SUMMARY MINUTES OF A REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1999, 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, Lee Pavăo, and Edith Wiggins. Council Member Julie McClintock was absent, excused.
Staff members present were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos, Assistant to the Manager Ruffin Hall, Planning Director Roger Waldon, Parks and Recreation Director Kathryn Spatz, Executive Secretary to the Town Attorney Toni Pendergraph, and Town Clerk Joyce Smith.
Kathleen Lord, of the Downtown Commission, said that the Award was named for Mr. Jasper “Jap” Allen, who had for many years served as everyman’s handyman in the downtown business community, and, after retirement, went to work for the Town as a parking attendant in Parking Lot 1, where he was the unofficial goodwill ambassador for the Town. She presented this year’s award to Mr. Willie Brooks, who currently served the Town as a Security Monitor, and previously had worked for the Public Works Department for 30 years, during which time he received the North Carolina Employee of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association. Ms. Lord said that Mr. Brooks would be retiring again in August, and the Downtown Commission was honored to present the Jasper Allen Award to him at this time.
Mr. Brooks accepted the Award and greeted Mayor Waldorf and each of the Council Members.
Ms. Lord said that she wanted to thank the Public Works Department on behalf of the downtown merchants, for the outstanding work that they had done on StreetScape in preparation for the Special Olympics.
Item 2 – Public Hearing Regarding the Petition from the InterFaith Council Requesting Lease of the Building and Property at 100 West Rosemary Street
Mayor Waldorf summarized the proposal from the InterFaith Council (IFC) to extend for another 25 years the lease on the Old Municipal Building, and to permit use of the property next to that for IFC administrative offices and other facility services. She said that there had been conversations among many concerned organizations, citizens, friends of the IFC, Town and County officials, and members of the IFC about the possibility of having a combined IFC headquarters, including the Shelter, Project Homestart, offices for family services, offices for crisis intervention services and the Food Pantry in one location.
Mayor Waldorf said that the concept was viewed as desirable by many who did not consider the present location ideal. She said there was also the intangible opportunity to get all facets of the community to pull together for something that might be pleasing to the whole community. Mayor Waldorf said that she and IFC President Rita Gray had agreed on the composition of a Task Force to be appointed to investigate the feasibility of alternative locations for the IFC Shelter, offices and support services. She said that the Task Force would have representation from:
The IFC Board of Directors
Chapel Hill Town Council
Carrboro Board of Councillors
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Local clergy
Downtown Commission
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
University of North Carolina
Human Services Director
Mayor Waldorf listed the objectives of the Task Force:
· To examine the feasibility of constructing a homeless shelter, community kitchen, pantry, office, family service, and crisis service space in alternative locations to include, but not be limited to, Homestead Road near Project Homestart and the Orange County Southern Human Services Center.
· To establish site criteria.
· To determine whether Orange County and the University of North Carolina (UNC) might agree to donation of long-term lease of land to accommodate such a facility and to determine what other parcels might be suitable to acquire.
· To evaluate service delivery advantages of any sites identified, including but not limited to, coordination with existing social services by Orange County.
· To explore the nature and extent of financial support, both capital and operating, that might be offered by the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and all significant partners in the community.
· To examine how transportation needs of all IFC clients can be met.
· To investigate opportunities for federal and State grant support.
· To assess potential for an adequate community fundraising effort.
· To assist the IFC in finding temporary affordable office space.
· To investigate the possibility of a 5-year lease of the Old Municipal Building should this alternative concept find support.
MAYOR PRO TEM CAPOWSKI MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVĂO, THAT THE COUNCIL CONSIDER ITEMS NUMBER 12, 13, AND 14 AT ITS NEXT REGULAR MEETING ON JULY 7, 1999. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY. (8-0).
Rita Gray, IFC President, said that on June 23, 1999, the IFC Board of Directors had met in a specially called meeting to consider the proposals that Mayor Waldorf had described and had unanimously voted to endorse the relocation plan that the IFC had proposed in a petition to the Town Council on March 15, 1999. She reiterated the request of a 25-year lease of the Old Municipal Building and expansion of the Shelter to Town-owned land on Rosemary Street, west of the current Shelter.
Ms. Gray said that the IFC had been presented with the alternative proposal and was interested in entering into a partnership with the Town of Chapel Hill and other members of the Orange County community including, but not limited to, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, the Town of Carrboro, the University of North Carolina, the business community, the social services community, the clergy, and other IFC constituents. She said that one of the most important questions was the matter of transportation and access to whatever quarters the IFC had, because there were clients, the working poor, who came to the Kitchen for their mid-day meal, including residents of the Shelter, who had to walk to their jobs. Ms. Gray said that without transportation, these clients would not be able to go to another location for lunch and return in time for their jobs.
Ms. Gray said that if the alternative proposal was adopted, the IFC would require the 5-year guaranteed lease of the Old Municipal Building, during the construction of such a social services campus. She said that no matter what proposal was chosen, the IFC would need temporary facilities to replace the Wilson Street location, which must be vacated by April 1, 2000. Ms. Gray said that they would welcome help with acquiring a location for these quarters. She said that a new location would not alleviate the problems of panhandling and homeless individuals, many of whom had serious mental health issues. Ms. Gray said that the majority of these individuals seldom used the Shelter facilities, and that a social service individual added to the services provided had helped to relieve some of the problems.
Ms. Gray said that what the IFC Board and the community wanted was to provide the best possible services for those whom they served and she felt that good minds could work together to come to good solutions.
Jim Heavner urged the Council to adopt the proposal for alternative location of the IFC at the Homestead Road location. He said that the idea had come in the spirit of cooperation to find the best solution for all concerned and he felt that the idea could be a healing one for the community, which was divided on the issue of the location of the IFC. Mr. Heavner said that the concept would be a new home for the IFC, which would also house its Shelter project on land owned by the County, and the University on their adjoining property on the northern boundary of the Horace Williams tract and Homestead Road. He said that he had received the support of Rev. Robert Seymour and Chris Moran, Executive Director of the IFC. Mr. Heavner said that the success of Project Homestart showed it could be done for the IFC and the homeless. He said that it was not his idea to move the IFC away but to deliver the best hope for delivering services to the poor and the homeless in this community. Mr. Heavner said that the Old Municipal Building had exploded in value and if the Town was willing to give back some of the cash benefited by taking back this property, and if the County was willing to let the IFC use some of the land, and if the University would support it as a symbolic unity with the Town and County, the proposal would be on its way. He said that if other sites were to be considered, they must be considered immediately.
Eunice Brock said that she had distributed a financial aspects paper for the Council to look at. She said that there were two buildings located on Homestead Road—a building for transitional housing for families and the Battered Women’s Shelter. Ms. Brock said that the County should be asked to provide property for the Homeless Shelter, since it was the responsibility of the County to provide for the health, education and welfare of its people. She said that the Town could purchase and operate vans at a lower cost. Ms. Brock said there was a bus stop on Airport Road six-tenths of a mile from the Southern Human Services Center, with sidewalks the entire distance. She said that there would be many questions asked about the impact on taxes, especially on the older citizens with fixed incomes. Ms. Brock asked questions regarding the actual figures of tax increases. She said that the Homeless Shelter occupied one of the prime pieces of real estate in the Town. Ms. Brock said that the location of the downtown Shelter had been divisive in the community. She asked that the people in the community work together and look into all the options.
