SUMMARY MINUTES OF A BUDGET WORK SESSION

OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2001, AT 4:00 P.M.

 

Mayor Rosemary Waldorf called the meeting to order at 4:00 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, Planning Director Roger Waldon, and Town Clerk Joyce Smith.

 

1.                  Library Board of Trustees

 

Vice Chairman Bob Schreiner reported that the Hennon’s American Public Library Ratings Index (HALPR Index) had rated Chapel Hill’s Public Library as the number one public library service in North Carolina.   He added that the Library had ranked number one every time the measure had been released over the years. 

 

Bill Holton reported that the Library had received an $18,350 grant for four computers, one server, a network hub, a printer, software, and a wiring allowance.  He said that this would increase the number of public access Internet stations to 17 when it is installed in March.

 

Chairman Fred Black explained that the Library Board had continued the work of the Library Needs Task Force by working with a consultant to assess long-term library service and resource needs.  He said that they had completed the first phase and that the second phase would focus on facilities.

 

Mr. Schreiner stated that the Library had received a $175,000 grant in honor of the late Barbara Holdbrook Frey, and that it would be put into the endowment and used to supplement the Library.  Mr. Holton added that Orange County’s support to the Library had increased by $17,931 (to $242,071) to purchase furniture and equipment and collection materials.

 

Mr. Black noted that that Library had participated in an Orange County Commissioners' Task Force to study County-wide library services.  He said that he represented the Library on the Task Force and that Mayor pro tem Lee Pavão represented the Town.  The Task Force’s report would be completed in the spring, Mr. Black said.

 

Mr. Black pointed out that the Library would need additional resources to continue or expand its services.  Part of that, he said, should come from Orange County because 39% of the Library’s patrons are non-Chapel Hill, Orange County residents.  Mr. Black pointed out that that this percentage had dropped from 46% because the Town had annexed areas formerly counted as outside Chapel Hill.

 

Noting that the Town will be discussing additional County support at its March 5th meeting, Mr. Black offered to visit the County Commissioners during one of their 2001-2002 budget planning sessions to make the case for more Library support.  He suggested that he point out that 39% of the Library’s patrons are non-Chapel Hill residents.  Mr. Black also said that he also would point out the between Orange County’s per capita expenditure ($5.46 at Chapel Hill Public Library vs. $10.04 at Orange County Public Library).  Mr. Black said that he would mention the contradiction between Orange County ranking first in the State for supporting education and its below average per capita expenditure for public libraries.

 

Mr. Black reported that the Library would finalize its consultant’s study regarding long-term library service and resource needs and would recommend a stepped implementation plan for library services in Chapel Hill.  He asked what other areas the Town Council would like the Board to explore during the next fiscal year.   Mr. Black stated that the library was committed to spending the funds necessary to meet the needs that people think they should receive at the Town Library. 

 

Mayor Waldorf urged the Board to visit the County Commissioners’ budget session and to request increased support.

 

Council Member Strom asked what the time frame for the consultant’s study was.  Mr. Black replied that funding was in place and that they hoped to report by April 2001.  He said that that the study would determine what direction they take for phase II.  Mr. Horton added that this was the logical next step to the needs assessment work that the Council had earlier authorized.  He added that things were going well and on schedule.

 

Council Member Jim Ward asked if the addition of Pritchard Park would change the Library’s operations in any way.  Mr. Black replied that the Board sees the park as enhancing the entire complex and was thinking about things that they might do differently.  Council Member Ward asked when the Library would be expanded.  Mr. Black explained that expansion depends on Phase II recommendations.  Mr. Black added that funds are also needed to build into the new areas of digitization.

 

Council Member Foy asked if the Orange County Commissioners had told the Library Board what they feel their constraints and obligations are with regard to library needs in Orange County.  Mr. Black replied that last year they had agreed to find a better solution to funding.  He explained that the Task Force should provide a vision of where Orange County wants to be. 

 

Mayor Waldorf asked if Board members had any predictions about what the Task Force would report.  They replied that they did not, noting that many interests were being represented. 

