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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-07-2024 - Business Meeting 1 APPROVED 4/16/24 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUSINESS MEETING March 7, 2024 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Sally Greene and Commissioners Amy Fowler (arrived at 7:12 pm), Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee, and Anna Richards COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Phyllis Portie-Ascott COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present, except Commissioner Fowler and Commissioner Portie-Ascott. Chair Bedford said Commissioner Fowler is on her way and Commissioner Portie-Ascott is at a memorial service and sends regrets. 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda Chair Bedford read the public charge: The Board of Commissioners pledges its respect to all present. The Board asks those attending this meeting to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner toward each other, county staff and the commissioners. At any time should a member of the Board or the public fail to observe this charge, the Chair will take steps to restore order and decorum. Should it become impossible to restore order and continue the meeting, the Chair will recess the meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed. The BOCC asks that all electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and computers should please be turned off or set to silent/vibrate. Please be kind to everyone. Chair Bedford explained the procedures for public comments. Given the public turnout for public comment related to Triangle Youth Hockey of North Carolina/Hillsborough Hogs, Chair Bedford asked John Roberts to describe the contract the county has with Recreation Factory Partners (RFP), the Sportsplex management company. John Roberts said the contract has been in place since 2005. He said that generally, the county has no ability to get involved in the day-to-day operations of the Sportsplex, per the contract. He stated that a couple of years ago language was added to the contract that provides that youth sports shall cater primarily to Orange County residents, shall include practices, games, and tournaments at substantially similar numbers, frequency, times, and costs to what has historically been provided, and that travel youth sports shall not supplant or reduce access by house or recreational youth sports and leagues. 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Thomas Deis said that they have received an announcement that Recreation Factory Partners will be starting their own league, and they will no longer be granted any ice time at the SportsPlex. He said that people are upset. He said that his program costs each player under$18 per hour. He said that the new offer at the Sportsplex will be $33 per hour, per player and this will 2 price people out. He said that it is internally run, and programs are understaffed. He said it takes significant staff to run a multiple age group recreational league. He said they have 50 plus volunteers and 30 are USA Hockey certified coaches. He said he is concerned this change will crush hockey in Orange County. He said TYHNC has the experience and volunteers available to run hockey in Orange County. He asked the Board to do what they can to intervene. Nichole Palombo said she is 16 and has played with the Hillsborough Hogs since she was 12. She said the Hogs are the longest running youth hockey program in the Triangle and have been operating for over 40 years. She said it has been affordable and prevents players from having to drive to Raleigh or Greensboro. She said players go on to play in college and adult leagues. She said it is unethical for RFP to replace Hillsborough Hogs. She said that they make hockey affordable to all players and even have equipment for those that cannot afford it. She asked how a corporation could replace a non-profit and still have the same interests in mind for the community. Mark Bedell said he is speaking on behalf of Rachel Parrot. She has 3 kids and they have been members since 2019. He said they did not know about hockey or the cost before joining Hogs. He said that she is worried she will not be able to afford hockey for her kids anymore if the change occurs. He said that the RFP does not provide the same level of financial support as the Hogs. He said he has no faith that the Sportsplex management can accommodate the needs of her family based on the currently advertised rates. He said that they have great financials and have partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes. He said that no one asked families that play hockey what they thought about how it should be run. He asked the Board to ensure the Hogs are able to operate as they have these past years. Commissioner Fowler arrived at 7:12 pm. Martin Molloy said his son has played for the Hogs for 10 years and he has been a coach for 5. He said USA Hockey requires a lot of hours of training to become a coach. He said the Hogs put families first. He said a private entity that is profit driven means there is no accountability. He said they will care more about the money than the kids. He said it is not going to expand opportunities for anyone except the corporation. He said he does not want to volunteer to help a private company make more money. He said RFP controlling the ice and running a league is a conflict of interest. Bruno Baudet said he has been a coach for over years and has coached every age group. He said the Hogs are family. He said his son was born with a disability that made finding environments and activities difficult and when he joined the Hogs, he thrived. He said that this program is incredibly important to the entire community. He said this will have a huge impact on hockey in the area. He asked the Commissioners to intervene so the Hogs can continue to run as they have for the past 40 years. Margo Lakin said she attended the input session in Chapel Hill regarding the rural buffer. She said scientists are needed in these land use discussions. She said Orange County is part of the Research Triangle. She said the plan needs to be science-based. She said if the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) is to be implemented, it needs to be fully inclusive of climate change and complies with real science. She said the citizens will pay the costs and homes will become affordable. She said that watersheds will be destroyed, and trees will be clearcut. She said that they want a science-based plan for future generations. She said to respect the data and bring science to the table for the plan. John Demspey said the CLUP offers an opportunity to bring environmental goals in line with land use plans. He said since the last update in 2008, a tremendous amount of peer-reviewed scientific research has occurred, and they show urban stream syndrome. He said there are destructive effects of urbanization on water resources and streams. He encouraged the Board to look up Urban Stream Syndrome. He said the current UDOs are contributing to the development 3 without peer-reviewed field research. He said now is the time to align this research with the 2050 CLUP and have science included. Tracy Shinn thanked the coaches that have taught her children during their time playing for the Hogs. She said they volunteer their time for hockey and then they spend their time giving back to the community in other ways. She said they have been to the schools on science nights, and they showed the science of hockey. She said that the RFP fees will be too much for many children. She said there should be an avenue for organizations and individuals to complain and speak with the county about these issues. She encouraged the director of recreation to meet with the swim teams. She said that public schools also have difficulty getting time in the pool from RFP. Andrew Lerner said his son Ezra is playing in his second season with the Hogs. He said he understands the terms of the contract, but they can be renegotiated. He said he wants the Board to intervene and save the Hogs. He said there has to be a better way to find a solution to ensure that everyone's interests are protected, including the history of the Hogs. Ezra Lerner said he has been playing for the Hogs for two years and has made lots of friends. He said he has learned