SUMMARY OF A RETREAT HELD BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF

CHAPEL HILL, SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1993 AT 8:30 A.M.

Mayor Broun called the planning and reporting session to order. Council Members in attendance were Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joe Capowski, Mark Chilton, Joe Herzenberg, Barbara Powell, Alan Rimer and Arthur Werner. Also in attendance were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Transportation Director Bob Godding, Town Clerk Peter Richardson, Finance Director James Baker, Assistant to the Manager Greg Feller, and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

Mayor Broun provided an overview of the proposed agenda. He stated that the majority of the meeting would be devoted to discussing truly long-range objectives of the Council. Mr. Horton suggested that the Council could possibly discuss the proposed formation of a regional leadership organization, while awaiting the arrival of Jack Evans.

Mayor Broun noted that concern about possible duplication of efforts had been raised at the World Class Regional Conference. Council Member Rimer said a committee was discussing whether or not the Triangle J Council of Governments should be the forum for dealing with regional leadership matters. He stated that eighty-seven percent of conference participants had indicated that a leadership group other than Triangle J should be investigated to provide regional coordination and leadership. Council Member Brown expressed concern that the conference had been geared to get this type of response. Council Member Andresen said that a portion of the conference's objectives were pre-programmed. She expressed concern that a diversity of views had not been elicited. Council Member Andresen also noted that Orange County might not share Raleigh or Cary's regional vision. Council Member Rimer said that the committee had agreed that consensus would be needed to proceed with any concept of this type. He added that all communities would have the opportunity for input during the development stage.

Noting the need for a strong coordination agency of some type, Council Member Herzenberg also noted that there had been no call for a "no" vote at the world class conference on the matter of whether to proceed with the development of a new regional coordinating group or agency. He stated that this gave the appearance of circumventing elected officials in the process. Council Member Brown stated the importance of upfront participation in addressing the matter. Council Member Andresen emphasized the importance of continuing conversation with the objective of reaching a consensus of views, which might not favor the establishment of a regional council. Council Member Rimer said he could provide additional information on the proposal to the Council as it became available. Mayor Broun said he sensed the need for real caution and concern not to move very far on this matter without the Council's approval. Council Member Werner said he had the sense that the Triangle J committee had decided to do something and held a meeting to do so.

Council Member Rimer said while he did not necessarily endorse an intergovernmental task force, it would be essential for the region to develop strategies to manage environmental issues. Council Member Werner noted that no governmental body had endorsed the concept of a new regional group. Council Member Rimer noted the need to see the demographics of the groups involved in the decision-making process. Mayor Broun noted that Council Member Rimer and himself would be meeting with Triangle J officials in the near future to further discuss the proposal.

Report of Financial Futures Task Force

Jack Evans, Chairperson of the Financial Futures Task Force, requested that Mayor Broun write a short note of appreciation to members of the task force. Mayor Broun said he would do so. Mr. Evans also expressed the task force's appreciation to Town Manager Cal Horton and Finance Director Jim Baker for the Town staff's high quality. Mr. Evans provided an overview of the report, noting that the task force had concentrated its energies on reviewing the Town's three largest funds--general, transportation and landfill. He added that the Town's two largest revenue streams were property taxes and state-shared revenues. He noted that personnel costs accounted for approximately sixty-five percent of the Town's overall costs. Mr. Evans stated that each penny of tax rate equalled approximately $175,000 in the General Fund. He said that it would be necessary to expand the Town's property tax base by about $30 million for the next fiscal year to maintain the current tax rate.

Mr. Evans said the Financial Futures Task Force had suggested concentrating energies on larger funds and major expense items. He stated that the task force had discovered no magic bullets to save money or alter operations. Mr. Evans also noted that the Town's valuation base was currently increasing at the rate of $40 annually. He added that task force suggested that the Council have the staff study this figure further to evaluate likely future tends in the tax base. Mr. Evans distributed and briefly reviewed a worksheet concerning projections of the Town's General Fund over the next five years.

