SUMMARY OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1997

 

Mayor Waldorf called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.  Council Members in attendance were Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joe Capowski, Mark Chilton, Richard Franck, Lee Pavao and Edith Wiggins.  Council Member Pat Evans was absent.  Also in attendance were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Planning Director Roger Waldon, Transportation Planner David Bonk, Assistant to the Manager Greg Feller and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

 

There were no ceremonies.

 

Item 2a  Public Hearing on Transportation Improvements Program

 

Chris Stamey suggested that the Council limit the Mount Carmel Church Road road improvements project to the addition of bicycle lanes, rather than widening the roadway to four lanes.   Stating that Mount Carmel Church Road was located in a beautiful area, Mr. Stamey said he did not understand why four lanes were needed along this stretch of roadway.

 

Margie Campion, representing the Culbreth School PSTA said that she and her contemporaries were concerned about the safety of school children walking along Culbreth Road to Culbreth Middle School.  Ms. Campion said that the Culbreth School PSTA would appreciate the Council’s consideration of using some State funds for this sidewalk project.

 

Ed Harrison, 58 Newton Drive, said that he was expressing his support for the fifth year in a row for a bicycle lane project along Pope Road and Ephesus Church Road.  Noting that he was not the only citizen or bicyclist who supported this project, Mr. Harrison urged the Council to keep this project near the top of its transportation improvements priority listing.

 

Joe Herzenberg, representing the Greenways Commission, said that the Commission was requesting that the Council do all it could to greenways projects relative to the transportation improvements program process.

 

Council Member Brown inquired about the relationship between the priority list before the Council this evening and previous priority listings.  Following a brief review of the listing, Mr. Bonk stated that projects which had been fully funded did not appear on the current listing.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN, TO REFER CITIZEN COMMENTS TO THE MANAGER.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

Item 2b  Public Hearing on Community Development Grant

 

Planning Director Roger Waldon said that the Town had received a request from the Public Housing Residents Council to allocate $25,000 to purchase a van to provide program transportation for children residing in public housing communities.

 

Reverend J. Franklin Bowden said although he liked the idea of purchasing a van for young people, he was concerned about the proposal to eliminate the Town’s bookmobile service.  Reverend Bowden also said he favored keeping the bookmobile because more children would have access to books than if the bookmobile ceased operations.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER

ANDRESEN, TO REFER THE MATTER TO THE TOWN MANAGER.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

Item 3   Petitions

 

Stating that more and more vehicles were using the Town’s streets, Eric Plow urged the Council to focus its efforts on keeping traffic moving.    Mr. Plow presented a written petition urging the Council not to install any more speed bumps or humps or other traffic control devices which would impede traffic on the Town’s roadways.  He asked the Council to study the ideas outlined in his letter to them. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRESEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCK, TO RECEIVE AND REFER THE PORTION OF MR. PLOW’S PETITION REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF SYNCHRONIZING TRAFFIC SIGNALS ALONG U.S. 15-501 TO TOWN STAFF.

 

Mayor Waldorf said she would vote against the motion because she believed that the whole petition should be referred to Town staff. 

 

Stating that she felt satisfied with the Council’s previous actions on Mr. Plow’s traffic-related concerns, Council Member Andresen suggested that the Council only refer point number eight to Town staff for a follow-up report.  Expressing his concurrence with Council Member Andresen’s observation, Council Member Chilton said he would vote in favor of the proposed motion.  Council Member Brown said she would also support the proposed motion.

 

THE MOTION TO REFER WAS ADOPTED BY A VOTE OF 6-2, WITH MAYOR WALDORF AND COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO VOTING NO.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER CAPOWSKI MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCK, TO REFER A PETITION FROM COBBLE RIDGE RESIDENTS REQUESTING THE INSTALLATION OF  SIDEWALKS ALONG CULBRETH ROAD TO THE MANAGER.

THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

Noting that she would not be able to attend the Council’s October 13th meeting, Council Member Andresen petitioned the Council to reschedule action on the Rosemary Street

Apartments zoning and special use permit applications until October 27th, rather than on October 13th, as presently scheduled.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRESEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCK, TO DELAY THE COUNCIL’S VOTE ON THE WEST ROSEMARY STREET APARTMENTS ZONING ATLAS AMENDMENT AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT REQUESTS TO OCTOBER 27TH.

