SUMMARY MINUTES OF A REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE

CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL, NOVEMBER 23, 1998, AT 7:00 P.M.

 

Mayor 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 and Edith Wiggins.  Council Members Julie McClintock and Lee Pavăo were absent excused.  Also in attendance were Town Manager Cal Horton, Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Planning Director Roger Waldon, Development Coordinator J.B. Culpepper, Assistant to the Manager Ruffin Hall, Transportation Director Bob Godding, Library Director Kathy Thompson, Police Chief Ralph Pendergraph, Fire Chief Dan Jones, Police Captain Gregg Jarvies, Internal Services Superintendent Bill Terry, Computer Systems Specialist Bob Avery and Acting Town Clerk Toni Pendergraph.

 

Item 1 — Recognition of Retired Town Employees

 

Mayor Waldorf congratulated the following five retiring Town employees and thanked them for their years of service:  Barbara Davis (30 years, Library), Robert Degraffenreid (7 years, Transportation), Lamont Durham (26 years, Fire), Catherine Atkinson (17 years, Transportation) and Katrinka Borders (31 years, Transportation and Police).

 

Item 5a

Edwin Danziger asked to speak early regarding the Manager’s response to a petition on placing telecommunications towers in the University Lake Watershed portion of the Joint Planning Area’s rural buffer.  Mr. Danziger asked, rhetorically, if the Council intended to let the Orange County Planning Department assume authority for defining terms, such as “commercial use,” for areas in which Chapel Hill has an interest.

 

Mr. Danziger said that if the County is permitted to define “commercial use” then it may also define terms such as “industrial use” according to its own interpretation.  He stated that land use zoning and planning can be done indirectly through interpretation and definition of words, and suggested that this is being done in the University Lake Watershed because telecommunications towers are not legally permitted to be preemptively planned or zoned out of a given area.  Mr. Danziger repeated his argument that changes in the interpretation of critical words used in  ordinances can affect areas that the Town may wish to protect.  He also said that the University Lake Watershed issue should be reviewed by towns that have an interest, such as Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

 

Council Member Foy noted that the main point of the Manager’s memo was that Special Use Permits were not within the purview of the Council in the way that land use planning was. 

 

Mr. Danziger said that his point was that Orange County already is doing land use planning by changing the definition of words such as “commercial use” without the Council and the Carrboro Aldermen having a chance to look at the new definition.

 

Mr. Horton stated that he did not have an immediate opinion on what Mr. Danziger had said, but that he would consider it. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN, TO REFER THE ISSUE BACK TO THE MANAGER FOR COMMENT WITH SPECIFIC REGARD TO MR. DANZIGER’S CONCERNS.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).

 

Item 2 — Public Hearing on Special Use Permit Application for Village Charter School

 

Development Coordinator J. B. Culpepper explained that the application proposes converting an existing house on the Carol Woods property into elementary school classrooms.  She said that the proposal would require modifying the Carol Woods Retirement Community’s Special Use Permit to allow this new use of a small portion of the property.  Ms. Culpepper stated that the staff had reviewed the application and had preliminarily recommended approval with several special conditions:  1) there should be  a “staff only” sign in the driveway; 2) the school should continue to use the refuse facilities at Cedar Falls Courtyard; 3) there should be some additional plantings in the front; 4) the permit should omit standard stipulations relating to erosion control plans and stormwater management plans; and 5) the permit should omit the solid waste management plan stipulation.  Ms. Culpepper noted that the recommendation also suggests not requiring the applicant to return to the Design Commission for a final sign-off on exterior building elevations.  She suggested that the Council begin its discussion by considering what property is contiguous to this application.

 

Mayor Waldorf asked Ms. Culpepper and Mr. Karpinos if the Council should define “contiguous” before hearing from the applicant.  Mr. Karpinos recommended making the determination at the conclusion of evidence.  He noted that the definition could be broadened prior to voting if additional information came back at the next meeting.

 

Sadie S. Jordan, representing the Village Charter School, stated that the staff’s recommendations were in accordance with the school’s plans and were necessary for expansion. 

 

Nancy Adams, speaking as a private citizen, thanked the Council for considering the application and requested a waiver of  fees for the school.