Council Member Andresen inquired about Mr. Evans' observations about the utility of developing a computer system to determine operation costs. Mr. Evans emphasized the need to make decisions pragmatically, regardless of tools utilized. Council Member Rimer noted that an activity-based cost accounting system was currently being formulated by the Town staff. Mr. Evans said activity-based costing could be very useful to the staff as part of its decision-making processes. Council Member Capowski thanked the task force for its report and efforts. Council Member Capowski expressed concern about decision-making in a vacuum, relative to financial decisions made after preparation of the annual budget. Council Member Capowski said he thought there was a need for a salary increase for employees this year. He requested that the staff prepare a comparison of salary increase levels and their projected impact on the Town's property tax rate.

Mr. Evans urged the Council to consult the projections section of the staff's budget report when formulating its annual budget for the Town. Council Member Rimer said Mr. Evan's budget overview could serve as a marvelous planning tool. Mr. Evans said the overview was more oriented as a general planning tool. Council Member Werner said he found the report to be very interesting and helpful. He requested additional information on the distribution of sales tax revenues. Mr. Evans said the matter of State sales tax distribution was quite complicated, with many of the variables beyond the control or prediction abilities of Town staff. Council Member Werner inquired about the percentage of the Town's budget over which there was a significant amount of control. Mr. Evans noted that a number of items such as debt service were most controllable. Mr. Horton noted that there was a direct connection between bond sales and the need for increased tax rates. Council Member Werner inquired about the utility of financial projections tied to small area planning processes. Mr. Evans said it was worthwhile to have projections for anything likely to have a significant influence on growth of the tax base. Council Member Werner asked whether the Financial Futures Task Force would continue to exist. Mr. Evans said the task force had completed its mission. Council Member Werner suggested that the staff put weighting factors on the task force's projections.

Council Member Capowski inquired whether the Town's fund balance was adequate. Mr. Evans said yes, noting that the past practice of tapping and then restoring the fund reserve was prudent. Council Member Capowski inquired whether the Transportation and General Funds should remain separate funds. Mr. Evans said maintaining separate funds was preferable. Council Member Capowski inquired whether the task force had identified any potential future fiscal crises for the Town. Mr. Evans said he foresaw many more challenges, rather than any crises. He noted that there would undoubtedly continue to be sensitivity on tax rate issues. Mr. Evans also stated that the question of the Town's valuation base and its continued growth should be explored by the staff. Council Member Herzenberg noted that the majority of UNC bus contract proceeds were from the sale of bus passes to students, professors and staff. Mayor Broun expressed the Council's thanks for the Financial Futures Task Force's efforts.

A break took place between 10:11 and 10:21 a.m.

General and Transportation Fund Overviews

Mr. Horton presented an overview of budget projections and the General and Transportation Funds. He noted the importance of finding a way to have the State of North Carolina provide additional operating funds for the Town's Transportation Fund. Mr. Horton said a shortfall of approximately $300,000 was anticipated in the Transportation Fund. Mr. Horton said he believed that would likely be a tax rate reduction as a result of property revaluation.

Transportation Director Bob Godding stated that the federal funding picture for transportation items was still undecided. He noted that although there had been some discussion of increasing State programs to include more operating assistance, this did not appear likely. Mr. Godding also noted that federal operating revenues for transportation were diminishing, with available funds becoming more restrictive and earmarked. He stated that North Carolina is a net donor state for transportation programs, with Federal taxes collected paying for transportation capital programs in larger cities in other states.

Council Member Werner inquired about the range of options being examined to make up anticipated shortfalls in the Transportation Fund. Mr. Godding said a broad range of options were under consideration, from cutting expenditures not effecting services, to cutting services, to possibly increasing fares. Council Member Brown inquired about the likelihood of additional State assistance for transit programs. Mr. Godding said there did not appear to be a groundswell of support for transit-related bills. Council Member Capowski inquired about changes in the Transportation Fund tax rate since its authorization in 1973. Mr. Godding said the Transportation Fund tax rate had fluctuated a number of times during this period. Mr. Horton said staff would develop several Transportation Fund options for Council consideration.

Council Member Brown inquired whether the staff could provide a more thorough explanation of the actual transportation operating cost breakdown between the University and the towns. Council Member Rimer inquired about the cost of a new bus. Mr. Godding said approximately $250,000 each. He noted that provisions of the Clean Air Act and Americans with Disabilities Act had increased the cost of buses. Council Member Rimer requested that staff provide estimates of maintenance costs for buses. Mr. Horton said the staff would do so. Council Member Andresen inquired whether the University of North Carolina and the Town of Carrboro contributed to transportation capital costs. Mr. Godding said yes. Mr. Horton added that these costs were amortized over time. Council Member Brown inquired about the feasibility of using smaller buses. Mr. Godding said the size of buses was based on demands for individual routes. Council Member Brown asked whether any routes could benefit from using smaller buses. Mr. Godding noted that shared-ride service was used in neighborhoods that did not justify full service.

