintendent of Operations Patrick Abele 33 FACILITATOR: Will Dudenhausen 34 35 Chair Price called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 36 37 Chair Price welcomed the members of the Orange County Schools (OCS) Board of 38 Education, Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) Board of Education, and staff. She 39 reviewed the agenda and introduced Will Dudenhausen, the facilitator for the joint meeting. 40 Will Dudenhausen led a group icebreaker. Members of the Boards of Education, Board 41 of Commissioners, and staff introduced themselves as they participated. 42 Following the icebreaker, Will Dudenhausen went over the agenda for the meeting. 43 44 Commissioner McKee arrived at 7:07 pm. 45 46 Will Dudenhausen invited the CHCCS Board of Education Vice-Chair, Rani Dasi to make 47 opening comments. 48 Rani Dasi thanked the Board of County Commissioners, OCS Board of Education, 49 CHCCS Board of Education and staff for coming together to discuss education in Orange 50 County. She noted that Chair Deon Temne could not be present for the meeting. She discussed 2 1 the challenges schools faced throughout the pandemic. She said that schools had to make big 2 decisions amidst great uncertainty. She said schools navigated a global pandemic, provided 3 remote instruction, and then pivoted back to in person learning for nearly 12,000 students, while 4 prioritizing safety for students and staff. She said she is proud of the work done by the schools 5 and highlighted what is going well in CHCCS. She said CHCCS is 4 months into the strategic 6 planning process, which is revisited every 3-5 years. She said they are redefining the mission, 7 vision, and core values, and working on a graduate profile that will drive instruction of 8 experiential learning. She noted that Chair Price is a member of the committee, and the plan will 9 be presented to the Board in June. She announced that gap data is growing, and disciplinary 10 framework has been operationalized during in person learning. She said the preliminary data 11 shows CHCCS has been able to reduce the disciplinary disproportionality index rate for four of 12 the six identified student groups, including Latino students, multi-language learners, students 13 with disabilities, and multi-racial males. She said the disciplinary action referral rates are still 14 higher for black male and female students. CHCCS has identified schools with higher 15 disproportionate rates and will provide resources to address the need. She said there have 16 been benefits to returning to in person instruction including an increase in the number of middle 17 school students earning A's, a lower rate of F's, especially for Black and Latino students, 18 students with disabilities, and multi-language learners. She said that the CHCCS budget 19 focuses on continuity of instruction, retention of qualified staff, and reducing the gaps left by 20 vacant position. She said the expansion request is entirely focused on employee compensation 21 and benefits as well as recruiting and retaining top quality staff. She said CHCCS hired a new 22 Sustainability Coordinator, Tommy Blair, and noted some of the projects they are working on 23 including, agreements in process to implement solar rays at Chapel Hill and East Chapel Hill 24 high schools, a grant application in process to introduce electric busses in the CHCCS fleet, re- 25 tamping at several schools, composting and waste diversion pilot programs at high schools, 26 middle schools, and elementary schools, new gardens have been built, and also looking at 27 storm water management surveys and remediation at all locations. 28 Carrie Doyle, OCS Board of Education Chair, thanked all in attendance for this 29 opportunity for discussion. She highlighted some of the achievements from the 2021-22 school 30 year. She said the five-year strategic plan was launched this winter in alignment with the OCS 31 Equity Plan. She referenced the images below, which were provided to attendees in a handout: 3 STRATEGIC PLAN ;w A strategic plan is our north star and our road map. It explains our district's mission,our vision, how we'll achieve ourgoals,and howwe'll measure our progress. It also explainsour care values and beliefs.The belief statements define whatmotivates us.Theyhelp us prioritize and work to make the future we want a reality.Through this strategic plan, we'll keep our team accountable as we strive toward greatness for our students. MISSION OCS VISION Educating students in a safe, Preparinlg every learner For whereinclusive environment lifelong service and we engage,WCES challenge, success inspire them to reach their maximum Val potential r f T STATEMENTSEF 4 Div- mo{ ut tudents e■ !•Equity 4. Prioritize 5. Provide Erwhronment G. Serve the Whole 7 Inclusive Culture&Climate Starts with Us ■11S. Accountability 9. Collaborate D*Great FF 1 4 STRATEGIC PLAN fe Goal 1:Teaching Tomorrow's Leaders Through a multi-tiered system of support(MTSS),all Iearners wiII excel by having access to and benefiting from a rigor ouscurriculum and instruction that is research and evidence based to prepare them for college,career,and civic engagement. • Equity Emphasis:Iden j1y ano address in egUJe5 in curricuium and Msvocdon,in ander W ciose df e achievemen t access and opportunity gaps. Goal 2:Excellence&Efficiency Th e district will provide exemplary operational support to sch ools,staff,an d the commun ity to en sure a focus on student learn ing. • EquityErnphesis:Ens cue eq c,WWedisrribution ofhOman,f1seay,and CV0tuf,esource5across Orange Co Unty Seha ois. Goal 3:Exemplary Staff Recruit,hire,support,and retain culturally proficient and high-quality staff committed to providing all students with an excellent education in awelcoming environment. • Equity Ernpheais:l-6re and retain 5Wf1 thatrefyecn bye diversity of the district rrurror5 the demographics of dee OCS studen tpop u+aJon and who are committed to becoming CUyLLM#Y prafrcient Goal 4:Empowering Culture Cultivate supportive partnerships amo n g fam il i es,schools,and community stak eh o I ders to support students well being and ensure all students havewhatthey need to be successful. + Equity Ernphasis:ddentify and remove barriers and engage in cu+turaffy responsive pracbce5 b7at5tiengthen co nnec�o fly and ca MM on ica Jon wi b`1 families,5tuden L5,and dee co MM uni ty. How It All ''Works Together rs � Ts®P,■ra aoft u®,taw .re inmwt • "" 14m rrlag and aoEeJetaie 1 2 Carrie Doyle read the Strategic Plan Goals and Equity Emphases on the image above. 3 She said some of the Commissioners were able to attend the hard launch of the Strategic Plan 4 at Central Elementary School in early April. She said OCS is seeing improvements in literacy 5 due to changes in curriculum and alignment with the Science of Reading. She said teachers are 5 1 working on letters training and have implemented the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness 2 curriculum. She said this has resulted in impressive command of beginning and ending sounds 3 in students K-2, as well as the ability to rearrange and recombine words to change one rhyming 4 word into another. She said the 10-12-minute daily curriculum, builds phonological and 5 phonemic awareness. She said this instruction is important because research shows that 75% 6 of students who do not read proficiently by third grade never reach reading proficiency. She 7 referenced the image below to demonstrate student achievement: STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT 5Y21-22 Beginning of Vt!ar(BOY)&Middle of Vt!ar(MG[Y) Reading and Math Data [--w C: ■•,ell Beow rseriu+rnd" a Be[,)*Ben{renark N At deAcnrrark f AAXa a WKl'. .r Nc IDF4 v Grade Ixetee,re uae, ICa„psarmerlsul�aga�raxa wldsr pa¢Ide[roq orange county I 4� .+•,� schiwls[NC] 'all 10,1 v brade4 raot-D=i.ICarnpWm Mm eresulaagairadawidarpapdxinrd orange caunly 2 Z tsar ia_ea„x,. 455 iehaw4s[hlCl 4511 ,% Grade 2 ReT@renoe�a[d 14 c++,paoe R,FSe rp5Ulr5 dgdlrG d'arider L@ Orange County - ._5':'.'r SIN schca4s[Me1 a _o.rscr 497 v made 3 Rarvia,¢.nary ICc pe,e Mme results agair-a rider—pu at—4 Drange C*unty ••. inku;y Ili, 4G¢i5Y Gni s,thaals[”'q 112117tti:i 210.55 . negtiA►yt E The data in this table shows the change in composite scores between the Beginning-of-Year(BOY)and Middle-of-Year(MOY) on the DIBELS 8th Edition reading assessment. This data showsthat each grade level has experien ced growth between the beg inning of the year and m iddl e of the year assessor ents. BOY Math at MCYtr Math,at % BOY Math% N40Y Maih% x BOY Math 96 MUY Math% % High Risk Hi4fh Risk Change at Moderate at Modera-e Change at Low Risk at Lava Risk Change 'Grade Risk Risk k 30% 19% 119 271/6 1695 996 43% 65% 23% 1 36% 24% 124 18$b 15% 3% 4696 61% 15% 2 28% 2716 1% 22% 15% 7% 50% 58% 8% 3 2946 23% 69 21•/ 1S9a 696 1 50% 62% 12% 4 25% 19% 6% 171,6 1596 2% 58% 66% 896 5 23% 16% 7% 16:.+6 10% 5% 61% 74% 13% F ]'y, 29% -1D95 18% 17% 155 63% 54% -9% 18% 4% 19% 14% 54 59% 68% 95?: 8 =; 23% 1°0 22�; 1FS% 599% 55 Here we see the AWP Math BOY to MOY risktransition data in the same comparison format as the reading data was previously presented.We can look at our kindergarten data as an example of the overall trends seen from BOYto MOY in the area of m ath.I n thefall,30%of tested kindergarten students were at high risk aa:ording to AWP, and in the Winter,19%of tested kindergarten students were at high risk,for an 11%positive Mange.These 8 results are similar to results seen in almost all grade levels K-8 in math. 9 Carrie Doyle said OCS is continuing to grow in its ability to serve and engage its diverse 10 community. She said bilingual family liaisons were hired in the summer of 2020 and have been 6 1 helpful in establishing effective communication with families, especially those where English is 2 not their first language. She said OCS is looking to hire another family liaison to assist in 3 communications with families where there is longstanding distrust. She said that community 4 connectedness is crucial. She said that the family liaisons have regularly offered Parent 5 Academies in several languages to discuss report cards, Power School, FAFSA, and computer 6 classes. She said OCS is in the process of securing a bilingual office assistant at each school, 7 currently there are eight. She said OCS is looking at ELA curriculum changes, more 8 development for teachers with PLC training, and is in the process of selecting a new SEL 9 curriculum. 10 Chair Price made opening comments on behalf of the Board of Commissioners. She 11 noted the importance of technology and internet access for education, economic development, 12 agricultural and rural businesses, health care, and more. She said the pandemic highlighted the 13 need for broadband in all households to ensure a sound basic education. She said the county 14 assisted some families during the pandemic with hot spots, but this assistance was temporary 15 and insufficient. She said broadband is essential to bringing equity and closing the achievement 16 or opportunity gap. She announced that on April 26, 2022, the Board voted on a contract with 17 North State Communications to deploy broadband in the unserved areas of the county. She said 18 the plan will provide access to at least $9,898 households and there is a list of precise locations 19 to be served. She said the county will continue to add households to the list if it is discovered 20 they have been omitted inadvertently. She said the plan allocates $10 million in ARPA funding 21 as a grant to North State to offset the capital cost of a rural fiber deployment. She said the total 22 cost of the project is around $45 million. She said that current service pricing is available on the 23 North State website, and the contract requires North State to provide a 200 MBPS package for 24 $40 per month until at least two years after construction is complete. She said service will be 25 available to households on a staggered schedule, with the first services being available in the 26 spring of 2023, and all identified locations being completed by December 31, 2024. She said the 27 contract also includes standards and metrics for customer service, network quality, and 28 reliability, to ensure a responsive and reliable network for residents who choose to subscribe. 29 She said the Board cares deeply about children in Orange County and wants to work with 30 school systems to prepare students to compete and thrive in a global 21St century society. 31 Will Dudenhausen invited Carrie Doyle to discuss school safety. 32 Carrie Doyle said it has been a good year health-wise despite the challenges. She said 33 the demands on teachers, nurses, principals, and staff, has been immense at times, and she 34 appreciates all those who persevered. She said OCS tightened down on masks during the 35 Omicron surge. She said that if 2% of any school's student population tests positive, then that 36 site returns to mandatory indoor masking for one week. She said most weeks, schools have had 37 numbers in the single digits, and the 2% threshold has only been passed at two sites over six 38 weeks. She said after one week of mandatory indoor masking, those sites have returned to few 39 or zero cases. She said OCS is continuing to use outdoor spaces, which were built up during 40 the pandemic, and is providing masks and onsite testing. She said OCS has also recently 41 broadened opportunities for visiting and volunteering in schools. She invited Will Atherton to 42 speak. 43 Will Atherton said OCS has a new director of security to ensure a comprehensive and 44 consistent approach across all schools in case something happens. He said OCS has also 45 assigned a Head of Custodians at each school that looks at all facilities windows and doors and 46 identifies issues and addresses them as quickly as possible. He said OCS is also working with 47 SROs to ensure they are walking around campuses and doing thorough checks as well. He said 48 many security improvements cannot be discussed publically, for obvious reasons, but said this 49 is an area of focus for OCS. 50 Carrie Doyle said a couple of schools need roadway or sidewalk improvements, 51 particularly for schools that are beside one another. She said there are some risks to 7 1 pedestrians due to traffic and the roadway, as well as risks to students walking between 2 schools. She said there have also been some right of way issues come up at school sites. She 3 said she is looking forward to communications with the Board, CHCCS, and law enforcement 4 partners going forward for a clear understanding of how to address the unique issues as each 5 school site. She said OCS is interested in exploring the opportunity for ordinances to prevent 6 disruption to school operations. 7 Will Atherton said there is a program between Cedar Ridge High School and Grady 8 Brown Elementary for high school students to read to elementary school students. He said it is 9 dangerous for students to walk across the street, so this is an additional reason to investigate 10 this issue. 11 George Griffin discussed school safety from CHCCS. He said in July 2020 the school 12 board voted to establish a school safety task force in response to community concerns about 13 revisiting the presence of School Resource Officers (SROs) in schools. He said that the public 14 comment and discourse at the time reflected national conversation on the role of law 15 enforcement in society. He said that some were for, and some were against the SROs in the 16 schools. He said at that time, the Board of Education asked the taskforce to take a broader look 17 at safety and security and look at the best methods to create a safe and welcome environment 18 in all schools rather than just focus on SROs. He said in July 2021, CHCCS Administration 19 reported their work to the Board of Education and received approval for a one-year interim MOU 20 for SROs with local law enforcement agencies. He said they also extended the administration 21 safety and security review to June of 2022. He said this was done because the administration 22 noted that the pandemic impacted CHCCS administration's ability to connect with the 23 community effectively. He said they did not feel that there had been sufficient involvement of 24 students, staff, and community input. He said they came to the Board and asked to reorganize 25 their work. He said a guiding council was developed and they have identified strategies by 26 examining school policies and practices. He said the central organizing question for each group 27 was "What do students and staff need to feel and be to be safe in CHCCS. He said the work 28 council will be presenting their recommendations and report to the school board in June 2022. 29 He said that a draft of the strategies has been shared preliminarily with school board. He said 30 that in addition to school safety and security, the Board of Education will be reviewing options 31 for SRO program as well. 32 Will Dudenhausen invited any questions or comments. 33 Commissioner McKee asked if outside access to classrooms had been corrected. 34 George Griffin said CHCCS still has classrooms with doors to the outside. He said they 35 would love to change that. 36 Commissioner McKee said he wondered if those doors with outside access had been 37 incapacitated. 38 Rani Dasi said CHCCS has plans to address that as part of the long-term capital plan. 39 Carrie Doyle said several of the elementary schools still have classrooms with doors to 40 the outside, but said the doors lock automatically so are not accessible to the public. She said 41 that she believes the parents enjoy the outside access. 42 Patrick Abele said based on the physical design in older buildings, some classrooms are 43 built with outside access. He said another area OCS wants to continually address is mobile 44 units for classrooms vs. brick and mortar. He said anytime students are in mobile classrooms, it 45 presents the same concern as classrooms with outside doors. 46 Commissioner Bedford said she and Chair Price meet with NCDOT quarterly and ask 47 about sidewalk improvements at Cedar Ridge and Grady Brown, but that she is not sure if they 48 have asked about improvements for Orange Middle and High Schools. She said their next 49 meeting is in May they can mention that. She asked for a map of the issue at Orange Middle 50 and High School so they can better present. 8 1 Commissioner Hamilton said she petitioned the Board to look at ordinances related to 2 safety and procedures for large gatherings and demonstrations on school campuses. She said 3 she is not sure when that will come back, but that is something the Board heard and is open to 4 addressing. 5 Chair Price said that issue was discussed at a School Collaboration meeting and 6 discussion is slated to happen by the end of this school year so that there will be a plan for the 7 next school year. 8 Bonnie Hammersley said the petition Commissioner Hamilton brought forward about 9 large gatherings will be discussed at the Board's work session on May 10, 2022. 10 Chair Price said it would be good to know from both school systems the amount of 11 funding it would take to address the issue of outside access to classrooms. She said it would be 12 helpful to know how many schools need issues addressed. She said that the exterior doors 13 concern her because of the incidents that could occur with people walking into the classrooms. 14 She said that it is about making sure campuses are safe for children. 15 Riza Jenkins said CHCCS is looking at both short term and long-term solutions to this 16 issue. She said some of the structural changes are long term, but in the short term, staff has 17 been working on adding and closing in fences around schools for outside classrooms and 18 mobile classrooms. She said that the perimeter is being looked at first and once that is secured 19 then the buildings can. She said the buildings will take more money and time. 20 Chair Price asked if Carrboro High School was supposed to be enclosed. 21 Rani Dasi said the schools in CHCCS that come to mind with classrooms that have 22 immediate access to the outside are Frank Porter Graham, Estes Elementary, Sewall 23 Elementary, and Carrboro Elementary. She said administration is working on the long-term plan 24 for Capital and it should be available to share in the summer. 25 Chair Price said she thought that Carrboro High School also had issues with securing 26 the perimeter around the cafeteria. 27 Commissioner Bedford said that Carrboro High's cafeteria is designed to expand when 28 they have a need to fit more students and that may be what she is thinking of. 29 Commissioner Hamilton said the Capital Needs Work Group hopes to work between the 30 county and school systems to have a long-range plan that will address all the capital needs of 31 schools and the financing needed. She said it is important to keep in mind all the capital needs 32 that need to be addressed. 33 George Griffin said the operations department has done a thorough analysis of safety 34 needs in the buildings. He said he does not want to share details in public, but classrooms are 35 kept locked, staff wears badges, and there has been a lot of attention to what can be done 36 immediately. He said that while they are not discussing the issues in detail in public, the safety 37 needs have been addressed and reviewed. 38 Will Dudenhausen invited CHCCS to discuss school mental health. 