SUMMARY MINUTES OF A BUSINESS MEETING
OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN
COUNCIL
Mayor Rosemary Waldorf called the meeting to order
at
Council members present were Flicka Bateman, Joyce
Brown, Pat Evans, Kevin Foy, Lee Pavão, Bill Strom, Jim Ward, and Edith
Wiggins.
Staff members present were Town Manager Cal Horton,
Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Town Attorney
Ralph Karpinos, Assistant to the Manager Bill Stockard, Fire Chief Dan Jones,
Planning Director Roger Waldon, Transportation Planner David Bonk, Long Range
Planner Than Austin, and Acting Town Clerk Sandy Cook.
Item 1 - Ceremonies: Resolution Thanking the Neighbors for Speed
Mayor Waldorf praised the work of Neighbors for Speed,
a humanitarian relief committee which formed in October 1999 after Hurricane
Floyd had ravaged much of eastern North Carolina. Mayor Waldorf explained that the Committee
had raised more than $125,000 to help reconstruct and refurnish homes in Speed,
and had supported 25 families who had been displaced during the flooding. She then introduced the Committee members:
Co-chairs Nancy and Charles Zimmerli, Gerhart Waldorf, Zina Almers, Jean
Earnhardt, Robert Epting, Westy Fenhagen, Don Hartman, Alice Joyce, Shirley
Marshall, Fred Meier, and Town Council Member Edith Wiggins, who had suggested
the group's formation.
Council Member Wiggins described working with the
Town of Speed as a life-altering experience. She said that none who had
participated would ever be the same again.
Council Member Wiggins stated that Chapel Hill owed a tremendous debt of
gratitude to the people on this Committee.
She pointed out that there were others from Chapel Hill who also had
helped out who were not on the Committee.
Council Member Wiggins then asked Co-chairs Charles and Nancy Zimmerli
to come to the podium.
Charles Zimmerli introduced Maria Garvey, who he
said had been extremely helpful in getting furniture and other concrete
materials to Speed. He said that it had
been a privilege to represent the Town of Chapel Hill on this Committee and
that helping the people of Speed had changed his life.
Mayor Waldorf and Council Member Wiggins distributed
commemorative mugs to committee members, and Mayor Waldorf repeated that it was
a great honor that they had bestowed on the Chapel Hill/Carrboro
Community. She added that she did not
know of any other municipality that had taken a project following Hurricane
Floyd and had stuck with it the way this Committee had.
Mayor Waldorf read the "Resolution Thanking the
Neighbors for Speed." She also
commended the Chapel Hill Public Works Department for its efforts during that
time and said that the entire community had something to be proud of. She pointed out that immediately following
the hurricane the Town had sent many busloads of citizens to rip and strip
flooded houses.
MAYOR PRO TEM PAVÃO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER EVANS, TO ADOPT THE CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION THANKING THE NEIGHBORS FOR
SPEED. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY
(9-0).
A RESOLUTION
THANKING THE NEIGHBORS FOR SPEED, NORTH CAROLINA
WHEREAS, the floods of September 1999 destroyed homes and
damaged lives in eastern North Carolina, including the Town of Speed; and
WHEREAS, the Neighbors for Speed formed in October 1999 to
raise money and help reconstruct and refurnish homes in Speed and to find
sponsors in Chapel Hill and Carrboro to offer personal support to families; and
WHEREAS, the Neighbors for Speed set up a funding framework
so that donations from the community could flow smoothly to the Triangle
Community Foundation and be disbursed through the Rocky Mount/Edgecombe
Community Development Corporation; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of the Neighbors for Speed raised more
than $105,000 to assist 25 families; and
WHEREAS, rebuilt homes have many amenities that the owners
did not have before, and there is a plan to clean up home sites where owners
have accepted federal buyout options; and
WHEREAS, a fully-furnished Community Center now stands as a
symbol of a Speed that has emerged from the devastating flood of 1999 and of
the bonds that have been established between Speed and the towns of Chapel Hill
and Carrboro; and
WHEREAS, a renewed spirit of optimism prevails among the
people of Speed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town
of Chapel Hill that the Council expresses its sincere thanks and
congratulations to the Neighbors for Speed for the group’s hard work, energy,
and generosity over the last two years.
This
the 22nd day of October, 2001.
a. Sidewalk
and Bicycle Facilities Construction Plan for 2001-2002.
Mr. Horton pointed out that this was a forum to
receive public comment. He said that the
staff welcomed the Council's advice and looked forward to hearing the
recommendations and suggestions of the boards and citizens.
Long Range Planner Than Austin explained that the
purpose of this first public forum was to receive public input on the
development of the Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Construction Plan for
2001-2002. He explained that there was
$250,000 available, $150,000 from the CIP and $100,000 from the final
allocation of the 1996 bond. Mr. Austin
stated that the Manager's preliminary recommendation, which attempted to
balance outside contractors and in-house construction crews, included five
potential projects:
·
Culbreth Road (1,473 feet), south side, in front of Culbreth Middle
School (by contract);
·
Rosemary Street (345 feet), north side, from Pritchard Avenue to Church
Street (by Town construction crew);
·
Emily Street/Partin Street (1,185 feet), north side, from Piney
Mountain Road to Partin Street/entire west side length of Partin Street (by
Town construction crew);
·
South Graham Street (575 feet), east side, from Cameron Avenue to
Franklin Street (by Town construction crew); and
·
Bolinwood Drive (500 feet), north side, from Hillsborough Street to the
Greenway (by Town construction crew, if funds permit).
Mr. Austin outlined the plan to review comments made
tonight and those of the two advisory boards and then return to the Council
with a final recommendation on November 12, 2001.
Nicole Schwalbe, speaking on behalf of Holy Trinity
Lutheran Church on Rosemary Street, reported a dangerous gap in the sidewalk on
Pickard Lane that connects Rosemary and Franklin Streets. She asked that the sidewalk be finished and
that a curb and gutter be put in to divert silt.
Charlie Nelson, representing the Chamber of
Commerce, asked if the sidewalk along the west side of Fordham Blvd was
scheduled to be constructed. Mr. Austin
replied that the staff was currently negotiating the design of that sidewalk
with the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Mr. Nelson thanked the Town for that, noting
that the sidewalk would be expensive but was a very important project. He added that the Chamber of Commerce
supported the bond issues. Mayor Waldorf
thanked the Chamber for that support.
Marco Rengan, speaking on behalf of Cobble Ridge
Homeowners Association, thanked the Town Council for helping with past safety
issues. He presented a petition with
sixteen signatures in favor of installing a public sidewalk along Culbreth
Road, thus creating a safe passage to Culbreth Middle School and a safe area
for walkers, joggers and cyclists.