 

Mayor Waldorf noted that Town staff would publicize the Council’s intent to reopen the hearing on this matter on October 13th to hear from citizens, then recess the hearing, with potential Council action on the applications taking place on October 27th. 

 

THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

Council Member Andresen also requested an update from the Mayor and the Council’s delegation regarding the status of discussions with neighbors of the landfill facility.  Council Member Chilton suggested that the Council schedule a time to discuss this matter.  He added that this working group would next meet on October 1st.  Mayor Waldorf said that this item could be scheduled on a future Council agenda for discussion.  Noting that the fiscal impacts were potentially significant, Council Member Capowski requested that the staff’s follow-up report include transit-related and other cost estimates.  Mayor Waldorf suggested that staff prepare a potential action item for the Council’s October 13th agenda, including a response to Council Member Capowski’s question about costs.  Council Member Chilton suggested that notices be sent out to the Neighborhood Working Group.  Mr. Horton said that staff hoped to be able to assist the Council with this matter by October 13th.  There was Council concurrence for staff to prepare a follow-up item for the October 13th Council meeting.

 

Items 4.1 and 4.2  Consent  Agenda and Information Reports

 

COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 1.   THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

A RESOLUTION ADOPTING VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES

(97-9-22/R-1)

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby adopts the following resolutions and ordinances as submitted by the Town Manager in regard to the following:

 

a.              Minutes of July 2 and 3, 1997.

b.             Bid awards for Front Loader Refuse Packer (R-2).

c.              Report to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development on use of     Comprehensive Grants for Public Housing improvements (R-3).

d.             Accepting third annual traffic enforcement grant for the Police Department (R-4).

e.              Approving plans for a small park at the Elliott Road fire station (R-5)

f.               Calling a public hearing on changing the term “open space” in the Development Ordinance (R-6).

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF A CAB & CHASSIS WITH FRONT LOADER REFUSE PACKER BODY (97-22-9/R-2)

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has solicited formal bids by legal notice in The Chapel Hill News/Village Advocate Classifieds on August 17, 1997, in accordance with G.S. 143-129 for the purchase of a front loader refuse truck; and

 

WHEREAS, the following bids have been received and opened on September 10, 1997:

 

            VENDOR                                                                    BID

 

Amick Equipment Co., Inc.

Lexington, South Carolina                                                         $139,395.91

 

Cavalier Equipment Corp.

Cloverdale, Virginia                                                                  $133,073.08

 

Lodal South, Inc.

Rockingham, North Carolina                                                     $140,366.00

 

McNeilus Truck & Mfg. Co.

Litha Springs, Georgia                                                  $141,328.43

 

Southern Truck Service

Charlotte, North Carolina                                                         $134,689.00

 

WHEREAS, as the bid from McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing Co. was found to be the lowest responsive bid to the specifications;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town accepts the bid of McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing Co, in the amount of $141,328.43.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

A RESOLUTION APPROVING PEROFRMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORTS FOR GRANT YEARS 1993, 1994, 1995, AND 1996 (97-9-22/R-3)

 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires the submission of a Performance and Evaluation Report for Comprehensive Grant Program Annual statements where funds are being expended, and

 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of  Housing and Urban Development requires that the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill approve the Performance and Evaluation Reports;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council, approves the attached Performance and Evaluation Reports and authorizes the Manager to submit them to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF TRAFFIC GRANT FUNDS FROM THE GOVERNOR’S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM (97-9-22/R-4)

 

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program has made funds available to local law enforcement agencies to enhance traffic safety and enforcement initiatives; and

 

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the Town of Chapel Hill to ensure quality traffic enforcement and safety services to its citizens; and

 

WHEREAS, the first two years of  operation under the traffic grant have resulted in a significant increase in the level of traffic enforcement and traffic safety on Town roadways;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to accept the $94,964 in grant funds from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program and to provide a local match of $97,814 as stipulated in the traffic grant.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FINAL DESIGN PLAN FOR A MINI-PARK AT FIRE STATION #3 AND AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO SCHEDULE ITS CONSTRUCTION UTILIZING AVAILABLE FUNDING (97-9-22/R-5)