Council Member Andresen said the establishment of a reserve fund for future bus acquisitions was a good idea. Council Member Werner said this was mainly an accounting trick to move money around. Council Member Andresen noted the need for a pay-as-you-go capital improvements plan for buses. Mr. Horton said reserve accounts generally flattened out allocations. Council Member Capowski inquired what percentage of bus riders commuted to the university or hospital. Mr. Godding said sixty-five to seventy percent of riders were associated with the university or hospital.

Agenda Review

Mr. Horton reviewed the Council's upcoming meeting calendar. He noted that it might be necessary to consider as many as two additional development hearing nights to accommodate new development applications. Council Member Andresen inquired about the possibility of beginning work sessions at an earlier time. Mayor Broun suggested that these sessions could begin at 5:45 or 6 p.m. and end at an earlier hour than regular meetings and hearings. Council Member Rimer emphasized the importance of quarterly planning sessions to handle long-term planning matters. Noting the number of overall Council meetings, Council Member Andresen suggested that planning sessions might be held biannually, rather than quarterly.

Council Member Capowski noted that the Institute of Government would hold a workshop on board effectiveness and efficiency on February 23rd and 24th. Mayor Broun said it would be valuable for the Council to participate as a group in the workshop. He suggested that he could investigate holding a similar workshop conducted by the Institute of Government for convenience purposes. Citing Mr. Evans' comments earlier in the day, Council Member Werner emphasized the importance of the Council concentrating on major items in its budget discussions, rather than focusing on minor matters.

Strategic Work Plan Items

Mr. Horton briefly updated the status of strategic work plan items, noting items which had been completed and those which were still in progress. Mayor Broun noted that a work session on housing affordability was scheduled for February 1st.

Council Objectives and Concerns

Crime

Noting that crime prevention was a very high Council priority, Council Member Werner inquired what the Council could do. Mr. Horton said the Council could possibly spend additional funds on the issue. He said money could be used to buy better computer equipment for Police personnel. Council Member Brown emphasized the importance of cooperative crime prevention efforts with the university and other local governments. Mr. Horton said one of the major purposes of the Community Response to Violent Crime and Drug Abuse program was to identify community resources and make them work better together. Council Member Rimer noted the importance of establishing an objective such as the Town shall not have an increase in crime from one year to the next. Mayor Broun said he had grave doubts about approaching crime on solely a figures basis. Council Member Andresen concurred, noting that there were many different types of crime problems. She inquired whether there were other things the Council could do while the task forces were continuing their efforts. Council Member Capowski said crime perception and prevention were two separate items. He inquired about the best way to proceed with addressing crime problems. Mayor Broun emphasized the need for the Community Response to Violent Crime and Drug Abuse committees to continue their efforts. He also noted the importance of providing automation resources to the Town's police department. Council Member Andresen inquired about the status of the Violent Crime and Drug Abuse program. Mr. Horton said the task force's committees were trying to achieve various overall actions in the community, including addressing the Council's concerns about crime and public safety.

Council Member Werner stated that crime was not really an issue when he was first elected to the Council. He emphasized the importance of letting people know how to protect themselves from criminal activity. Council Member Werner also emphasized the importance of stemming public concern that the Town is not a safe place to live. Council Member Capowski said the on-going problems pointed up the need for a computer system to assist in crime-fighting efforts. Council Member Werner noted the importance of publicizing the Town's practice of assigning specific officers to specific neighborhoods. Council Member Herzenberg noted that there had been a dramatic increase in crime when silver and gold prices had escalated quickly. He stated that the matter of panhandling in the downtown area had not been a discussion matter in recent months. Council Member Werner said he had heard about a number of panhandling-related incidents from persons who had recently visited the downtown area. Noting that the 911 emergency operations center was quite impressive, Council Member Herzenberg said that calls for police assistance had increased in Hillsborough and Carrboro, while remaining relatively stable for the Town. Mr. Horton noted that panhandling was a constitutionally protected right. Council Member Andresen noted that the incidents of greatest concern were those in which individuals were high on drugs or drunk.

