Regular Meeting
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
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.  

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.  Proclamations/Resolutions/Special Presentations

a.      Coalition of Excellence Award for Orange County Healthy Carolinians APPROVED

The Board will consider recognizing the accomplishments of the Orange County Healthy Carolinians Council. 

b.      Voluntary Agricultural District Designation: John Pope Farms, LLC APPROVED

The Board will consider an application from John Pope for certification as qualifying farmland within the Cedar Grove Voluntary Agricultural District. 

c.      Youth Voices Summer Leadership Training Institute REPORT RECEIVED

The Board will receive an update on the Fifth Annual Youth Voices Summer Leadership Training Institute. 

d.      Tax Collector's Annual Settlement APPROVED

The Board will receive the tax collector's annual settlement on current and delinquent taxes and approve the accounting thereof and consider issuing the Orders to Collect for fiscal year 2007 - 2008. 

e.      Recognition of Revenue Staff and Appointment of (3) Deputy Tax Collectors RECOGNIZED and APPROVED

The Board will consider acknowledging the continued endeavors of the Revenue staff evident by the outstanding collection rates achieved and to consider the appointment of Linda Strickland-Jaubert, Valerie Curry, and Bobbie Underwood as Deputy Tax Collectors for a one-year term, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008. 

4.  Consent Agenda

a.      Minutes APPROVED

The Board will consider correcting and/or approving the minutes from May 17, 21, 24, 31 and June 4, 5, 2007 as submitted by the Clerk to the Board. 

b.      Appointments - None

c.       Fiscal Year 2007-08 Budget Amendment #1 APPROVED

The Board will consider approving budget ordinance amendments for fiscal year 2007-08. 

d.      Register of Deeds Software Upgrade APPROVED

The Board will consider approving an upgrade of the Register of Deeds software package and authorize the Chair to sign associated paperwork. 

e.      Property Value Changes APPROVED

The Board will consider approving value changes made in property values after the 2007 Board of Equalization and Review had adjourned. 

f.        Property Tax Refunds APPROVED

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

g.      Applications for Property Tax Exemption APPROVED

The Board will consider six untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem taxation for the 2007 tax year. 

h.      Motor Vehicle Property Tax Release/Refunds for June 2007 APPROVED

The Board will consider adoption of a refund resolution related to 17 requests for motor vehicle property tax releases or refunds in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes. 

i.        Motor Vehicle Property Tax Release/Refunds for July 2007 APPROVED

The Board will consider adoption of a refund resolution related to 96 requests for motor vehicle  property tax releases or refunds requests in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes. 

j.        Acceptance of US Soccer Foundation Grant for the West Ten Soccer Center APPROVED

The Board will consider acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $50,000 from the US Soccer Foundation for the West Ten Soccer Center project and authorize the Manager to sign the Field Enhancement Grant Agreement pending final review by staff and the County Attorney. 

k.      Interior Painting of Jail Annex (1997 Addition) APPROVED

The Board will consider authorizing a contract in the amount of $24,652 with Shaw Coating of Durham for repainting of the interior of the Jail Annex (1997 addition). 

l.        Personnel Ordinance Amendment: Repeal of Previous Article IV, Section 1.0 Worker's Compensation Leave APPROVED

The Board will consider approving the repeal of the previously existing Article IV, Section 1.0 Worker's Compensation Leave of the Orange County Personnel Ordinance and replacement with the revised Article IV, Section 1.0 adopted June 26, 2007. 

m.    Classification and Pay Plan Amendment - Add Class of Parks Conservation Specialist/Turfgrass Manager APPROVED

The Board will consider amending the Classification and Pay Plan to add the new class of Parks Conservation Specialist/Turfgrass Manager at Salary Grade 18. 

n.      Housing Rehabilitation Contract Award APPROVED

The Board will consider awarding a housing rehabilitation contract for the Orange County HOME Scattered Site Housing Rehabilitation Program. 

o.      Agreement Renewal Between Health Department, the UNC School of Dentistry and UNC Hospitals for Dental Resident APPROVED

The Board will consider renewing the agreement between the Health Department and the UNC School of Dentistry and UNC Hospitals for dental resident services and authorize the Chair to sign. 

p.      Agreement Renewal Between UNC Hospitals and Orange County for the Senior Wellness Program APPROVED

The Board will consider an agreement renewal to receive $25,000 from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals for its co-sponsorship of the Department on Aging's Senior Wellness Program from July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008 and authorize the Chair to sign. 

q.      Continuation Agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill for Senior Recreation Services APPROVED

The Board will consider approving a continuation agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill to provide funding in the amount of $46,700 for senior recreation programs on behalf of the Town's Parks and Recreation Department and authorize the Manager to sign. 

r.       Commission for Women (CFW) Bylaws Amendment DEFERRED

The Board will consider reviewing and amending the Commission for Women's Bylaws to include a mission statement, delegation of hiring and supervisory duties, and other minor changes for the purpose of clarification. 

