ORGANIZATIONAL
MEETING
0F THE
1999-2001 CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL
DECEMBER 6,
1999 AT 7:00 P.M.
Mayor
Rosemary Waldorf called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Council
Members present were Flicka Bateman, Joyce Brown, Joe Capowski, Pat Evans,
Kevin Foy, Julie McClintock, Lee Pavăo, and Edith Wiggins. Council Members-elect Bill Strom and Jim
Ward were also present.
Staff
Members present were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna
Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos, and Town Clerk
Joyce Smith.
Welcome by
Mayor Waldorf
Mayor Waldorf said that the meeting would be short
on business, moderately short on ceremony, and long on a good time at the
reception scheduled to begin at the end of tonight’s meeting. She then called on retiring Council Members
McClintock and Capowski to speak.
Comments by
Members of the 1997-99 Council.
Council Member Julie McClintock
Council Member Julie McClintock, noting that she had
served for twelve years on the Town Council and two years as Chair of the OWASA
Board of Directors, thanked the citizens of Chapel Hill for placing their faith
and trust in her. She said that she had derived great pleasure from working
with colleagues to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives and noted
that any problem that affects a citizen deserves careful attention from the
Council.
Council Member McClintock pointed out that the
Chapel Hill land designated for urban development had nearly been filled. She added that the population may double in
the next 25 years, bringing more traffic and pollution to a region which is
rapidly becoming one large city. She
said that the Town’s problems are becoming “inextricably linked” to its
neighbors’ problems, and that the area must find progressive regional
solutions, which she believes will be conservation and transit.
Council Member McClintock urged the new Council to
focus on the following points: find
ways to grow without destroying water, air and wildlife; re-examine and
reposition the current Regional Transportation Authority transit plan, which
does not provide transit to Raleigh-Durham Airport or RTP; continue to work
collaboratively with UNC to protect neighborhoods that surround central campus;
finalize zoning for the Horace Williams tract and give certainty and protection
to Chapel Hill’s northern neighborhoods;
continue to be attentive to the livability of every neighborhood; and,
involve more citizens in Town government.
Council Member McClintock said that it had been an
honor and a privilege to serve the Town, and noted that she would continue to
contribute to the community as a private citizen. She welcomed new Council Members Bill Strom and Jim Ward and
wished the Mayor, Town Council and staff her heartfelt best wishes for a
productive new term.
Mayor pro tem Capowski stated that eight years of
Town service had provided him with a marvelous but mixed education. He pointed out that a certain amount of
tedium comes with experience and explained that he had decided in June not to
run again for Town Council because citizens deserve Council Members’ fresh
attention. He expressed confidence that
his successors would make wise decisions.
Mayor pro tem Joe Capowski
Mayor pro tem Capowski praised the local media,
adding that citizens had been well and accurately informed. Noting that Chapel Hill is a center of
international renown for education and health care — with its primary
attractions of UNC, UNC hospitals, and the public education system — he stated
that the Town must resist increasing pressures to become something that it is
not and to devote too many resources to the automobile, which might destroy
resources and the environment.
Mayor pro tem Capowski praised the people of Chapel
Hill, adding that they give him the confidence that the Town’s future is
bright. He said that the list of people
to thank was too long to mention tonight, but praised Council Member Flicka
Bateman and Bill Davis in particular for their hard work as his campaign managers. Pointing out that his goal eight years ago
had been to give something back to a town that had given him so much, Mayor pro
tem Capowski said that he would always be grateful to those who had had the
confidence to elect him twice. He then
offered his best wishes to the new and remaining Town Council Members and to
the staff, and noted that he was leaving office as a more educated and
fulfilled human being.
3. Recess
During the recess, Council Members McClintock and
Capowski vacated their Council seats and joined the audience. Council Members then took their
newly-assigned seats.
4.
Oaths of Office for
Mayor-elect and Council Members-elect
Judge Charles Anderson
administered the oath of office to Mayor Waldorf, Council Member-elect Bateman,
Council Member-elect Evans, Council Member-elect Strom, and Council
Member-elect Ward.
