SUMMARY OF A BUDGET HEARING/WORK SESSION HELD BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1997

 

Mayor Waldorf called the meeting to order at 7:03 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, Public Works Director Bruce Heflin, Fire Chief Dan Jones, Town Clerk Peter Richardson and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

 

Mr. Horton presented a brief overview of proposed major changes in the budget, including possible budget reductions totaling about $1 million.

 

Milton Heath, Jr., 504A North Street, urged the Council to retain twice per week refuse collection service, at least in the older portions of the Town.  Stating that curbside collection was impractical in areas with sloping driveways, no sidewalks and narrower streets,  Mr. Heath said he would be happy to pay for a higher level of service relative to trash collection.   He also noted that twice per week collection was advised due to the area’s warmer than normal overall climate.

 

Mike Albritton, a teacher at Culbreth Middle School, thanked the Council for their past support of the Middle School After School Program.  Mr. Albritton said that the program was a positive one for all students involved.  Stating that parents of program participants particularly appreciated the program, Mr. Albritton requested that the Council continue its support of the program.

 

Trish Whiting urged the Council to continue its support of the Middle School After Schools Program.

 

Neil Pedersen also urged the Council to continue its support of the After Schools Program.  Dr. Pedersen stated that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board and Administration were in the process of reviewing the DARE program and were trying to find a stronger program to replace the DARE program after the 1997-98 school year.   Requesting that the Town continue to fund officers for the DARE program in its 1997-98 budget, Dr. Pedersen said that the School Board and Administration looked forward to strengthening efforts between the Town and City Schools.

 

Katherine Myers expressed her support for a proposed Zoning Enforcement Officer position.  Ms. Myers said she hoped that this position could vigorously enforce front yard parking regulations.

 

Stating that flat-dollar raises were desirable, with higher raises being given to lower-paid employees, Steve England said that an additional one percent raise for lower-paid employees was imperative.   Mr. England said that the Black Public Works Association would welcome the opportunity to talk to the Council further about what could be done to improve the economic situation of lower-paid Town employees.

 

Roy Atwater requested that the Town pay on-duty/on-call compensation to employees who carried beepers for after hours callbacks.  Mayor Waldorf inquired which department Mr. Atwater worked in.  Mr. Atwater responded that he worked in the Housing Department’s Maintenance Division.

 

Steve Wallace requested that the Council continue funding of the Project Turnaround program. Mr. Wallace also stated that there were a number of drug education/prevention programs which were effective alternatives to the DARE program.  He requested that the DARE program be discontinued in order to put a more effective program in place.

 

Downtown Commission Chair Chris Belcher said the Commission wished to request funding of $10,000 plus proceeds from the Downtown Service District Tax rate in order to continue the Commission’s activities.  He stated that the Commission would also continue to explore other funding alternatives.

 

Robert Humphreys requested that the Council consider installing large signs with street names on guy wires at intersections as part of a Town capital improvements program.

 

Blair Pollock requested that the Council consider installing bikeways and sidewalks along several portions of Estes Drive.  He suggested that the Town also team up with the University to develop bikeways and sidewalks along the University’s rights of way.

 

Tax Watch Chair Tommy Gardner said he was concerned that the Council had failed to cut costs, get more fiscal contributions from Orange County and the University and had failed to diversify the Town’s tax base.  He stated that the Town’s salary and benefits structure was very generous compared to private industry.   Mr. Gardner also expressed concern that the Town’s taxpayers were subsidizing sprinkler systems through water rates and the use of Town Parks and Library facilities by non-Town residents of Orange County.  He also asked the Council to put a cap on the Town’s spending as soon as possible.

 

Council Member Andresen said that Mr. Humphrey’s idea regarding the installation of  large street signs on guy wires was a good idea.  Council Member Andresen also said he believed that the DARE program had outlived its usefulness.  She also expressed her support for enhancing the amount of Town staff support for transportation planning.

 

Council Member Capowski said he was pleased that some funding was still available in the Town’s current year budget for bikeway and sidewalk projects.  He also noted that the Orange County Board of Commissioners were requesting that the Council take a position on Orange County’s proposal for $61 million in bond-funded projects.  Council Member Capowski stated that some of the County’s proposed recreational facilities needed to be located in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, rather than in the northern part of Orange County.