 

2.                  Housing and Community Development Advisory Board

 

Chair Mary Wynn Sherwood outlined the Housing Board’s goals for the coming year:

 

·        To support expanding delivery of available services to public housing residents.  Ms. Sherwood explained that the Board had surveyed residents and had a report in progress.  She said that they also are increasing the representation of public housing residents at Town Council meetings and hearings.  Ms. Sherwood noted that much of the affordable housing being proposed is too costly for public housing residents, even though many of them work at the University and Town.

 

·        To attain and maintain a full and stable Board membership.  Ms. Sherwood said that they had publicized vacancies through the Residents’ Council so that members know they are welcome to be on the Board.

 

·        To continue to support development of affordable housing.  Ms. Sherwood pointed out that while affordable housing is available for special populations there is not much affordable rental housing available.

 

·        To educate itself about the needs of neighborhood community centers.  Ms. Sherwood said that the Board had been surveying neighborhoods to find out what services residents wanted for their children.  They found that parents wanted after school programs which include tutoring, she said.  Ms. Sherwood said some have problems with transportation and costs, and many did not know they were eligible for reduced fees.  Ms. Sherwood said that many people see the Hargraves Center as being in an unsafe neighborhood.  They also feel there are not enough programs for toddlers, she said, adding that most had requested tutoring, mentoring and sports.

 

Ms. Sherwood asked if there would be space for public housing residents at the new recreation center on Airport Road.  She said that the Board wanted to emphasize the need for reduced cost centers and programming that would be close enough for public housing residents to access.  The Board also recommended that the Town subsidize the cost of summer camp, she said.  Ms. Sherwood stressed that the Oakwood neighborhood in Carrboro would benefit most by having a center.  She wondered if they could use the Century Center, which had recently moved closer to that neighborhood.

 

Ms. Sherwood stated that the Board would submit a proposal for a program for transitional rental housing from public housing into the private market.  She explained that the Board had highly recommended that the Town Council support this proposal and find HOME or Community Development funding for it.  Ms. Sherwood also requested that the Town not eliminate central air conditioning from the nine Lindsay Street units if funds are limited for that refurbishing project.

 

Council Member Wiggins inquired about the status of air conditioning in public housing.  Ms. Tina Vaughn replied that 49 apartments did not have air conditioning in July 2000.  She said that Council members had directed the Department to ask residents whether or not they wanted Town-provided air conditioning which they would pay for themselves based on their ability to pay.  Ms. Vaughn explained that six families had said they wanted air conditioning and that the Department plans to survey all of them again this spring.  She pointed out that the Council had directed the Department to build new units with air conditioning, which is what they were doing at Lindsay Street.

 

Council Member Ward inquired about the renovations at Lindsay Street.  Ms. Vaughn replied that it consisted mainly of interior retrofitting: new kitchens, bathrooms, wiring, plumbing, siding, landscaping, windows, doors, insulation, roof, furnaces, water heaters, and central air conditioning.  She added that appliances were not part of the renovation contract because the Town provides them as part of operating expenses.

 

Mayor Waldorf inquired about the status of a petition by Rainbow Heights residents for a traffic signal at Highway 86/Stateside Road.  She recommended that those residents get that to her so that she could give it to the right people.

 

Council Member Strom, explaining that he serves on the Orange County Affordable Housing Task Force, commented that the Task Force was aware of the shortages of rental units and the lack of development of additional units.  He described this as a “key finding” in Chapel Hill. 

 

3.                  Transportation Board

 

Transportation Board Chairman Loren Hintz explained that his Board was concerned with issues related to buses (including Easy Rider and Shared Rider), traffic, parking, State and federal TIP, cycling and bike facilities, pedestrian access and safety, and parking rules.  Mr. Hintz noted that Transportation Board members also serve on other committees that focus on these issues.  He recommended that the Town fund all previous recommendations, such as the Highway 54/Hamilton Road issue and the 25-year review.

 

Although some of these projects require state and federal funding, Mr. Hintz pointed out that others, such as repainting a crosswalk, depend on local support.  He suggested that posting and repairing signage and posting schedules become a line item since it requires a half-time person to do it.  He recommended including money in the budget for bike racks on buses.  Mr. Hintz noted that current facilities would have to be replaced since they are at the Horace Williams site.  He said that a predicted increase in service will require purchasing more buses, and pointed out that the cost of annexation will require more services.  Mr. Hintz also said that money would have to be allocated to changing technologies on the buses.