 

Mayor Waldorf stated that the Planning Board and the Transportation Board would now review the application and would report back on December 7th.  She added that the Council has a preliminary opinion from the Design Commission.  Mayor Waldorf asked if the applicant wanted to add anything to the conditions of approval.  

 

Mayor pro tem Capowski asked Ms. Jordan how many children were in the school.  Ms. Jordan replied that there were 15 first-graders and 12 kindergartners. 

 

Mayor pro tem Capowski asked if the school provides bus service to its students.  Ms. Jordan replied that it does, adding that moving to the new location would not lead to an increase in traffic.

 

Council Member Bateman asked if the new site was on a sewer or septic system.  Ms. Jordan replied that it was a sewer system. 

 

Council Member Foy asked the length of the lease.  Ms. Jordan said that was pending Council approval but that she had proposed one year. 

 

Council Member Evans suggested that the Town’s planning staff review the sign’s location to make sure that it does not encourage traffic in the staff parking area. 

 

Mayor pro tem Capowski noted that the school is asking for a waiver of Town fees for the application even though it is funded by North Carolina’s per pupil allocation.  Ms. Jordan replied that the school budget was extremely small and the school needs as much assistance as it can get.

 

Mayor Waldorf asked for a motion on what the Council wishes to decide is contiguous to this property. 

 

Council Member Evans pointed out that this application shows how complicated the Council has made the process of determining contiguous property. 

 

MAYOR PRO TEM CAPOWSKI MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL DEFINE “CONTIGUOUS,” IN THIS CASE, AS LITERALLY TOUCHING. 

 

Mr. Karpinos stated that Mayor pro tem Capowski’s motion was out of order under the ordinance, which sets a minimum of 1,000 feet for an application involving more than 100 acres. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM CAPOWSKI, THAT ALL PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 1,000 FEET RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT LOCATION.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).

 

Council Member Foy asked the Manager if the Special Use Permit would be affected if the school were to become profitable.  Mr. Horton replied that it would not affect the permit because the Special Use Permit addresses the nature of the use, not the private or public nature of the school. 

 

Council Member Foy pointed out that the permit would be permanently attached to this portion of the Carol Woods property.

 


Mayor pro tem Capowski asked what would happen if the school became so successful that automobiles became a problem.  Mr. Horton explained that the school would still have to work within the physical limits of the present property.  He added that they could modify that only with the Council’s approval. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO RECESS THE HEARING TO DECEMBER 7TH AND TO REFER IT BACK TO THE STAFF.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0). 

 

Mayor Waldorf explained to the audience that the Council never takes action on the night of the first public hearing.  She added that the Council will be able to act when the application comes back to them on December 7th. 

 

Item 3 — Petitions

 

Item 3a—Neil Pedersen, Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Superintendent

Mr. Pedersen petitioned the Council to expedite the review process for the new middle school on Seawell School Road.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOY, TO RECEIVE AND REFER A PETITION FROM THE CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOLS REQUESTING AN EXPEDITED REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED MIDDLE SCHOOL ON SEAWELL ROAD.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0). 

 

Item 3b—Mary Beth Powell, the UNC-CH Center for Urban and Regional

Charles Bohl, speaking for Mary Beth Powell, reported that the Center for Urban and Regional Studies has put together a proposal to submit to the EPA for a Sustainable Development Challenge Grant.  He explained that the grant would be for a study of how communities implement compact mixed-use development nationwide.  Mr. Bohl said that the Center also would develop a best use practices manual and a series of workshops and bring this information to the region and put it in the hands of people at the local level.  He said that the Council was invited to take part in the project by receiving the handbook and helping with the community workshop series.   Mr. Bohl explained that the EPA is looking for letters and indications of in-kind support, and he listed several nearby NC communities which have offered such support. 

 

Council Member Evans asked if the Center had gone to any of the smaller communities in the Triangle J area, noting Holly Springs as one that is experiencing rapid growth.  Mr. Bohl replied that the study was open to any and all communities.  He added, though, that the Center need only show at this point that there is at least a base level of support throughout the region.

