SUMMARY MINUTES OF A PLANNING SESSION

OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2005, AT 8:30 A.M.

 

Mayor Foy called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

 

Council members present were: Sally Greene, Ed Harrison, Cam Hill, Mark Kleinschmidt, Bill Strom, Dorothy Verkerk, Jim Ward, and Edith Wiggins.

 

Staff members present were: Town Manager Cal Horton, Deputy Town Manager Flo Miller, Assistant Town Manager Bruce Heflin, Town Information Officer Catherine Lazorko, Finance Director Kay Johnson, Planning Director Roger Waldon, Senior Long Range Planning Coordinator Chris Berndt, Current Development Coordinator JB Culpepper, Mayoral Assistant Emily Dickens, Transportation Planner David Bonk, and Town Clerk Sabrina Oliver.

 

Item 1 - Welcome and Review of Proposed Agenda

 

Mayor Foy welcomed the Council and the audience, noting this meeting was the Council’s opportunity to set its goals for 2005.  He asked if any changes were suggested to the agenda.  None were suggested.

 

Mayor Foy noted that when they got to Item 5 on the agenda, Discussion of Other Issues, the discussion would not be limited to the issues listed, stating that others may be added.

 

Item 2 - Review of Council Procedures

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt noted he was disappointed in how procedures were used during the Council’s December 6, 2004 meeting.  He said that when modifications to the Council Procedures Manual were discussed in the fall, there was one point in particular point he was interested in, that being the motion of a previous question.  Council Member Kleinschmidt said this is a way of thinking in a non-stressful time of how we will behave in stressful times, as well as a way of considering minority opinions.  He asked how this differed from calling a question, adding he was asking in order help the Council remain courteous.

 

Mr. Karpinos responded that there is a provision for calling the question, adding it means that it is time to get on with the vote.  Generally, he said, we don’t go strictly by parliamentary procedures because they are not needed, but calling the question means that the Council is ready to vote.  Mr. Karpinos said the debate could continue if someone objected.  But, he continued, if a motion is made and seconded, it requires a three-fourths vote and the debate ends.  Mr. Karpinos said that absent a motion and a three-ourths vote, then comments may continue.

 

Council Member Strom said the Triangle Transit Authority board had recently dealt with the same issue.  He said they consulted a member of the Institute of Government, and had been advised there was usually a time limit to motions.  Mr. Karpinos responded that the Council had not used that rule in the past.  Once the motion is seconded, he said, a vote is taken without further discussion.  Mr. Karpinos noted that these were the Councils’ rules and they could modify them at will.

 

Mayor Foy asked if seven members was a three-fourths vote.  Mr. Karpinos responded yes.

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt said this would prevent a filibuster.  He said we have been asked not the say the same thing over and over and to keep the debate moving, adding he believed we should all be aware of how it works so that when a debate gets stressful we will know how to stop it but remain respectful.

 

Council Member Greene asked if there is a three-fourths vote, do we have to vote immediately.  Mr. Karpinos responded that if the previous question is moved and seconded then they must vote.

 

Council Member Strom suggested that a test vote might be a tool used to discover where the Council stands on an issue.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins said the Mayor should have the ability to move the meeting along when necessary.

 

Council Member Greene asked if the Manual gave the Mayor the ability to do that.  Mr. Karpinos responded that the Mayor makes decisions but they can be appealed, then a vote can take place to overrule the Mayor.  Council Member Greene said that if a Council member calls the previous question, does the Mayor have the prerogative to refuse that motion.  Mr. Karpinos said he could not think of any time that had happened, adding that if someone wanted to overrule the Mayor, a vote must take place.

 

Mr. Horton said there was a situation when a debate had closed, but the Mayor may have said that a Council member had an additional comment and that was allowed.  Mr. Karpinos added that, again, that decision could have been appealed to the full board and the Mayor overruled.

 

Mayor Foy asked would they then take a vote.  Mr. Karpinos responded yes.

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt said that their traditional procedures serve them well, and believes those traditions should be continued.  But, he stated, it is important to know what the tools are if and when those traditions fail us.  It has happened, he said, and we must know how to get past them without a “bumpy ride” ensuing.  Council Member Kleinschmidt said if the process if followed, then we can move on.

 

Item 3 - Budget Issues

 

Mr. Horton asked Finance Director Kay Johnson to give an overview of the material in some detail.

 

Ms. Johnson gave a brief update on the current year budget:

 

Revenue in the current year is on target with budgeted amounts except:

 

 

Council Member Verkerk asked what Powell Bill revenues are normally.  Ms. Johnson said usually around $1.3 million, but they should be about $1.7 million this year.

 

Mayor Foy asked what the Powell Bill revenues were used for.  Ms. Johnson said streets.  Mr. Horton added that these funds could not be used for anything but support and construction of roads, including removal of debris, maintenance, and the like.

 

On sales taxes, Mayor Foy asked if the tax on fuel was fixed.  Ms. Johnson said it was a fixed percentage, so the number does change.  Mr. Horton said it was stated as a percentage, but it was a fixed cent.

 

Ms. Johnson continued, stated that we believe that revenues at year end are likely to be about $300,000 above the original budget.  At this point, she said, we also believe that expenditures may be about $500,000 below the original estimate.  Ms. Johnson said therefore, we should be able to maintain a balanced budget in the General Fund and save $800,000 for use next year, consistent with practice in previous years.

 

Mr. Horton said we would have to work hard to identify that $800,000 for use next year.  He said it would take careful work to make that happen, but they would do it.

 

Ms. Johnson continued her presentation, giving a briefing on the overall budget issues for 2005-06, noting that the key issues for the upcoming budget include:

 

 

Regarding the third bullet, Council Member Hill asked if that was principal or interest.  Mr. Horton responded it was both.  Council Member Hill asked how much debt had been incurred.  Mr. Horton answered that we had been borrowing money from ourselves so that work could go forward.  He said when the debt was issued this spring, the Town would pay itself back.

 

Mayor Foy asked if all $25 million for the Town Operations Center (TOC) had to be borrowed at once.  Ms. Johnson said no, not in theory, adding that when we borrow money, the interest we earn goes to that project.

 

Council Member Hill said that interest would assist in paying the debt.  Ms. Johnson said that was correct.

 

Mayor Foy asked do we have to issue all the debt this year.  Ms. Johnson said no, adding that with General Obligation (GO) bonds the less you borrow the more it costs.  She said we would issue Certificates of Participation (COP’s) for this debt, and $5 million would be about the least you would want to borrow.  For the Public Works part of the TOC project, she said the first thing we would want to do is pay ourselves back.  Mr. Heflin noted we had already obligated about $2.7 million from the fund balance at this point.