39 Riza Jenkins said that prior to COVID-19, 1 in 5 children had mental health disorders, 40 but only 20% received care. She said the pandemic exacerbated existing disparities in mental 41 health services. She said that access to mental health support is a strategy and that CHCCS 42 has implemented some to address these challenges. She said that in January 2022, CHCCS 43 made a commitment to prioritize social-emotional well-being of every staff and student in the 44 district. She said the commitment entailed creating an intentional timeline of the school day to 45 set a tone for both self-care for students and staff through increasing the school capacity for 46 compassion and wisdom. She said the school support system developed a website, CHCCS 47 Cares, which serves as one stop shop for everything social-emotional and mental health. She 48 said it also served to spotlight successes and create advocate relationships in emotional safety. 49 She said that they also need quantitative information. She said they have been implementing 50 their social and emotional screener to every student for almost three years. She said that the 51 student response rate has increased, and they encourage all students to be open to tell them 9 1 their social and emotional needs. She said they continue to do additional assessments in the 2 social and emotional engagement, and these determine strengths and opportunities as the 3 district continues to implement SEL. She said that another assessment that has launched is the 4 two solutions in one assessment tool (behavioral threat assessment tool). She said this looks at 5 suicide risk assessment and the behavioral threat assessment. She said both are proven 6 methods to help prevent acts of violence in the schools. She said that it provides the 7 administrators the tools they need to monitor interventions and progress. She said they are 8 currently providing training for all staff related to mental health and safety. She said that this 9 year they launched and innovative learning and training platform designed specifically for their 10 school staff. She said it is web based and self-paced. She said these courses are offered by 11 experts in their fields and complies with the state training requirements. She said that staff has 12 access to the training, and it provides a library of resources. She said that additional training 13 has been provided to address ongoing trends of suicide in teens. She said that in the future they 14 are looking at potentially doing a summer vaccine clinic for middle school and high schoolers. 15 She said that in response to the opioid crisis, they are implementing Narcan training and 16 supplies to all secondary school nurses. She said that they are in the midst of filling the nurse 17 positions for middle and elementary schools and working on an RFP for mental health 18 professionals. She said that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the theme is 19 awareness, moving forward to acceptance. She said that awareness is not enough, and that the 20 community must take responsibility for all mental health and share resources without 21 judgement. She said that the school support and wellness provides mental health resources for 22 students, staff, and community. 23 Bonnie Hauser said she appreciates the inclusion of mental health in this discussion. 24 She said it has been a tough couple of years and they appreciate the ongoing collaboration with 25 the county. She said relationships are essential to students' success in school. She said that is 26 especially important post-COVID. She said it is challenging to build these relationships when 27 there is a shortage of school staff, after two years of remote learning, distancing requirements, 28 and extensive absences. She said teachers are exhausted from the two years of remote and 29 hybrid learning and are now facing issues being back in person like absenteeism and behavior 30 on top of learning recovery. She said that students are re-learning how to deal with structured 31 routine and a rigorous school day. She said that she is not sure any school district was 32 prepared for the behavioral challenges that would be faced. She said there are many 33 behavioral challenges every day that come from children simply learning how to sit in a seat, 34 show up on time, and participate in class. She said they are daily challenges and that they need 35 help. She said OCS has asked for funds in the budget to increase salaries for certified and 36 classified staff. She said they need to stabilize staff in the schools for the children. She said it 37 will take every employee, not just teachers, to stabilize the social support structure for the 38 students. She said they have worked with Renaissance to provide mental health services, but 39 they are understaffed and overworked. She said they would like to explore working more closely 40 with Orange County Social Services to provide support to students. She said that in North 41 Carolina the ratio of students to social workers is half of the national average. 42 Carrie Doyle said a few of them just came from the My Voice, My Lens exhibit and that 43 the artist involved with that was also working directly with one of the students at Orange County 44 High School. She said this is an example of the ability to foster belonging and inclusion for all 45 their students. She said there have been qualitative and collaborative efforts between the 46 districts to foster mental health. She said there are mental health clubs at all the high schools 47 now. She said some of the soft/cultural things are being done to support mental health and 48 sense of belonging. She said that the Say Something anonymous reporting app has been vital 49 to reporting instances where there is a safety threat. She said some of the schools are very 50 consistent in their approach to behavior management, for example, the PBIS training used by 51 Grady Brown. She said that she was visiting a classroom there and the kids were signaling with 10 1 their hands and different gestures to show their agreement in the conversation, and she asked 2 them what they were doing, and they responded that they were using skills they learned in the 3 PBIS training. She said that there are different tactics being used at different schools and that 4 having different approaches at different schools presents a challenge. She said they have a 5 new director of MTSS, and she is overseeing implementation of tier 1 and tier 2 supports. She 6 said that she started off the schools with a self-assessment of where they are with MTSS and 7 some of them said they are already doing it and some of them said we do not know how to do 8 that yet. She said they need more consistent implementation. She said they have done a lot of 9 work to meet that need by contracting with mental health services. She referenced the image 10 below: INCREASE IN NEED FOR SOCIALAND 1 EMOTIONAL Indj,lRfofs of Sfuclents At-Risk w °" ■t°�,' IF Referrals up in all areas • All Mental Health referrals increased by snore than 100% 10 . Suicide referrals, Specifically up by 93% rr ENGAGE CHALLENQE- INSPIRE. SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING LpYY.MtTfl1 Social and Emotional Learning is the process through which all young people and adults . acquire and apply the knowledge,skills,and wa.rr attitudes to develop healthy identities, . manage emotions,and achieve personal and collective goals. a feel and show empathy for others, . astablish and maintain supportive relationships, and qel . make responsible and caring decisions. CHALLENGE.. •7S.PIRE. 11 12 Carrie Doyle said OCS has recently been able to hire another school psychologist. She 13 said that they recently restructured their EC department to repurpose a couple of positions so 14 that there is a 504 medical coordinator and a mental health case management coordinator. She 15 said they are providing more funding to lead school counselors and social workers that are 16 helping at a district level. She said they are trying to support teacher and staff needs because 17 they are incredibly taxed so they are providing additional work days when possible. 11 1 Will Dudenhausen invited any questions or comments. 2 Commissioner Fowler said she has felt the increase in mental health needs as a 3 pediatrician. She said if she refers to a therapist/psychiatrist, there is a months-long wait, so 4 there are few resources and options. She said there are not many options available. She said 5 that she is extremely thankful for the fact the schools have involved themselves in addressing 6 this need. She asked if CHCCS is planning to contract out for mental health providers. 7 Riza Jenkins said there are challenges in finding mental health professionals. She said 8 that contracting out is a temporary solution. She said that they are still trying to fill positions 9 where there are gaps. 10 Commissioner Fowler said this is a difficult problem with no easy solution. 11 Rani Dasi said there is a national effort to fund mental health services in schools, but 12 there is a problem with the supply chain and availability of labor. She said that as a country 13 there is a need to invest in earlier stages to provide the support. She said they are trying to find 14 the help but it is challenging. 15 Commissioner Greene said this is a problem that is nation-wide because so many of the 16 systems in place are failing students, and it is failing teachers and school staff. She said that 17 she is grateful for the work they are doing. She said there is a need to support the schools. 18 Chair Price asked how schools anticipate funding these mental health professional 19 positions. 20 Rani Dasi said they start by requesting local funding because the state will likely take 21 longer to acknowledge this as an issue to be addressed in the budget. She said that Gov. 22 Cooper has talked and done some work around this but not to the extent needed. 23 Dr. Felder said some funding comes through state allocation, but it is typically not 24 enough. She said some funding comes from local funds and some funds from Exceptional 25 Children. 26 Chair Price asked if going forward the schools will rely on money provided locally. 27 Dr. Felder said yes. 28 Rani Dasi said interviews have been conducted for the positions, and the RFP for 29 contracted services is being done as a backup. She said there are six diverse applicants that 30 have been interviewed. She said all of the funding provided last year was used for mental 31 health. 32 Commissioner Bedford said Orange County changed Managed Care Organizations 33 (MCO) on December 1, 2021. She encouraged people to call the Alliance hotline for support 34 services. She asked them to report to the Board if they hear the hotline is unresponsive. She 35 said she mentioned at school collaboration that they are at the point of trying to find provider for 36 the crisis diversion center and they have reached out to RHA, the provider of the crisis diversion 37 center in Asheville, and because of needs of the needs of children, they have put serving 38 everyone age four and above back in the model for the crisis diversion facility. She said that 39 they will be engaging with the schools at a future time and asked them to send anyone that they 40 know of that might be interested in providing services their way. 41 Bonnie Hauser asked how to make sure families without access to medical care have a 42 place to go and someone to reach out to when they need help. She said schools see the need 43 and asked how schools and social services can work together on families that they both serve. 44 She said that the Family Success Alliance is doing cool stuff and asked how they can continue 45 to work together. 46 Commissioner Bedford that the school nurses were the contact tracers during the first 47 year of COVID-19 and that they provide a natural connection to the Health Department that can 48 be built upon. 49 Carrie Doyle said state funding doesn't cover all services, so anything beyond that would 50 need to come through local funding. 12 1 Bonnie Hauser said that in the conversation about masters pay for teachers many 2 people don't realize that includes the social services counselors as well for a loss of the masters 3 pay. 4 Chair Price asked how many nurses, counselors, and other professionals there are in 5 schools now. 6 Rani Dasi said there are nurses in all schools now. She said they will provide information 7 on counselors and mental health providers during their budget presentations. She said they are 8 trying to work toward having psychologists in schools. 9 Chair Price asked if that was two in each high school or just two for high school. 10 Rani Dasi said two in each high school. 11 Carrie Doyle said there is a nurse in every OCS school and that there are currently no 12 vacancies. She said that they have added a floating nurse position, which is now vacant. She 13 said that they have had some recent vacancies in the school counselor positions. 14 Dr. Felder said there is one counselor per school in elementary schools, 4 at high 15 schools, and around 2-3 at middle schools. She said the ratio of counselors to students is very 16 high, so there is a need for more. She said that if they were only funding through the state 17 allotment then there would be even fewer counselors without local funding. 18 Rani Dasi said CHCCS has mental health providers in high schools and will be adding 19 those to elementary schools with local funding. 20 Chair Price asked where the schools send students if they have a mental health need at 21 school. 22 Rani Dasi said the front line is nurses and counselors, who are increasingly 23 overburdened. She said that this continues to be a challenge. She said that the UNC System 24 can't support the need for extreme crisis situations in the community. She said they do what 25 they can with the frontline but there is an intense need for mental health services. She said that 26 if they do not have community care provided then their only help is at school. 27 Will Dudenhausen asked OCS to speak on Teacher Retention and Recruitment. 28 Sarah Smylie said there is a national shorage of educators and that has been growing 29 for years and gotten worse because of challenges with the pandemic, challenges in the state 30 with school funding, and even a lack of salary adjustment for inflation for teacher pay. She said 31 there is also a shortage of teachers of color and college students of color interested in going 32 into education. She said that staff is exhausted. She said that OCS has lost their competitive 33 edge with compensation. She said that some other surrounding districts are offering higher 34 compensation. She said that their certified teacher supplement is the lowest in the region. She 35 said that their classified pay is below the regional market thus leading to an increase in 36 turnover. She said they need to retain and attract talent to school system. She said teacher 37 attrition has improved over past 2 years but still not to where they need it to be. She said that 38 OCS has standardized recruitment and hiring practices. She said that the human capital team is 39 working to diversity their candidate pool through recruiting at HBCUs. She said that they have 40 had some success with the TA to teacher program and that this has helped increase the staff 41 diversity. She said that the use of some ESSER funding for retention bonuses and pay 42 incentives helped reinforce the value put on staff. She said that some of the things that the team 43 is working on is further expanding Grow Your Own so more staff can become teachers. She 44 said they are expanding collaboration with Elon University and North Carolina Central University 45 for teacher intern placement and teacher recruitment. She said that the budget is focused on 46 supporting, retaining, and recruiting staff. She said to make further progress, more people need 47 to be brough to the district. She said the budget request is still not fully sufficient for everything 48 that is needed. She said student and staff mental health is a huge need. She said if there are 49 opportunities, hopefully they can leverage partnerships for teacher and staff mental health 50 support. 13 1 Michael Sharp said that teachers have been asked to perform a monumental task. He 2 said that when thinking about the teachers that have chosen to leave the profession, they have 3 to think about that not only has it been overwhelming, but the added attention of public scrutiny 4 has increased. He said that there is a domino effect that when teachers resign, remaining 5 teachers still have to make sure that all that work gets done, which exacerbates the problem. He 6 said that in retaining, they need to maintain competitiveness, but also need to be fully staffed 7 across the board. He said that they need to look at whaty their true needs are. He said that they 8 want to make sure that Orange County remains the premier destination for teachers and 9 families moving to the area for the best schools. He said CHCCS is also in partnership with 10 HBCUs like NC Central, and are working on the TA to Teacher program. He said that this will 11 improve diversity hires as well. He said they are doing more support of student-teachers, 12 including networking for them so they can look for job opportunities here. He said they are trying 13 to identify talent in the high schools and Grow Your Own sort of programs within that. He said 14 that these will make an impact on recruitment, but retention will need assistance from the 15 budget. 16 Will Atherton thanked the commissioners and Sportsplex for free Sportsplex 17 memberships and said he has heard positive feedback from teachers. 18 Commissioner McKee asked if 2/3 of the EC teachers have left. 19 Michael Sharp said he was using that as an example. 20 Commissioner McKee asked what percentage of teachers left last year in each school 21 system. 22 Rani Dasi said it continues to change, but CHCCS can report back with that data. She 23 said that is a tough question and they are seeing the impacts of other districts that are offering 24 $6,000 hiring bonuses. 25 Commissioner McKee said he would have thought the data would be ready since it is a 26 big deal. 27 Commissioner Fowler said she spoke to the the CHCCS SNAC Chair recently and there 28 were 24 vacancies for EC and 60 for general education in CHCCS. She said there were also EC 29 TA vacancies. 30 Commissioner McKee said that information is helpful. He said knowing the percentages 31 helps him quanitify the need. He said he would like to know the percentages that have left the 32 schools in the last year. 33 Rani Dasi said she wasn't prepared for details today, but will provide them at the budget 34 presentation. 35 Carrie Doyle said in 19-20 there was a 19% attrition rate, and 20-21 that was reduced to 36 12.5%. 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Csninq linMra"ionil F_.s iliwor Schnrat NUTS central office eertdied ldacarlcles GY.irls Eur_.6.aerfDie .rfAa .Qirsrlur x.k�.rWTa Lucrdin�lovs i�sciala{x C'ixH iY Srhai]Ii IG.+i--i .i:Zla'01l glAiy.r.uL C. - 'i:c'YI H: fth Warr;riu si L15[wI :rifal Wyrki;ri CiO a" xnmunl3i.i.. it -:;,:el}Faclicaior STEM CocPdina:or -L erQjr Spacialiu EC Prak Taachar SpWalsc fduuuonTl Diagn ;ticlan School PsarcholgrL 3 4 Carrie Doyle said EC has experienced the biggest loss. 5 Commissioner McKee said he would appreciate percentages to help him contextualize 6 the need going into budget discussions. 7 Commissioner Greene asked about the literacy coach position for OCS. She said she 8 thinks the position was created a couple of years ago. 9 Carrie Doyle said there is a new director of literacy and it is not a vacant position. 10 Dr. Felder said the literacy coach vacancy is for one particular school, rather than the 11 district. 15 1 Commissioner Greene clarified that the literacy coach position created a couple of years 2 ago was for the whole district. 3 Dr. Felder said yes. 4 Sarah Smylie said that OCS has had literacy coaches for several years and they have 5 recently added math coaches. She said that when there are teacher vacancies then the literacy 6 coach helps cover in the classroom. She said that is an example of how classroom vacancies 7 have other effects. 8 Commissioner Bedford said that in full disclosure the SNAC Chair is her daughter-in-law. 9 Commissioner Hamilton said that her first career was as a labor economist. She said the 10 jobs that we are seeing so many exit from now are done traditionally by women, and traditionally 11 underpaid. She said that COVID exposed that people were working and not getting adequate 12 compensation for their service work. She said that was supported by a societal lack of valuing 13 human service work. She said that now she is a therapist that social workers are also leaving 14 the profession and are overworked. She said she is happy to hear all strategies that the schools 15 are using to recruit and retain. She said that she is happy to hear that come to them so they can 16 think about how to support the schools. She said they are seeing the same shortage of people 17 at the Board of Health. 18 Commissioner McKee asked if the same amount of people are leaving at higher 19 administrative positions above principal level. 20 Rani Dasi said the percentages are lower but they know they are overburdened. She 21 said that the majority of resignations are for teacher and TA positions. She said that they have 22 had 107 teachers leave this school year. She said that continues to increase as other districts 23 have higher supplements and offer bonuses. 24 Sarah Smylie said she isn't sure for OCS, but there are a lot of vacancies across the 25 board at a national level. 26 Commissioner McKee asked what reasons are being given for the attrition rate for 27 teachers. 28 Rani Dasi said like with any attrition, there is variety. She said attrition to other districts 29 and outside of the state. She said they are hearing consistently that people are leaving the 30 education profession overall. 31 Riza Jenkins said people are leaving for signing bonuses, more flexibility with other 32 professions, and remote positions with higher pay. 33 Carrie Doyle said they have been conducting exit surveys and the reasons are similar. 