 

Council Member Brown asked Mr. Horton how much staff time would be needed and is available for this project.  Mr. Horton replied that he could not immediately answer that question.  He said that revising the Comprehensive Plan will take much time and the staff will be strained
to do anything beyond that other than normal business.  Mr. Horton also stated that he did not have enough information to evaluate the amount of time that this project would require.  Mr. Bohl stated that the time involvement in other communities had ranged from 50 to 100 hours and the in-kind monetary involvement had not been more than $3,000 for any individual community. 

 

Mr. Horton asked when the work would have to be done.  Mr. Bohl said that the workshops would not happen before the beginning of the year 2000.  Mr. Horton explained that if the staff keeps to its schedule the Comprehensive Plan revision would be finished by November 1999 and staff would then be able to take on a 50-100 hour project.  He added that it should be understood that they were guessing about the amount of time and effort involved.    

 

Mayor pro tem Capowski asked if the Center would be asking the Council for financial support year after year.  Mr. Bohl replied that the project would be done after one year and that the sustainability of it after that would be up to individual communities. 

 

Council Member Bateman asked for more information about the community workshops.  Mr. Bohl replied that the idea is to bring members of the community together with developers and neighborhoods for discussions.   

 

Mr. Horton pointed out that the applicant needed a fast decision because the grant deadline was the next day. 

 

Council Member Foy replied that the Council appeared to agree with the Manager’s recommendation. 

 

Mr. Horton said that he could draft a letter stating that the Town could participate in this project as it has been described.

 

Council Member Evans pointed out that information obtained by the project would be helpful when implementing the Comprehensive Plan. 

 

Mayor Waldorf added that she supported the project because it means going out to communities which affect Chapel Hill but which have not thought much about these issues.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO GO FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT AS LONG AS THE MANAGER DEEMS IT IS MANAGEABLE.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).

 

Item 3c—Miles Pressler, representing the EmPOWERMENT Project

Mr. Pressler requested additional Block Grant funds to purchase and renovate a house at 128 Johnson Street in Chapel Hill.  He said that the Project would then rent the property to families which earn 60% of the area median income.  Mr. Pressler said that the property is appraised at $200,000, and the Project is under contract to purchase it for $180,000, having successfully
competed against the largest investor in the neighborhood (who wanted to turn it into student rental housing).  He said that the Project had received loan approval for $180,000 from the McCauley Institute and is asking for an additional $110,000 in Community Development funds from the Town. 

 

Mayor Waldorf asked what the time line was.  Mr. Pressler explained that the closing would have to occur before December 31st, adding that the McCauley Institute would like to close by December 17th.  He noted that the seller would not be able to take advantage of tax benefits after December 31st. 

 

Council Member Foy asked if the Project could close the sale without a commitment from the Town.  Mr. Pressler replied that they would not proceed without Town support. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOY, TO RECEIVE AND REFER TO THE MANAGER FOR AT LEAST A PRELIMINARY REPORT TO COME BACK ON DECEMBER 7TH.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).

 

Katherine T. Lawson, Vice Chair of the local Sierra Club and State Issue Chair for Campaign Finance Reform

Ms. Lawson said that campaign finance reform is expected to be a very big issue on both the federal and State levels this year.  She explained that several bills are being proposed for the State Senate and House.  Ms. Lawson stated that there had been an “outrageous” amount of spending in some local campaigns this year.  She noted that the Raleigh mayoral race this year cost $1/2 million.  Ms. Lawson also reported that a group of donors in southeastern North Carolina were arrested for illegal bundling, and added that they were rest home operators who were trying to finance a candidate into the State Senate.  She pointed out that large contributions are made by individuals, corporations, and political action committees.

 

Ms. Lawson stated that in most elections the candidate with the most money wins.  She said that the Sierra Club is concerned about this because large corporate donors tend to feel that their candidate is beholden to them.  Ms. Lawson pointed out that study after study, on both local and State fronts, have found that those who receive money from the timber industry and the petrochemical complex tend to vote against the environment.  She also acknowledged that candidates who receive money from PACS such as the Sierra Club tend to vote with the environment. 

 

Ms. Lawson explained that her group wants to make sure that people get into office because they are representing their constituents, rather than because they have the most money.  She presented four proposals to the Council which she said would help to keep Chapel Hill and Carrboro elections “as clean as they are.”

