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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-20-2024 - Business Meeting 1 APPROVED 412124 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUSINESS MEETING February 20, 2024 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, NC. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Vice-Chair Sally Greene and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee, Phyllis Portie-Ascott, and Anna Richards COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Vice-Chair Greene called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present, except Chair Bedford. In her absence, Vice-Chair Greene led the business meeting. 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda Vice-Chair Greene summarized the public charge in lieu of reading it. 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda BJ Warshaw read the following statement to the Board: "I'm back to raise a few more points about your upcoming March 7th agenda item, amending WASMPBA in the southern Chapel Hill ETJ. Yesterday, I sent you an email detailing how Chapel Hill's current and planned stormwater regulations are insufficient. I say this after attending the Chapel Hill Stormwater Staff's public session last week around updating the LUMO's guidelines. As far as I could tell, current and planned restrictions do not take into account the increase in rain events we're seeing today due to climate change, where a 100-year event is already closer to a 1 in 25 chance of happening annually. And these increases in rain events — in duration, volume, and frequency — are baked into the climate crisis for decades to come. Just outside the proposed WASMPBA area, there are existing housing developments, built during a very different climate reality and abutting Fan Branch, Wilson, Morgan, and Obey Creeks, that are near or within existing 100-year flood zones. Before the water and sewer boundaries change, I would like to see an environmental impact study. Let's determine —first—whether or not it really is appropriate to develop up to 70% of mostly undeveloped woodlands, wetlands, creeks, and streams. Otherwise, I worry the pressure to build bigger and denser will lead to creating the Eastgates and Heritage Hills of tomorrow. Chapel Hill Town Staff has argued such environmental study is unnecessary. And that it's too expensive to conduct any studies without first moving the water and sewer boundary. Respectfully, that's now a moot point, as Carrboro and Hillsborough have said "yes" to amending the boundary. OWASA will say"yes". So, what is the rush?With support across the Towns, it now seems wise to take a step back, and set up reasonable guardrails to development. The flooding of future homes, the permanent destruction of natural ecologies are also expensive. Yesterday, I attended the amazing Orange County Ag Summit, as did several of you. I found the presentation from Amy Eckberg around our sustainability goals incredibly enlightening. Especially 2 relevant was her point that we must actively preserve existing undeveloped forests, as well as plant new trees, to aid in carbon sequestration. I ask you: what kind of environmental impact would clear cutting 250 acres have (around 70% of the approximate 360 acres included in the new boundary)? Without a plan, without guidelines, how can we be sure that development pressure won't lead to worst case scenarios? Today, you've also received a letter from the Southern Entryway Alliance with 66 signatures, people in and around the southern area who want to see more planning and more community engagement. Nearly every day over the past week, I've spoken with a neighbor who had little to no idea what WASMPBA was, let alone what its amendment would mean. So I close with this: the Board of County Commissioners has an opportunity. You, like I, may agree with Chapel Hill's goals in principle — increasing missing middle housing, increasing affordable housing, the Complete Communities Framework. But you can, for now, withhold your vote to amend WASMPBA, and make your "yes" contingent upon additional analysis and public information sessions. Let's find the win-win plan first — together — so that we actually achieve those goals without disastrous and costly unintended side effects." Terri Buckner read the following statement to the Board: "I've listened to the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Town Councils discuss the WASMPBA expansion, and it's clear this project is all about affordable housing. But those discussions have paid zero attention to how much affordable housing already exists down here and how it might be impacted. The two parcels identified for affordable housing so far clearly won't pay for the sewer expansion so how much more market rate housing will be needed to justify that expense? No one knows, especially since OWASA can't estimate the cost of the sewer line expansion until there is a zoning plan. In none of the discussions focused on affordable housing, have any of the elected officials asked who will be displaced. Neither town has recognized or acknowledged the people currently living in this area as part of their decision making. At your seat is a table with a high-level profile of Who Lives in the Expansion Area? Land records can't really tell us who they are, but they do provide clues. Two-thirds of the residences were built prior to Southern Village. Some of these properties have been owned for over 20 years, two for close to 50. The median size of the homes is 1,400 square feet and the median lot size is just over 1 acre. There are million-dollar homes in the area, but there are more affordable, low-income homes and there are several homes that the data leads me to believe are quite low-income residences. But that's just me sitting here with GIS data. It's not the kind of formal analysis I expect from my local governments before moving ahead with a major project. Many of the homeowners and renters in the area are unaware of what is coming at them. These residents.... these people.... deserve to be recognized and respected before their lives are turned upside down. They especially don't deserve to be run out of their affordable homes for some