MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE

TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, MONDAY, MAY 19, 1992 AT 7:30 P.M.

Mayor pro tempore Joe Herzenberg called the hearing to order. Council Members in attendance were Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joe Capowski, and Mark Chilton. Mayor pro tem Herzenberg noted that Mayor Broun was en route to South Africa for training of legal officials. He added that Council Members Alan Rimer, Arthur Werner and Roosevelt Wilkerson, Jr. were absent excused. Also in attendance were Assistant to the Mayor Lisa Price, Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Finance Director James Baker, Parks and Recreation Director Mike Loveman and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos. Mayor pro tem Herzenberg noted that this evening's meeting was the Council's annual hearing on the Manager's recommended budget.

Mr. Horton presented a brief overview of the proposed budget, noting that it maintained a similar level of general service with the same property tax rate of 62.125 cents per $100. Mr. Horton stated that the expected landfill tipping fee would be $21 per ton for municipal waste and $13 per ton for ash from the University's boiler plant. He also reported that the downtown service district tax would yield an estimated $41,000 at the current levy of seven cents per $100 assessed valuation. Mr. Horton stated that there were no new allocations for capital improvements, He also noted that proposed fee increases had been highlighted in notices for this evening's hearing. Mr. Horton said that fee increases were proposed in areas such as the Town's cable franchise, development, dumpster collection and parking. He also noted that approximately $190,000 of funds currently remained unallocated.

Erwin Shatzen presented the following prepared statement on behalf of the Downtown Chapel Hill Association: For many years, Chapel Hill's downtown business community has attracted residents, students and visitors because of its excellent retail and dining establishments.

We have seen many changes over the years, but the down?own business district remains a vital part of Chapel Hill's economy. Yes, we have lost some Chapel Hill landmarks such as Foister's, Huggin's Hardware, Fowler's and the Carolina Theater, but in their places we have new businesses such as the The Gap, Chapel Hill Sportswear, The Original Ornament, Bar‑ee Station, L'il Dino's, TGIF and many more. These new businesses hold promise for the continued prosperity of downtown.

In the late 60's, downtown business owners helped to facilitate the purchase of the land that would become Parking Lot #1, with the unwritten understanding that the Town would build a parking deck on this property when needed.

It is now 1992 and the deck is finally being constructed. Upon completion we will all experience a great new convenience in parking in downtown Chapel Hill.

In the interim, parking downtown can pose something of an inconvenience at certain times of the day and during certain seasons of the year.

The Downtown Association feels that the proposed increase in parking fees and the prohibition of special event sidewalk/street parking will further inconvenience patrons of downtown, and we strongly suggest that these changes be postponed until the parking deck is completed.

We believe that this more favorable timing will help to build goodwill for Chapel Hill; the residents, the University, the business community and the local government. Thank you.

Don Boulton, representing the Orange Community Housing Corporation, stated that the Council had been instrumental in the community's affordable housing efforts. He noted that the corporation was currently receiving annual funding of $35,000 each from the Town and Orange County and $10,000 from the Town of Carrboro. Noting that the recommended budget included $150,000 for low‑income housing programs, Mr. Boulton requested that $35,000 be earmarked for the Orange Community Housing Corporation in 1992‑1993. Mr. Boulton emphasized the importance of continued funding for affordable housing programs. He also noted that the Orange Community Housing Corporation operated a home ownership counseling program. Mr. Boulton stated that approximately three hundred persons had received program training and counseling since September, 1991. He noted that the corporation was working with a group in Hillsborough to develop thirty‑five affordable housing units.

Mr. Boulton expressed hope that the Council would adopt a final budget including funding for affordable housing programs.

Council Member Andresen inquired about the extent of funding requested by Orange Community Housing Corporation. Mr. Boulton said $35,000 was being requested from the Town for fiscal year 1992‑1993. He noted that funding requests would also be made to Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough.

Francis DiGiano requested that the Council reconsider a request for $1,250 for programs such as G'Litter Day, sponsored by Cleanscape. Mr. DiGiano, said Cleanscape was a non‑profit organization, formed in 1986, to promote and conduct local anti‑litter campaigns.

He noted that Cleanscape worked closely with the Town's Public Works Department and Recycling program. Mr. DiGiano added that Cleanscape had recently received a certificate of appreciation from the Take Pride in North Carolina program. He noted that Cleanscape had received approximately $7,750 from the Town over the past six years. Mr. DiGiano emphasized that his organization's efforts were an important public service to the community, having collected over one thousand bags of litter over the program's six years of G'Litter Days. Mr. DiGiano introduced members of the Cleanscape Board and organization in attendance this evening.

Council Member Andresen requested additional information on Cleanscape's activities in the Town's public housing neighborhoods. Mr. DiGiano said that a number of tenant organizations and neighborhood residents were involved in clean‑up programs. He added that trash receptacles had been provided in the Johnson Street area. Mr. DiGiano noted that prizes were awarded for involving the most people in Cleanscape's anti‑litter campaigns.

Josh Busby, representing the Greek Recycling and Environmental Action Committee requested that the Town provide tin and plastic recycling, cardboard pick‑up sites and permanent recycling drop sites for campus sororities and fraternities. Mr. Busby indicated that the second edition of the Greek Guide to Recycling was currently being drafted.

Dick Terry, representing the Greenways Commission, requested that the Council provide $50,000 for greenways programs in the 1992‑1993 Town budget.

Don Boulton expressed hope that the Council would continue its emphasis on investing in recreational facilities.

Noting that the Town of Carrboro and Orange County budgets would likely require property tax increases, Council Member Capowski congratulated Mr. Horton for presenting a recommended budget without the need for such an increase. Council Member Brown said she seconded these remarks. She also noted that there would be significant additional costs next year and that we need to begin thinking about this now and suggested that the Council discuss prioritizing of budget items and looking for efficiencies at future work sessions. Council Member Andresen said she also wished to commend the Manager and staff for the proposed budget. Council Member Andresen said it was important to provide some type of symbolic support for the Cleanscape program, given its past worthiness. Mr. Horton stated that funding for Cleanscape could be included in the proposed budget, if the Council desired.

Council Member Chilton expressed appreciation to the Manager and staff for presenting a no tax increase budget. He emphasized the importance of finding ways to increase revenues or decrease expenditures in the future.

Council Member Andresen requested additional information on the ramifications of reclassifications on future budgets. She said she would discuss these matters with the Manager and Finance Director. Mayor pro tem Herzenberg said he was also concerned about the impact of reclassifications on future budgets. He also suggested that a fixed source of revenue be identified to fund greenways.

COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CAPOWSKI, TO REFER COMMENTS TO THE MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (5‑0). The session concluded at 8:06 p.m.