34 She said that some is financial, some is driving distance, some get offers in their counties. She 35 said that they have attracted people with their redesign because that appeals to some teachers 36 and other teachers that might not want to change and they decide to leave. 37 Commissioner McKee said he has talked to about a dozen teachers in the last six 38 months and none of them have mentioned salary as a reason they have left. He said that some 39 of the reasons he is hearing is a lack of discipline in the schools, workload, lack of support from 40 central office staff, and lack of support from management and teachers. He said they do not feel 41 supported. He said he finds it interesting that none of those reasons were mentioned by the 42 school board. He said that the feedback he is hearing is in the community and it is started to 43 feed on itself. He said that they are burnout on virtual learning and they are overburdened with 44 their workload. He said the elementary teachers that he has talked to say there is a desperate 45 need for TAs in those classrooms. He said that the inability to teach several different learning 46 abilities in one classroom is another major reason to them. He said that he is not saying he 47 knows the answer but he is relaying what he has been told and there is a disconnect. He said 48 they need to figure out the disconnect. He said he is sure they will have to increase salary to 49 match local costs of living. He said that a teacher in the rural areas is not being paid what it 50 costs here, but there is a higher cost of living here. He asked when budget requests are 16 1 received, will there be a carve out of requests specifically for salary increases to retain and 2 attract people. 3 Rani Dasi said there may be some semantic differences in what the Boards of Education 4 are sharing and what he is hearing from teachers. She said that they have heard about wanting 5 more work/life balance, more flexibility, and they are working to create those environments. He 6 said that their entire budget ask is focused on teacher and staff benefits, including support 7 services. She said they need to feel safe and supported in the classrooms. She said she 8 appreciates his outreach to teachers and that she does not think they are that far apart in what 9 they are hearing. 10 Carrie Doyle echoed Rani Dasi's comments. 11 Ashton Powell said that as a teacher a lot of this is related to mental health. He said that 12 personally, he is on medical leave from the School of Science and Math from work related 13 stress. He said that the stress of being a student in today's world is also impacting teachers. He 14 said that he still feels guilty having to take time to deal with his mental health because he knows 15 the impact that is having on the workload of his fellow teachers. He said that their careers 16 changed four times in three years. He said that he is not as optimistic about the survival of 17 public administration as others are because they were getting crushed before the pandemic and 18 now they are barely surviving. He said there needs to be more adults on campuses to do the 19 work. 20 Commissioner Fowler said using pay to bring more people in lowers work load. She said 21 that recruitment and retention would lower the workload. 22 Commissioner McKee said he understands the workload and lives with a teacher that 23 was in the schools for 30 years. He said if we do not figure this out it will get worse. 24 Bonnie Hauser said there is a breakdown in the school community. She said that a lot of 25 the schools have new administration and new staff. She said that the networks and 26 relationships are being rebuilt and they are stressed. She said it is an incredibly stressful time 27 because school is not home anymore. She said they just don't have the pulse of students and 28 staff like they once did. 29 Chair Price asked how custodial staff are being supported. She said they are really 30 important in keeping the schools open and clean. 31 Patrick Abele said both in house and outsourced custodial services are being used. He 32 said they provide a very important role within school setting related to safety and cleanliness. 33 He said they have been outfitted with new tools, uniforms, and shoes. He said they also added 34 a monthly stipend to head custodians for the role they play. He said they are starting to open up 35 facilities for community use and that provides additional time for them to be on the campus. He 36 said they will ensure that they are compensated for overtime. He said they are fully staffed. He 37 said there are a few vacancies for head custodians. He said that the pandemic has exposed 38 that the outsourced services have not been performing where they should be. He said that with 39 labor and market changes the prices have increases dramatically. He said there is uncertianty 40 on the impact on future budgets. He said they are looking at bringing people back in-house 41 because they know that when they work for school district, they care about kids, school, 42 community, and will show up when they are supposed to. 43 Rani Dasi said CHCCS also has a combination of in-house and outsourced services as 44 well. She said they are working on a restructure to redisturbute custodial staff and they will have 45 more to share in the future. 46 Chair Price asked if there is a preference for in-house or contracted custodial services. 47 Rani Dasi said that for a lot of the same reasons that Patrick Abele mentioned they also 48 have a preference for the positions to be employees of the district. 49 Will Dudenhausen invited Chair Price to comment on human/community services. 50 Chair Price said they have been considering ways to retain teachers and one of the 51 ways is making sure teachers and staff can live in the communities. She said that for students, it 17 1 is important to make sure they have safe home environments. She sid that from the county side, 2 they have good partnerships with non-profits to provide some degree of workforce housing. She 3 said that gentrification is continuing to happen and they need to figure out a way to have an 4 inclusive community. She said that food is also an issue that the county partners with 5 organizations for. She said there were teachers that went to children's homes during COVID just 6 to make sure they had enough food at home. She said these situations still exist. She invited 7 other commissioners to speak on the work of the county on these topics. 8 Commissioner Bedford said she is liaison on the Board of Social Services. She said that 9 in July a lot of federally funded benefits for food an dother services will go back to pre-pandemic 10 levels. She said that is for all ages. She said that the county is trying to plan for that and use 11 ARPA funding. She said that there will be some planning to stretch those dollars and meet 12 those needs but this is bad news. She said that some families may also become ineligible for 13 benefits upon recertification. 14 Commissioner McKee said he made an information request a couple of weeks ago to 15 both Boards of Education. He said that he does not believe it proper for an elected official to ask 16 management of schools for information directly and that he did not feel it proper to ask his chair 17 to make that request for him without going through a board vote. He said that what bothers him 18 even more than not having the information relayed back to him was the implication that there 19 was a racial undertone associated with his request. He said that his request was specific 20 because of the concern of performance of the low performing and low wealth groups of 21 students. He said that there was no racial overtone to it and there will not be. He said he doesn't 22 understand why the information wasn't provided, other than it may take time to respond, 23 because it is important. 24 Ashton Powell asked if the racial overtone was that he has not received a response yet. 25 Commissioner McKee said no that it was implied that he did not go through his chair, 26 who is African American, to get the information. 27 Rani Dasi said that she can't respond to the racial overtone but that they have been 28 speaking to the issues in school and the shortages and with respect to that there are often 29 delays in even the school board receiving data that they are looking for. She said they were told 30 that county staff could provide it and she did not realize that there was still the expectation for 31 the schools to provide that information 32 Commissioner McKee said he would not have asked for the information if he did not feel 33 like it's important. 34 Carrie Doyle said there is a time component on their end and that it is not data that is 35 readily available the way it was requested, so it will take time to compile. 36 Commissioner McKee said his concern is performance of the school. He said that 37 everyone knows that the performance of the schools is nothing they can brag about, especially 38 for low wealth and certain categories of students. He said they can talk about teacher pay and 39 teacher retention but that will not change the life outcome of students with poor performance. 40 He said that the only thing that will change their life outcomes is changing their proficiency. He 41 said he does not know how to do it but he knows the outcomes. He said that he knows 42 someone that graduated as non-proficient and that he struggles collecting and interpreting data. 43 He said he will probably make it but a lot probably wont. He said you can't work at McDonalds 44 or a $10 job and make a living. He said that he has no illusion that everyone can go to Harvard 45 or be an A student. He said that every student should come out performing at the best of their 46 ability and he does not think that they are. 47 Rani Dasi said that respectfully, that is the work that they are doing. She said it feels a 48 little disingenuous for him to ask for inforamtion that takes them away from the work, without a 49 plan to fix it, but he still wants them to spend time getting the information rather than doing the 50 work. She said they are in the midst of a pandemic trying to get kids back to school, hire 51 teachers, develop curriculum, and she can't get her questions answered as a school board 18 1 member and he is asking for ten years of organizational charts that they do not have access to. 2 She said that their systems are not built that way. She said that their technology is underfunded 3 and has been consistently. She said if they are to focus on the things that work for students, 4 then they have to do the core work. She said that is where a bit of their frustration came from 5 because the work should be the priority. 6 Commissioner McKee said he does not question the commitment from the school board, 7 teachers, or administration and that he did not put a timeline on that request. He said that he 8 can assure everyone in the room that if he had asked the manager for information then he 9 expects it to be provided. He said that he has heard from both school boards that they can't get 10 the information and he does not understand why. 11 Will Dudenhausen said this sounds important and conversations need to be had, but his 12 role is to keep on track with the agenda. He said this was not on the agenda and he does not 13 have a background on it and can't facilitate the topic. 14 Chair Price asked what the plan is for the summer for feeding children and how the 15 county can support that given the need. 16 Sarah Smylie said that the federal government is also eliminating many of the waivers 17 for feeding students. She said those allowed them to feed the children and provided flexibility in 18 that process. 19 Patrick Abele said many sites are open this summer for summer programs. He said all 20 those students will be covered either through USDA funds or local dollars so that no family has 21 to pay for a meal. He said they are not sure about community summer feeding sites. He said 22 they are working with PORCH and other groups to expand offerings. 23 Rani Dasi said CHCCS has funding for a summer food program. She said there will be 24 camps and activities that also include food for the students. 25 Bonnie Hauser said schools are losing emergency authorization for hotspots. She said 26 they have been operating under special arrangements with Verizon for hotspots for $15/month 27 and they have asked them to return those because of the end of that program at the end of the 28 school year. She asked if there is a way to work with the county to provide access. 29 Patrick Abele said staff will be giving an update to OCS BOE about next steps for 30 hotspots. He said that all summer students will have access to technology. He said they are 31 asking for people to bring them in so they can reevaluate and redeploy technologies as they are 32 needed. He said there are options with different providers to make sure they have hotspots 33 available but there is a funding need for capital and technology. He said they are collecting their 34 hotspots, but they will be reissuing those to people that need them. 35 Commissioner McKee asked when they will need them back. 36 Patrick Abele said at the end of the school year but that any family that needs one can 37 contact the school and they will reissue them one. 38 Will Dudenhausen invited board chairs to make closing comments. 39 Rani Dasi thanked the boards for coming together. She said they are celebrating what is 40 going well, while recognizing more work and progress is needed. She said the CHCCS are 41 experiencing a crisis of teacher retention and recruitment, facility needs, and mental health 42 needs spanning across teachers, students, and staff. She said that they look forward to 43 continuing those discussions during the budget planning cycle. She also thanked Dr. Hamlett for 44 her leadership since she came to CHCCS in January 2021. 45 Dr. Hamlett said it is clear that county commissioners, staff, and school boards prioritize 46 safety. She said that there were a number of responses from their social-emotional learning 47 engagement analysis that they can share. She said they are thankful for the resources provided 48 by the county. She said that another takeaway is that education field is not immune to "great 49 resignation." She said that is a pandemic itself across the country. She said that it is competitive 50 in the Triangle market. She said that staff and students are redefining what success looks like in 51 public education. She said that she works alongside forty student equity ambassadors. She said 19 1 that they need to stop thinking and expecting education be what it was pre-pandemic. She said 2 that students are demanding a more personalized learning experiences, connected to real life 3 and to the needs connected to the community. She said it will be a collective collaboration to 4 achieve success. She said that they are engaging in a summer of service to access the 5 resources in the schools. She said that staff deserve to be adequately compensated. She said 6 she is encouraged by the discussion tonight. 7 Carrie Doyle thanked everyone for their collaboration and attention. She invited Dr. 8 Felder to make closing comments. 9 Dr. Felder thanked the commissioners, school boards, and staff for their work on behalf 10 of children. She said they are working hard to improve outcomes for students every day. She 11 said everything discussed tonight is tied to student outcomes. She said that Orange County 12 values children and recognizes they are their greatest asset and strive to get it right for kids. 13 She said she has never been in a county that invests in its children the way Orange County 14 does. She quoted James Baldwin, saying for these are all about children, despite where they 15 live, despite their race or other ways we identify them, they are all about children. She said that 16 as a county, state, or nation, we will either profit from or pay for whatever these children 17 become. 18 Commissioner Bedford said she values that the elected officials and staff in schools are 19 accessible. She said that she heard both superintendents at a workshop and that they did an 20 amazing job. She thanked Ashton Powell for sharing his story because it reduces stigma. She 21 said that she looks forward to the budget work session. She said this was a good discussion. 22 She said it has been a hard time to be a school board member and thanked them for their work 23 and service. She said they did a budget amendment that will go to schools and facilities. She 24 said that her other daughter-in-law is an occupational therapist for Durham Public Schools. She 25 said the workload is horrible and that this is a national issue, but is especially hard in NC due to 26 the General Assembly. She said the BOCC may not be able to fully fund budget requests, but 27 will do everything possible to support students. 28 Will Dudenhausen said he thought it was a good discussion and thanked the boards for 29 their input and work. 30 Commissioner Richards said she quiet tonight because she was interested in hearing 31 what the schools had to say. She said that she will benefit from future specifics in terms of 32 disparity and performance data. She said she hears the broad issues but would like to see 33 specifics and plans to improve. She said she wants to see the work quantified. She said she 34 would like to know when the graduating classes will be caught up to where they are supposed 35 to be. She said she is interested in where they are going to be with the investments. 36 Chair Price thanked everyone for being there and for their input and work. 37 38 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to 39 adjourn the meeting at 9:26 p.m. 40 41 Roll call ensued. 42 43 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 44 Renee Price, Chair 45 46 47 Recorded by Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board 48 49 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board. Attachment 3 1 1 DRAFT MINUTES 2 ORANGE COUNTY 3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 4 BUSINESS MEETING 5 May 3, 2022 6 7:00 p.m. 7 8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 9 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, Earl McKee (arrived at 7:02 p.m.), and Anna 13 Richards 14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Sally Greene 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 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda 23 24 Chair Price said the closed session did not need to be held at the end of the meeting. 25 26 Chair Price dispensed with reading the public charge. 27 28 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) 29 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda 30 31 Polly Dornette thanked the Commissioners for the plan to bring broadband to residents. 32 She said the plan was intended to leave no one behind, but a large section of Efland is not 33 covered. She said she had communicated for two years with Commissioner Greene and 34 Commissioner McKee, along with Jim Northrup, about inaccuracies in the map about where 35 Spectrum claims they are covering. She said Spectrum has repeatedly refused to provide 36 service to her neighborhood on Redgate Road. She said her whole neighborhood was 37 excluded from the plan. She said they were repeatedly told they would not be left behind, and 38 that she has dozens of emails that assured her neighborhood they would not be left behind. 39 She said North State does plan to cover her neighborhood as part of their other efforts, but that 40 they would not be protected by pricing or timelines established by the broadband plan. She 41 said there is no guarantee that they will be served in the timeline that everyone else is. She 42 said her neighborhood was previously quoted $20,000 by Spectrum to run service to house. 43 She said they are not protected from installation fees due to being excluded from the plan. She 44 said she was so excited by the meeting where some residents were nearly in tears, because 45 they are so desperate for broadband service. She said she was crushed that her area was 46 excluded. She wants to know why her area was excluded from the plan. She said they want to 47 be included and protected by the same things the county fought hard for for residents. She said 48 she appreciates anything that can be done to bring service to her neighborhood. 49 50 Chair Price said they would take her comments to agenda review and discuss her 51 request. 2 1 2 Commissioner McKee arrived at 7:02 p.m. 3 4 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda 5 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 6 7 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members 8 Commissioner Hamilton said that on April 28th, the Board of County Commissioners 9 and the Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Boards of Education 10 met to discuss key challenges faced by our public schools. She said she came away with one 11 clear conclusion: our schools are in crisis. She said they are losing teachers, teacher aides, 12 and students. She said the COVID-19 pandemic hit schools like an ongoing physical assault 13 and traumatized the people and the institution. She said the community needs to come together 14 to support schools so they can recover and get back to the work making sure that all students 15 reach their potential. She asked what will that take? She said what she thinks will be helpful is 16 if the community and commissioners understand what it takes to educate all children in the 21St 17 Century. She said children faces challenges that she never faced as a student, such as social 18 media and the anxiety of the pandemic and living in an uncertain world. She said they need to 19 look at how to support children, including resources. She also said they need to know the 20 questions they need to ask of the schools, so they can make sure they are doing what they can 21 to educate our children. She said that in her role as commissioner, she is ready to listen to 22 financial needs of schools and to balance their needs with the needs of others in the 23 community. She said the county has spent time and resources addressing and redressing 24 some of the inequities that have resulted from the social structure. She gave the example of the 25 Criminal Justice Resource Department's work. She said we must not forget to invest in 26 education so we don't have to spend so much money repairing the damage. 