vague hope of building more affordable housing that is significantly more expensive than where they currently live. The town's stated vision includes no plan for bringing new businesses to the area and OWASA's capacity analysis specifically stated it was for residential only. I suppose that means it will still be closer to do our grocery shopping in Chatham County. And I'm sure the constant harassment by land speculators will get worse. Before you finalize your vote, please advocate for those residents. Make sure they understand what is going to happen, the costs of annexation, the loss of the surrounding tree cover, and the impact on their family finances. Listen to what they have to say before you turn their lives over to a haphazard development process." Valarie Schwartz said she has lived in the Southern ETJ for 25 years in the Dogwood Acres community. She said the BOCC is the only government body that represents residents of the ETJ. She said the elected officials in the Towns can say they voted to bring more affordable housing, but said the County is responsible for the infrastructure in the ETJ, not the Towns. She 3 said there is a fire station 2 minutes away from the ETJ, but the station that serves the area is based in Carrboro. She said Chapel Hill Police Department does not cover the ETJ and because it is the southern-most part of the county, claimed an Orange County Sheriff patrol car is a rare sighting. She questioned whether nearby schools will be able to accommodate additional students moving to this area. She said she is not asking for changes, but there are no bus stops and no sidewalks in the ETJ. She said more affordable housing does need to come to Chapel Hill, but developers are going to spend millions of dollars to extend water and sewer to as many dwellings as they are allowed. She said the Board can call for needed studies and plans with community input before voting to amend WASMPBA. Morgan Womble said she is a Chapel Hill native, and her family owns a farm off of Smith Level Rd. in Chapel Hill established in the late 1800s-early 1900s. She said her grandfathers worked to sustain the land through a variety of means, and now her brother and father work every day just to pay taxes on the land. She said her concern with the WASMPBA extension is the downstream effects it may certainly have on the south Chapel Hill community. She asked the Board what consideration has been made regarding economic and demographic impacts of the water line that will lead to continued development in the area. She asked how this would affect taxes in the community. She said the areas surrounding the proposed extension are filled with low to middle-income families that will be priced out as big developers come into the area, her family included. She said this change will completely change the demographics of this area unless thoughtful planning is done for how to develop the region. She said she understands that growth and development is inevitable, but asked the Board to ensure there is appropriate regulations in place for developers who may come in to build apartment complex after apartment complex. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she attended the Research Triangle Regional Partnership luncheon, and the discussion showcased the diversity and strength of the region's economic landscape and how community colleges are working together to enhance workforce development programs. She said an attendee asked one of the site consultants what they think different counties should work to improve, and he responded that industry leaders are looking to hear how they are addressing affordable housing issues and that demographic groups being left out of the workforce are identified and work is being done to engage them. She shared that she participated in BIPOC Electeds Black History Month Poetry Reading and also went to the Ag Summit yesterday. At the latter event, she said there was an eye-opening discussion on farm transitions and the presenter stressed the importance of the availability of resources for farmers to begin early planning. She said she read Lillian's Right to Vote earlier today to a group of fifth grade students at Carrboro Elementary for the Eighth Annual African American Read-In and is grateful that the students were attentive and engaging and invited her to their classroom. Commissioner Hamilton said she also participated in the BIPOC poetry reading and noted the event is available to view on Carrboro's website. She shared that she also had the privilege of reading Testing the Ice at Carrboro Elementary School today and There Was a Party for Langston at Northside Elementary on February 9'. She said it was important to her to be in the classroom with the students and reiterated how vital it is to invest in our children. Commissioner Hamilton said she is on the Alliance Health Board and questions have come up about the structure of that board. She said the board looks for applicants with certain expertise and perspectives. She reviewed some of the areas of expertise the board is looking for. She petitioned the Board to form a subcommittee to look at the performance measures of the Strategic Plan. Commissioner Fowler said she filled in at the Central Pines Regional Council MPO meeting and reported that Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen will be pulled out into their 4 own MPO called the Sandhills MPO, but until that happens, they will be considered in the transportation plan and given 400 points. She said she looks forward to the Black History Knowledge Bowl and Poetry Slam at McDougle Middle School on Saturday. Finally, she encouraged everyone to take advantage of early voting. Commissioner McKee said he had no announcements. Commissioner Richards said she also attended the Ag Summit the previous day and the discussions were very enlightening on resiliency as well as the session Commissioner Portie- Ascott mentioned. She said she also attended the ABC Board meeting today and received updates from community organizations that are funded through ABC profits. She said she was happy to see organizations across the community are working with youth. She shared that she also read in a fourth-grade classroom