MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HE?RING HELD BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF

THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA, MONDAY, MAY 7, 1990

Mayor Howes called the meeting to order.

Council Members in attendance were: Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joe Herzenberg, Nancy Preston, Alan Rimer, James C. Wallace, Arthur Werner, and Roosevelt Wilkerson.

Also in attendance were Assistant to the Mayor Lisa Price, Interim Town Manager Sonna Loewenthal, Assistant Town Manager Florentine Miller, Public Safety Director Cal Horton, Finance Director James Baker and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

Mayor Howes noted that this evening's meeting was the first to be held in the Council's new chamber. Mayor Howes stated that the chamber was the product of many hours of hard work on the part of many individuals. Mayor Howes said that one of the prominent features of the Council's former chamber was a column in the middle of that room. Mayor Howes invited members of the Council to come forward to remove sections from a column symbolizing the one in the Council's former meeting place.

Mayor Pro Tem Preston, principal Council representative on the Town Hall Expansion Committee, requested that members of the 1986 Bond Task Force present in the audience come forward to be recognized. Members in attendance were: Pearson Stewart, Rebecca Clark and Bob Woodruff. Council Member Preston noted that members of the Town Hall Expansion Committee (Larry Touchstone, Pat Evans, Milton Van Hoy, Judy White, Bill Thorpe and Council Members Herzenberg and Wilkerson) had been instrumental in the selection of the architect for the expansion project. Mayor Pro Tem Preston requested that Dan Huffman and Tim Simmons, representing the project architect, Hager, Smith and Huffman, come forward to be recognized. Mayor Pro Tem Preston said she was excited about how the project had turned out. Mayor Pro Tem Preston noted that the new Council chamber seated up to one hundred sixty persons, but maintained a sense of intimacy.

Mayor Howes noted that temporary cameras were being used for this evening's cablecast of the proceedings. Mayor Howes added that remote control cameras would be used for future meetings. Mayor Howes stated that the new Council chamber could only contribute to making government better in Chapel Hill.

Mayor Howes stated that this evening's hearing would concern the Interim Town Manager's recommended 1990-91 budget. Mayor Howes noted that there would be at least two budget work sessions, on May 10 and 15. Mayor Howes noted that additional work sessions could possibly be scheduled, at the discretion of the Council. Mayor Howes concluded his remarks by noting that budget adoption is scheduled for May 29. Interim Town Manger Loewenthal noted that a budget public forum had been held on April 2, followed by the presentation of the Manager's Recommended Budget on April 23.

Greg Gangi, local issues chairperson for the Sierra Club, expressed concern about a proposed ten cent increase in Town bus fares. Mr. Gangi stated that bus riders do a service for the balance of Town residents who do not ride buses. Mr. Gangi suggested that negotiations be initiated with the University to raise the cost of parking permits rather than bus fares. Mr. Gangi said these additional permit fees could be contributed to the Town's transit fund. Mr. Gangi concluded his remarks by noting that parking fees in Boulder, Colorado increase dramatically after two hours of parking.

Eva Metzger, Chairperson of the Greenways Commission, noted that despite the recent passage of over $5 million of bonds for open space, the Town does not have a full‑time greenway planner position. Ms. Metzger said that a half‑time position had been included on the Parks and Recreation Department addition list. Ms. Metzger said that a full‑time position would be more desirable. Ms. Metzger stated that the bonds should be expended for open space acquisition rather than other purposes. Ms. Metzger indicated that she had received assurances that funds expended for purposes other than open space would be reimbursed in the future.

Betty Maultsby noted that an estimated $470,000 could be saved if the Town were to employ once, rather than twice, per week refuse collection. Ms. Maultsby requested that the Council enact once weekly refuse collection as a new procedure.

Justin Grimes, representing Playmakers Repertory Company, stated that the theater company puts approximately $12 million into the local economy on an annual basis. Mr. Grimes said that local government support in thirty‑seven other similarly‑sized communities in the United States averages over $15,000. Mr. Grimes stated that Playmakers is dedicated to keeping ticket prices low. Mr. Grimes also noted that continued Town support of the program was essential. Mr. Grimes asked the Council to personally review the hotel‑motel tax allocations and the overall hotel‑motel tax allocation process. Mr. Grimes also requested that the Council adapt the occupancy tax by increasing the portion allocated from ten percent to a level consistent with funding of worthy projects. Mr. Grimes also requested that funding for visitor information services and cultural events be handled as two separate categories.

Jef, representing the Touch-Mime Theater, requested that the Council follow up on Mr. Grimes' comments. Jef requested greater openness in the allocation process, particularly in providing feedback to unfunded programs.

Debbie Dibbert, Executive Director of the Downtown Commission, distributed a packet of information to the Council. Ms. Dibbert stated over fifth property owners and merchants had attended a public hearing in March concerning the downtown service tax district. Ms. Dibbert said that the response of the downtown community was positive to plans in the area. Ms. Dibbert noted that downtown commissions in other communities are funded differently than the Town's commission. Ms. Dibbert stated that other communities receive larger portions of their funding from county and town sources. Ms. Dibbert noted that the Downtown Commission supported a taxing level of seven cents per $100. Ms. Dibbert noted that continued operation of the trolley between 11 : 30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. was proposed, with Saturday availability also being strongly considered.