 


First, Ms. Lawson suggested limiting contributions from any individual, corporation or PAC to $100.  She added that this limit has been successful in other states, such as Florida, and in the City of Austin, Texas.  Second, Ms. Lawson recommended providing complete and full disclosure of all campaign donors, including their names and occupations, so that people can know who supports which candidates.  She added that these lists could be posted at polling places and would reveal the constituency which each candidate is really representing.  Third, Ms. Lawson recommended that candidates voluntarily put a limit on the amount of money they spend in an election.  She noted that Albuquerque, New Mexico prohibits candidates from spending more than the job is worth (i.e., their salary).  Fourth, Ms. Lawson suggested urging the local media and other groups to provide an inexpensive or free means of getting the candidates’ messages out to the public.  She said that the Chapel Hill News, for example, could offer a discount—or even free space—to those who adhere to spending caps. 

 

Ms. Lawson pointed out that what she proposes would free candidates from having to raise funds and would enable them to spend that time campaigning.  She stated that the Sierra Club is interested in campaign finance reform from an environmental perspective, but added that many other groups in Town are interested in it from other perspectives.

 

Mayor Waldorf agreed that cleaning up is needed in other places.  She suggested referring Ms. Lawson’s recommendations to the Town Attorney to see what particular legislative permission might be needed to make Ms. Lawson’s proposals into official Town rules. 

 

Council Member Brown recalled that the Council already had requested enabling legislation for one of these issues, and agreed with Mayor Waldorf’s suggestion to refer it to the Attorney.

 

Mayor Waldorf stated that the Council would need permission from the General Assembly to impose some of the rules on themselves. 

 

Ms. Lawson replied that this would be a local area bill which would not be binding on any other municipality. 

 

Council Member Foy said that he would like to know from the Attorney what authority the Council has to impose these regulations since it would be less than an ordinance. 

 

Ms. Lawson added that the Lorax Environmental Club of N.C. State University would be approaching the Raleigh City Council regarding many of the same issues and would ask them to do the same things.  She stated that the Sierra Club would be talking with the Carrboro Aldermen as well. 

 


COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN, TO REFER THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ATTORNEY FOR GUIDANCE ON WHAT THE PROCEDURAL OPTIONS ARE, WHAT THE COUNCIL MIGHT BE ABLE TO PURSUE ON ITS OWN, AND WHAT THEY MIGHT NEED ENABLING LEGISLATION FOR.  THE COUNCIL ASKED THAT THE ATTORNEY RETURN THIS INFORMATION BY THE TIME OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS IN FEBRUARY.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).          

 

Council Member Wiggins thanked Mayor pro tem Capowski and Council Members Evans, McClintock and Brown for helping to plan the highly successful Comprehensive Plan Symposium. 

 

Mayor Waldorf agreed that these Council Members did a wonderful job.  Both Council Member Wiggins and Mayor Waldorf said that they had received much positive feedback from the community.

 

Item 4 — Consent Agenda

 

Council Member Brown asked if 4d could be deferred until after the Council had discussed different bus sizes during the budget process.  Mr. Horton explained that this item was to pay for buses that had already been ordered.  Council Member Brown agreed to leave it on the agenda. 

 

Mayor Waldorf noted that item 4b is a petition from her and Council Member Brown asking for a meeting with DOT representatives to discuss improving the walkability at various intersections in Town.  She requested the Council’s consent to add a request for a crosswalk at mid-block on West Franklin Street.

 

Council Member Brown added a request for an all traffic stop-light at Franklin and Columbia Streets. 

 

Mayor pro tem Capowski added Columbia Street between Mason Farm Road and Town Hall, for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists and maintenance.

 

Council Member Bateman stated that the State is still refusing to install a traffic signal at N.C. 86 and Stateside Drive.  She asked at what point a State road becomes a State street when it is within Town limits.  Mr. Horton explained that it becomes a State street only if the Council agrees to accept it for maintenance and the State agrees to give it to the Council for maintenance. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN, TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS AMENDED.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).

 


A RESOLUTION ADOPTING VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES

(98-11-23/R-1)

 

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

 

a.

Resolution requesting joint meetings and liaisons between the Comprehensive Plan Work Group and Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force.  (R-2).  (Mayor Waldorf).

b.