Council Member Rimer emphasized the importance of encouraging the committees of the Violent Crime and Drug Abuse program to make recommendations in priority order. Mayor Broun noted that the Town's new Volunteer Coordinator for the VC&DA program would attend a program on grants in the near future. Mr. Horton emphasized the need for additional publicity of crime and drug abuse reduction efforts. Council Member Andresen expressed her concurrence. Council Member Brown noted that crime was not just a local problem but a societal problem and asked what was being done to work with other communities. Mr. Horton said although some crime problems were of local origin, many problems were relatable to criminals accessing the Town from Interstate 40. He emphasized the need for continued good working relationships with the State Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies. Council Member Capowski inquired about the working relationship among Town, County and Carrboro law enforcement officials. Noting that the chiefs of the three departments had been friends for many years, Mr. Horton said the chiefs worked well together.

Council Member Capowski inquired about strategies to maximize police officers utilization and availability rates. Mr. Horton said the acquisition of computers and other automated equipment would be the most effective means to enhance the efficiency of police officers. Mr. Horton said he hoped that the Town would never have to stop responding to pure service calls. Council Member Powell emphasized the importance of discussing what the Town could do to assist homeless persons, including counseling by police social workers. She also noted the importance of balancing the crime reduction and prevention needs of the downtown area with those of Town neighborhoods.

The session adjourned for a lunch break at 12:10 p.m.

Mayor Broun reconvened the session at 12:45 p.m. He noted that the need for affordable housing and related housing matters would be discussed at the Council's February 1st work session with the Orange Community Housing Corporation and Housing and Community Development Advisory Board.

Single-Occupant Vehicles, Bikeways and Sidewalks

Council Member Chilton noted the importance of including bicycle and sidewalk improvements in the Town's Transportation Improvement Program request. Mayor Broun suggested that the Council could hold a work session in the future to discuss bikeway, sidewalk and related priorities. Council Member Werner emphasized the importance of identifying which projects to construct and how much they cost. Council Member Werner inquired how pedestrians and bicyclists crossed major intersections. Mr. Horton said staff could provide additional information on these concerns. Council Member Werner inquired whether the State Department of Transportation would fund bicycle lanes on non-State maintained roads. Mayor Broun noted that Town staff continued to work with State Department of Transportation officials on bicycle project funding and related matters.

Council Member Capowski inquired about the possibility of restricting parking in the campus area to facilitate the ease of bicycle access. He also inquired about using transit funds for funding bicycle paths and improvements. Council Member Brown expressed concern about possibly inhibiting bicycle riders by permitting parking at certain times. Mayor Broun said he sensed that transportation issues were a high priority concern of the Council. Council Member Andresen inquired about the possibility of a dedicated funding source, such as a meals tax, for transportation projects. Mr. Horton noted that the Hotel and Restaurant Association had lobbied against such a tax. He stated that passage of such a funding source might prove challenging in the State Legislature. Council Member Brown suggested the possibility of introducing a parking space tax. Council Member Herzenberg noted that the Greenways Commission had requested a dedicated funding source in previous years. Council Member Rimer noted that he had forwarded an article to the Greenways Commission concerning land conservancy trusts. Mayor Broun suggested that a portion of funds could be allocated for greenways each year. Council Member Werner noted that this mechanism had been utilized in the past.

Council Member Capowski noted that the widening of South Columbia Street had been discussed for a number of years. He emphasized the importance of the Council reestablishing a position on this matter in order that residents could make future investment decisions concerning their properties. Council Member Andresen inquired about the likelihood of the Department of Transportation funding a four-lane roadway along South Columbia Street. Mr. Horton said that funding might be available for sidewalks and other necessities as a result of the passage Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). Council Member Werner suggested that staff contact Department of Transportation officials to begin discussions concerning the widening of South Columbia Street. Council Member Capowski emphasized the importance of including a sidewalk or bicycle lane as part of the project. Council Member Andresen said a sidewalk was not necessary on Manning Drive. Council Member Brown suggested that the three-lane option for South Columbia Street, rather than four lanes, be revisited. Mr. Horton said he did not know whether the Department of Transportation's opinion on this matter would change.