 

Council Member Strom asked if we had done an analysis of why we have to pay ourselves back.  Mr. Horton said if we don’t it will reduce our fund balance.  Council Member Strom said due to the strain on this year’s budget, he would like to explore that option.

 

Mayor Foy asked how much is in the fund balance.  Mr. Horton answered about $5 million.

 

Council Member Strom asked do we then have no option to reserve fund balance to hold down the tax rate next year.  Ms. Johnson said our policy is that we maintain 12% to 10.5% fund balance, and we must do that to keep bond ratings low.  Council Member Strom asked what was the $5 million stated in percentage.  Ms. Johnson replied just under 11%.  Council Member Strom said could we not use that?  Ms. Johnson said her advice would be not to do so.

 

Mr. Heflin said we had borrowed $2.7 million from fund balance at this point.  That does not cover the next round of expenditures planned for the next several months, he said.  Mr. Heflin said we are able to reimburse ourselves for the expenditures on the Transportation side of the TOC expense.

 

Ms. Johnson said there were two issues here, one is fund balance, one is cash.  In terms of fund balance, she noted, we have the current $2.7 million obligated, not in the General Fund, but in the funds for capital improvements.  So, she continued, the amount we are spending from the fund balance does not affect the General Fund, but it does affect the actual cash.

 

Council Member Strom said that these are taxpayer’s dollars, and if there is a way to analyze the budget to pay back the $2 million but not the $700,000, then that would save us more than a penny on the tax rate.  So, he stated, it is appropriate for us to cut this as close as we can and explore ways to hold the tax rate down.  Mr. Horton said they were happy to provide that analysis.

 

Council Member Hill asked how this would affect our bond rates.  Ms. Johnson said our investment banker had indicated that if we stayed above 10.5%, our rating would stay the same.  Council Member Hill said that if the money is in the capital fund, is it still considered an asset to the fund balance.  Mr. Horton answered yes, and that if we don’t replace it, it drags down the fund balance.

 

Council Member Strom said do we have debt for land.  Mr. Heflin said we borrowed money for one piece of land through the Capital Improvements Program (CIP).  Council Member Strom asked when would it be paid.  Mr. Heflin said in 8 to 10 years.

 

Mayor Foy asked where it was borrowed from.  Ms. Johnson said from a bank, through an installment contract.

 

Council Member Strom asked for a ballpark value of the land now owned for the TOC, asking if it was around $2 million.  Mr. Heflin said that was a subjective number, since appraisals are coming in at a lot higher than what the Town paid for it.  But, he said, we could provide the Council data on what the Town paid for the land.

 

Council Member Strom said we might be able to use the land to borrow against the cost.  Mr. Horton said that because of government regulations, it would be difficult if not impossible to do so.

Ms. Johnson continued her presentation:

 

 

Council Member Verkerk asked about the $750,000 for wage increases.  Mr. Horton said he wanted to keep a figure on the table during budget discussions, and this figure represents about a 3% increase.  But, he added, this figure is just a place holder at this point, noting the dollars may be more for one class and less for another.

 

Council Member Verkerk, referring to the last bullet regarding Carol Woods, asked if that figure represented the amount of services provided to them.  Mr. Horton responded he did not believe so, that it was far less considering police and fire protection, solid waste collection, etc.  He said he believed they should be fully taxed.  Mayor Foy added they had been fully taxed up until a few years ago.

 

Council Member Harrison asked if those funds were provided to the County or directly to the Town.  Mr. Horton responded that Carol Woods sent the funds directly to the Town.

 

Mayor Foy said another point was that the amount Carol Woods is paying has gone down, and it is prudent not to anticipate a contribution from them this year.

 

Ms. Johnson continued, moving on to revaluation issues.  She stated that every four years Orange County revalues all County properties to adjust real property for changes in market values.  The County just completed a revaluation, she noted, and has established current values for County properties as of January 1, 2005.  Ms. Johnson said the new values will be the basis for assessing property taxes for fiscal year 2005-06.

 

Ms. Johnson said we estimate that real property values have increased about 22% over previous values, based on information now available and exclusive of normal growth of $50 million.  She called the Council’s attention to a chart on page 3 of the materials, where an estimated equalization rate is calculated that would allow the Council to raise the same amount in revenues as would have been raised without the revaluation.

 

Ms. Johnson said the current tax rates are 51.6 cents and 5.9 cents for the General Fund and the Transportation Fund, respectively, with a combined rate of 57.5 cents.  The estimated equalization rates are 41.9 cents and 4.9 cents for the General Fund and the Transportation Fund, respectively, with a combined equalization rate of 46.8 cents, she added.

 

Ms. Johnson noted that within Chapel Hill, the Orange County tax assessor had said that values had gone up about 22%, with the rest of the County experiencing about a 20% increase.

 

Mayor Foy asked when does the estimated equalization rate become a real number.  Mr. Horton said that number was always a guess, adding that at this point we don’t have the full statement from the tax assessor as to what the percentage increase might be.  Mr. Horton said it could be 23% rather than 22%, but we will not have the exact figure until late in the spring.  Ms. Johnson said we usually have that figure around the end of April.  Mr. Horton said that the number could go down, or it could go up, adding that we just don’t know.  He noted that this was a working number only.

 

Mr. Karpinos noted that only Orange County was being revalued, that Durham County was not.

 

Ms. Johnson continued her presentation, noting assumptions and preliminary estimates of major revenues in the General Fund for 2005-06:

 

 

 

In summary, Ms. Johnson said we estimate total General Fund revenue of about $41.8 million, including normal use of $800,000 saved from this year for use in 2005-06.

 

Mr. Horton said that we continue to try to get an increase in the funding from the State for fire protection services.

 

Ms. Johnson continued, with General Fund cost issues and preliminary estimates for 2005-06:

 

Base Budget

 

Potential Additions

 

Mayor Foy asked if the last bullet meant that the budget would remain flat.  Ms. Johnson answered yes.

 

Regarding the outlook beyond 2005-06, Ms. Johnson said the Council will need to continue to review the plan for the issuance of the remaining General Obligation debt of $25 million (authorized in November 2003), along with issuances for planned capital improvements, vehicle and computer replacement.  She called the Council’s attention to Attachment 6, which is a graph of the Town’s possible future debt payments using current plans for borrowing.  Ms. Johnson  said the chart shows that Town debt is expected to increase gradually because of the planned General Obligation sales in 2006-07 ($7,750,000), 2008-09 ($8,805,000) and 2009-10 ($8,805,000). 

 

Council Member Harrison, referring to Attachment 6, asked about the future debt service.  Ms. Johnson explained the chart in detail.

