PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1998 AT 7:00 P.M.

Mayor Rosemary Waldorf called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Council members present were Flicka Bateman, Joyce Brown, Joe Capowski, Pat Evans, Kevin Foy, Julie McClintock (arrived at 7:06), Lee Pavao, and Edith Wiggins. Staff members present were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos, Finance Director Jim Baker, Assistant to the Manager Ruffin Hall, Transportation Planner David Bonk, and Deputy Town Clerk Joyce Smith.

Item #1 - Public Hearing on the 1998-99 Recommended Budget, 1998-2003 Recommended

Capital Improvements Program, and the 1998-99 Downtown Service District Tax

Town Manager Cal Horton gave a brief introduction, stating the Council had already conducted two forums on the recommended budget. He noted the recommended tax rate increase proposed in General Fund is 1 cent, from 53.8 cents to 54.8 cents, with no change in the Transportation Fund.

Steve Wallace asked that the Council delete funding for the drug education program in the public schools, known as DARE. He stated the school system had asked for funding to be continued, but he believes this was a deliberately misinformed decision. Mr. Wallace noted that there is a significant increase of drug use among school-aged children, and that the DARE program is not working, and in fact is causing great harm to our children at taxpayers’ expense. He offered a video tape for the Council's review which he states proves his statements as true. He said the only thing the Council is doing by supplying the $72,000 in funding is promoting drug use among our children. Mr. Wallace stated many children interpret DARE to be Drugs Are Really Exciting, more proof that this program has become ineffective.

Ted Vaden asked for the Council's support in the YMCA's expansion campaign so that more services could be provided to the community. He noted this campaign would include construction of a new youth wing, as well as a child care facility and a new full-size gym. Mr. Vaden noted a teen center would be added, which would be designed for middle-school to early high-school aged children. Mr. Vaden stated they had asked the Council for $15,000, and believed it would produce a great return in service to the community.

Council Member McClintock asked if information could be provided on the numbers of disadvantaged youth that might be served by the expansion program. Mr. Vaden said he would provide that information, adding that many disadvantage youth are now being served, and that a scholarship program is in place for low-income children and families.

Sue Russell, Executive Director of Day Care Services Association, said they were asking for the Council's support in providing $50,000 in one-time funding of a permanent structure so that quality child care could continue to be provided to the community. She noted that Day Care Services Association is dedicated to serving children and their families, with services targeted to child care providers through whom better quality services can be rendered to children. Ms. Russell stated scholarships are provided to families who are unable to afford the services.

Mayor Waldorf asked Ms. Russell to forward a copy of their budget to the Council. Ms. Russell agreed. Mayor Waldorf also asked if a similar request would be made to Orange County, Hillsborough and Carrboro.

Maggie Burnett, an employee in the Public Works Department, addressed the compression issue relating to the pay plan. She noted the recommended budget is offering a 4.75% increase to all employees, but all employees will not receive that increase, namely those long-term employees with more than five years of service. Ms. Burnett stated that with the current pay system, employees who exemplify an acceptable or exceptional work performance will receive less than a 4.75% increase if he/she is at or less than 4.74% from the top of the pay grade. She stated that if the Council adopts the recommended pay plan, then it is only fair to ensure than all employees are compensated fairly.

Mayor pro tem Capowski asked what was the formula for retirement pay? Mr. Horton stated it was set by the State, using credited service time and the amount of salary earned in the highest five years of service at retirement.

Chris van Hassell, representing the Bicycle Task Force, noted the Task Force had asked for $1,500 in funding for a fall event to promote bicycle use and safety. He said the Task Force is proposing that the Town take a more active role in promoting bicycle use, and proposed a Bike Day for next May to educate citizens about safe biking and to promote bicycle use and safety. Mr. van Hassell noted the celebration could include a bike race, a trick bike demonstration, and other activities. He stated the Task Force planned to staff a booth at Festifall to promote interest in bicycle use and safety. Mr. van Hassell also asked for funding for a staff person to work on these issues.

Mayor Waldorf asked if there were enough members working on the Task Force. Mr. van Hassell said he believes so, but it was difficult to get everyone at each meeting due to personal schedules.

Council Member Brown asked what other communities had staff support. Mr. van Hassell noted that Portland and Boulder had similar programs.

Jesse Eversole asked that the Council keep pedestrians in mind as developments are approved and traffic issues are decided. He noted it was important that children have safe places to cross the street. Mr. Eversole added a pedestrian mall would be an asset to the community.

Council Member McClintock asked where a pedestrian mall might be located. Mr. Eversole said he lives on Weaver Dairy Road, and he could walk to Chapel Hill North if he could safely cross Weaver Dairy Road. He asked that when enhancements are done in neighborhoods and in other areas that pedestrian access play a greater role.

Mayor Waldorf stated that on June 8 the staff report on sidewalk improvements would be discussed.

Mayor pro tem Capowski noted that he had once attempted to walk from the Holiday Inn to the 501 Diner, and was not able to cross the U.S. 15-501 bypass.