Council Member Bateman asked how the Manager's
recommendation for the south side of Culbreth Road affected this request. Mr. Rengan replied that he was not sure that
the Manager's recommendation also covered the area that borders Kent Woodlands,
Culbreth, and Cobble Ridge. Mr. Austin
displayed a map showing where the Town intended to fill in the gaps on Culbreth
Road.
Mary Lynn Piven expressed concern that construction
might not extend to Kent Woodlands.
Mayor Waldorf asked the staff to clarify what is in Chapel Hill and what
is in Carrboro. Mr. Horton explained
that part of Kent Woodlands was in Chapel Hill, but said he could not recall
whether the portion on Culbreth Road was in Chapel Hill or not. Mr. Horton noted that there had been
instances in the past where the Town had worked with Carrboro to make sensible
sidewalk connections. He agreed to look
into that as well.
Council Member Brown asked Mr. Austin for more
specifics on how the sidewalk plan would address the neighbors' concerns. Mr. Austin replied that the project, which
was essentially in front of the Culbreth Middle School, would extend about 50
feet on the east side. He agreed to
bring back information at the next meeting on whether the project meets the
neighbors' specific concerns.
Mr. Rengan thanked the Town Council for requesting
such clarifications. He noted that there
were dangerous breaks in the sidewalk from Smith Level Road to the Culbreth
School.
Blair Pollock commented on the missed opportunity to
build some relatively inexpensive sidewalks on Airport Road while the water
lines were being installed. He expressed
hope that in the future these kinds of utility rights-of-way changes would be
better coordinated with Town plans for sidewalks and bike lanes. Mr. Pollock also asked that the Council ensure
that funds set aside for sidewalks are
not diverted to curb and gutter. He also
suggested that the Town consider finding ways to put schools in the middle of
the community rather than the edges.
Putting schools at the edges of Town, Mr. Pollock pointed out, creates
traffic and limits the ability for children to walk and bike to school.
Council Member Evans noted that there were three
schools, Seawell Elementary School, Smith Middle School, and Chapel Hill High
School, that children could walk to or bike to if there were a safe pedestrian
walkway there. She suggested filling in
the blanks between Henderson and Hillsborough Streets on East Rosemary Street
and between Rosemary and Franklin Streets on Church Street. Council Member Evans recommended not using
funds for sidewalks on South Graham Street (unless Community Development funds
are available) because the area is safe as it is.
Council Member Bateman, concurring with Council
Member Evans's assessment of Sewell School needs, suggested that Council
members look at the letter on page 20 of the materials from Susan Page.
Council Member Ward also agreed with the need for
sidewalks along Seawell School Road. He
asked for a specific staff response to the citizen advisory board's comments.
Council Member Foy asked for a staff response to the
Transportation Board's recommendation to narrow streets.
COUNCIL MEMBER WARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER EVANS, TO REFER THE STAFF REPORT FOR MORE INFORMATION AND
CLARIFICATION. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY
(9-0).
b. 2004-2010
Chapel Hill Transportation Priority List.
Mr. Horton explained that proposing priorities for
use of federal and State funds for road and transit improvements was part of
the required process. He added that he
thought it was the most important part because this is when the Town Council
has an opportunity to hear from citizens on these matters.
Transportation Planner David Bonk described this as
the first step in developing the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at the
State and regional level. He said that
the Transportation Advisory Committee had asked local governments to submit a
list of priority projects for use in developing a composite priority list for
the region. This list would be used in
negotiations with NCDOT to hammer out a program for spending money on
transportation projects, Mr. Bonk explained.
He noted that federal authorities would not fund projects until an
agreeable list is accepted by both parties.
Mr. Bonk provided a summary of the status of
projects on the priority list that the Council had adopted that was used to
develop the 2002-2008 TIP. He noted that
several of those projects had received partial or complete funding in the TIP
and would be removed from the priority list when it comes back to the Council
on November 12, 2001. Mr. Bonk pointed
out that there also were recommendations from three boards for the Council's
review and consideration.
Coalter Lathrop argued that pathways should be built
for both recreation and transportation, adding that transportation is even more
important in light of the Town Council's recent decision to put wide outside
lanes as a priority over bike lanes. In
order to provide a useful, non-motorized transportation network, he said, the
greenway system has to connect without any missing links. He explained that gaps in the greenway system
deter many potential users, especially those who would use it for
transportation. Mr. Lathrop said that
the transportation potential of a greenway system is unrealized in places such
as the southeastern end of Bolin Creek, which ends at the Community Center
rather than extending on, and the lower end of Booker Creek Trail, which
dead-ends into East Franklin Street.
Council Member Evans asked if the Town Council had
required University Mall to put a sidewalk connection in between the Community
Center and the entrance at Camelot Place.
Mr. Horton was unable to recall, and Council Member Evans asked him to
check on that.
Council Member Bill Strom noted that on the Greenway
Master Plan that section is intended to connect down to Highway 15-501and
beyond.
Council Member Strom highlighted the Greenway
Commission's comment about moving Morgan Creek Greenway up on the list. He noted that money for greenways in an
upcoming bond referendum was intended to create links between Carrboro and
Chapel Hill. Council Member Strom asked
if moving that up from number 17 would help the Town get matching funds. Mr. Bonk replied that any project the Town
wishes to have funded sooner would be better off higher on the list. Council Member Strom suggested that thought
be given to that and to pursuing matching funds if there are opportunities to
do so.
Mayor Waldorf pointed out that matching funds are
always available but that the Council must choose what to put them toward. She remarked that more might be accomplished
sooner if the Town used bond money for this project and federal and local
matches for others.
Noting that there had been instances where the Town
had either projects but no money or money but no time, Council Member Bateman
expressed hope that there would be both to complete a project that would
provide a vital link.
Regarding the $1 million that had been allocated for
bike lanes along Old Durham/Chapel Hill Road, Council Member Foy asked if that
was a sufficient amount, and, if so, does it mean that it will be done. Mr. Bonk replied that planners had not yet
completed the detailed cost analysis. He
said that the project would require a 20% local match. Since it is split between Durham and Chapel
Hill, he said, the Town must decide how to pay for its share of that
match. Council Member Foy asked if that
would require a new right-of-way. Mr. Bonk
replied that it must first be determine whether the cost analysis is in the
ballpark. At this point, he said, the
assumption is that they will lay down more asphalt rather than buy more
right-of-way.