today at Carrboro Elementary School. Vice-Chair Greene said that early voting is underway and announced the early voting sites. She said last week she attended the 40'Anniversary Breakfast of Habitat for Humanity and shared that the head of Habitat International is Jonathan Reckford, a local to Orange County. She said she attended the Ag Summit and noticed there were more participants this year as well as more vendors. She said Amy Eckberg, Sustainability Coordinator, gave a presentation on the completed Climate Action Plan and how much of it depends on the resilience and capabilities of the agricultural community. She said the consultants for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan were also there gathering input from the community. Lastly, she mentioned the marker unveiling that took place in Carrboro on Sunday by the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition. She said this is the first of two markers that will go up sponsored and gifted by the Equal Justice Initiative. She said this marker honors the memory of Manley McCauley,who was lynched in 1898 at 18 years old. She shared some of the context surrounding his death. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/Special Presentations a. Black History Month Proclamation The Board approved a proclamation declaring February 2024 as Black History Month. BACKGROUND: Carter G. Woodson and three others started Black History Month, proclaimed by every president since 1976. These Black Americans formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLF), which started the idea of Black History Month in 1915, at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation in Washington, DC. The ASNLF, an organization whose mission was to research and promote the achievements of Black Americans and other people of African descent. The first celebration was during the week in February that encompassed Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas's birthdays. In 1976, President Gerald Ford expanded the celebration to the month of February. President Ford urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." The month of February was selected to commemorate the birthdays of Lincoln and Douglas and to recognize the history of Black Americans and the historical significance they represent in the history of the United States. This year's Black History Month theme is "African Americans and the Arts", which explores the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of "visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression." County activities commemorating Black History Month are detailed on the attached list. 5 Shameka Fairbanks, Chief Equity Officer, reviewed the background information for the item. Commissioner Richards, Commissioner Hamilton, and Commissioner Portie-Ascott read the following proclamation in turn: ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, it is essential to sustain a harmonious and inclusive society, Orange County discourage practices and actions deemed detrimental to the peace, welfare, and progress of our community; and WHEREAS, Orange County is home to Black Americans who descend from formerly enslaved peoples who were victims of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, captured and transported from the continent of Africa to the Americas where they were sold as property and endured brutal treatment while being forced to build and develop new lands which includes a country that they would have to fight to belong to; surviving more than 400 years of subjugation and oppression, all the while becoming a new and unique group whose lineage predates the founding of the United States of America; participants in every war fought to defend and protect this nation, even from itself, Black Americans hold a special place in the foundation of our country and continue to be the standard bearers of freedom and democracy despite the ever present residue and persistent ramifications associated with America's original sin of slavery; Black Americans worked and fought to improve their lives while facing down overt and systemic racism as well as racial violence and terror; Black Americans have, and continue to contribute to the nation's, and our community's social, economic, political, spiritual, and mental prosperity; and WHEREAS, Black Americans represent a diverse group of respected residents of this country and the Orange County community; and their contributions of humanitarian knowledge, technological and societal innovations are vital components of the cultural fabric of our County, nation and world; and WHEREAS, Black American experiences and unrelenting resilience inspire people in Orange County and around the world, we recognize a collective struggle for equality and inclusiveness now and into the future until our shared humanity is acknowledged and celebrated; and WHEREAS, every American recognizes the need for protest and the defying of cultural norms, practices, laws and systems that are unjust, oppressive, and exclusionary; we celebrate this year's Black History Month theme of"African Americans and the Arts"; NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, do proclaim February 2024 as "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" and encourage our residents to honor this distinctive month by becoming more enlightened as to the true history of Black Americans in this Country and in our community. 6 THIS THE 20t" DAY OF FEBRUARY 2024. Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to approve the proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. OWASA Annual Update Presentation The Board received a presentation and information from the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) on recent activities. BACKGROUND: At the beginning of each calendar year, OWASA representatives appear before the Board of Commissioners to make a presentation on recent OWASA activities. OWASA Board Chair Bruce Boehm, Orange County appointees Jody Eimers and Kim Piracci, and Executive Director Todd Taylor will present the annual update. Jody Eimers introduced herself, fellow board member Kim Piracci, and OWASA Executive Director, Todd Taylor. She mentioned that her final term on the OWASA Board of Directors expires on June 30t" and encouraged the Board to appoint her replacement in a timely manner. She began reviewing Attachment 1-OWASA Quarterly Report. She highlighted the Care to Share Program, which provides financial assistance to families experiencing hardship. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how the number of households receiving assistance compares to previous years. Jody Eimers said the number is similar to past years. Jody Eimers continued her presentation and discussed OWASA's PFAS monitoring efforts and treatment. She said OWASA will begin a new treatment process including a pilot study, which will run 6-14 months at the Jones Ferry Rd. Water Treatment Plant. She said construction will start in late 2025 and will take 24-30 months to complete, and the primary focus is drinking water at this time. Kim Piracci reviewed information from OWASA's report on the Drinking Water Service Line Inventory. She said 48% of private service lines have been reviewed and no lead lines have been identified in OWASA's service area through this effort. She also mentioned education efforts around galvanized pipes. Commissioner Hamilton asked how long it will take to review the remaining lines that have not been checked for lead. Todd Taylor said it will take several years to complete, but they are beginning to utilize a machine that will learn and be able to predict pipes based on what other pipes are in the neighborhood or in service area. Commissioner Richards asked about the self-verification process. Todd Taylor said residents take a visual inspection of the pipes, then take a picture and OWASA staff will confirm the resident's evaluation on the pipe material. Kim Piracci continued her presentation and read from OWASA's report to update the board on the Jordan Lake Western Intake Partnership. Commissioner Fowler asked about the timeline for construction of water treatment facilities at Jordan Lake. 7 Todd Taylor said the current schedule has the facility being completed in 2031. He said OWASA is participating in the preliminary studies in order to get a better understanding of costs and decide if they will contribute. Commissioner Fowler asked how costs would be divided if there is varying usage by partners. Todd Taylor said each partner would have capacity based on water needs and the costs would be divided accordingly. Commissioner Richards asked Todd Taylor to discuss what the report mentions regarding WASMPBA. Todd Taylor said OWASA provided a memo to elected officials about what it would take to extend service to that area. He said there is no technical reason OWASA could not serve this area. Commissioner Richards asked what the cost impact would be if boundaries are expanded. Todd Taylor said extensions into neighborhoods would be borne by developers and capacity infrastructure that would need to be improved to handle additional flow would be updated by OWASA, but system developments fees would be paid back to OWASA when homes connect their homes to service. Commissioner McKee asked to return to the Jordan Lake Western Intake Partnership discussion and asked if Hillsborough were part of the discussion and what would happen in the case of an emergency. Todd Taylor said Hillsborough has an allocation, but since they are not currently a partner, they would receive their water through the City of Durham. Related to the WASMPBA discussion, Commissioner Fowler asked how much it would cost for a single-family home to connect water and sewer. Todd Taylor said it depends on the meter size, but the cost is roughly several thousand dollars. Commissioner Hamilton said if WASMPBA is amended, OWASA would expand 7,700 feet of sewer segments and 4800 feet of water main, per the report. She asked if this would be part of OWASA's Capital Improvements Program. Todd Taylor said yes, but the costs would be recouped through system developments fees. Commissioner Hamilton asked if the initial costs would be covered through fund balance or borrowing. Todd Taylor said it would depend on the timing of the investment. He explained that it will not immediately have an impact on the system, and they would work with Chapel Hill to time it so infrastructure and investment coincide with when they think the growth will occur. Commissioner Hamilton clarified that OWASA may have to borrow for the infrastructure and asked how that would be paid for through increased rates. Todd Taylor said it again would depend on timing and what other things are happening that could put pressure on rates. He said it may be possible that other debt service will be paid off and so they are able to borrow without raising rates. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if OWASA will have to borrow money in order to extend water and sewer. Todd Taylor said if WASMPA is extended, there is not an immediate need for water and sewer. He explained that the need will occur overtime as growth occurs and houses are actually in need of the service. He said the cost could be stretched out over time and may not be one lump. 8 5. Public Hearings a. Orange County FY 2025 Annual Transit Work Program The Board conducted a public hearing on the Orange County FY 2025 Annual Transit Work Program (AWP). BACKGROUND: In 2011, the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) authorized a referendum for a half-cent sales tax to expand public transit in Orange County. The funding is limited to public transit improvements identified in the Orange County Transit Plan approved by the County, the GoTriangle Board, and the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) Board. All three boards must approve the Plan and any material changes to the Plan. An Interlocal Implementation Agreement (ILA) approved by the three boards in 2013 outlines the roles and responsibilities of each agency for the administration of the funding. A new ILA was approved by Orange County BOCC in February 2023. The new ILA provides a specific process for the development of the Work Program including approval by the BOCC ahead of approval by the GoTriangle Board. Section 3.04 of the new Comprehensive Participation Agreement outlines this process. The Staff Working Group (SWG) met on January 19, 2024 and released the draft FY 2025 AWP (Attachment 1)for public review. Orange County is a member of the SWG and serves as the Staff Working Group administrator. DCHC MPO, Go Triangle and local town staff are also on the SWG, per the Staff Work Group By-Laws. The FY 2025 AWP is the implementation of the Transit Plan for FY 2025. Orange County has no new transit projects programmed or funded. The County's Mobility-on-Demand, which increased to six (6) days starting May 1, 2023, now serves as a continuous operational project. Any new County specific transit projects would require an amendment to the Orange County Transit Plan. If Transit Plan and Work Program approvals take place concurrently, no additional amendment approval will be necessary. If not, a Transit Plan Amendment would need to be approved by the BOCC, DCHC MPO and Go Triangle for more County specific transit improvements. Public notice for the 30-day review period and public hearing was issued (Attachment 2). The public comment period closes on February 29, 2024. No comments have been received to-date (Attachment 3). Next Step: The Annual Work Program will come back to the BOCC for consideration in March, and then reviewed by the GoTriangle Board for its annual budget and approval. Darlene Weaver, Orange County Transportation Planning Manager reviewed the background information for the item. She also made the following presentation: 9 Slide #1 Orange County Annual Work °rogram 0 c Slide #2 �. Outline /: . f 1 Orange County Transit Plan 2 Annual Work Plan 1 r r r i •� Slide #3 Orange County Annual Work Program In 2012,Orange County voters approved the transit sales tax to invest in public transit. Investments in public transit. In 2022 we updated the key values for the Transit Plan are: i. Equity 2. Affordable&Amitnable Quallry of Life Environmental Sustainability Economic Prosperity Transportation&Access for all The investment program is the Change County Annual Work Program. 10 Slide#4 Orange County Annual Work Program Today's presentation is about two parts of the Orange Annual Work Program FY22 Orange Transit Plan FY25 Orange Annual Work Program Orange Transit Plan projects projects scheduled for investment between July Orange County Projects 1,2023,and June 30,2040. FImplemented by ' Continuation of Transit Services Demand Response and Paratransit Includes all Orange Transit Plan ■ Continuation of Transit Services Fixed Routes projects,including bus projects, Hillsborough Circulator 2.0 operating,capital,but also ■ Mobility on Demand administrution,investments. ■ Staff Working Group Administration Darlene Weaver said that the project is out for public comment through the end of the month. She said that the Transit Plan will build upon projects that have been implemented since 2012. Slide #5 Orange County Annual Work Program Overview of the Annual Work Program What's included How to read it Highlights of plan for FY 2425 Orange County Transit Plan FY25 Annual Work Program 11 Slide#6 Transit Annual Work Program; Elements FY25 Operating Budget FY25 Capital Budget Financial Model Assumptions ' = Also includes 4 . Multi-Year Operating Program Capital Improvement Plan Orange County Transit Plan FY25 Annual Work program Darlene Weaver said that they will not have actual numbers until they submit to GoTriangle for reimbursement. 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Nlw Nil aL Nra NII. rfEt!-Gavel uwi..sr rerwea hours,irssviship,andb.,slop" AY " a[Wn Ma[e1[s LOTS Se•,r•cr noun somdef-d 111 r,;ho I—- --snaps Darlene Weaver said slide #10 provides a good summary of the project. Slide #11 Operating Program Highlights Plan spends most funding (19% of $6.6 million) on Orange County services Mobility on Demand increased frequency and hours to 6 days per week supporting rural communities Continuation of Transit Service Rural Route increase services hours beyond the expectations of 2013 Continuation of Transit Service Fixed Routes is the Hill to Hill and Orange Alamance;has updated twice prior to January 16,2024,expansion Hillsborough Circulator 2-0 made improvements by expanding hours, adding routes and the implantation of the reverse circulator. - Administrative of Staff Working Group beginning July 1, 2023 Darlene Weaver said that within the last year, mobility on demand was added to help the rural community. 14 Slide #12 ORANGETRAN�1TWORK PLAN Capital Program Highlights Surnmar 4f ProjeCt Requests Cd it9d Fray FY25 22GOTVPI vehicle acquisition and replacement S 216,667 S 225,333 23GOTCP4 New R i orm I Tra ns i L Fac i I ity IOran eCauntYsharel $ 144,9U4 $ 141),499 l3[,QTCO3 RQgiOndl FICPt dnd Fd Ci1Si SStrdYJmpl lvnPn SB Ii on-NN So MW $ 525,000 $ 750,000 20 CHWE)l N6rin uvth awr Suppl ownta l S 4,DOQ,DOQ S 25 CH IC U 15 mi d l i fe Repower for FT38 and FY26 vehicle Purchases $ 209,664 $ Total Capital Requests $ 5,691,35i $ 1,115,333 R-ised Maq t Nrw Mr _t Slide#13 M Where are we in the process? NEKT STEPS Public Engagezearing UCHC MPo a Ca Jan-Feb 2024 irsu•gle Apprev� P,cieer SMn�& SWG Glehal ggrrwnem rtc mrtrndrd 2022 i—it PI— Pzr ,AWP 5WG►.dirk luty AWP❑rnh Flral AWP Plm Legend ,2023,ro OC • annual Work Program;AWP) • SiaFF Worklnq Ciroup(SWOI BOCC Approves • Dwehom Chopal HIII Coerboro hHrropolitan April 202A 'Inr,r -R^r�r rtrl,en G)CHO aLPO; • 31113rd=f Cour,•y C.aTmi ionrrs;BOCC; Darlene Weaver said that the staff working group meets once per month to provide guidance to the annual work program. 15 Slide#14 FY25 Transit Tax Investments • Carrboro Transit Infrastructure(access to sidewalks) Hillsborough Train Station Chapel Hill BRT& services Slide#15 Thank you! Orange County TransportationDepartment Nishith Trivedi-Transportation Dire0or 919-245-2007 Darlene W"ver-Transportation Planning Manager 929-245-2002 Darlene Weaver said comments are accepted through the end of the month. Commissioner McKee asked her to explain the process for the Mobility on Demand. Darlene Weaver said that a resident fills out a packet and an appointment is made with the dispatcher. Commissioner McKee asked about the time in between making the request for transit and having transportation. Nishith Trivedi said it is a same-day service and residents download an app and make their transportation request through that. Commissioner McKee asked what happens if someone cannot use the app. Darlene Weaver said that they can call into the office, and they will assist them. Commissioner McKee asked about the timeframe from the call to having transportation. Nishith Trivedi said that they provide the same-day service as long as there is a driver available. He said that if there is not a car or driver, then they would let the resident know. He said that they try to get to the resident very soon after they have requested the service. 