 

Mayor Foy asked why does the vehicle replacement debt increase.  Ms. Johnson said the plan was reviewed this past year, and this reflects the decisions made at that time.  She noted that a fire truck is included in this figure, which is a major expense.  Ms. Johnson said that Police patrol cars are replaced more often due to the nature of their use.  Mr. Horton said we are attempting to move toward cash purchases.  Ms. Johnson agreed that was better for the Town rather than leasing the vehicles.  Mr. Horton said the key idea behind the capital equipment replacement programs is that we know on average how long it takes to wear out the equipment, and we want to have the cash on hand for replacement or we will end up with huge expenditures when we don’t have the funds.

 

Referring to the chart, Mayor Foy said we don’t know what our debt will be in 2011, but the debt rises so gradually that it seems manageable.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins asked if the chart represents how much the budget is expected to rise through 2011.  Ms. Johnson said no, it is only the debt that is exhibited in that chart.

 

Mayor Foy said it would help to have a chart that showed the differences, say, for the last five years.  Mr. Horton said the TOC debt and the GO debt is driving this.

 

Mayor Foy said that if the TOC were removed from the chart, it would show an entirely different picture.  Mr. Horton responded that the chart would then be relatively flat.

 

Council Member Ward asked why the computer replacement debt was included on the chart, since he thought it was already in the budget.  Ms. Johnson said it was incorporated into the budget for 2005.

 

Council Member Hill said that any debt that is currently obligated is indicated in blue on the chart, and debt we are anticipating to incur is represented by other colors.  Theoretically, he said, we could refuse any additional debt and remain “blue.”

 

Council Member Ward said it would be helpful to have the chart represented in a different way, so that these numbers could be more easily understood.  Ms. Johnson agreed to provide that.

 

Council Member Hill said this would not go away anytime soon, at least for the next 12 years.

 

Mayor Foy said we needed to figure out how to absorb it.  He said the debt stated in green was an unavoidable expense, and we need to figure out how to absorb some of it next year, and even more in future years.

 

Council Member Hill said these were not frivolous or discretionary expenses.  Mr. Horton said that was true, but you always have choices to make.  For instance, he said, we could decide not to have a modern computer system, and be content with one that did not offer all the services we would want.  Or, he continued, we could decide not to have the same level of equipment, and reduce the level of services.  Mr. Horton said we could decide not to expand the library, or not to expand it as requested.  He said what we have proposed is the logical extension of current policy.

 

Council Member Hill asked about the equipment costs.  Ms. Johnson said that depreciation on equipment is not counted, but in the audit it is shown as depreciation.  Council Member Hill said depreciation in theory is to allow for replacement costs.  Mr. Horton said that you could run the risk and not set aside depreciation funds for replacement costs, but in the end you spend more money.  Council Member Hill agreed that was true.

 

Council Member Harrison, referring to the chart, asked how do we estimate this in taxes.  Mr. Horton said he did not believe we could, because in four years there will be another revaluation, and next year these numbers would most likely change again.  Council Member Harrison said then we could not represent the TOC as a percentage of a tax increase.  Mr. Horton said you could in today’s dollars, but it would constantly change.

 

Council Member Verkerk said she looks at the expense for the TOC differently now, since we have been paying one dollar a year for the use of the University’s property, adding we basically had a free ride.  And, she added, now we have to pay the piper.

 

Ms. Johnson continued her presentation with General Fund conclusions:

 

 

These additions could require additional revenue of about $2.7 million next year, equivalent to about 5.0 cents on the tax rate.

·        A base budget of $44.5 million plus $2.5 million in potential additions would result in a total General Fund budget of $47 million and would require a tax rate of 51.5 cents or, 9.6 cents above the equalization rate.

Ms. Johnson moved on to the Transportation Fund:

 

Preliminary Revenue Estimates for 2005-06:

·        A major issue for the Transportation Fund each year is the level of federal operating and capital grants and State operating assistance available for transportation services.

·        Our preliminary estimate of federal operating assistance includes an anticipated increase from $1,024,000 to $1,116,000, or about $92,000. 

·        We anticipate that we will receive State operating assistance of $2,894,000 for 2005-06, the same amount that we expect to receive in 2004-05.

·        We anticipate that the University and Carrboro will continue to contribute to the system at current levels. 

·        We anticipate an increase in operating revenues for Tar Heel Express and special events of approximately $40,000.  Revenues for these services have been trending upward over the past several years. 

·        Our preliminary estimate of total revenues available for next year would be about $12.6 million.

·        The tax rate for Transportation for 2004-05 is 5.9 cents.  The equalization rate for Transportation is estimated as 4.9 cents.

 

Ms. Johnson noted the 2nd and 3rd bullets are good news for the Town.

 

Preliminary Cost Estimates for 2005-06:

 

Base Budget

·        Our preliminary estimate of costs to continue current routes and fare-free service is $12.4 million.

·        Estimates include expected medical insurance increase of 15% ($144,000) and workers’ compensation increases of 5% ($13,498).

·        We anticipate an increase in the cost of fuel from about $700,000 to about $900,000 ($200,000), using a rate of $1.50 per gallon to cover an anticipated increase in the average cost per gallon.

·        The total base costs would be about $12.4 million next year using these estimates. Expenditures at this level could require no additional Town revenue. 

 

Potential Additions

·        Continuing adequate employee compensation adjustments to remain competitive in the Triangle labor market ($209,000).

 

Mr. Horton noted that equipment reserve for Transit needed to be reviewed in detail.  He said we have added so many additional services over the last three years, he does not think the reserve will be sufficient.  Mr. Horton said he wanted to make sure we have enough money being included for that this year.

 

Mayor Foy asked if all three transit partners contribute to that.  Mr. Horton answered yes, adding that a portion of all revenues are included in the Equipment Reserve fund.  He said he believes we might be underestimating the need, based on additional services and the need for replacement buses.  Mr. Horton noted that what has not been taken into account in this budget estimate is service to a park and ride lot in Chatham County.

 

Council Member Verkerk asked if we could consider requiring developers to contribute to the cost of buses when large developments are built.  Mr. Horton said that suggestion was worthy of discussion.  Mayor Foy and several Council members agreed that should be pursued.  Mr. Horton said he would ask the Town Attorney to research the legal aspects and report back to the Council.

 

Ms. Johnson submitted conclusions regarding the Transportation Fund:

 

 

Ms. Johnson noted that we have not received or reviewed budget proposals from Department Heads and have not heard the requests of advisory boards or citizens that will be presented at upcoming public forums.  She said we also have not received requests from our Transit partners, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Town of Carrboro, regarding their interests.

 

Council Member Harrison asked what was the tax rate impact of the TOC for this year only.  Ms. Johnson referred the Council to Attachment 5, which noted the debt service payments on the TOC of 3.7 cents on the tax rate for the current year.  Mr. Horton said the key thing this chart shows is what is driving the TOC debt and the GO debt.