COUNCIL MEMBER WARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER EVANS, TO REFER THE ITEM TO THE MANAGER AND ATTORNEY. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Item 3 - Petitions by
Citizens and Announcements by Council Members
1. Shirley Blanton, Board Chair, First Church of Christ, requesting replacement of original sign at 1300 Airport Road.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
WIGGINS, TO RECEIVE AND REFER THE PETITION FROM THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST TO
THE STAFF. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED
UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Council Member Bateman, noting that the First Church
of Christ had been having a tough time ever since the widening of Airport Road,
urged the Council and staff to resolve this issue.
2. Southern
Village Residents, regarding bus service in Southern Village.
Chris Rogers, an attorney who resides at Southern
Village, discussed a petition from his neighborhood, which asks that buses
going through Southern Village be restricted to commercial park and ride areas
and not pass through the residential area.
He said that petitioners had tried to submit this as soon as possible because
the bus route schedule would be printed at the end of October and they were
concerned about the potential for delay that would unfairly prejudice the
petition. Mr. Rogers asked the Council
to address those deadlines and to consider the petition as soon as possible.
Council Member Foy asked Mr. Horton to clarify the
time deadline issue. Mr. Horton replied
that the Council could begin or suspend service at any time it wishes during
the year. He added that meeting the
deadline for printing the schedule would not be sufficient reason to make a
hasty decision.
Mayor pro tem Pavão explained that the staff had
been working with the neighbors to eliminate the bulk of their concerns. Mr. Rogers replied that the staff had planned
some rerouting that seemed to grant the petition while at the same time
fulfilling the Town's mandate to provide bus service within a quarter of a
mile.
Mayor Waldorf pointed out that the staff had
received this petition and had been working one it. She said that the Council was not going to
make a decision tonight, and advised Council members to make their comments and
then move on without trying to reach a conclusion.
Mayor pro tem Pavão asked that the Transportation
Director's report be included when this item comes back to the Council.
Council Member Brown asked that the staff report
also include a review of the discussion that took place at the time Southern
Village was in public hearing regarding transit. She also asked for maps of the route as it is
now and some idea of the area that is not residential.
Council Member Wiggins asked for information on
whether this is an area where mini buses might be appropriate.
Mr. Rogers pointed out that petitioners were also
concerned about non-resident commuter parking, which is a significant problem
as well.
Council Member Brown asked for more information on
ridership.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
EVANS, TO RECEIVE AND REFER THE PETITION.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
3. Virginia
Barbee, requesting a Roof for the Grandma Support Group Center.
Virginia Barbee, representing the Grandma Support
Group, said that although it is important to her Group to function without
asking for help, they had found it necessary to ask the Town for a roof on
their Center. Ms. Barbee requested that
the Town respond soon rather than simply ignoring the request as they had done
with Group's petition regarding trash.
COUNCIL MEMBER STROM MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER FOY, TO RECEIVE AND REFER THE PETITION.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Council Member Wiggins asked when the staff would
respond to the petition regarding trash.
Mr. Horton said he would respond at the next meeting, and apologized
that no one had yet contacted Ms. Barbee about that.
4. Joe Capowski, regarding rezoning of property.
Mayor Waldorf referred to a petition from Joe
Capowski, which asks that a small triangle of University-owned property that
was left out of the rezoning package be rezoned to R-2.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
EVANS, TO RECEIVE AND REFER THE PETITION.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
5. Petition from John Krachenfels, regarding a stoplight in Southern Village.
Council Member Foy noted the petition from John
Krachenfels regarding a stoplight. Mr.
Horton explained that there was a payment-in-lieu provided at the time the
Council authorized Southern Village. He
said that the payment had been made and the Town was following up to see what
the schedule for installation would be.
Council Member Foy commented that interim measures
might be taken.
Mayor Waldorf added that she had received a letter
from another citizen asking the Council to look at the possibility of
installing pedestrian crossing lights on Highway 15-501 in that same
vicinity.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
STROM, TO RECEIVE AND REFER THE PETITION.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Announcements by Council Members.
Council Member Evans said that she had received an
announcement from Triangle J Council of Governments saying that free trees were
available through the Regional Improvements Committee. She referred this to the Manager, suggesting
that the Town apply for some free trees.
COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER FOY, TO REFER THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM TRIANGLE J COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
REGARDING FREE TREES TO THE MANAGER. THE
MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Mayor Waldorf reported that she, Mr. Horton and
Council Member Strom had gone to a recent League of Municipalities meeting and that
Chapel Hill had taken the lead in organizing a meeting of representatives of
university and college towns. She
reported that a decision had been made to form a University Communities Caucus,
and that Chapel Hill was left with the responsibility for taking the next
organizational step. Mayor Waldorf urged
the next Town Council to follow through on this initiative, adding that it has
the potential to enable university communities to work better with the
legislature and the university system.
Mayor pro tem Pavão ascertained that the caucus
would be for North Carolina.
Council Member Brown thanked the three for forming
this caucus, and suggested that the Council work with the NC League of
Municipalities. Mayor Waldorf replied
that the plan was to work through that League.
Item 4 - Consent Agenda
Regarding 4h, Council Member Brown asked Council
members to agree that when the group of managers convenes they look at how
Cornelius is checking Town equipment for pollution. She suggested that the Manager also look at
any other towns in North Carolina that have begun projects like this. Council members agreed by consensus.
Council Member Brown removed 4i, explaining that she
would like to discuss this in relation to the Energy Ordinance. Mr. Horton pointed out that the Police Chief
and the architect were no longer present because the staff was not aware that
the item would be pulled. He added that
the staff would do its best to address the issue but that delaying the bid
would cause significant problems.
Mayor Waldorf suggested that the Council discuss the
issue now rather waiting until than later in the meeting.
Council Member Brown asked why this project had not
come under the Energy Ordinance, adding that the amount of money involved
should have brought the Energy Ordinance into play as far as renovation
projects are concerned. Assistant Town
Manager Sonna Loewenthal explained that the staff was in the unusual position
of having bids come in lower than they had expected. She said that the staff had thought the
specifications as written would use up most of the budget. Replacement of the AC units, Ms. Loewenthal
explained, would have a significant impact on the use of energy in the
building. Beyond that, she said, the
Council was very clear in advising the staff that they were only to spend money
on protecting the building. Part of
doing that, Ms. Loewenthal said, would be to improve the HVAC system.
Council Member Brown asked if the staff had followed
the guidelines in the Energy Ordinance.
Ms. Loewenthal replied that the specifications were written so long ago
she could not remember the specific details of the Ordinance. She said that she did know, though, that the
staff was very conscious of it. Council
Member Brown requested that in the future there be more specifics on how
projects relate to the Energy Ordinance and how the Ordinance was followed.
