SUMMARY OF A MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE

TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, MONDAY, MAY 5, 1997 AT 6:00 P.M.

 

Mayor Waldorf called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.   Council Members in attendance were Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joe Capowski, Mark Chilton, Pat Evans, Richard Franck, Lee Pavao and Edith Wiggins.  Also in attendance were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Finance Director James Baker, Library Director Kathleen  Thompson, Parks and Recreation Director Mike Loveman, Parks and Recreation Administrative Analyst Bill Webster, Transportation Administrative Analyst Scott McClellan,  Human Services Coordinator Karen Rose and Town Clerk Peter Richardson. 

 

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Board Chair Fred Black introduced Library Board members Beth Tillman, Mary Ryan, Betty Caldwell, Paul Farel and Virginia Young.   Stating that the library facility was a beautiful one with very dedicated staff led by Director Kathleen Thompson, Mr. Black stated that the 18.75 books per capita checked out by residents was the highest per capita circulation in the State.  Mr. Black said that using $20,000 in additional funding from Orange County, the library was able to purchase about 1,000  materials.  Mr. Black stated that about 81%  of the library’s funding was from the Town, 16% from Orange County and 3% was from other sources.  He said that next year’s board focus would be on surveying the needs of library patrons, providing availability to the Internet and increasing interactivity with the recently formed library foundation.

 

Outgoing Library Board Chair Virginia Young reported that the Library Foundation had received its articles of incorporation and assignment of exemption status from state and federal authorities.  She expressed appreciation to the Council for their enthusiasm and  support of the foundation’s formation.  Ms. Young stated that the foundation had received two very generous donations to undertake its initial activities.

 

Council Member Brown inquired whether the Board had figures about how other counties supported their libraries.   Noting that most libraries in North Carolina were administered and funded by counties, Mr. Black said it was difficult to provide comparative figures in this regard.  Council Member Evans stated that the Town of Garner had provided land for a library facility funded by Wake County.

 

Mayor Waldorf inquired whether it was known how many of the Town’s library patrons resided in Carrboro.  Mr. Black said no reliable figures were available in this regard.  Council Member Evans said she was amazed at the number of people living in Durham County with a Chapel Hill address who thought that they lived in the Town.

 

Noting that the Town’s public library served as a superb supplement to libraries in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools, Council Member Capowski suggested that the Library Board reference this fact when requesting increased funding from the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

 

Council Member Wiggins inquired about the status of the library’s outreach program for children.

 

Mr. Black said that circulation in the program had increased by sixty-six percent.  Ms. Thompson said she would be pleased to provide additional statistical information regarding the outreach program to the Council.

 

Mayor Waldorf inquired whether it was correct that the bookmobile made many trips to day care centers.  Ms. Thompson said this was correct, noting that the bookmobile visited nineteen day care centers once every two weeks and five public housing neighborhoods once per week.  Mayor Waldorf inquired about the possibility of organizing free trips for children to the library on Town buses.  Ms. Thompson said that staff would be happy to explore this possibility.  She noted that such an arrangement would require greater use of the library meeting room for children’s programming.

 

Council Member Andresen inquired about the downside of the Town being a part of a countywide library system.  Noting that the Town’s funding level for library services was almost four times the amount which Orange County provided for these services, Mr. Farel said that Orange County would need  to significantly increase its resources devoted to this area.  Stating that the Town’s library was nicely complemented by the University’s collection, Mr. Black said that a lot of  Town residents did not realize that they had access to the University’s library resources.

 

Mayor Waldorf said it would be interesting to have a service unit cost comparison between the Orange County library system and the Town’s library.

 

Mr. Farel stated that the Outreach program to lower-income housing communities and the related free books program were two outstanding projects of the library.  Ms. Thompson stated that the free books program was tied to the RIF (Reading is Fundamental program).   Stating that the program was a very valuable one, Ms. Thompson expressed hope that attendance for these programs would increase in the future.

 

Mr. Black noted the very important role and value of volunteers in providing some of the library’s services.

 

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

 

Commission Chair Dianne Lemasters introduced Commission Members Candace Ashton-Shaeffer, Gary Barnes, Flicka Bateman, Daniel Costa, Martin Feinstein and Eve Kedem.

 

Noting that medical professionals had found a correlation between exercise levels and better health, Ms. Lemasters stated that the continued funding of programs such as the small parks improvements program was very important to the community’s well-being.  Commending staff of the Hargraves Center for their support of mentoring programs, Ms. Lemasters stated that additional funding was needed for programs for young persons, especially teenagers.

 

Ms. Lemasters stated that some projects such as a linear park following Booker Creek and a mini park at Elliott Road and Franklin Street could be put in place for a relatively small amount of funding.