16 Commissioner Richards asked how the new communication system and vehicle purchases connect to the implementation of the plan. Darlene Weaver said those items are related to this fiscal year and the work program is for next fiscal year. Commissioner Hamilton said that when she sees the fund balance, it shows a squiggly like, but it looks like a negative, or deficit, she said that when presenting to the public, it would be helpful not to follow that convention or to have a footnote that explains the difference. Nishith Trivedi said that is an update they can make to the plan but that they were following accounting procedures with negatives showing for money coming in and positives for money going out. Vice-Chair Greene said that she would like to keep the fund balance as a savings account rather than spend it down. She said the plan discusses what they would like to do if they had the funds available and one project is BRT between Durham and Chapel Hill. Nishith Trivedi said until a big project is identified there are no restrictions on how to use them. He said that there are other projects that are about to be approved and are not in the transit plan. Vice-Chair Greene said she thought the Transit Plan was guiding future investment and the idea was that there would be federal funding later to take advantage of, but they require substantial matching funds. Nishith Trivedi said more information will be coming to the Board about what can be incorporated using those funds. He said that there are improvements and needs that are current in Orange County and they will be updated with the short-range transit plan. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked about the application for Mobility on Demand and if some riders do not pay anything. Nishith Trivedi said yes, and work with other county departments to identify those residents with most need. A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to open the public hearing. VOTE: UNANIMOUS PUBLIC COMMENTS: Rachel Hawkins read the following statement to the Board: "I am Rachel Phelps Hawkins, native of Orange County. I am here tonight as the President of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Passmore Center in Orange County. I am asking that you pay close attention to how the transit tax is distributed in Orange County. More money for the large aging community in rural Northern Orange and rural Southern Orange County, to be more specific. One fact is that there is a pandemic of social isolation in older adults — thus the senior centers offer the opportunity to bond with others daily, by offering meals, card games, activities, plays, health seminars, attention to healthy living etc. Because many do not drive or have family to assist to allow them to participate in these activities, they need transportation —which we have been told, is on the verge of non-existent to the senior centers (outside the Chapel Hill area), due to a fund deficit. We know there are other services for individuals to contract with individually, but transportation to a much-needed lunch at the Senior Centers and all the activities there is a must, if the aging community is to enjoy the wonderful senior centers that the County provides. Maybe supplement the Van Driver Program outside the Chapel Hill Transit Area. Our seniors are the largest growing population group! You and I are or soon will be a part of that. We want to 17 partake of the services offered, and we do continue to pay the '/2 cent transit tax. We assume if we pay that tax, we would all be able to see the benefit! We urge you to make this transit tax equitable for all seniors no matter their location, but specifically, outside the Chapel Hill Transit area!" A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to close the public hearing. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6. Regular Agenda a. Approval of a Countywide Strategic Plan for FY 2024-25 through FY 2028-29 The Board approved a Countywide Strategic Plan for FY 2024-25 through FY 2028-29. BACKGROUND: During the Board of Commissioners 2022 Retreat, the Board authorized staff to solicit proposals from vendors to assist in the creation of a comprehensive, Countywide Strategic Plan. In 2023, the Board approved a contract with Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, LLC to create a Countywide Strategic Plan. The planning process was intended to produce a plan that prioritizes, focuses, and aligns County programs and services. During the first half of 2023, the consulting team worked with staff and the Board of Commissioners to conduct an environmental scan that included stakeholder interviews and focus groups, an online engagement portal, Countywide community surveys, and visioning sessions. The first draft was released for public comment in December 2023, and the Board of Commissioners finalized the mission, vision, guiding principles, and strategic goals during its retreat in January 2024. During this same time, department directors have worked together to create an implementation plan and performance measures. The Plan includes six specific strategic goals: • Environmental Protection and Climate Action, • Healthy Community, • Housing for All, • Multi-modal Transportation, • Public Education/Learning Community, and • Diverse and Vibrant Economy Once the Plan is adopted, important documents such as the annual operating budget, Capital Investment Plan, and agenda abstracts will be updated to assure alignment of resources with the Countywide Strategic Plan. Progress will also be tracked regularly. Staff teams will evaluate and discuss progress on achieving the Board's Strategic Goals monthly. Those teams will report quarterly on progress to the County Manager's Office. Twice each year, the County Manager's Office will prepare an update to the Board for each Strategic Goal including specific milestones and challenges. On an annual basis, the County Manager's Office will prepare a year-end update detailing progress on each Strategic Goal. Charline Kirongozi, Manager with BerryDunn, reviewed the background information for the item and reviewed the Strategic Plan, Attachment 1. 