SUMMARY OF A SPECIAL MEETING HELD BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA, FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1997 AT 7:30 A.M.

 

Mayor Waldorf called the meeting to order.  Council Members in attendance were Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown,  Mark Chilton, Pat Evans, Richard Franck, Lee Pavao and Edith Wiggins.  Council Member Joe Capowski, was unable to attend, but was counted as present since he had attended the June 23rd meeting at which the special meeting was called. Also in attendance were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Parks and Recreation Director Mike Loveman,  Town Clerk Peter Richardson and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

 

Council Member Chilton stated that an excellent meeting and good discussions had taken place on Wednesday evening, June 25th to discuss proposed use of the Hargraves Center as a charter school.  Council Member Chilton said that the Association for Quality Schools was requesting a lease for one year, perhaps less.  He added that the proposed lease would contain a clause specifying that the Golden Age Happy Circle and the Women of Distinction would be able to use the building a couple of times throughout the year.  Council Member Chilton said that the proposed charter school had examined several different possible sites for the charter school, including the Lincoln School Gymnasium, which had proven to be inadequate sites.  He noted that several  local citizens, including Joann Shirer and Keith Edwards had expressed their support for executing a lease for use of the Hargraves Center with the Association for Quality Schools.

 

Referencing proposed conditions of the lease, Council Member Chilton said that the charter school officials had agreed to hold periodic meetings with neighborhood residents and school district officials.   He also specified that the charter school officials favored having a release clause for a lease term of one year or less.

 

Council Member Pavao inquired when the Hargraves Center might be remodeled.  Mr. Horton said it was his recollection that the building would be renovated in about two years. 

 

Council Member Wiggins commended Council Member Chilton for doing an excellent job of handling a situation with individuals having spirited and high feelings.  Council Member Andresen also thanked Council Member Chilton for his efforts. Council Member Andresen noted that Council Member Capowski had previously expressed concern that the Town might not be charging a sufficient fee in the proposed lease.  Mr. Horton noted that the lease was serving a community need for a non-profit organization. 

 

Council Member Chilton noted that the Hargraves Center site would be one of four different sites for charter schools around the community.  Council Member Wiggins noted that Keith Edwards had inquired whether leasing to this group would make it more difficult to say “no” to other group’s requests.  Mr. Horton said he did not think this would be the case.  Mayor Waldorf inquired whether or not students would be adequately supervised.   Council Member Chilton said although this had not been addressed directly at the meeting, the teacher to student ratio was very low.  Council Member Evans suggested that possibility that the lessor might pay a share of cable television monthly rental costs at the Hargraves Center.

COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 7.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A LEASE FOR A PORTION OF THE HARGRAVES RECREATION CENTER

(97-6-23/R-7)

 

WHEREAS, the Association for Quality Schools, Inc. has proposed to lease the Hargraves Recreation Center for use as a charter school site; and

 

WHEREAS, the Hargraves Recreation Center is normally not used during the days and hours requested; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby authorizes the Manager to negotiate and execute a lease agreement, on behalf of the Town, with the Association for Quality Schools, Inc., for approximately 3,500 square feet of the Hargraves Recreation Center on North Roberson Street, for the operation of a charter school during the period September 1, 1997 through May 31, 1998.  Such lease would generally include these conditions:

 

·        The Association would use the building from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The lease would begin September 1, 1997 and end May 31, 1998.

 

·        The charter school may use the grounds when not in use by the Town.

 

·        The Association would adhere to the Town’s non-discrimination standards.

 

·        The Association must receive written confirmation from all applicable State and local agencies that the building is suitable for charter school purposes.

 

·        All activities will be supervised by responsible adults.

 

·        With adequate notice, the Town may use up to six days of the Association’s time for currently unscheduled Town programs and events.

 

·        Use of the building would revert to the Town on all days that the public schools are not in session, including snow days, teacher work days, and holidays.

 

·        Use of the building would be limited to seminars, tutoring, group discussions, general meetings, arts and music activities, and lunches.

 

·        The Association will provide all school related supplies, materials, and equipment and will not require the use of storage at the Hargraves Recreation Center.

 

·        The Association may use the park’s outdoor facilities during times not used by the Town or Holmes Day Care.

 

·        The Town will not be responsible for loss of supplies or equipment due to theft, vandalism, or other reasons.

 

·        The Association will comply with Town accident/incident reporting procedures.

 

·        The Association will affirmatively acknowledge that the building has limitations as a school site, including inadequate storage, lack of furniture, limited parking, potential conflicts with construction, a small kitchen, and other limitations.

 

·        The Association will provide daily janitorial service.

 

·        The Association will make a monthly payment of $275.

 

·        The Town will provide water, sewage, and electricity.

 

·        If the Center building is damaged through charter school use, the Association will either make repairs or pay for repairs.

 

·        The Association will carry types and amounts of insurance required by the Town.

 

·        The Town will have the right to inspect the premises.

 

·        Either party may cancel the agreement with three months notice.

 

This the 23rd day of June 1997.

 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCK, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).

 

The meeting concluded at 7:59 a.m.