Budget and Accounting

Mayor Broun said some of these matters had been discussed earlier in the meeting. Council Member Rimer reiterated the importance of a cost-accounting system as a useful tool, especially for staff. Council Member Rimer said he believed that the matter of fiscal impact analyses needed to be explored and reported upon. Mr. Horton noted that the staff continued to do its best to give fiscal impacts of particular operating proposals. Council Member Andresen said although she supported proceeding with cost-based accounting, she was not convinced that the Council needed to know exact and detailed costing. Council Member Brown said she viewed the system as useful to the staff, public and Council. Council Member Rimer said the accounting system offered the advantage of providing information to department heads in determining whether it was more cost-efficient to handle projects in-house or bid them out. Mayor Broun emphasized the importance of carrying out projects as effectively as possible.

Council Member Andresen suggested the possibility of consolidating other services with neighboring governments. She suggested possibly combining the Town's and County's recreation services. Council Member Werner suggested that combining Chapel Hill and Carrboro's recreation programs might be more practical from the standpoint of facility access. He stated that the possibility of consolidating the two towns' fire departments might merit consideration. Council Member Capowski inquired about the possibility of providing merged library services for Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Council Member Herzenberg noted that Carrboro residents were undertaking fund raising to establish a Town library. Council Member Werner noted that the Town was generally open to the concept of consolidated services since it provided most services. Council Member Capowski suggested that the Council hold a brainstorming session to explore consolidation possibilities. Council Member Herzenberg said the Town of Carrboro did not wish to consolidate fire departments. He also noted that the 1993-1994 budget offered the last opportunity to elicit Orange County's fiscal support for library services prior to the opening of the Town's new library facility.

Council Member Capowski inquired how increased County support could be sought. Mayor Broun stated that there were on-going discussions in this matter. Council Member Rimer said he thought the Town was going to approach the Orange County Commissioners concerning library funding in the near future. Mayor Broun said staff and the Library Board of Trustees could provide assistance in this matter. Council Member Rimer inquired whether a plan was in place for cost-cutting strategies. Mr. Horton noted that work on the Town's employee suggestion program continued. Mayor Broun said he assumed that the staff and Manager periodically examined efficiency and cost-cutting matters. Council Member Brown distributed an article concerning the consolidation of agencies by the federal government. Council Member Werner said the crux of the matter was eliminating some positions.

Council Member Rimer inquired about the possibility of an outside party conducting an evaluation of the Town's organizational efficiency. Mr. Horton said he did not believe an outside individual would be needed to evaluate the situation. He suggested that the two Assistant Town Managers and he could evaluate the overall organizational structure over a twelve month time horizon. Council Member Andresen said this appeared to be a reasonable way to proceed. Mayor Broun noted that the Council appeared to agree with the approach suggested. Mr. Horton noted that he reviewed all position requisitions to determine whether or not filling the positions was necessary. Council Member Andresen emphasized the importance of the staff staying in touch in this matter.

Development-Related Matters

Council Member Werner noted that the Town's Development Ordinance was constantly being revised. He inquired whether a complete revision of the ordinance was being suggested. Noting that development activity was increasing, Council Member Capowski said it was be very difficult to rework the entire Development Ordinance. Council Member Rimer noted that a complete ordinance review would involve an extensive examination process by the community.

Council Member Werner noted that there were many conflicting internal statements in the Town's Comprehensive Plan. Council Member Rimer said it was important that there were some conflicting goals in the plan. He stated that some of these conflicts could possibly be resolved. Council Member Werner noted that one of the challenges facing the Council was determining how to apply the provisions of the Comprehensive Plan to specific situations. Mayor Broun noted that one Council Member had asked the question of whether or not it was taking too long for applications to go through the development process. Council Member Andresen inquired whether this included the number of development hearings. Mayor Broun said this matter also involved examining whether matters were coming before the Council that did not need to.

Council Member Andresen noted that a problem with the Town's former site plan review process was the difficulty of requirement criteria for individual site plan reviews. Council Member Andresen said she opposed full-scale review, but that joint public hearings (Council and Planning Board) might be considered. She noted that the current process could possibly be reexamined. Council Member Werner noted that in a way, the Design Review Board had added another layer to the development review process. Council Member Andresen said the board had not had an opportunity to prove itself. Mr. Horton said the board had helped to make many projects better. Mr. Karpinos noted that in some communities a formal hearing was held jointly by the Planning Board and Council. Mr. Horton said some suggestions to improve the development process would be presented at the Council's January 25th meeting. Council Member Andresen noted that the present system of projects receiving review by many boards provided for a lot more citizen input than would an expedited review.