 

WHEREAS, a mini-park at Fire Station #3 was a recommendation of the East Franklin Street Corridor Study, and this study is a component of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan; and

 

WHEREAS, a final design has been prepared by Town staff and approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Design Review Board/Appearance Commission; and

 

WHEREAS, $7,500 is currently available within the Town’s Small Park Improvement fund and $1,500 is available within the Public Works Department’s materials and supplies accounts to cover the estimated cost of constructing the mini-park;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby approves the proposed final design plan and authorizes the Town Manager to schedule its construction within the current fiscal year.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

A RESOLUTION CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER CHANGING THE TERM “OPEN SPACE” IN THE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE (97-9-22/R-6)

 

WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council has expressed concern about the term “open space” in the Development Ordinance; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town Council has indicated a desire to consider changing the term “open space” to another term such as “uncovered space”;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby calls a Public Hearing for Monday, November 17, 1997 to consider the proposed amendment to the Development Ordinance.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

There were no items removed from Information Reports for discussion.

 

Item 5  Board and Commission Appointments

 

COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, TO APPOINT ALL CURRENT APPLICANTS TO THE NOISE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE AND BICYCLE PLANNING TASK FORCE.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

THE COUNCIL ALSO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPOINT WILLIAM GREEN TO SERVE AS AN ALTERNATE ON THE TOWN’S BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

 

Item  6  Report by Horace Williams Airport Committee

 

Fred Black, Chair of the Horace Williams Airport Committee, commended all  of the Committee

members, including Council Members Andresen and Wiggins, for their efforts in compiling the Committee’s report and recommendations.  Mr. Black stated that the Committee’s two main recommendations were that:  (1) the University reinstate a ban on jet operations at Horace Williams Airport and (2) an Authority be developed relative to operations at Horace Williams Airport.   Mr. Black noted that all eight members of the Horace Williams Airport Committee had expressed their willingness to serve on a future committee to work with University officials on airport-related matters.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER WIGGINS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, FOR THE COUNCIL TO RECEIVE THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT, ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUEST THAT MAYOR WALDORF

FORWARD A COPY OF THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT TO CHANCELLOR HOOKER AND UNC SYSTEM PRESIDENT BROAD.

 

Council Member Capowski asked for a better definition of the word “Authority” from Mr. Black.

Mr. Black said although the Committee was not sure that an “Authority” was needed, the Committee did feel there was a need for an entity to hear complaints and make recommendations relative to operations at Horace Williams Airport.    Expressing concurrence with the need for an opportunity to have balanced citizen input on airport-related matters, Council Member Capowski said he did not know whether or not he was ready to sign on to the idea of having an authority which might take away some of the Council’s power in this regard.  Mr. Black said that the Committee was simply suggesting that a dialogue be undertaken with the University on this matter.  Mayor Waldorf said that the language in point number two of the Committee’s recommendations was sufficiently descriptive.

 

Noting that the Committee had some concern about the word “Authority”, Council Member Andresen said there was not a desire on the Committee’s part to have an appointed advisory board.  She stated that the principal role of the entity would be to get negotiations started on airport-related concerns.   Mr. Black said that an intermediate step would be determining who had decision-making power on behalf of the University, the University System President or the University’s Chancellor.

 

Council Member Pavao said it seemed reasonable to take the Committee’s report as a starting point for discussions with University officials about finding a decision making mechanism on airport matters.

 

THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

Item 8  Protection of Cane Creek Water Quality

 

Mr. Horton thanked Greg Feller, Assistant to the Manager, for his many years of excellent service to the Town and its citizens.