so much from his coaches. He said he thinks the Hogs will be beneficial for many future children who are interested in hockey. Hudson Fuller said her family first got involved when her oldest son was 7 years old, and she has been a resident for over 30 years. She said it was clear from the beginning that everyone was welcome regardless of skill and family income. She said that everyone supports the Hogs. She said that some kids will go on to play competitively but many players just want to enjoy the game without the time commitment that travel hockey requires. She said she works in non-profit management and their operation is enviable based on their 990 returns. She said there is no paid staff and no overhead. She said she does not know what is being proposed but does not believe it can possibly be as affordable and focused on players, but even if it could be, why change what has been working for the past 40 years. Dave Schatten said he is a coach with the Hogs. He said he played house league hockey in New York growing up. He said the Hogs experience for his kids has been better than what he experienced. He said the Hogs being here for 40 years is the type of organization the community would support. He said a solution could be arrived at and hopes that will happen here. John Jenkins said his son has been a member of the Hogs for 2 years and they see the Hogs as part of their own family. He said he was not sure his son would be able to continue because of the cost of travel leagues. He said he found out the Hogs have financial aid and payment plans and made it possible for his family to participate. He said otherwise his son would not be able to play. He asked the Board to intervene. Cornelia Nisbet said playing hockey with the Hogs has changed her life and every team with the Hogs has been inclusive and unlike the experiences she hears from friends who play in other leagues. She said they taught her how to play and that included how to stand on her skates. She said she is worried that the RFP league will not be as inclusive and will not give players the opportunity to learn. Corey Holquist said the RFP programs are tailored to travel teams. He said if the Hogs are forced out of the Sportsplex, many families in the area will be priced-out of hockey. He said Sportsplex is offering $700 spring hockey, while the Hogs are offering $130 spring hockey. He said the Hogs run the organization in such a way that hockey is accessible to anyone. Chris Ambrozic said the Hogs family is important to his and thanked them for the confidence they have instilled in his daughter. He asked the Board to help in any way they can. Dean Petit said he has been a coach with the Hogs for years. He said he has put a lot of hours into coaching and at the rink. He said they do it for their kids but also their community. He said running a hockey program is not easy, but they love it. He said John Stock suggests he can provide a better product, but that discounts their community. 4 Jim Fitz said he was heartbroken to hear that the Hogs would not be allowed ice time at the Sportsplex. He said the information shared from John Stock by email to the Board is not what he heard from Hogs leadership. He said he is inclined to believe the Hogs leadership, as the oldest Triangle youth hockey organization. He asked the Board to broker negotiations between the Hogs and RFP. Jon Schreicher said his son played for 6 years with the Hogs. He said Hillsborough has been a steppingstone for many people and their hockey careers. He said affordable hockey will disappear in this area if this change is made. Alex Charns said he was a Hogs coach for 15 years. He said he is very upset by the decision made by RFP. He said this organization is very important to him and his family. Kimberly Powers said she cannot say enough good things about the Hogs program. She said this is the best sports program her kids have experienced. She said the Hogs program puts others to shame. She said she understands the plan by the Sportsplex is to offer affordable hockey, but it will not touch the experience with the Hogs. Leo Charns said he thinks the house league at the Sportsplex should be run by the Hogs. He said that he and his sister played for over ten years and his dad coached during that time. He said he coached with the Hogs this past year and learned just how dedicated everyone is to the community. He asked the Board to intervene and said that next year, the house-league should be owned by the Hogs. He said he coached with the SportsPlex as well and he thinks there can be a way for the Hogs to run the program next year. He said the Hogs are trusted by the community. Mearis Martin said he has no association with the Hogs but asked if there is an attempt by RFP to violate the contract when they create a competing organization so that it fails, and the only option left would be a travel group. Bridget Pemberton-Smith said she has been a resident of Orange County for 55 years. She said the Hillsborough Hogs are an important part of her son's life. She said her son started playing when he was 4. She said the coaching is exceptional, sportsmanship is exceptional. She said the Hogs took her son to and from practices and stepped up for her family when she was sick and diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She said that they protected his mental health. She said it is more than just hockey, it is so important to the youth of the county. Eric Mosquin said he didn't intend to speak but his love for hockey started with the Hogs and it was a great experience. He said the coaches on the Hogs were better than his other sports experiences. He said the organization has sparked his love for the game and he has been playing travel hockey for three years. He said that there are no experiences that compare to his time with the Hogs. Ian Mosquin said he learned a lot from hockey with the Hogs and they have played an important role in his life. He said he has learned how to lose and win and all with respect for people. He said he would not be up there if he did not care about the Hogs. Jack Hudson said he just finished his third season with the Hogs. He said Hockey is not often this affordable and the Hogs stand out. He said it is the most morally driven hockey program he has seen. He said the decision to replace the Hogs with another house team is ill-advised. Jessica Segobiano read the following statement to the Board: "I am a mom of 4 kids. All my children play hockey. My husband plays for the adult league at the Sportsplex and volunteers his time to coach two separate teams. I am asking for equality for the kids and parents in this community. Many have and will tell you what the organization means to them. I am here to ask questions and request this board to ask them in return to the RFP management company before making a decision. 1. Will the cost of ice per hour be the same for the house team under RFP as it currently is under the Hogs? 2. Will the house league receive two practices a week as the kids are currently receiving under the Hogs, for the same price? 5 3. Will financial aid be available to those who are not able to afford hockey like it currently is under the Hogs organization? 4. Will sibling discounts be available under the RFP program like it currently is under the Hogs. As of right now no Thunder or Shamrocks program offers this discount. 5. Will the gear shed that the Hogs currently manages and allows parents to buy used gear for$5 a piece or free with trade still exist under the same conditions. 