Barbara Rogers, who has volunteered with the IFC for several years, said that she did not think that the Homestead Road location would be a good place for the Shelter because it was too far away. She said that many people came to downtown Chapel Hill to work and they needed a location for shelter and food nearby. Ms. Rogers said that the people who used the Pantry at the Wilson Street location lived nearby and came not only for food but for help with their problems, and needed a place that would be close to their homes.
Charles Gaertner, a resident of Short Street, said that he did not think the present location of the Shelter and Kitchen were in the best interest of local residents, local businesses, and those in need of the services. He said that the Shelter would operate more efficiently at the Homestead Road location, and that the request for a 25-year lease was outrageous. Mr. Gaertner said that the Task Force should look into where the individuals who used the Kitchen lived and suggested locating it at the Northside Senior Center and Human Services complex.
Kenneth Spaulding, representing interested residents, property owners, taxpayers, community leaders, and business leaders of Chapel Hill who had contributed to the IFC, said that they strongly supported the new location of the Shelter and Kitchen. He said that they wished to ask that the Council defer any action on the petition from the IFC for expansion of their downtown location. Mr. Spaulding said that the present site was a hazardous and dangerous location because of the heavy traffic, and that there was now need for that property to be used for Town government. He said that a less intensive area would be more appropriate, and could be built for the Shelter’s future needs.
Tom Maynard, Area Director of Orange-Person-Chatham (OPC) Mental Health, said that his agency served over 3,000 people a year from Orange County with mental health or substance abuse problems, the vast majority of whom were local people. He said that the people who needed help the most often had the most difficult time finding their way to the OPC services. Mr. Maynard said that they had valued their collaborations with the IFC in trying to find ways to get their services to the people in need of them. He applauded the efforts of the Council to find a location to serve everyone’s needs.
Rev. Robert Campbell, volunteer for the IFC, said that there were over 600,000 homeless people on the streets of the United States and that 35% of those were Vietnam War Veterans, who had not been able to assimilate themselves back into society after the Vietnam War. He said that another large percent of the homeless were teenagers. Rev. Campbell said that there was no way to take care of the homeless in a rural area such as Homestead Road, where there was not water or sewer service. He asked that the Town consider compassion rather than the financial gains of business profit and tax revenue.
Rev. Stephen Stanley, associate priest at the Chapel of the Cross on Franklin Street and Episcopal Chaplain at the University, said that two events had shown him where the heart of Chapel Hill was—one was the dedication of the Shelter on Rosemary Street and the second was the Faith on Franklin Street event. He said that he was raising the question of conscience in the issue of the homeless—could the heart of the city be both commerce and conscience. Rev. Stanley questioned whether the homeless would leave the downtown to go to a shelter located out of the downtown.
Chris Belcher, business owner in the downtown and a resident of Cobb Terrace, said that he supported moving the Shelter out of the downtown to the Homestead Road area, which already had several social services located there. He said that some of the benefits for relocating would be a better yet more affordable home for the Shelter, greenspace in a more human friendly setting, and an area for parking. Mr. Belcher recommended that the Council appoint a work group to look for the needs of the entire community.
Rev. Robert Seymour said the issue of long-range planning was involved in the discussions of the Shelter’s future. He said that the Shelter had moved into the Old Municipal Building because there was nowhere else for it to go. Rev. Seymour said that he supported the petition from the IFC for expansion on Rosemary Street, but he also said that it was important to look at other options. He said that the facilities at the present IFC were inadequate, that sometimes people had to be turned away because there was no room. Rev. Seymour said that a strong case could be made for having the Shelter in the same area as the Southern Orange Human Services building, and administratively to have the whole operation in the same building. He said that access and transportation were a consideration and pointed out that the center of Chapel Hill was moving toward the north. Rev. Seymour said that he felt that human values should be considered as well as property values, and hoped that the proposed Task Force would look at all considerations.
Elizabeth Grew, employee for the IFC in the office on Wilson Street, said that she felt there was a need for input from the clients of the IFC. She said that she ran a program called “Family Connection” working with low-income, working parents and that the most important problem for them was transportation, since most could not afford to have cars and the buses ran on student schedules. Ms. Grew said it was important to listen to the concerns of those clients.
Kathleen Lord, of the Downtown Commission, said that she supported the proposal to relocate the Shelter to Homestead Road or another location rather than the location on Rosemary Street. She said that the Town, County, University, and the business community had the opportunity to achieve great things and work together as a united community. Ms. Lord cited how dangerous the present location of the Shelter was and said she was concerned that extending the lease on that property would lock the Shelter into that location for 25 years, becoming more constrained in its ability to grow to meet future needs. She asked the Council to suspend decisions on the downtown location until all other options could be explored.
Bruce Stone, owner of the Chelsea Theatre on Weaver Dairy Road and the Carolina Theatre in downtown Chapel Hill, described the difference between running a theatre in what he called “uptown” and running one downtown. He said that many of his customers at the Chelsea said that they would not come to the downtown area for various reasons, such as so many students, lack of parking, or having to pay for parking. Mr. Stone said that if all segments of the community could not come to the downtown, they would eventually go to the strip malls, and there would be no such thing as a downtown Chapel Hill.
Walter Baum, resident of East Franklin Street, reminded the Council to be mindful of the statement made by Mr. Kenneth Spaulding.
George Kapel, a 15-year resident of Chapel Hill, said he felt that there were those in favor of the IFC and those against it. He said he was proud of the Town and its support of the IFC. Mr. Kapel said that the Town needed to give the IFC the lease for the downtown property so that they could continue their wonderful work, rather than locating the Shelter in the “desert” on the outskirts of Town.
Mildred Council, business owner on the west end of Rosemary Street, asked the Council to ask the Task Force to consider the black youths in and out of the Hargraves playground, and to think about the elderly living most of their lives in the Northside area. She said that she employed a lot of the homeless people and she did not think there was a problem in getting to work, or how far they had to travel, or how far the people in public housing had to travel to get to work. Ms. Council said that the “work first” ladies had to manage to get around, dropping off children at different places before and after work.
Clare Baum, resident of East Franklin Street, said she hoped that the Council would consider all entities and how the decision would affect everyone for a quarter of a century, as growth occurred.
Dave Bright, United Church of Chapel Hill, said that the IFC had shared space with the Church for the past 30 years, and now they had to move because the Church was moving from their Wilson Street location. He asked the Council to extend to the IFC a commitment to lease space at the downtown location or to develop the Homestead campus. Mr. Bright said that the Church supported a Task Force on the issue. He invited people to volunteer at the IFC so that they could meet the homeless people, adding that it was a very rewarding experience.
Vincent Kopp, physician and 30-year resident of Chapel Hill, lives on Rosemary Street and Human Services Advisory Board member for six years, said that the Town had a moral obligation to serve the homeless and needy, but that the moral obligation need not be to keep the Shelter downtown. He said that he favored relocating the Shelter and the consideration of all options.
Mickey Ewell, 25-year resident of Chapel Hill, said that he was fully behind a study for relocation of the Shelter and that Rev. Seymour and Jim Heavner should be congratulated for their work so far, and that the community should get behind them. He asked that another public hearing be held after the study group had made its determination.