Blair Pollock spoke on Chapel Hill's 1988 bike plan, noting many of the priorities from that report are still relevant now. He said that bike paths from Phillips Middle School to Airport Road, which had been proposed in the 1988 plan, had not been implemented, and encouraged the Council to take another look at that plan and implement it as funding permits. Mr. Pollock said the proposed improvements for the capital budget for bikeways shows a projected expenditure of $860,000, and hopes that a portion of those funds could be earmarked to implement some of those bikeway and sidewalk projects.

Council Member McClintock stated that the Council had discussed the DARE program during last year's budget deliberations, and felt it was time to cease this program and look for something better. She asked that the Manager make recommendations on other options for the Council's consideration.

Council Member Brown stated that when this program had been discussed in the past, Mr. Wallace had noted that there were other programs available.

Council Member Bateman said she believed this money could be better used for child care for low-income families.

Council Member Wiggins asked the Manager to report back to the Council as to why the school system would want to continue the DARE program in light of the information presented tonight.

Mayor pro tem Capowski asked if the program subject matter was decided by the schools. Mr. Horton stated yes. Mayor pro tem Capowski asked what the funds were used for. Mr. Horton answered staffing for the program.

Mayor pro tem Capowski said he would support the $1,500 funding requested by the Bicycle Task Force. He noted that the Transportation Board had recommended that the sidewalk/bikeways funding category in the Capital Improvements Program be increased to $100,000 annually, and asked what we would receive in return. Mr. Horton noted he would supply that information.

Council Member Wiggins asked if the Council had received the final figures on the cost of providing a 4.75% increase in pay for employees, and what that amount would mean to the tax rate. Mr. Horton said that information had already been provided to the Council, and he would do so again.

Council Member Wiggins said she would like to know what the YMCA would use the Town's $15,000 for, adding it seemed to be a small amount.

Council Member Evans said the cost of building recreation facilities is very high.

Mr. Horton noted he had accepted a position on the Board of the YMCA, and therefore had remained silent on this issue. He stated that Assistant Managers Loewenthal or Miller would answer any questions, but he believed he may have a conflict of interest which should be disclosed.

Mayor Waldorf said there was no question in her mind that there is a great need for a facility such as that proposed by the YMCA.

Council Member Foy noted that increased funding is being sought for bikeways and sidewalks, and asked how the Manager would respond to that. He asked would funds be shifted in order to increase funding. Mr. Horton stated that options would be offered for the Council's consideration, adding that a five-year program would best utilize the funding available. Council Member Foy asked would this change the Manager's recommendation for a tax increase. Mr. Horton said it would depend on what the Council asked for, noting that some savings had already been identified as well as some additional revenues.

Council Member Evans said the Planning Board had recommended that Streetscape be fully funded.

Council Member Bateman noted that a letter had been received from the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, requesting day care funding for families affected by the Work First program. Mayor Waldorf asked if they had requested funding through the Human Services Advisory Board. Council Member Bateman answered she believed so.

Council Member McClintock said the Council had discussed not making small allocations outside of the Human Services Advisory Board’s recommendation, and added that maybe the DARE funding should be turned over the Board.

Council Member Brown said she believed those funds should probably go back to the Police Department, since those funds cover the two police officers who work on the DARE program.

Council Member Evans said speeding continued to be a Town-wide problem, and maybe those two officers could be better used in abating the speeding problem.

Mayor pro tem Capowski said he did not necessarily believe removing the two officers from the schools was a good idea.

Mayor Waldorf said there was an officer assigned to each of the high schools who was not involved in the DARE program. Mr. Horton stated the staff would bring a report back to the Council with information on the DARE program. He noted there had not been a police officer assigned to Chapel Hill High School for some time.

Council Member McClintock asked in the DARE program, are all of the funds used for staffing. Mr. Horton said a small amount, maybe $2,000, is used for materials.

COUNCIL MEMBER PAVÃO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO REFER THESE ITEMS TO THE MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Item #2 - Public Hearing on the Draft 2025 Regional

Transportation Plan Goals and Objectives

Transportation Planner David Bonk gave a brief overview of the Draft 2025 Regional Transportation Plan Goals and objectives. He noted that the staff report listed some suggested revisions.

Mayor pro tem Capowski stated that emphasis should be placed on maintenance.

Council Member McClintock asked if the report included air standards and the impact of air pollution in relation to road construction. Mr. Bonk answered that issue was covered under Goal #6, Protection of Natural Environment.

Mayor Waldorf noted this is critical due to new federal guidelines which must be met by 2005. Mr. Bonk stated we would start to accumulate violations beginning this year and this will continue for three years.

Council Member Evans asked what would receiving a violation mean to the Town. Mr. Bonk explained that it would place us in the category of an urban area with a violation, and transportation funding could be reduced. Mr. Horton added it could put us in a situation where the federal government could actively cut off funding. Mr. Bonk noted inspection programs could become more severe.

Council Member Brown asked how violations were determined. Mr. Bonk said with monitors that are now in place. Mr. Horton said we have a monitor in place that measures carbon monoxide and we are working with the State to find a place for an ozone monitor. Mr. Bonk said the monitors would detect where the ozone "hot spots" are located.

COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVÃO, TO REFER THIS ITEM TO THE MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCIL MEMBER PAVÃO MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO ADJOURN THE PUBLIC HEARING. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

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The public hearing was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.