 

Assistant to the Manager Greg Feller presented an overview of the item, noting that key issues were land-use controls and impervious surface limitations.  Council Member Andresen requested a clarification about Orange County’s “flexible development” option.  Mr. Feller noted that the flexible development option was available in most parts of Orange County, with overall densities of more than two units per acre not permitted.  Council Member Andresen said that one of the objectives of this program was to not encourage water and sewer service in watersheds.  Mr. Horton said that it was critically important for Orange County to enforce provisions regarding septic fields and related reserve train field areas.  Council Member Capowski asked whether or not the flexible development option was part of the current Orange County ordinance.  Mr. Feller said it was, noting that the concept was similar to the development clustering option in the Town’s Development Ordinance.

 

Noting that the adoption of Resolution suggested that about $6 million would be expended for the purchase of about 1,300 acres of land, Council Member Capowski said he would like to know which land might be purchased.  Mr. Horton said it was not possible at this time to determine where specific land purchases would take place.  He added that these costs would be spread out over a long period of time.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCK MOVED, SECONDED BY  COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 9.

 

Council Member Andresen said she favored option one as the most environmentally protective. She also expressed concern that the flexible development option had not been introduced until the last meeting of the task force.  

 

Council Member Brown inquired about the process by which alternatives would be worked out.

Mr. Horton said that the OWASA Board would be leading this process and would be seeking approvals from the Orange County Board of Commissioners.  He added that OWASA would be carrying out the overall program after seeking guidance from elected boards in the community.

Stating that the proposed resolution seemed to be fairly general, Council Member Brown asked whether or not specific plans would be coming back to individual governing boards for comments.  Mr. Horton said that OWASA had a good recent record of seeking advice from local governing bodies.

 

Council Member Brown suggested the possibility of asking OWASA to bring back plans as they developed.  Stating that  the process was somewhat involved, Council Member Andresen said she was comfortable that the process had been an inclusive one, including all stakeholders to the table.

Mayor Waldorf  noted that the Orange County Commissioners would need to make zoning decisions regarding watershed protection matters.   Council Member Andresen said that she was advocating for option 1a.  Council Member Franck said he generally concurred with leaving in options regarding the flexibility option and the five-acre minimum.   Mayor Waldorf said that she supported OWASA’s provisional recommendations.

 

Council Member Chilton said he believed that Council Member Andresen was suggesting the removal of the language regarding the two-acre development flexibility option.   Council Member Andresen said that she was looking for a middle ground.  Council Member Franck said although he could sympathize with this, the Council needed to honor the fact that stakeholders had been at the table.

 

Council Member Andresen said she believed that the development controls recommended by the Committee offered the highest level of watershed protection.

 

Council Member Capowski said that more financial information about impacts on OWASA rate payers was needed prior to proceeding with the acquisition of land.   Stating that the Committee had looked at the costs of a number of different options, Council Member Andresen said that not protecting the Cane Creek Reservoir would be infinitely more expensive than purchasing land.  Council Member Capowski requested specific cost details.  Stating that detailed cost information had been presented in at least two Council meetings, Council Member Franck said that land acquisition costs were a reasonable price to pay for the best level of water quality.  Stating that he was not against the proposal, Council Member Capowski said he simply wanted to know how much it would cost.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER CAPOWSKI MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL RECEIVE MORE FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF LAND IN THE WATERSHED BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH SUCH PURCHASES.  THE MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.

 

Emphasizing the importance of continued serious water conservation efforts, Council Member Chilton said that all of the efforts to protect drinking water would be for naught if Town residents would be drinking lesser quality water from Jordan Lake in fifteen years.

 

Council Member Andresen noted that vigorous efforts to acquire land around reservoirs had been in place since such efforts were initiated by former late Mayor James C. Wallace and other elected officials at that time.  She noted that these efforts had proven successful.

 

RESOLUTION 9, AS AMENDED, WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

A RESOLUTION REGARDING  PROTECTING  THE QUALITY OF WATER

IN THE CANE CREEK RESERVOIR (97-9-22/R-9)

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council adopts the following comments on protecting the quality of water in the Cane Creek reservoir, which is the community’s largest water supply source:

 

·        The Council generally concurs with the provisional recommendations presented to the Council by OWASA in August, 1997.

 

·        The Council believes that the five-acre minimum may offer a higher level of water quality protection.

 

·        The Council also requests that Orange County rigorously enforce regulations for reserve field

      areas in the case of septic tank failures.