Debbie Farb, student activist at the University, said that the Shelter should remain in downtown Chapel Hill, and she felt that the businesses were only interested in profit, and not interested in the homeless people. She said that she was a part of the “Food, Not Bombs” group who, every Sunday afternoon, cooked food and served it to the homeless people in a public place. Ms. Farb agreed that there would be a problem of transportation at another location, because some of the homeless people worked at night, when the buses did not run. She had drafted a petition with about 40-50 signatures of people who were opposed to moving the Shelter.
Patrick Miller, volunteer at the IFC Shelter and resident of Carr Street, said that he had, during his volunteering, found the poor to have tremendous humility, sincerity, faith and wisdom, and he had learned much from them. He said the Shelter should remain downtown because it was an education for the community.
Missy Julian-Fox, Chapel Hill native and downtown shop owner, whose family had always supported the IFC, said that this debate was not about support of the IFC, but what was the best location for the Shelter in the Town. She said that the Shelter needed to be at a location where it could expand to best help the homeless. Ms. Julian-Fox said that she had two concerns: the cost of the project relative to the benefits obtained, and the highest and best use of the Old Municipal Building. She said that the community should come together with their hearts and minds to solve the problem.
Adrian Halpern, 21-year resident of Chapel Hill, cited an experience he had seen this evening of a man without arms mowing grass by pushing the mower with his chest. He said that in all his years walking in downtown Chapel Hill he had never seen a homeless person without arms, and said that with the unemployment rate was so low, they should be able to find jobs. Mr. Halpern said that the Town should not lease out one of the most valuable pieces of Town-owned property to the Shelter. He said that before the Shelter there was no panhandling. Mr. Halpern said that the proposal for another location was worthy, but that the extension of the lease should only be for three years.
Frances Gualtieri, owner and manager of Le Residence Restaurant, one of the closest commercial properties to the Shelter, said that she had hired Shelter residents and had not had success with them. She said that part of the reason Shelter residents hung around on the streets was because there was no space outside of the Shelter for them to be. Ms. Gualtieri said that she had problems with property being destroyed, with Shelter residents coming into the restaurant to use the facilities or to buy a drink. She said she supported the proposal for relocating the Shelter out of downtown Chapel Hill.
Roscoe Reeve, 38-year resident of Chapel Hill and IFC volunteer, said that the Shelter belonged in downtown Chapel Hill and he was proud of it being there. He said that the location had been chosen because there was an insistence that the Shelter be located in the heart of the community. Mr. Reeve said that he owned the property next to the Southern Human Services Center and would be proud to have the Shelter located there, but he knew that the founders of the IFC, including his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mildred Ringwald, had intended that it be in the downtown, and the investment by Chapel Hill in support of the IFC and the downtown building was well spent.
Scott Maitland, downtown merchant and downtown resident, said that he had not seen one business owner say the issue of the downtown Shelter was about profits, because that was not the driving issue for the downtown merchants. He said that when one of the founders of the IFC, Rev. Seymour, recommended looking at alternative locations for the Shelter, that was a strong argument for doing so. Mr. Maitland said that instead of this being a divisive issue the community needed to work together to make the community a shining example around the country, regardless of where the Shelter would be located.
Daniel Brezenoff, IFC employee at the Wilson Street office, said that he thought that the decision for the location of the Shelter should be left to the IFC Board, who knew all of the problems and had the expertise. He said that the Kitchen should remain downtown because, for people who eat there three times a day and work in the downtown, it would not make sense for them to be riding a bus back and forth from downtown to Homestead Road. Mr. Brezenoff said that until there was no homeless problem, he felt that the community should have to see that there was a problem.
Mayor Waldorf said that it was important that the community work together and try not to be polarized.
Council Member Pavăo said he felt rather encouraged, and that there may be a motion to move on to look to resolve the problem. He said he had heard the discussions on what the tax dollar costs were to the Town to support the Shelter, and about the value of the Municipal Building, but he asked what the cost in tax dollars would be to the Town if the IFC did not take on the responsibility it did to help the homeless. Council Member Pavăo said the encouraging thing was that the community was discussing the problem, and he applauded the number of citizens who had attended this evening. He applauded the Mayor for the draft proposal to form a Task Force, and the short time factor to complete the task, because he said that the Shelter was running out of space and office space. Council Member Pavăo said the community had to work toward solving the problem and needed to stop the polarization. He offered to serve on the Task Force, or would help the Task Force in any way he could. Council Member Pavăo said that the community should be thankful for the IFC and the job it was doing for the Town.
COUNCIL MEMBER WIGGINS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, THAT THE COUNCIL RECEIVE AND ADOPT THE PROPOSAL FOR A TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS FOR THE INTERFAITH COUNCIL FACILITIES AS PROPOSED BY THE MAYOR AND MRS. GRAY FROM THE INTERFAITH COUNCIL.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOY AMENDED THE MOTION TO ADD TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE ONE RECIPIENT OF IFC SERVICES, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).
Mayor Waldorf said that she would serve on the Task Force along with Council Member Pavăo. She said that she would contact the other representatives listed in the proposal to work on the Task Force and to try to get a proposal back by September 15, 1999.
Item 3 – Petitions by Citizens and Announcements by Council Members
(none)
COUNCIL MEMBER WIGGINS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 1. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS
AND ORDINANCES
(99-6-28/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. |
Minutes of May 10, 12 and 17, 1999. |
|
b. |
Response to request by Mr. Allan Eckhaus of Chapel Hill Kehillah for expedited processing of site plan review. (R-2). |
|
c. |
Resolution accepting bid for bulk asphalt. (R-3). |
|
d. |
Deleted. |
|
e. |
Resolution accepting bid for purchase of a wheeled loader. (R-5). |
|
f. |
Resolution accepting bid for purchase of a rear loader. (R-6). |
|
g. |
Resolution accepting bid for fire training facility renovation project. (R-7). |
|
h. |
Resolution authorizing the Manager to execute a change order for the Kingston Drive sidewalk project. (R-8). |
|
i. |
Ordinance establishing the 1999-2000 Community Development Grant project ordinance. (O-1). |
|
j. |
Ordinance establishing the 1998-1999 Transportation Capital and Planning Grant project ordinance. (O-2). |
|
k. |
Ordinance amending the 1998-1999 budget ordinance. (O-3). |
|
l. |
Resolution authorizing a performance agreement with the Downtown Commission. (R-9). |
|
m. |
Resolution approving recommendations on performance agreements from the Human Services Advisory Board for 1999-2000. (R-10). |
|
n. |
Resolution adopting a mission statement for Chapel Hill Transit as proposed by the 25th Anniversary Review Committee. (R-11). |
|
o. |
Resolution authorizing the certification of firefighters. (R-12). |
|
p. |
Resolution directing the Town Attorney to prepare ordinance regarding campaign finance reform. (R-13). (Mayor Waldorf) |
|
q. |
Resolution accepting and approving the location of a clock on East Franklin Street. (R-14). |
|
r. |
Resolution authorizing dedication of water line and utility easement to Orange Water and Sewer Authority. (R-14.1). |
|
s. |
Resolution regarding ideas for employer assisted housing programs for Town employees. (R-14.2). |
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING EXPEDITED PROCESSING IN THE REVIEW OF THE SITE PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION FOR THE CHAPEL HILL KEHILLAH
(99-6-28/R-2)
WHEREAS,
the Town Council has received a petition from Mr. Allan Eckhaus for expedited
processing of the Site Plan Review application for the Chapel Hill Kehillah;
and
WHEREAS,
a Site Plan Review application is required for the proposed change of use at
307 W. Cameron Avenue, from the existing Use Group A Single-Family Dwelling to
the proposed Use Group B Place of Worship; and
WHEREAS, the development involves a public interest as it would allow a community group to continue its services, within the same neighborhood, during a time when its current facility is unavailable;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town Manager is directed to expedite processing of the Site Plan Review application of the Chapel Hill Kehillah, in a manner that will speed review without sacrificing breadth or depth of analysis.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A
RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR ASPHALTIC CONCRETE AND TACK COAT
(99-6-28/R-3)
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has solicited
formal bids by legal notice in The Chapel Hill News/Village Advocate on
June 9, 1999, in accordance with G.S. 143-129 for asphaltic concrete and tack
coat for street patching; and
WHEREAS, the following bids have been received
and opened on June 17, 1999, at 3:00 p.m.