27 Commissioner Hamilton said previously the Board received a presentation from people 28 who went into assisted living facilities and nursing homes. She said they were told that 29 volunteers cannot go into the facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the group was 30 not able to monitor the care of residents. She petitioned for an update from Director of Aging if 31 it is still the case that volunteers and boards cannot go into long-term care facilities. She said if 32 it is still the case, she would like to staff to draft a letter to the state expressing the importance of 33 allowing volunteers back in to protect the rights and ensure the care of vulnerable residents. 34 Commissioner Bedford had no comments. 35 Commissioner Fowler had no comments. 36 Commissioner Richards said she visited the Efland Cheeks and Cedar Grove 37 community centers and the rural fire department in Cedar Grove. She said she got see up close 38 what the fire support is for the county and she got to do a deeper dive into the Buckhorn 39 Economic Development Area. She said when you get out and see how beautiful and spread out 40 the county is, you see it is a challenge that becomes more real when you try to meet the needs 41 of the whole county. She said she was grateful to have an opportunity to meet people in other 42 parts of the county. 43 Commissioner McKee had no comments. 44 Chair Price announced that on May 5th at 4 p.m., there will be a groundbreaking for the 45 new library. 46 47 48 3 1 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations 2 a. Length of Service Awards and Retirement Recognition of Firefighters 3 The Board recognized sixty-five (65) fire district personnel (volunteer and career) who have 4 provided a minimum of 20 years of service (average of 30 years) to Orange County, and 5 approved proclamations honoring the accomplishments of four (4) retiring firefighters. 6 7 BACKGROUND: In 2021, the Orange County Chief's Council requested that the Board of 8 Commissioners create a Length of Service Awards Program to recognize the contributions of 9 the County's firefighters. The Chief's Council proposed and approved the program criteria to 10 recognize personnel from the ten (10) in-county fire departments and one (1) volunteer rescue 11 squad that have provided at least 20 years of service or were retiring from service with a 12 minimum of 20 years. 13 14 To honor and recognize the service of fire service personnel, Orange County will present 15 service award certificates at the following intervals: 16 20 years 17 Every 5 years thereafter 18 19 To honor and recognize the fire service personnel who will be retiring each fiscal year, the 20 Board will consider proclamations recognizing the individual's achievements and contributions 21 at the following intervals: 22 Any time at or beyond 20 years of service 23 24 Emergency Services drafted the process for each department to submit names and 25 accomplishments. 26 27 Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services Director, thanked the Board for recognizing fire 28 services personnel in the community. He said they provide exceptional service. He thanked the 29 firefighters for what they do. 30 31 Commissioner McKee read the following proclamation: 32 33 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 34 35 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING 36 WILLIAM BLANKENSHIP 37 RETIRING BATTALION CHIEF, CHAPEL HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT 38 39 40 WHEREAS, in 1993, Mr. William Blankenship embarked on a career of public service by joining 41 the Chapel Hill Fire Department as a full-time firefighter; and 42 43 WHEREAS, Mr. Blankenship made numerous contributions to the Chapel Hill Fire Department 44 and ultimately reached the rank of Battalion Chief; and 45 46 WHEREAS, throughout his professional career, William Blankenship helped advance the 47 Chapel Hill Fire Department by serving in a variety of roles including Training Captain, Captain, 48 and ultimately as a Battalion Chief; and 49 50 WHEREAS, through his dedication and service to the residents of Chapel Hill and the greater 51 Orange County community, Mr. Blankenship directly contributed to creating a safer and more 4 1 resilient Orange County; and 2 3 WHEREAS, William Blankenship is retiring from the Chapel Hill Fire Department after serving 4 the residents and visitors of Orange County for twenty-nine years; 5 6 NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby recognize 7 and express deep appreciation for the invaluable service of William Blankenship to the Orange 8 County community, and wish him well in his retirement. 9 10 This the 3rd day of May, 2022. 11 12 13 14 Renee Price, Chair 15 Orange County Board of Commissioners 16 17 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, to 18 approve the Proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign it. 19 20 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 21 22 23 Commissioner Hamilton read the following proclamation: 24 25 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING 26 DAVID CHEEK 27 RETIRING CAPTAIN, CHAPEL HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT 28 29 30 WHEREAS, in 2001, Mr. David Cheek embarked on a career of public service by joining the 31 Chapel Hill Fire Department as a full-time firefighter; and 32 33 WHEREAS, Mr. Cheek made numerous contributions to the Chapel Hill Fire Department and 34 ultimately reached the rank of Captain; and 35 36 WHEREAS, throughout his professional career, David Cheek helped advance the Chapel Hill 37 Fire Department by serving in a variety of roles including Firefighter Lieutenant, and ultimately 38 as a Captain; and 39 40 WHEREAS, through his dedication and service to the residents of Chapel Hill and the greater 41 Orange County community, Mr. Cheek directly contributed to creating a safer and more resilient 42 Orange County; and 43 44 WHEREAS, David Cheek is retiring from the Chapel Hill Fire Department after serving the 45 residents and visitors of Orange County for twenty-two years; 46 47 NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby recognize 48 and express deep appreciation for the invaluable service of David Cheek to the Orange County 49 community, and wish him well in his retirement. 50 5 1 This the 3rd day of May, 2022. 2 3 4 5 Renee Price, Chair 6 Orange County Board of Commissioners 7 8 9 A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to 10 approve the Proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign it. 11 12 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 13 14 Commissioner Fowler read the following proclamation: 15 16 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 17 18 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING 19 PAUL MOSS 20 RETIRING BATTALION CHIEF, CHAPEL HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT 21 22 23 WHEREAS, in 1997, Mr. Paul Moss embarked on a career of public service by joining the 24 Chapel Hill Fire Department as a full-time firefighter; and 25 26 WHEREAS, Mr. Moss made numerous contributions to the Chapel Hill Fire Department and 27 ultimately reached the rank of Battalion Chief; and 28 29 WHEREAS, throughout his professional career, Paul Moss helped advance the Chapel Hill Fire 30 Department by serving in a variety of roles including, Captain, USAR Task Force Leader and 31 ultimately as a Battalion Chief; and 32 33 WHEREAS, through his dedication and service to the residents of Chapel Hill and the greater 34 Orange County community, Mr. Moss directly contributed to creating a safer and more resilient 35 Orange County; and 36 37 WHEREAS, Paul Moss is retiring from the Chapel Hill Fire Department after serving the 38 residents and visitors of Orange County for twenty-four years; 39 40 NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby recognize 41 and express deep appreciation for the invaluable service of Paul Moss to the Orange County 42 community, and wish him well in his retirement. 43 44 This the 3rd day of May, 2022. 45 46 47 6 1 2 Renee Price, Chair 3 Orange County Board of Commissioners 4 5 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to 6 approve the Proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign it. 7 8 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 9 10 Chair Price read the following proclamation: 11 12 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 13 14 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING 15 SCOTT TROMBLEY 16 RETIRING CAPTAIN, CARRBORO FIRE-RESCUE DEPARTMENT 17 18 19 WHEREAS, in 1995, Mr. Scott Trombley embarked on a career of public service by joining the 20 Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department as a full-time firefighter; and 21 22 WHEREAS, Mr. Trombley made numerous contributions to the Carrboro Fire-Rescue 23 Department and ultimately reached the rank of Captain; and 24 25 WHEREAS, throughout his professional career, Captain Trombley helped advance the Carrboro 26 Fire-Rescue Department by creating and assisting with the implementation of a Community Risk 27 Reduction program for the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department; and 28 29 WHEREAS, through his dedication and service to the residents of Carrboro and the greater 30 Orange County community, Scott Trombley directly contributed to creating a more safe and 31 resilient Orange County; and 32 33 WHEREAS, Captain Scott Trombley is retiring from the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department after 34 serving the residents and visitors of Orange County for twenty-six years; 35 36 NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby recognize 37 and express deep appreciation for the invaluable service of Scott Trombley to the Orange 38 County community, and wish him well in his retirement. 39 40 This the 3rd day of May, 2022. 41 42 43 44 Renee Price, Chair 45 Orange County Board of Commissioners 46 47 A motion was made by Chair Price, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, to approve the 48 Proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign it. 49 50 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 1 2 The Commissioners read in turn the names of firefighters receiving Length of Service 3 Awards. Those present came forward to be recognized. 4 Length of Service Awards Department First Name Last Name Years of Service Eno (Captain) Tim Crabtree 45 Eno (Captain) Steve Cook 30 Eno (Deputy Chief Da Ion Hayes 20 Caldwell Brad Allison 30 Caldwell James Emory 45 Caldwell Troy Blalock 35 Caldwell Andy Gates 45 Caldwell Lee Hollowell 25 Carrboro Carl Freeman 30 Carrboro David Riggs 27 Carrboro Larry Mann 24 Carrboro Keith Crabtree 22 Carrboro Chad Woods 20 Carrboro Doug Yates 20 Carrboro Huh Miles 20 Orange Rural Jeff Cabe 34 Orange Rural Mac Cabe 40 Orange Rural Adam Guttman 20 Orange Rural Pamela Robinette 20 Orange Rural David Sykes 23 Orange Rural Steve Summey 39 Orange Rural Deonza Clark 20 Orange Rural Wayne Cheek 22 Orange Rural Jeff Roberts 28 Orange Rural Wallace Wilson 49 Orange Rural David Ballard 46 Orange Rural Jim Rodgers 25 Chapel Hill S. Keith Porterfield 41 Chapel Hill Vencelin Harris 28 Chapel Hill M. Tommy Gregory 28 Chapel Hill Robert Pruitt 26 Chapel Hill James Bona 23 Chapel Hill Andrew Fuentes 23 Chapel Hill Darryl Russell 22 Chapel Hill David Sasser 22 Chapel Hill Richard Cherry 22 Chapel Hill Jose Alvarez 21 Chapel Hill Richard Bucci 21 Chapel Hill Jason Grafford 21 8 Chapel Hill Gerald Boone 21 Chapel Hill Ryan Warner 21 Chapel Hill Stacy Graves 20 Orange Grove Tommy Holmes 47 Orange Grove Tommy Griggs 46 Orange Grove Richard Sykes 45 Orange Grove Ben Nichols 43 Orange Grove Jane Waddell 34 Orange Grove Lee Terry 30 Orange Grove Bill Waddell 28 Orange Grove Ricky Baker 20 Orange Grove Allison Eaton 20 Orange Grove Bob Eaton 20 New Hope Mike Tapp 51 New Hope Eddie Walker 28 New Hope Brian Blalock 27 New Hope Cliff Carroll 38 New Hope Howard Pratt 38 Cedar Grove Jeff Borland 34 Cedar Grove Sammy Borland 34 Cedar Grove C.T. Pope 45 Cedar Grove Bill Cole 40 Cedar Grove Sydney Cole 32 Cedar Grove Andy Summers 37 Cedar Grove L.D. Summers 34 1 2 Chair Price said thanked the firefighters. She said being a first responder is tough work, 3 but that the camaraderie between them is phenomenal. She words cannot express how she 4 feels about them and the work that they do and the sacrifices they make for all. 5 Commissioner McKee said that everyone recognizes when a firetruck goes down the 6 road, it is going to save property and lives. He said what is unrecognized is that the work the 7 fire departments do can result in a reduction in homeowner's insurance. He said that the ISO 8 ratings these departments have achieved by their work and dedication is a daunting task. He 9 said for each of these departments to achieve ISO ratings that are almost as good as having 10 water systems and hydrants, and for the town systems to achieve even greater ratings because 11 of that infrastructure, is impressive. He said residents owe them a debt of gratitude because of 12 the reduction in insurance rates that go with this work. 13 Commissioner Richards thanked Bill Waddell for giving her a tour at Orange Grove fire 14 station. She said he discussed radios with her and helped her understand why they are 15 needed. She congratulated Mr. Waddell and all who were recognized. She has a much better 16 appreciation for the work they do and she is grateful for their service. 17 Commissioner Fowler congratulated the retirees. She said she is grateful for their 18 service and sacrifice for the community. She said she is in awe of the many years of service 19 that they have given. She thanked the firefighters. 20 Commissioner Bedford extended her appreciation to the firefighters for their work, which 21 she noted is round the clock, 24/7, and 365 days a year. She said it makes a big difference for 22 public safety. 23 Commissioner Hamilton congratulated the firefighters and thanked them for their service. 24 Chair Price thanked the firefighters and led a round of applause in recognition of their 25 service. 9 1 2 b. EMS Week Proclamation 3 The Board approved a proclamation designating the week of May 15 through 21, 2022, as 4 Emergency Medical Services Week in Orange County. 5 6 BACKGROUND: The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has announced that 7 the 47th annual Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week will be celebrated throughout the 8 nation on May 15 through 21, 2022, in recognition of the dedicated professionals who provide 9 emergency services to residents and visitors. EMS is now firmly established as an essential 10 public function and a vital component of the medical care continuum. On any given day, EMS 11 practitioners help save lives by responding to medical emergencies, including heart attack, 12 difficulty breathing, a fall or accident, drowning, cardiac arrest, stroke, drug overdose or acute 13 illness. EMS may provide both basic and advanced medical care at the scene of an emergency 14 and enroute to a hospital. EMS practitioners care for their patients' medical needs and show 15 caring and compassion to their patients in their most difficult moments. 16 17 With mobile integrated healthcare and community paramedicine (MIH-CP), EMS is also 18 increasingly a valued participant in achieving the nation's overall healthcare goals of improved 19 patient health and lowered costs. Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local 20 communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who 21 provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line." The Emergency Medical 22 Services system in Orange County includes Telecom municators, Fire Departments, Law 23 Enforcement Officers, Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, South Orange Rescue 24 Squad, First Choice, North State Ambulance Service, Priority Care, Emergency Nurses, 25 Emergency Physicians, County Staff, Carolina AirCare, and the University of North Carolina 26 Department of Emergency Medicine. 27 28 The Orange County Emergency Medical Services system responded to 19,378 reported 29 emergencies last year, providing EMS response, medical assessment, treatment, and 30 ambulance transportation when medically necessary. Emergency Services staffs eight (8) 31 ambulances and Two (2) paramedic certified EMS Supervisors daily. The division is staffed with 32 eight (8) EMS Supervisors, four (4) paramedic certified Field Training Officers, thirty-two (32) 33 paramedics and twenty-eight (28) emergency medical technicians who are all exceptionally 34 dedicated and skilled. Two (2) Community Paramedics have also provided invaluable service to 35 the aging population of the County. EMS providers proved indispensable throughout the 36 pandemic. EMS assisted in the staffing of the mass vaccination clinics providing over 58% of 37 the total vaccines. The Orange County Community Paramedics continued the vaccination 38 delivery to over 450 individuals who were unable to physically or safely travel to a vaccine clinic. 39 Emergency Medical Responders throughout Orange County provide a valuable service to the 40 residents and visitors and help make Orange County a safer place to live. 41 42 With the theme, "EMS: Rising to the Challenge," everyone is reminded that the Orange County 43 emergency medical services system has demonstrated exceptional ability to stand strong and 44 maintain the highest standards of care throughout the pandemic. 45 46 10 1 Commissioner Fowler read the following proclamation: 2 3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 4 5 PROCLAMATION 6 7 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK 8 9 MAY 15-21, 2022 10 11 WHEREAS, emergency medical services is a vital public service; and 12 13 WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving 14 care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and 15 16 WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery 17 rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and 18 19 WHEREAS, the emergency medical services system consists of emergency physicians, 20 emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, 21 telecommunicators, educators, administrators and others; and 22 23 WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, 24 engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their 25 lifesaving skills; and 26 27 WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency 28 medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week; 29 30 NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim the 31 week of May 15-21, 2022, as 32 33 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK 34 35 With the theme, "EMS: Rising to the Challenge," and encourage the community to observe this 36 week with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities. 37 38 This the 3rd day of May, 2022. 39 40 41 Renee Price, Chair 42 Orange County Board of Commissioners 43 44 45 Laura Jensen 46 Clerk to the Board 47 48 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, to 49 approve the proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign it. 50 51 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 11 1 2 Kim Woodward of Emergency Services thanked the Board for recognizing the hard work 3 and the resiliency of the EMS system in Orange County. She introduced the training 4 coordinator, Chasidy Kearns, and the quality assurance coordinator, Kyle Ronn. She said their 5 team demonstrates the definition of resilience. She said through the pandemic, EMS providers, 6 firefighters, and telecommunicators came to work every day, and they could not work remotely. 7 She said EMS providers are still wearing PPE and they have not relaxed any standards. She 8 said they are proud of their team. She said they lost very few paramedics and EMTs. She said 9 they survived the pandemic thanks to the forwarding leaning of the department directors, the 10 Board of County Commissioners, the County Manager, and all of the support county gave to 11 them and they are grateful. She said this week is special because it is an opportunity to 12 recognize the hard work and dedication of providers. 13 Commissioner Fowler thanked the staff for all of the work they do and for keeping the 14 county safe. 15 Commissioner Richards thanked the staff. 16 Commissioner McKee said they are part of a critical mass of people that keep us safe. 17 Chair Price said people have no idea the stress they are under even during normal 18 times, and the stress they've been under for the last two years has been tremendous. She said 19 the fact they were able to hold on to most employees speaks volumes about the work they do. 20 She said they got the county through a traumatic crisis. She thanked the staff. 21 22 c. Provider Appreciation Day Proclamation 23 The Board approved a proclamation designating May 6, 2022 as Provider Appreciation Day in 24 Orange County. 25 26 BACKGROUND: Established in 1996, Provider Appreciation Day is an annual celebration that 27 affords an opportunity to recognize the contributions of child care providers to the overall health 28 and welfare of the community and the essential role they play for the County's working families. 