5.
Seating of New Council
Members
Council Members Strom and Ward took their seats at
the Council table.
6. Election of Mayor pro tempore
COUNCIL MEMBER EDITH WIGGINS MOVED, SECONDED BY
COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO ELECT BY ACCLAMATION COUNCIL MEMBER LEE PAVAO AS MAYOR
PRO TEM. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED
UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Council Member Pavăo thanked his colleagues. Noting that election by acclamation meant
that the vote was unanimous, he expressed hope that it would set a precedent
for lots of unanimous votes by the Council in the future.
7. Resolutions of Appreciation for Former Mayor
pro tem Joe Capowski
and Former
Council Member Julie McClintock
Former Council Member Julie
McClintock
Mayor Waldorf said that Julie McClintock had defined
an area in Chapel Hill government and politics in a very special way. She noted that it was appropriate to honor
Ms. McClintock and to give serious recognition to her 12 years of service on
the Town Council and two years of very hard work on the OWASA Board of
Directors. Mayor Waldorf read the
resolution honoring Ms. McClintock’s service to the community from December
1985 through December 1999 and praising her efforts to bring cutting edge
growth management ideas to the Council table.
Mayor Waldorf noted that Ms. McClintock’s
contributions to the Town included the following: options in 1996 to preserve
open space and wildlife habitats; a zone to promote walking, bicycling and
transit; a new mixed-use zone that would combine residential with small scale
retail; storm water management improvements; a model for monitoring air
quality; and, policies for the fiscal, social and environmental impacts of
development on the Town, schools and natural resources.
Mayor Waldorf pointed out that Ms. McClintock had
called for Council action to conduct transportation studies for neighborhoods
affected by large-scale development.
She explained that this had resulted in the Town hiring a transportation
planner to evaluate present practices and to recommend improvements. She noted that Ms. McClintock had monitored
activities in the region including sponsoring resolutions to protect Eno River
State Park and to oppose the Durham Southpoint rezoning request.
Mayor Waldorf stated that Ms. McClintock also had
lead the way to a progressive County-wide utility service area agreement,
represented the Town on the Schools and Land Use Task Force, advocated for
reforms benefiting the environment, and been a voice for fair treatment of Town
employees. She read that the Town
Council honors and praises Julie Anderson McClintock for her outstanding
service to the people of Chapel Hill and Orange County and her loving
dedication to the betterment of the Town.
COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER FOY, TO ADOPT BY ACCLAMATION THE RESOLUTION HONORING JULIE ANDRESON
MCCLINTOCK. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED
UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
A RESOLUTION HONORING THE SERVICE OF
JULIE ANDRESEN MCCLINTOCK
TO THE CHAPEL HILLCOMMUNITY
WHEREAS, Julie Andresen McClintock served on the Chapel Hill Town Council from
December 1985 through December 1993, and December 1995 through December 1999,
for a total of twelve years; and
WHEREAS, Julie over the last four
years has led efforts to bring cutting-edge growth management ideas to the
Council table; and
WHEREAS, in 1996 she and Council Member Joyce Brown brought growth management
options to the Council to preserve open space and preserve wildlife habitats, a
zone to promote walking, bicycling and transit, a new mixed use zone that would
combine residential with small scale retail, stormwater management
improvements, a model for monitoring air quality, and analyses for the fiscal,
social and environmental impacts of development on the Town, schools, and
natural resources; and
WHEREAS, Julie called for Council action to conduct transportation studies for
neighborhoods affected by large-scale developments, which resulted in the Town
hiring a transportation planner to evaluate present practices and to recommend
improvements; and
WHEREAS, Julie has monitored activities in the region, including sponsoring
resolutions to protect Eno River State Park and to oppose the Durham Southpoint
rezoning request; and
WHEREAS, Julie has led the way to plan with Orange County, first as Chair of
the Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors, and then as a Council
Member along with Joe Capowski, to negotiate a progressive County-wide utility
service area agreement to provide more security for mutually adopted land use
policies when endorsed by all parties to the negotiation; and
WHEREAS, Julie represented the Town on the Schools and Land Use Task Force
where, she recommended that all participating County Boards adopt concurrency
agreements to pace development to school capacity; and
WHEREAS, Julie has advocated reforms benefiting the environment, including
analysis of the Resource Conservation District that protects in-Town rivers,
streams and low-lying areas, which led the Council to reduce the amount of
impervious surface allowed in sensitive areas, thus protecting wildlife, the
rate of stormwater runoff, and water quality in downstream reservoirs; and
WHEREAS, Julie has been a voice for fair treatment of Town employees, an
advocate for a new pay and merit system for Town employees, raising lower-paid
worker salaries, and making the system understandable to all employees;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Council hereby honors and praises
for her outstanding service to the people of Chapel Hill and Orange County and her loving dedication to the betterment of the Town.