MAYOR PRO TEM PAVÃO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER WARD, TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
(2001-10-22/R-1)
BE IT RESOLVED by the
Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby adopts the following
resolutions and ordinances as submitted by the Town Manager in regard to the
following:
|
a. |
Consideration of Disposal of Surplus Property: Two
(2) Trolley Buses (R-2). |
|
b. |
Request to Close a Section of the Ridgewood Lane Right-of-way (R-3). |
|
c. |
Resolution Calling a Public Forum to Consider a Change in Cablevision Public Access Fees Paid by Cable Television Subscribers (R-4). |
|
d. |
Consideration of Parking Restrictions on
Northfield Drive (O-1). |
|
e. |
Project Ordinance for a 2000-2001 Transportation
Capital and Planning Grant (O-2). |
|
f. |
Project Ordinance for a 2001-2002 Transportation
Planning Grant (O-3). |
|
g. |
Project Ordinance for 2001-2002 Transportation
Capital Grants for Buses (O-4). |
|
h. |
Proposal for Cooperative Effort for Working on
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) (R-5). |
|
i. |
Consideration of Bids: Renovation to Police
Headquarters Building (R-6). |
|
j. |
Project Ordinance Amendment for Flood Mitigation
Grant (O-5). |
|
k. |
Update on Durham-Chapel Hill 2025 Regional
Transportation Plan (R-7). |
|
l. |
Revision to Post-Towing Hearing Procedure for
Junked Cars (O-6). |
|
|
|
This
the 22nd day of October, 2001.
A RESOLUTION DECLARING TWO (2) TROLLEY BUSES AND
PARTS TO BE SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING DISPOSAL OF SAID TROLLEYS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS (2001-10-22/R-2)
WHEREAS, Article 12,
Chapter 160A of the N.C. General Statutes and Section 4.16 of the Charter of
the Town of Chapel Hill authorize the Town to dispose of surplus property; and
WHEREAS, the Town desires to dispose of the Trolley
buses and parts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the following items are
hereby declared surplus:
YEAR MAKE VIN #
1989 Chance Trolley Bus 77475
1989 Chance Trolley Bus 77476
Eight-two
(82) Chance Trolley Bus Parts
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that the Council authorizes the trolley buses and parts to be disposed of by
sealed bid in accordance with N.C. General Statute 160A-267.
This the 22nd day of October, 2001.
A RESOLUTION CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF THE RIDGEWOOD LANE RIGHT-OF-WAY (2001-10-22/R-3)
BE IT RESOLVED by the
Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby declares its intent
to consider closing the Ridgewood Lane right-of-way as shown on Orange County
Tax Map 7.48 which said right-of-way is approximately 10 feet wide and 234 feet
in length, and calls a public hearing at 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 19, 2001
in the Council Chamber at Town Hall, 306 N. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC to
receive public comments on the proposed closing of said right-of-way.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that the Town Manager is hereby directed to arrange publication, posting, and
mailing of notices of the hearing as required by law.
This the 22nd day
of October, 2001.
A RESOLUTION
REGARDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL PUBLIC ACCESS RATE FOR CABLE TELEVISION IN CHAPEL
HILL (2001-10-22/R-4)
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel
Hill that the Council calls a public forum on November 12, 2001, to receive
comments on whether the supplemental public access rate should be: adjusted for
inflation to 70 cents per month; continued at the present rate of 69 cents per
month; reduced; or eliminated.
This the 22nd day of October 2001.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 21-27 OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES REGARDING NO PARKING AS TO PARTICULAR STREETS (2001-10-22/O-1)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel
Hill as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-27 of the Town Code “No
parking as to particular streets.” is hereby amended by inserting the following
therein, in appropriate alphabetical order:
Northfield Drive North
Airport Road End
Northfield Drive South Airport Road A point 100 feet west of the
western
edge of Airport
Road
Section 2. This ordinance shall become
effective October 31, 2001.
This is the 22nd day of October, 2001.
AN ORDINANCE
ESTABLISHING A PROJECT BUDGET FOR A TRANSPORTATION GRANT (2001-10-22/O-2)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel
Hill that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of
North Carolina, the following grant projects are hereby established:
SECTION I
The Urban Area Formula Program (Section 5307) funds
are from 2000 federal funds from an agreement with the Federal Transit
Administration.
SECTION II
The Manager of the Town of Chapel Hill is hereby
directed to proceed with the implementation of the project within the terms of
the grant agreements executed with the Federal Transit Administration and the
North Carolina Department of Transportation within the funds appropriated
herein.
SECTION III
The following revenue is anticipated to be available
to the Town to complete activities as outlined in the project application.
Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5307)
Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) $198,280
NC
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 12,523
Town
of Chapel Hill (local match) 37,040
TOTAL $247,850
SECTION IV
The following amounts are appropriated for the
FY2000 Section 5307 project:
Salaries - Full Time $ 90,029
Fringe Benefits 13,145
FICA 6,856
M & R Vehicles 13,547
Supplies – Fleet 60,000
Miscellaneous Contracted
Services 64,273
TOTAL $247,850
The Manager is directed
to report annually on the financial status of the project in an informational
section to be included in the Annual Report.
He shall also keep the Council informed of any unusual occurrences.
SECTION VI
Copies of this project ordinance shall be entered
into the Minutes of the Council and copies shall be filed within 5 days of
adoption with the Manager, Finance Director and Town Clerk.
This the 22nd day of October 2001.
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT A GRANT PROJECT ORDINANCE FOR A TRANSIT PROJECT (2001-10-22/O-3)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel
Hill that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of
North Carolina, the following grant project ordinance is hereby adopted:
SECTION I
The project authorized is a Transit Planning Grant,
more specifically known as a Federal Transit Administration Planning Program
Section 5303 (formerly Section 8), awarded through an agreement with the City
of Durham. The project provides funds
for transit planning activities.
SECTION II
The Manager of the Town of Chapel Hill is hereby
directed to proceed with the implementation of the project within the terms of
the grant agreement executed with the Federal Transit Administration, the North
Carolina Department of Transportation, and the City of Durham and within the
funds appropriated herein.
SECTION III
The following revenue is anticipated to be available
to the Town to complete activities as outlined in the project application.
City of Durham (FTA &
NCDOT) $47,529
Town of Chapel Hill (local
match) 5,281
$52,810
SECTION IV
The
following amounts are appropriated for the project:
Salaries - Full Time $28,000
Salaries - Contract 10,000
Fringe Benefits 4,403
FICA 2,907
Travel 3,000
Supplies 1,500
Equipment 3,000
$52,810
SECTION V
The Manager is directed to report annually on the
financial status of the project in an informational section to be included in
the Annual Report. He shall also keep
the Council informed of any unusual occurrences.