 

*    The Council concurs that overall impervious surface limits should remain at six percent for

      residential development and twelve percent for non-residential developments.

·        The Council authorizes the Mayor to submit this resolution to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and OWASA Board with a request to receive a copy of their recommendations.

 

·        The Council authorizes the Mayor to submit this resolution to the Orange and Alamance County Commissioners and/or to work with OWASA and Town of Carrboro representatives to submit joint comments to the County Boards of Commissioners reflecting points of agreement.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

Item 9  Public Access Advisory Committee

 

Robert Joesting, Chair of the Public Access Advisory Committee, presented a brief review of the Committee’s report.  Council Member Andresen inquired how the members of the People’s Channel Board would be appointed.  Mr. Feller said that the board would be self-perpetuating, with the Town not being involved in First Amendment decisions.   Noting that the proposed contract had a limited term, Mr. Horton said this would give the People’s Channel a chance to produce programming and seek proposals.   

 

Council Member Andresen asked how the People’s Channel planned to be responsive to the Committee’s needs.  Mr. Joesting said that one specific point which had been emphasized was making sure that significant promotion be given to the entire community about programming opportunities.  He stated that special efforts would be made to encourage all people to get involved.

 

Council Member Capowski said he saw this as a marvelous opportunity to bring locally produced programming into local homes.  Council Member Andresen said she hoped that the People’s Channel would put out a simple brochure and telephone number regarding its services.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER CAPOWSKI MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 10.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NEGOTIATION OF A PROPOSED AGREEMENT

FOR MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAMMING  (97-9-22/R-10)

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Chapel Hill Town Council that the Council authorizes the Manager to:

 

1.      negotiate a proposed agreement with The Peoples Channel, Inc. for managing the public access channel(s) on the cable television system consistent with the Council’s objectives and related items set forth in the Request for Proposals as adopted in May.

 

2.      submit the proposed agreement to the Public Access Advisory Committee for comments and recommendations to the Council.

 

3.      submit the proposed agreement to the Town Council for consideration.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

Item 10  Homestead Road Improvements

 

Transportation Planner David Bonk reviewed the request by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to expand a three-lane cross-section of Homestead Road from High School Road to NC 86.

 

Council Member Franck inquired whether or not it was likely that the Department of Transportation would take the Council’s advice on this matter.   Stating that the three-lane option was fairly far along, Mr. Bonk said that it was clearly a positive thing that the Department of Transportation was asking for the Town’s input on this project.   Council  Member Andresen asked who was lobbying for the five-lane option.   Noting that he was not aware of any such effort, Mr. Bonk said that the three-lane option involved spending a substantial amount of money.  Council Member Andresen inquired whether or not the Town of Carrboro would support three travel lanes with bicycle lanes.  Mr. Bonk said that Town of Carrboro staff had indicated that it was likely that the Board of Aldermen would support three lanes.

 

Dr. William Wood, a fifty-year resident of Orange County, said that he owned property along Homestead Road.   Stating that the Homestead Road area represented a community, Dr. Wood said that although he very strongly opposed a five-lane road, he did favor an absolute maximum of a three-lane roadway with bicycle paths.   Dr. Wood also said that he seriously questioned putting in sidewalks along both sides of Homestead Road.

 

Sylvia Stanat, a resident of Homestead Road since 1967, said that she did not like the appearance of sprawl in the Town.  Ms. Stanat said that her neighbor Ms. Maddry had given her access to her property from Homestead Road.   She expressed concern that the existing 35 miles per hour speed limit along Homestead Road would become unenforceable if the roadway were expanded to five lanes.  Ms. Stanat said that she favored having striped bicycle lanes along Homestead Road.

 

Martin Rody, a member of the Northwest Small Area Plan Committee, said that the Committee, noting the need for more east-west roads in the Town, had anticipated that both Eubanks and Homestead Roads would be expanded to five lanes in the future.   Mr. Rody said he believed that expanding Homestead Road to five lanes within fifteen years would be essential.

 

Anne Maddry, 2510 Homestead Road, said that although she realized there was a need to upgrade Homestead Road, she would oppose expanding the roadway to five lanes.  Ms. Maddry said that a five-lane road was not justified.  Ms. Maddry requested that the Council give strong consideration to three-lane option.