Council Member Werner said the policy issue was whether expediency or project quality was more desirable. Council Member Capowski inquired how much time could be saved by expediting the review for the Intimate Bookshop. Mr. Horton said four to twelve months. Mayor Broun noted that a report would be presented on January 25th. Mr. Horton noted that the report might not cover every issue raised during the day's discussions about development.

Council Member Werner inquired whether the four findings of fact for special use permits were still the appropriate ones for current conditions. Mr. Karpinos said the findings of fact were based on statutory criteria. Council Member Werner noted that safety concerns appeared to be the primary basis for special use permit denials. He added that it might be appropriate to revisit the four current findings of fact. Mr. Karpinos requested an opportunity to examine the findings of fact. Mayor Broun expressed his concurrence. Council Member Werner noted that the examination of system-wide impacts of stormwater management continued.

OWASA Concerns

Council Member Andresen noted that the Council's policy document on OWASA matters had been very helpful. She stated that issues on the horizon included County policies for failing septic systems, addressing the Hillsborough water line matter and the problem of sewer service provision for low and middle-income families.

Council Member Werner said the Council might consider appointing a Council Member as one of the Town's OWASA Board representatives to get information more directly. Council Member Herzenberg inquired whether a Council Member could serve as an alternate OWASA board representative. Mr. Karpinos said this would require a change in the board's articles of incorporation.

Council Member Capowski inquired about the status of the proposal to reduced fire sprinkler rates. Mr. Feller said the matter was not currently scheduled for discussion at future OWASA board meetings. Council Member Andresen said she believed the board was open to the idea. Council Member Capowski said the Town should take a position on OWASA reducing its fire protection rates. Council Member Herzenberg said the matter was somewhat urgent. Council Member Andresen inquired whether it was correct that the Town could not require sprinklers. Mr. Karpinos said this was correct. Mayor Broun said the Council could publicly urge OWASA to examine the matter. Council Member Capowski asked whether it was correct that the Intimate Bookshop could be restored without a full sprinkler system. Mr. Horton said this was the proposal. Council Member Werner asked whether a provision concerning this matter could be included in the special use permit. Mr. Karpinos said he would need to investigate this matter.

Mixed-Use

Stating that the Town's mixed-use ordinance had been a failure, Council Member Rimer suggested that it might be worth revisiting the ordinance. Council Member Capowski noted that four Council Members had never dealt with a mixed-use application. Council Member Werner noted that a mixed-use proposal by Eastowne was in process. He added that since there had been relatively little recent development activity, it was difficult to determine whether or not the ordinance was a failure. Noting that strip development was the alternate position to mixed-use, Council Member Werner also noted that the City of Durham currently had two or three such proposals along the I-40/US 15-501 corridor. Council Member Rimer stated that he was saying that the existing ordinance merited reexamination in terms of the flexibility of its provisions. Council Member Capowski suggested that the staff prepare a report an overview report on the Town's mixed-use ordinance. Council Member Brown suggested that the report include a broader focus to include economic and environmental matters.

Landfill and Solid Waste

Noting that the Council had recently reached consensus on its solid waste goals, Council Member Andresen suggested that the Town take a leadership role in these matters. Council Member Rimer said the Town of Carrboro and Orange County were currently evaluating the Town's solid waste goals and objectives. Mayor Broun noted that Mayor Kinnaird and Commission Chair Carey had indicated that their bodies would adopt solid waste goals in the near future. He said the Council could examine these goals upon their adoption by the other boards. Council Member Werner inquired about the status of the landfill site search process. Mr. Horton stated that the Orange County Commissioners had requested that the staff address questions concerning site selection and suitability. He added that the process appeared to be proceeding fairly well. Council Member Andresen noted that a private firm had expressed interest in building a waste incinerator in Chatham County.