 

Mayor Foy asked about the transfer for capital improvements, and Ms. Johnson offered a brief explanation of how these transfers are figured.  Ms. Johnson noted that $631,000 is currently under contract, with $1,114,000 in the 15-year plan but not currently under contract, for a total of $1,745,000.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins said then the 5.2 cent tax rate impact is a given.  Mr. Horton said you could reduce operations, reduce the size of the TOC, or other alternatives and reduce that number.  He said he would not recommend doing that, because it would be harmful in the long run and cost the Town more money.

 

Council Member Greene asked if some portions of the TOC project could be delayed.  Mr. Horton said he did not believe it would be prudent, since debt had already been incurred and that off-site improvements would still have to be made, so it would not be a viable option.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins stated that looking at these figures, we are looking at about a 5.2 cent tax rate increase.  Mr. Horton said that is correct, if we continue our current level of services.

 

Ms. Johnson gave the Council an overview of other funds in the budget:

 

§         $8,000       Federal Housing and Urban Development Department addition of resident participation allocation requirement

As a result of the additional costs and reduced subsidy, the Public Housing Department must decrease its spending by about $65,000 from the original 2004-05 budget.  We anticipate similar subsidy and cost issues for 2005-06 and will adjust the budget accordingly.

 

Regarding housing, Mr. Horton said he believes that the cuts to public housing budgets has just begun, and we may see even more in the future, adding we need to be ready for that.  He said we were able to absorb the $25,000 cut this year, but we are now having to look at how to deal with it next year, with the cut expected to be around $65,000.  If the federal government cuts it even more, Mr. Horton said, it will become more challenging.

 

Council Member Ward asked Mr. Horton to have John Stainback, the Town’s consultant for the development of Lots 2 and 5, look at the costs for Lots 2 and 5 if that development were to contribute to the transit system, as Council Member Verkerk had proposed.  This project seems to be a reasonable place for this to happen, he noted.

 

Item 4 - Status Report on the Council’s Goals for

Implementing the Comprehensive Plan

 

Mayor Foy gave a brief overview of the process, and asked the Manager to give the Council a review of where we are now in our goals.  Mr. Horton asked Senior Long Range Planning Coordinator Chris Berndt to review the charts placed on display on the walls.

 

Ms. Berndt stated that Attachment 2 provided in the Council’s materials is displayed on the wall for the Council’s discussion.  She said that these charts incorporate the Council’s action plan, and is cross-referenced by the Council’s goals.  For example, she stated, the first item on the chart regarding the Northside Neighborhood Conservation District is cross-referenced as the Highest Priority, Goal #3, from the Council’s goals document.

 

Ms. Berndt continued, providing an overview of each of the issues noted on the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Summary and Worksheet charts, as provided on pages 36 through 49 in the materials for today’s discussion.

 

In summary, Ms. Berndt said the Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2000, and this process has allowed them to reassess goals annually, adding that the Comprehensive Plan did call for a five-year review.  Ms. Berndt said that time is now approaching, and 2005 would be the year, according to the Comprehensive Plan, when an update would be scheduled.

 

Mr. Horton said if the Council would allocate some time and attention to updating the Plan during the coming fiscal year, it would be a worthwhile expenditure.  He said it would refresh the Plan, would reprioritize goals, and would give the opportunity to reassess other goals.  If it was postponed, Mr. Horton commented, it would become more difficult to refresh it and may become more expensive to update it.  He said he believes the Planning Director would like to schedule that for update during the coming fiscal year, and he would recommend it as well.

 

Mayor Foy asked what it would involve.  Mr. Horton said possibly creating a committee to review present goals and solicit feedback and input from the community regarding existing goals, plus additional goal setting priorities for the Council’s consideration.

 

Planning Director Roger Waldon said the effort the Council had made each year to revisit the Action Plan means it will be easier to do this now than it was the last time.  He said we will most likely put together several options for how this could be done and what the options are.  Mr. Waldon said he believes it could be done without a consultant.  Mr. Horton added that the longer it is put off, the more expensive it becomes.

 

Mayor Foy asked when it would be brought back to the Council.  Mr. Horton responded as part of the budget proposal for 2005-06.

 

Council Member Verkerk said that under the Transportation section regarding park and ride lots on pages 47 and 48, what is the status of negotiations with the Bible Church about construction of a park and ride lot there.  Mr. Horton said there are no negotiations, since the Bible Church had indicated they had no interest in talking with the Town.

 

Mayor Foy said UNC was interested in discussing the possibility of a lot provided in the Eastowne area.  He said the Manager had looked into it and it would require a modification to the SUP, and it had not been pursued.

 

Council Member Harrison said that Blue Cross would be an excellent location.  Mr. Horton said they had contacted Blue Cross but had not received a response. 

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins asked if we should reopen discussions with the Bible Church, since that is a large parking area that goes unused Monday through Friday.  She said she believes that UNC would very much like to have that as a park and ride lot for UNC employees, meaning that a permit would be required.  The Town, she said, would prefer that it be opened to the public.  Mayor pro tem Wiggins said the Bible Church did not want to be in the middle of a conflict between UNC and the Town, and once the Town could resolve that issue, she believed the Bible Church may be amenable to using their lot for a park and ride lot.  Mayor pro tem Wiggins said she believed we should pursue discussions with UNC to resolve the issue.

 

Council Member Strom said that he wanted the issue of Street Vendors revisited, noting it use to be goal #23 in the Council Goals.  He asked if it had gotten “lost in the shuffle.”  Mr. Horton said that issue was scheduled for work to begin this year, so it is on the schedule and had not gotten lost.

 

Council Member Strom said that regarding the Comprehensive Plan, he believed this process has kept that Plan remarkable fresh, and would advocate that the process continue.

 

Council Member Harrison said that regarding goal #38, Potential Mitigation of Traffic Congestion in the US 15-501 Corridor, he did not think we could justify any more staff time at the local level on this, since it is really a State  DOT issue.  He said there would be two major construction projects on US 15-501 starting this spring and summer, which was the superstreet at Erwin Road and the New Hope bridge replacement.  This will bring citizen awareness to a new level, he predicted.

 

Mayor Foy said regarding updating the Comprehensive Plan, that it will be brought forward as part of the budget process.  He asked the Manager if that should be considered today.   Mr. Horton said he would rather hear from the Council before they begin any work on this issue.

 

Council Member Ward said he would like to have a sense of the magnitude of staff time required to move forward.

 

Council Member Strom said he was not comfortable saying that next year we should focus on this.  He said the process is remarkably open, and that citizens participate in every meeting.  Council Member Strom said that Council members are open about the process.  We do not have a static Comprehensive Plan, he said, and he would rather not ask the staff to develop a proposal.

