MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE CHAPEL HILL

TOWN COUNCIL, MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1990, 7:30 P.M.

Council Member James C. Wallace, who was presiding at the request of the Council because of the absence of the Mayor and the Mayor Pro‑Tem, called the hearing to order.

Council Members Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joe Herzenberg, Alan Rimer and Arthur Werner were in attendance. Mayor Jonathan Howes, Mayor Pro‑Tem Nancy Preston and Council Member Roosevelt Wilkerson were absent excused.

Also in attendance were Interim Town Manager Sonna Loewenthal, Assistant Town Manager Florentine Miller, Public Safety Director Cal Horton, Finance Director James Baker and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

Public Hearing on 1990‑91 Preliminary Budget

Ms. Loewenthal noted that a Public Forum on the budget had been held on January 29th. Ms. Loewenthal observed that the Manager's recommended budget would be presented to the Council on April 23rd. She added that a public hearing on the recommended budget would be held on May 7th, followed by work sessions on May 10th and 15th.

R.D. Smith, noting that all desired budget priorities could not be accommodated, said he had read the preliminary budget and capital improvement program documents with great interest. Mr. Smith said that governments at the federal, state and local level were facing budgeting difficulties.

Mr. Smith stated that he did not favor a tax increase. Mr. Smith noted that he had recently purchased an automobile for $100 which required additional State licensing fees of $77.

Observing the impracticality of accommodating all budget requests, Mr. Smith recommended that the Council:

1. Not consider a new cross‑Town bus route, since funding from the Urban Mass Transit Association is projected to be less in 1990‑91.

2. Use increased tip fees to pay for capital equipment at the regional landfill.

3. Utilize Town vehicles over a long time period.

Ms. Smith also expressed concern that Town funds were being expended for recreation programs which served residents of Carrboro and Durham.

Mr. Smith requested that the Council eliminate priority number one on page 56 of the Preliminary 1990-95 Capital Improvements Program, concerning the widening of Estes Drive between N.C. 86 and Franklin Street. Mr. Smith also observed that,the preliminary budget did not include funding for the development of a county economic development strategic plan.

Mr. Smith concluded his remarks by stressing the need for a senior activity center in the eastern portion of Town.

Robert Seymour, a member of the Department of Aging Advisory Board, said that approximately one in five area residents are age sixty or over. Mr. Seymour noted that the Town has two senior activity centers with limited space and visibility in the community. Mr. Seymour said that there was a critical need to establish a senior activity center in east Chapel Hill. Mr. Seymour expressed concern that Orange County had recently surrendered 6,000 meals for the elderly to Chatham County due to the lack of an adequate delivery system in Orange County.

Mr. Seymour noted that Council Member Alan Rimer and R.D. Smith had agreed to serve on a task force to assess the activity needs of senior citizens. Mr. Seymour said he hoped that the Council would allocate funds in the 1990‑91 budget to establish a new senior activities center.

Council Member Andresen inquired whether Mr. Seymour had addressed the Library Board of Trustees concerning a senior activities center. Mr. Seymour said that he had done so, adding that the Library on Franklin Street would be an ideal future site for a senior activity center.

Ed Rehkopf, representing Cleanscape, requested Council funding of $1,250 from the 1990‑91 Town budget for activities such as G'litter day. Mr. Rehkopf noted that the ninth annual G'litter day would occur on Saturday, April 7th.

Sally Mclntee requested that the Council establish a crosstown bus route to achieve greater efficiency. Ms. Mclntee expressed concern that many Town policies encourage disjointed development. Ms. Mclntee said that roadways should remain narrow, while citizens are encouraged to use Public transportation. Ms. Mclntee stated that public transportation is more efficient, economical, safer and healthier than private automobile usage. Ms. Mclntee also voiced concern about possible widening of Estes Drive. Ms. Mclntee, indicating that she had a supporting voice petition from fifty Town residents, requested that the Council emphasize the use of public transportation rather than the construction of additional roadways.

Council Member Andresen inquired whether the Council would receive a report on the proposed cross-Town connector bus route in the near future. Ms. Loewenthal said this was correct. Ms. McIntee said she was confident that if funding for the connector were not provided in next year's budget, it would be provided in the near future. Council Member Herzenberg indicated that the possible widening of Estes Drive in the near term was extremely unlikely. Council Member Rimer, noting the recent Federal a?d State funding problems of the Buffalo, New York mass transit system, suggested that Ms. Mclntee contract her state legislative representatives concerning funding for mass transit.

Council Member Andresen requested a summary of expenditures for programs added in the past three to five years.

COUNCIL MEMBER WERNER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HERZENBERG, TO REFER COMMENTS CONCERNING THE INTERIM BUDGET REPORT TO THE TOWN MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (6‑0).

Preliminary 1990‑95 Capital Improvements Program Forum

Assistant Town Manager Florentine Miller indicated that this evening's forum on the Preliminary Capital Improvement Program was the second of three occasions for public input.

Ms. Miller stated over three hundred individuals and organizations had been advised of this evening's forum and would be advised of the final forum on April 23rd. Ms. Miller added that Town advisory boards and commissions and residents were encouraged to make comments on the proposed capital improvements program.

Tim Stephens, a resident of Longview Street, said that sidewalks were needed along Longview Street. Mr. Stephens expressed his approval of proposed increases in funding of sidewalks.

Adele Thomas, 327 Burlage Circle, said more money was needed in the capital improvement program for repair of the Town's public housing units. Ms. Thomas expressed concern that many of units would not presently pass inspection.

COUNCIL MEMBER RIMER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WERNER, TO REFER COMMENTS CONCERNING THE PRELIMINARY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO THE TOWN MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (6‑0).

1990‑1991 Community Development Grant Fund Public Hearing

Ms. Miller said the purpose of this evening's hearing was to receive comments on the expenditure of $288,000 Community Development Grant funds to create suitable living environments and decent public housing.

Ms. Miller noted that funding for drainage improvements to Tanyard Branch was requested. Ms. Miller briefly reviewed the proposed spending categories for the program.

Council Member Herzenberg inquired whether the funds for Tanyard Branch would be used to enclose the ditch. Ms. Miller said yes. Ms. Loewenthal added that the project would be completed as requested by Mr. Smith.

Roberta Black, President of the League of Women's Voters, said she was pleased that lower‑income households were being assisted by the proposed Community Development Grant Funding Plan. Ms. Black commended the Town for holding budget hearings beginning in January. Ms. Black said she hoped that citizens would take the opportunity to comment on the budget.

COUNCIL MEMBER RIMER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WERNER TO REFER COMMENTS TO THE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, AND TOWN MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (6‑0).

Ms. Loewenthal noted that a final hearing on the proposed budget and Capital Improvements Program would be held on May 7th, following her presentation of the recommended budget on April 23rd.

The proceedings adjourned at 8:21 p.m.