 

Concurring with Council Member Capowski’s sentiments about the need for Orange County to locate recreational facilities in the southern part of the county, Mayor Waldorf said she hoped that the Council, possibly Council Members Andresen and Capowski,  could work together on a consolidated comment to the County Commissioners on this matter.

 

Council Member Evans stated that deed restrictions precluded the possibility of selling a Town-owned parcel of land in her neighborhood.  Noting that a large number of pedestrians used Laurel Hill Road, Council Member Evans suggested that a Chapel Hill gravel path could possibly be installed along this roadway.   Noting that she had proposed that the Town plant one hundred trees during the current year, Council Member Evans suggested that funding for two hundred trees be included in next year’s budget.  She also requested a report on this year’s one hundred trees and where they had been planted.

 

Edwin Caldwell said he favored the Manager’s recommendation of once per week curbside trash pick-up as a means of savings money.  Mr. Caldwell said these savings could be used to fund other items in the Town’s budget.

 

Stating that funding for sidewalks along North Graham Street had been promised in this year’s budget, Dorcas Roberson requested that the Council approve funding for this project as soon as possible.  Mr. Horton said although he could check further, he did not believe that any promise had been made regarding sidewalks on North Graham Street.

 

Council Member Franck inquired whether or not it would be possible to save money by eliminating the Town’s commercial collection of refuse.  Mr. Horton said staff could investigate this possibility.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCK MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, TO RECEIVE AND REFER CITIZEN COMMENTS TO THE TOWN MANAGER.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).

 

Council Member Franck said that solid waste staff had arranged for a visit to a materials recovery facility in Charlotte next Tuesday, May 20th between approximately 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.   Noting that she would like to attend this visit, Council Member Brown also noted that the Council had four night meetings during the week of May 19th.  Council Member Franck said he was interested in having the site visit prior to the Assembly of Governments public hearing on solid waste matters on May 22nd.   Council Member Andresen inquired about the possibility of arranging a visit to the City of Raleigh’s methane recovery facility.  Council Member Franck said he could follow up with staff on this matter.

 

CONTINUATION OF BUDGET WORK SESSION

 

Mayor Waldorf inquired whether there were any additional questions regarding curbside refuse collection.  Council Member Evans inquired whether or not staff had an estimate about the number of persons who might request exemptions relative to a curbside collection program.  Public Works Director Bruce Heflin said staff estimated that about seven percent of  collection points would request exemptions.

 

Noting that some citizens might wish to pay more to receive a higher level of service, Council Member Andresen suggested that neighborhoods be permitted to decide which level of service they wished to receive relative to refuse collection.  She suggested that a simple survey could be forwarded to Town residents inquiring about whether they wished to have rollout or rearyard refuse collection.   Council Member Brown said that the approach suggested by Council Member Andresen was a modified “pay as you throw” plan.   Stating that the idea of a survey was a good one, Mr. Horton said that a more rigorous sampling would be most beneficial in the matter.

 

Council Member Brown inquired whether or not staff could put together a map showing where the pilot curbside collection program had taken place and designating newer developments which currently received curbside refuse collection.  Mr. Horton said staff could pull together a somewhat rough map in a short period of time.

 

Council Member Wiggins said it was important to do a survey within the context of developing an overall budget and related tax implications.  She said that such an approach would be helpful in arriving at a true picture of citizen’s needs and desires.

 

Council Member Capowski inquired about the estimated breakage rate for rollout carts.  Mr. Heflin said that breakage rates were very low, with most problems being broken wheels.  Council Member Capowski inquired whether the Town could save more money by requiring individuals to bring their own trash cans to the curb.  Noting that some cities followed this approach, Mr. Heflin said that the main advantage of carts was that they had secured lids which significantly cut down on animal invasion and wind damage.  He also stated that roll carts were easier to roll and handle.

 

Council Member Capowski said he believed that the Town ultimately needed to have a “pay as you throw” refuse collection system.

 

Mayor Waldorf inquired about the estimated phase-in period if the Council chose to implement once per week curbside refuse collection.  Mr. Heflin estimated that it would take about two years to fully implement such a program.  Mayor Waldorf inquired whether or not rollout collection would be started in newer neighborhoods first.  Mr. Heflin said he would confer with the Sanitation Superintendent about routing considerations and other matters to determine where the rollout program might be first initiated.