29 The early years of a child's life from birth to age five is the most critical time in a child's 30 development in which the brain's architecture is built and early learning sets the trajectory for 31 future success. The Orange County child care community provides critical care, education, and 32 enrichment opportunities for children of all backgrounds. The COVID-19 pandemic created 33 tremendous hardship for child care providers and the families of Orange County who depend on 34 them. However, the child care community continued to meet the needs of families while risking 35 their health and financial stability to remain open. The proclamation affirms the important role 36 the child care community plays in support of young children, their families, and the local 37 economy. 38 39 Commissioner Richards read the proclamation: 40 41 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 42 PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY PROCLAMATION 43 44 WHEREAS, Child Care Aware® of America and other organizations nationwide are recognizing 45 Child Care Providers on May 6, 2022, through Provider Appreciation Day; and 46 47 WHEREAS, Provider Appreciation Day is an annual celebration that affords an opportunity to 48 recognize the contributions of child care providers to the overall health and welfare of our 49 community and the essential role they play for our county's working families; and 50 12 1 WHEREAS, the early years of a child's life from birth to age five is the most critical time in a 2 child's development in which the brain's architecture is built and early learning sets the 3 trajectory for future success; and 4 5 WHEREAS, our child care community provides critical care and education opportunities for 6 Orange County's young children, as well as support for social and emotional development; and 7 8 WHEREAS, our child care community provides enrichment opportunities and nurtures 9 development for children of all backgrounds; and 10 11 WHEREAS, our child care providers form a vital building block of our local economy supporting 12 Orange County's families as they work; and 13 14 WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has created tremendous hardship for child care providers 15 and the families of Orange County who depend on them, who have continued to meet the needs 16 of families while risking their health and financial stability to remain open; and 17 18 WHEREAS, our future depends on the quality of the early childhood experiences provided to 19 young children today; support for high-quality child care represents a worthy commitment to our 20 children's future; 21 22 NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, hereby proclaim May 6, 23 2022, as Provider Appreciation Day, affirming the important role our child care community plays 24 in support of our young children, their families, and our local economy, and urge all residents of 25 Orange County to recognize child care providers for their work. 26 27 This the 3rd day of May 2022. 28 29 30 Renee Price, Chair 31 Orange County Board of Commissioners 32 33 A motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, 34 to approve the proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign it. 35 36 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 37 38 Commissioner Richards introduced Robin Pullver of the Partnership for Children. 39 Robin Pullver said thanked the Board for approving the proclamation and for 40 Commissioner Richards for introducing it. She said she appreciates the recognition of the 41 Board of the important role that frontline essential child care workers play in the the support, 42 care, and education of young children, their families, the county's work force and economy. She 43 said the child care community is truly the backbone of the county. 44 Chair Price said she appreciates the work they do and the importance of their work. She 45 said there needs to be more investment into early child care, because of the importance of care 46 and education at the beginning of a child's life. 47 Commissioner Richards said she thought it was fitting that it is an annual celebration the 48 Friday before Mother's Day. She said the date was appropriate for the work that child care 49 providers do to support mothers and working families. She said she couldn't not have survived 50 without good child care. 13 1 Chair Price said there are people working to raise the salaries of people working with 2 children. 3 4 d. Presentation of Manager's Recommended Fiscal Year 2022-23 Annual Operating 5 Budget 6 The Board received a presentation on the Manager's Recommended FY 2022-23 Annual 7 Operating Budget. 8 9 BACKGROUND: Each year in the month of May, the County Manager presents the Board of 10 County Commissioners with a recommended spending plan for the next fiscal year. During the 11 meeting, the Manager provides a brief presentation of the Recommended FY 2022-23 Annual 12 Operating Budget. 13 14 The Board of County Commissioners will conduct two Public Hearings - the first at 7:00 p.m. on 15 Tuesday, May 10, 2022, and the second on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 7:00 pm. In addition, the 16 Board has scheduled the following Budget Work Sessions: 17 18 May 12, 2022 - Budget Work Session with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange 19 County Schools and Outside Agencies. 20 21 May 19, 2022 - Budget Work Session with Fire Districts and County Departments within 22 the following Functional Leadership Teams: Public Safety (Courts, Criminal Justice 23 Resource Department, Emergency Services and the Sheriff's Office); Human Services 24 (Child Support, Department of Social Services, Department of Aging, Health, Housing 25 and Community Development, Human Rights and Relations, Library Services and 26 Alliance Health). 27 28 May 26, 2022 - Budget Work Session with Durham Tech and County Departments within 29 the following Functional Leadership Teams: Support Services (Asset Management 30 Services, Community Relations, Finance and Administrative Services, Human 31 Resources and Information Technology); General Government (Board of County 32 Commissioners, Board of Elections, County Attorney, County Manager, Register of 33 Deeds and Tax Administration); Community Services (Animal Services, Cooperative 34 Extension, Department of Environmental, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, Economic 35 Development, Orange Public Transportation, Planning and Inspections, Solid Waste and 36 Sportsplex) including Non-Departmental items. 37 38 June 9, 2022 - Budget Work Session for Board to review budget amendments and 39 finalize decisions (Resolution of Intent to Adopt) on the FY 2022-23 Annual Operating 40 Budget and the FY 2022-2032 Capital Investment Plan. 41 42 June 21, 2022 - Business Meeting for the Adoption of the FY 2022-23 Annual Operating 43 Budget and the FY 2022-2032 Capital Investment Plan. 44 45 All meetings start at 7:00 p.m. 46 47 14 1 Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager, made the following presentation: 2 3 Slide #1 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA FY2022-23 COUNTY MANAGED RECOMMENDED BUDGET May 3,2022 BOCC Business Meeting 4 5 Bonnie Hammersley said under state law, she is required to present an annual balanced 6 budget to the Board. She said the presentation is a high level overview of the recommended 7 budget and that more details are in the transmittal letter of the recommended budget. She said 8 it is a comprehensive summary of the budget that covers all of the changes from previous years' 9 budgets. 10 11 Slide #2 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET BUDGET PRIORITIES Structurally Balanced Budget Maintain funding of the Social Safety net services Increase Public Safety and Education Investments Retain and Recruit Employees • Long-Term Financial Planning ORANGE COUNTY 12 NORTI I CAROLINA 13 Bonnie Hammersley said that a structurally balanced budget philosophy is matching 14 recurring revenues to meet costs to continue operating expenses. She reviewed the budget 15 priorities listed on slide #2. She said long-term planning goals include reducing the reliance on 16 fund balance appropriation to ensure compliance with the county's 16% reserve policy. She 17 said the FY 2022-23 recommended FB appropriation is $2.5 million and that this is a 18 manageable level of fund balance that assists with balancing the annual budget while 19 maintaining 16% of expenditures in line with financial best practice levels. 20 21 15 1 Slide #3 ORANGE COUNTY FY 2022-23 BUDGET 2022 State of NC Fconornic Trends and Factors • Employment: it — 2.7%increase over 2021 Hospitality and Leisure: It —9.2%increase over 2021 • Information: it —4.7%increase over 2021 Education and Health Services: t —3.8%increase over 2021 Agriculture: —0.1%decrease over 2021 `+ ORANGE COUNTY �11141I f G4Rf11.1\i 2 3 Bonnie Hammersley said the chart on slide #3 indicates economic trends in the state 4 that have shaped the budget assumptions. She said overall NC economic growth has begun to 5 return to pre-COVID levels, representing a second full year of growth since the pandemic. She 6 said a recent UNC-Charlotte December 2021 Summary cited the projections in the chart. She 7 said that while employment is up, labor supply continues to be a challenge. She said that 14 of 8 the state's 15 economic sectors are expected to experience output increases. She said 9 improved Hospitality and Leisure sectors correlate with improvements in Visitors Bureau and 10 Sportsplex Funds. She said the increase in revenue meant that there was not a need for 11 General Fund revenues to support the Visitors Bureau and Sportsplex in the FY23 budget. She 12 said that inflation increases due to consumer demands remains an area of concern. 13 14 Slide #4 FY 2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET Three-Year%Change in Rate of Innation !larch 2019-Morph Pvear chpq• ori ld'n1l P1$ ✓# les 407 and energy ea 6G - eA 2.0 -- 84 ap Net Apt Sep Oce: NV !ue W Oct Ner lun Sep Dec NY 2d[B 2120 2121 2L>M 3awu us l5weeu01-smSalarea ORANGE COUNTY NOFM[CARDLINA 15 16 Bonnie Hammersley said the chart from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that from 17 March 2021 to March 2022 there was a 8.5% increase in the CPI. She said the inflation drivers 18 are supply chain delays and demands on good and services increases. She said food and 19 energy have driven price escalation. She said these are important considerations for revenues, 20 such as sales tax, and expenditures, such as health care costs and energy. 16 1 Slide #5 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET Historical General Fund Revenues and Expenditures few n E ' two E2i9 D f298 D UM B 1225.D E�.s ■ReE+efwEee ■2K�lIfdllAfiS iP10.n iJ416-.3 E21dA Mao — Hos D E20B D FY 2017-19 FY 2018-19 FY 2719,2:1 FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 QKANGE L-L;LAA I NORT7[CARDL€NA 2 3 Bonnie Hammersley said that utilizing financial models coupled with prudent budgeting 4 practices have helped the county end the past four fiscal years with revenues exceeding 5 expenditures. She said the FY 2020-21 bars in the graph on slide #5 are the financial audited 6 results. She said FY 2020-21 General Fund revenues exceeded the amended revenue budget 7 by $4.3 million, or 2%. She said that General Fund expenditures were below the adopted 8 budget by $10.1 million, or 4.4%. She said many departments were below budget due to 9 personnel vacancies and efforts to reduce expenditures. She said that the FY 2021-22 10 projection is that the county will breakeven. 11 12 Slide #6 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET FY2021-22 to FYY2022-23 Revenue Gltowth 1 ®�i QRANGE C- )UNTY NORT1[CAROLINA 13 14 Bonnie Hammersley said the FY 2022-23 revenue growth is above historic averages. 15 She said the revenue growth change is $16.7M on a budget basis from FY 2021-22 to FY 2022- 16 23. She said this represents a 7% growth in budgeted total General Fund revenues. She said a 17 key factor is the sales tax increase by 23% on a budgetary basis. She said the FY 2021-22 18 General Fund budgeted revenues was $238.7 Million, excluding a $1.9 Million fund balance 19 appropriation. She said the FY 2022-23 General Fund projected revenues is $255 Million, 20 excluding a $2.6 Million projected fund balance appropriation. She said improving pandemic 17 1 recovery is driven by sales tax and charges for services as health restrictions are lifted. She 2 said the only area where there was a decline was in other revenues. 3 4 Slide #7 ORANGE COUNTY FY 2022-23 BUDGET FY 2022-23 Revenue As%umprions FY 2022-2:3 Property Tax Assumptions Recommended Property Tax Increase: $0.0025—cover debt to use of FY2021-22 one-time funds=$553,024 $0.0100—allocate towards education funding=$2,212,047 �Au, Increase NlcdianValue Increase r Total Property Tax Increase with 2%natural growth=$8.5 Million ORANGE COUNTY NtIR"I1I e ARL11 IN. 5 6 Bonnie Hammersley said property tax and sales tax are the main drivers of the county's 7 general fund revenue budget. She said the recommended budget includes a 1.25 cent 8 property tax increase. She said that a quarter cent was needed to cover debt. She said that 9 last year, the debt model showed that a 4 cent tax increase was needed to cover the $10 million 10 increase in debt service. She said that the property tax rate was increased by 3 cents, leaving a 11 balance of 1.15 cents that was delayed due to the application of one-time American Rescue 12 Plan Act funds in FY21. She said that staff reviewed the debt model and was able to reduce the 13 1.15 cents to .25 cents. She said that the 1 cent increase would generate $2,212,097, which is 14 recommended for funding K-12 education expenses. 15 16 Slide #8 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET F4'2022-23 Revenue Asaumptiom FY 2022-23 Sales Tax Assumptions 4%Growth over FV 2021-22 projection as economy recovers due to lifting of COVID mandates and sustained Online Sales =$6.7 Million ORANGE COUNTY l N W 7I l:AR1)1ANA 17 18 Bonnie Hammersley said the 4% increase in sales tax revenue is consistent with state- 19 wide estimates. 20 21 18 1 Slide #9 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET REVENUE ApprWated �eenaneaufund aaianca GA% 1•9% cea.gmsf.r l Lleenses and ya ,s Intnrgrwm•.nrnmntal Permits t� 8.1 Trmnxtmrs +PrpertY lydaet •3aks Yu .Beans'-end Pernuss .Iniscaianorws •a,rre-r d Find ealann •C•••.'CrtTYiaEnITYlTfiat Te ORANGE COUNTY NOM-1 I CAROLINA 2 3 Bonnie Hammersley said the current residential tax base is 80% and commercial is 20% 4 of the tax base, compared to five years ago, when the residential base was 84% and the 5 commercial base was 16%. 6 7 Slide #10 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET FY 2022-23 Expenditure f"5 surtiptions Education Education Ciment Expense Funding "'fatntaur Funds foi Student Acluevement Gap and Behavioral Health personnel Impacts PRibhc Safety Expansion Wage Adjustment Compensation meat Performance AWvards Increase of Employer Health hisufauoe Contribmioa Increase of Employer Retirement Contribution Rate Increase Irving Wage ORANGE COUNTY NOFM t CAROLINA 8 9 Bonnie Hammersley said expenditure assumptions include K-12 current expense 10 funding as well as maintaining the student achievement gap and behavioral health initiatives 11 implemented by the school districts last year. She said personnel impacts include expansion of 12 service delivery to meet best practices as well to reduce burnout due to overtime. She said 13 funds are also included for a compensation package to provide competitive wage adjustments 14 and enhance the benefits to retain employees in the current labor market. She said that the 15 living wage will increase to $15.85 per hour for permanent and temporary employees. 16 17 19 1 Slide #11 ORANGE COUNTY FY2022-23 BUDGET FY 2022-23 Expenditure Assumptions operating Impacts Outside Agency FundingTaxget 1.2%of CountyEagendiuues Travel and Trait i ng restored to Pce-Patndernic levels Reduce rellaice on:ARPA fbr essential pragfmus and positions Emploq a Retention and Recruitment 5tmteg ORANGE COUNTY NORM I CARDLINA 2 3 Bonnie Hammersley said the outside agency funding target is 1.2% of the General Fund 4 budget. She said the actual recommended amount for FY 2022-23 is 1.35%. 5 6 Slide #12 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED MENDED BUDGET EXPENDITURES rxm4C, mmnn &Mwsr..,-f, a3v �aY' _sAk Oort.xiras I a.aa Tnrearxraunhfma• ' xuw - •GEneralGvremment Dunan TarAiAi��' .-- •Suppall Semce'9 fury r rre� lam 'y, •Cpnmundy Stwltes Human S+awces k4% a Pubic Safety Education •Debt Semos-Education Debt Senuae-couniy -Durham Tech 4Crange County campus) a Tramfers to 01her Funds .�,�� ORANGE COUNTY NORTa I CARDLINA 7 8 9 1 Slide #13 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET EDUCATION ORANGE COUNTY 3 Bonnie Harnmersley said there is a total ADM reduction of 996 students county-wide. 3�Rafa��ePadiyl�ieml��t�ldp{r1Ia�kl} F1'2U21-1? F�`�1i2`�-25 I�tar�;?s� I1tS9'C�YAt t?��tiSit6C9 �� �� harder I5G 205 19 uea] 51 l7 d.12 .'AaI7:17 b0.4°/0 58,8`�i I.di'.r5 rare Cound�SrhuuEs •�3r I}aiiV hlrmbrrshi �,I9�1 F4'2021� P�'207�•23 _ Irvcreo�e .'Iu�ienri r�294 7162 _ 177 ]_tfs4Dutof ID"eftried 708 110 _ 2 7,791 ;,�OF2 Ii -4aarder 919 951 32 oda]. B,770 8,023 _ �.67J. Slide RECOMMENDED BUDGET EDUCATION f;hagrl F'I ISI—�.7i1T1JRM[,j{�^wr}]bRl� ��'AfL�[L Bare Rud�s4 l�rgg�1 $rrnmmr� Incre�sr Cw � Es dYir'di $53,93fir8i7 "# r9$3�553 #55,aUF,68? I�d7I}QG5 F'Y3Q?i„?z� F3 ,'?3 Caunr�,� EdecdYrnrztd�du9ed C o+mty. hnn� Maier Z;L�sl�c' I�sgrr�s9 �Crsammrebd Itxrc�r CLure�¢Ex r�•�a $35,�bfi,.37i1 '��1,�#,'�k'ti $3$,57D,944 � 3, 5#,534 ORANGE 21 1 Slide #15 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET EDUCATION COUNTY APPROPRIATION PER STITDE-NT 1 ra ORANGE COUNTY N)OR-1 l CARGLIN: 2 3 Bonnie Hammersley said that the target education funding of 48.1% was not met. She 4 said that the reason is that the target includes school operations and school debt service 5 payments. She said that the schools' have had to delay debt issuances. She said that if the 6 schools issued the debt, then the 48.1% funding target would be exceeded. She said that the 7 debt funding has been appropriated, but has not been expended. She said once the projects 8 move forward, it will contribute to the funding target. 9 10 Slide #16 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET ]EDUCATION 1. j. f1 M ctudas Carnfyma mb rw incroasas in Salary ldm*19m.and lnsii:ranw as L-H as aaWricnal operaLnjfrefated expenses ^Avrham 46 Safes Tax:fnofudes an addutonal 330- Mn FY2422-23 for[herr Back to Work VaWabvs ORANGE COUNTY NOWn f iCAPJa3_tNA 1 1 12 13 22 1 Slide #17 FY2022-23 REC[]11F{ MENDED BUDGET 01 1 SIDE AGENCIES i (501.C3) Base Budget Itecluest A-lanager Increase Recommend Agencies Funded 57 58 j 53 (4) Total $1,729,953 2L,238,645 S 1,994,690 S 164,737 The Board of enkmry Commissioners established a target of 1.2%of general fttpxd expenses to outside agencies,FY2022-23 allocates 1.35%to outside agencies. An additiottal$43,00 is provided to arts-related outside agencies in the V isitots Bureau Fund. ` ORANGE COUNTY NCFM I CAtROUKA 2 J 4 Slide #18 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET FIRE DISrPTC'r$ TAX RA:1'1 INCRLvETAX RATE 1 Chapel flin $OLw $0.0c $0.1387 1.. 'i .i.P-' i F• 1 •V P 5 6 Bonnie Hammersley said that increases were needed at six fire districts to cover the 7 costs of hiring permanent staff. She said that fire districts are facing a loss of volunteers, and 8 they need to hire staff to replace them. 9 10 23 1 Slide #19 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET r r� r r rLr I. ll!'�rincrrsr Li�ygn�r for fxrrLuaarrx�e:d rrrn�wrrr4'rnr�FaFY'rx rinr: st.4.40perJ.xmfoYJAMIeiJ aunrr0krober1,A22:ihsor{ucrr{;FterrySaar d-.is[drr]'beneY,rParFf71811-13,r"a errga.lo}r;paeJshae'r-rcrna c4's:f6e�ry,"f3srrwxr.t&+r rc+rutr�err�alrxLa�a ORANGE COUNTY WOFM L CARO ENA 2 3 4 Slide #20 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET COUNTY POSITIONS in ffill. y f W• L �f s F GRANGE COUNTY "DR11 L C-%ROLLNA 5 6 Bonnie Hammersley said that due to the new detention center facility, staffing levels 7 need to be increased to adhere to best practices for the benefit of employees and inmates. 8 She said the Emergency Services personnel recommendation reflects a review of employee 9 schedules that identified scheduling gaps. She said Emergency Services is a 24-hour a day 10 operation with mandatory staff rotation needs. She said the department offset personnel costs 11 through fee increases and expenditure line items that could be reduced. She said that the labor 12 shortage has had an impact on every industry and they have had difficulty contracting 13 veterinarians. 14 15 24 Slide 122-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FY�L122-23 Recomssended tLRPAPrajects Amount Fuc District P25 P11asc II iiia iIIII ant India c Iaccrncnt �1,?^:�,� T ir�as' He .Linc �2f}5,09 .andlard Incentive Pragra� $24 4Q �raadbandInfaastaucturc Design and rnplcmcntati4u �S OQO� ryluld�re� e�rrtl>aYe�t Fees $�4U ou ' Iitl and 5�]HRAD $4 79 r fi4 �t�l 512,312 B ORANGE COUNTY Bonnie Hammersley said that in December 1 :•. • appropriated $11 million of million4 the $28 "A funds awarded to Orange County. She said the FY 2022-23 Slide5 recommended budget appropriates an additional $12.3 million. She said the remaining balance 6 of ARPA funds is $4.8 million. RECOMMENDED1 RUDGE'TCALIENDAR :1 i" TPLSm=�ti7G5 I]ed�TE ISridl.,e�;and(:akpiPal lri�''rsfm�nt 1'I.,n([:II') 'rl:nt lii tC,�un[2 SUDI�ETV4'Q?RK3ESSI+�3I+�iSCHEDL�E DATE 5chaols acid Uutside A�enc:ies 4fa�12 Fire Ilistrict,Public Safety and Human services Mav 19 Dwrltam Teck,Support Sera ices}General I4fay 26 Goueexument and(:ammuwxity Senrice� iBudgetAaliendment�andl�esnlu�onafIntentt� ]une� Adapt B4(li:G�USZI+IF.