JANUARY 3, 2011 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING SUMMARY

Large Citizen Turnout

More than 150 people attended the January 3, 2011 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Why the big turnout? Most of the public comments addressed the proposed elimination of the Human Resources and Sustainability Directors and the Chapel Hill Transit bus service from Pittsboro to Chapel Hill.

The 20 minute public input session was extended on a 4-1 vote (Commissioner Bock dissenting) to allow everyone to speak. Of the 30 people signed up to speak, sixteen were in favor of retaining one or both positions and nine were in favor of the elimination. Several spoke to the retention of the bus service. Other issues brought up were a water line for residents of Christian Chapel Church Road, and requests for a public hearing on the Western Wake Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) pipeline. (A copy of the comments presented by Loyse Hurley, CCEC Board President, and CCEC Board members, Esta Cohen and Rita Spina can be viewed by following this link: http://chathamcitizens.org/news/speeches.htm
 

Construction of the Judicial Center

There were no comments made during the public hearing on the borrowing of funds for the construction of the new Judicial Center and the county will proceed with the plans to borrow the monies on a 5-0 vote.
 

Road Improvements

Reubin Blakley of the NCDOT indicated that the work of paving several dirt roads in the county utilizing Highway and Trust Funds would continue this spring. The BOC approved a resolution to proceed with this work by a 5-0 vote. Mr. Blakely also updated the board on the status of the work on Andrews Store Road. This work has three parts:

Audit Report

Martin Starnes & Associates presented the 2009-2010 audit report indicating the county is in good fiscal shape.

Updated Land Use Plan

Commissioner Stewart made the motion not to sign the contract for the consultant for work on the update of the Land Use Conservation Plan. On a 5-0 vote it was agreed to defer discussion of this contract to the budget discussions held at the February BOC retreat. The contract and proposed work has not been the subject of any the Planning Board discussion.

Pittsboro Express Bus Service

Commissioner Petty made a motion to discontinue the Pittsboro Express Bus Service because of what he determined to be “low ridership.” He suggested the void be filled by smaller busses from Chatham Transit. The Transportation Advisory Board has not discussed the issue. During discussion it was pointed out that the actual contract limits the amount of money the county can spend for this service, and the service is free for the months of April, May and June. It was decided on a 3-2 vote (Commissioners Cross and Kost dissenting) to discontinue the contract effective June 30th with six months notification.

Staff Positions

Commissioner Bock made a motion to refrain from filling the vacant position of Resource Conservation Manager by allocating an Assistant Planner to fill that position. The motion carried 4-1 (Commissioner Kost dissenting)

Commissioner Petty made a motion to refrain from filling the Public Health Educator 2 position (Obesity Coordinator). Neither the Board of Health nor the Health Department have been consulted. Carried 4-1 (Commissioner Kost dissenting)

Commissioner Bock made a motion to terminate the position of Director of Sustainable Communities and the Human Relations Director. Carried 3-2 (Commissioners Cross and Kost dissenting) The functions of both departments will be taken over by the County Manager and reporting channels are still being worked out.

The conditions of termination are the immediate administrative leave and termination effective January 14, 2011 with 3 weeks salary for each year of service and 3 months medical benefits.

Throughout the discussions, both Commissioners Cross and Kost advocated for consideration of these actions during the upcoming overall budget discussions instead of taking action immediately.

Contract for Jail

It was agreed to hold off on the signing of a contract with Hemphill-Randel Associates as architects until after the public hearing on the Capital Improvement Planand budget discussions are held to allow for a comprehensive approach to budget cuts.

Construction Management Services - Chatham County Schools

It was agreed that the county should continue to work with the schools as they have been until after the budget retreat.

Audio System

Mark Ellington gave a status report on potential improvements to the sound system. He is still pursuing suitable alternatives.

Commissioner Reports

Commissioner Cross reported that the ground tests should be completed on the Randolph County Regional Landfill site on Rte 64 by the end of January.

Commissioner Stewart reported that she has been investigating the current status of broadband services to the county.
 

WORK SESSION

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

The Assistant County Manager, Renee Paschal, presented a power point on the proposed CIP, breaking it down into three sections:

1. Mandated Items,

2. Items under signed contract, and

3. More flexible items.

The entire presentation can be viewed on the County website by visiting: http://www.chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=1457
One of the major items in the presentation is that of the status of the proposed new high school on Jack Bennett Road. Considerations include utilizing the Northwood HS expansion, delaying the new school until building activity demonstrates the need for the school, additional expansion of Northwood HS, placing the new high school on a band referendum (not likely to be approved if this is the only item on a referendum).

The CIP was the subject of a public hearing at the 6:00 p.m. meeting of the BOC on January 18.

Western Wake Wastewater Treatment Plant Pipeline

The Town of Apex, a member of the Western Wake Partners (WWP) has requested that Chatham pass a resolution allowing representatives of the partners to approach the 12 property owners involved in the easement for the discharge pipe to discuss terms and conditions of any easements. Since the issue directly affects private property rights, as well as, any potential future issues such as annexation, the commissioners scheduled a public hearing on the issue before agreeing to signing the resolution. Originally, the hearing was scheduled for January 18th, however due to a scheduling conflict with the consultant for Western Wake, this hearing was rescheduled for Monday, February 7 at Moncure School gymnasium, beginning at 6 pm.
 

