MINUTES OF A CLOSED SESSION OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL
MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2000 AT 9:28 P.M.
Mayor Rosemary Waldorf called the closed session to order at 9:28 p.m.
Council members present were: Flicka Bateman, Joyce Brown, Pat Evans, Kevin Foy, Lee Pavão, Bill Strom, Jim Ward, and Edith Wiggins.
Staff members present were: Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos, Assistant to the Manager Bill Stockard, and Town Clerk Joyce Smith.
Referring to the map just distributed (see attached), Ms. Loewenthal called the Council’s attention to the striped area of land adjacent to the specked parcel, which is the site for the planned Southern Fire Station. She noted the cost of this land was appraised at $200,000. Ms. Loewenthal asked the Council if it wished to purchase this land with Open Space Bond funds. She added that the land is 8.5 acres, and the owners are interested in selling. Ms. Loewenthal said the land is currently outside Town limits, but the Town could buy it with General Fund fund balance, then bring it into the Town limits, and reimburse the General Fund from Open Space Bond funds.
Mr. Horton asked the Council if staff could negotiate if Mrs. Craig, the owner, wanted to sell the property for more than the appraised price. Mayor Waldorf said she would like to get a lower price. Mr. Horton said he would like to talk with Mrs. Craig, see what she would like to receive for the property, and be able to make a counter proposal.
Council Member Wiggins said the owner should be compensated for her asset.
Council Member Brown asked if anything was on the land. Ms. Loewenthal responded no, it is just undeveloped woodland.
Council Member Ward asked what would the Town do with it. Mr. Horton said we would keep it as open space until debt is paid on initial bonds, then the Council could decide what to use it for.
Ms. Loewenthal said we would negotiate the best possible price, and bring back a proposal to the Council. Responding to a Council question, Ms. Loewenthal stated the Town had paid $190,000 for the Fire Station land, about $23,000 per acre.
The Council authorized the Manager to negotiate with Mrs. Craig for the purchase of this property.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35.
Resolution of June 28, 1999 regarding use of Open Space Bond funds
Memo dated November 11, 1998 from Greenways Commission regarding
Purchase of Land Using 1996 Open Space Bond Funds