Resolution authorizing the Manager to arrange a meeting between the Council and the N.C. Dept. of Transportation on items related to State streets in Chapel Hill.  (R-3).  (Mayor Waldorf and Council Member Brown).

c.

Resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the agreement with FGI, Inc. (R-4).

d.

Ordinance establishing project ordinance for transit grant.  (O-1).

e.

Resolution and ordinance authorizing acceptance of Bureau of Justice Assistance Block Grant and a resolution establishing appointments to the Law Enforcement Block Grant Advisory Board.  (R-5).  (O-2).

f.

Resolution adopting an inflation adjustment increase to the public access fee for cable television customers in Chapel Hill.  (R-6).

g.

Ordinance addressing Year 2000 readiness and information technology upgrades for the Town.  (O-3).

h.

Report on revision to the Town’s Disaster Recovery Initiative Grant Application to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (R-6.1)

 

This the 23rd day of November, 1998.

 

 

 

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING JOINT MEETINGS AND LIAISONS BETWEEN THE SHAPING ORANGE COUNTY’S FUTURE TASK FORCE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WORK GROUP  (98-11-23/R-2)

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill requests that the Comprehensive Plan Work Group have two or more joint meetings with Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force with the timing to be determined by the groups’ chairmen.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council designates Jim Ward as Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force liaison to the Comprehensive Plan Work Group.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council requests the Comprehensive Plan Work Group designate a liaison to the Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force.

 

This the 23rd day of November, 1998.


A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO ARRANGE A MEETING BETWEEN THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL AND N.C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION  (98-11-23/R-3)

 

WHEREAS, the Council is becoming increasingly aware of the dangerous conditions for pedestrians and bikers on many of the State streets in Chapel Hill, and;

 

WHEREAS, the Council would like to make our streets as safe as possible for pedestrians and bikers;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to arrange a meeting between the Chapel Hill Town Council and N.C. Department of Transportation officials to discuss the following issues:

·           Highway 54 from Fordham Boulevard to Friday Center Lane;

·           Raleigh Road and Country Club;

·           Irwin Road from 15/501 to Chapel Hill Town limits;

·           Franklin Street from Estes Drive to 15/501

·           Weaver Dairy Road;

·           safety, walkability and bikeability on N.C. Department of Transportation-maintained streets within Chapel Hill as well as proposed solutions to address these issues;

·           crosswalk at mid-block on West Franklin Street;

·           an all traffic stop-light at Franklin Street and Columbia Street;

·           the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists at and maintenance of Columbia Street between Mason Farm Road and Town Hall; and

·           a traffic signal at NC 86 and Stateside Drive.

 

This the 23rd day of November, 1998.

 

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH FGI, INC. FOR THE LEASE OF UP TO 113 PARKING SPACES

(98-11-23/R-4)

 

WHEREAS, the Town owns and operates Parking Lot #5 on Church Street which has both hourly and monthly rental spaces available; and

 

WHEREAS, FGI is leasing 104 parking spaces in this lot and has requested that the Town amend the agreement to add additional spaces for the use of employees of FGI; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town has identified nine (9) additional spaces in Parking Lot #5 on Church Street which could be made available as rental spaces to FGI; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town has published a notice of its intent to increase the maximum number of spaces leased to 113, and no comments have been made by the public;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to execute the following amendment to the agreement with FGI, dated May 1, 1997.

 

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA                                     AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT

                                                                                                                              FOR LEASE OF

COUNTY OF ORANGE                                                                                PARKING SPACES

 

The agreement for the lease of parking spaces in the Town of Chapel Hill Parking Lot #5, dated May 1, 1997, by and between the Town of Chapel Hill, a North Carolina Municipal Corporation, (hereinafter referred to as "Town"), and FGI, a North Carolina Company (hereinafter referred to as "FGI"), is hereby amended as follows;

 

Paragraph 3.

DELETE – “The total number of spaces leased will be 104 spaces, except……”

 

INSERT IN LIEU – “The total number of spaces leased will be 113 spaces, except……”

 

Except as amended herein the terms of said lease shall remain as provided.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Town and FGI have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL                                        FGI, INC.