6. Did the county or RFP solicit community feedback, and what were the results of that feedback. Not only is the Hogs family centered, it is one of the only non-profit hockey organizations around this area for the kids. If the answer is no to any of the questions above, I request for you to allow the Hogs to maintain as the house league just as they have been doing for the past 42 years, with the Thunders continuing their operation as the premium travel league. I am asking in the interest of the kids and families in our community. I am seeking equality for all, without the current successful financial operations of a non-profit organization, many in this community will no longer be able to afford hockey. The county should not allow our highly functional and economical Hogs program to be displaced by the management company. I do not see how taking a non-profit away will ever be better. Again, if any of these answers are no, then it is not the same. It does not help the families in this community, nor does it provide equality to all kids who want to play. I find the language by Tom McGee to be in direct conflict of what has taken place. `That language provides that youth sports shall cater primarily to Orange County residents, shall include practices, games, and tournaments at substantially similar numbers, frequency, times, and costs to what has historically been provided, and that travel youth sports shall not supplant or reduce access by house or recreational youth sports and leagues.' Travel hockey has already supplanted and reduced access to house and recreational youth sports and leagues. The addition of the traveling Stars team, the Shamrocks and the Carolina Thunders has created scheduling issues and ice conflicts. Considering the person responsible for making the schedule, is also the head coach for the Thunders, shows a direct conflict of interest. While the Thunders get multi hour practices, and prime game times, Hogs, synchro and UNC have been pushed into reducing ice time and accepting non-preferred hours. The same rink manager is also dedicating portions of ice for private lessons, during public stick and puck time. This is against the rules for stick and puck, no private lessons allowed. Parents that are there helping their own children have even been approached and told they were not `allowed' to coach their own child. The county needs to investigate all the events that led to this situation. Community feedback should be solicited to see if this is something their constituents want." Tamara Segovia said she and her sister are Orange County residents. She said that she wanted to speak after Leo. She was born and raised in South America and they have no ice because it is so hot. She said now her son is playing ice hockey. She said Leo was the first one to come over and help her learn how to dress her son in gear. She said everyone has been so helpful and it is no coincidence that Leo is a Hog, and he embodies everything they represent. Andrew Koruglak said his twins play hockey with the Hogs. He said RFP has characterized the existence of a travel team as expanding hockey, but not everyone wants to play travel hockey. He said his kids played travel hockey but now that they are starting high school, they will come back to play with the Hogs. 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 Hamilton said since the last meeting, she finished out Black History Month celebrations by attending the Black History Bowl on February 24t" and the Pauli Murray Awards on February 25t". On February 28t"she said she attended the Central Pines Executive Committee 6 as the Orange County Delegate and participated in the UNC public orientation for elected officials on February 29t". She noted that there are no plans to build more student housing. Finally, she shared that she attended the Alliance Health Board meeting earlier this afternoon. Commissioner McKee said there will be an informational meeting next Monday, March 111" at Lattisville Grove Church to discuss the broadband services being installed throughout the county. He petitioned the County Manager to research other recreational management companies in the Southeast and bring forward information on those companies. Commissioner Richards said she went to the Jordan Lake Nutrient Readoption stakeholder meeting, and it was very informative. She said she attended the Lion King Jr. production at Carrboro Elementary School and said it was an amazing show. She said she also attended the Black History Knowledge Bowl and Pauli Murray Awards along with Commissioner Hamilton. She said she attended the Black Business Alliance meeting at Innovate Carolina. She said it was her first time there and encouraged other commissioners to visit. She said she went to a couple of events related to the primary including a young voter drive at UNC, and also attended the UNC public orientation Commissioner Hamilton mentioned. Finally, she took a tour of Freedom House and got to see some of the new additions there, including a pharmacy. Chair Bedford said the Board will be celebrating Creek Week from March 16th-23�d. She encouraged residents to look at the county and town websites to see how they can get involved in events. She said she unfortunately had COVID, so could not participate in many events since the last meeting, but said she was able to get out and vote and extended thanks to Elections staff and all of the people who work at voting sites. Vice-Chair Greene congratulated Commissioner Portie-Ascott for winning her primary election. She said she also attended the Black History Bowl and the Pauli Murray Awards and they were great events. She said she too took a tour of Freedom House and was pleased to see the work happening there. She said she got an email from Katie Murray underscoring the Big Night in for the Arts, which is happening tonight. She described the event and highlighted the recording studio that produced part of the event called Sonark Media. She said the studio is on Borland Rd. and is a great resource to know about. Finally, she described the work of Jane Saiers' subcommittee on figuring out ways to keep farmers in farming and to preserve rural farmland which is being lost at a dramatic rate in Orange County. She said she has been thinking about how to support that effort and made a petition for Planning staff to work with Jane Saiers' subcommittee to bring back the idea of Conservation Subdivisions, which allows land to be clustered in order to save part of the land to be open space or used as farmland. Commissioner Fowler shared that she also went on a tour at Freedom House and met Joyce Harper. She said she also attended the Board of Health meeting on February 28t", as well as their retreat. She said the Budget remains stable compared to last year, and learned the adjudication process in the case that someone appeals a public health decision. She said she also heard a preview of the Community Health Assessment which revealed that the top community concerns are affordable housing, cost of healthy food, affordable health care, and mental health. She said it is good to know that the Board is already focusing on these areas. She said she attended the IDAL Action Team meeting, whose goal is to create a community for people with IDD and allow them to age in place. She said it was one of the most fruitful times they have met because they reviewed 5 possible projects in the Triangle and looked at the pros and cons of each. She said she learned they are currently funding a social support person in the North Street community in Durham as part of a pilot. She said that she also attended the Black History Knowledge Bowl and Poetry Slam and found the students very impressive. She said this morning she and Chair Bedford had an introductory meeting with Doug Plachcinski with DCHC MPO to figure out interactions going forward. Lastly, she thanked all of the speakers regarding the Triangle Youth Hockey and said she hopes RFP will reconsider their decision and collaborate with them. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/Special Presentations None. 5. Public Hearings None. 6. Regular Agenda a. Amendments to the Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement The Board considered a resolution approving amendments proposed by the Town of Chapel Hill to the Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement. BACKGROUND: The Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement (WASMPBA) is an agreement signed in 2001 between Orange County, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. It was last amended in November 2020. The agreement provides a comprehensive county-wide system of utility service areas upon which signatory entities could rely when making decisions related to issues such as planning, land use, annexation, zoning, and growth management. The Town of Chapel Hill received a request from the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro to modify the boundaries of OWASA's Primary Service Area within the Town's planning jurisdiction at the June 14, 2023 Council meeting (Attachment 4). At its November 15, 2023 Council meeting, the Town adopted a Resolution to amend the WASMPBA (Attachment 2). All five signatories to the Agreement must adopt resolutions amending the Agreement before any proposed amendment is incorporated into the Agreement. Materials for the November 15, 2023 Town Council meeting, including a staff report, are available for viewing at: https:HchapelhiI1.