Ms. Dibbert also stated that special events such as the recent bicycle criterium were a good activity for the downtown area. Ms. Dibbert also noted that the Downtown Commission would hold an after five summer series, featuring family activities and entertainment. Ms. Dibbert added that the Commission would also participate in the public reopening of the Ackland Art Museum and the "first night out" program. Ms. Dibbert briefly described the "first night out" program, noting that alcohol‑free, family‑oriented New Year's Eve celebrations were encouraged by the program. Ms. Dibbert also said that the Commission was examining the possibility of sponsoring a three‑on‑three Town basketball tournament. Ms. Dibbert noted that the Commission's popular downtown and shopping guide was currently being reprinted.

Ms. Dibbert stated that downtown beautification programs, including the sidewalk cleaning program, would be continued. Ms. Dibbert expressed the Downtown Commission's desire to establish a facade grant program for the proposed parking deck on Rosemary Street. Ms. Dibbert concluded her remarks by noting that a complete census of the downtown business community was currently in process. Ms. Dibbert stated that the census information would be available in the fall.

Council Member Preston inquired about any efforts to coordinate the Downtown Commission's brochure with the Chamber of Commerce informational brochure. Ms. Dibbert said that the Downtown Commission was closely coordinating many of its programs with the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Dibbert stated that the shopping and dining guide currently being printed would be a one page, threefold, with basic establishment information. Council Member Andresen said she hoped that the Downtown Commission would bring any new ideas and suggestions concerning the downtown to the Council.

Mayor Howes inquired about the proposed budget work session topics. Ms. Loewenthal stated that the Manager's recommended Capital Improvement Program, transit fares, the street assessment process and stormwater management were scheduled as topics on May 10th. Ms. Loewenthal added that human services and hotel/motel tax allocations would be the major focus of the Council's May 15th budget work session.

Council Member Andresen inquired about the extent of ash dumping by the University of North Carolina. Ms. Loewenthal noted that a higher fee ($20 per ton) was being charged for ash dumping, due to the need for special equipment to handle fly ash. Council Member Andresen inquired which specific components of the budget necessitated overall spending increases. Ms. Loewenthal said that solid waste management program costs had increased dramatically as had the level of tipping fees and recycling efforts. Mayor Howes noted that the Town charges itself for the use of the regional landfill. Ms. Loewenthal added that the Town is the largest single user of the landfill facility. Council Member Preston inquired about potential cost savings from alternate refuse collection methods. Ms. Loewenthal said that the Public Works Department would investigate the importance of refusal collection methods in the community and report on any possible modifications to the Council in the future. Council Member Wilkerson observed that some communities save money by collecting refuse once, rather than twice, per week. Council Member Wilkerson also requested information concerning the possibility of having private refuse collection as is done in Boulder, Colorado.

Council Member Werner requested a range of cost estimates for the Town's recycling program over the next five years. Council Member Werner added that the State of North Carolina had mandated a 25% recycling target within five years, Ms. Loewenthal stated that the first five percent of recycling participation was the easiest to attain, adding that subsequent percentage gains were more difficult to achieve. Council Member Andresen observed that residents think of refuse collection as an essential Town service.

Council Member Rimer stated that the University could do a better job of recycling on its campus. Council Member Rimer noted that the University had recently hired its second recycling coordinator. council Member Rimer added that commercial establishments could have a major impact on recycling efforts in the community. Ms. Loewenthal said that the Town staff would provide the Council with additional information about Town recycling costs in the near future.

Council Member Wilkerson requested a comparison of Town staffing levels in the Personnel, Planning and Public Works Departments with those departments in the cities of Durham and Raleigh. Council Member Wilkerson also requested a report on possible "double-dipping" by agencies in applying for human services and hotel/motel allocation funding. Council Member Wilkerson requested that the Council be provided with a comparison of the Town's hotel/motel tax allocation process and that employed by the City of Atlanta, Georgia.

Council Member Wilkerson also requested a report on feedback to agencies not funded in the hotel/motel allocation process. Council Member Wilkerson requested a five-year tracking of Town utility franchise revenues and a three year projection of future utility revenues.

Council Member Rimer requested that Interim Town Manager Loewenthal provide a comparison of the Town's budget with that of Boulder, colorado. Council Member Rimer observed that a higher percentage of total budget funds were allocated to human service agencies in Boulder.

Council Member Werner suggested that hotel‑motel and human service allocations be discussed by the Council in December or January of each year, rather than during budget discussions. Council Member Werner stated that the current Council approach was not doing justice to consideration of the entire budget. Mayor Howes stated that the Council spent ?n inordinate amount of time discussing a very small portion of the budget. Mayor Howes suggested that another body might examine hotel‑motel and human service allocations in the future.

Mayor Howes noted that none of the speakers this evening had spoken in opposition to a proposed tax increase. Council Member Wilkerson said it was unfortunate that no one felt comfortable enough to address the Council concerning the proposed tax increase. Council Member Wilkerson said he hoped his fellow Council members would give serious consideration to the impact of a tax increase. Council Member Wilkerson stressed the importance of making the community affordable for all persons desiring to live in the Town. Council Member Andresen said this was a worthy goal, since it was the Council's responsibility to be the representative of all persons.

Council Member Brown stated there were ways to cut some items in the proposed budget. Council Member Brown said she wanted to place no additional financial burden on Town residents.

Council Member Wilkerson observed that the Town Hall Expansion Project had been completed within the constraints of monies allocated for that project. Mayor Howes observed that it was the Council's duty to see that the Town's debt obligations were met. council Member Werner expressed concern that some of the Town's debt service costs were difficult to locate in the Town budget. Mayor Howes responded that the Town's budget was an open one, with debt service being clearly outlined in the budget document.

The work session adjourned at 8:52 p.m.