SECTION VI
Copies of this project ordinance shall be entered
into the Minutes of the Council and copies shall be filed within 5 days of
adoption with the Manager, Finance Director and Town Clerk.
This the 22nd day of October, 2001.
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT GRANT PROJECT ORDINANCES FOR
TRANSIT PROJECTS (2001-10-22/O-4)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel
Hill that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of
North Carolina, the following grant project ordinances are hereby adopted:
SECTION I
The Discretionary Program (Section 5309) funds
authorized are from 1999 federal funds from an agreement with the Federal
Transit Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
The Federal Transit Administration Formula Program
(Section 5307) funds authorized are from
Federal Highway Administration funds transferred to
the Federal Transit Administration in 2001.
SECTION II
The Manager of the Town of Chapel Hill is hereby
directed to proceed with the implementation of the projects within the terms of
the grant agreements executed with the Federal Transit Administration and the
North Carolina Department of Transportation within the funds appropriated
herein.
SECTION III
The following revenue is anticipated to be available
to the Town to complete activities as outlined in the project ordinance.
Discretionary Program (Section 5309) – Seven
Replacement Buses
Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) $1,570,000
N.C.
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 151,325
Town
of Chapel Hill (local match) 170,241
TOTAL $1,891,566
Federal Transit Administration Formula Program
(Section 5307) – Seven Replacement Buses
Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) $1,603,581
N.C.
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 154,562
Town
of Chapel Hill (local match) 173,882
TOTAL $1,932,025
Federal Transit Administration Formula Program
(Section 5307) – Ten Expansion Buses
Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) $2,324,000
N.C.
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 224,000
Town
of Chapel Hill (local match) 252,000
TOTAL $2,800,000
SECTION IV
The following amounts are appropriated for the
FY2002 projects:
Discretionary Program (Section 5309) – Seven
Replacement Buses
Business Meetings/Training $ 3,000
Capital Equipment 1,888,566
TOTAL $1,891,566
Federal Transit Administration Formula Program
(Section 5307) – Seven Replacement Buses
Business Meetings/Training $ 3,000
Capital Equipment 1,929,025
TOTAL $1,932,025
Federal Transit Administration Formula Program
(Section 5307) – Ten Expansion Buses
Business Meetings/Training $ 3,000
Capital Equipment 2,797,000
TOTAL $2,800,000
The Manager is directed
to report annually on the financial status of the project in an informational
section to be included in the Annual Report.
He shall also keep the Council informed of any unusual occurrences.
SECTION VI
Copies of this project ordinance shall be entered
into the Minutes of the Council and copies shall be filed within 5 days of
adoption with the Manager, Finance Director and Town Clerk.
This the 22nd day of October, 2001.
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE TOWN TO REQUEST PARTICIPATION BY CARRBORO AND ORANGE COUNTY IN GRANT APPLICATIONS TO FUND COUNTYWIDE EMISSIONS REDUCTION STUDY (2001-10-22 /R-5)
WHEREAS, on August 23, 1999, the Council adopted a
resolution pledging the Town to join in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign,
sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
(ICLEI) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and
WHEREAS, the Council stated that the Town would
develop a greenhouse gas emissions study in the event that grant funding is
obtained; and
WHEREAS, a countywide emissions reduction plan would
be more effective than one that focuses on sources within the Town limits in
addressing the regional problem of air pollution; and
WHEREAS, the Carrboro Town and Orange County Manager
have expressed interest in working jointly with Chapel Hill on ICLEI
initiatives.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the
Town of Chapel Hill that the Council requests the Orange County Board of
Commissioners and the Carrboro Board of Aldermen to authorize their Managers to
work jointly with Chapel Hill staff to obtain a funding source and prepare a
countywide emissions reduction plan once funding becomes available.
This the 22nd day of October, 2001.
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BIDS AND AWARDING CONTRACTS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING RENOVATION PROJECT (2001-10-22/R-6)
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has solicited formal bids by
advertisement in the September 12, 2001 edition of The Chapel Hill Newspaper
in accordance with G.S. 143-128 for the renovation of the Police Department
Headquarters Building at 828 Airport Road; and
WHEREAS, the following bids were received and opened on September 27,
2001:
|
Contractor |
Base Bid Single-prime |
Base Bid Multi-prime |
Mechanical |
Alternate G # 1 |
Alternate G # 2 |
Total |
|
CCS |
$265,593.00 |
|
|
$9,740.00 |
$2,500.00 |
$277,833.00 |
|
H.M. Kern Corp. |
$320,850.00 |
|
|
$38,500.00 |
$7,000.00 |
$366,350.00 |
|
D.W. Ward |
$360,483.00 |
|
|
$582.50 |
$5,942.00 |
$367,007.50 |
|
Patriot Building Co. |
$346,500.00 |
|
|
$41,500.00 |
$2,000.00 |
$390,000.00 |
|
Van Thomas Contractor |
$340,000.00 |
|
|
$70,000.00 |
No Bid |
$410,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D.W. Ward |
|
$268,982.00 |
|
$582.50 |
$5,942.00 |
$275,506.50 |
|
H.M. Kern Corp. |
|
$233,000.00 |
|
$38,500.00 |
$7,000.00 |
$278,500.50 |
|
Patriot Building Co. |
|
$241,500.00 |
|
$41,500.00 |
$2,000.00 |
$285,000.00 |
|
Trout and Riggs |
|
$250,200.00 |
|
$45,800.00 |
$5,200.00 |
$301,200.50 |
|
Van Thomas Contractor |
|
$248,000.00 |
|
$70,000.00 |
No Bid |
$318,000.00 |
|
Kechk Co. |
|
$299,910.00 |
|
$65,787.00 |
$14,000.00 |
$379,697.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Applied Control Technology |
|
|
$85,573.00 |
|
|
|
|
Cooper Mechanical |
|
|
$94,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
Hockaday Mechanical Corp. |
|
|
$112,400.00 |
|
|
|
|
Watco Corp. |
|
|
$139,900.00 |
|
|
|
|
Comfort Engineers |
|
|
$154,688.00 |
|
|
|
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill
that the Town accepts the bids of and awards the contracts to the lowest
responsive bidders including, D. W. Ward Construction Company Inc., general
contractor for base bid and alternate bid work in the amount of $275,506.50 and
Applied Control Technology, mechanical contractor, in the amount of $85,573.00
for the mechanical work.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Town Council that, because this project is
renovation of an aging building and is expected to uncover unexpected
conditions, the Town Manager is authorized to approve change orders up to
$50,000 without additional approval from the Town Council.