This the 6th day of December, 1999.
Art Werner said that he had known Joe Capowski since
1984 when they and others started the Alliance of Neighborhoods. Mr. Werner then noted that Mayor pro tem
Capowski had served on the Town Council from December 1991 to December 1999 and
as Mayor pro tem from 1997-1999. He
said that Mr. Capowski had proposed the formation of the Citizens Technology
Company, had been the Council’s liaison to the [?] Advisory Board, and had
labored for many years as the Council’s cable television negotiator.
Mr. Werner added that Mr. Capowski also had
co-chaired the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Annexation Boundary Workgroup, the Horace
Williams Work Group, and had served the community and the Town Council with his
participation on the following committees: Transportation Board, Durham/Chapel
Hill Workgroup, Committee on Police Computers, Water/Sewer Boundary Agreement
Committee, Sewer Subsidy Sub-committee, Horace Williams Workgroup, Coordination
and Consultation Committee, Orange/Chatham Work Group, The Chapel Hill Planning
Panel, and the Public Private Partnership.
Mr. Werner pointed out that Mr. Capowski’s record of
support for environmental protection and public safety includes his votes and
other actions on behalf of bicycle and pedestrian issues, public
transportation, watershed protection, air quality, and his thoughtful decisions
regarding proposed developments. He
said that Mr. Capowski had demonstrated excellent skills in mediating conflicts
and helping the Council find solutions to problems that address a variety of
perspectives and policy values. Mr.
Werner added that Mr. Capowski’s sense of humor and compassion will be missed,
adding that he is dear to hundreds of citizens of Chapel Hill for his
unstinting devotion to neighborhood protection.
COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER EVANS, TO ADOPT BY ACCLAMATION THE RESOLUTION HONORING JOE
CAPOWSKI. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED
UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
A RESOLUTION HONORING THE SERVICE OF
JOSEPH CAPOWSKI TO THE CHAPEL HILL COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, Joseph Capowski served the Chapel Hill community on the Chapel Hill
Town Council from December 2, 1991 to December 6, 1999; and
WHEREAS, Joe served for two years as Mayor pro tem, from 1997 to 1999; and
WHEREAS, Joe proposed the formation of the Citizens Technology Committee and
served as the Council’s liaison to that advisory board; and
WHEREAS, Joe labored for many years as the Council’s cable television
negotiator; and
WHEREAS, Joe co-chaired the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Annexation Boundary Work Group
and co-chaired the Horace Williams Work Group; and
WHEREAS, Joe served the community and the Town Council with his participation
on the following:
Liaison to the Transportation Board Horace Williams
Work Group
Durham-Chapel Hill Work Group Coordination
and Consultation Committee
Committee on Police Computers Orange-Chatham
Work Group
Water-Sewer Boundary Agreement Committee UNC/Chapel Hill Planning Panel
Sewer Subsidy Subcommittee Public
Private Partnership
WHEREAS, Joe’s record of support for environmental protection and public
safety includes his votes and other actions on behalf of bicycle and pedestrian
issues, public transportation, watershed protection, air quality and his
thoughtful decisions regarding proposed developments; and
WHEREAS, Joe has demonstrated excellent skills in mediating conflicts and in
helping the Council find solutions to problems that address a variety of
perspectives and policy values; and
WHEREAS, Joe's sense of humor and his compassion and caring for people will be
missed; and
WHEREAS, Joe is dear to hundreds of citizens of Chapel Hill for his unstinting
devotion to neighborhood protection; and
WHEREAS, Joe has decided to leave his seat on the Town Council in order to
devote more time to his professional career with the possibility, it is hoped,
of resuming public service in the future;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Council hereby honors and praises
for his outstanding service
to the people of Chapel Hill and Orange County and his loving dedication to the
betterment of the Town.