 

Mayor Waldorf inquired about the levels of absenteeism and turnover for sanitation collectors. Mr. Heflin stated that the level of absenteeism was variable, with ten to twenty percent of collectors out on any given day. Regarding turnover, Mr. Heflin said that recent levels had been unusually high during the past six months, with an average of three to five positions being open at any one time.

 

Council Member Wiggins inquired whether or not Mr. Heflin had any working condition related concerns about once weekly rearyard collection.  Mr. Heflin said that there would be a number of productivity-related adjustments necessary, including the addition of some time for each collection route, to accommodate larger loads and the need for additional trips to the landfill.   Noting that other possible implications included negative effects on worker safety and productivity, Mr. Heflin said he would request that the Council put a pilot program in place before considering implementing a Town-wide system of once weekly rearyard refuse collection.

 

Council Member Evans inquired whether staff had any specifics about the number of times that they encountered empty trash cans at present.   Mr. Heflin said there were no specific figures in this regard.  He also noted that at present there were no preparation requirements for refuse and there were presently a lot of conflicts with dogs and bees, and potential injuries due to repetitive motion.

 

Council Member Capowski inquired about the viability of having twice per week collections during warmer months and once weekly collections during cooler months.   Noting that good institutional knowledge of  routes was very useful, Mr. Heflin said he was not sure that employees could be attracted on a seasonal basis.  Mr. Horton said that health-related concerns about heat could be minimized if people took care to properly secure their refuse containers.  Council Member Evans inquired whether or not the matter of preparation requirements for refuse had been reviewed.  Mr. Heflin said he anticipated that staff would make some suggestions to the Manager about possible changes to the Sanitation Ordinance in the near future.  Mr. Horton

stated that staff would be pleased to bring the Council a report regarding possible changes to the Sanitation Ordinance.  Council Member Brown said that there needed to be a general sense of direction on this matter prior to the Council asking staff to do any work on preparation requirements or other Sanitation Ordinance matters.

 

Mayor Waldorf called for an informal straw poll of Council Members who did not wish to change the current frequency and type of refuse collection.  Council Members favoring such a course of action were Council Members Julie Andresen, Joe Capowski, Mark Chilton and Lee Pavao.  Council Member Pat Evans said that she would rather keep the current system rather than proceeding with some of the proposed methods.  Council Member Brown suggested that the Council have a full discussion and presentation on all options before formally voting on the matter.  Council Member Andresen suggested that this occur as expeditiously as possible.

 

BULKY ITEMS COLLECTION

 

Noting that a fee for the collection of bulky items appeared to be quite successful, Mr. Heflin said that staff would recommend that this fee be continued.  He noted that the number of complaints which staff had received about bulky items being left out had been reduced to zero in recent months.  Mr. Heflin said that every effort was made to pick up bulky items within ten days of being left at the curbside.  Mayor Waldorf stated that the Public Works Department had been intelligent and flexible in administering the bulky goods collection program to date.  

 

Council Member Andresen said although she was glad that fewer complaints were being received about bulky goods, she was concerned about families and individuals who could not afford the $15 fee required for bulky goods to be picked up.   Council Member Chilton asked whether or not it was possible to use a credit card to pay for the pick-up of bulky goods.  Mr. Horton said that the Town did not accept credit card payments at present.

 

Council Member Brown inquired how matters were handled when an individual or family did not have $15 fee for bulky goods disposal.  Mr. Heflin said that individuals were offered permits and were asked whether they could get the goods in question to the landfill using their own vehicle.  He added that some areas of the Town also had periodic area clean-up days.

 

Council Member Andresen inquired about the possibility of having a Town-wide bulky/white goods amnesty day, similar to the one offered by the Town of Carrboro.  Mr. Heflin stated that the Town of Carrboro now charged fees for the pick-up of bulky/white goods.