Thompson-
ITEM Lee Paving Nello Teer Arthur
Asphalt I-2 $25.00/Ton $33.00/Ton $24.00/Ton
Asphalt HB $25.00/Ton $30.38/Ton $26.00/Ton
Asphalt HDB $25.00/Ton $30.38/Ton $25.00/Ton
Asphalt H $25.00/Ton $30.38/Ton $25.00/Ton
Tack Coat $1.25/Gal. $2.25/Gal. $2.00/Gal.
Total $59,375.00 $74,559.00 $60,100.00
WHEREAS, the additional cost to the Town caused
by the differences in distance between the plants of the other three vendors
relative to that of the Lee Paving Company plant results in the lowest total
cost for Lee Paving Company; and
WHEREAS, the year around availability of hot-mix
asphalt is important to the Town's ability to maintain its system;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel
Hill that the Town accepts the bid of Lee Paving Company in the amount stated
above in the tabulation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this contract may be
extended by one year if mutually agreeable to the Town and Lee Paving Company
at the same unit prices.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID
FOR THE PURCHASE OF A WHEELED LOADER (99-6-28/R-5)
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has advertised notice of wavier of the formal bid process by legal notice in The Chapel Hill News/Village Advocate Classifieds on June 18, 1999, in accordance with G. S. 143-129-(g) for the purchase of a wheeled loader; and
WHEREAS, a formal bid competition was held by the State of New York on February 11, 1999, in accordance with G. S. 143-129; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Equipment Company offers the Town the wheeled loader at the same price as offered to the State of New York;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town implements the waiver of formal bid process in accordance with G. S. 143-129-(g) and accepts the offer to sell of North Carolina Equipment Company in the amount of $64,970.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF A REAR LOADER PACKER BODY (99-6-28/R-6)
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has advertised notice of wavier of the formal bid process by legal notice in The Chapel Hill News/Village Advocate Classifieds on June 18, 1999, in accordance with G. S. 143-129-(g) for the purchase of a rear loader packer body; and
WHEREAS, a formal bid competition was held by the City of Washington, North Carolina October, 1998 in accordance with G. S. 143-129; and
WHEREAS, the Cavalier Equipment Corp. offers the Town the rear loader packer body at the same price or less as offered to the City of Washington, North Carolina;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town implements the waiver of formal bid process in accordance with G. S. 143-129-(g) and accepts the offer to sell of Cavalier Equipment Corp. in the amount of $33,942.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A BID AND AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE FIRE TRAINING FACILITY RENOVATION PROJECT (99-6-28/R-7)
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has
solicited formal bids by advertisement in the March 24, 1999 edition of The
Chapel Hill Newspaper in accordance with G.S. 143-128 for the renovation of
the Fire Training Facilities at 1695 Airport Road; and
WHEREAS, the following bids were
received and opened on April 29, 1999:
|
Contractor |
Base Bid Burn Building |
Base Bid Training Tower |
Base Bid Total |
Alternate # 1 Topping Slabs |
Alternate # 2 Fire Resistant Panels
|
|
Strickland Waterproofing Company, Inc. |
$68,500 |
$98,700 |
$164,400 |
$16,000 |
$110,000 |
|
Van Thomas Construction |
$80,500 |
$172,000 |
$249,000 |
$15,500 |
$44,000 |
|
W.T Lawrence Construction |
$103,915 |
$129,895 |
$209,000 |
$8,500 |
$43,184 |
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by
the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town accepts the bid of and
awards the contract to the lowest responsive bidder, Strickland Waterproofing
Co. Inc., Charlotte, NC, in the amount of $164,400 for the base bid and $16,000
for Alternate #1.
This the 28th day of
June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CHANGE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,800 FOR DRAINAGE AND PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE KINGSTON DRIVE SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (99-6-28/R-8)
WHEREAS,
a contract for constructing sidewalk along the north side of Kingston Drive has
been awarded; and
WHEREAS,
it has been determined that certain drainage and pavement improvements are
necessary to properly complete said sidewalk project; and
WHEREAS,
the contractor has submitted costs for completing the necessary drainage and
pavement improvements;
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Council authorizes the Manager to execute a change order in the amount of
$18,800 for White Oak Construction Corporation regarding the Kinston Drive
Sidewalk Project.
This
the 28th day of June, 1999.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE 1999 - 2000 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ENTITLEMENT GRANT PROJECT ORDINANCE (99-6-28/O-1)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statues of North Carolina, the following grant project is hereby established:
SECTION I
The projects authorized are the Community Development projects as approved by the Council on April 26, 1999: funds are as contained in the Funding Approval and Grant Agreement between the Town and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The projects are known more familiarly as the 1999 Entitlement Community Development Block Grant. The grant activities include renovation of public housing, neighborhood revitalization, property acquisition, site improvements, community services to low-income residents, economic development and administration costs for the program.
SECTION II
The Manager of the Town of Chapel Hill is hereby directed to proceed with the grant project within the terms of the grant document(s), the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the budget contained herein.
SECTION III
The following revenues are anticipated to be available to complete this project:
Community Development Block Grant: $434,000
Community
Development Program Income: $132,000
Total $566,000
SECTION IV
The following amounts are appropriated for the project:
Rehabilitation of Public Housing: $230,000
Property Acquisition: $ 75,000
Scarlett Dr. Homeownership Program: $ 70,000
Community Services: $ 51,000
Neighborhood Revitalization: $ 50,000
Economic Development: $ 20,000
Program
Administration: $ 70,000
Total $566,000
SECTION V
The Finance Director is hereby directed to maintain within the Grant Project Fund sufficient specific detailed accounting records to provide the accounting to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as required by the grant agreement(s) and Federal and State regulations.
SECTION VI
Copies of this project ordinance shall be entered into the minutes of the Council and copies shall be filed with in five days of adoption with the Manager, Finance Director and the Town Clerk.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT GRANT PROJECT ORDINANCES FOR TRANSIT PROJECTS
(99-6-28/O-2)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the following grant project ordinance is hereby adopted:
SECTION I
The Urban Area Formula Program (Section 5307) are from 1999 federal funds from an agreement with the Federal Transit Administration.