________________________________                    __________________________________

            Town Manager

 

 

Attest: __________________________                     Attest: ____________________________

 

 

Approved as to Form and Authorization:    __________________________________________

                                                                                    Town Attorney

 

This agreement has been preaudited in accordance with the Local Government Fiscal Control Act.

                                                                     __________________________________________

                                                                                    Finance Director

____________________________

         Director of Transportation

 

 

This the 23rd day of November, 1998.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY BOARD, AND THE SCHEDULING OF A PUBLIC HEARING (98-11-23/R-5)

 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance have made funds available to enhance the quality of law enforcement services provided to local communities; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town’s Law Enforcement Block Grant application in the amount of $67,548 was approved by the Bureau of Justice Assistance; and

 

WHEREAS, Police Captain Tony Oakley, Chief District Court Judge Joe Buckner, Assistant District Attorney Jim Woodall, East Chapel Hill High School principal Dave Thaden, and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Crimestoppers board member Sandy Brownstein have agreed to serve as members of the advisory board; and

 

WHEREAS, a public hearing on development of the Town’s 1999-2000 budget is scheduled for January 27, 1999;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to accept the Bureau of Justice Assistance Law Enforcement Block Grant and to make all necessary assurances.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the establishment of a Block Grant Advisory Board to review and make non-binding recommendations about the proposed expenditure of grant funds, and appoints Police Captain Tony Oakley, Chief District Court Judge Joe Buckner, Assistant District Attorney Jim Woodall, East Chapel Hill High School principal Dave Thaden, and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Crimestoppers board member Sandy Brownstein to the Board.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council schedule a public hearing on the proposed use of the grant funds for Wednesday, January 27, 1999.

 

This the 23rd day of November, 1998.

 

 

 


A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN INFLATION ADJUSTMENT TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS FEE BILLED TO CABLE TELEVISION CUSTOMERS IN CHAPEL HILL (98-11-23/R-6)

 

WHEREAS, on October 26, 1998 the Council held a public forum on whether to increase the public access fee; and

 

WHEREAS, comments received at the public forum from the Chair of the Public Access Advisory Committee were in favor of making an annual inflation adjustment; and

 

WHEREAS, the inflation adjustment would not apply to Time Warner Cable of Durham customers who reside in Chapel Hill; and

 

WHEREAS, a one cent increase in the public access fee would generate about $1,400 in additional annual funds;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby increases the public access fee from 66 to 67 cents per month.

 

This the 23rd day of November, 1998.

 

 

 

A RESOLUTION TO REVISE THE SCHEDULE TO REVISE THE TOWN’S DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE GRANT APPLICATION (98-11-23/R-6.1)

 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Town of Chapel Hill $349,041 of Disaster Recovery Initiative Grant funds; and

 

WHEREAS, on January 12, 1998, the Town Council adopted a budget for the Disaster Recovery Initiative Grant funds and authorized the Manager to submit the required Disaster Recovery Initiative Grant plan to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and

 

WHEREAS, on November 9, 1998, the Council adopted a process to amend the Town’s Disaster Recovery Initiative Grant including a public hearing for November 23, 1998;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council adopts the following schedule to revise the Town’s Disaster Recovery Initiative Grant application:

·        Reschedule a public hearing from November 23, 1998 to December 7, 1998 for citizens to receive citizen comments on how to revise the budget; and

·        Return to the Council on January 11, 1999 for final consideration of a revised budget. 

 

This the 23rd day of November, 1998. 

Item 5 — Information Reports

 

Council Members Foy and Bateman removed 5c for discussion.

 

Item 6 — Nominations and Appointments

 

Item 6a 

Slayton Evans was appointed to the Community Design Commission with 7 votes.

 

Item 6b 

Linda Convissor was appointed to the Comprehensive Plan Work Group with 5 votes

 

Louise Stone was appointed to the Comprehensive Plan Work Group with 7 votes. 

 

Item 7 — Report on Pedestrian/School Crossing at

N.C. Hwy. 54/Hamilton Road Intersection

 

Traffic Engineer David Brown outlined the staff’s response to concerns expressed by residents and Council Members regarding safety at the N.C. 54/Hamilton Road Intersection.  He reviewed suggestions for improving the intersection, but stated that the staff had concluded that the area would require much more study beyond normal traffic engineering guidelines.  Mr. Brown said that the staff suggests developing a work group to work with the Transportation Board toward this end.

