Regular Meeting
Monday, December 4, 2006

Reception - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
John M. Link, Jr. Government Services Center

Meeting - 7:30 p.m.
F. Gordon Battle Courtroom
106 E. 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.  

Resolution of Commendation for Commissioner Stephen H. Halkiotis

Oaths of Office for Board Members

Board Organization

a.       Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

b.      Designation of Voting Delegate for all NCACC and NACo meetings for Calendar Year December 1, 2006-2007

Appointments

a.       Manager

b.       Clerk to the Board

c.       County Attorney

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 for October 24, 2006, November 2, 2006 and November 9, 2006 as submitted by the Clerk to the Board.

b.      Appointments - None

c.       Property Tax Refunds

The Board will consider the adoption of a refund resolution related to three requests for property tax refund in accordance with N.C. General Statues 105-381.

d.      Property Value Changes

The Board will consider approving value changes made in property values after the 2006 Board of Equalization and Review has adjourned.

e.      Applications for Property Tax Exemption

The Board will consider approving seven untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem taxation from the 2006 tax year.

f.        Resolution Adjusting the Starting Salaries of the Sheriff and Register of Deeds Positions

The Board will consider adopting a resolution adjusting the starting salaries of the Sheriff and Register of Deeds positions, effective December 4, 2006.

g.      Service Coordination Renewal Agreement with Manley Estates and the Department on Aging

The Board will consider authorizing the renewal of the agreement for the Department of Aging's Eldercare Division to provide on-site service coordination for the residents of the First Baptist and Manley Estates senior housing complex in Chapel Hill, and authorize the Chair to sign.

h.      Amend 2005 COPS Interoperable Communications Grant Contract With the City of Durham

The Board will consider amending the grant contract with the City of Durham for the 2005 US Department of Justice COPS Interoperable Communications grant, as approved by the Board on March 2, 2006, pending final review by staff and the County Attorney and authorize the Manager to sign.

i.        Application for Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)

The Board will consider receiving a grant from the State Emergency Management Agency to help support the County emergency program and authorize the Interim Emergency Management Director to sign.

j.        Change in BOCC Regular Meeting Schedule for 2007

The Board will consider making one change in the County Commissioners' regular meeting calendar for the year 2007.

k.      Examination of Bonds

The Board will consider examining bonds for officials pursuant to G.S. 105-5

l.        Amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Operating/Sharing Cost for the Fairview Community Policing Center

The Board will consider approving an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement for Operating and Sharing of Cost for the Fairview Community Policing Center dated October 9, 2000, with the County to release its dedicated space to the Town, pending final review by staff and the County Attorney and authorize the Chair to sign.

m.    Process and Facilitation Consultant Contract for Comprehensive Plan

The Board will consider reviewing the proposal from the Orange County Dispute Settlement Center (DSC) for the provision of process and facilitation services related to the Comprehensive Plan update and authorize staff to prepare a contract with the Dispute Settlement Center that incorporates the scope of work outlined under the "Cost and Contracting" section of the proposal and authorize the Chair to sign.

n.      Consultant Contract - Education Facilities Impact Fees

The Board will consider authorizing the negotiation of a contract, not to exceed $60,000, with Tischler and Associates, Inc for professional services related to analyzing and updating the County's Education Facilities Impact Fee Ordinance, and authorize the Manager to sign.

6.  Resolutions or Proclamations 

a.      Proclamation Acknowledging Human Rights Week, Human Rights Day, and the Bill of Rights Day

The Board will consider officially recognizing Human Rights Week, Human Rights Day and the Bill of Rights Day in Orange County during the month of December, and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation.

7.  Special Presentations

a.      Presentation of the Orange County Women's Agenda for 2006-2007

The Board will consider receiving the results and prioritizing the issues of the Orange County Women's Agenda Assembly.

8.  Public Hearings

9.  Items for Decision--Regular Agenda

a.      Bennett-Andrews Preliminary Plan

The Board will consider the Preliminary Plan and possible revisions for the Bennett-Andrews Subdivision.

b.      Justice Facilities Expansion Project Review and Approval

The Board will consider receiving the final review and comment on the Justice Facilities Project, including the River Park and the Farmer's Market, prior to the solicitation of bids.

c.      Ethics and Conduct for County Public Servant Policy

The Board will consider adopting an Orange County policy establishing ethics and conduct for County public servants.

10.  Reports

11.  Closed Session

12.  Adjournment

Orange County water supply reservoir water levels

Available information as of 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 30, 2006 

Lake Orange 

·        Water level is full.

·        Water storage capacity remaining is 100% (474 million gallons)

·        Approximately 141 days of water supply remaining (at Capacity Use specified release rate)

·        Current Eno River flow at the Hillsborough gage is averaging approximately 37 cfs (23.9 million gallons per day).

·        Releases from Lake Orange have been essentially curtailed (sufficient release for stream section just below dam) as instream flow has been maintained by natural flow generated by recent rainfall events. 

·        Eno River Capacity Use Restrictions at Stage 1 that have been in effect since August 5, 2006 ended at midnight Monday night (11/13) after seven consecutive days of instream flow exceeding 10 cfs.

West Fork Reservoir  (as of November 30)

·        Water level is full

·        Water storage capacity remaining is 100%  

·        In excess of 300 days of water supply remaining (assuming Town's current daily demand and releases for streamflow augmentation).

OWASA Reservoirs  

·        Water level at Cane Creek Reservoir is full - see note 1.

·        Water level at University Lake is 0.5" above full - see note 1.

·        Total remaining water storage capacity is approximately 100%

·        Approximately 370 days of water supply remaining (at current 7-day average daily demand 7.75 million gallons per day]) - see note 1.

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

RDU                                                                         Piedmont-Triad 

-6.34" for 2005                                                       -9.94" for 2005

+7.26" since January 1, 2006                              +5.96" since January 1, 2006

+7.20" since September 1, 2006                        +2.97" since September 1, 2006

               ORANGE COUNTY FUEL AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION SUMMARY

FUEL USE

ENERGY USE

NATURAL GAS

ELECTRICITY

Public Works developed a model to estimate changes in energy usage from a two-year baseline period (January 2004 through December 2005).  This model is used to effectively "remove" or adjust for the effect of outside air temperatures (Heating Degree Days (HDD) and Cooling Degree Days (CDD)) on energy use in County buildings.

 "Actual" usage presents the number of kilowatt hours used during the most recent month as well as usage for the calendar year to date.  "Baseline Projection" is a projection of the quantity of electricity that would have been used, adjusted for HDD and CDD, based on usage in the two-year baseline period.  The "Difference," if a negative value, demonstrates that less energy was used than projected, resulting in a savings.  If a positive value, the "Difference" indicates that more energy was used than projected. 

In order to allow appropriate "apples-to-apples" comparisons to direct changes in usage, outside lighting has not been included, as accounts are often rolled up for several buildings (i.e., outside lighting for the Government Services Annex includes not only the Annex but also Government Services Center, the Sheriff Department and the New Courthouse). 

*NOTE: Due to utility billing cycles and dates, the most current complete information for natural gas and electricity usage is for the month of September 2006.