�S��R�ING WKI)PA-23 Clpexsting and CTP Sud et Adnptiam jwne$1 ORANGE COUNT"' • 1 Bonnie Hammersley said proposed • • the recommended budget will be 11 posted on -• 25 1 Slide #23 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED, BUDGET BUDGET DOCtTMENT AVAILABILITY • Clerk to Board of Commissioners • County Finance&Administrative Services Office • Orange County Ubtary • Chapel Hill Public Library • Orange County Website-bttp;//ol-angecolintvnc.gov ORANGE COUNTY MDRT1 I CAROLINA 2 3 4 Slide #24 FY2022-23 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MISSION STATEMENT Orange Couniv exists to provide governmentalservices neededby our Residents or mandated by the State of North Carolina. To provide these quality aenices efficientlywe must, 0 Serve the Residents of Or"e County—Our Residents Come Fits El Depend on the energy,skAs,and dedication of all our employees and voluriteets; 11 Treat at our Residents and Employees with fairness,respect,and understanding Oa4M County Residents Come First ORANGE COUNTY NOP.71[CAR 01 INA 5 6 Bonnie Hammersley thanked the staff involved with developing the budget along with all 7 county employees for their dedication in serving Orange County residents. She thanked the 8 Board of Commissioners for their leadership and said the Board helped staff create a better 9 county. 10 Chair Price said the Board will have opportunities to discuss the budget. She asked if 11 there were any questions regarding the presentation. 12 Commissioner McKee asked if the decrease in students for Chapel Hill Carrboro City 13 Schools of 982 shown on slide #13 was correct. 14 Bonnie Hammersley said the correct number is 909, accounting for out of district 15 transfers to the school system as well as the number of children enrolled in charter schools. 16 Commissioner McKee said it caught his eye because it is a 9% decrease. 26 1 Commissioner Bedford said these are state projected numbers. She said that the 2 original projection for the current year was high. She said it's not that they lost 900 students, it 3 was that the current year projection was off. 4 Bonnie Hammersley said the numbers are consistent with what was found in October. 5 She said one could make an argument that the county paid for students who weren't there. 6 Commissioner McKee said that if we paid $4,387 multiplied by the projected number, 7 then the actual per student allocation was considerably higher. 8 Bonnie Hammersley said that was correct. 9 Chair Price asked about a bar graph on the projected budget. She asked if it is 10 expected to level out in the current year, what happens next year. 11 Bonnie Hammersley said next year is projected to be balanced. 12 Chair Price asked about if the living wage for temporary and permanent employees is 13 the same. 14 Bonnie Hammersley said it will be increased 3% for both. 15 Chair Price said there was a time with there was a difference. 16 Bonnie Hammersley said there is a classification below the living wage, but that is for the 17 benefit of people who go through the social services system and work for the county. 18 Commissioner Fowler asked about the retirement increase. 19 Bonnie Hammersley said that was mandated by the state and is what is required from 20 each county. 21 Commissioner Fowler asked if that is because the state is giving less to retirement or is 22 it due to projected need. 23 Bonnie Hammersley said it is a projection of what is needed. 24 25 5. Public Hearings 26 None. 27 28 6. Regular Agenda 29 a. Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) Program Evaluation 30 The Board received information about the results of the 2021 Longtime Homeowner Assistance 31 (LHA) program and considered options for program changes for a potential continuation of the 32 LHA program in 2022. 33 34 BACKGROUND: On October 5, 2021, the Orange County Board of Commissioners authorized 35 the program design for the Longtime Homeowner Assistance Program (LHA) to assist 36 households affected by the 2021 property tax revaluation. LHA launched on October 8, 2021 to 37 serve households earning no more than 80% of the area median income who had lived in their 38 homes for at least 10 years and experienced an increase in Orange County property taxes in 39 2021. Between October 8 and December 15, the Housing & Community Development 40 Department received 125 applications. Housing staff worked alongside colleagues in the Tax 41 Office and Finance & Administrative Services Department to award $16,364 across 91 42 households in property tax assistance (Attachment 1). There were some very small award 43 amounts — as low as $1.51 — and the largest award was $1,334.63. A third of the awards were 44 under$50 and 52% of awards were under$100. 45 46 In addition to the communication plan about the program presented in October, in response to 47 requests from non-profit partners, Housing staff also organized and staffed three in-person 48 events to help people complete LHA applications — at Piney Grove Baptist Church and Dorothy 49 M. Johnson Community Center in Hillsborough, and Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist Church 50 in Cedar Grove (a planned event at the Roger Eubanks Neighborhood Association Community 51 Center was canceled due to facility issues). Applications were relatively slow in the beginning 27 1 weeks of the program, and picked up greatly toward the end of the application period. 72.8% of 2 all received applications were approved. The most common reason for application denial was 3 the household not having a tax increase (30 denials), followed by households not owning their 4 home for ten or more years (6 denials), and the household being over income (3 denials). 5 6 Of the 91 approved applicants, 45% were white, 44% were black, 4% were multi-racial, and 1% 7 Asian. 60% of the approved applications were age 65 or over. 8 9 Staff from the three participating departments offer the following proposed program design 10 changes should the Board wish to continue the LHA program in 2022 with the remaining 11 $233,636 allocated for this purpose: 12 13 1) Change program design to cover more of the amount owed by the taxpayer. Using data 14 from the 2021 LHA program, staff proposes three options: 15 a. Institute a baseline minimum award amount: The award amount would be equal to the 16 difference between the County Tax portion of the 2020 tax bill and the 2022 tax bill, with a 17 minimum award amount of $300 (note that the average award amount for 2021 was roughly 18 $190). Estimated amount of assistance for 2022: $37,290 19 b. Base award on full bill amount: The amount will be equal to the difference between the 20 full bill amount of the 2020 tax bill and the 2022 tax bill with no minimum: $46,861 21 i. For 2021, the range of assistance $1.94 - $2,974.00, average $348 22 ii. Minimal award amounts: 56 under$300, 33 under $100, and 21 under$50 23 iii. If the minimum award amount was set at $300, the estimate would be $55,731 24 c. Standard award amount: The award amount would be a standard award amount with a 25 cap, based on approximately one-half of the average County tax portion for 2021 recipients, 26 which would result in an award amount of $830: Estimated amount of assistance for 2022: 27 $94,684 28 i. Cap the award amount so it is no more than that actual bill amount. 29 ii. This follows a similar method used by another county. 30 d. Capping tax amount based on income: Homeowners earning 80% area median income 31 (AMI) or under pay no more than 3% of income on total property tax bill. Estimated amount of 32 assistance for 2022: $176,587 33 e. Awards cover half of total tax bill: Award would cover half of total tax bill for homeowners 34 earning 80% AMI or under, up to these total amounts: 35 i. $1000.00 for households with incomes <_ 61- 80% AMI 36 ii. $1250.00 for households with incomes <_ 31- 60% AMI 37 iii. $1500.00 for households with incomes <_ 30%- below AMI 38 iv. The amount of assistance that may be granted for this option will vary based on the level 39 of income of the applicants. Assuming a 50% increase in the number of applicants, an 40 estimated range is $169,123 to $243,454. 41 42 2) Adjust program operation dates to August 1 through December 1, 2022. This would start 43 the program two months earlier, immediately following when homeowners receive property tax 44 notices in July. It would also move the deadline back by two weeks which will allow staff 45 additional needed time for application processing, which was a challenge in 2021. 46 3) Include an informational insert with the tax assistance application packet, with the goal 47 of both increasing awareness about LHA and making the process of applying for all assistance 48 programs simpler for taxpayers. 49 4) Formalize policy for heirs' properties where there are more than one person/households 50 listed on the deed. Staff recommends considering the 10 year occupancy requirement based on 51 the amount of time the property has remained within the family (rather than current owners who 28 1 may be heirs of a previous owner). Staff also recommends providing assistance based on the 2 income of the household members who reside in the home rather than the income of all heirs. 3 4 5) Formalize policy for Family Trust owned properties. Staff recommends that the applicant 5 should be a trustee for the trust. Staff also recommends providing assistance based on the 6 income of the household members who reside in the home rather than the income of all 7 trustees. 8 9 6) Require that the applicant provide a copy of the targeted tax bill. Staff recommends that 10 the applicant provide the tax bill to avoid incorrect application of funds or award amounts. Staff 11 in the Tax Office can assist the applicant with obtaining a copy as needed, and it would be the 12 applicant's responsibility to identify the correct tax bill/property. 13 14 7) Reduce the requirement to have owned and lived in the home for 10 years to 5 years to 15 increase access to the program. 16 a. Mecklenburg County's HOMES program has a 3-year residency requirement and the 17 applicant must own the property. 18 b. Charlotte's Aging In Place program has a 5-year residency requirement and the 19 applicant must own the property. 20 c. Another similar County program is considering changing the 10 year requirement to 5 21 years. 22 23 Corey Root, Housing and Community made the following presentation: 24 25 Slide #1 0 I&C ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING&COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LIRA) Program Evaluation and Recommendations May 3, 2022 26 27 28 29 29 1 Slide #2 Ptogram Evaluation wH D ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING 6 COMMUNTIY DEVELOPMENT 2 3 4 5 Slide #3 The Longtime HomeorvnerAssistance Program(LHA)was created to serve the follox%ing houschol+ds: •Households earning no more than 80% of the area median income Lived in and owned their home for at least 10 years Experienced an increase in their Orange County property taxes in 2021 6 7 Corey Root said this program was a pilot program in the previous year. 8 9 Slide #4 In it's first year,the UiA Program served 91 houscholds •Total Applications: 125 • Eligible Applications:91 73%approved 1 27%declined -Reasons for denial. •Taxes did not increase (3D applicants) •Did not own home for 10+years (6 applicants) Household over income (3 applicants) *an application may have been denied for more than one reason nCHCD 10 11 30 1 Slide #5 In it's, first year, the LHA program distributed over $16,000 in assistance - Funding Disbursed: $16,364 • Minimum mum A ard: $1.51 Maximum Award: $1,335 ,, Median Award: $97 - Avera ge Awa rd: $190 n4poCHCD ew:<..F ex rt,rus a aeurim om uau u r 2 3 4 Slide #6 The LHA Program Participant Data Racial Demographics Age Denwgraphics 11 12% A&Ian 1 196 5"0 7 8% 61-85 _17 19% Black 40 44%-- 66-70 17 1 1996 Multi-Racial 4 4%. 71-75 14 e�=1596 . --- 76-80 3 3' Whh* 41 245% 61-85 6 9% gg+ 1D 11'46 (no data) 5 5% (no data) 4 4% d Latlnn 0 I 0 Q.C H C LJ' aytaa,>•wrskc;�sicw.srruSueoNii 5 6 7 31 1 Slide #7 Reconanendations It Wo" C D ORANOECOUNT F HOUSING&EDUMUNITYOEYEEOPMENT 2 3 4 Slide #8 $233,636 remains in program fiunding -Staff from Housing,Tax office, and Finance worked with community organizations to craft program recommendations for a potential 2022 program -Thank you Justice United and Jackson Center -Seven program recommendations GCHCD s 6 7 Slide #9 Recommendation#1: increase award amounts • Fine options that could be used together or separately Institute 5300 baseline minimum award Base award on full hill amount Create standard award amount with cap • $830,but no more than bill amount Cap tax amount based on income • No rnore than 3%of income for property taxes Award covers half of total tax hill up to $1000,61.80%AMI $1260,31a60%AMI $1500,36%AMI or below g 9 Corey Root said the standard award amount with cap of $830 represented half of the 10 average county bill. 11 12 32 1 Slide#10 Recommendation#2;adjust program operation dates -August 1 - December 1, 2022 •Program to open just after homeowners receive property tax notices in July Applications close December 1 instead of December 15 • Increased time needed for application processing QCHCQ 3 4 Slide #11 Recommendation#3:Include LHA info xr7th tax assistance packet •LHA information and application Goal— increase awareness of all tax assistance programs QCHCD s 6 7 Slide #12 Recommendation#4—formalize policy for heirs'properties Base 10-year ownership & occupancy requirement on the amount of time the property has remained within the family (rather than current owners who may be heirs of a previous owner) Provide assistance based on income of household members who reside in the home rather than income of all heirs ^CHCD 9 10 11 33 1 Slide #13 Recommendation#5—formalize policy for Family Trust properties Applicant should be trustee Provide assistance based on income of household members who reside in the home rather than income of all people in trust QC 3 4 Slide #14 Recommendation#6:require copy of tax biH-,N ith application materials •Tax [office staff will be able to assist if needed Applicant makes determination on correct bill Avoid processing applications for incorrect properties &CHCD 5 6 7 Slide #15 Recommendation##7a reduce residency regnnirement from 1:0 to 5 years -Aligning with other community programs •Request from community members QCHCD s 9 10 34 1 Commissioner Hamilton asked why the number of people applying was so low. She said 2 without that understanding, it is hard for her to know what changes need to be made. She 3 asked if it was because eligible people didn't know, or because tax bills were lower than 4 expected once changes were made to the way revaluation was done. She said this is a pilot 5 with ARPA funds, and any further will come out of county funds. 6 Nancy Freeman, Tax Administrator, said she spoke with the Tax Administrator in 7 Mecklenburg County and he said that it took them about three years to get a good number of 8 applicants. She said that the Durham County response was lower this year, their first, than they 9 anticipated. She said it is a matter of getting the word out to the community. 10 Corey Root said they developed what they thought was a robust communication plan 11 beginning in October. She said they heard feedback that people were eligible but just didn't 12 hear about the program. She said they are trying to adjust for the future. 13 Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is an estimate of how many people would be 14 eligible. 15 Chair Price said eligibility would be determined by the criteria. 16 Commissioner Hamilton asked for a sense of how many folks are eligible, so they can 17 determine how much progress they are making in getting applications. 18 Nancy Freeman said the only indicator for her office would be the number of people who 19 qualify for the Homestead Exemption Program, which has different standards than the Longtime 20 Homeowner Assistance Program. She said 25 out of 91 Longtime Homeowner Assistance 21 applicants were already in the Homestead Exemption Program. 22 Commissioner Bedford asked about family trust properties. She asked why should an 23 applicant need to be the trustee. 24 Nancy Freeman said the situation they had was a family trust with two daughters who 25 were trustees. She said one of the daughters was living in the home. She said that this program 26 is for homeowners that live in the home for ten years, and a trust is not a person. She said their 27 legal counsel recommended that if the family member was the trustee, then they should be 28 eligible for the program. 29 Commissioner Bedford said as a CPA she does a lot of estate work. She said her 30 concern is that it takes money to have an attorney set up a trust. She said she could see this 31 being abused by wealthy people when there are family members who could pay the taxes. She 32 said she is ok waiting to see how the program goes. 33 Commissioner Fowler clarified that the way the program was set up in the previous year 34 is that the county paid the difference between 2020 2022 Orange County portion of the taxes. 35 She said that for those that applied, they weren't huge amounts. She said it would differ if your 36 house was worth a lot more. She said the new option is to change this to a program to support 37 those who are making less than 80% of AMI. She asked if they send this information out in all 38 tax bills, do the numbers reflect sending it out to everyone. 39 Nancy Freeman said they won't know how many people will apply. She said she 40 estimated a 50% increase. She said she looked at different choices just to get an idea of how 41 much they could be looking at for 2022. She said they could have twice as many applicants, 42 and it could be much more than 50%. 43 Commissioner Fowler clarified that they do not know the percent of property owners or 44 the number of property owners that fall under 80% of the AMI. 45 Nancy Freeman said her office has no way to know that. 46 Commissioner Fowler asked for clarification on the phrase "Create standard award 47 amount with cap $830, but no more than bill amount." She asked if they meant the just the 48 county portion or the total. 49 Nancy Freeman said it was up to the full amount of the bill. She said the Board could 50 choose to do it just for the county portion. 51 Commissioner Fowler clarified that the calculation was based on the entire bill. 35 1 Nancy Freeman said the $830 cap was determined by finding half of the average county 2 portion of 2021 tax bill of the applicants. She said they knew those were the people who would 3 need assistance, so they were used as the range. 4 Commissioner Richards thanked them for being responsive to community input, but she 5 was confused as to what the goal is. She said that the original concerns were around the 6 valuations themselves. She said the county tried to review the valuations and there was an 7 appeal process. She said after those adjustments, there was a program to support people who 8 needed tax assistance. She asked how many people went through appeal process before 9 valuation adjustments were made. She asked about the total possible number of people who 10 needed help. 11 Nancy Freeman said she thought it was around 4,000 people. 12 Commissioner Richards said using that number, there were potentially 4,000 people who 13 might need help if their bill stayed the way it was. She asked about the number of people who 14 appealed their property values, then also applied for assistance. 15 Nancy Freeman said she did not know that number but she would get it for the Board. 16 Commissioner Richards said once a program is started, it is difficult to stop it. She said 17 the county is funding this program through ARPA, and those funds will not be around forever. 18 She said her concern is that the county is starting something that it cannot support. She said 19 perhaps the number was low because valuations were adjusted. She said Nancy Freeman had 20 previously said they had learned lessons about valuations. 21 Nancy Freeman said those lessons were specific to certain portions of the county and 22 this program is for the entire county. 23 Commissioner Richards said there are some things that are really strong, like reducing 24 the years of ownership from 10 to 5. She said she wanted to understand the possible universe 25 of people who need help and how to make it sustainable. 26 Commissioner McKee said he knew it was it a pilot program, but he thought there would 27 have been more interest. He noted the community events staff held to publicize the program. 28 He asked about future outreach methods for the program. He said that outreach will be critical. 29 He said that he is concerned that only 91 people applied. He said it may be related to an innate 30 distrust of government programs. He said farmers are naturally suspicious of things that affect 31 their land and he can imagine that homeowners would feel the same way. He asked staff how 32 outreach methods might change. 33 Corey Root said they wanted to get guidance from the Board in order to make a robust 34 plan along with the Jackson Center, Justice United, and any other community groups. She said 35 they leaned heavily on social media and press releases rather than in-person contact due to the 36 pandemic. She said they received requests for in-person events on nights and weekends. She 37 said it is a lot of information and they tried to pare it down just to what was needed. She said 38 applicants had to provide income verification. She said it's not a quick process. 39 Commissioner McKee asked about the flyer that was included in the agenda abstract. 