 

SCHEDULED YARD WASTE PICK-UPS

 

Mr. Heflin  noted that the Town provided rollout boxes for yard waste at a rate of $10.00.  He added that the Town was still getting a significant amount of post Hurricane Fran yard waste. Mr. Heflin stated that yard waste could be collected on a scheduled basis if the Council wished to provide additional staff resources.   Mr. Horton said his advice on this matter was for the Council to go very slowly in this matter.   Council Member Andresen inquired whether Mr. Horton was proposing option one or two.  Mr. Horton said he recommended neither option.  Mayor Waldorf noted that there was no additional cost if the current method of unscheduled yard waste collection was continued.

 

“PAY AS YOU THROW” PROGRAM

 

Council Member Andresen asked if  a “pay as you throw” program could be integrated with rearyard refuse collection.  Mr. Heflin stated that a weighing system would have to be done at the street, while bag tags could be handled in back yards.  Council Member Andresen inquired how other communities handled the needs of larger families relative to “pay as you throw” systems.  Mr. Heflin said the basic premise was that the more waste one generated, the more individuals or families should pay for disposal of this waste.   

 

Council Member Chilton said he thought that the Council should pursue a bag-based “pay as you throw” system.  He also suggested that the Council might wish to consider developing preparation requirements for refuse.   Council Member Capowski said a pay as you throw system solved preparation problems.  He inquired how long it took to put a “pay as you throw” system in place.   Mr. Heflin said that most communities had taken about one year to transition from their current system to a “pay as you throw” system.  

 

Noting the importance of the Council being mindful of tax rates, Council Member Brown expressed concern about the possibility of the Council delaying a decision about garbage collection and waste reduction for another year.  Council Member Wiggins expressed her concurrence with Council Member Brown’s concerns.  Mayor Waldorf said she concurred about the importance of  considering  refuse collection and waste reduction options in the framework of costs and savings.    Council Member Andresen said that there were a lot of areas and programs other than waste collection which the Council could potentially cut.  Council Member Wiggins expressed her concurrence with this observation.  Council Member Brown said it was important to develop a waste collection and reduction system which met the varied needs of Town citizens. 

Council Member Evans said although a “pay as you throw” program was relatively easy to set up in a single family community, the situation was somewhat more complicated in multi-family settings.

 

STREET MAINTENANCE

 

Mr. Heflin stated that Town staff was enjoying a better working relationship with North Carolina Department of Transportation staff.   Mr. Horton said staff was working on an idea to allow the Council to make policy-based decisions about street resurfacing.  He stated that a current difficulty was that there was no standard which the Council could apply to tell how many streets of a certain class could be put into a certain condition for a certain dollar amount.  Mr. Horton said staff was hopeful that a better system could be developed to turn goals into policy statements.

 

Expressing concern that the Town appeared to be falling behind on street resurfacing, Council Member Andresen suggested that the Council consider putting a little more funding into street resurfacing efforts.   Mr. Horton said staff had estimated that between $50,000 and $60,000 would be necessary to catch up on street resurfacing projects.  Council Member Andresen requested that staff develop options for the Council relative to street resurfacing.    Mr. Horton stated that the Town did not have adequate personnel to catch up on street resurfacing projects. 

 

VEHICLE REPLACEMENT

 

Council Member Chilton requested that staff develop a list of replacement and additional vehicles identified in the proposed 1997-1998 Manager’s budget.  Mr. Horton said he would be pleased to provide such a listing to the Council.  Noting that buses and parking service vehicles were excluded from the list before the Council this evening, Council Member Chilton said it would be interesting to have this information.  Council Member Chilton inquired about the use of two brand new F-250 pick-up trucks in the Housing Department.   Mr. Horton said that the trucks were principally used to haul materials.   He also said that staff could forward a list of  Transportation and Parking Service vehicles to the Council in the near future.

 

PROPOSED FIRE INSPECTOR POSITION/FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM

 

Noting that he had recommended the Fire Inspector position to the Council in last year’s budget, Mr. Horton said he was strongly recommending that the Council approve the position this year. 

 

Mayor Waldorf noted that she would be pleased to pull together a list of  Council Member’s ideas relative to the Manager’s proposed ideas.   Council Member Capowski inquired when a Council decision on garbage collection matters was anticipated.  Mayor Waldorf suggested that the Council could try to wrap things up in this regard in the near term.

 

The meeting concluded at 9:44  p.m.