SECTION II
The Manager of the Town of Chapel Hill is hereby directed to proceed with the implementation of the project within the terms of the grant agreements executed with the Federal Transit Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation within the funds appropriated herein.
SECTION III
The following revenue is anticipated to be available to the Town to complete activities as outlined in the project application.
Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5307)
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) $257,368
NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 32,171
Town of Chapel Hill (local match) 32,171
TOTAL $321,710
SECTION IV
The following amounts are appropriated for the FY1999 Section 5307 project:
Salaries - Full Time $ 90,000
Fringe Benefits 13,145
FICA 6,885
M & R Vehicles 140,000
Miscellaneous Vehicle Supplies 60,000
Miscellaneous Contractual Services 11,680
TOTAL $321,710
This the 28th day of
June, 1999.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE
RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 1998 (99-6-28/O-3)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Budget Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Concerning Appropriations and the Raising of Revenue for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 1998” as duly adopted on June 8, 1998, be and the same is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE I
Current Revised
APPROPRIATIONS Budget Increase Decrease Budget
GENERAL FUND
Non-Departmental
Contingency 17,190 12,254 4,936
Mayor/Council 190,473 11,279 201,752
Police 7,281,856 975 7,282,831
Finance 973,877 15,000 988,877
Planning 994,747 16,000 1,010,747
GENERAL FUND
Property Taxes 14,087,600 15,000 14,102,600
Fund Balance 2,087,503 16,000 2,103,503
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PERFORMANCE
AGREEMENT WITH THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION (99-6-28/R-9)
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to enter into a performance agreement with the Downtown Commission for services in 1999-2000 substantially as in 1998-99, with the funding level to include the estimated revenue to be received from the Downtown Service District tax based on the 6.2 cent tax rate adopted by the Council for 1999-2000.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING 1999-2000 FUNDING FOR PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS
WITH HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD
(99-6-28/R-10)
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby approves the following appropriations for performance agreements with human service agencies in 1999-2000 to address the community’s human service needs identified by the Human Services Advisory Board:
|
AGENCY |
AMOUNT |
|
A Helping Hand |
- |
|
AIDS Service Agency |
1,000 |
|
Alternative Sentencing |
3,000 |
|
Charles House |
5,500 |
|
Coalition for Battered Women |
14,600 |
|
Communities in Schools |
5,000 |
|
Community School for People Under 6 |
9,000 |
|
Day Care Services |
9,500 |
|
Dispute Settlement Center |
6,500 |
|
Family Counseling Service (CHANGE) |
3,500 |
|
Freedom House |
12,500 |
|
Hopeline |
- |
|
KidSCope |
4,000 |
|
Meals on Wheels |
3,000 |
|
Mental Health Association |
5,350 |
|
Middle School After School Program |
35,000 |
|
Orange County Disability Awareness Council |
500 |
|
Orange County Literacy Council |
8,000 |
|
Orange County Rape Crisis Center |
12,000 |
|
Planned Parenthood |
1,500 |
|
Street Scene Teen Center |
6,000 |
|
The Arc |
9,000 |
|
The Women’s Center |
10,000 |
|
Triangle Family Services |
- |
|
Triangle Hospice |
4,000 |
|
Triangle Radio Reading Service |
2,250 |
|
TROSA |
2,000 |
|
Volunteers for Youth |
5,500 |
|
TOTAL |
178,200 |
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council hereby approves, and authorizes the Manager to execute on behalf of the Town, agreements with the above agencies for services described in the Human Services Advisory Board’s report on June 28, 1999.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MISSION STATEMENT FOR CHAPEL HILL TRANSIT (99-6-28/R-11)
WHEREAS, the Town Council created the Chapel Hill Transit 25th Year Anniversary Committee; and
WHEREAS, one of the charges given the Committee by the Town Council was to develop a Mission Statement for the Chapel Hill Transit System; and
WHEREAS, the 25th Anniversary Committee has developed a Mission Statement;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council adopts the following Mission Statement for the Chapel Hill Transit System:
Chapel Hill Transit’s mission is to provide safe, convenient, accessible, reliable and responsive public transportation services to residents and visitors of the Chapel Hill, Carrboro and University of North Carolina communities. These services will be provided in an efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly way to connect and coordinate with other transportation services in the Research Triangle area and to provide an alternative for local and regional travel.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
(99-6-28/R-12)
BE
IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Mayor is hereby
authorized to certify to the North Carolina Firefighters’ Pension Fund the
following roster of firefighters employed by the Town of Chapel Hill on June
30, 1999.
Below are the names of the Chapel Hill Fire Department employees that have met the 36 hours of training for the fiscal year 1998-99:
|
Alston,
Keith |
Henderson,
Lemuel |
Seelbinder,
Mary |
|
Atwater,
Lewis |
Jones, Dan |
Shatley,
Gordon |
|
Baily,
Dennis |
Kelly,
Doug |
Smith,
William |
|
Bell, Jon |
Layton,
Joseph** |
Sutton,
Doug |
|
Bergen,
Dace |
Lewis,
David |
Sykes,
David |
|
Blalock,
Jerry |
Lucas,
Anthony |
Sznerch,
Pete |
|
Blankenship,
Bill |
McLamb,
Barry |
Taitt, Ron |
|
Bona, Jim |
Mellon,
Caprice |
Thompson,
Billy |
|
Borgesi,
Robbie |
Minton,
Bill |
Tilley,
Greg |
|
Bosworth,
Robert |
Moss, Paul |
Tucker,
Chris |
|
Bradley,
Chris |
Overton,
Bob** |
Ward,
Johnny |
|
Cabe, Jeff |
Parker,
Johnny |
Watson,
Rodney |
|
Clark,
Norman |
Parrish,
Doug |
Watts,
Gary |
|
Cline,
Doug |
Partin,
Wayne |
White,
John |
|
Cruz, Vic |
Peeler,
Greg |
Wiseman,
Ben |
|
Downey,
Ron |
Porterfield,
Keith |
Woody,
David |
|
Elvin,
Kevin |
Pruitt,
Rob |
|
|
Erwin, Sam |
Riddle,
Stephen** |
|
|
Gregory,
Tommy |
Rimmer,
Darryl |
|
|
Harris,
Vencelin |
Saxton,
Art |
|
** Denotes reserve firefighters. These personnel are former Public Safety
Officers now working for the Chapel Hill Police Department.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE TOWN ATTORNEY TO PREPARE A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM (99-6-28/R-13)
BE
IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council directs
the Town Attorney to prepare for the Council’s consideration on July 7, 1999,
an ordinance to implement the provisions of House Bill 841, Section 4, on
campaign finance reform and to advise the Council on the reasonable ranges for
setting limitations on campaign contributions pursuant to the provisions of
that Bill.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE DONATION OF A CLOCK TO BE INSTALLED IN THE STREETSCAPE AT OR NEAR 167 EAST FRANKLIN STREET (99-6-28/R-14)
WHEREAS,
Mr. Ken Jackson has agreed to purchase a clock for installation as a
streetscape feature; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Jackson agrees to maintain the clock in working order; and
WHEREAS,
the Council authorizes the Manager to approve lettering in the portion of the
clock above the face in one of the forms noted in the Manager’s report of June
28; and
WHEREAS,
the Council retains the right to remove the clock if it determines that removal
is in the best interest of the Town;
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Council hereby accepts the clock donated by Mr. Ken Jackson and agrees to
return the clock to Mr. Jackson if it is ever removed by Council direction.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING DEDICATION TO OWASA OF A WATER LINE AND A UTILITY EASEMENT LOCATED ON LAND CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL BEHIND THE SCROGGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
(99-6-28/R-14.1)
WHEREAS,
the Town of Chapel Hill has agreed to sell 6.3 acres to complete the land
needed for the construction of the Scroggs Elementary School; and
WHEREAS,
the Town has agreed to pay the Board of Education a sum identical to the price
of this land for the construction of the multi-purpose and soccer field behind
the school; and
WHEREAS,
the Town has agreed to pay in addition to the above, the cost of adding
irrigation, lighting and bleachers to the Scroggs Elementary School field; and
WHEREAS,
these actions cannot take place until the field is completed, including the
growth of good turf; and
WHEREAS,
the Board of Education wishes to occupy the school building before the field
will be ready and OWASA must accept the water and sanitary sewer systems before
that occupancy can be approved;
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Town Manager is authorized to transfer a water line and utility easement
located on Town land behind the Scroggs Elementary School to OWASA.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE
MANAGER TO PURSUE IDEAS TO ASSIST TOWN EMPLOYEES IN PURCHASING HOMES IN CHAPEL
HILL (99-6-28/R-14.2)
WHEREAS,
the Council has expressed interest in implementing an employer-assisted housing
program; and
WHEREAS,
the Orange Community Housing Corporation, EmPOWERment, Inc., and Habitat for
Humanity have offered the Council suggestions of employer assisted housing
programs that could be implemented;
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Council directs the Manager to pursue the following ideas to assist Town
employees in purchasing homes in Chapel Hill;
·
Ask non-profits to
hold information sessions during work hours at Town locations;
·
Ask EmPOWERment Inc.