 

Mr. Hintz pointed out that fare free bus service would have a tremendous impact on what the Department can offer.  He added that the State shortfall would affect transportation as well.  Mr. Hintz wondered how the new bike master plan would relate to the bus system and how it would compare with the sidewalk system.  He also wondered who would be in charge of putting those pieces together. 

 

Mr. Hintz stated that, in general, the Department favored reducing parking, having sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the streets, having fewer traffic lanes, making streets safer to cross, and having more frequent and longer hours for buses.  He predicted that these policies would increase ridership, reduce the increase in traffic, and promote alternatives to the private vehicle.

 

Council Member Bateman asked the Manager who would manage the integration of bikes, greenways, and sidewalk plans.  Mr. Horton replied that it would come through the Planning Department and the capital improvements process.  He noted that the Town Council would make the final decision on funding particular projects.  Council Member Bateman asked if it was likely that much of the State shortfall would be transportation-related.  Mr. Horton replied that transportation funding probably would not be the first place they would look because so much of that is protected by law.   The Town would know more about this on Friday, Mr. Horton said, after they meet with the legislative delegation.

 

Council Member Brown asked Mr. Hintz to elaborate on the Board’s discussion about fare free bus service.  Mr. Hintz explained that they had heard over the years that people do not want bus service to be reduced when the University is out of session.  He said that people seemed more concerned about the frequency of service than the fee.  Mr. Hintz noted that there would have to be an increase in fares to increase services.

 

Council Member Ward asked the staff to address this concern, which he said he also shared.  Mr. Horton replied that the staff also was concerned about the financial circumstances under which they would change to fare free service.  He noted that it would not be practical unless the University was willing to pay a much larger portion of the cost and take full responsibility for some segments of the system.  If that were done, Mr. Horton said, then the next concern would be whether or not the Town could respond to additional service demands.  He said that the staff would bring a fare free proposal as part of the budget.

 

Council Member Ward commented that the majority of expansion would be beyond where the University would feel responsible, since their population is close to Town and well served.  Mr. Horton pointed out that the University plans to increasingly rely on remote parking lots.  He agreed, though, that the Town does not know how many Chapel Hill residents would become new riders with increased frequency and free service.

 

Mayor Waldorf commented that the Town might want to change the standards for new service.   She added that the University would need more service by large increments and that this is an opportunity to redefine the Town/UNC partnership. 

 

Council Member Brown asked Mr. Horton for more specifics on University expansion.  Mr. Horton explained that the University had talked about making better utilization (i.e. creating structured parking) of existing lots as well as the additional lot planned for Highway 54.

 

Council Member Brown asked Mr. Hintz if the Board thought it was a good idea to have less parking even when there is not more bus service to new developments.  Mr. Hintz replied that there are various opinions on the Board about that.  He said that there were a large number of areas within Town limits where people would walk and use bikes if the Town were friendlier to pedestrians and cyclists.  Mr. Hintz also noted that Southern Village and Meadowmont are both near bus stops.

 

Mayor Waldorf inquired about the status of bike racks on buses.  Mr. Horton replied that the staff would bring a report in March.  Mayor Waldorf introduced the new Transit Director Mary Lou Kuschatka, adding that she had heard great things about Ms. Kuschatka’s work.

 

 

4.                  Bicycle and Pedestrian Board

 

ChairDorothy Verkerk noted that the student referendum on fare free service had passed at 71%.  Referring to a “Summary of Budget 2001-2002,” Ms. Verkerk explained that the 100,000 linear feet figure had come from the Board’s priority list and did not include many sidewalks that were needed but were not on that list because no citizen had requested them.  She emphasized that pedestrian infrastructure is important and not just an abstract concept.

 

Ms. Verkerk stated that the Town was rapidly falling behind due to increasing costs.  At the present rate of funding, she said, it would take 25 years to meet the basic minimum requirement of 100,000 linear feet.  Ms. Verkerk said that it seemed “odd” to her that the Town would ask a referendum for $7-million for a pool when there is only $100,000 available for sidewalks. 

 

Ms. Verkerk asked that the Town triple the Bike and Pedestrian Board’s budget in order to attack the problem in a more aggressive manner.  Noting the request for $11,800 for promotion and brochures, Ms. Verkerk expressed concern about lack of pedestrian education.  She also suggested that more time be spent on grant writing.