This the 22nd day of October, 2001.
AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE CAPITAL PROJECTS ORDINANCE FOR OPEN SPACE/GREENWAY ACQUISITIONS
FROM 1996 BONDS (2001-10-22/O-5)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel
Hill that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of
North Carolina, that the capital project for Open/Space Greenway Acquisitions
from 1996 Bonds is hereby amended as follows to include a flood mitigation
grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The capital projects as
authorized by bond referenda approved in November, 1996 include the capital
costs of acquiring open space and greenways as determined by the Town Council,
within and without the corporate limits of the Town.
The Manager of the Town of Chapel Hill is hereby directed to proceed with implementation of these projects within terms of funds appropriated here.
Revenues anticipated to be available to the Town to
complete the project are amended as follows:
Current Revised
Budget Budget
Bond Proceeds 3,000,000 3,000,000
Total Revenues 3,000,000 3,207,416
Amounts appropriated are for the project are amended
as follows:
Acquisition of Open Space
and Greenways 3,000,000 3,000,000
Flood Mitigation Project 0 207,416
Total
Appropriations 3,000,000 3,000,000
The Manager is directed to report annually on the
financial status of the project in an informational section to be included in
the Annual Budget, and shall keep the Council informed of any unusual
occurrences.
Copies of this ordinance shall be entered into the
Minutes of the Council and copies shall be filed within 5 days of adoption with
the Manager, Finance Director and Clerk.
This the 22nd day of October, 2001.
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 2025 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN (2001-10-22/R-7)
WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro
Transportation Advisory Committee is preparing a 2025 Transportation Plan; and
WHEREAS, as part of the development of the 2025 Plan
the Transportation Advisory Committee is analyzing alternative transportation
scenarios; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill
recommends that the public be given the opportunity to comment on important
milestones of the 2025 Plan as they are being developed;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the
Town of Chapel Hill that the Council requests the Transportation Advisory
Committee provide additional public comment periods for the review of analysis
of the Tier 2 alternatives and the final three alternatives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council requests
that the public comment period for the Tier 2 alternatives extend through
January, 2002.
This the 22nd day of October, 2001.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE TYPE OF HEARING PROCEDURE APPLICABLE TO VEHICLES TOWED AS HEALTH OR SAFETY HAZARDS (2001-10-22/O-6)
BE IT ORDAINED by the
Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. The second paragraph of Section 11-26 of the
Town Code is hereby revised to read as follows:
“An owner of a vehicle
towed under the provisions of this section may request a hearing under
Article IIIA, Chapter 21 of this Code of Ordinances as provided by law.”
Section 2. This ordinance shall become effective upon
adoption.
This the 22nd
day of October, 2001.
Item 5 - Information
Items. None.
Mr. Kenneth Chavious, Orange County Finance
Director, discussed Orange County's upcoming $75 million bond referendum and
displayed a PowerPoint presentation outlining the following four targeted
community issues:
·
$47 million for public school facilities: $27.7 million to Chapel Hill/Carrboro for two
new schools at Meadowmont and on Eubanks Road.
The funds would also be used to improve indoor air quality at older
facilities, such as Chapel Hill High, Estes Hills Elementary and Phillips
Middle School;
·
$4 million for two new senior centers:
Orange County's Southern Human Services Center on Homestead Road, and a
Hillsborough site not yet determined;
·
$4 million for affordable housing opportunities: defined as housing
that cost no more than a third of the total family income. A portion of these funds could be used to
leverage federal, State and private funds;
·
$20 million for parks, recreation, and open space: This would be used to build or improve Cedar
Grove Park in northern Orange County, Chapel Hill's Township Park and
Educational Campus at the intersection of Eubanks Road and Old 86, Chapel
Hill's Southern Park, Fairview Park in Hillsborough, the Efland Cheeks Park,
and Smith Middle School. Funds would
also be used for an indoor aquatic center in Chapel Hill and to leverage grant
funds to purchase parklands, enhance the greenway system, and build soccer
fields. The Orange County School System
would receive funds for a new middle school and to renovate Hillsboro
Elementary School.
Mr. Chavious's narrated slide presentation explained
that to fund projects with voter-approved bonds is one method of paying for the
construction of new facilities over time with repayments over a 20-year
period. With approval of all bond
projects the maximum tax rate increase would be 7.5-cents, he said, to be
phased in over a number of years as the bonds are sold. Once the entire $75 million in bonds were
issued, Mr. Chavious said, then an owner of an $100,000 home would see an
annual tax increase of about $75 per year.
Council Member Bateman inquired about the maximum
number of years that bonds could be phased in.
Mr. Chavious replied that bond authorization lasts for seven years from
the date they are authorized by the voters.
He said that a three-year extension could be requested, so there is the
potential for ten years.
Mayor Waldorf suggested making a motion of strong
Council support for all of the bonds.
Council Member Strom commented that bonds are large
capital injections that reflect what the Council believes will solve
significant issues in the community. He
noted that the National Park Standards' recommended acreage indicate that
Orange County should have 1,861 acres of parks, but it has 729 acres, only 266
of which have been developed into parkland.
So, there is a significant park, recreation and open space deficit,
Council Member Strom pointed out. He
added that the $4 million on the affordable housing bond was a compromise
figure which would not solve the problem but could be leveraged to create forty
to fifty million dollars worth of affordable housing stock.
MAYOR PRO TEM PAVÃO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER WARD, THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS STRONGLY SUPPORT THE BOND REFERENDUM. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Item 7 - Public Arts
Commission Percent for Art Recommendations
Renee Piechocki, Co-chair of the Chapel Hill Public
Arts Commission, presented the Commission's vision for public art, which she
said addresses the unique needs of Chapel Hill and maintains professional
standards in the field. Ms. Piechocki
explained that this proposal had been developed with the help of Town staff,
particularly Ms. Loewenthal. She said
that the presentation this evening would highlight the reasons why the
Commission feels that public art should be part of the everyday fabric of
Chapel Hill.
Ms. Piechocki noted that 39 of the 50 states have at
least one public arts program, with a total of 310 programs nationwide. She said that the majority of these programs
follow the "percent for art" model, using a portion of construction
funds toward permanent public art to enhance the aesthetic quality of buildings
and public spaces. Ms. Piechocki showed
examples of painting, sculpture, relief work, landscaping, and structural
design that had been used in public arts projects. She noted that such projects make art
accessible, free, democratic and engaging, while creating social interaction
and discourse and promoting tourism and economic activity.
The proposed Public Arts Ordinance details a
partnership between the Town Council, staff, Arts Commission and community, Ms.