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6414722&GUID=5B798FC2-BED6- 47A5-BB9F-24D77186A447 The staff report prepared by Town staff includes links to additional materials. As is shown on the map attached to the Resolution in Attachment 1, the area proposed to be designated OWASA Primary Service Area contains 139 parcels totaling approximately 360.23 acres. The area has been reviewed by OWASA staff and is technically feasible for provision of both water and sewer service (Attachment 4). The map in Attachment 3 depicts the southeast portion of the WASMPBA Appendix A map and shows the extent of the proposed additional OWASA Primary Service Area. The area proposed for amendment is entirely within the Town of Chapel Hill's planning jurisdiction. The majority of the area (approximately 239 acres) is within the Town's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)while approximately 121 acres to the southeast of Highway 15-501 is designated "Transition Area" in the Joint Planning Land Use Plan (plan and maps available here). Both ETJ areas and Transition Areas are lands expected to be served by urban services, such as public water and sewer systems, and are zoned and otherwise regulated for land use by the Town of Chapel Hill. Nearly all of the properties within the area of consideration are currently zoned "Residential Low Density, 1 unit/acre". Rezoning of a property within a Transition Area requires a joint public hearing of the Town and Orange County, unless a property is voluntarily annexed into the Town of Chapel Hill, in which case a land use change such as rezoning will be solely within the Town's jurisdiction. As is explained in the Town staff's report (within the link to the Town Council meeting materials), some properties in the area under consideration are already served by public water and/or sewer as they were connected prior to 2000, when the Town's land use plan contracted the urban services area in this general area of the Town's planning jurisdiction. 8 Because the WASMPBA is a multi-jurisdiction interlocal agreement, not an adopted plan or ordinance, amendments to the WASMPBA have historically occurred prior to any subsequent amendment to a jurisdiction's plans or ordinances. Any necessary reviews related to subsequent development occur in accordance with the relevant jurisdiction's ordinances. The WASMPBA does not require any particular analyses or studies be conducted prior to amending the Agreement. The dates for considering the proposed amendment to WASMPBA have been/are as follows (subject to change based on a jurisdiction's agenda review process): Town of Chapel Hill - November 15, 2023 [approved] - agenda materials: https:HchapelhiI1.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6414722&GUID=5B798FC2- B E D6-47A5-B B9 F-24 D77186A447 Town of Carrboro - February 6, 2024 [approved] - https:Hcarrboro.legistar.com/MeetingDetaiI.aspx?ID=1152754&GUID=B2113EBE-166D- 4D95-8803-AADD1 C5AA44C&Options=infol&Search= Town of Hillsborough - February 12, 2024 [approved] - https:Hmccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/hiIIsbronc-pubu/MEET-Packet- f5750cdc3ecc4acf9401 d22cc2a260cc.pdf Orange County March 7, 2024 OWASA April 11, 2024 Cy Stober, Orange County Planning and Inspections Director, introduced Perdita Holtz, Deputy Director for Long-Range Planning and Administration. He said she has worked with the county for over 20 years and said she is very familiar with the WASMPBA and all of the various amendments. Perdita Holtz made the following presentation: Slide #1 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Water & Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement (WASMPBA) Agenda Item 6a 9 Slide #2 Water & Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement (WASMPBA) • 5-Party Interlocal Agreement "°""°"" Yf�M�r�.Yb s.w«wnag�mrM vlonniqj+nd eo-unpMy.rpnemons — Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, OWASA • Signed in 2001 after several years of work on the topic • The map defines areas where parties to the agreement may and may not provide water andlor sewer service. Perdita Holtz described the meaning of each color on the map. She clarified that Orange County itself does not operate water and sewer systems. Slide #3 Purpose (paraphrased) • To provide a comprehensive, countywide system of utility service areas. • To complement growth management, land use, and annexation plans. e To resolve in advance and preclude future conflicts about future service areas. • To provide predictable long-range water/sewer capital planning and financing. • To provide for limitations on water and sewer service in certain areas. ORANGE COUNTY Notcm CAROLINA 10 Slide #4 Amending the Agreement • Any change requires approval of all parties to the agreement ORANGE COUNTY NOWM CAROLINA Slide #5 Town of Chapel Hill Proposed WAS MP BA Amendment Water$Sewer Prgp45al for 54Uthgrn Chapel Hdk • Petition by the Chapel Hill- Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, received in June 2023, to allow for the expansion of water and sewer services in this area. r n 11 Judy Johnson, Assistant Chapel Hill Planning Director, made the following presentation: Slide #1 Proposed Amendment to the WASMPBA Agreement 0 Judy Johnson,Assistant Planning Director Town of Chapel Hill Slide #2 • Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill- Carrboro petitioned the Town of Chapel Hill to amend the agreement. • Amendment would expand the boundary Petition along the 15-501 corridor to the Chatham County line. • Chamber cited the opportunity to build transit-oriented housing and affordable housing on town-owned land. Judy Johnson said the petition from the Chamber was received by the Town last June. Slide #3 June 14,2023 Chamber petitioned Chapel Hill Nov 15,2023 Chapel Hill approved amendment Feb 6,2024 Carrboro approved amendment Timeline Feb 12,2024 Hillsborough approved amendment Mar 7,2024 Orange County considers amendment April 11,2024 OWASA considers amendment 12 Slide#4 Geographic ---- --- ---- Area • 360 acres i • 139 parcels ' i i, ———— Current boundary I i Proposed boundary —— —— Planning jurisdiction MN Town-owned parcel • Jam\ Judy Johnson said Chapel Hill currently operates a bus route that terminates at Southern Community Park (pictured on the map). She said the bus route can be extended. Judy Johnson said the Town of Chapel Hill has been considering its parcel for an affordable housing site. She described the lines on the map and indicated that the area in question is in Chapel Hill's planning jurisdiction and is currently zoned low-density residential. She explained that the proposed boundary lines are drawn based on resolutions passed by the Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Carrboro which agreed to maintain the rural character of Smith Level Rd., and similarly, to follow property lines and preserve the rural character of Old Lystra Rd. Commissioner Fowler asked if the Heritage Hills neighborhood has water and sewer. Judy Johnson said yes. Commissioner Fowler asked if the homes on the other Smith Level Rd. have access to the water and sewer lines. Judy Johnson said there is a water line running down Smith Level Rd. and water running down 15-501, but the residents cannot connect unless there is an adverse health impact to their well water. Slide #5 Will this affect the rural buffer? No. Frequently Asked Questions Is this a rezoning process? No. This process is to amend the agreement, not to rezone. 13 Slide#6 What about the watershed? • Chapel Hill's current water supply watershed maps are incorrect for about 13 Frequently of the 360 acres. Asked • We are working with the state to correct Questions these maps and anticipate enacting these corrections later this year. • This will update the boundary map and reflect that 13 acres are part of the University Lake Watershed. Commissioner Richards asked if Heritage Hill is in the University Lake watershed. Judy Johnson said yes. Commissioner Richards asked if Dogwood acres is in the Jordan Lake watershed. Judy Johnson said yes. She said the difference between the watersheds is the amount of impervious surface required. She said those regulations are not impacted by this agreement. Slide #7 Does this mean water and sewer will be extended once the agreement is amended? Frequently • Yes and no. Asked • Any current households in the extended Questions boundary will have the option to connect to water and sewer. • Any future developments in the extended boundary would connect to water and sewer through current or future development processes. 