MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN

OF CHAPEL HILL, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1992 AT 7:30 P.M.

Mayor Broun called the forum to order. Council Members in attendance were Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joe Herzenberg, Alan Rimer and Arthur Werner. Council Members Joe Capowski and Mark Chilton were absent excused. Also in attendance were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

Mayor Broun said Council applicants would be answer two randomly-selected questions from a series of six questions composed by the Mayor and Council and previously distributed to the candidates. He noted that Pat Evans was unable to attend due to a previous commitment and Ed Devany had recently undergone serious surgery and was unable to attend. Mayor Broun said the seven candidates in attendance this evening had randomly selected two questions each to answer. He stated that David Strevel had a prior commitment which necessitated him answering questions and giving his closing statement first. Mayor Broun stated that answers to questions would be timed, with a limit of three minutes per response.

The questions to candidates were posed from the following list:

(1) What do you think are Chapel Hill's needs for low and moderate income housing and what would you do to help the Council meet them?

(2) What are the key issues involving solid waste management facing Chapel Hill and how would you deal with them?

(3) What suggestions do you have for stabilizing property tax rates?

(4) Describe how the Town Council should accommodate two Chapel Hill concerns: protection of neighborhoods and growth in the business and commercial sector.

(5) What more should the Town Council be doing to deal with the problems of drugs and violent crime in Chapel Hill?

(6) What are the most important issues facing the Town in its relationship with the University of North Carolina and how can the Council and the University best work to resolve those issues?

Responding to question number three, Mr. Strevel said the Council needed to encourage the locating of new businesses in the Town. Mr. Strevel noted that he had recently visited a publishing warehouse in Cary, employing one or two hundred people, which might have been equally suitably located in the Town. He stated that the proper selection of companies to recruit would be of great benefit to the Town.

In answering question number six, Mr. Strevel noted that a recent newspaper article concerned the development of an outer beltway in the Raleigh area. Mr. Strevel stated that the key to the roadway project had been good planning over a twenty year period, with vacant land purchased well in advance of the project. He said the University of North Carolina would continue to be a major business and employer in the community. Mr. Strevel stated that the anticipated development of the University's north campus would require a lot of planning. He added that long-term planning, especially with University officials, was the Town's greatest need. Mr. Strevel suggested that the Town hold annual or biennial planning sessions with the university.

In his closing statement, Mr. Strevel stated that he had offered his candidacy as a means of doing civic good. Mr. Strevel said his extensive business background and abilities to plan and manage well would be assets to the Council.

In response to question number two, Gloria Williams said there were five areas relative to solid waste: recycling, composting, landfilling, incineration and source reduction. She said the Town was currently using recycling moderately. Ms. Williams also said the Town could do a better job of informing those who did not understand the importance and preservation of the environment. She stated that source reduction could improve or enhance recycling initiatives. Ms. Williams said a series of solid waste forums throughout the community would help to facilitate awareness.

Responding to question number six, Ms. Williams emphasized the importance of a good working relationship between the Town and the University. She suggested that the Town could seek University cooperation in the provision of affordable housing to contribute to the Town's tax base. Ms. Williams said the Public-Private Partnership could possibly conduct forums to address Town and Gown issues such as future use of the Horace Williams Airport. She stated that the Council was fortunate to have a student member. Ms. Williams added that it was important for students to serve on other Town advisory boards and commissions to foster better working relationships between the Town and University.

In response to question number one, Paul Tripodi emphasized the importance of providing low and moderate-income housing opportunities. He said the Town's density ordinances needed to be evaluated from the standpoint of flexibility for affordable housing programs. Mr. Tripodi stated that priority for affordable housing should be given to families having incomes at or below of sixty percent of median incomes. He also expressed his support of the Tandler Homeownership Program, HOPE I housing program and the Comprehensive Assistance Program.

Responding to question number two, Mr. Tripodi emphasized the importance of recycling, composting and source reduction. Mr. Tripodi emphasized the importance of fully investigating alternatives to landfills. He also emphasized the importance of educating children and adults about recycling and waste reduction programs. Mr. Tripodi said the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Commission could also be involved in these public information programs. He also suggested the incorporation of recycling and solid waste management plans into development proposals.

In response to question number four, Joyce Roland said she was not certain whether neighborhood protection referred to geographical growth or police protection. Ms. Roland said she addressed the question on the basis of the latter assumption. She stated that education played an important role in helping residents to make their neighborhoods safer. Ms. Roland emphasized the importance of community-watch groups and police protection in protecting neighborhoods. She also noted the importance of increased positive interactions between police officers and neighborhood residents to foster better working relationships.

In addressing question number six, Ms. Roland said she concurred with Ms. Williams that most issues with the University were cut and dried. Ms. Roland stated that many neighborhood residents near the university were concerned about noise. She also suggested that the University could take a more active role in improving or providing housing for university staff and students. Ms. Roland said the Town needed to take an active role in encouraging the university to be part of solutions to problems. She also emphasized the importance of continuing communication between the Town and University through various committees and task forces.

In responding to question number two, Barbara Powell stated that it was currently much easier and cheaper for an individual to throw things away instead of recycle. She emphasized the need for the Town to provide exciting recycling education programs, including incentive programs, to generate greater level of participation. Ms. Powell also suggested possibly increasing the number of recycling collection sites. Concerning the landfill selection process, Ms. Powell stated that the selection should be carefully planned and located where it would not adversely impact any group of people. She suggested that landfill tipping fees might need to increase to defray additional recycling program costs.

In addressing question number five, Ms. Powell said the activities of the Community Response to Violent Crime and Drug Abuse were proceeding well. She noted the importance of developing education and housing programs as follow-up to the task force's recommendations. Ms. Powell said that persons arrested for drug offenses could possibly receive counseling and treatment. She also expressed support for the DARE program and other youth education programs. Ms. Powell also emphasized the importance of publicly rewarding positive activities and accomplishments of young people.

