SUMMARY OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL,

                                    FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1998 AT 11:30 A.M.

 

Mayor Waldorf called the special meeting to order at 11:35 a.m.   Council Members in attendance were Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Pat Evans and Edith Wiggins.   Also in attendance were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Manager Sonna Loewenthal, Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos and Town Clerk Peter Richardson.

 

Mayor Waldorf said that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the tentative agenda for the Council’s January 17th planning session.  

 

Council Member Andresen expressed her preference for discussing the Council’s work plan and priorities in the morning session, thereby shifting discussion of fiscal and budget matters to the afternoon session.  Council Member Wiggins said she was concerned that only thirty minutes was set aside for discussion of the Council’s work plan.  Council Member Andresen suggested that the length of time provided might be extended to ninety minutes.  Council Member Brown said that she also favored having budget discussions in the afternoon, permitting the Council to have a more in-depth discussion of possible changes or additions to the work plan. 

 

Council Member Evans expressed concern that making major changes to the Council’s work plan on a frequent basis could pose difficulties for Town staff.   Council Member Evans said she wanted to discourage the Council from starting over on its proposed work plan.   Council Member Brown said she did not believe that any Council Members were suggesting that a new work plan be developed by the Council.  She added that some Council Members might wish to make minor adjustments or additions to the Council’s work plan priorities.   Council Member Andresen said that she also favored leaving the work plan open for possible changes and additions. 

 

Council Member Brown noted that the work plan was only one element used to evaluate the performance of the Town Manager. 

 

Council Member Evans said she favored the Council looking at both long-term and short-term issues with regard to its proposed work plan.  She also expressed her support for discussing fiscal issues in the morning as a means of outlining the Town’s “bigger picture”.   Council Member Brown suggested that the Council discuss budget and fiscal matters during its afternoon session.  Mayor Waldorf suggested that the Council combine its sessions regarding the work plan and new proposals.

 

Council Member Andresen inquired about the nature of the planned session on solid waste matters.  Mayor Waldorf said that the Council’s LOG representatives, Council Members Brown and Foy would present an update on landfill matters.  She added that staff would be preparing basic information regarding landfill operations.   Noting that the year 2005 was not far away, Mayor Waldorf said that a lot needed to be done on solid waste matters in a short time period.

Council Member Brown emphasized the importance of all elected governing boards in Orange County being kept informed about solid waste matters.

 

Council Member Evans said she believed it was important that for the Council’s Landfill Owners Group representatives to hear the Council’s discussion on solid waste concerns.  Council Member Andresen said she agreed that Council Members needed to be on the same page on landfill matters.  Council Member Andresen inquired whether one hour was sufficient time to discuss solid waste matters.  Mayor Waldorf suggested that the Council could discuss specific time allocations at the January 17th planning session.

 

Noting the importance of hearing the Council’s budget priorities, Council Member Evans said that she did not favor having discussions about budget and fiscal issues as the last item on the proposed agenda.    Stating that the budget was only in its preliminary stages, Council Member Brown said that it was also important for the Council to hear from the public at meetings such as the  January 27 budget public forum.    Council Member Evans said she thought that it was important for the Council to have an open and informal discussion about the proposed budget

and Town fiscal matters. 

 

Council Member Wiggins suggested leaving time at the end of the session for a discussion of solid waste matters. 

 

Mr. Horton said his understanding of the proposed revised agenda was as follows:

 

                        8:30  - 9:00   Organize

                         9:00 - 12:00  Work plan, priorities, ideas and proposals

                       12:00 - 12:45  Lunch

                       12:45 -   2:30  Budget and fiscal issues

                         2:30  -  3:15   Solid waste update

                         3:15  -  3:30   Session review

                         3:30               Adjourn       

 

There was Council concurrence that this was the proposed revised agenda for January 17th.

 

The session concluded at 12:16 p.m.