 

Council Member Verkerk agreed with Council Member Strom, adding she was not interested in spending more time in committee meetings.  She asked if things had changed that much.  Mayor Foy said part of this comes from the fact that the Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2000, and this Council treats it somewhat differently than in the past.  The Plan does call for an update in 2005, he said, but he believes that this Council has consistently updated it over the past five years and it may not need a comprehensive update at this time.  Mayor Foy suggested it may be delayed.

 

Council Member Greene suggested that this question be asked every year.  Mayor Foy said there was no way the Comprehensive Plan could be updated this year since it could not be started until the fall, so it would not be completed this year in any case.  We would be better served if the Plan was put on the schedule for update in 2006, he said, to give us an entire year to get prepared.  Mayor Foy confirmed we were talking about starting the process one year from now, and that each January during the Council’s planning session that this question be asked.

Mr. Horton said that during planning sessions the Council could review the Plan and decide whether or not updates are necessary for the coming year.

 

Council Member Greene said she believed the goals are fixed in her mind, and did not believe a complete revision was necessary.

 

Mayor Foy said he was in favor of a long term approach.

 

Council Member Ward said the Council’s plate would never be less full, and the ease with which the Comprehensive Plan can be revised will be get easier.  Having a periodic update would make the update simpler and easier, he said, and we would always be using a current document.   Council Member Ward said he believes we should have a process in place for the public to be able to review changes made since the last update in 2000, adding he did not believe the staff or community commitment would be the same as it was in 1999-2000.  Mr. Horton said that was correct, but if the Council were to undertake a full reconsideration of the Plan it would need to form a citizens committee, which would take a reallocation of staff resources.  Mr. Horton said  that he hoped they would be in negotiations for development of Parking Lots 2 and 5 and those sorts of things will take a lot of time, and if the Comprehensive Plan is to be looked at then that needs to be taken into consideration.

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt said he did not like the idea of a static Comprehensive Plan that sits for five years.  He said he would prefer periodic updates so that a current document exists.  Council Member Kleinschmidt said he believes that the 2000 document was kept alive with each update over the last five years, in part because the Council treats it as a living document that does not necessarily need wholesale revisions or modifications every five years.  He said maybe our advisory boards should make annual reviews and suggest revisions so that it remains a living document.  Council Member Kleinschmidt said that once the Council achieves a goal or objective in the Comprehensive Plan, then the advisory boards can make the suggestions for the update for the Council’s consideration.  He said we live with the changes as we work with the document, rather than being placed on the shelf for a future revision.

 

Council Member Ward said the process in 1999-2000 was a valuable process, and did not believe the community was as aware of what the Comprehensive Plan does as it was five years ago when it was looked at by the community holistically.  He said he believed the community should be asked to look at the Plan in a holistic way and make suggestions for updates.  Mr. Horton said an interim step that combines these ideas is to request that each of the advisory boards review the Comprehensive Plan between now and next January and make suggestions for any modifications to the Plan, then the Council could decide whether it wanted to undertake a more involved holistic community process to update the Plan.

 

Council Member Greene said she believed there was great value in that.

 

Mayor Foy suggested that the Council do that, and that this be placed on the Council’s agenda for next January.

 

Council Member Ward added that this be an item on a future Council agenda so that it is a more public process that the public could participate in.

 

Mayor Foy suggested that it be brought back at the last business meeting at the end of this year so that it could be placed on the January planning session agenda.

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt said a public process could be decided at that time, such as whether a public forum would be appropriate.

 

Mr. Waldon said the idea of asking advisory boards for a report in January next year is a good idea, but this would require staff time to attend meetings and explain the Plan.  At some point, he said, he believes the Council would want a community discussion since some big changes have occurred since 2000, mentioning the Horace Williams tract as an example.  Mr. Waldon said there is real value to the community to see how all issues fit together.

 

The Council agreed by consensus.

 

Referring to the charts posted on the wall, Mayor Foy asked about 7.1 regarding Open Space issue, and wondered how to approach this.  He said we have open space money available due to the bond.  Mr. Horton responded that we have about $589,000 now.  Mayor Foy asked the Manager to remind the Council of the process on how to make the decision to use these funds.

 

Mr. Horton said that several years ago the Council set a process that tells the staff how to judge what open space to consider for purchase.  We prepared a map that highlighted areas that were next to parks and schools and other public facilities, he said, mostly areas that were open or have little or no use.  Mr. Horton said then the Council refined the objectives and sent the Town out to buy land using those guidelines.  He said they bought as much as funds allowed, and were able to purchase even more with new bond funds.  Mr. Horton said an updated map is being prepared that shows new holdings and areas under consideration for purchase, including properties just outside the Town limits that the new laws allow the Town to acquire with bond funds.  Mr. Horton said an agenda item is scheduled to come forward on January 24 detailing that.  He said he hoped that the Council would give the staff some direction at that point on how to use the $589,000 currently available.

 

Mayor Foy said when Mr. Horton referred to “outside of Town,” how is that defined.  Mr. Karpinos said it would mean outside our territorial jurisdiction, primarily in the rural buffers.  We defined property in these areas in the rural buffer, he said, but certainly within the County.

 

Council Member Strom said it would be helpful for him to set priorities for next year if we knew exactly where we are.  Mr. Waldon said that regarding the Northside Neighborhood Conservation District process, that was a huge success, and partly because that was so successful other neighborhoods have come forward to ask for the same service.  He said several are in discussion with the Town to create another neighborhood conversation district.  Mr. Waldon said a report is scheduled for the next few months to update the Council on what neighborhoods are being considered and how resources can be allocated.  He said the neighborhood conservation process requires a great deal of staff time, and we are not in a position to have more than one ongoing at any one time.

 

Mr. Waldon said in summary that several neighborhoods are interested, it is an attractive idea that works well, and we will be coming before the Council to provide an update and receive instructions on what the next step should be.  He said that during the Northside process, we fully expected to allocate staff to it, but there are other issues that have taken that time, specifically the Lots 2 And 5 process, since some of the same staff that would be allocated to a neighborhood conservation process are allocated to the lots 2 and 5 process.

 

Mr. Horton said this is an interdisciplinary problem that one person simply cannot do.  Mr. Waldon noted that up to 7 or 8 people would be involved in the process.  Mr. Horton stated that such a process takes staff from the Police, Engineering, Inspections, Administration, and the Town Clerk’s Office to be dedicated to this process.

 

Council Member Verkerk, referring to Goal #39 on page 35, Town Fleet Efficiency, asked about our use of bio-diesel fuel.  Mr. Horton said that fuel costs have escalated quickly, but reduced very slowly.  He said we were forced to shift funds to cover the fuel bill increases, and we will most likely experience difficulty if the fuel prices increase again quickly.