This the 6th day
of December, 1999.
8. Appointment of Council Liaisons and
Representatives
Mayor Waldorf suggested approving the slate of
appointees by acclamation, with the addition of Lee Pavăo and Edith Wiggins on
the Schools and Land Use Council.
COUNCIL MEMBER PAVĂO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER WARD, TO ADOPT THE SLATE BY ACCLAMATION. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Council
Liaison and Committee Assignments
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board........ Jim Ward
Board of Adjustment Flicka Bateman
Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission....... Kevin Foy
Coalition for Public Transportation Mayor Waldorf
Community Design Commission Bill
Strom
Consultation and Coordination Committee............. Mayor
Waldorf, Jim Ward
Durham-Chapel Hill Work Group Joyce Brown, Jim Ward
(Alternate) Bill Strom
Firefighters’ Relief Fund Mayor Waldorf
Greenways Commission Bill
Strom
Historic District Commission... Joyce
Brown
Housing and Community Development Advisory Board...... Edith Wiggins
Human Services Advisory Board.... Flicka
Bateman
Joint Orange-Chatham Community Action (JOCCA) Edith Wiggins
Library Board of Trustees Lee
Pavăo
Library Foundation Board........ Lee
Pavăo
Noise Committee... Joyce Brown
Orange-Chatham Work Group........ Pat Evans, Kevin Foy, Jim Ward
(Alternate) Mayor Waldorf
Orange County Soccer Symposium Task Force Jim Ward
Orange County Visitor's Bureau Board of Directors... Lee Pavăo
Orange Water and Sewer Authority Flicka Bateman, Joyce Brown
Bill Strom
Pay As You Throw Advisory Group.... Joyce Brown, Kevin Foy
Parks and Recreation Commission Flicka Bateman
Planning Board........ Pat
Evans
Schools and Land Use Council...... Lee
Pavăo, Edith Wiggins
Technology Committee....... Kevin
Foy
Transportation Advisory Committee for the........ Mayor Waldorf
Durham-Chapel Hill Urbanized Area (Alternate) Jim Ward
Transportation Board........ Lee
Pavăo
Triangle J Council of Governments........ Pat Evans
(Alternate) Lee Pavăo
9. Closing Comments by Mayor and Council
Members
Council Member Bill Strom thanked his wife,
Jennifer, for lessons in loyalty and trust and for her wit and humor, which he
said kept him going through tough times.
He also thanked his son, Aaron, for being a good sport, his mother and
step-dad for supporting his efforts, and the dozens of people who had helped
with his campaign, Barry Katz in particular.
Mr. Strom said that he recently had heard designer
and architect William McDonough speak at the Friday Center. Mr. McDonough, Mr. Strom explained, had
received the presidential award for sustainable development and was one of Time
Magazine’s heroes of the century.
Council Member Strom said that Mr. McDonough’s comments had been
positive, optimistic and uplifting. He
explained that Mr. McDonough had noted that human beings are capable of
designing systems and solutions which meet exceptional goals.