14 Slide#8 Should all parties agree to amend the agreement, then next steps would include: Next • Listening to residents and stakeholders Steps Visioning for possible future land uses • Amending the Future Land Use Map • Amending the Town's Ordinance • Considering options for rezoning aligned with vision and goals Commissioner McKee asked if approving this amendment would change the planning, permitting, community input, or other requirements for future development in the area. Judy Johnson said no. Commissioner Richards asked if a proposed development would have to go through Chapel Hill's same multi-step planning process if this amendment is approved. Judy Johnson said yes. Vice-Chair Greene said the Town Council could rezone the area in advance, but more likely is they would have a project presented and then the developer would ask for an upzoning, and the Council would be able to negotiate concessions or benefits from that. Judy Johnson said that is exactly how it has occurred. Commissioner Fowler asked if the WASMPBA amendment is approved before rezoning, what types of development can be built. Judy Johnson said Chapel Hill increased housing opportunities in this area up to a duplex. She said anything else would require rezoning through Town Council authorization. Commissioner Fowler asked when environmental impacts and traffic analyses would take place in this process. Judy Johnson said those analyses would take place in a very detailed way during a development review project. She also said a high-level review would be done as part of the visioning stage. Chair Bedford said at some point in the process, OWASA must figure out where to put lines based on topography, etc. Judy Johnson said that is correct. Chair Bedford asked how that process would occur. Vishnu Gangadharan, OWASA Director of Engineering and Planning, said he isn't sure at this point what is most likely and would have to be tuned into future conversations by Chapel Hill about rezoning. He said OWASA's interest is the best long-term layout for the entire area. Chair Bedford asked if there enough water in OWASA's jurisdiction for this amendment plus future development in other areas. Vishnu Gangadharan said in general, there is plenty of water. Chair Bedford asked what "Complete Communities" is. Judy Johnson said the Complete Communities strategy is an adopted component of Chapel Hill's Comprehensive Plan. She said the point is to try to direct where growth should occur, for example, along transit lines. She said another component is looking at the presence of 15 greenways between development, among other components that would make a community complete. Commissioner Hamilton asked how affordable housing is defined, as far Chapel Hill's goal for affordable housing on their Town-owned parcel within the proposed boundary. Judy Johnson said that would be like income restricted homes, so 80% or 60% AMI. She said she can send more detailed information. Commissioner Hamilton asked if the Town has a sense of how much affordable housing would fit on that piece of land. Judy Johnson said no analysis has been done of that property and is around 12 acres. Commissioner Hamilton asked why not do some of the next steps ahead of approving the boundary change so Chapel Hill has a sense of how it wants to develop before asking approval to move the line. She said once developers come in, she sees a tradeoff of housing that is subsidized and affordable vs. naturally occurring affordable housing. She said concerns raised by the community, specifically ETJ residents, could be better addressed ahead of moving the boundary. Judy Johnson said the simple answer is that the Town Council received a petition and are responding to it. She said the first step to responding is to bring the amendment to the five parties to the agreement. She said the next steps will be a multi-year process. Commissioner Hamilton asked when the LUMO will be complete. Judy Johnson said they hope to have a draft this fall. Commissioner Hamilton asked how the term "missing middle" is defined. Judy Johnson said Chapel Hill went through an effort last year to address the "missing middle" and look at adding diverse housing choices within the Town. She said the goal isn't large apartment complexes but doesn't think it's large single-family homes on a large lot either. She said the visioning stage is critical to further define this. Commissioner Hamilton asked how the "missing middle" is encoded in the LUMO so that when developers come, it constrains them to that. Judy Johnson said they are starting to think about that. She suggested that putting limits on lot size or a maximum house size could require developers to build what the vision is and keep house costs down. Commissioner McKee asked to go back to the map on slide #4 in Judy Johnson's presentation. He asked her to show him where the current major transit stop is. Judy Johnson said it is just north of the map. Commissioner McKee asked if there is any reason public transportation would not be able to extend in this area. Judy Johnson said there is none. Commissioner Richards asked if Chapel Hill had not been presented with the petition, would they not have pursued this amendment. Judy Johnson said she cannot answer that question, as that would be a Town Council decision. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mearis Martin said he and his family live in the rural buffer. He said this is a crucial step toward addressing affordable housing needs in the community. He said a yes vote to this is not a rubber stamp for future development. He said the extension of water and sewer to unserved areas is necessary for any expansion of homes. He said Chapel Hill and Orange County already have strict development guidelines. He said lack of affordable housing impedes businesses in the area in their hiring efforts. Mark Johnson said he and his wife own a historic farm and they care very much about people and are speaking in favor of extending the boundary. He said he sees this as a social justice issue and asked the Board to vote yes. 16 Jim McNeely said he serves on the Board of Directors for the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro. He said affordable housing has been an issue for a longtime, but the urgency has not been higher. He said that the Big Bold Ideas group produced a bold goal to dramatically increase affordable housing and identified 6 ways to do this. He said this area is the ideal place for affordable housing. He said the Town of Chapel Hill is committed to developing 12 acres with affordable housing units, but the area must have water and sewer. He asked the Board to vote yes to extend and to open the door for more affordable housing. Dianne Martin said she is speaking on behalf of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in support of WASMPBA. She said the church sees it as a social justice issue. She said Holy Trinity has the opportunity to collaborate with a local partner to develop 50 acres. She said the church urges the Board to approve the WASMPBA resolution. Nick Robinson said he is in support of extending the WASMPBA boundary. He said the biggest impediment to affordable housing is lot sizes. He said sewer is the great equalizer. He said it is clear that Chapel Hill sees this as consistent with its long-term plan and asked the Board to vote in favor. Morgan Womble said her family owns a farm in south Chapel Hill. She said they heard about this only 3 weeks ago and have concerns. She said her concern is downstream effects on landowners that have not been considered or respected. She urged the Board to consider reviewing the recommendations of her neighbors. She asked for a demographic, economic, and environmental impact analysis prior to the vote. She said every acre counts and decisions like tonight will change the face of the county as they know it. Marie Rossettie asked the Board to delay