 

Council Member Verkerk said that analysts predict that it will happen sometime in the future, maybe 2010, and it would decimate a budget.  She said she wanted the Council to think about how to switch over to an alternative fuel before prices skyrocket.  Council Member Verkerk asked the staff to be thinking about this issue, since research shows it most likely will happen.  She said budgets based on petroleum will be decimated, and believes we should be prepared and not caught unaware.

 

Mr. Horton said it would require a change in the engines that drive vehicles, and we don’t have much influence in that area.  He suggested that maybe we should work through organizations the Town is a member of, such as the NC League of Municipalities, to push for a change so that if that day does come, we would have equipment that would accommodate different types of fuel.  Council Member Verkerk said she did not want to see the Town caught short.

 

Mayor Foy asked for an update on how equipment might operate using something other than petroleum-based fuel.  What exactly is bio-diesel fuel, he said, and what are the maintenance and warranty issues.  Mr. Heflin said right now we have about a 20% mix of other fuel added to the diesel fuel in our vehicles and have experienced no problems.  He said they had discussed this with manufacturers and no maintenance or warranty issues had exhibited itself.  Mr. Heflin said that it is not the opinion of the engine manufacturers, and we would have to be careful if we decided to move toward a full bio-diesel fleet.  He commented that we started using compressed natural gas in our vehicles some time ago, but the industry is beginning to back away from this process.  He stated he believes there may be another generation of technology that will take us into another type of fuel, but right now we are captive of the industry. 

 

Council Member Greene asked if we were looking at hybrid buses for the future.  Mr. Heflin responded yes, but believed it would be a while before large engine vehicles were converted.  He stated there was a new fuel cell vehicle being introduced, but its cost is $300,000.  Mr. Horton said that a year ago it was $500,000, and when fuel cells were first introduced the cell alone was $750,000.  So, he concluded, the price is coming down and we will stay informed so that as they become more commercially available, we can then consider that alternative.  Mr. Heflin said they are still planning to purchase compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, and believes they will still be available for the next few years.

 

Council Member Greene asked about purchasing the mixed fuel.  Mr. Heflin said we purchase all mixed fuel through State contract now.

 

Mayor Foy said, regarding Goal #15, Tree Ordinance, he believed it was still worthwhile to have a community discussion on this issue and asked that the Council consider it for a high priority for the coming year.

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt agreed, saying that the destruction of the urban forest is stark, just as stark as clear-cutting, and mentioned the processes used in Tacoma Park, Washington.  He said they regulate tree cutting on private residential property because the area is so intensely developed.  Council Member Kleinschmidt said we are not at that point yet, but we should be looking at it.

 

Council Member Greene said that it gets to the point of whether a family can have a garden because there is a 24-inch tree present.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins said it could be a health issue, a work issue, or just plain preference.

 

Mayor Foy said that if the community wants trees as a resource, then we have to decide how to balance that with the individual wants of homeowners.  He said he believes it is worth talking about and engaging the community.

 

The Council took a 30-minute lunch break.

 

Item 5 - Discussion of Other Issues

 

5a - Legislative Agenda for 2005

 

Mayor Foy called attention to the Legislative Update, noting that the Legislative Breakfast with our delegates is scheduled for February 18.

 

Mr. Horton noted that staff had reissued a report from September 13, 2004, that provided an update on items of interest.  It also provided an update on fire service funding, he said.  Mr. Horton said the Town’s interest in this issue was communicated to members of our local delegation.  He said the Studies Act includes a provision that authorizes a legislative study of issues related to the funding for local services provided to State agencies.

 

Mayor Foy, referring to item #5c, Quick Illustration of Funding Need, said this list demonstrates the funding need, noting that the cost is estimated at $1.4 million, but the cost to the Town based on the value of property is $2.6 million.  He said the current appropriation is $850,000.  Mayor Foy said we are talking about between 1 and 3 cents on the property tax that is going towards subsidizing fire protection services to the University and UNC Hospitals.  He said he was not making a statement about growth, rather he was making a statement about fairness and equity.  Mayor Foy said that if we could take 3 cents from the budget increase, we would have a much reduced budget problem this year.  He reminded the Council that the Fire Chief had indicated that we need 18 more firefighters, and we must add firefighters as the Town grows.  Mayor Foy said he believes we should pursue an increase from the Legislature.

 

Council Member Ward asked if these funds came from the State or from the University.  Mr. Horton said it was an appropriation through the State budget.  Council Member Ward asked if the University could become a partner with the Town in advocating for an increase.  Mr. Horton said Ms. Suttenfield had indicated they would be receptive to supporting this.

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt asked if this had an affect on the insurance rates for citizens.  Mr. Horton responded he did not believe so.  Council Member Kleinschmidt said then the addition of 18 firefighters would not make a difference.  Mr. Horton said he believes the insurance industry looks at all variables, like how many trucks, the water supply, etc., but does not know if it would affect individual properties in Town.

 

Mayor Foy asked when would we adopt the legislative agenda.  Mr. Karpinos replied sometime after the meeting with the legislative delegation, probably in March or April.

 

Council Member Greene asked to add to the agenda supporting repeal of General Statute 95-98, which prohibits collective bargaining by public employees.

 

Council Member Strom said that regarding the Homestead Exemption Act, is there anything the Town can do to clarify what exactly the Town wants.  Mr. Karpinos replied that anything we can do to articulate what the Town wants would be helpful.  He said this would be on the Council’s agenda during a regular business meeting prior to the meeting with the legislative delegation on February 18.  Mr. Horton added that the January 26 public forum on the budget would be an opportunity for citizens to bring up issues they would like to see added to the list as well.

 

Mayor Foy commented that he had attended the Metropolitan Coalition meeting yesterday, and there is a lot of speculation about a Blue Ribbon Commission.  But, he said, there is an equity formula for allocating trust fund money, and it is a regional issue because it does not come directly to the Town but comes through the funding system.  Mayor Foy said that under the Highway Trust Fund, money is distributed using this formula.  He said a Blue Ribbon Commission is looking at adjusting this formula.

 

Mayor Foy said there is a recommendation that an annual transfer of $250 million be transferred into the State general fund to help balance the budget.  He said the Metropolitan Coalition is attempting to stop that annual contribution over the next few years, to be placed instead into a fund to improve air quality.  Mayor Foy said he is bringing this up so that the Council knows that this is an ongoing effort, but generally this formula helps to shift money to urban areas.  And, he said, transportation funds are decreasing while needs are increasing.  Mayor Foy said it would be wise for the Council to educate itself on these types of transportation issues so that we will be ready to stand for or against issues as they develop.  He said this could be part of the legislative agenda that is thought about in a different way that our normal process.