Mr. Strom pointed out that the goal when designing a
community should be to do the absolute right thing as opposed to the less bad
thing. “It’s possible and therefore it
should be our goal,” he said. “It’s
more ethical, more interesting and a lot more fun to design and plan for the
children of all species forever.” He
added said that the Town could be balanced from an ethical, economic and social
point of view, and pledged to bring this perspective to the table and to enact
policies that will enable the community to pass on a vibrant, sustainable and
healthy Town to its children and the many generations beyond them. Mr. Strom thanked Chapel Hill voters for
giving him the opportunity to serve.
Council Member Jim Ward thanked Joe Capowski and
Julie McClintock for their dedicated and thoughtful leadership. He remarked that Chapel Hill was a better
place because of their involvement.
Council Member Ward said that he was deeply honored to have an opportunity
to represent the best interests of the community and looked forward to working
with Mayor Waldorf, the Council, the staff and the citizens of Chapel
Hill. He expressed appreciation to the
hundreds who had helped with his campaign, particularly thanking his campaign
chairman, his wife, his two sons and his brother for their support.
Council Member Flicka Bateman
Council Member Bateman thanked Joe Capowski and Julie McClintock for their service. She also thanked the voters, her campaign team headed by Jill Edens and Lisa Stucky, and her husband, Louis. Council Member Bateman noted that she had decided not to run again because of the discomfort associated with being the “swing vote,” but changed her mind when she realized what a privilege it was to hold public office and how lucky she was to live in a democracy where divergent viewpoints can be expressed. She then read a poem which she had written:
Once upon a June night cheery, as I walked our
dogs—so deary
Suddenly, a car beside me slowed its motor, then
stood still.
Soon I saw with jubilation that the driver and his
maiden were the Edens from the hill.
“We beseech you, we cajole you, we support you, we
implore—
Run for
Council. Serve four more.”
“ ‘Tis no fun this swing vote being, I’m so often
called with plea-ing,
‘You’re a bad one if you do not vote the way I ask
you to.’
A few folks preaching, a rare one screeching, I feel
so pulled –this seat I rue.
I want respite; I seek solace, only this and nothing
more.”
Quoth the Edens, “Give four more.”
A few days later we went walking, and the Edens did
more talking
About the candidates who’d said that a Council seat
was dear.
“It’s reason, balance, and a listener that the Town
needs, not a Ms. or Mister
Who’ll tell us what we want to hear.
We will help you to attain this, if Lisa Stuckey you
will enlist as you near the campaign
door
Then quoth
Lisa, “Go for four.”
Now flattery can be insidious, and if you’re not
careful also hideous.
It turns your head and blinds your eyes so you believe
that fancy stuff.
“Search your heart, your head, your being,” a still
voice asked, “What are you seeing?
Will you hide because it’s tough?
You’ve worked in Butner, peace-corpsed in Turkey,
fought for all things clear-not
murkey.
Where’s your spirit? Where’s your spunk?
Run for Council.
And fluff debunk.”
So as a good swing vote I dallied, while the pros
and cons I tallied.
“Should I? Could I serve four more?
Think on the good side. Things get better. You’re
a go-er; you’re a getter
Not a wimp near exit’s door.
Maybe I will try for four.”
Than groups of like-minded people nodding all in one
accord.
Sit down with factions and work toward actions. This
will produce a true reward.
So I have run and hold my head high. I’ll give my best—an honest try.
And now elected, gladly I will serve four more.
Council Member Evans thanked the citizens of Chapel
Hill for allowing her to serve four more years on the Council.
Mayor Waldorf thanked the people who had helped her and who had come to the reception. She said that when she had been sworn into office four years ago she had tried to set a tone of optimism, civility, and forthrightness for the Council. Mayor Waldorf pointed out that those had been very good values, but added that she had forgotten how important it was to have a sense of humor. She added that she also had not known how important it was to have a deep appreciation for “how lucky we are to live in this community and how we can politely and deferentially offer to other communities.” She noted that all of tonight’s speakers had expressed a feeling of gratitude for being privileged to serve.
COUNCIL MEMBER PAVĂO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER STROM, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Mayor Waldorf invited guests to attend the reception in the Chamber foyer.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.