their vote. She urged the Board to have further studies. She said development along the 15-501 corridor may be inevitable, and maybe a good solution, but without the LUMO rewrite, transparency from the town, community engagement, a stormwater management plan, environmental impact studies of over 300 acres, clear guidelines how this will meet the Climate Action Plan, and traffic studies. She said she would also like to see what price point of developments will go in. She said the vote is premature and asked for a plan that isn't rushed. She said there are neighbors who still do not know this is even being considered. She said delaying the vote can have an impact on the overall trajectory of growth and change for those in the ETJ. Livy Ludington said she has lived in the ETJ for over 40 years. She read a petition from residents of the ETJ. She said she has never seen a decision so rushed by the Chapel Hill Town Council. She said the residents want the process to slow down and for more analysis to be done. She said a better plan can be put in place. She said the boundary line could also be moved to the southern edge of the property if Chapel Hill agrees. She said that there is also property for sale along the east. She said the redrawing of the watershed boundaries has not been finalized. She said the Chapel Hill staff reported that the smaller expansion area had been discussed but there were differing opinions. She said that there are no large tracts of land south of the property that can be built without jeopardizing current affordable housing that is already there. Munsie Davis said changing this agreement opens the door for a lot of money to be spent before planning has been completed. She said she is a resident of Heritage Hills and has been since 1991. She said she has seen a lot of changes over the years. She said that if the plan is rushed, they will be unsure if they will be able to achieve the goal of affordable housing. She said the underground water in the area has shifted and changed over the years and every time something big goes in, it is not a matter of stormwater, but things that are harder to see. Bruce Long said his property touches land that Chapel Hill owns. He said this process is moving so fast and that he wants the Board to take a step back and ask questions on behalf of the residents here. He said he has dealt with a lot of different entities and developers wanting to buy his property. He said it seems to be so fast that there is something behind all of it. He said their hands have been tied with regulations around the 5-acre buffer and now they will be changing it for someone. He said that Chapel Hill Carrboro City School has offered to purchase his property 17 and he has told everyone no. He said they even called him five times and the fifth call ended with the representative from the schools telling him that they can condemn and take his property if they needed to. He said his land is being taken from out from under him. He asked them to please think about this. Ian Scott said he is with the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro. He said this area of land is close to other developments, near UNC Hospital, and it is a regional infill opportunity. He said there is more planned in the south. He said this is an essential first step for planning. He said it is on an existing bus route. He said this is the first step in a meaningful plan that the Town of Chapel Hill will conduct. He said that staff is strained and asking them to spend time planning, when the biggest determining factor is the water and sewer and it is unknown, does not make sense. He said it does not change any of the existing development or building requirements. Claudia Fernandez said people did not know this was happening. She said it is important to listen to the people that live there. She said that the residents in the ETJ are not represented by anyone but the Board of Commissioners. She said they have been asking for more community meetings. She said they hear there is a rigorous development process and Chapel Hill controls 6% of the development. She said she has heard of the McMansions that exist when they do not. She said these homes were built in 1970s and on land that does not perk well. She said aggressive speculators are calling landowners already and they will not be able to afford to live anywhere else in Chapel Hill. She said they will lose land that helps with watershed concerns. She asked them to slow down so that everyone can understand what they are doing. She said that there is access to water and sewer for those that need it but bringing it to the area will open it for development that has not had enough analysis done. BJ Warshaw said for 40 years, the development in this area has been guided by the community. He said the 1992 Southern Small Area Plan marked this area as a way to conserve the environment and limit sprawl. He said at no point in time has there been a plan in the past 40 areas discussing denser development in the southern ETJ. He said development along 15-501 may be inevitable, but it will be a process spanning several decades and we can afford to pause here. He said the plans from OWASA, Orange County, and Chapel Hill have regularly marked the area as a small area plan that remains open space. He said that at no point in time has there been a plan that stipulates or discusses developing the area. He said that it is moving too quickly. Julie Coleman said she was called by the Carrboro lawyer and told that they would take her land under eminent domain for Carrboro High School. She said it was this group that saved her land. She said that rather than taking her home and her neighbor's home, they used land owned by an out of state developer. She said that one of her neighbors has 70 acres of land and there used to be a crystal-clear pond and it is no longer. She said that Smith Level Road is beautiful. She said she is not a person of great wealth, as the Chapel Hill Town Council referred to her, but she is thankful to have her land. She said that she hears affordable housing and wants that, but there must be money in the bank and Chapel Hill Town Council does not have the money in the bank. She said if the federal government is ready to give, then she might start listening. She said as long as the area stayed as farmland, Southern Village could be built. She said her space was used. She said the people that live there do not want this. Holly Fracarro, the CEO of the Homebuilders Association for Durham, Chatham, and Orange Counties, said that a "yes" vote is not a "yes" for any development. She said that Chapel Hill has a very rigorous process for developers to go through when rezoning. She said that a developer would likely cover the cost of affordable housing. She said a "yes" is simply a "yes" to an agreement that allows them to have thoughtful conversations with developers and allows the Town of Chapel Hill to negotiate with the developer. Dan Jewell said he has been designing communities in this part of the county for 40 years. He reiterated that this vote won't approve new development but will open the door for conversations to start. He said that the concerns are that the development will add to stormwater issues but again, the Town of Chapel Hill has the strongest regulations in the state. He said that 18 absent a"yes" vote tonight, this area will continue to develop without plan. He said that is not how this part of the county needs to grow. Coleman Day said he has lived in the ETJ for 35 years. He said he also served on the Planning Board in Chapel Hill for many years. He encouraged the Board to vote against this amendment. He said the community plan for the southern area has been in place for many years and it is being pushed through by the Chamber of Commerce and a pro-development council. Bridget Pemberton-Smith said she is speaking on behalf of the Carrboro Business Alliance. She said this area is exactly where the community should look for housing solutions. She asked the Board to vote yes. She said that pricing and availability of housing is one of the biggest challenges for businesses because their employees cannot afford to live here. Valarie Schwartz said she has lived in Chapel Hill for 30 years and the ETJ for 25 years. She said that everyone here is in agreement on affordable housing. She said the median cost of a home