 

Mayor Foy called the Council’s attention to a letter (Item #5a(2)) from Moses Carey, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, suggesting that the County and Town join together to promote legislative goals.

 

Regarding development rights, Council Member Strom suggested Mayor Foy contact Commissioner Carey to develop a process, then bring that back to the Council. 

 

5b - Role of the Town Information Officer

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt said one of the first major tasks for the Town Information Officer (TIO) was development of a communications plan.  He asked that this be put on the agenda to get feedback from the Council on what the next steps should be in realizing the goals they wanted for the TIO to work on. 

 

Council Member Verkerk said we are entering a difficult budget year, and believes the public may have some misconceptions of what the future may hold.  She commented this may be a prime opportunity for the TIO to properly educate the public on what the Town is doing to address the budget crisis.  Council Member Verkerk said that as people understand how their money is being spent, they become “less angry.”

 

Mayor Foy said one of the things people don’t understand is that their tax bill is the “Town.”  On a $100,000 valuation, he explained, you get $570 worth of services, such as police, fire, garbage collection, buses, etc.  But when they look at their tax bill, Mayor Foy continued, they are paying $1800, but that is not all coming to the Town.  So, he concluded, we can’t address their entire tax bill, only the portion that comes to the Town.

 

Council Member Verkerk said she believes the TIO could make this more transparent.

 

Council Member Ward said he would like the TIO to deal with the ongoing frustration the public feels when trying to deal with the Town, such as how to petition the Town, because many times people attend Council meetings expecting their problem to be solved that evening.  He said he believes the TIO is in the best position to address this problem.

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt said the proposed Government 101 class discussed a year ago would address this.

 

Council Member Ward said he would like the Town’s processes to be stated in a less complex way than through Government 101.  Mr. Horton said we could produce materials in electronic or print form, have information on the Town’s government access channel and other ways,  noting these are very clear and controlled ways to address this.

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt said he had three goals for a TIO:

 

 

Council Member Greene said she does not like the notion of revising the Town’s logo, as suggested for Town street signs.  She said that at a prior Council meeting it was suggested that the logo be “jazzed” up, and she believed it would look “too corporate.” 

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt commented that when you get information with the Town seal on it, you know you are looking at an official document.  The trouble is all departments do not use this across the board, he said, so the process is confusing.

 

Council Member Verkerk said a logo is a very powerful tool, and that a Town logo should be consistent throughout.  She said she favored a new logo being developed.

 

Council Member Strom said that the TIO should come up with approaches to these types of issues.

 

Mayor Foy said we do not need to be one of Money Magazines top ten places to live, rather we should be spending time on, for instance, stormwater fees and other issues.  He said he believed what we need is a way to communicate effectively.

 

Council Member Harrison said it was a reasonable role for the TIO to have.

 

5d – Alternatives for Recruiting for Town Boards and Commissions

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt explained the process currently used:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt stated this process led him to the realization that the same people apply, and we needed to find a way to have the entire community represented on boards and commissions.  He said he would like a Council goal to be improvement to this process.  Council Member Kleinschmidt said we should explore other ways to recruit for membership, such as list serves, contacting non-profits, or putting ads in other newsletters or non-profit publications, for example.

 

Council Member Verkerk asked if he thought our boards know this is a goal of the Council.  She said maybe we should articulate to the boards that when two equally good candidates are available, that diversity should be attempted.

 

Mayor Foy said this issue had come up in the past when looking at the recommendations from the boards for appointments.  He thought it was a good suggestion to let the boards know how much the Council values diversity.

 

Council Member Harrison said some boards get few female applicants, so when they do they really push to have them appointed.  He reminded the Council that females could be considered a minority in many cases.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins said that many Council members recruit citizens to apply for vacancies, so she reminded the Council that as they do that they should be looking for females, Blacks, Hispanics, or whatever group they feel is under-represented.

 

Council Member Ward asked how we were doing on the male to female ratio on the boards.  Council Member Kleinschmidt answered he would get that information.  Council Member Ward said that in some cases there are obstacles to citizens applying, such as transportation needs.

 

5e – Homelessness.

 

Mayoral Aide Emily Dickens gave a brief overview:

 

In October 2003, Triangle-area elected officials were briefed on the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness initiative sponsored by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Attendees were asked to begin similar planning in their localities.  Our counterparts in Wake County along with the Triangle United Way have developed a program that incorporates public forums and action-oriented workshops. 

 

At the Town Council Planning Session on January 17, 2004, the Council received a report from Council Member Greene regarding the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. Following that presentation the Council agreed to add a public dialogue on homelessness to its list of goals for 2004.

 

This goal was implemented on November 18, 2004, when Chapel Hill, Orange County, and the United Way hosted a Roundtable Discussion on Homelessness in Orange County.  This event was attended by over one hundred and fifty community members, including the majority of the Town Council, and elected officials from Orange County and Hillsborough.

 

Ms. Dickens stated that a summary of the small group discussions is attached to the item in the Council’s materials.

 

Council Member Greene said people need to understand literally what homelessness looks like.  At the roundtable, a video was provided that helped the participants to understand that, she said.   Council Member Greene stated she believed we should continue the momentum and go forward with the recommendations.

 

Mayor Foy said that Wake County had done us a great service by sharing their model.  He said that the goal from last year is continuing and does not believe it needs to be a new goal.  Mayor Foy said we could continue to move forward on the present goal.

 

Council Member Kleinschmidt asked if we had a “buy in” from the other communities.  Ms. Dickens answered that the County is very supportive, and we are reaching out to Carrboro by attending an upcoming Aldermen meeting to present the information.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins asked why not add it as a new goal?  Mayor Foy responded it was already a goal and thought it could be continued.  Mayor pro tem Wiggins said she believed it would generate more attention by including it as a new goal.

 

Council Member Greene said the present goal was to hold the discussion which had been completed, so it was in effect a new goal.  Mayor Foy agreed.

 

5f – Inclusionary Zoning

 

Mayor Foy noted that he believed Inclusionary Zoning would be a hot issue.

 

5g – US 15-501/NC 54 Fixed Guideway Corridor; US 15-501 Congestion Solutions

 

Council Member Harrison gave a brief overview of two items – the US 15-501/NC 54 Fixed Guideway Corridor in Chapel Hill, and Status of Potential US 15-501 Congestion Solutions – Beyond the SuperStreet.  He said it was his intention to re-start Council discussion and analysis of these two issues.