 

Council Member Evans, noting that Mr. Brown’s report had mentioned only one citizen’s suggestions, pointed out that there were many other ideas available.  She remarked that Boulder, Colorado, for example, has a safe resting area in the median between two lanes of traffic.  She asked Mr. Brown if the plan is for citizens to propose their own ideas.  Mr. Horton answered that there are “literally dozens” of possibilities to try.  He added that the staff wants to work with a group led by the Transportation Board and by citizens who live in that area.  Mr. Horton said that a follow-up report would reflect that input.

 

Council Members discussed the differences between the electronic pedestrian count included in Mr. Brown’s written report and the numbers of pedestrians that they personally had observed crossing the intersection at various times of day. 

 

Council Member Foy pointed out that the visual evidence is that there is a lot of pedestrian traffic at certain times of the day.  He noted that the staff’s proposal would help the Town take control of the intersection. 

 

Mayor Waldorf added that she was in favor of the proposal.  She requested that the work group include someone from the Highway Safety Research Center.

 

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

 

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE TOWN TRANSPORTATION BOARD LEAD A CITIZEN WORK GROUP TO IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO AND THROUGH THE N.C.54/HAMILTON ROAD INTERSECTION (98-11-23/R-7)

 

WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council is concerned about pedestrian safety and access at and in the vicinity of the intersection of N.C.54 and Hamilton Road; and

 

WHEREAS, the Council realizes that the issue involves not only pedestrian crossings at this intersection, but also the larger issues of neighborhood livability and reasonable mobility and access to services for area residents.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council requests the Town Transportation Board to lead a citizen work group to identify and evaluate options for improving pedestrian access to and through the N.C.54/Hamilton Road intersection, and that the work group include a representative from the Highway Safety Research Center.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council requests an interim progress report approximately three months after the group begins its work, with a target date for completion of work and presentation of a final report approximately six months after work begins.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Manager is directed to advertise the proposed work group, to solicit applications to serve on the group, and to return applications to the Council for selection as quickly as possible so the group can begin its work.

 

This the 23rd day of November, 1998.

 

Item 8 — Request for Consideration of Proposal by Meadowmont Village Center

 

John Felton, Director of Community Design at Kline-Davis Architects, spoke in behalf of York Properties.  Mr. Felton reviewed how the Council had rejected the previous proposal to provide 43,000 square feet of green space and had voted to require 57,300 square feet of green space in the Village Center.  He displayed the previous plan and the revised plan which showed an increase in open space.   Mr. Felton indicated that the additional square footage was obtained by relocating a parking bay to underneath the Class A office building, and by removing a 4,500 square-foot building and absorbing it inside other buildings at various locations.

 

Council Member Evans asked what the squares in the area where the parking had been removed indicated.  Mr. Felton replied that they might become several nice benches or maybe a gazebo.  He explained that the goal is to create a focal point there and to frame the space.

 

Council Member Foy asked the staff if the square footage had been verified and if it meets with the Council’s request.  Mr. Waldon stated that the staff had not measured it, but would do so when the applicant presents final plans. 

 

Council Member Foy stated that he appreciated the applicant’s work.  He said that the design had been improved and that this demonstrated that the Council and the applicant could work together to improve the design of Meadowmont. 

 

Council Member Wiggins stated that she appreciated the applicant going along with the majority vote of the Council and working to provide additional green space.  She added that she was pleased that the applicant had maintained the integrity of the commercial area and had found additional green space without altering the design of the project.  Council Member Wiggins stated that she was ready to support this new design and would state that as a motion.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER WIGGINS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO ACCEPT THE REVISION OF THE MEADOWMONT VILLAGE CENTER, WHICH REFLECTS 57,300 ADDITIONAL SQUARE FEET OF GREEN SPACE.

 

Mayor pro tem Capowski remarked that he did not understand the meaning of Council Member Wiggins’ motion and asked if the motion would carry any weight.  Mr. Horton replied that the Council had been asked to give the Manager advice on whether or not it believes that the proposal meets the requirements the Council imposed on the application during the Special Use Permit review process.  Mr. Horton noted that if the Council adopted the motion as it has been put forward then he would use that as guidance when reviewing the final plans.  Mr. Horton explained that he would hold the applicant to the proposal that they have put forward tonight and would make sure that the final plan included the additional 57,300 square feet of green space.