 

Candace Ashton-Shaeffer said that ten focus groups had been established to determine the parks and recreation needs of persons wish disabilities.  She noted that the Commission had put together a comprehensive report on the overall needs. Council Member Andresen said she would be interested in seeing a copy of this report.

 

Martin Feinstein stated that the Commission had been actively involved in the possible development of a gymnasium facility at the proposed Southern Village Elementary School.  Mr. Feinstein said that the Commission felt it was very important to have gymnasiums at elementary schools.   Stating that he was pleased that the Council had vigorously supported the recently approved bonds for community projects, Mr. Feinstein said as a private citizen he felt that additional swimming facilities needed to be provided in the Town as soon as possible.

 

Stating that there was no apparent locus of leadership relative to bikeways planning, Gary Barnes said that the Commission had not been able to do very much in this area.   Mr. Barnes said that there was a great deal of support among area residents to establish a bikeway along Estes Drive Extension as soon as practical.  Noting that representation from the Transportation Board, Greenways Commission, Town of Carrboro and other interested groups would be needed for this effort, Mr. Barnes said that the Commission was seeking the Council’s guidance and leadership in handling this matter.

 

Council Member Brown requested that copies of a follow-up report regarding the status of bikeways, pedestrian plans and traffic calming be provided to advisory boards and commissions.  Noting that staff would be preparing this report for the Council’s May 21st work session, Mr. Horton said copies of the report could be provided to advisory  boards.

 

Saying it appeared that there was more demand for recreation than available facilities, Council Member Evans inquired whether or not the Commission had contacted Orange County about the possible use of the swimming pool at the Sportsplex facility.  Ms. Lemasters said that the Commission had not spoken to the County in this regard. Council Member Evans suggested that the Commission explore the possibility of shared use of the swimming pool at the Sportsplex facility.

 

Council Member Andresen said that the Town of Carrboro had been quite successful in its interactions with the Department of Transportation in putting bicycle path facilities in place.  She suggested that the Town consider establishing a special task force on bikeways.  Council Member Andresen also said she applauded the Commission for its survey of parks and recreation services.  Council Member Andresen stated that the idea of a linear park was a good one which should be approached in concert with the Greenways Commission.

 

 

 

Stating that the beautiful pool facility at the Triangle Sportsplex was largely unused due to its location, Council Member Capowski said he feared that the Orange County Commissioners were about to make the same locational mistake about constructing soccer fields in the northern portion of Orange County.   Mayor Waldorf  noted that the Council had recently received a report from Orange County on its capital needs.  Council Member Capowski said it was important to impress the importance of  having additional soccer facilities in Southern Orange County upon the Board of County Commissioners.

 

Council Member Capowski inquired whether or not the Commission had looked into the possibility of  establishing a pedestrian and bicycle path along a Duke power easement from the Timberlyne neighborhood to the Town Hall area.  Ms. Lemasters said that the Commission could investigate this possibility further.  Mayor Waldorf stated that the proposed U.S. 15-501 South project would have bicycle lanes on both sides.  She requested that the Parks and Recreation Commission’s planned survey regarding services including questions about people’s willingness to pay for parks and recreation programs and services.   Mayor Waldorf also said it was important to continue cooperative governmental efforts regarding parks and recreation programs.

 

GREENWAYS COMMISSION

 

Commission Chair Pam Hemminger  introduced Commission Members Audrey Booth, Mark Broadwell, Joe Herzenberg, Carol Pekar and Andrea Rohrbacher.   

 

Commission Chair Pam Hemminger stated that the bids for the second phase of the Bolin Creek greenway trail would be opened on June 3rd.  She said that work on the conceptual plans for the proposed Dry Creek and upper Booker  greenway trails were proceeding very well.   Ms. Hemminger also said that residents of the Dogwood Acres area were requesting a greenways connection along Fan Branch  trail to the Southern Village Elementary School.   She noted that the Commission was also working with the City of Durham and the University on additional  possible greenways projects.

 

Commission Member Mark Broadwell reported that about $450,000 of the $630,000 of funds allocated for greenways were earmarked for the Bolin Creek  Phase II greenways project.   Noting that it was possible that there would be no funds in the Greenways project fund after completion of  Phase II of the Bolin Creek greemway project, Mr. Broadwell said the Commission was requesting that the Council continue annual capital improvements funding of $50,000 or more for greenways.  Mr. Broadwell said that the Greenways Commission could work in concert with the Parks and Recreation Commission to develop recommendations to the Council regarding the purchase of land parcels using funds from the November, 1996 voter-approved bonds.

