Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
7:30 p.m. 
F. Gordon Battle Courtroom
106 East Margaret Lane    
Hillsborough, NC    

Note: Background Material on all abstracts available in the Clerk's Office

COMPLIANCE WITH THE "AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT" - Interpreter services and/or special sound equipment are available with prior notice.  If you need this assistance, call the County Clerk's office at 732-8181, ext. 2130.  If you are disabled and need assistance, contact the ADA Coordinator at extension 2300 or TDD# 644-3045.  

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AGENDA ITEMS - is available in the Clerk's office and complete copies of agenda material are located at the Orange County Library in Hillsborough and the Chapel Hill Library in Chapel Hill.  

1.  Additions or Changes to the Agenda

PUBLIC CHARGE

The Board of Commissioners pledges to the citizens of Orange County its respect. The Board asks its citizens to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with the Board and with fellow citizens.  At any time should any member of the Board or any citizen fail to observe this public charge, the Chair will ask the offending person to leave the meeting until that individual regains personal control. Should decorum fail to be restored, the Chair will recess the meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed.  All electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and computers should please be turned off or set to silent/vibrate.

2.  Public Comments

(We would appreciate you signing the pad ahead of time so that you are not overlooked.)

a.         Matters not on the Printed Agenda

b.         Matters on the Printed Agenda

(These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.)

3.  Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations

a.      Orange County Arts Grant Recipients

The Board will consider presenting checks to local artists and arts organizations receiving Orange County Arts Grants. 

b.      Resolution Recognizing and Honoring Bob Nutter

The Board will consider a resolution recognizing Robert "Bob" Nutter for service to Orange County and the agricultural community.

c.      Resolution in Support of Continuation of JCPC Funding

The Board will consider approving a resolution demonstrating support of continuation funding for the Orange/Chatham Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and authorizing the Chair to sign. 

4.  Consent Agenda

a.      Minutes

The Board will consider correcting and/or approving the minutes for the two meetings on December 7, 2007 as submitted by the Clerk to the Board.     

b.      Appointments - None

c.       Applications for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion

The Board will consider three (3) untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem taxation for the 2007 tax year. 

d.      Property Tax Refunds

The Board will consider adoption of a refund resolution related to one (1) request for property tax refund in accordance with N.C. General Statute 105-381. 

e.      Advertisement of Tax Liens on Real Property

The Board will consider an advertisement to report the amount of unpaid taxes for the current year that are liens on real property as required by North Carolina General Statute 105-369 and to request March 12, 2008 as the date set by the Board for the tax lien advertisement. 

f.        Purchase of Personal Computers through NC State Contract

The Board will consider purchasing 150 Personal Desktop Computers, 50 laptop computers and accompanying Office software to replace obsolete computers used by staff throughout Orange County government and authorize the Purchasing Director to execute the necessary paperwork. 

g.      Authorization to Purchase Office Furniture for Gateway Center

The Board will consider authorizing the Purchasing Director to effect furniture purchases as may be needed at the Gateway Center via State Contract vendor(s). 

h.      Advertising for Board and Commission Vacancies

The Board will consider a request to authorize the Clerk to the Board's office to advertise (paid ads) in order to assist in the process of filling volunteer positions on Orange County's Advisory Boards and Commissions in the amount of $2,500. 

i.        Agreement with UNC Occupational Science Division for Preventive Home Visit Research Project

The Board will consider the Department on Aging's request to execute agreements with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for participation in the two-year "Feasibility and Effects of Preventive Home Visits" study funded by the National institute of Health and authorize the Chair to sign subject to the County Attorney's review and approval. 

j.        Agreement Renewal for Adopt a Child Care Dental Screening Project Coordinator

The Board will consider renewing the agreement for a Project Coordinator for the Adopt a Child Care Dental Screening Project subject to County Attorney review. 

k.      New Fee for Septic Contractors Class

The Board will consider approving a new $50 fee for a septic contractors class and increase the Health Department budget to reflect the projected fees and expenses. 

l.        Contract for Public Survey for Local Revenue Options Referendum

The Board will consider a contract with Hertzog Research, LLC for an amount of $9,985, to conduct a telephone survey of likely Orange County voters regarding their attitudes towards the possible implementation of an additional one-quarter cent sales tax or a .4% land transfer tax on real property transactions and authorize the Manager to execute the agreement. 

m.    Legal Advertisement for Quarterly Public Hearing - February 25, 2008

The Board will consider the legal advertisement for items to be presented at the Board of County Commissioners/Planning Board Quarterly Public Hearing scheduled for February 25, 2008. 

