Regular Meeting
Thursday, February 9, 2006
7:30 p.m. 
F. Gordon Battle Courtroom
106 East Margaret Lane 
Hillsborough, NC    

Note: Background Material on all abstracts available in the Clerk's Office

COMPLIANCE WITH THE "AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT" - Interpreter services and/or special sound equipment are available with prior notice.  If you need this assistance, call the County Clerk's office at 732-8181, ext. 2130.  If you are disabled and need assistance, contact the ADA Coordinator at extension 2300 or TDD# 644-3045.  

ESTIMATED TIMES LISTED AFTER EACH ITEM - these are approximate times.  Citizens are encouraged to be at the meeting at the starting time.  The Board usually considers items in the order listed and proceeds at a steady pace.  As a courtesy to others, speakers are asked to limit their comments to three minutes.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AGENDA ITEMS - is available in the Clerk's office and complete copies of agenda material are located at the Orange County Library in Hillsborough and the Chapel Hill Library in Chapel Hill.  

1.  Additions or Changes to the Agenda

PUBLIC CHARGE

The Board of Commissioners pledges to the citizens of Orange County its respect. The Board asks its citizens to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with the Board and with fellow citizens.  At any time should any member of the Board or any citizen fail to observe this public charge, the Chair will ask the offending person to leave the meeting until that individual regains personal control. Should decorum fail to be restored, the Chair will recess the meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed.  All electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and computers should please be turned off or set to silent/vibrate.

2.  Public Comments

(We would appreciate you signing the pad ahead of time so that you are not overlooked.)

a.         Matters not on the Printed Agenda

b.         Matters on the Printed Agenda

(These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.)

3.  Board Comments

4.  County Manager's Report

5.  Items for Decision--Consent Agenda

a.      Minutes - None

b.      Appointments - None

c.       Advertisement of Tax Liens on Real Property  APPROVED

The Board will receive a report on the amount of unpaid taxes for the current year that are liens on real property as required by North Carolina General Statute 105-369 and to consider March 15, 2006 as the date for the tax lien advertisement. 

d.      Budget Amendment #9 APPROVED

The Board will consider approving budget ordinance and grant project ordinance amendments for fiscal year 2005-06. 

e.      Approval of 2005 Jury Commission Compensation APPROVED

The Board will consider approving the amount of  compensation to be paid to the 2005 Jury Commission. 

f.        Change in BOCC Regular Meeting Schedule APPROVED with REVISION

The Board will consider two changes in the County Commissioners' regular meeting calendar for the year 2006. 

g.      Town of Hillsborough Request for Cates Creek Outfall Sewer Easement Across County Property APPROVED

The Board will consider a Town of Hillsborough request that the County grant a sewer easement across County-owned property for the purpose installing a gravity sewer main that will be the primary means of extending sewer service to the Waterstone development and authorize the Chair to execute the easement when it has adequately addressed the County's interest. 

h.      BOCC Contribution for the Orange County Jazz Festival  APPROVED

i.        Lease Extension for Highway 57 Solid Waste Convenience Center APPROVED

j.        Lease Extension for Senior Center at the Galleria APPROVED

The Board will consider extending/renewing a lease for space at the Galleria, the current site of the Chapel Hill Senior Center, through December 31, 2006 and authorize the Chair to sign. 

k.      Legal Advertisement for Joint Quarterly Public Hearing - February 27, 2006 APPROVED

l.        Resolution of Support for Town of Hillsborough Crosswalk Improvements APPROVED

The Board will consider approving a resolution supporting the Town of Hillsborough's plans to pursue improvements to various Department of Transportation and Town maintained crosswalks and authorize the Chair to sign.   

m.      Authorization to Bid Sewer Project PULLED from AGENDA

n.      Establishment of Public Hearing for Debt Issuance APPROVED

6.  Resolutions or Proclamations

a.         Resolution Honoring Allen Lloyd and Evelyn Lloyd APPROVED

The Board will consider recognizing Allen Lloyd and Evelyn Lloyd for their role in protecting a highly important natural area on Occoneechee Mountain. 