 

Commission Member Joe Herzenberg stated that there had been popular support for greenways since the inception of the Town’s Greenways Commission in 1964.  Mr. Herzenberg stated that the response of voters to the recent bond referendum pointed out the continued popularity of greenways.  Mr. Herzenberg requested that if the Parks and Recreation Commission issued a service questionnaire, he hoped there would be some room for questions on greenways.  He also expressed appreciation to the Council for responding to the recent petition regarding the renaming of a greenway in honor of the late Lightning Brown.

 

Stating that the Commission was slightly behind schedule on the greenways comprehensive plan, Commission Member Andrea Rohrbacher said she thought that the completed plan would be a tremendous help to the Council.   Ms. Rohrbacher said that the Commission was also dividing a list of  possible greenway projects into high, medium and low costs of projected development.

 

Ms. Hemminger expressed the Commission’s appreciation for Administrative Analyst Bill Webster’s staff support of the Commission.

 

Council Member Evans inquired whether or not the plan referenced by Ms. Rohrbacher would contain information about easements.  Ms. Rohrbacher said this was correct.  Council Member Evans said she thought that there were tremendous possibilities for the acquisition of easements for greenway purposes in the lower Booker Creek area.  Mayor Waldorf said it was important that the Commission be included in any such efforts.  Council Member Evans said she would be pleased to assist the Commission in acquiring easements in the lower Booker Creek area.

 

Council Member Capowski requested that the Commission keep in mind the possibility of using bond funds to tie the proposed Morgan Creek greenway to the Southern Village development. Council Member Capowski also said he hoped that a bikeway/greenway could be established along a power line easement southward from the Timberlyne Shopping Center.  Ms. Hemminger stated that some existing greenways were located on utility easements.   Mr. Webster stated that the gas company did not permit parallel travel on its easements due to the potential for rupturing of lines.   Council Member Capowski said it also would be desirable to ultimately connect the University campus to the Horace Williams tract by means of a greenway and bike path.

 

Mr. Horton noted that the Council had recently instructed the staff to allocate $12,000 per year from the rental of space for cellular communications towers to the funding of greenway projects.

 

Noting the recent passage of voter approved bonds for greenways and open space, Council Member Andresen said she realized that the acquisition of land parcels for greenways could be a time-consuming process.   Ms. Hemminger said that the Commission was seeking the Council’s authorization to proceed with land acquisition.  She also stated that the Commission was seeking citizen input about their wishes relative to the development of future greenways.  Council Member Andresen suggested that the Commission take the lead in the development of proposals to the Council relative to the acquisition of parcels for greenways.   Mayor Waldorf noted that the Council had a strong interest in acquiring pieces of land to link existing greenways segments which were currently unlinked.

 

Commissioner Audrey Booth said that the Greenways Commission was working with the Triangle Land Conservancy to connect a greenway across Interstate 40 along the New Hope Creek corridor.

 

Council Member Evans requested that staff  provide a report to the Council on the anticipated costs for the second phase of the Bolin Creek greenways project.

 

TRANSPORTATION BOARD

 

Transportation Board Chairperson Ruby Sinreich introduced Board Members Paul Killough, Steve Manton, Laverne Meeks and Ken Robinson.

 

Ms. Sinreich noted that the dream of regional rail service was growing closer to reality.  She stated that it was the responsibility all residents to support the Town’s transit system and other quality of life matters, including facing sprawl-related problems.  Stating that may of the  transportation management plan reports received by the Town were either late or incomplete, Ms. Sinreich suggested dedicating more staff time and energy to transportation management plans.  She also noted that the Transportation Board was not proposing any drastic changes in bus schedules.  Ms. Sinreich said that the Board would be appreciative of anything that the Council could do to assist with the implementation of pilot traffic calming projects.  She also stated that the Town Manager’s proposal to downgrade a vacant Transportation Planner II to a Planner I was a step in the wrong direction.   Ms. Sinreich concluded her remarks by noting that the Board was proposing a “Leave Your Car at Home Day” in order to encourage greater  use of buses and other alternate means of  transportation.

 

Mr. Manton said he hoped that the Council would implement a single traffic calming model in the near future to be used as a guide in the community.

 

Council Member Brown said it would be helpful for the Transportation Board to receive the earlier  referenced report regarding bikeways, pedestrians and traffic calming.

 

Council Member Wiggins inquired whether it was correct that there was a traffic calming project in the development stage.  Mr. Horton said that a traffic calming project on South Lakeshore Drive was in process.  He added that notification of possible traffic calming methods had also recently been mailed to residents of the Pinehurst Drive area.  Mr. Horton said that the Transportation Board would be involved in both traffic calming projects.  Council Member Andresen said it was important for the Transportation Board to have input in these matters and the design of the process.   Council Member Andresen also said she would like to see better staff support for the Transportation Board and for transportation matters in general.