 

Council Member Brown asked Ms. Verkerk what exactly had passed at the University that day.  Ms. Verkerk explained that the students had sent a clear message that they wanted the entire system to be fare free and would accept an increase in student fees to pay for that. 

 

Council Member Ward commented that without excellent pedestrian infrastructure transit does not work well.  He expressed dismay over the number of bus stops in Town that do not have a sidewalk near them. 

 

Council Member Foy asked Mr. Horton if the staff planned to bring back anything in the budget that would respond to the Board’s request for a large increase.  Mr. Horton replied that he understood Ms. Verkerk’s logic but explained that the Council would be facing a tough budget situation, on capital funds in particular.  He said there was reason to be concerned that the State might come after $500,000-$700,000 of the Town’s revenues and that there was not a lot of flexibility in the budget.  Acknowledging that the objective was worthwhile, Mr. Horton agreed that a bond might be a way to address the needs.  He noted that the Town had recently adopted a resolution to ask Orange County to include funds for bikeways and sidewalks in its bond proposal.  Mr. Horton added that the Town budget would address the issue and would offer options.

 

Council Member Foy asked if the previous notion of using money for retired debt without getting further authorization would be an option.  Mr. Horton replied that the staff would present such options.  He noted, however, that this still would require debt service.  Mr. Horton commented that the Council would be faced with some terrible choices this year.  He added that the Town would be operating under some uncertainty until they know what the State legislature will do.

 

Council Member Strom asked Mr. Horton to bring a couple of choices on the CIP.  Mr. Horton agreed.  Council Member Strom pointed out that bikeways and sidewalks would be a component of the Council’s $5-million bond request for greenways. 

 

Board Member Eva Metzger asked what the chances were of getting more staff time.  Mr. Horton replied, “slim to none.”  He said that they might be able to reallocate time but could not create new positions.  Ms. Metzger commented that they could get more funding if they had someone to research grants.  Mr. Horton replied that he was not convinced of that, adding that the Town had never shied away from trying to obtain grants.

 

Council Member Wiggins asked how board and commission recommendations fit with department head recommendations.   Mr. Horton replied that department heads are informed by boards and commissions but not instructed by them.  He noted that boards could be very inventive and that departments cannot do everything boards propose.  Mr. Horton asked the Council to let him know if there were particular board recommendations that they want the staff to consider.

 

Council Member Ward inquired about the status of the effort to get better coordination between the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Transportation Board, and Greenways Commission.  Mayor Waldorf suggested that chairs of those three boards and Council liaisons get together and talk about reducing the duplication of efforts.     

 

5.  Greenways Commission

 

Audrey Booth stated that greenways are a network that go somewhere and connect and have real meaning in the Town’s transportation network.  She asked the Council to be attentive in their negotiations with the University regarding the development of the Horace Williams tract.  Ms. Booth emphasized the need for greenways linking that tract with others nearby.  She said that she was not suggesting who should pay for them but merely recommending getting them into planning.

 

Brenda Nielsen explained that the Commission had recently looked at two large OWASA tracts, one of which was a 17-acre Hilltop site off of Merritt Mill Road that connects several neighborhoods.  She recommended exploring the possibility with OWASA of using that site as an informal, neighborhood-oriented nature trail.  Ms. Nielsen explained that this would require a greenway easement and permission for parking on OWASA land off of Merritt Mill Road.

 

Debbie Morris asked the Council to approve a process for awarding individuals, groups, or businesses that have done extraordinary and/or significant things to create and preserve greenways and open space in Chapel Hill.  She said they were proposing three levels of awards (honor, merit, and citizen) and were soliciting names of people to receive them.  Ms. Morris noted that there was a backlog of names at the moment.  She suggested honoring six to eight winners the first time through.

 

Council members agreed by consensus to approve the award program.  Council Member Bateman suggested requesting volunteer help from UNC sororities and fraternities. 

Mark Broadwell provided four scenarios on how on how the Commission might achieve the goals of the master plan:

 

1.      Maintain current funding (CIP is $90,000) and increase it in three stages.  With $90,00, Mr. Broadwell said, the Commission had completed Bolin Creek (Phase I and II), started lower Booker Creek, and secured funding for the Linear Park.  He predicted that they probably could complete one large project at that current level of funding for the next ten years.