in Chapel Hill is about $537,000 dollars. She asked if that is the dollar reference amount for median incomes because that does not seem affordable. She asked why Chapel Hill approves the building of more expensive homes. She said once this agreement is approved, the developers will flock. She said if they know that if a water and sewer expansion will only be approved to help everyone, then only the developers that are truly interested in affordable housing will show up. She said that there are people that need water filtration issues now for health reasons. She said that Chapel Hill has proven they want rich people there. She asked the Board to put a hold on the process and give Chapel Hill a bargaining chip so that when a plan for people and environment is ready, it will be approved. She said tonight is not the night to do that. Terri Buckner said she was on OWASA when the water supply plan was updated. She said it was based on the anticipated population growth of the Town up to 2050. She said it does not include anything in the Southern expansion area. She said it was based on the future land use map in Chapel Hill. She said there probably is enough water because there is Jordan Lake access but is that really what they want to do. She said that impervious is 50% but according to state guidelines it is 70%. She said that the stormwater ordinances are strict in Chapel Hill, but Chapel Hill lost the ability to enforce most of their standards. She said that their own staff admitted that they can only enforce nutrients right now because of state law. She said that the town process sounds nice and that if it were something else, she could support it. She said that the Chamber, the realtors, and the developers are here because the church has planned to do the development and it will open up more for them. She said the Town violated the trust when they reopened the process and that makes them skeptical that they will follow the process outlined tonight. She asked them to say no. Kyle Rasbach said he lives on 10 acres on Smith Level Rd. He said they bought with the understanding there would not be additional high-density development past Southern Village. He said there has not been appropriate environmental studies and he would venture to say that less than 10% of neighbors are even aware of the process going on. He said that asking them to drive for 45 minutes on a Thursday night is not a way to get a true representation of their thoughts. Commissioner Hamilton said as a former economist, she looked at the rationale of affordable housing in this area with that lens. She said subsidized housing is a low enough price that people 80% AMI or less can afford it and is achieved with federal, state, or local government money. She said the other type of affordable housing would require them to somehow slow the growth of the area, which she believes is highly unlikely based on supply curves in this area. She said housing prices are driving up because of people coming from out of state. She said they will not be able to build enough housing to outweigh that this is an attractive place for people to live, so she does not buy that affordable housing will come out of this. She said she still understands that houses are needed, even if they are not affordable, but it needs to be looked at carefully. Additionally, she said a rapid transit system will not go in for years and that area is already congested. She said even if"missing middle" housing is built there, additional people will increase 19 the pressures of transit. She said she does not think the rationale for this holds and wants more information before she feels comfortable saying yes to this amendment. Commissioner McKee said he does not have any interest in this area, but his wife's family owns lands on the western side of Chapel Hill-Carrboro. He said they are experiencing the same unaffordable growth in value. He said there may be some affordable housing added with this amendment, but the alternative for parcels in this area is multi-million-dollar homes will be built. He said this is a major corridor and an access to Chapel Hill, which will not stop growing and will not stop being attractive. He said in every agenda item, some are advantaged, and some are disadvantaged. He said it makes sense to him to put water and sewer along major access corridors. He said it allows more affordable housing and closer density, although will still likely not be affordable to the average wage earner. He said he thinks BRT will be in the plans in this area in the future. He said this amendment does not change anything about future development. He said the planning people want will still have to happen. He said he does support this amendment, and this can be a good thing. Vice-Chair Greene said the most compelling argument that residents have brought to the Board is that they are their only elected officials. She said she takes that to heart and takes it very seriously and has appreciated their perspective and heavily considered their input. She said she keeps coming back to the fact that this area is within Chapel Hill's planning jurisdiction and is the intention of Chapel Hill to grow in this area. She said it absolutely will not be all affordable housing, but there are multiple ways to produce some affordable housing here. She said for subsidized housing, it is critically important for land to be donated to an affordable housing developer because it is such a critically expensive part of the proposition. She said the idea for this amendment came from the Chamber's Big Bold Ideas and the Chamber's focus on what it can do to work on affordable housing in the community. She said Chapel Hill does have rigorous processes for collecting input in the next planning steps and ETJ residents will be a part of that. She said ultimately, she believes this is Chapel Hill's area to plan and they will do a responsible job with it, and they need the assurance this boundary amendment will be approved before investing resources for additional planning. Commissioner Richards said Vice-Chair Greene discussed the Big Bold Ideas more eloquently than she did, and describing the level of community input that went into identifying areas that make sense. She said this area makes sense. She said this does not affect the rural buffer and with Chapel Hill and Carrboro renewing their commitment to maintaining the rural character of Smith Level Rd., it gives her some reassurance. She said given the rigorous planning process, it is good there are no plans yet because if the plan were set, there would be no opportunity for residents to participate in the visioning. She said she feels the Town Council is committed to the affordable housing piece of this, and ultimately, she is inclined to support it as well. She said she also lives in the ETJ, just on the other side, and understands the concerns raised by residents and encouraged them to be involved in the next planning phases. Commissioner Fowler said she agrees with a lot of what the Board has said and understands the concerns of residents in the area. She said she understands the argument that this will not make a big dent for affordable housing, but if they do not make any dent, it will only continue to get worse. She said regarding vehicle miles traveled, if people do not live here, they will be traveling from other counties to Orange County for work or other reasons. She said this is a major corridor and development here makes the most sense at this point in time. She said all this amendment does is change the water and sewer boundary, the planning process still must take place. She said weighing all of the different issues, she supports this amendment. Chair Bedford said she agrees with a lot of what has been said. She said she attended the public meeting that Chapel Hill held, and a number of people were opposed, and some were also in favor. She said she had an opportunity to review the WASMPBA with Orange County Planning staff. She said she initially wanted to wait until CLUP 2050 was done but has been assured that there is enough water for all future planning. She said ETJs are undemocratic in her 20 opinion and encouraged the Town of Chapel Hill to annex whenever possible. She said she is not basing this decision on affordable housing. She said she has doubts, and the General Assembly does not give elected boards