40 He said the headline caught his eye. He asked how it was used in outreach. 41 Corey Root said they distributed fliers in communities and provided them to Northside 42 neighborhood to put in their newsletter. She said they put the fliers in many county locations. 43 Nancy Freeman said the flyer will included in their tax assistance package. 44 Commissioner McKee said that was his next question, because everyone in the county 45 gets a tax bill and he looks at every piece of paper included with the tax bill. 46 Nancy Freeman said one question they had received from Justice United was regarding 47 mortgages and people who don't actually pay their tax bill, it's paid by someone else. She said 48 that they send a bill to the actual owner of the property, regardless if they have a mortgage, so 49 they are aware of the information included in the bill. She said mortgage companies get 50 information electronically. 36 1 Commissioner McKee said he wondered if people who hold mortgages would be in the 2 economic range of the program. 3 Chair Price thanked Corey Root and Nancy Freeman for their work in getting the pilot off 4 the ground and reaching out to the community. She said the money was included in June, and 5 they only had a few months to get the program off the ground. She said they did a lot of leg 6 work along with community members to get it going. She wondered what the criteria would be 7 for the program. She asked if the program considered a household's tax burden. She asked 8 that with or without revaluation, are people still having difficulties with their taxes. She said that 9 looking at the percentage of income fails to reflect other living costs. She said it seems like they 10 are working the numbers rather than determining what would help households and the 11 situations people are in. 12 Staff said other costs to a household were not considered. 13 Chair Price said that would be her suggested addition to the program. 14 Commissioner Hamilton said the key thing is who pays the bill for the property tax, but 15 maybe there is not a way to get to that. She said we are looking to get relief for low-income 16 homeowners who pay their property taxes. She asked if there was a way to capture that 17 information, because someone else may be paying the property tax. 18 Nancy Freeman said they could look at prior year tax bills for that information. She said 19 if a person pays in cash, they would not capture that information. She said some properties had 20 mortgages and qualified for the program. She said in those cases, the mortgage company paid 21 the lowered amount to the benefit of the owner. She said that anyone can pay a tax bill. She is 22 not sure if there is a way to determine this information. 23 Commissioner Hamilton said she understood, she just wanted to discuss the idea that 24 there may situations where a person pays the tax for another person. 25 26 PUBLIC COMMENT: 27 28 Christine Abernathy said she is the director of housing justice at the Marian Cheek 29 Jackson Center. She said she wanted to give the context of the group present and the 30 conversation they want to have. She said it has been a pleasure to work with county staff, 31 along with Justice United, Empowerment, Inc., the NAACP, leadership in northern and central 32 Orange County, alongside people in Northside, Pine Knolls, and Tin Top neighborhoods. She 33 said it was important take some time to do deep listening in community, incorporating that 34 information into the presentation at the meeting. She said she and her coworker Kathy Atwater, 35 did a lot of outreach for the program. She said they had conversations with residents and 36 mobilized people to do the applications. She appreciated the Board's thoughtful questions on 37 the program. She said they they will continue to share information and feedback with staff as 38 things move forward. She said that they hoped they could center the idea that while they see 39 inequity, they have to have a wholesome approach to how it is addressed. She said there is not 40 one silver bullet. She said the increases in recent valuations stand on systemic inequity that 41 existed prior. She said it is already on the back of a lot of things that have happened throughout 42 history. She said that the program sought to address systemic inequity to a degree, but when 43 the county thinks about continuing the work, they must come at it from a systemic approach. 44 She said they must address it from all areas to get help to the most people when they can, as 45 soon as they can. She said that looks like supporting this program to continue to do the work. 46 David Remington said he has lived on the edge of Hillsborough for two decades. He 47 said his congregation heavily involved with Justice United over the years and has partnered with 48 organizations in the Fairview community. His said he has had a lot of conversations with 49 generous, hardworking people about the burden of homeownership and tax burdens. He said he 50 has had a lot of conversations about low wage jobs and fixed incomes. He said that even if tax 51 rates haven't gone up, what they have to pay is a substantial portion of their income. He said 37 1 he was part of the group that went to the Piney Grove neighborhood. He said they found a lot 2 people in Northern Orange County who never got the word about the program. He said they 3 were people who have low incomes and have trouble making ends meet. He said there were 4 people who could have used property tax relief, but didn't meet all of the criteria. He said he 5 appreciated that the proposal made positive changes towards that. He said what's really 6 needed is a more equitable system of sharing the tax burden. He said maybe people like him 7 should pay a bigger share to help those who don't have a lot. He said he hoped the goal would 8 be to have a more equitable system. 9 Kathy Atwater said she is a resident of the Northside community and works at the 10 Marian Cheek Jackson Center. She thanked the tax office for working with their center. She 11 said the calculations for the valuations are all wrong. She said her community is valued 80% 12 higher than a neighborhood two blocks away. She said houses that were built in 1930 or 1940, 13 compared to a house that was built in 2010, are taxed higher. She said they appreciate the 14 Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program, but one of the residents said "What about me 15 being behind on my taxes? You may help me with this current year, but taxes continue to draw 16 interest. I'm trying to catch up and I can't catch up because of the interest that's being taxed." 17 She asked the Board to look at this in a more systemic way, as a stepping stone. She said the 18 final solution is looking at the valuations. She encouraged the Board to take the issue to the 19 state. She said let's get something done, so all of Orange County can live in Orange County. 20 George Barrett said this is a "yes and" moment. He said we need all all the tools to 21 mitigate the injustice on black and brown communities. He said his story will be about 22 Northside, but will describe many black and brown communities. He said that in April 2021, 23 property tax revaluations arrived in the mail and for many black elders in Northside, Pine Knolls, 24 and Tin Top, opening these letters came with a shock. He said that on average, these residents 25 saw their valuations go up 53%. He said this was a much larger increase than nearby white 26 neighborhoods. He said some property tax bills more than doubled. He said the property tax 27 revaluation placed a heavier tax burden on Northside residents. He said in comparison, affluent 28 neighborhoods' property tax valuations largely remained the same. He said three 29 neighborhoods near Northside saw increases ranging from -1% to 13%. He said single family 30 homes in several Chapel Hill neighborhoods rose an average of 8% in comparison to single 31 family homes in Northside that rose five times that amount. He said residents responded with 32 creative resilience and saw major wins in property tax advocacy through a coalition of creative 33 advocacy with Empowerment, the Chapel Hill — Carrboro NAACP, and Justice United. He said 34 more than 650 community members joined neighbors to challenge Orange County's inequitable 35 valuations of Northside properties. He said the county responded giving more time for appeals 36 and reviewing the valuations, and creating the Longtime Homeowner Assistance Program. He 37 said going forward his community is committed to creating systemic change to valuations so 38 that this crisis does not happen again. He said it requires leadership to craft new and innovative 39 ways to create a more equitable process for how property is valuated and to enable long term 40 residents to thrive. 41 Delores Bailey said she is a resident of Northside and a homeowner. She said they 42 have lived on Graham St. for 47 years. She said her home is located in the heart of Northside, 43 and her home is attractive to investors and developers. She said the tax value of her property 44 has slowly risen. She said that in 2021, the community and its partners fought an extraordinary 45 tax increase. She said it incited the residents to start appealing taxes. She said the appeals 46 happened, but that did not fix the problems. She said she had an attorney help her complete an 47 appeals application. She said her tax value went from $93,000 to $233,000 after her appeal. 48 She said she appealed a second time. She said she received a letter reducing the value of her 49 home back to $93,000. She said she asked why her tax value went back down to $93,000 and 50 she was informed that there were two levels that had to be considered, and when they looked at 51 those two levels, it caused the value to come down. She said there is something wrong with the 38 1 process. She said that if she had left the higher value after the first appeal, she would be 2 paying taxes on $233,000 when her home is not worth that much. She said there is still a 3 problem with the calculations and homeowners don't know it. She said the deeper problem is 4 understanding what the tax bill means and what the levels are that can change a valuation. 5 Horace Johnson said he was frustrated by the lack of communication with Northern 6 Orange County. He said they did not find out about the program until mid-November, and the 7 deadline was December 15th. He said there is a problem with the way values are decided. He 8 asked if his neighbor Commissioner McKee buys a Mercedes Benz, but he is driving 1975 Ford, 9 should his car taxes go up on his car? He said that is what happens when someone builds a 10 new house in the neighborhood next to a house that has been there for 50 years. He said there 11 is something wrong with the logic. He said that it is amazing to hear that for the first time the 12 county is looking at the problems. He said oversight was poor, no one followed up. He said he 13 represented the Piney Grove neighborhood with Justice United, and he represented all of the 14 people they don't get to see. He said people asked him why they didn't find out. He said 15 implementation was poor. He said the Board should go to the neighborhoods and see if the 16 people need tax assistance. He said the county should tax the builders building all of the new 17 neighborhoods in the county, and then use the revenue to help the people who cannot afford to 18 pay their property taxes. He said people do not have broadband internet and lack access to 19 information. He said that when the bill is sent, also send out the resources. He said that 20 Durham has an assistance program that doesn't necessarily rely on tax increases. 21 Chair Price said that all of the commissioners received an email earlier that day from 22 Julia Sendor on behalf of Orange County Justice United Affordable Housing and that it would be 23 included in the meeting record: 24 25 Dear Board of County Commissioners, 26 1 am sending this message from the Orange County Justice United Affordable 27 Housing research team. Orange County Justice United is made up of 20 member 28 organizations countywide, and a 25-person research group has been working to 29 identify areas for making specific, tangible improvements in the affordable 30 housing crisis, especially focused on preserving existing affordable housing. 31 Please include this message in the official meeting minutes, as coming from the 32 Orange County Justice United Affordable Housing team. 33 At tonight's County Commissioners meeting, several members will speak, along 34 with partners in this work from the Jackson Center and EmPOWERMENT, Inc., 35 in support of expanding the access to and impact of the property tax assistance 36 program. 37 As context, we first heard during listening sessions last year with fellow Justice 38 United members, including many in Hillsborough and Northern Orange, that high 39 property taxes are making it hard for people to stay in their homes and hold onto 40 family land. Even for properties that didn't have the steep increases in their 41 assessments like neighborhoods in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, the tax burden is 42 still inequitable for households with lower incomes. 43 Then, group members met several times over the past 6 months with County 44 staff to better understand options for improving LHA program outreach 45 (especially in Hillsborough and Northern Orange, where there was initially less 46 activity), hear the results of the pilot, and learn about opportunities for community 47 feedback to expand the benefits of the program to more people, and with greater 48 impact for those people. 49 We collaborated with County staff to organize program outreach sessions at 50 Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church, and Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist 39 1 Church. We even went door-to-door, ourselves, in the Piney Grove neighborhood 2 with Piney Grove church members, to spread the word. 3 We understand the Commissioners are receiving the Staff program evaluation 4 and options for the first time tonight -- thank you for honoring our collective 5 request for a delay to allow for more community feedback. 6 Tonight, residents will be attending to hear Commissioners' responses to the 7 County staff evaluation. A few members will speak, with the intention of 8 continuing and strengthening an ongoing collaboration between County 9 Commissioners, staff, and community stakeholders, to address the inequities of 10 the tax burden, together. 11 The Affordable Housing team listed the following points as important: 12 1) The Jackson Center and Compass Group, EmPOWERMENT, Inc., Fairview 13 residents, and member groups of Orange County Justice United have connected 14 around a shared, countywide priority of addressing the inequitable property tax 15 burden. 16 2) As you know, the Longtime Homeowners Assistance program exists in the 17 context of inequitable property tax valuations, as well as an unfair tax burden: 18 residents with lower incomes have to pay a higher ratio of property taxes in 19 comparison to what they would actually make if they sold their home than 20 wealthier residents. The Longtime Homeowners Assistance program doesn't 21 resolve the inequity, but we recognized that it is an important attempt to lessen 22 some of the negative impact. 23 3) Given this inequity, we believe it is important for the program to at least have 24 maximum benefit for the most people. 25 4) In that vein, we most strongly support option 1 e), which would have the 26 potentially highest benefit for most people, and is also what Durham County is 27 likely about to adopt -- and was recommended by Durham Department of Social 28 Services. Durham County has expressed support of having a consistent, 29 coordinated approach to property tax relief across the Triangle. 30 1 e). Awards cover half of total tax bill: Award would cover half of total tax bill for 31 homeowners earning 80% AMI or under, up to these total amounts: 32 i. $ 1000. 00 for households with incomes < 61- 80% AMI 33 ii. $ 1250. 00 for households with incomes < 31- 60% AMI 34 iii. $ 1500. 00 for households with incomes < 30%- below AMI 35 iv. The amount of assistance that may be granted for this option will vary 36 based on the level of income of the applicants. Assuming a 50% increase in 37 the number of applicants, an estimated range is $169, 123 to $243,454. 38 4) In any case, we recommend going with property tax award criteria that would 39 provide the most benefit to most people -- options 1 c), 1 d), and 1 e) are the 40 three options estimated by County staff to provide the most benefit. 41 5) We also emphasize the importance of reducing the years of residence from 10 42 to 5. Even longtime homeowners in historical and gentrifying neighborhoods 43 expressed strong support for this change, to lower barriers to access. It's also 44 important to keep in mind that many residents did live in their homes for decades, 45 were pressured to leave, and then moved back thanks to community efforts -- but 46 may have been back fewer than 5 years. 47 6) Finally, we emphasize the need for greatly increased outreach, as County staff 48 recommended -- including program announcement with tax bill and working with 49 community partners in all parts of the County (including Hillsborough and 50 Northern Orange) in advance to do outreach. 40 1 - Along with outreach about the property tax assistance program, it is also 2 important to communicate transparently about the different levels and criteria 3 used for calculating the property tax rates. That way residents can understand 4 the process, be able to spot errors more quickly, and be better prepared to 5 appeal if needed. 6 Thank you for your work on this important issue. 7 Sincerely, 8 Orange County Justice United Affordable Housing team 9 10 Chair Price reviewed the possible options for consideration and the County Manager's 11 recommendations. 12 Commissioner McKee asked if anyone who spoke from the Jackson Center could 13 comment on if there was any reluctance from homeowners that they spoke to about the 14 program. 15 Kathy Atwater said there were several people who were apprehensive about the 16 program. She said they didn't want the government to know about their income thinking that 17 they would be charged even more. She said that many people just pay what the government 18 says to pay. She said that education should happen before property tax bills go out. She said 19 that would give them time to explain what is happening to the community. She said some 20 people still don't know about the Homestead Exemption Act, and that's been around for a long 21 time. She said it is important to develop trust in the community because many people have lost 22 their homes due to things like a reverse mortgage that say they will help, but don't. 23 Commissioner McKee said he asked that question because there is a program that 24 farmers initially refused to participate in because of uncertainties. He said he could imagine the 25 same dynamic happening here. He said the low number of applications was shocking to him. 26 Chair Price said that she has a friend in the community with relatives that don't trust the 27 government, or they just see the bill and pay it. She said this friend had to intervene with a 28 family member because she was paying on a barn that was considered a house. She said 29 getting trusted messengers is important. 30 Commissioner McKee said that would be key. He said that is what it took for farmers to 31 trust the program he referenced. He said over the years it became accepted, then it became 32 sought after. He said it's important to consider how to get the word out better than before. 33 34 Commissioner Bedford made a motion that the Board adopt recommendations #2, 3, 4, 35 5, 6, and 7. 36 Commissioner McKee seconded it. 37 Commissioner Richards said that she felt that it was important to get to a conclusion 38 about recommendation #1, because those other recommendations are dependent on #1. She 39 said the other recommendations are easy and make sense. 40 Commissioner Bedford asked if she should amend her motion to include an assumption 41 that#1 would be approved. 42 John Roberts, the County Attorney, said the amendment did not need to be amended. 43 Chair Price said she is in favor of#7. 44 45 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 46 47 Chair Price asked the Board to discuss recommendation #1. 48 Commissioner Hamilton thanked everyone who spoke about the issue. She said her 49 concern about recommendation #1 is if it can be sustained. She said she wanted to know the 50 number of people and the amount of money so the Board can determine if it's affordable. She 51 said she wanted to know if it's sustainable. She said she thought the Board should think 41 1 comprehensively about how the county supports low-income people, through either a strategic 2 plan or a budget. She said the Board needed information to know if they are setting up 3 something sustainable. She said it doesn't make sense to do something for one year, and then 4 it goes away. She said she would rather be cautious and see what they get if they make 5 changes to the communication plan and build up trust, before they do the other things proposed 6 in recommendation #1. 7 Commissioner Fowler said she is cautious as well, but currently this would use ARPA. 8 She said it would be critical to figure out they were going to pay for it in the future. She said one 9 argument to do the program is that people are still recovering from losses during the pandemic. 