SUMMARY MINUTES OF A CLOSED SESSION
OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2000, AT 10:22 P.M.
Mayor Waldorf called the closed session to order at 10:22 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, and Town Clerk Joyce Smith.
Ms. Loewenthal noted that this piece of land was 34.6 aces at the corner of Erwin Road and I-40. She said this parcel was not on the map of parcels to be considered for purchase as open space by the Council because it had been approved for development. Ms. Loewenthal said this property meets all of the standards set forth by the Council for land acquisition.
Council Member Evans asked if all of the $3 million in Open Space bonds had been issued. Mr. Horton responded no. Ms. Loewenthal noted that we have $2,563,000 in residuals now.
Mayor pro tem Pavão asked if this property was a potential school site for Orange County. Mayor Waldorf said yes, but they no longer were interested in it. Mayor pro tem Pavão noted he was on the School Site Committee, and he believed this property was still on that list.
Ms. Loewenthal noted that her information was the County schools were no longer interested in the site.
Council Member Ward asked if there was room for negotiation that would allow us to acquire some grant funds. Ms. Loewenthal noted that the deadline was June 1st, and it was unlikely that a grant could be acquired in time to purchase this parcel.
Council Member Strom asked if we purchase this property with Open Space funds, would it have to remain open space? Mr. Horton said that if the funds were paid back to the fund, the property could then be used for other purposes.
Council Member Foy said he believed we could get assistance from the County, adding that we should acquire the land, and possibly have the County provide some funds. Mr. Horton said that accepting money from the County could limit future uses of the property, since it would then be jointly owned.
Council Member Bateman said we should get a definite answer from the County schools before making a decision, so that it does not appear that we are in competition with them.
Council Member Strom noted there had been a lot of interest by Orange Community Housing in finding a 5 or 6-acre site, and he would like to find a way to give or sell a portion of this property to them to construct another project similar to the Dobbins Hill project.
COUNCIL MEMBER STROM MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE PURCHASE OF THE 34.6 ACRES AT THE CORNER OF ERWIN ROAD AND I-40, AND PROCEED WITH CONTACTING THE COUNTY SCHOOLS AND THE ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS SECONDED THE MOTION.
Mayor Waldorf restated that the motion: (1) asks staff to continue discussions with the landowner; (2) requests that we positively confirm with the County schools that they no longer are interested in the site; and (3) approves purchase of the property with a proviso that a small portion of the land could be used by Orange Community Housing.
Council Member Foy suggested that we also approach the County to help purchase it.
Mr. Horton noted that it would be an opportunity to obtain a partner, such as Orange Community Housing or the County, for future uses of the property. He stated that staff could have the information ready to come back to the Council at its December 11 meeting for formal approval. The Council agreed.
Mr. Horton asked about delegates to approach the County.
Council Member Foy said he looked at the partnership as a savings.
Council Member Ward asked if we could designate which section of the acreage would be jointly owned. Mr. Horton said the Town and County could agree that a portion of the land would be used for affordable housing, or could stipulate that the part the County owned would remain as open space.
Council Member Brown asked if a grant means a gift, or co-ownership. Mr. Horton said he believed it would mean co-ownership.
Council Member Ward noted that the issue of affordable housing should be thoroughly studied before a decision is made to place affordable housing on this site.
Mayor pro tem Pavão said he would not like to loose control of how the land could be used, and he was concerned about approaching the County about a possible grant.
Mayor Waldorf asked if the Council wanted to approach the County.
Council Member Evans said she believed the Town should just purchase the property outright.
Mr. Horton suggested that the County could be informed that it was too good an opportunity to pass up, but the Council would like to discuss potential options for potential participation in these costs.
A MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL AGREED TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY.
Council Members Foy and Strom volunteered to approach the County and ask if they were willing to contribute any funds and under what conditions.
Mr. Horton noted that a report would come back to the Council on December 11, to include a response from the County.
The Closed Session adjourned at 10:50 p.m.