the tools to require or demand affordable housing, but there is flexibility in special use permits. Regardless, she said housing is needed at all levels. She said after watching the Town Council meeting, she is reassured that they are committed to putting much more dense housing there and believes additional bus service can be added as housing develops. Regarding cost to OWASA customers, she said any initial costs balance out over time. She said she does not see benefits to delaying this decision and thinks the Chapel Hill Town Council will do the best they can. She said she also met with county Planning staff to discuss flooding and stormwater control and described those requirements for future developments. She said supports the rural buffer and it is not the cause of affordable housing issues. She asked the Town Council to stay true to the dense or complete communities design, annex as much as possible, asked them to consider amenities like childcare centers, in-home businesses, and implement building sustainability requirements. A motion was made by Chair Bedford, seconded by Vice-Chair Greene, to approve the following Resolution: RESOLUTION WHEREAS, in 2001, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Orange County, and OWASA adopted a Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement ("Agreement"); and WHEREAS, the Agreement was last amended on November 17, 2020, and WHEREAS, the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro submitted a petition to the Town of Chapel Hill on June 14, 2023, requesting that the Town extend the water and sewer boundary along the US 15-501 South corridor to the Chatham County line; and WHEREAS, on November 15, 2023, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved amending Appendix A of the Agreement to designate approximately 360.23 acres in the southeast Chapel Hill area as an addition to the "OWASA Primary Service Area" and requested that the governing boards of the Town of Carrboro, Town of Hillsborough, Orange County, and OWASA consider approval of the amendment; and WHEREAS, OWASA's Primary Service Area (Urban Services Area) is where water and/or sewer service is now provided or might reasonably be provided in the future; and WHEREAS, the area proposed for inclusion into OWASA's Primary Service Area is within the Town of Chapel Hill's planning jurisdiction and is currently designated as either Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) or "Transition Area" on the Orange County — Chapel Hill — Carrboro Joint Planning Land Use Plan Map and Agreement, and WHEREAS, both of these designations expect urban services, such as public water and sewer will be provided, and WHEREAS, the area proposed for designation as OWASA Primary Service Area has been reviewed by OWASA and is technically feasible for provision of both water and sewer service; and 21 WHEREAS, amendments to the Agreement require the approval of all signatories to the Agreement. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners approves amending Appendix A of the Agreement to designate approximately 360.23 acres in the southeast Chapel Hill area as an addition to the "OWASA Primary Service Area", as shown on the map attached hereto. VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Commissioner McKee, Commissioner Richards, Chair Bedford, Vice-Chair Greene, Commissioner Fowler); Nays, 1 (Commissioner Hamilton) MOTION PASSES b. Establishment of the Strategic Plan Performance Measurements Subcommittee The Board considered establishing and approving the charge, composition, and meeting schedule for the proposed Strategic Plan Performance Measurements Subcommittee. BACKGROUND: At the February 20, 2024 Board of Commissioners' Business meeting, a petition was submitted by Commissioner Jean Hamilton to create a Strategic Plan Performance Measurements Subcommittee. Commissioner Hamilton, along with Commissioner Anna Richards and Commissioner Amy Fowler, volunteered to serve on the Subcommittee. There was also discussion of other Board members who might be interested in serving. The Board will need to determine which three commissioners will serve and appoint them to the Subcommittee. The proposed charge for the Subcommittee is to review the performance measures listed in the Strategic Plan adopted at the February 20, 2024 meeting and recommend any changes or additions, which would then be considered for approval by the full Board at a future Business meeting. The Board will also need to determine a schedule of meetings for the Subcommittee, noting the date, time, and place for each meeting. The first meeting should occur no earlier than March 14, 2024. A motion was made by Chair Bedford, seconded by Vice-Chair Greene, to establish the Strategic Plan Performance Measurements Subcommittee; appoint Commissioners Hamilton, Richards, and Fowler, to serve on the Subcommittee; and approve the charge detailed above. 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 McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene, to approve the consent agenda. 22 VOTE: UNANIMOUS a. Minutes The Board approved the draft minutes for the January 23, 2024 Assembly of Governments Meeting as submitted by the Clerk to the Board. b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds The Board adopted a resolution to release motor vehicle property tax values for eight (8) taxpayers with a total of eleven (11) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue. c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds The Board adopted a resolution to release property tax values for nine (9) taxpayers with a total of nine (9) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue. d. Late Application for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion The Board approved one (1) untimely application for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem taxation for one (1) bill for the 2023 tax year. e. Acceptance of NC 911 Board Portable Radio Grant and Approval of Budget Amendment #6-A The Board accepted a grant from the North Carolina 911 Board for the purchase of eleven (11) portable radios for the Primary Public Safety Communications Center, and approval of Budget Amendment #6-A to provide for the total reimbursable cost of the grant. f. Procurement of Automated Fire-EMS Alerting System and Approval of Budget Amendment#6-13 The Board approved the purchase of an automated Fire/EMS alerting system for the County's primary and backup Public Safety Communications Centers, and approval of Budget Amendment #6-B to provide for the total cost of the system. g. Approval of the Fire Protection and Emergency Services Agreement with the Town of Carrboro The Board approved the Fire Protection and Emergency Services Agreement with the Town of Carrboro for the South Orange Fire Service District (the "District') as a County Service District pursuant to Chapter 153A, Article 16 of the North Carolina General Statutes to provide fire protection and other services as set forth in the Agreement. h. Approval of the Fire Protection and Emergency Services Agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill The Board approved the Fire Protection and Emergency Services Agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill for the Greater Chapel Hill Fire District (the "District') as a County Service District pursuant to Chapter 153A, Article 16 of the North Carolina General Statutes to provide fire protection and other services as set forth in the Agreement. i. Orange County Creek Week 2024 Proclamation The Board approved a proclamation declaring March 16-23, 2024, as "Orange County Creek Week". j. Boards and Commissions —Appointments The Board approved the Boards and Commissions appointments as reviewed and discussed during the February 15, 2024 Work Session. 9. County Manager's Report Bonnie Hammersley reviewed the agenda for the March 12, 2024 Work Session. 10. County Attorney's Report John Roberts did not have a report for the Board. 11. *Appointments None. 23 12. Information Items • February 20, 2024 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections • Tax Assessor's Report— Releases/Refunds under $100 13. Closed Session None. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to adjourn the meeting at 10:49 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Recorded by Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board