 

Council Member Franck suggested that Resolution 11 be amended to state “a maximum” of three lanes.  Council Member Chilton suggested adding a sentence expressing the Council’s appreciation for having the opportunity to comment on the proposed roadway project.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCK MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 11, AS AMENDED, AND THAT A SUMMARY OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY RESIDENTS OF HOMESTEAD ROAD BE FORWARDED TO NCDOT ALONG WITH THE RESOLUTION.

 

Council Member Brown inquired about the status of the sidewalk portion of the project.  Mr. Bonk said that staff was recommending that STP funds be used for sidewalks and curb and guttering along Homestead Road.   Council Member Andresen inquired whether or not sidewalks were needed on both sides of Homestead Road.  Mr. Bonk said that the near term need for sidewalks was on the south side of Homestead Road, in order to access the Southern Orange County Human Services Center.

 

Council Member Capowski asked whether the Council was best to request sidewalks now or to play  “catch up”  in the future.  Mr. Horton said he believed that it was best for the Town to seek sidewalks when they were available, because they would likely be more difficult to get in the future.  He also noted that the future access road to the Northern Community Park would be from the north side of Homestead Road.

 

RESOLUTION 11, AS AMENDED, WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT HOMESTEAD ROAD, BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL ROAD AND N.C. 86, BE IMPROVED TO THREE LANES, WITH FIVE- FOOT BIKE LANES, CURB AND GUTTER AND SIDEWALKS (97-9-22/R-11)

 

WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee and the North Carolina Department of Transportation have included improvements to Homestead Road in the Metropolitan and State Transportation Improvement Program; and

 

WHEREAS, these improvements included widening to a three-lane cross-section; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town supports the inclusion of five-foot bike lanes and sidewalks as part of this project;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council supports the widening of Homestead Road, between High School Road and N.C. 86, to include only three lanes, with five-foot bike lanes, curb and gutter and sidewalks.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council expresses its grateful appreciation to the

North Carolina Department of Transportation for having the opportunity to comment on this

project proposal.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

Item 11  Mayor’s Items

 

Designation of NLC and NCLM Delegates

 

COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN, TO DESIGNATE MAYOR WALDORF AS THE COUNCIL’S NCLM VOTING DELEGATE WITH NO ALTERNATE AND TO DESIGNATE COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCK AS THE COUNCIL’S NLC DELEGATE, WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS PAVAO AND ANDRESEN, TO SERVE AS FIRST AND SECOND ALTERNATE DELEGATES RESPECTIVELY.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

A RESOLUTION REGARDING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES

TO THE NC LEAGUE OF MUNICPALITIES’ AND NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES’ ANNUAL MEETINGS  (97-9-22/R-12)

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby designates Mayor Rosemary Waldorf to serve as the Council’s voting delegate to the NC League of Municipalities’ annual Meeting.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council hereby designates Council Member Richard Franck to serve as the Council’s voting delegate to the National League of Cities’ annual meeting, and Council Members Lee Pavao and Julie Andresen to serve as  the alternate delegates.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

Setting Meeting with OWASA Board (October 27th)

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCK MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 13.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

A RESOLUTION SCHEDULING A MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY (97-9-22/R-13)

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council will meet with the OWASA Board of Directors at 5:30 p.m. on October 27, 1997 in the Council Chamber at Town Hall, 306 North Columbia Street.

 

This the 22nd day of September, 1997.

 

Orange-Chatham Work Group

 

Mayor Waldorf said she was proposing that representatives from applicable governing boards attend a work group meeting on Wednesday, October 1st at the Chapel Hill Town Hall.   Mayor Waldorf invited Council comments and input on the structure of the Work Group.   The Council authorized the Work Group to proceed in concept, with ongoing input from the Council.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, FOR THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING A PERSONNEL MATTER AS AUTHORIZED BY GENERAL STATUTE SECTION 143-318.11(A) (6).    THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).

 

No report followed the closed session.   The regular meeting stood adjourned at 9:07 p.m.