Piechocki said. She emphasized that
funding for public art would not be allocated in a haphazard manner and that
the project's cornerstone would be the annual public art program. The Town would have the opportunity to
review, during its annual budget review process, a prioritized list of projects
developed with the Town staff, she said.
She pointed out that the ordinance calls for one percent of eligible
construction costs to be spent on public art.
Ms. Piechocki stated that the Selection Committee
for Public Art would include a community member at large as well as the Town
Council, Town staff, Arts Commission, architect, and two community members who
would serve as public art professionals.
She said that proposed projects would be presented to the community in
open public forums, and that this would be done before projects are fabricated,
allowing a dialogue between the artist and the community and close monitoring
by Town staff and the Commission. The
Town Manager would have final approval of artworks, she said.
Ms. Piechocki predicted that the ordinance would
become a model for other communities in the State. She pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan
calls for a Public Arts Ordinance and that the Commission strongly recommends
it. Public art ordinances are the mark
of a professional program, she said, and programs with ordinances can leverage
additional outside funding. Ms.
Piechocki explained that based on the strengths of its proposed ordinance and
guidelines the Commission had already received a grant from the NC Arts
Council. She said that Commission
members would meet with citizens over the coming year to gather ideas about
public art and that those ideas would be incorporated into the plan.
Acknowledging that current Council members already
support the project, Ms. Piechocki pointed out that having an ordinance would
protect public art as the Council changes.
She quoted the Comprehensive Plan regarding the value of public art, and
recommended that Council members vote to adopt an art ordinance for the Town of
Chapel Hill as outlined in the draft ordinance and guidelines.
Carolyn Leith thanked Council members for their
support and asked them to make the public ordinance official for all the
reasons that Ms. Piechocki had sited.
Ms. Leith described public art as a "creative, wonderful,
tourist-enhancing development," and pointed out that a similar project in
the town of Columbus, Indiana had attracted tourists from all over the
world.
Council Member Foy, liaison to the Commission,
thanked Commission members for their work and for bringing the Ordinance
forward.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED R-8 WITH AN AMENDMENT
ASKING THE MANAGER AND ATTORNEY TO BRING BACK A PROPOSED ORDINANCE. COUNCIL MEMBER STROM SECONDED THE MOTION.
Council Member Evans inquired about how much money
would have been generated over the past five years if this ordinance had been
in place. She also wondered, regarding
section 7C, whether removing art should be the role of the Council rather than
the Commission, and asked for feedback from the staff regarding that. Ms. Piechocki replied that she completely
agreed that the Town Council should be the body to decide if it does not want a
work of art in its possession. She
offered to provide models for the Town staff to look at. She also explained that the Annual Public
Arts Program would be the "funnel" through which funding for projects
is decided upon. While the ordinance is
"open," Ms. Piechocki said, the Annual Public Arts Program would get
bigger or smaller as it develops. She
noted that the Commission consists of volunteers with one part-time staff
member. Even if they wanted to, she
said, they could not take over the Town with art.
Council Member Ward asked for clarification at some
point on expenditures where the Town provides a match. Ms. Piechocki said that she understood it
would be one percent of Town money, but suggested referring that to the staff
for clarification. Mr. Horton agreed,
adding that he did not think the State would allow the Town to use State funds
for anything but the purposes they had previously specified. Council Member Ward asked if this would apply
to County bond money as well. Mr. Horton
replied that although Orange County might provide some greater leeway bond
funds usually are restricted for specific purposes.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
A RESOLUTION REFERRING PROPOSAL FROM THE PUBLIC ARTS
COMMISSION TO THE TOWN MANAGER (2001-10-22/R-8)
WHEREAS, the Town Council resolved in July 2000 to
proceed with a Percent for Art Program as part of the short-term implementation
of the Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission has
researched similar programs nationwide, discussed policy issues among its
members and worked with Town staff; and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission has
submitted a proposed ordinance and implementation guidelines for such a
program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the
Town of Chapel Hill that the proposal is referred to the Town Manager and Town
Attorney for their report and recommendations on a proposed ordinance at the
Council’s next Council meeting on November 12.
This the 22nd day of October, 2001.
Item 9 - Report on U.S.
15-501 Major Investment Study, Phase II
Mr. Bonk explained that the memo before the Council
attempted to address most of the questions raised at the public forum and work
session. The attached resolution, he
said, included recommendations for comments on the final Major Investment
Study, Phase II report and subsequent action that might be taken to move
forward with an Environmental Impact Statement at the federal level.
Mayor Waldorf, describing R-9 as "thoughtful
and complete," recommended that the Council adopt it.
Council Member Bateman inquired about the data
showing that one route was mainly for people commuting to and from work rather
than those going to commercial centers.
She explained that a citizen had asked her why it would not go to
commercial centers, such as Eastgate and New Hope Commons. Mr. Bonk replied that the bulk of identified
riders would be going to work. The
modeling did assume that there will be commercial uses, he said, and Durham had
decided to keep the route on the south side of Highway 15-501.
Council Member Foy asked about links to Horace
Williams. Mr. Bonk replied that
alternative routes had not been looked at as part of the fixed guideway
analysis. But if Horace Williams
property develops as anticipated, he said, there would be a tremendous amount
of bus service. Council Member Foy asked
how exactly the Town would initiate looking at transportation to and from
Horace Williams before the University puts 22,000 parking spaces on that
site. Mr. Bonk replied that the Town
could study connecting it with local bus service, or it could include a
proposal for a fixed guideway to Horace Williams in the 2025 Regional
Transportation Plan, or it could initiate a Major Investment Study. Council Member Foy suggested initiating a
process to reserve a corridor.
Mayor Waldorf agreed, noting that there is a
railroad line that runs through Horace Williams. She recommended beginning to think about how
to use that corridor and capture trips at park and ride lots in the
I-40/Highway 86 juncture.
Council Member Strom agreed with Mayor Waldorf, but
pointed out that the railway she mentioned runs through the rural buffer and
that Council Member Foy had been talking about connecting the Gateway to Horace
Williams. Council Member Strom said that
the Town should start laying the groundwork for preserving a corridor for future
use that would provide spurs and options for the Town as the system develops.
Council Member Brown expressed reservations about
voting for the alignment from Meadowmont into Town. She asked why Highway 54 could not be
used. Mr. Bonk replied that the analysis
had indicated that traffic projected for NC 54 from the bypass to the east
towards RTP was too large to allow for efficient operation of a bus and there
was not enough right-of-way for a separate guideway along the corridor. Council Member Brown asked how Cameron
Avenue, which has only two lanes, could be considered then as a transit
route. Mr. Bonk explained that Cameron
Avenue had been mentioned because its volumes of traffic are less and it could
be widened. But Cameron Avenue had not
been considered and studied as a guideway, he said.