 

2.      Increase by 50%, or $45,000, to approximately $120,000.  Mr. Broadwell explained that this would allow the Commission to complete about one fourth of their priorities.

 

3.      Increase by 100%, or $90,000 to approximately $180,000 per year.  Mr. Broadwell said that this would allow completion of about half of the priority list. 

 

4.      Large block of funding such as a bond ($1,000,000-$5,000,000), which would allow completion of priority projects. 

 

Mr. Broadwell asked the Council to consider this when deciding on CIP funding or overtures to the County for bond referendum.

 

Chairman Joe Herzenberg asked the Council’s permission to build a temporary trail through the land at I40/Erwin Road.  He also called the Council’s attention to a paragraph on page two of the Council’s memo regarding staffing.  Mr. Herzenberg asked the Council to consider an increase in staffing sometime soon if not this year.

 

Mayor Waldorf asked Mr. Horton about the temporary trail.  Mr. Horton explained that the Council could immediately approve that just as they have with other temporary trails.  Council members approved the use of the trail by consensus.

 

Council Member Strom pointed out that the Council had asked Orange Community Housing to bring a feasibility study on the use of five of those acres.  Mr. Horton noted that the main portion of the trail would not be in an area where the Town would want housing. 

 

Council Member Bateman asked Ms. Nielsen where the other site was located.  Ms Nielsen replied that it was the Nunn Mountain site, but added that the Commission had not requested action on it.  Council Member Bateman said that she would like some action to enforce grass cutting during the summer.  Mr. Horton said that the plan had been to leave that area natural.  He added, though, that grass cutting could be investigated. 

 

Council Member Ward asked if the Commission was aware of any security problems related to trails.  Commission members replied that they were not.  Mr. Horton stated that there had been periodic reports of someone following or accosting someone else.  He pointed out, however, that there had been many more such incidents on Franklin Street.   Mr. Horton stressed that the Town pays attention and keeps data on trails and has no reason to be concerned about security at this point.

 

Council Member Foy complemented the Greenways Commission on their new brochure, which he said was well done and effective.  He asked Ms. Nielsen what specifically she wanted the Council to do.  Ms. Nielsen replied that the Commission was asking the Council to make a formal request to OWASA to grant easements and a small parking lot or to authorize the Manager to do so.

 

Council Member Wiggins said that she wanted to discuss some of the listed disadvantages before acting on this issue.  Council members agreed to schedule a discussion at an upcoming meeting.

 

Council Member Brown asked if this was one of the areas designated to remain undisturbed.  Mr. Horton replied that it would require a modification of the SUP to make it available for any recreation purpose.

 

Ms. Nielson pointed out the Commission was not suggesting a paved parking lot, just a small rocky space for three or four cars.  She noted that the houses were very high above that ravine and pointed out that the trail leads to the University.

 

Council Member Strom thanked Commission members for their clear presentation.  He asked Mr. Horton for budget options that would give the Council the opportunity to accelerate some of their development projects.  Mr. Horton agreed to do so.

 

Council Member Strom asked about the status of the Morgan Creek DOT money for developing a location for access to Merritt’s pasture.  Mr. Herzenberg replied that they should have money for a more detailed engineering study this fall.  He said that there was also a request in the TIP for construction funding, which would not be available for a couple more years at the current schedule. 

 

Council Member Strom inquired about the acquisition of a specific piece of land toward Carrboro which was adjacent to Town land.  Mr. Herzenberg explained that the Commission had sent a survey out to all area landowners, but had received only two replies, both negative.  He said that they plan to follow up individually to see if others are interested in selling their land.

 

Mayor Waldorf mentioned that UNC Chancellor Moeser and Mrs. Moeser are admirers of the greenway system.  She suggested that the Commission find a way to stimulate greater University participation. 

 

6.  Parks and Recreation Commission

 

Chairman John Covach reported that Homestead Park was operating and that nature programs were up and running, thanks to Commission Member Eunice Brock.  He said that a Youth With Special Needs sub-committee was studying how well the Town’s programs are serving that segment of the community.  Mr. Covach stated that John Anderson and Andrea Rohrbacher were participating in the Parks and Recreation master plan.  He said that the summer concert series at UNC had worked well last year and that they hope to expand it this summer.  Mr. Covach recommended creating a relationship between Commission members and Chapel Hill Public Schools Board members.