10 She said hopefully there would be some recovery from the pandemic. She said she would 11 suggest capping the total at the total county tax bill amount. She said that she thought the 12 response would be greater than a 50% increase. She said she would decrease the amounts in 13 slide #9 to $500, $750, and $1,000 for the first year so that the funds would not be used up in 14 one year. She said offering $300 as a base amount is a much more cautious approach. 15 Commissioner Richards said on c, the dollar estimate is based on 2021 recipient. She 16 asked if that means it is based on the 91 people that applied. 17 Nancy Freeman said it should be based on 125 applicants. 18 Commissioner Richards said that 125 for 2022 would be $95,000. She said we are 19 hoping we have more than 125. She asked when ARPA funds have to be used or committed. 20 Bonnie Hammersley said they have to be used by December 31, 2024. 21 Commissioner Richards said it looks like we would use the money all in one year. 22 Commissioner McKee said he liked the idea of looking at the income, because the lower 23 your income is, the more in jeopardy you are. He asked if there is a way to estimate the number 24 of homes that fall in the various income categories. 25 Nancy Freeman said the tax office did not have that information. 26 Corey Root said they could come back to the Board with an estimated number. 27 Commissioner McKee said if the county wanted to be cautious they could lower the 28 thresholds and start at a level that is sustainable. He said that each year they could increase or 29 expand based on demand. 30 Commissioner Bedford said another factor is the full bill amount. She said that removes 31 accountability for other elected boards that the county has no say over. She thinks it should be 32 limited to the county portion of the bill. 33 Commissioner McKee said he agreed with that. 34 Commissioner Richards asked if they think they should do the 80% AMI. She asked 35 how much impact would that have on the people that need the most help. 36 Corey Root said that 30% and 60% of AMI is often used for other housing programs. 37 She said there was considerable discussion about the 80% AMI, because the program affects 38 homeowners. 39 Chair Price asked if funds from the social justice fund could be used for this program. 40 Bonnie Hammersley said that would be up to the Board. 41 Chair Price said the balance is roughly $250,000. 42 Bonnie Hammersley said there is about $180,000 remaining in the fund. 43 Chair Price said she is hesitant moving forward with recommendation #1. She said it is 44 unclear whom the program is trying to assist. She said they do not know what people's living 45 situations are and people may be cost burdened for other reasons. She said this is a systemic 46 issue; people did not just become burdened due to the revaluation. She said that is only one 47 part of it. She said the county must find a way to better evaluate homes in various 48 neighborhoods. She said she wanted to determine how they could really help the families that 49 need assistance. She said she needed more information. 50 Commissioner Bedford said she mostly agreed with Chair Price's comments. She said 51 $300 makes it worth people's time to complete application. 42 1 Commissioner Bedford petitioned for a report on people who meet these parameters of 2 80%, 60%, etc., and owe back taxes and interest. She would like to be more informed. 3 Commissioner Bedford said they should at least do item a on recommendation #1. 4 Chair Price said she was really looking at the caps. 5 Commissioner Fowler asked for staff proposal for item a on recommendation #1, with 6 the program covering half of the county's tax portion rather than the total tax bill. She said she 7 would also like staff to include information on the impacts of reducing the award amounts to 8 $500, $750, and $1000. She said staff should assume 50% increase, as well as the impacts of 9 a 100% increase in participation. 10 Nancy Freeman said they could look at the income of the applicants to determine an 11 estimate. 12 Corey Root said they could look at the county as a whole. 13 Chair Price said if staff only looks at the applications received in the previous year, they 14 would not have information about all of the people who should have applied. 15 Commissioner Hamilton asked for clarification on what the Board was leaning towards 16 on recommendation #1. 17 Chair Price said they are considering several items. She said they are looking at item a 18 on recommendation #1, which was to institute a baseline award of $300. She said 19 Commissioner Fowler is looking at 1 e, looking at the schedule of awards to cover half of the 20 county tax bill. 21 Commissioner Hamilton recommended that the Board not make a decision on 22 recommendation #1, and that staff come back with information on the requests for more 23 information. She said the county should assume there will be more applicants. She said she 24 wants the program, but wants it to be sustainable. 25 Corey Root clarified that the Board could do both a and a in recommendation #1. 26 Commissioner Hamilton said she would like to know the costs of a combination of the 27 items. 28 Chair Price said they should work in collaboration with community organizations. 29 Commissioner McKee asked for a date when the item would come back to make sure 30 that staff have time to revamp the program and get information in the tax bills. 31 Chair Price said the next business meeting will be on May 24, 2022. 32 Corey Root said that they could bring the information back by May 24, 2022. 33 Commissioner McKee said he just did not want to wait until June. 34 Commissioner Richards said staff could begin working on some of the recommendations 35 that were already approved. 36 Chair Price asked that staff bring back information on May 24tH 37 38 39 b. Consideration of a Resolution Naming the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Center 40 Conference Room as The Lee Pavao Conference Room 41 The Board approved a resolution naming the conference room at the new Orange County 42 Visitors Center, located at 308 W. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, as "The Lee Pavao Conference 43 Room". 44 45 BACKGROUND: Lee Pavao served for eight years as an elected official on the Chapel Hill 46 Town Council, including two years as Mayor Pro-Tem. Mr. Pavao worked closely with Orange 47 County leaders and the Board of County Commissioners, as well as the Visitors Bureau staff 48 and hospitality industry leaders. Mr. Pavao spent his career in advertising and lent his expertise 49 to area marketing, sales and tourism campaigns to increase tourism in Orange County and in 50 order to support economic development and increased occupancy and sales tax revenues. 51 43 1 Lee Pavao joined J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) in New York, but was soon after drafted 2 into the U.S. Army (1956-1958). Pavao returned to JWT New York (1958-1963) before being 3 reassigned to a number of JWT's European offices (Amsterdam 1963-1965, Madrid 1967-1969) 4 before returning to New York. Pavao spent the rest of his career in various JWT offices in Latin 5 America (primarily Sao Paulo and Lima) before being named President and CEO of JWT Brazil 6 in 1980, eventually assuming responsibility for JWT operations across Latin America. Lee and 7 his wife Joan retired to Chapel Hill in 1988, and Joan passed away in 1990. Mr. Pavao threw 8 himself into a second career as a community volunteer, town leader, advocate for tourism 9 development, senior citizens and grandfather. 10 11 The J. Walter Thompson Company, Lee Pavao papers, were received by the David M. 12 Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library at Duke University as a gift in 2019. 13 https://archives.lib.duke.edu/catalog/jwtpavaolee 14 15 The Lee Pavao papers include advertisements and advertising designs, clippings, 16 correspondence, meeting minutes and planning documents, photographs, presentations, 17 reports, slides, speeches and other materials relating to Pavao's career, primarily in Latin 18 American offices in Brazil and Peru. Client companies represented include Ford, Kellogg and 19 Kodak. 20 21 In 2012, the Orange County community gave a standing ovation to Mr. Pavao when he became 22 a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award for his 30 years of volunteer service in 23 Orange County. 24 25 In recognition and appreciation of Lee Pavao's contributions to Orange County, the proposal to 26 name the Visitors Center conference room at 308 W. Franklin Street as "The Lee Pavao 27 Conference Room" was initially presented to the Board of Orange County Commissioners for 28 consideration on April 26, 2022. The Board expressed its intent to consider the proposal as 29 outlined in the Board's attached policy. 30 31 The Visitors Center's official Grand Opening is scheduled for May 19, 2022. 32 33 44 1 Commissioner Bedford read the resolution: 2 3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 4 RESOLUTION NAMING THE ORANGE COUNTY VISITORS CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 5 AS THE LEE PAVAO CONFERENCE ROOM 6 WHEREAS, Lee Pavao served for eight years as an elected official on the Chapel Hill Town 7 Council, including two years as Mayor Pro-Tem, and worked closely with Orange County 8 leaders, board of county commissioners and Visitors Bureau staff to raise awareness of tourism 9 as a key economic driver for Orange County; and 10 11 WHEREAS, Lee Pavao was born to Portuguese-American parents, served in the U.S. Army 12 (1956-1958) and after graduation from Dartmouth University, joined J. Walter Thompson 13 Advertising Company (JWT) in New York where he spent a globetrotting 30+ year career 14 including postings in five countries and responsibilities for all of Latin America, and ultimately a 15 seat on company's Worldwide Board of Directors; and 16 17 WHEREAS, Lee and his wife, Joan, retired to Chapel Hill, NC in 1988, and when Joan passed 18 away in 1990, Lee threw himself into a second career as a community volunteer, town leader, 19 advocate for senior citizens and economic development and growing the hospitality and tourism 20 industry; and 21 22 WHEREAS, The J. Walter Thompson Company, Lee Pavao papers, were received by the David 23 M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library at Duke University as a gift in 2019 and includes 24 advertisements and advertising designs, clippings, correspondence, meeting minutes and 25 planning documents, photographs, presentations, reports, slides, speeches and other materials 26 relating to Pavao's career, primarily in Latin American offices in Brazil and Peru. Client 27 companies represented include Ford, Kellogg and Kodak: 28 https://archives.Iib.duke.edu/catalog/iwtpavaolee; and 29 30 WHEREAS: Lee Pavao received numerous honors for his service to Orange County. From the 31 Long Leaf Pine Award bestowed by former NC Governor Beverly Perdue, to Chapel Hill 32 Historical Society's 2014 Town Treasure Honor to the /Orange County Visitors Bureau's 33 Tourism Leadership Accolade, and dozens of additional honors; and 34 35 WHEREAS, Leonel "Lee" Pavao died at his home on May 13, 2019; 36 37 NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does 38 hereby recognize the late Lee Pavao for his community service and dedication to Orange 39 County's economy through the development of hospitality and tourism by naming the 40 conference room of the Orange County Visitors Center at 308 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill as 41 "The Lee Pavao Conference Room". 42 43 This day, the 3rd day of May, 2022. 44 45 46 Renee Price, Chair 47 Orange County Board of Commissioners 48 45 1 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to 2 approve the resolution. 3 4 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 5 6 Laurie Paolicelli of the Orange County Visitor's Bureau thanked the Board for their 7 support of the resolution. She said that Lee Pavao talked about the importance of legacy at the 8 end of his life. She said Lee Pavao left a legacy of the gift of his time and service and belief in 9 government. She said Lee Pavao had a love of Orange County that he wore proudly. She said 10 he had a love of seniors and visitors. She said that it wasn't just love, it was also smart 11 economic development for visitors to come to Orange County and spend money. She said it 12 gives her pride and honor to keep his legacy alive. She introduced Lee Pavao's partner Cathy 13 Porter. 14 Cathy Porter said thank you on behalf of the family and that it was nice for Lee Pavao to 15 be remembered. 16 Chair Price said that Lee Pavao was a wonderful person with a contagious energy, and 17 that he brought magic to a room. 18 19 7. Reports 20 None. 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 Commissioner Richards said she would like to pull item 8-h for discussion. 29 30 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to 31 approve the remaining consent agenda. 32 33 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 34 35 a. Minutes 36 The Board will consider corrections and/or approval of the draft minutes for the April 5, 2022 37 and April 12, 2022 Board of County Commissioners meetings. 38 b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds 39 The Board will consider adoption of a resolution to release motor vehicle property tax values for 40 seven taxpayers with a total of seven bills that will result in a reduction of revenue. 41 c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds 42 The Board will consider adoption of a resolution to release property tax values for four taxpayers 43 with a total of six bills that will result in a reduction of revenue. 44 d. Application for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion 45 The Board will consider one untimely application for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem 46 taxation for one bill for the 2021 tax year. 47 e. Older Americans Month Proclamation 48 The Board will consider approving a proclamation joining Federal and State governments in 49 designating the month of May as Older Americans Month and a time to honor older adults for 50 their contributions to the community. 46 1 f. Approval of Addition of Non-voting Youth Member to Parks and Recreation Council 2 (PRC) 3 The Board will consider approval of a resolution amending the Code of Ordinances to allow the 4 addition of a youth delegate non-voting member to the Orange County Parks and Recreation 5 Council (PRC). 6 g. Construction Bid Award for Emergency Services Efland EMS Station and Approval of 7 Budget Amendment#10-C 8 The Board will consider: 9 1) Approving a construction contract with J. Kester & Rose, LLC, for the construction of the 10 Efland Emergency Services Station and Medical Examiner's Review Quarters and approve 11 Budget Amendment# 10-C; and 12 2) Authorizing the County Manager to execute the Agreement, subject to final review by the 13 County Attorney, and any subsequent amendments for contingent and unforeseen requirements 14 up to the approved budget amount on behalf of the Board. 15 h. Orange County Facilities Master Planning 16 The Board will consider approving a Design Services contract with O'Brien Atkins Associates, 17 Durham, NC, totaling $298,215 for Facilities Master Planning services throughout the County. 18 i. Contract Extension with New River Tire Recycling, Inc. 19 The Board will consider approving and authorizing the County Manager to sign a contract 20 extension with New River Tire Recycling, Inc. for the loading, transport, and recycling/disposal 21 of scrap tires. 22 j. Adoption of the Final Financing Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Installment 23 Purchase Financing for Various Capital Investment Plan Projects 24 The Board will consider adopting the final financing resolution authorizing the issuance of up to 25 $43,000,000 in installment financing to finance capital investment projects and equipment for 26 the fiscal year. The financing will also include amounts to pay transaction costs. 27 k. Series 2022 General Obligation Bond Sale in the Amount of$14,540,000 28 The Board will consider authorizing voter-approved Series 2022 General Obligation Bond 29 issuance in the amount of $14,540,000. The bond issuance amount is $11,893,584 for Orange 30 County Schools and $2,646,416 for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. 31 I. Application for North Carolina Education Lottery Proceeds for Chapel Hill Carrboro 32 City Schools (CHCCS) and Contingent Approval of Budget Amendment#10-A Related 33 to CHCCS Capital Project Ordinances 34 The Board will consider approving an application to the North Carolina Department of Public 35 Instruction (NCDPI) to release proceeds from the NC Education Lottery account related to FY 36 2021-22 debt service payments for Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS), and to approve 37 Budget Amendment#10-A, contingent on the NCDPI's approval of the application. 38 m. Application for North Carolina Education Lottery Proceeds for Orange County 39 Schools (OCS) and Contingent Approval of Budget Amendment#10-113 Related to OCS 40 Capital Prosect Ordinances 41 The Board will consider approving an application to the North Carolina Department of Public 42 Instruction (NCDPI) to release proceeds from the NC Education Lottery account related to FY 43 2021-22 debt service payments for Orange County Schools (OCS), and to approve Budget 44 Amendment#10-B, contingent on the NCDPI's approval of the application. 45 46 Regarding item 8-h, Commissioner Richards expressed concern that when looking over 47 the scope of services, she did not see the opportunity for community input on how facilities 48 support them. She said this is a missed opportunity to interface and get input from the 49 community. She said she would like to know how this fits in to an overall strategic plan. She 50 asked how the plan fits in to the county's overall look at the next 20 years. 47 1 Bonnie Hammersley said this is a master plan for our space going forward. She said 2 this started due to the high number of vacant properties. She said they want to take a 30,000 ft. 3 view of space needs. She said the study is not focused on programming, but how much space 4 does the county need in the future. She said they will be looking at all county facilities. She 5 said this is just the beginning of a long process. She said this is the first time a study has been 6 done. She said there was an internal study a few years ago. She said this will be a longer term 7 plan and there are many vacant properties. She said one goal is to move out of rented and 8 leased space. She said that this is a first step in a long process for addressing space needs. 9 She said they are in a leased facility at Hillsborough Commons. She said that is a long term 10 issue that needs to be looked at. She said a consultant will come three times to get direction 11 from the Board. She said that the study is not going to get into programming, so it would be 12 premature to bring in the community at this time. She said this will look at how many square 13 feet does the county need for operations. She said it might not increase, due to technology and 14 remote work. 15 Commissioner Bedford asked about having this back in time in February 2022 so when 16 they look at the CIP, they have a full picture. She said she understood Commissioner Richards' 17 point, and she thought a strategic plan process could be discussed at the retreat. 18 Commissioner Richards asked about county goals and aspirations. She said she needs 19 to be informed about the goals and what the background is. 20 Chair Price said some of these buildings are in neighborhoods. She said it would be 21 important to know what the people who live in these areas want. She said at some point it 22 would be good to have an open house for ideas. She said as the community changes, the 23 Board changes. 24 Bonnie Hammersley said that the study wouldn't have recommendations for what the 25 spaces should be used for, apart from county needs. She said that if the spaces were 26 determined not to be used by the county, then the Board would decide how to dispose or reuse 27 the facilities. 28 Commissioner Richards made a motion to approve item 8-h, and Commissioner Fowler 29 seconded. 30 31 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 32 33 9. County Manager's Report 34 Projected May 10, 2022 BOCC Budget Public Hearing &Work Session 35 First Budget & Capital Investment Plan Public Hearing 36 Food Council Presentation and Proposal for MOU Renewal 37 Additional Discussion on Regulation of Large Gatherings 38 Review of Upcoming Boards and Commissions Appointments 39 40 Projected May 12, 2022 Budget Work Session 41 Schools and Outside Agencies 42 43 May 19, 2022 Budget Work Session 44 Fire Districts, Public Safety, Human Services 45 46 Bonnie Hammersley said that there was an agenda item that was approved on consent 47 proclaiming May as Older Americans Month. She highlighted an informational item on 48 Mountains to Sea Trail progress. She reminded the Board about the upcoming budget public 49 hearing and work sessions. 50 51 10. County Attorney's Report 48 1 John Roberts did not have anything to share with the Board. 2 3 11. *Appointments 4 None. 5 6 12. Information Items 7 • April 26, 2022 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List 8 • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis 9 • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections 10 • Tax Assessor's Report— Releases/Refunds under$100 11 • Memorandum - NC Mountains to Sea Trail Progress Report 12 13 13. Closed Session 14 15 14. Adjournment 16 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to 17 adjourn the meeting at 10:06 p.m. 18 19 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 20 21 22 Renee Price, Chair 23 24 25 Laura Jensen 26 Clerk to the Board 27 28 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.