 

THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).

 

Item 9 — Request for Study of Alternatively Fueled Vehicles Study

 

Mayor Waldorf noted that she had put this on the agenda. 

 

Council Member Brown asked to enlarge the study to include other kinds of fueling.  Mayor Waldorf replied that this was fine with her, but noted that the grant deadlines are getting near. 

 

Internal Services Superintendent Bill Terry recommended taking on a modest program by introducing six alternatively fueled vehicles into the fleet.  He said that he would give the first draft of a grant proposal to Mr. Horton in a couple of weeks. 

 

Mayor pro tem Capowski asked Mr. Terry if he was proposing compressed natural gas or electric vehicles.  Mr. Terry replied that he proposed having an option, but he pointed out that electric vehicles cost about $40,000, compared to gas burning vehicles which cost about $12,000.

 

Mr. Terry added that he is proposing that the State contribute as well, because it is in the State’s interest to encourage the use of electric vehicles.  He said that the Town might go with compressed natural gas in the small trucks, adding that whether or not to subsidize electric vehicles would be up to the Council and the Manager.

 

Mayor Waldorf suggested experimenting with those for which they can get grant money. 

 

Council Member Brown asked when the Council would be able to request grant funding for both electric and solar electric vehicles.  Mr. Terry summarized what he had said and noted that he was making an attempt in the original grant to finance electric vehicles. 

 

Mayor pro tem Capowski pointed out that Carrboro’s request for a grant to convert two small cars to electric was rejected.  He added that his personal request to convert a vehicle was also rejected.  Mayor pro tem Capowski agreed that the Town should pursue this but cautioned that there are advantages and disadvantages to these technologies. 

 

Mayor Waldorf said that it was important to work with Carrboro and the State and County because there will be cooperative ventures, such as a fueling station, that they will be doing together.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS MOVED, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM CAPOWSKI, TO ADOPT THE PROPOSAL TO STUDY ALTERNATIVELY FUELED VEHICLES.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).

 

Item 10 — Discussion of Consent Agenda Items

 

Item 5c 

Council Member Foy stated his concern that the post office/courthouse building will languish if the Council does not decide what to do with it.  He suggested that the Council become more active in initiating discussions about what is going to happen to that building. 

 

Mayor Waldorf asked when the courts would be vacating the building.  Mr. Horton replied that most of it had moved or was moving. 

 

Mayor Waldorf asked if all judiciary facilities would be located in Hillsborough.  Council Member Foy replied that there are ongoing discussions about keeping some judiciary facilities in Chapel Hill, but not in that building. 

 

Council Member Foy added that the Council might want the building to be used as a courthouse and should make their wishes known.

 

Council Member Bateman asked Council Member Foy to clarify what he wanted.  He stated that the Council should ask the Manager to become involved in discussions about future uses of the building. 

 

Mayor pro tem Capowski, noting that the building is a Chapel Hill landmark, suggested that the Council think about investing Town money in a major enhancement of the building in the future. 

 

Council Member Evans added that the Town should encourage the County to continue holding court services in the building because it is in the center of the community.

 

Mr. Horton referred to the detailed space allocation on page six of the staff report.  He noted that the Town must hire an engineer to assess the building so that it can develop a proposal for major capital maintenance of the exterior and the interior. 

 

Council Member Brown said that the renovated building should maintain its charming appearance, including the interior murals, because it adds much, aesthetically, to the downtown area. 

 

Mayor Waldorf agreed, pointing out that it is an historical monument which she believes is on the national register.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO ASK THE MANAGER TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON REPAIRS NEEDED AND TO BECOME INVOLVED IN DISCUSSIONS OF FUTURE USES OF THE POST OFFICE/COURTHOUSE BUILDING.  THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

(7-0).

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

 

 

 

 

The minutes of November 23, 1998 were adopted on the 25th day of January, 1999.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        __________________________________________

Joyce A. Smith, CMC

                                                                        Town Clerk