Mr. Covach noted that the Parks and Recreation Department’s budget last year had emphasized maintenance.  This was already beginning to pay off, he said.  Mr. Covach made two recommendations for this year’s budget:

 

·        Find a way to fund the Special Population/Mainstream Recreation Specialist position.  Mr. Covach said that this was exactly the kind of position that Parks and Recreation needed in order to make a serious commitment to integrating youth with special needs into the Town’s program offerings.

 

·        Think about expanding some of the current facilities for meeting and programming space.

 

A future issue, Mr. Covach said, would be to reevaluate the reciprocal fee structure with Orange County.  He pointed out that Chapel Hill has some sophisticated facilities which County citizens may use more than Town citizens use County facilities.

 

Mayor Waldorf explained that the Council had recently passed a resolution asking the County Commissioners to include the following in the County Parks and Recreation bond money:  an aquatics center, development of the Southern Community Park, greenways, sidewalks and bikeways.  She suggested sending that resolution to the various boards and commissions so that they could consider whether they would like to go on record as supporting it.  Mr. Horton agreed to have information sent to the boards and commissions.

 

Council Member Bateman praised the summer concert series and noted that the Parks and Recreation Department had expanded the definition of recreation.  She asked if the Department had discussed increasing user fees for any of the facilities.  Director Kathryn Spatz replied that the Commission was scheduled to discuss user fees in March.  She said that they had raised user fees last year for gymnasiums, meeting rooms, and fields.  Ms. Spatz added that the Department was researching what other jurisdictions charge, for pools in particular.

 

Commission Member Rohrbacher pointed out that the meeting/activity room contained vending machines, a Ping-Pong table, and other equipment.  She explained that no one could use those things when there is a meeting in that room. Ms. Rohrbacher noted that there had been a couple of preliminary recommendations from consultants regarding gymnasiums.  She questioned whether that was needed, pointing out that gym space could be obtained through cooperation with schools while there is little meeting space, especially for large groups. 

 

Commission Member Eunice Brock agreed, noting that children must wait outside to use the game tables when she is conducting nature programs in the meeting room.  She requested that the staff see what could be done with space that is not in the RCD.  Ms. Brock also requested that signs suggesting “common courtesy” be posted along the road to the facility.  She said that there had been near accidents between pedestrians and people on roller-blades.  

 

Council Member Bateman asked about adding a mobile unit such as the schools have.  Mr. Horton replied that by the time a mobile unit meets Town requirements it is stationary and subject to the same requirements as any other development.

 

Council Member Ward asked if Town-acquired houses could be used.  Mr. Horton replied that if the Town acquires the four houses on Dickerson Court then it would have to demolish them.  Council Member Ward asked if the meeting room at the Town Library could be used for the nature programs.  Mr. Horton replied that it is available on a registration basis.  He added that there was an excellent set of meeting facilities at the Hargraves and Lincoln Centers. Commission members said that Library space had been solidly booked.  Mr. Horton pointed out that Town departments could pre-empt that space.

 

Council Member Foy asked for opinions about the aquatic facility’s location.  Mr. Covach replied that since it would cost $12-million there should be multiple communities involved in the project.  Mr. Covach said that the aquatic center would be a beautiful thing in that setting, which is filled out and just waiting for the pool.

 

7.                  Human Services Advisory Board

 

Chair Terri Tyson reported that 28 agencies had come before the Board last year and asked for approximately  $240,000, about 33% more than the $178,000 budget.  She noted that they must decide each year whether to stay with “tried and true” agencies or split the money among new agencies with new ideas and programs. 

 

Ms. Tyson explained that many people are now being required to get off welfare because of the lifetime limit.  She said that they are looking to local human service agencies for help with job skills and transportation.  She noted that there has been an influx of immigrants, which has increased competition for entry-level jobs.  Also, the economy is slowing down at the State level, Ms. Tyson said, so there will be less money for local counties.

 

Noting that there had been no increase to Human Services last year, Ms. Tyson asked for a 10% increase this year.  This should be thought of as a five percent increase spread over two years, she said.  Ms. Tyson noted that Human Services would start receiving applications on March 9, 2001 and would hold joint hearings with Carrboro for six weeks beginning on March 19. 