In response to question number one, Johnnie Peace, Sr. said the community had very great needs for low and moderate-income housing. He stated that the Town needed to intensify these efforts by working more with federal housing officials, home builders and developers. Mr. Peace also said the Town should help educate home builders about available affordable housing resources. He suggested that the Town initiate programs to encourage homeownership opportunities for families with low incomes.

In responding to question number five, Mr. Peace said there were numerous benefits of separating the Town's Police and Fire Departments. Mr. Peace emphasized the importance of utilizing modern law enforcement techniques to address the community's drug-related challenges. He noted the importance of keeping the community safe for the welfare of young people.

In responding to question number one, Dolores Nesnow noted that meeting low and moderate-income housing needs was always a challenge in affluent communities. She emphasized the need for a well-balanced community. Ms. Nesnow stated that the majority of $150,000 of Town housing funds were for low-income rental units. She added that positive and productive steps were being taken in the Town's provision of affordable housing, including the HOME and Housing Loan Trust Fund programs. Ms. Nesnow said she also favored the allocation of funds for homeless facilities.

In response to question number four, Ms. Nesnow said the Town had staked out a position on the establishment of a village. Ms. Nesnow said she supported this position, even though it was becoming more difficult to attain. She also emphasized the importance of keeping tax rates as low as possible by encouraging commercial enterprises to locate within Town limits. Ms. Nesnow said business should be encouraged to relocate to the area. She also emphasized the importance of establishing guidelines for businesses early and a willingness to negotiate relocation terms.

Mayor Broun requested that the applicants make their closing statements in reverse order of initial presentations.

Dolores Nesnow said that the desire to achieve racial balance in filling the vacant Council seat was a reasonable and legitimate concern. Ms. Nesnow said that violent crime and illegal drug usage were two issues which merited the community's continued attention. She also noted the importance of continuing recycling programs, the landfill site search and protection of watersheds. Ms. Nesnow said it was important to plan for a new and safe landfill site now.

Mr. Peace suggested that the Council work with the County economic development commission to establish an industrial zone to attract clean and light industry. He also said the commercial zone in the Timberlyne area should be expanded. Mr. Peace also said the Chamber of Commerce needed to cooperate with the Council on proposals such as the Midway Development Commission's plans for a small business incubator program. Mr. Peace said he represented a perfect composite of all aspirants for the Council vacancy.

Ms. Powell said the need for affordable housing was one of the most important matters facing the community. She noted that current affordable housing programs did not address the housing needs of childless, low-income single men and women. Ms. Powell emphasized the importance of exploring State housing program resources, including housing loan trust fund and down-payment assistance programs. She added that the Town was to be commended for its Tandler and Culbreth Park homeownership programs. Ms. Powell said although the Town's solid waste plan was an excellent one, greater recycling programs and efforts were needed.

Joyce Roland said that new businesses should be encouraged, possibly through an initial tax break. She suggested that the Town establish a goal of recruiting one to five new businesses per year to the area. Ms. Roland said the Town needed to consider the establishment of a unit-based pricing refuse disposal system. Ms. Roland also said she brought a new vision to solving community problems at the grassroots level. She suggested that the Council periodically meet at sites such as local churches and public housing neighborhoods to stay in tune with people's needs and concerns. Ms. Roland said she would be accountable to all citizens of the Town, if selected as a Council Member.

Paul Tripodi provided an exhibit of copious materials on recent issues before the Council. Mr. Tripodi also said he wished to provide the Council with greater business insight. He emphasized the importance of expanding economic opportunities for low and moderate-income persons. Mr. Tripodi also noted the importance of increasing and stabilizing the commercial tax base. He said the Council should form guidelines with the University on a variety of issues, including the future use of the Horace Williams Airport site. Mr. Tripodi also noted the importance of continued protection of neighborhoods.

Gloria Williams said she could be an asset to the Council in regard to developing positive problem resolutions. She stated that being a Council Member was a serious commitment requiring time and accessibility. Ms. Williams said she was willing to undertake these commitments. Ms. Williams also said her past work at the state and local levels with persons of varying racial and ethnic backgrounds would benefit all if she were selected as a Council Member. She thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to participate in the selection process.

Mayor Broun thanked all the applicants for participating in the process. He also expressed the Council's thanks for the applicant's participation in this evening's forum.

Council Member Andresen inquired about the anticipated scope and form of discussions on Wednesday evening. Mayor Broun said he was open to suggestions from the Council in this regard. Council Member Werner suggested that Council Members follow-up with applicants for any additional clarifications on specific issues. Council Member Werner said he was not certain whether any specific structure was needed for Wednesday evening's discussion. Council Member Herzenberg emphasized the importance of a clear voting process for the appointment. Mayor Broun noted that the voting process could be the same as that used for appointments to boards and commissions.

Council Member Andresen thanked the candidates for their participation in the selection process. She expressed appreciation to the applicants for their thoughtful answers to questions. Council Member Andresen encouraged citizens to contact individual Council Members with observations concerning Council applicants. Council Member Andresen read a brief statement from Council Member Capowski urging the Council to proceed with appointment of the new Council Member on Wednesday evening, in his absence. Mayor Broun noted that the decision on whether or not to proceed lay in the Council's hands. Council Member Werner noted the importance of not postponing the appointment process indefinitely. He added that the appointment was for a term of approximately one year. Council Member Herzenberg suggested that a statement from Council Member Capowski could possibly be read at Wednesday's meeting. Mr. Horton noted that Council Member Capowski had indicated that he would make efforts to contact the Council in regard to the appointment.

The forum concluded at 8:19 p.m.