JANUARY 18, 2011 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING SUMMARY

Both Commissioner Cross and Kost were absent for both the work session and meeting due to illness.

Work Session

Liaisons and Appointments

This item was on the agenda because of a request by Commissioner Kost. Chairman Bock was unsure why she made the request so discussion was postponed until she could be present. In our last newsletter, we inadvertently omitted the various state liaisons held by Commissioner Cross. Here is his current list to date:

Court Operations & Security Judicial District 15B

Home & Community Care Block Grant*

NC Association of County Commissioners, Legislative Goals Committee*, Board of Directors* and Tax & Finance Committee*

NC Joint Legislative Commission on Municipal Incorporations*

Research Triangle Regional Partnership*

Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Triangle J Council of Governments Legislative Committee* and Board of Delegates*

Fee Increases for Installation of Irrigation Meters

Since July, 2009 NC law requires that a separate water meter be installed for irrigation purposes. Previously the tap into the water line was split and cost $400. On a 3-0 vote this fee has been raised to $1000 for the installation of a separate meter for irrigation water to cover the actual cost.

Property Tax Evaluations

Appeals on home values during the past year have been higher than normal. This is due, in part to the timing of the property evaluations. These evaluations were done in 2009 before the economic downturn. The value of a property cannot be changed during a non-evaluation year. Appeals can still be made until the board of Equalization and Review meet during April. For additional information please contact the Chatham County Tax Department.

Landfill

On a 3-0 vote Commissioners cancelled all site selection work on a proposed landfill within Chatham County. Alternative workable options such as recycling and use of the Randolph County regional landfill will be investigated. The public is encouraged to participate and offer suggestions for some method of paying for household waste disposal.

Regular Meeting

A large crowd was once again in attendance. As part of the consent agenda approval, the Board approved a resolution in support of the Pittsboro Wastewater Treatment Plant’s discharge permit. During the public input session, several people spoke in favor of the commissioners on their decision to put off any additional work on the siting process for the landfill. Others spoke in favor of the commissioners for their fiscal restraint and open government policy, and requested that a county checkbook be posted on the county website. A request was made for the commissioners to review the policy on use of the meeting rooms at the library. Another individual advocated for a reduction in the $25 fee for the county background check for carrying firearms and repeal of the ICE resolution.

Public Hearings

1. Grant Award

A pro-forma hearing was held on a grant award by the NC DOT to the Chatham County Council on Aging. The $270,000 would be used to provide medical transportation by the Chatham Transit Network.

2. 2012-2016 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

Most of the speakers urged that the Board of Commissioners retain the proposed new high school in the Capital Improvement Plan. It was pointed out that retaining the high school in the plan would not cost anything but would provide an attractant to new business and residential buyers. A petition with 750 signatures from the Amberly Development was presented along with a request to utilize the new census figures to help determine the number of anticipated students. A suggestion was made to use a 10 year plan for capital improvements. It was also noted that it was possible that a new elementary school may be needed before the new high school. Two people pointed out that the new high school should not bear the sole blame for any tax increase, and that the residents in the north east already pay a larger percentage of county taxes.

One individual questioned the use of Certificates of Participation (COPS) as the mechanism for funding major projects and advocated to put all the capital projects up for referendum. Another questioned the advantages of LEED certification for county buildings.

These issues will be discussed during the Board of Commissioners retreat to be held on 1/31, 2/1 and 2/8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Camp Royal, 250 Bill Ash Road Moncure NC.  (off the Pittsboro Moncure Road.)
 
 
 Developments

1. 70 Southern Greenway

Upon request by the developer, the business zoning for located at 70 Southern Greenway has been voided. The property now reverts to residential zoning.

2. Polk’s Village - 15/501

The request for expansion of uses with no change in the footprint for the commercial development to include additional uses including medical facilities has been approved with conditions on a 3-0 vote.

Public Hearings were held on:

1. A text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance by Lauren Thomas to reduce the minimum acreage restriction from 3 acres to 1 acre for residential day care centers to make it consistent with other requirements for these centers.

2. A revision to the existing conditional use permit for McGill Environmental to provide for a modular office building on Christian Chapel Church Road.

3. A request by Colvard Farms Homeowners Association for revisions to the conditional use permit to provide for more green space and other improvements.

These 3 items will come before the Planning Board at their February 1 meeting.

Commissioner’s Priorities

1. The Economic Development Presentation was put off until another night because of the lateness of the hour.

2. February 2011 has been proclaimed as Margie E. Ellison Relations Month.

3. February 2011 has also been proclaimed as African-American History Month

4. Video taping and on line postings of the commissioner meetings is an ongoing study due to difficulties and compatibility of equipment and lack of staff.

5. The Financial Contract and Deed of Trust for the new Judicial Building was approved.

Next Meeting

The next evening Board of Commissioner’s meeting on February 7 will be held at the Moncure School Gymnasium 600 Moncure Rd. at 6:00 p.m. As mentioned previously, a public hearing will be held on the Western Wake Partners request to run an 8.1 mile discharge pipeline through Chatham County.