 

Council Member Evans inquired how the $10,000 earmarked for public education about transit had been expended by the Transportation Board.  Noting that these funds had not been expended, Ms. Sinreich said it would not be hard to pull together a list of how these funds might be used.

 

Noting that two board members with terms of office expiring on June 30th were ineligible for reappointment and two other members with terms expiring on June 30th were not seeking reappointment, Mr. Manton requested the Council’s assistance in finding applicants to fill these four term vacancies.

 

Mr. Robinson said he personally believed that quite a number of Town residents were interested in alternatives to using their private automobiles.  Council Member Andresen noted that only about ten percent of residents of the Washington, DC area rode the Washington area  metro system on a daily basis.  Ms. Sinreich said that the proposed train system linking the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area was not intended as a panacea for all transit-related challenges.

 

Noting that she had been surprised about the broad array of destinations of the Chapel Hill Transit System, Ms. Meeks said she encouraged Town residents to get out of their cars and use buses.

 

Council Member Capowski inquired whether or not a “bike to work” day had been recently considered by the Transportation Board.  Ms. Sinreich said this would be one alternative for the “leave your car at home” day planned for the fall.   Ms. Sinreich also said she was pleased that the Council would support such a program.  She also said that the Board did not see the success of the Triangle Transit Authority as a threat to the Chapel Hill Transit system.   Council Member Evans suggested the possibility of having a “leave your car at home” week.

 

Council Member Andresen said it would be desirable to see a rise in the number of non-student riders on the Chapel Hill Transit system buses.  Ms. Sinreich said it would be harder to target a non-University audience in the short-range transit plan.  Mayor Waldorf said it would be desirable to find a way to have more middle and high school students on buses, possibly by making minor adjustments in existing bus schedules and routes.   Mr. Robinson noted that Chapel Hill Transit currently had a program to orient fourth grade students to the bus system, including information about bus routes and schedules.

  

Ms. Meeks stated that buses offered a low cost alternative to the use of  local taxi services.

 

Mr. Manton suggested that more resources be devoted to enforcement of transportation management plans.  Council Member Franck said he hoped that an additional staff person, the proposed zoning enforcement officer, would be able to increase enforcement relative to transportation management plans.

 

HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD

 

Human Services Advisory Board Chair Ed Devaney said that the Board was conducting agency funding request hearings and would be holding the last set of hearings next Monday evening.

 

Board Member Michael Owen said that the Board had struggled with the fact that there was currently  no formula for deciding how funds would be distributed among requesting agencies. He stated that the Board had considered the possibility of establishing a set funding formula tied to a percentage or amount established by the Council.   Mr. Owen said another issue of concern to the Board was the fact that some agencies received Town funding without review by the Human Service Advisory Board.

 

 

Mr. Devany presented snapshot overviews of some agencies which came before the Human Services Advisory requesting funding from the Town.   Stating that North Carolina’s social service/non profit agencies had some of the lowest staff wages in the nation, Mr. Devany stated that the Board was aware of this situation and was attempting to provide any possible assistance.

 

Mr. Owen noted that many of the agencies were very talented in obtaining matching grants and otherwise leveraging their funds.

 

Council Member Brown inquired what kinds of things the Board would like to see included in its agency evaluations which were not included at present.   Mr. Owen said one possibility would be that the Board would review funding requests for the Senior Center or the Middle School After Schools Program.  Council Member Chilton suggested that staff could pass along the memorandum which the Council had recently received regarding Town funding of outside agencies, direct grants and in-kind donations.   Mr. Devany said that the Board would enjoy receiving this information.  Council Member Capowski said the funding totaled about $518,000.

 

Council Member Capowski said he would like to see the role of the Human Services Board expanded to possibly become an Appropriations Board, advising the Council on comparisons between groups requesting funding.   He suggested that this board could use guidelines similar to those used for allocating hotel-motel tax funds.

 

Stating that Human Services Advisory Board was doing a careful job of prioritizing needs among agencies, Council Member Andresen said she did not favor having an Allocations Committee.

 

Council Member Evans inquired whether or not human service agencies were encouraged to also seek funding from Orange County.  Mr. Devany said that most agencies did this of their own volition.

 

Mayor Waldorf inquired when the Human Services Advisory Board would be making its funding decisions to the Council.  Mr. Devany said he believed that three or four more meetings would be needed before the Board could finalize its decisions to the Council.

 

The meeting concluded at  8:28 p.m.