MAYOR PRO TEM PAVÃO MOVED R-9. COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS SECONDED.
Council Member Bateman, noting that she had not been
present at the work session, emphasized that she would not want to vote for
something that would go through Glenwood School property. She asked Mr. Bonk to assure her that this
guideway would not do that. Mr. Bonk
replied that he believed it could be realigned to the south. Council Member Bateman asked what would
happen if it could not be realigned. Mr.
Horton explained that it would then come back to the Council for further
comment and another vote.
Council Member Brown pointed out that the alignment
shown on the map goes right beside the Glenwood School. Mayor Waldorf pointed out that development is
more than ten years away. Since the
Glenwood School is the oldest school in the system, she said, there might be
other considerations ten years from now.
Council Member Foy said that he did not support
going through the Glenwood School parking lot either, but did not think that moving
the process forward would cement this issue.
Council Member Brown noted that the first bullet
under "Now be it resolved" stated: "the fixed guideway alignment
identified in the Phase II report should be included in the Transportation
Plan." She said she support R-9 if
that language could be changed.
Mayor Waldorf asked Mr. Bonk to address the lack of
precision with regard to the Glenwood School.
Mr. Bonk explained that this is merely a corridor and not an alignment
on the ground that is set in stone. He
said that it was meant only to designate a general corridor, and there is a lot
of "wiggle room that can occur within the general definition of that
corridor."
Council Member Brown remarked that the language is
very specific. Mr. Horton pointed out
that the alignment is not so specific that you could say it would go through
the parking lot, or through the building, or behind the building. He noted that language could be added to
preserve the Glenwood School property.
For example, adding "the Council wishes to preserve the Glenwood
School property" to the first bullet would achieve that goal, Mr. Horton
said. Council Member Brown suggested
adding, "and safety of any or future uses of this property."
Mayor Waldorf commented that there were extensive
safety regulations imposed by the FTA.
Council Member Evans pointed out that the site might
not always be a school.
Council Member Wiggins suggested that any decision
about that property be made in conjunction with the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Board
of Education.
Council Member Brown argued again for her additional
wording.
Mayor pro tem Pavão, the mover, accepted Council
Member Wiggins's suggestion to add a bullet saying that the Town Council wanted
a future Council to work with a future School Board with regard to how this
corridor might affect the Glenwood School site.
Council Member Wiggins pointed out that in fifteen
years the School Board might want to zone the area commercial and build a new
school somewhere else.
Council Member Brown requested language saying that
the whole issue of alignment would be revisited when they get closer to making
a final decision.
Several Council members pointed out that this would
be part of the process anyway.
Council Member Wiggins asked for help with the exact
wording for her amendment. Mr. Horton
recommended: "As to the alignment in the area near the Glenwood School, we
request that the Town Council have an opportunity to communicate and obtain the
advice of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School Board before any final decision is
made." Council Member Ward
suggested not naming Glenwood because there is another alignment being
considered that is close to the Meadowmont Elementary School. The mover and
seconder agreed to change the wording to "as regarding the alignment
proximate to any school site."
MAYOR PRO TEM PAVAO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER EVANS, TO ADOPT R-9, AS AMENDED TO SAY, "AS TO THE ALIGNMENT
PROXIMATE TO ANY SCHOOL SITE, WE REQUEST THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE AND OBTAIN THE ADVICE OF THE CHAPEL HILL/CARRBORO
SCHOOL BOARD BEFORE ANY FINAL DECISION IS MADE." THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING COMMENTS TO THE DURHAM-CHAPEL
HILL-CARRBORO TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE U.S. 15-501 MAJOR
INVESTMENT STUDY, PHASE II REPORT. (2001-10-22/R-9)
WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro
Transportation Advisory Committee has initiated a Major Investment Study for
the U.S. 15-501 corridor between Durham and Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, the Phase II Report, reviewing possible
fixed guideway alignments and technologies in the U.S. 15-501 corridor, has
been completed; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has participated in
development of the Phase II Report; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council has reviewed the Phase II
Report and recommendations of the U.S. 15-501 Major Investment Study Policy
Oversight Committee;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of
the Town of Chapel Hill that the following comments and recommendations be provided
to the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following items
should be addressed to complete the Phase II Report:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following items
should be addressed in any further evaluation of the fixed guideway alternatives
in the U.S. 15-501 corridor:
This the 22nd day of October, 2001.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO REQUEST STAFF TO PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER WITH REGARD TO THE CORRIDOR FROM THE HORACE WILLIAMS TRACT THAT WOULD RELIEVE THE ANTICIPATED TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT TRACT, SPECIFICALLY THE NORTH, EAST AND POSSIBLY WEST AREAS OF THE HORACE WILLIAMS TRACT, BUT NOT TO THE MAIN CAMPUS.
Council Member Strom clarified that it would allow
the Town staff to bring a possible corridor down to the Gateway Station. Council Member Foy said that he did not want
to be too specific but that seemed like a logical place to get off and
transfer.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Item 10 - Scheduling
Consideration of a Proposed Ordinance
Requiring Posting of Signs
at Private Lots
Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos explained that this is
a proposal to require private property owners who have parking lots to post
signs at the entrances to those lots warning people that they could have their
cars towed if they do not have permission from the lot owner to park
there. He said that citizens had been
calling Town Hall after their cars had been towed, and there had been nothing
in the Town's ordinances that the staff could use to protect people or give
them warning. Then a bill had been
introduced in the General Assembly, Mr. Karpinos explained, that would allow
Chapel Hill and Greenville to require lot owners to post warning signs. Adopting R-10 would indicate the Council's
intent to consider such an ordinance at its November 26th meeting,
he said.
COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS MOVED, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO
TEM PAVAO, TO ADOPT R-10. THE MOTION WAS
ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
A RESOLUTION SCHEDULING CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED
ORDINANCE REQUIRING PRE-TOWING NOTICE ON PRIVATE PARKING LOTS (2001-10-22/R-10)
BE IT RESOLVED by the
Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council will consider, at its
November 26, 2001 meeting, enactment of an ordinance requiring private property
owners to post warning signs in order to be able to tow cars parked on their
properties without their permission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that the Council directs that notice of this proposed ordinance be sent to
persons who, by letter or otherwise, have indicated to the Town their concerns
about towing of vehicles from private lots.
This the 22nd
day of October, 2001.
COUNCIL MEMBER WIGGINS MOVED, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO
TEM PAVÃO, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. THE
MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.