to sponsor homeownership classes for Town Employees during work hours;
·
Ask non-profits to
work with employees to qualify them for their programs;
·
Discuss with Habitat
the possibility of modifying their income guidelines to accommodate Town
employees;
·
Have discussions with
Orange Community Housing Corporation to determine if Town employees can be
given preference for the Scarlett Drive project.
This
the 28th day of July, 1999.
Council Member Brown removed items f and g.
Council Member Foy asked that the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission be given a copy of the Orange County report regarding the economic impact of the cultural arts in the community.
Item 6 – Nominations and Appointments
a.
Nominations
COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOY, THAT EVERYONE WHO APPLIED FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS BE NOMINATED. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).
Nominations were made to the following boards and commissions:
|
Board of Adjustment |
Parks and Recreation Commission |
|
Housing and Community Development |
Pay As You Throw Advisory Group |
Advisory Board
|
Personnel Appeals Committee |
|
Human Services Advisory Board |
|
b.
Appointments
Mayor Waldorf asked that the appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board be deferred, since she had not had time to review the applications. Council Members Bateman and Evans concurred, as did the remaining Council Members.
1.
Board of Adjustment
The Council appointed Valerie Batetman (received 5 votes from Council Members Capowski, Evans, Foy, Pavăo and Wiggins) to the Board of Adjustment as a Town Alternate.
2.
Community Design
Commission
After ballots were counted, no applicant received the required 5 votes. Applicants will be reconsidered on July 7th.
3. Housing
and Community Development Advisory Board
Appointments were deferred until July 7th.
4. Human Services Advisory Board
The Council appointed Harriet Crisp (unanimous vote) and Stephen Frank (received 7 votes from Mayor Waldorf and Council Members Bateman, Brown, Evans, Foy, Pavăo and Wiggins) to the Human Services Advisory Board. No other applicant received the required 5 votes for appointment. Applicants will be reconsidered on July 7th.
5.
Pay As You Throw
Advisory Group
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOY, TO APPOINT ALL TWELVE OF THE PERSONS NOMINATED TO THE PAY AS YOU THROW ADVISORY GROUP AND TO LEAVE THE NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR FURTHER APPOINTMENTS. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).
The following people were appointed to the Pay As You Throw Advisory Group:
|
Howard Leroy Baldwin |
Mary Norwood-Jones |
|
Ron Binder |
Velma Perry |
Betty Danziger
|
Scott Radway |
|
Romeo Fontaine |
Julie Raymond |
|
Henry Lister |
Phil Rominger |
|
Betty Maultsby |
Ruby Sinreich |
6. Parks and Recreation Commission
Appointments were deferred until July 7th.
7. Personnel Appeals Committee
The Council appointed Anne-Marie Franck (received 7 votes from Mayor Waldorf and Council Members Bateman, Capowski, Evans, Foy, Pavăo and Wiggins) and Bonnie Knoke (received 7 votes from Mayor Waldorf and Council Members Bateman, Capowski, Evans, Foy, Pavăo and Wiggins) to the Personnel Appeals Committee.
8. Technology Committee
The Council appointed Penny Rich (received 7 votes from Mayor Waldorf and Council Members Bateman, Brown, Capowski, Evans, Foy and Pavăo) to the Technology Committee.
9.
Transportation
Board
After ballots were counted, no applicant received the required 5 votes. Applicants will be reconsidered on July 7th.
c. Consideration of Modification of the Charge to the Pay As You Throw Work Group
Council Member Brown suggested three changes to the charge.
(1) Change the language of “identify possible strategies to begin a “pay as you throw” system if that outcome is acceptable to the community;” to read “identify possible strategies to begin a “pay as you throw” system to be included in the final report.”
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOY, TO AMEND THE LANGUAGE IN THE THIRD BULLET TO READ “IDENTIFY POSSIBLE STRATEGIES TO BEGIN A “PAY AS YOU THROW” SYSTEM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL REPORT.
Mayor Waldorf said she thought that would change the focus.
Council Member Brown said she thought the community was included in the language of the first bullet.
Council Member Evans said that she agreed with the Mayor, and was concerned that the language change would change the intent.
Council Member Brown asked Council Member Evans if she agreed that this was covered in the first bullet. Council Evans said that she agreed with the language of the staff in the initial resolution.
Council Member Brown called the question.
THE MOTION WAS DEFEATED BY A VOTE OF 3-5, WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS BROWN, CAPOWSKI, AND FOY VOTING AYE, AND MAYOR WALDORF, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS BATEMAN, EVANS, PAVĂO, AND WIGGINS VOTING NAY.
(2) Change to include in bullet five the report by the Chapel Hill Solid Waste Reduction Task Force, and the various reports on this topic, and the work by Dr. Miranda of Duke University.
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOY, TO AMEND THE PROPOSAL BY ADDING TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE FIFTH BULLET “THE REPORTS BY THE CHAPEL HILL SOLID WASTE REDUCTION TASK FORCE, THE VARIOUS REPORTS, AND THE WORK BY DR. MIRANDA OF DUKE UNIVERSITY.” THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).
(3) Change bullet six to read “provide a report to the Council with the suggested work process and work schedule in the fall of 1999, subsequent reports to be submitted to the Council as determined necessary by the work group during the winter of 1999-2000. A final report should be given to the Council to fit into the Council’s Budget work sessions as early in the spring as possible for inclusion in the Council’s 2000-2001 budget if the Council so determines that.”
Council Member Evans said that the Committee should be able to determine its own work schedule, in order to provide the opportunity to request expertise if needed. She said it was important that this report be done correctly.