s.       Contract Approval: Construction Materials Testing and Observation Services for Northern Park Project APPROVED

The Board will consider approving a contract with Summit Engineering, Hillsborough, NC to perform construction materials testing and construction observation in conjunction with the Northern Park Project and authorize the Manager to sign. 

t.        Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (Schools APFO) - Re-approval of Capacity Numbers for Orange County Schools (Elementary Level) APPROVED

The Board will consider re-approving the November 15, 2006 capacity numbers at the Elementary level for Orange County Schools. 

u.      Land Use Element Text Amendment - 10-Year Transition Areas APPROVED

The Board will consider adoption of text amendments to the Land Use Element regarding 10-Year Transition areas, as presented at the May 21, 2007 Quarterly Public Hearing.  

v.      Comprehensive Plan Update - Amendments to Update Process APPROVED with CHANGES

The Board will consider amendments to Phase II of the adopted Update Process to incorporate Clarion Associates' contractual Scope of Services. 

w.     Amend the Order of Agenda Items for Regular BOCC Meetings APPROVED

The Board will consider amending the order of agenda items for regular BOCC meetings as referenced in the BOCC Rules of Procedure. 

x.      Approval of Orange County's School Construction Standards APPROVED

The Board will consider approving Orange County's School Construction Standards. 

y.      Installation Services Contract at 9-1-1 Center Using 2005 LETPP Funding APPROVED

The Board will consider approving a contract with Wireless Communications for installation services in th amount of $52,733.51 and authorize the Manager to sign. 

5.  Public Hearings

6.  Regular Agenda

a.      NC Highway 57 Speedway Area Small Area Plan APPROVED

The Board will review the recommendations of the Economic Development Commission and the Planning Board for the final draft NC Highway 57 Speedway Area Small Area Plan and consider adoption of the plan.

b.      Local Revenue Options Authorized by General Assembly ITEM DISCUSSED

The Board will discuss consider its intent for enacting the County's local revenue options recently authorized by the General Assembly and provide direction to staff. 

c.      The Hastings Major Subdivision (Formerly the Subdivision of Lot A-9-C of Union Grove United Methodist Church) APPROVED

The Board will consider the Major Subdivision Preliminary Plan for the Hastings (Formerly Lot A-9-6 Union Grove United Methodist Church Subdivision). 

d.      Proposed Fee Structure and Operation Hours for the Fitness Studio at the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center APPROVED

The Board will consider approval of a fee structure and operation hours for the Seymour Center Fitness-Equipment Studio. 

7.  Reports

a.      Construction Project Update and Introduction of Website REPORT RECEIVED

The Board will receive a progress update of County construction projects and an introduction to the new website that provides on-going project information. 

8.  Board Comments 

9.  County Manager's Report

10.  Appointments

a.      Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee - New Appointment APPROVED

The Board will consider one appointment to the Nursing Home Community Advisory Board. 

11.  Closed Session

"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.  Information Items

·        Memo from Health Department Staff Regarding the No Fault Well Repair Fund

13.  Adjournment

Orange County water supply reservoir water levels

Available information as of 3:00 PM, Tuesday, June 12, 2007 

Lake Orange

• Water level 38" below spilling.
• Water storage capacity remaining is 70% (333 million gallons)
• Approximately 110 days of water supply remaining (at Capacity Use specified release rate)
• Current Eno River flow at the Hillsborough gage is averaging approximately 2.0 cfs (1.3 million gallons per day), which is well below the median flow for this time of year..
• Level 2 Eno River Capacity Use Restrictions are in effect at this time and have been since May 27.

West Fork Reservoir 

• Water level is 20" below spilling
• Water storage capacity remaining is 93.8%  
• Approximately 290 days of water supply remaining (assuming Town's current demand [averaging 1.26 mgd over the last five weeks] and required releases for streamflow augmentation [0.65 mgd])
• The Town has been releasing 1.86 mgd into the river for the last few weeks (1.21 mgd more than required) to help preserve Eno instream flow and water level in Lake Orange.

OWASA Reservoirs     

• Water level at Cane Creek Reservoir is 53" below full
• Water level at University Lake is 58" below full
• Total remaining water storage capacity is approximately 73.8%
•  Approximately 227 days of water supply remaining (at current 7-day average daily demand [10.9 million gallons per day])

National Weather Service/NOAA Regional Precipitation data

(inches above [+] or below [-] normal)

RDU                                                          Piedmont-Triad 

-0.59" since August 1, 2007                        -0.41" since August 1, 2007

          M                  Miscellaneous notes

1.      The NC Drought Management Advisory Council drought map, updated August 14, 2007, shows Orange County to be in the area characterized as "severe drought" in terms of climatic conditions.

2.      Orange Alamance's withdrawals are now averaging approximately 0.2 mgd, well below its Stage 2 allocation and Piedmont Minerals withdraws are averaging 0.01 mgd, well below its allocation.  Combined with the additional releases by Hillsborough, the water level at Lake Orange, though low, is well above historical expectations, given the lack of rainfall.