University-Related Planning Matters

Mayor Broun noted that future use of the Horace Williams Airport would be one of the most important community events during the next half-century. Council Member Andresen said the situation offered an opportunity for the Town to develop a new working relationship with the University on matters such as conservation and appearance districts. Mayor Broun noted that the uncertainty of some university development posed some challenges. Council Member Werner asked whether districts for neighborhood protection were overlay districts. Mr. Karpinos said he was not necessarily of this opinion. Mr. Karpinos added that he would need to examine origins of statutory authority for appearance and conservation districts. Council Member Capowski noted that new conservation district regulations could possibly restrict current residents of the area.

Council Member Brown inquired about the Town's regulatory authority relative to parking decks on the university campus. Council Member Herzenberg noted that the Town had formerly had such authority. Mr. Karpinos noted development in the O&I-3 zoning district, covering the university campus area, was not subject to development review by the Council. Council Member Capowski inquired whether Council Member Andresen was suggesting changing the rules for O&I-3 zoning district regulations. Council Member Andresen said she was requesting that the staff explore the possibility of site plan review for such projects. Mr. Karpinos noted that the Development Ordinance had been changed several years ago to require special permits for all projects over twenty thousand square feet, except those in the O&I-3 zoning district. Council Member Werner inquired whether special use permits could be required for projects in the O&I-3 district. Mayor Broun said staff could provide follow-up information on special use permits relative to the O&I-3 zoning district. Council Member Chilton said barring new direction from the University, this matter merited serious consideration.

Parks and Recreation Facilities

Council Member Werner said he wanted to see additional neighborhood parks provided, possibly using payment-in-lieu funds, if the proper local legislation were granted. Mayor Broun noted that the provision of parks was a high priority for the Council. Mr. Horton noted that staff was preparing a report on concerning the feasibility of payment-in-lieu arrangements for parkland facilities.

Downtown-Related Concerns

Council Member Capowski said he sensed a general loss of pride in the downtown area. He suggested that the Hector's building needed to be boarded up as soon as possible. Mr. Horton said a pending bankruptcy proceeding had added complexity to this situation. He stated that the two primary options were to improve the property's appearance or demolish the burned-out structure. Mr. Horton suggested that a letter outlining the situation could possibly be forwarded to the bankruptcy judge handling the matter. Mayor Broun noted that Mr. Horton and himself had met with the property owner to discuss options concerning the property's condition. Council Member Rimer noted that former Mayor Howes might be able to assist with environmental concerns relative to fill dirt at the Top of the Hill site. Council Member Capowski inquired about the feasibility and cost of the Town boarding up the Hector's building. Mr. Karpinos advised that if the situation involved a public nuisance, it could be abated. Council Member Brown inquired about the anticipated timeframe for bankruptcy proceedings on the Hector's matter. Mayor Broun said the ultimate resolution could take one year or longer.

Council Member Herzenberg said he did not agree with the notion of the downtown being a depressed area. Council Member Andresen said she agreed with Council Member Capowski that the appearance of the downtown area could be improved. She noted that the activities of the Downtown Commission were proceeding well. Council Member Andresen inquired about the status of visitor service activities. She also proposed a meals tax to be earmarked for infrastructure improvements in the downtown area. Mr. Horton said the possibility of establishing a visitor services center in the downtown parking deck public plaza continued. He noted that the major objective was to establish the most efficient use of resources. Council Member Capowski said the Chamber of Commerce was amenable to having visitor services centrally located. Mr. Horton said the Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations were continuing to develop plans for a visitor information center.

Entranceways

Council Member Andresen inquired whether any recommendations from the Entranceways Task Force report were ever implemented. Mr. Horton said with the exception of a pilot program of tree planting on Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, the report had only been used conceptually. Council Member Andresen requested that the Manager provide a report on entranceways, including necessary rezonings, for the next fiscal year. Mr. Horton said he could do so, including information on the proposed entranceway marker project of the Bicentennial Committee.

Concluding Remarks

Council Member Powell suggested that council members take an active role to encourage public participation, particularly with regard to Town advisory boards and commissions. Council Member Andresen said she thought the assignment of council members as advisory board liaisons was working well. Mayor Broun suggested that the Council's Committee on procedural matters might make recommendations concerning ways to reduce the number of Council meetings. Mr. Horton said the staff would forward a draft summary of the meeting and related requests to the Council as soon as possible.

The session concluded at 3:48 p.m.