Council Member Brown said she thought it was important to impress on the Committee the importance of getting the proposal into the next budget and if they needed more time they could come to the Council with such a request.
Council Member Wiggins said this was an important addition—a target goal.
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BATEMAN, TO AMEND THE PROPOSAL TO CHANGE BULLET SIX TO READ “PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE COUNCIL WITH THE SUGGESTED WORK PROCESS AND WORK SCHEDULE IN THE FALL OF 1999, SUBSEQUENT REPORTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL AS DETERMINED NECESSARY BY THE WORK GROUP DURING THE WINTER OF 1999-2000. A FINAL REPORT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL TO FIT INTO THE COUNCIL’S BUDGET WORK SESSIONS AS EARLY IN THE SPRING AS POSSIBLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE COUNCIL’S 2000-2001 BUDGET IF THE COUNCIL SO DETERMINES THAT.” THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AN ADVISORY GROUP TO WORK ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE STUDY OF AND POSSIBLE IMPLEMENTATION OF “PAY AS YOU THROW” REFUSE COLLECTION
(99-6-28/R-14.3)
WHEREAS,
the Council has adopted a solid waste management plan which calls for finding
ways to reduce the amount of solid waste which is sent to landfills or other
disposal sites; and,
WHEREAS,
the solid waste management plan includes “Pay As You Throw (PAYT)” as one waste
diversion strategy; and
WHEREAS,
“pay as you throw” has been shown elsewhere to be an effective waste diversion
method; and
WHEREAS,
the Council desires to solicit as much feedback from the public as possible in
determining the best course of action with respect to changing solid waste
collection systems; and
WHEREAS,
citizen groups provide a means of acquiring the desired feedback to the Council
and can be an effective method of disseminating information to the community at
large;
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Council establishes an advisory group with the following charge:
·
involve the community
in a conversation about “pay as you throw”, with the goals of determining
community attitudes about “pay as you throw” and providing the community with
information about “pay as you throw”;
·
identify potential
obstacles in developing and implementing a “pay as you throw” program, and how to overcome them;
·
identify possible
strategies to begin a “pay as you throw” system if that outcome is acceptable
to the community;
·
take into account the
countywide solid waste management planning process and other initiatives in the
county which could affect refuse collection, hauling and disposal in Chapel
Hill;
·
review the report from
the Chapel Hill Solid Waste Reduction Task Force, Toward Zero Garbage, the
appropriate Weston Reports on this topic, as well as selected material
available from Dr. Miranda of Duke University.
Additional research on experiences of communities in North Carolina and
other comparable college communities throughout the country could be conducted
as needed. This review could look at
the following: goals set by communities; how communities determined which
system to use; what part education played in the success of the system; and for
longer established systems, how well the system has worked, whether the goals
were achieved and general attitudes by citizens after a period of time, if this
information is available. The work
group could add to the list as determined necessary;
·
provide a report to
the Council with a suggested work process and work schedule in the fall of
1999. Subsequent reports to be
submitted to the Council as determined necessary by the work group during the
winter of 1999-2000. A final report
should be given to the Council to fit into the Council’s budget work sessions
as early in the spring as possible for inclusion in the Council’s 2000-2001
budget, if the Council so determines.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the advisory group consider “pay as you throw” issues
regardless of whether it is backyard or curbside pick-up.
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Council will appoint an advisory group that will consist of
one or more representatives of the following groups:
·
homeowners
·
renters/student and
non-student
·
multifamily
development management
·
neighborhood groups
·
the University of
North Carolina
·
an individual with
utility management experience
·
business owners/operators
·
Council designee(s)
·
environmental groups
·
former sanitation
worker
This
the 28th day of June, 1999.
At Council Member Brown’s suggestion, she and Council Member Foy, the Council’s representatives on the Landfill Owners’ Group, agreed to act as liaisons to the Pay As You Throw Advisory Committee. Council Member Brown said that she would be willing to convene the meetings.
Item 7 – Report by the N.C. 54/Hamilton Road Intersection Work Group
Valerie Broadwell, Chair of the Special Work Group to Study the N.C. 54/Hamilton Road Intersection, said the Work Group understood that funds were limited and the staff needed to investigate the feasibility and the funding for their recommendations. She said that the Council needed to keep the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools apprised of the changes that Chapel Hill was planning for the intersection and how it related to the current “no walk” zone for Glen Lennox.
Fred Schroeder, a member of the Work Group, commended Valerie Broadwell, Chair; Libby Thomas, Vice Chair; and Dr. Dorothy Verkerk for their hard work in organizing and preparing the presentation. He reviewed the recommendations from the Work Group:
1. Visual, Tactile, and Auditory Cues to Alter Driver Behavior:
· Create Textured and colored crosswalks.
· Landscape NC 54 median from Hamilton Road east to Burning Tree Drive.
· Add Sidewalks and Planting Strips along NC 54 from Burning Tree Drive to Hamilton Road.
· Place rumble strips on NC 54 in advance of intersection in both directions.
· Reevaluate signing near and at the intersection.
2. Protections for Special Populations
· Create a pedestrian refuge at the intersection by widening and extending the median into the crosswalk and adding proper curb cuts.
· Designate stretch of NC 54 at intersection as a School Zone.
· Provide Two Crossing Guards during school crossing periods.
· Require Adult & Child Pedestrian Education Program for all Chapel Hill-Carrboro elementary schools.
3. Ensuring Pedestrian Right-of-Way
· Provide commitment from Town to enforce speeding and red light violations, and failure to yield to pedestrians.
· Provide pedestrian signal heads at all four corners.
· Add pedestrian-activated all red signal cycles—alternatively: institute dedicated left turn cycle for Hamilton Road in both directions; institute no turn on red; and institute no U-turn.
4. Lane Configuration
· Dedicate outside lanes to exclusive use for bikes/buses—alternately: designate Bicycle Lanes in both directions.
Mr. Schroeder said that the Work Group recommended that these proposals be approved and referred to the Manager.
Council Member Evans asked if the Work Group had addressed the location of the bus stops and crossing in the middle of the block and median prevention barriers to discourage mid-block crossing. Ms. Broadwell said that they had discussed the bus stops, but was not sure that much could be done about that. She said that there had been some fatalities in mid-block crossings, but that people felt safer crossing mid-block because there was less conflict between pedestrians and vehicles than at the crosswalks.
Mr. Zeger, a member of the Work Group, said that if some of the recommendations were implemented at the intersection it would make it less of a danger for pedestrians crossing at the intersection.
Ms. Broadwell said they had considered the plantings in the median to prevent mid-block crossings, and they also talked about a pedestrian fence for the median, but had been discouraged from doing this.
Council Member Evans asked about the pedestrian walk buttons. Beth Kell, a member of the Work Group, said that they had proposed to extend the median into the crosswalk, where pedestrians could find a refuge if they could not get all the way across the road during the pedestrian light.
Council Member Evans asked the staff to come back with the impact study of the no U-turn recommendation and how much of the sidewalk had been planned and funded between Burning Tree and the Bypass, with a map of the design.