b.         Resolution of Appreciation - Trish and Lee Rafalow APPROVED

The Board will consider a resolution of appreciation to Lee and Trish Rafalow for their financial gift to the County's Lands Legacy Program and authorize the Chair to sign. 

c.         Resolution for Proposed Alternative Debt Financing of Various School and County Capital Projects DELAYED to 3/2/06

d.         Resolution Acknowledging The Women's Center for its Role in the IDA Program APPROVED

The Board will consider acknowledging The Women's Center for its work administering the Individual Development Account (IDA) program with Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign. 

7.  Special Presentations

a.         Community Development Block Grant Award - IDA Program APPROVED

The Board will consider approving the execution of the Grant Agreement; Funding Approval Form; Signatory Form and Certification cards; and Resolution for the FY 2005 Community Development Block Grant Award giving signatory authority to the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. 

b.         NC Helping Neighbors Fund Distribution:  Katrina Relief in Orange County APPROVED

The Governor's Office has announced the distribution of $4,756 to Orange County based upon their FEMA registrations (evacuees) following Hurricane Katrina.  These funds consist of private donations and charitable giving into the NC Helping Neighbors Fund.  The Board will consider fund distribution for Katrina evacuees residing in Orange County. 

8.  Public Hearings

a.         Orange County Consolidated Housing Plan Update PUBLIC HEARING OPEN UNTIL 2/21/06

The Board will receive comments from the public regarding the housing and non-housing needs to be included in the Annual Update of the 2005-2009 Consolidated Housing Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County and proposed uses of 2006-2007 HOME funds. 

9.  Items for Decision--Regular Agenda

a.         Voluntary Agricultural District Designation: Ranells-Bergmann Property APPROVED

The Board will consider an application from Noah Ranells and Ben Bergmann for certification as qualifying farmland within the Cane Creek/Buckhorn Voluntary Agricultural District. 

b.         Discussion Regarding Inclusion of School Merger Option in School Equity Considerations MERGER OFF THE TABLE

c.         Proposed Orange County Section of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail INFORMATION RECEIVED

The Board will consider the possibility of a section of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail being planned through Orange County and provide guidance to staff. 

10.  Reports

a.         Potential Agricultural Activities on Lands Legacy Properties INFORMATION RECEIVED

The Board will receive a report from staff on the potential (current and future) for agricultural activities on certain Lands Legacy properties and provide direction to staff. 

11.  Closed Session

a.         "To discuss the County's position and to instruct the County Manager and County Attorney on the negotiating position regarding the terms of a contract to purchase real property," NCGS § 143-318.11(a)(5).

12.  Adjournment

Orange County Water Supply Reservoir Water Levels

Available information as of 1:00 PM, Thursday, February 2, 2006

Lake Orange

·         Water level is at the point where it is freely spilling (full) over the spillway..

·         Water storage capacity remaining is 100% (475 million gallons)

·         There are not Eno River Capacity Use Restrictions in effect.

·         Current Eno River flow at the Hillsborough gage is approximately 17 cfs (11 million gallons per day).

·         Eno flow levels, though well above the flows that trigger Capacity Use restrictions, are averaging well below historical mean water flows and have been for the past four weeks.

West Fork Reservoir

·         Water level is at full capacity

·         Water storage capacity remaining is 100%

OWASA Reservoirs

·         Water level at Cane Creek Reservoir is 2'-6" below full

·         Water level at University Lake is 5.5" below full

·         Total remaining water storage capacity is approximately 87.8%

·         Approximately 400 days of water supply remaining (at current average weekly demand)

National Weather Service/NOAA Regional Precipitation data (inches above [+] or below [-] normal)

RDU                                                                                                                       Piedmont-Triad 

-5.84" for 2005                                                                                                       -9.31" for 2005

-2.08" since January 1, 2006                                                                               -1.27" since January 1, 2006