n.      Change in BOCC Meeting Schedule

5.  Public Hearings

a.      North Carolina Community Transportation Program (CTP) Administrative and Capital Grant Application FY 2008-2009

The Board will consider conducting a public hearing on the North Carolina Community Transportation Program (CTP) grant application by Orange Public Transportation for FY 2008-2009 and approve the grant application, adoption of a resolution authorizing the applicant to enter into an agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation, and authorize the County Attorney to complete the necessary certifications and assurances and authorize the Chair to sign. 

b.      Orange County Consolidated Housing Plan Update

The Board will receive comments from the public regarding the housing and non-housing needs to be included in the Annual Update of the 2005-2009 Consolidated Housing Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County and proposed uses of 2007-2008 HOME funds. 

c.      2008-2018 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Public Hearing

The Board will consider conducting a second public hearing to receive citizen comments regarding the County Manager's Recommended 2008-2018 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for County and school projects. 

d.      Public Hearing on Local Revenue Options Referendum

The Board will consider conducting a public hearing to solicit opinion form voters regarding which, or both, of two local revenue options should be placed on a May 2008 referendum for voter consideration. 

6.  Regular Agenda

a.      The Bluffs at Moorefields - Preliminary Plan

The Board will receive Administration and Planning Board recommendations on and consider approval for the Preliminary Plan for The Bluffs at Moorefields Subdivision. 

b.      Next Steps on Farmers'Market

c.      Hillsborough Area-Orange County Strategic Growth Plan, Phase II: Interlocal Agreement Committee (IAC) Establishment

The Board will consider establishment of Orange County component of an Interlocal Agreement Committee to assist staff and Clarion Associates on Phase II of the Hillsborough Area-Orange County Strategic Growth Plan and ask the Clerk to advertise and/or notify advisory boards for possible appointments.   

d.      Resolutions Providing Comments Regarding Draft 2009-2015 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)

The Board will consider resolutions providing comments regarding the Draft 2009-2015 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) - one to the North Carolina Department of transportation (NCDOT) and one to the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organizations (DCHC MPO). 

7.  Reports

a.      Status Report on Efland Sewer Expansion

8.  Board Comments

9.  County Manager's Report

10.  Appointments

11.  Information Items

·        Memorandum from Solid Waste Director Regarding Landfill Bans and Recycling - Tools to Extend Landfill Life and Reduce Waste

12.  Closed Session

13.  Adjournment

Orange County water supply reservoir water levels

Available information as of 3:00 PM, Thursday, January 31, 2008 

Lake Orange

• Water level has risen to  a level 76.0" below spilling.  As of January 8^th, the Eno Capacity Use restrictions were revised upward to Stage IV withdrawals and instream flow releases
• Water storage capacity remains at 46.6% (221 million gallons)
• Approximately 81 days of water supply remaining (at Capacity Use specified release rate)
• The Hillsborough gage indicates that recent Eno River flows have hovered at approximately 3.0 cfs (approximately 1.9 mgd).  This flow is but a small fraction (6%) of the median flow levels for this time of year.
• Orange Alamance continues to operate its water plant with average withdrawals of 300,000 gallons per day, each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

West Fork Reservoir  (as of 01/25/2008)

• Water level is 89" below spilling
• Water storage capacity remaining is 53.4%  
• Approximately 184 days of water supply remaining (assuming Town's current release rate (2.0 cfs, 1.3 mgd). 
• Since 9/11/07, the Town has been releasing a level of flow into the river in excess of its minimum instream flow release.
• As of 10/22/07, the Town's water customers are in Stage I - voluntary water restrictions. 

OWASA Reservoirs (as of shown for 01/10/2008)

• Water level at Cane Creek Reservoir is 190" below full
• Water level at University Lake is 74.5" below full
• Total remaining water storage capacity is approximately 39.4 %
• Approximately 192 days of water supply remaining (at current 30-day average daily demand [7.3 million gallons per day])
• On October 18, 2007 OWASA and the local governments having civil jurisdiction over  OWASA customers implemented OWASA's Stage II Water Shortage restrictions.

.

National Weather Service/NOAA Regional Precipitation data (as of 1/9/2008)

(inches above [+] or below [-] normal)

          RDU                                                 Piedmont-Triad 

                                -2.63" since January 1, 2008       -2.48" since January 1, 2008

Miscellaneous notes

1.      Please note that the rainfall deficits noted above show only deficits from January 2008, and do not reflect deficits that remained at the end of 2006 and 2007

2.      The NC Drought Management Advisory Council drought map, updated January 29, 2008, indicates that the entirety of Orange County lies within the area characterized as experiencing "exceptional drought" (the most severe drought classification used).