Council Member Brown said that she was impressed with the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of the report. She asked the staff how this fitted in with the work going on presently with the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) officials and whether this report would be incorporated with the report of the NCDOT. David Brown, Traffic Engineer and staff liaison to the Work Group, said that he was also a member of that group with the NCDOT and he had incorporated the Work Group’s report with the NCDOT’s. Mr. Horton said that report would probably not be ready until September.
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FOY, TO REFER THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SPECIAL WORK GROUP TO THE MANAGER IN ORDER TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY DETERMINATION.
Mayor pro tem Capowski thanked the Work Group for the way they had packaged the report. He suggested that a major attention-getting sign, possibly with humor, could be used to indicate that there was a school crossing at the intersection, such as the signage at the base of Hillsborough Street, to slow cars down.
Council Member Foy thanked the Work Group for remarkable work, and suggested that it could be used in other parts of Town. He suggested that the Work Group remain a standing committee. He asked if the positioning of the signal lights had any bearing on a driver’s perception of an intersection. Mr. Zeger said that the size of the signal heads had more impact than the placement of them. He said that the Work Group had focused more on pedestrian issues.
Ms. Broadwell said that some of their suggestions were to make the highway more of a boulevard, with plantings and trees, than like an interstate.
Council Member Wiggins thanked the Work Group and said that she appreciated their recommendations.
Council Member Bateman asked if the “No Walk Zone” had been lifted. Dr. Verkerk said that if the police could not provide a backup for the crossing guard and the guard was unable to be present, it left a dangerous situation for the school children crossing at the intersection. She said that the School Administration said if that were the situation, they would declare the zone a “No Walk Zone,” and when they did so the police removed the crossing guards. She said that the School Administration was notified of what the Work Group was proposing, but they had not heard back from them.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).
Item 8 — OWASA’s Undeveloped Land and Open Space
Kathryn Spatz, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that the Special Use Permits (SUP) with regard to the unused portions of the properties would remain with both pieces of property, known as Nunn Mountain and Hilltop, no matter who owned the property, Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) or the Town. She said that she, Bill Webster and the petitioner, Bill Strom, along with the Greenways Commission had walked the properties. Ms. Spatz said that there were some privacy issues with the nearby neighborhoods, and the Parks and Recreation staff believed that the sites served well as they were at present, informal open spaces and passive recreation for the neighbors. She said that the staff recommended that no action be taken at the present time. Mr. Horton said that his staff agreed.
Pauline Grimson, representing the Westside Neighborhood Association, said that when OWASA planned a water tower on the Hilltop site, there were concerns in the neighborhood, and it was agreed to leave the site in a natural state, with trees blocking the tower from view. She said that she believed that there was a covenant on part of the site which could not be changed, and said that the neighborhood would like to see the site remain in its natural state.
Council
Member Foy said that he had pulled this petition from a prior meeting’s consent
agenda because he thought it should be referred to the Greenways Commission,
not the Parks and Recreation Commission.
He said that after having been a member of the Master Parks and
Recreation Land Use Plan with the County, it became
clear to him that there was a significant shortfall in the open space that the
Town and County had available to citizens.
Council Member Foy said that the demands being placed on the Merritt
Pasture provided further evidence that the Town was failing to take into
account the needs of people in a specific community to have access to
greenways. He said that he thought both
of the properties should be passive, open space, and limited use and should be
investigated further as to whether they would be useful to citizens as part of
Town-owned land. Council Member Foy
said he did not know whether OWASA ownership of the properties permitted this
kind of use.
Council Member Brown said that the neighbors of the two properties should be involved in the decision, particularly since the language of the SUP specifically stated that, in the case of Hilltop, the remainder of the 16.97 acres shall remain undisturbed. She said that if the Greenways Commission was chosen to make the decision, that the neighbors of both properties should be asked to join the discussion.
COUNCIL MEMBER FOY MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVĂO, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 15, DELETING THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND INSERTING THE GREENWAYS COMMISSION AND NEIGHBORS OF EACH SITE.
Council Member Bateman said that the Greenways Commission had already been consulted, as well as the Parks and Recreation Commission, each with conflicting recommendations. She said that she thought that the Parks and Recreation Commission should also be represented.
Mayor pro tem Capowski said he did not think anyone else needed to look at the petition.
Council Member Foy said that his point was that given the deficit of places for public use, that the Town should encourage that this land be used for passive recreation to the point that it could be, and that at present the land, controlled by OWASA, was not open for public use.
Council Member Brown asked for staff comment on whether the public was trespassing. Mr. Horton said that he did not believe that the land was posted, and he did not know of any public notice by OWASA having any objection to people walking on the lands, but that it was possible for them to change policy and object to people walking on the property.
Council Member Brown said that it was her understanding that whomever owned the property would still be restricted by the SUP as to the use of the property. Mr. Horton said that if OWASA wanted to change the use of the property, they would have to file for a modification to the SUP.
Council Member Bateman said that OWASA had made it very clear, in discussions with the neighbors during the original SUP application discussions, that they wanted to protect the neighbors from a view of the water tower. She said she thought the land should remain as it was. She added that there already was a Town park at the base of Nunn Mountain.
THE MOTION WAS DEFEATED BY A VOTE OF 3-5, WITH MAYOR WALDORF, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOY AND PAVĂO VOTING AYE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS BATEMAN, BROWN, CAPOWSKI, EVANS AND WIGGINS VOTING NAY.
Item 9 – Consideration of Recommendations for Use of 1996 Open Space Bond Revenues
Kathryn Spatz, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that in January of this year the Greenways Commission recommended open space acquisition:
1. To complete the Lower Booker Creek Greenway;
2. To develop Morgan Creek Trail;
3. To extend Bolin Creek Trail to Umstead Park;
4. To create access to Merritt Pasture; and
5. To purchase a large piece of property in northwest Chapel Hill.
A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO USE THE GREENWAYS COMMISSION’S JANUARY 1999
RECOMMENDATIONS AS A BASIS FOR INVESTIGATING AND RECOMMENDING LAND AND EASEMENT
PURCHASES AND TARGET “NON-AUTOMOBILE COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY” AS THE PRIMARY
LAND ACQUISITION GOAL FOR USE OF 1996 OPEN SPACE BOND FUNDS (99-6-28/R-16)
WHEREAS, the voters of Chapel Hill have authorized the sale of $3,000,000 in Open Space bonds; and
WHEREAS, the Council has established an Open Space bond sale schedule for the years 2000 and 2002; and
WHEREAS, the Council received the Greenways Commission’s recommendations for use of Open Space bond funds on January 11, 1999 and referred those recommendations to Town advisory boards and staff for further comments; and
WHEREAS, the Greenways Commission’s recommendations were primarily related to issues of community connectivity; and
WHEREAS, comments have been received from most advisory boards that support the Greenways Commission’s recommendations; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan Committee has discussed the importance of the concept of connectivity and other community values;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council establishes non-automobile community connectivity as the primary goal for use of 1996 Open Space bond funds; and, in addition, the Council would seek to preserve entranceway corridors, scenic vistas, environmentally sensitive areas, Resource Conservation District land, community open space, and neighborhood open space.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Council that the Manager is authorized to use the Greenways Commission’s recommendations as a basis to investigate and identify potential properties and easements for purchase using 1996 Open Space bond funds.
This the 28th day of June, 1999.
The minutes of June 28, 1999 were adopted on the 23rd day of
August, 1999.
__________________________________________
Joyce A. Smith, CMC