 

Board Member Bill Powers explained that he was new to Chapel Hill.  He said that his impression of the Town had been that it was sensitive to the needs of the poor and to people who are vulnerable in different ways. 

 

Council Member Ward explained that the Botanical Garden, where he works, is not allowed to ask for federal funds each year.  The reason, he said, was to keep them from becoming financially dependent so that the money could be spread out to other groups as well.  Council Member Ward asked if the Advisory Board had considered diversifying in that way with some of its applicants.  Board Member Harriet Crisp replied that they look each year at the diversity of applicants and at the money they will receive from different agencies.  She noted that agencies typically ask for $6,000-$10,000 from Human Services and must receive funding from several other sources as well.

 

Council Member Bateman asked if there was a policy regarding which applicants they support.  Ms. Tyson replied that each year there is an emphasis (such as mental health and helping people getting off of welfare this year), but they attempt to spread the money around rather than giving large amounts to one agency.  Council Member Bateman agreed that Council Member Ward had made a valid suggestion.  Ms. Tyson noted that they had never asked agencies not to apply for funding before, but agreed to consider it.

 

Council Member Wiggins asked if the Board had suggested that similar applicants combine their programs.  Ms. Tyson replied that they had not done so, but agreed to pursue the idea this spring.

 

8.  Historic District Commission

 

Chair Elizabeth Pringle requested $2,000 for printing about 100 copies of the new Design Review Guidelines.  She asked for additional staff time for projects which they had not been able to complete.  Ms. Pringle also requested a zoning enforcement officer and about $2,000 to create boundary signs.  She asked the Town to consider setting aside about $700 for about ten hours of time for someone from the Dispute Settlement Center to provide structured mediation in the case of demolition.  In addition, Ms. Pringle requested  $5,000 for the Survey Project, which she said would be met by $15,000 from the Preservation Society and $20,000 from the State Division of Archives and History.  She explained that this would depend on a grant that they should know about by March 1, 2001.

 

Mayor Waldorf noted that this money had already been authorized.  Ms. Pringle stated that they just wanted to remind the Council about it.  She asked Council members to think about long term goals—such as tree replacements, cemetery improvements and streetscape improvements.  

 

Responding to a comment by Ms. Pringle away form the microphone, Mr. Horton asked if Ms. Pringle was suggesting that the University work with the Preservation Society to have houses sold through a process that would guarantee that they be restored and properly maintained.  Ms. Pringle agreed. 

 

Mayor Waldorf asked Mr. Horton if he was suggesting that the Historic District Commission and the Preservation Society work together to develop a proposal or a letter.  Mr. Horton replied that this would be useful, and Ms. Pringle agreed to facilitate that.

 

Council Member Ward pointed out that Chancellor Moeser seemed to want to extend the Historic District into the old area of campus.

 

Mayor Waldorf suggested checking into this.  She added that the Chancellor had said that UNC would hire a preservationist to help ensure that things are preserved properly.  She suggested that Commission members contact Jonathan Howes at the University. 

 

9.  Planning Board

 

Chair Gay Eddy asked the Town Council to remain committed to the revised development ordinance and to move it along.  Noting that the implementation plan for the Downtown area was still “hanging out there,” she pointed out that characters change and things get lost the longer plans are delayed.

 

Ms. Eddy pointed out that the Town had frequently discussed parking issues and that developing a comprehensive parking strategy was part of the comprehensive plan. With regard to the 110% of minimum policy instituted by the Council, Ms. Eddy stressed that the Town needed to make sure that the basis of that policy is not “out of whack.”  She suggested reviewing how the minimum had been determined.

 

Mayor Waldorf pointed out that the Council had asked the new consultant for a better parking policy with a more rational underpinning.  She said that she welcomed any good advice from the Planning Board on this. Mayor Waldorf noted that the Council and the Planning Board had consistently come to different decisions on how much parking to allow developments.  She noted that the Wachovia Bank had decided not to build in Meadowmont after the Council gave them 14 parking spaces even though the Planning Board had recommended 21.  Mayor Waldorf said that she was personally frustrated by the way the Town was dealing with parking but did not know how to improve the situation.  She asked that the Board be assertive about giving the Council its opinion if it feels that the Council is not hearing what they say. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.