18 Vice Chair Greene said that Commissioner Richards would like to pull the budget amendment for the strategic plan from the consent agenda and the new employee that will implement the plan. Commissioner Richards said she wants to discuss the employee that will be hired to help implement the plan as they move through the Strategic Plan. Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager, said the priorities are not limited to one department and the role of the person will be bringing teams together to help them identify strategies and focus on the reporting and accountability of the plan. He said they will have a plan that is brought to the manager's office quarterly and this person will facilitate that. Commissioner Richards said in the plan, there are some objectives that do not have measurable outcomes and she is hesitant to approve the plan when those are not in place. She said if it takes another month to approve the plan, that would be preferable to her if that allowed them to establish the baselines and measurements. Travis Myren said the Board can certainly do that but said to keep in mind that staff would like to be able to note alignment in the CIP and the Operating Budget, and he would like to keep them on schedule. Charline Kirongozi said performance measures are meant to be evolving. She said that once the plan is adopted, they also put together an action plan for staff. Bonnie Hammersley said the position is modeled like the Sustainability Manager position. She said she thinks it is good that they look at performance measures but does not know that the plan needs to be held up for that. She said having someone on board to lead this is important. Commissioner Fowler said she does not think the specifics need to be nailed down before adopting the plan, especially knowing that the performance measures can change. She said she likes that it is aligned with other county plans and there are built in recipes for developing the budget. Commissioner Hamilton said she cannot vote for this plan with performance measures that are not well-delineated. She said there is an opportunity to clarify good performance measures. She said that she wants them to be clear. She said she wants to get it right and take more time before approval. She said a subcommittee of commissioners is one way to do that. Bonnie Hammersley said staff does not have the capacity to work on the strategic plan as the budget process is beginning. She said this could be delayed until after the budget cycle. Commissioner Richards asked if the consent agenda for hiring the employee would allow them to come in and get to work quickly. Bonnie Hammersley said it would probably be June or July before the person could be hired. Commissioner McKee said he is hesitant to put it off because it will never be perfect. He said for it to be useful, it would be better to move forward and make amendments as time allows and as the plan is implemented. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how to make sure the budget aligns with the priorities without the detail. Bonnie Hammersley said the budget will align with the goals of the strategic plan. She said the goals of the strategic plan do not align much differently than what the budget is already aligned with. She said they will not go in a different direction because governmental priorities are established goals and guiding principles. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if a strategic plan is needed since they have not had one. Bonnie Hammersley said this is a more organized and structured way for operating from an elected board and she thinks it is a very good thing. She said that it is difficult right now to say there will be changes to the plan from a staff perspective because of the timing of it. She said they are in the budget process and that will be intensive. 19 Charline Kirongozi said that when staff go through the budget process, they will have the objectives the Board decided upon. She said the objectives were the items they discussed in January and staff will be using those to allocate resources from the budget. She said that the performance measures are what seems to be holding this up but those are always ever evolving. Commissioner McKee said there is a third path forward and said that the Board can approve the plan, form a subcommittee, and bring forward suggestions at a later date. Vice-Chair Greene said she is hearing that the strategic priorities are in place. She said she believes that the Board can approve the plan and finalize performance measures at a later date. Commissioner Hamilton said she thinks some of the performance measures can be buffed up with commissioners and it is helpful understanding staff constraints during budget season. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the subcommittee will be able to meet by the next meeting. Commissioner Richards said there are very specific ones where there are goals to increase items without noting where they are starting. She said she does not think it will be that big of a deal. She said she supports the goals and objectives as they are. She said she does not know that a timeline needs to be soon. Travis Myren said there are some things that can quickly be clarified over the next couple of weeks. He said there are others that may require more research. He said the subcommittee can create two buckets of items that are easy to clarify and those that need more work. Commissioner Richards said the subcommittee can also produce a plan for how to get to a measure. Charline Kirongozi said BerryDunn is working on a companion report to determine which metrics need to be developed for reporting and tracking. A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to adopt the Countywide Strategic Plan for FY 2024-25 through FY 2028-29, as well as to develop a subcommittee to review the Plan's performance measures. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner Hamilton and Commissioner Richards volunteered for the subcommittee. Commissioner Fowler said she would also serve if Chair Bedford does not want to. b. Orange County's Proposed 2024 Priority Legislative Issues The Board reviewed and discussed the proposed Orange County 2024 Priority Legislative Issues and approved the Orange County 2024 Priority Legislative Issues document for submittal to Orange County's legislative delegation. BACKGROUND: Orange County's Legislative Breakfast with Orange County's legislative delegation, in conjunction with the 2024 North Carolina General Assembly session, is scheduled for March 21, 2024. The Board of Commissioners has historically approved a set of legislative issues each year for presentation to/discussion with the delegation. The Board historically also has appointed two members to work with staff on a Legislative Issues Work Group (LIWG) to develop a proposed legislative package for the County. Based on the work of the LIWG, the BOCC then reviewed and approved packages of legislative items to present to Orange County's legislative delegation. Commissioners Amy Fowler and Jean Hamilton are serving on the 2024 LIWG and have worked with staff on the attached 2024 legislative package. As the LIWG considered its approach for this year, the Group (similar to last year) decided to identify a concise list of Legislative Priority Issues. The Group ultimately identified eight(8) Priority 20 Issues, acknowledging that the full Board of Commissioners may consider modifying the list, exchanging one item for another item, other potential revisions, etc. The LIWG also acknowledged Board members' previous comments on potential discussion topics for the breakfast and has referenced the desire to discuss: • the Upper Neuse River Basin Association's (UNRBA) Submittal of Recommendations for a Revised Falls Lake Nutrient Management Strategy and Revised Rules; and • the University of North Carolina's Co-generation Facility. The Board will need to discuss the materials provided by the LIWG. The work of the Legislative Issues Work Group to this point is based on the current information available for the 2024 General Assembly Session. The issues addressed by the Group may evolve and change over the session and require additional attention by the Group and Board of Commissioners. New issues may also arise necessitating additional review. Greg Wilder, Assistant to the County Manager for Legislative Issues, reviewed the background information for the item and noted that pending approval of the list of priorities, he will work with Chair Bedford on a memo to send to the Legislative Delegation ahead of the Legislative Breakfast. Commissioner Hamilton thanked Greg Wilder for his work. Commissioner Fowler said this list of priorities is like past years', but they were thankfully able to remove the item about Medicaid Expansion. John Roberts asked the Board and staff to let him know if there are any issues they feel can only be addressed through local legislation before the Legislative Breakfast on March 21St A motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to approve Orange County's 2024 Priority Legislative Issues document for submittal to Orange County's legislative delegation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 7. Reports None. 8. Consent Agenda • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to approve the consent agenda. VOTE: UNANIMOUS a. Minutes The Board approved the draft minutes for the January 16, 2024 and January 19, 2024 BOCC Meetings as submitted by the Clerk to the Board. 21 b. Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) — Receipt and Transmittal of 2024 Annual Technical Advisory Committee Report The Board received the 2024 Annual Report of the SAPFO Technical Advisory Committee (SAPFOTAC) and transmit it to the SAPFO partners for comments before certification in April. c. Approval of Furniture Purchase for 203 Greensboro The Board approved the purchase of furniture for 203 Greensboro from Storr Office Environments and authorize the County Manager to sign the contract following final review by the County Attorney. d. Orange County FY 2024 Annual Work Program Quarter 3 Amendments The Board approved Quarter 3 amendments to the FY 2024 Annual Work Program (AWP). e. Approval of Chromebook Lease Purchase Agreement for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools The Board adopted a resolution approving the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District lease agreement to purchase Chromebooks. f. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget Amendment#6 The Board approved budget, grant, and capital project ordinance amendments for Fiscal Year 2023-24. 9. County Manager's Report Bonnie Hammersley directed the Board's attention to the Information Items provided in their agenda packets and summarized the memos. Commissioner Fowler asked how much business the Uproar Festival generated and if that information can be gathered. Bonnie Hammersley said she will check with the Arts Commission and Visitor's Bureau to see if that information can be measured and shared, if not from this past year, then in the future. 10. County Attorney's Report John Roberts said the Board has not established subcommittees previously but will need to establish the subcommittee for the Strategic Plan performance measures through a vote. He said it will be a public body and will need to establish a schedule of meetings and a record of the meetings must be kept. 11. *Appointments None. 12. Information Items • February 6, 2024 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List • Memorandum —Annual Report of the Community Child Protection Team (CCPT) • Memorandum — Uproar Festival of Public Art 2023 • Memorandum — Financial Report - Second Quarter FY 2023-24 13. Closed Session None. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 p.m. 22 VOTE: UNANIMOUS Sally Greene, Vice-Chair Recorded by Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board