 

Item #4 – Clarification

 

Council Member Strom asked for highlights and clarification of the staff report, Agenda #4.  Mr. Waldon gave a brief overview:

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Horton said one key point is what we are willing to accept.  He said we are basically built out, and this approach would set specific goals for shifting trips out of cars and into buses, adding this would help to tie local and regional transit together.

 

Mayor Foy said that $75,000 had been set aside last year for a transit master plan and in his discussions with UNC officials he has consistently requested that UNC as a transit partner contribute to this expense.  He said he believed UNC was open to this, but wanted a concrete proposal.  Mayor Foy noted the next step is to move forward with a long range transit master plan, adding it should continue as a high priority goal.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins asked if this was time sensitive, because there is a meeting with the transit partners at the end of the month.  She asked if we should have the staff get something ready for that meeting.  Mr. Horton responded it would be a good opportunity to bring it before the transit partners, and we would be happy to have something prepared.

 

Council Member Ward said although they are not transit partners, Durham may want to partner in some ways with Chapel Hill, and referenced the Durham Tech campus and other areas that might be a reasonable service extension.

 

Mayor Foy asked what would happen once it had been taken to the County and the partners.  Mr. Horton responded that once the information is shared, then the next stage would be to say to them we would like feedback on their willingness to participate with us, including any comments or concerns they might have based on this discussion paper.  He said he was sure there would be views or concerns not represented here.  Mr. Horton said he hoped that would be the beginning of a dialogue to get the issue to move forward.  He said we could arrange a meeting with their boards if necessary, and he would hope to have the support the transit partners as well as the County.

 

Mayor Foy said we need to be aware of others’ budget schedules, and they will need to know what the estimated cost might be.  He said it would be helpful to have a Request for Proposals (RFP) prepared as quickly as possible.  Mr. Horton said an RFP could be prepared quickly and we could have a response within 30 days.  But, he said, we need to discover if Carrboro or the University has an interest to go forward with this.  Mr. Horton said it did not seem appropriate to move forward with an RFP without our partners’ input.

 

Council Member Strom said the Mayor’s comment about others’ budget schedules was appropriate and important, and he believed we should move forward with this and get the information to them as quickly as possible.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins said the transit partners’ meeting is in two weeks, and she did not believe that would give ample time for review by the transit partners.  She said she did want to have the material distributed, but wanted to have a reasonable time for the partners to place it on their board agendas for discussion.  Mayor pro tem Wiggins said she believed at least a month would be required.

 

Mayor Foy suggested having Council Member Verkerk and Mayor pro tem Wiggins distribute the materials to their counterparts, and hold the meeting with staff present to answer questions, then give them a month to six weeks to respond.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins agreed, saying the Council needs more time as well to study the issue.  Mayor Foy agreed, saying the Council had just received the memo last night, and he has not had the opportunity to read it in its entirety.

 

Mr. Horton said he did believe that with that schedule, it would still allow time for the entities to add it to their budget schedule.  He added there was no way to know how much it would cost until a response was received to the RFPs, but estimated it could be $200,000.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins asked if our expectation would be that our partners would share in the cost at the same percentage that they contribute to the transit system now.  Mr. Horton said he would hope that the University would take a stronger leadership role in this area, since they would be a primary beneficiary.  Mr. Horton said staff would assist Council Member Verkerk and Mayor pro tem Wiggins in getting information out to the appropriate persons.

 

Mayor Foy offered to approach Orange County officials.  Mr. Horton said he would see that this issue was added to the Council’s agenda.

 

Solid Waste

 

Mayor Foy raised another issue, stating he had talked with Commissioner Carey about solid waste.  He stated that he and Council Member Ward had expressed the Town’s concern regarding objections to the recycling fee.  Mayor Foy said Commissioner Carey wanted to know the exact basis of Chapel Hill’s objection, indicating that he wanted to talk to the Council about their objection.  Mayor Foy said he believed that if the Council is interested, what this really revolves around is what our goals are for waste reduction.  He said one of the things easiest to understand is that we have huge carts for garbage, and tiny carts for recycling.  So, he continued, what message are we sending about our commitment to recycling?  Mayor Foy encouraged the Council to set some kind of solid waste priority this year.  Mayor Foy said he wanted to add that to the mix of goals we are prioritizing.

 

Goals so far to be added to the mix:

 

1.                  Town Advisory board recruitment – highest priority

2.                  10-year Homelessness Initiative – highest

3.                  Transit Master Plan (highest, should be #2

·        Policy – 4 lane road max. - highest

4.                  Solid Waste/Payments - highest

5.                  Tree Ordinance (already on goals list) - highest

6.                  Impact Fees - Second

7.                  Refreshments provided at Town Council meetings (Council budget issue)

8.                  Implement MLK Committee Recommendations - Highest

9.                  Engage with Chatham County – Cal to work with Charlie Horne to develop a system of communication.

 

Council Member Strom asked where in the goals is the Rogers Road Small Area Plan.   Ms. Berndt stated it was no. 13 on the list, under Community Character and under Land Use and Development.

Mayor Foy confirmed that we do have permission for impact fees on parks.  Mr. Waldon said we have authority for impact fees on recreation.  Mayor Foy said we should be investigating impact fees on a regular basis to see if they are feasible.

 

Council Member Strom said he wanted to further define #8.8 under the Comprehensive Plan – Comprehensive Parking Strategy, noting he wanted it listed as a potential goal.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins said he wanted #8.9 considered in regards to an expanded park and ride system.  She said she wanted to emphasize US 15-501 towards Durham under this goal.

 

Council Member Harrison wanted congestion and mitigation to be included in that goal.  Mayor Foy said it should be separate.

 

Council Member Ward said he wanted to have definitive property lines of any property owned by the Town, such as conservation easements, parks property, etc.  Mr. Horton commented that would be an expensive undertaking.  Council Member Ward said there are numerous instances where homeowners are encroaching onto Town property, and this process would make that more difficult to do.

 

Mayor Foy asked that a policy be developed that in future no more than four-lane roads will be built within the Town limits.

 

Regarding the surveying of Town property, Council Member Ward said he was particularly interested in the Town property between Smith Level Road, Culbreth Road and Merritt Pasture, noting that the Attorney had indicated that several acres of land were being encroached upon and boundary markers should be erected.

 

A brief discussion ensued on how to engage Chatham County in further discussion regarding transportation issues.  Council Member Strom suggested that the Manager meet periodically with the Chatham County Manager.

 

Mayor pro tem Wiggins said as we proceed with the Special Committee to Consider the Renaming of Airport Road, that some of the recommendations will carry budget implications.  Mr. Horton suggested that the Council indicate which items should receive highest priority, second priority, or lowest priority.

 

Mr. Horton said a revised Council goals item would be prepared for the Council’s consideration.

 

The planning session adjourned at 2:42 p.m.