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

The Board will consider correcting and/or approving the minutes from January 24, 2006 and February 27, 2006 as submitted by the Clerk to the Board. 

b.      Appointments

(1) Hillsborough Planning Board - One Reappointment

The Board will consider making one reappointment to the Hillsborough Planning Board. 

c.       Property Tax Refund

The Board will consider adoption of a refund resolution related to one (1) request for property tax refund in accordance with N.C. General Statute 105-381. 

d.      Property Tax Releases

The Board will consider adoption of a resolution to release property values related to three (3) requests for property tax release in accordance with N.C. General Statute 105-381. 

e.      Property Value Changes

The Board will consider approving value changes made in property values after the 2005 Board of Equalization and Review has adjourned. 

f.        Legal Advertisement for Joint Planning Public Hearing - May 11, 2006

The Board will consider the legal advertisement for items to be presented at the Joint Planning Area Public Hearing scheduled for May 11, 2006. 

g.      Request from Town of Carrboro for Land Transfers

The Board will consider a request from the Town of Carrboro for the conveyance of a 0.2 acre parcel on Broad Street, within the Town limits, that is owned by the County. 

h.      Budget Amendment #12

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

6.  Resolutions or Proclamations

a.         County Government Week

The Board will consider proclaiming the week of April 23-29, 2006 as Orange County Government Week and endorse the "Official for a Day" activities and authorize the Chair to sign. 

b.         Public Safety Telecommunicators' Week

The Board will consider proclaiming the week of April 9 through 15, 2006, as Public Safety Telecommunicators' Week in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign. 

c.         Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The Board will consider proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign. 

d.         Community Advisory Committee Appreciation Day - April 26, 2006

The Board will consider approving a proclamation designating the day of April 26, 2006 as Community Advisory Committee Appreciation Day in Orange County to show appreciation to the members of the Orange County Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committees for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the County's long term care residents and authorize the Chair to sign. 

e.         Resolution To Recognize Orange Congregations in Mission for 25 Years of Service to the Community

The Board will consider a resolution recognizing Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM) for 25 years of service to the community and authorize the Chair to sign. 

7.  Special Presentations

a.         Fairview Public Campus Master Plan

The Board will receive and consider the proposed master plan for the Fairview Public Campus, including Fairview Park. 

8.  Public Hearings

a.         North Carolina Department of Transportation, Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) Grant Funding

The Board will conduct a public hearing for the NCDOT Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) grant application, approve the FY 2006/2007 ROAP grant application for a total combined amount of $116,025, and authorize the Chair to sign the Certification Statement of Participation. 

9.  Items for Decision--Regular Agenda

a.         Update and Possible Changes to Plans at Northern Center

b.         SUP-A-1-06:  Partnership Academy Alternative School for Orange County (Class A Special Use Permit)

c.         Proposed Interlocal Agreement for Hollow Rock Area of New Hope Preserve

The Board will consider an interlocal agreement between Orange County, Durham County, the Town of Chapel Hill, and the City of Durham regarding the joint acquisition of the former Erwin Trace property and the master planning for the Hollow Rock Area of the New Hope Preserve. 

d.         TDR Feasibility Study - Supplemental Scope of Services

The Board will review the proposed Supplemental Scope of Services for the Transfer of Development Right (TDR) Feasibility Study and consider approval of an amended professional services contract with the Louis Berger Group, Inc.

e.         Appointments

(1)   Childcare Taskforce - BOCC Appointments

The Board will consider making BOCC appointments to the Childcare Taskforce. 

(2)   Rogers Road Small Area Plan Taskforce - Appointments

The Board will consider making appointments to the Rogers Rd. Small Area Plan Taskforce.  

10.  Reports

a.         Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) - Review of Annual Technical Advisory Committee Report

The Board will review the Annual Report of the SAPFO Technical Advisory Committee (SAPFOTAC) and refer it to the DAPFO partners for comments before certification in mid-May. 

11.  Closed Session

12.  Adjournment

Orange County water supply reservoir water levels

Available information as of 3:00 PM, Thursday, April 6, 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 no Eno River Capacity Use Restrictions in effect.

·        Current Eno River flow at the Hillsborough gage is approximately 9.4 cfs (6.1 million gallons per day).

·        Eno flow levels are averaging well below historical median water flows (60-80 cfs for this time of year) and have been for more than 3 months (13 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 15.75" below full

·        Water level at University Lake is 16.75" below full

·        Total remaining water storage capacity is approximately 91.8%

·        Approximately 330 days of water supply remaining (at yearly average daily demand [9.0 million gallons per day])

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

RDU                                                           Piedmont-Triad 

-6.34" for 2005                                              -9.94" for 2005

-6.22" since January 1, 2006                      -5.72" since January 1, 2006

-2.45" since March 1, 2006                        -3.00" since March 1, 2006

Miscellaneous notes

See attached information from the North Carolina Drought Council (3/30/06)

Worsening Drought Conditions for Central NC

As of March 30^th much of the Piedmont was upgraded to SEVERE drought conditions while the area of MODERATE drought was expanded further east and south.

Highlights from Drought Counsel Meeting March 28th

Rainfall.

Despite rainfall of around an inch on March 20-21 the rainfall received was less than 50% of normal for the 2 week period. Rainfall over the past 90 days across the piedmont was also 50% of normal or less. In some locations rainfall has been only 25% of normal.

Outlook is for continued below normal rainfall through June with lack of heavy rainfall from large synoptic scale systems and Gulf of Mexico moisture.

Streams.

From USGS.Of great concern is the fact that stream flows in the piedmont region have dropped to 25-30% of normal over the last 7 to 30 days. There is major concern over how rapidly stream flow has diminished despite the rains of December and early January. The rapid drop in stream flow is tied to the drop in groundwater.

Stream flows in the piedmont are currently at running at low levels only experienced every 25-50 years based on historical USGS records.

Groundwater / Wells.

The State monitors 43 wells statewide. 25 of the 43 monitoring wells are reporting water levels below the 25^th percentile while 15 wells are falling below the 10^th percentile.

Lakes and Reservoirs.

Falls Lake.Current inflow around 119 cfs.normal inflow for early April is 1300 cfs. Despite near normal lake levels the inflow into the lake is an all time record low over the past 76 years.

Jordan Lake.Current inflow around 430 cfs.normal inflow for early April is 2500 cfs. Despite water levels just above normal for this time of year inflow to the lake is at an all time low for a 76 year period of record.

Kerr Lake. Current inflow around 3500 cfs.normal inflow for early April is 10,700 cfs. Despite near normal water levels for this time of year inflow to the lake is the second lowest on record for a 76 year period.

Forestry.

Dry spring has resulted in over 2,000 fires burning more than 8,000 acres in the state. Recent rains dowsed several out of control fires in the east. There is concern over the planting of seedlings within tree farms and the lack of rainfall. Tree farmers are being told to plant seeds deeper than normal based on dry conditions and a prolonged dry period will result in the seeds not germinating. Irrigation of the state tree farm near Goldsboro is also of concern if water levels in Little Creek used for irrigation drop below the system intake.