P-0480 - Commissioners Compensation-Benefits-Travel - 04-05-2005-5j

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John Link expressed appreciation to retiring Clerk Beverly Blythe, welcomed Donna Baker, and welcomed Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager. He said that EMS Director Nick Waters would talk briefly about basic wildfire prevention measures and • County Engineer Paul Thames would give an update on the Eno River and reservoir levels. EMS Director Nick Waters talked about fireworks and how they handle issuing a permit for the fireworks. Regarding wildfires in the County, they have had 19 fires this spring, which is a small number for this time of year. None were more than one acre with most being less than %2 acre. EMS cooperates with the fire service agencies and uses their fire readiness plan. There are environmental and weather factors that determine the fire spread predictor. The fire-spread predictor determines the readiness level of the plan. Anything which is #4 or greater is answered by several fire departments. The fire departments have had training in handling these kinds of fires. The Forest Service would be used for larger fires. Some areas of Orange County, in a major fire, could not be protected. Where houses are built in the middle of the woods, they are harder to protect. He distributed some photographs of a fire that happened in 1985 in Burke County. Three thousand acres were burned and 50 homes were destroyed. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to a fireworks display he witnessed several years ago and commended the staff for taking the protection measures that were necessary. County Engineer Paul Thames reported that 40% of the storage capacity of Lake Orange has been exhausted. Unless we get a significant amount of rainfall tonight or tomorrow we will go into Stage III of the Water Ordinance. We will not be facing the level IV water restrictions in accordance with the County's Water Ordinance until we reach 70 inches below full which is only two or three weeks from now. Level IV restrictions include the restriction of water for ornamental fountains and pools, cuts down to one day for watering vegetable gardens and does not allow watering of lawns and asks the restaurants to use paper plates and plastic ware. In answer to a question from Commissioner Brown, Paul Thames said that Orange County's Ordinance applies only in the unincorporated parts of Orange County. Hillsborough's Ordinance does not match up with Orange County's ordinance and applies to those citizens who live within the city limits of Hillsborough. Hillsborough's Ordinance has an additional stage of voluntary restrictions which are not in the County's Ordinance. Commissioner Brown suggested coordinating with Hillsborough so that the restrictions are the same for each stage. She said that this clearly shows that there is a limited amount of water in some areas. Chair Jacobs agreed with working with Hillsborough to clarify the different water stages. • 5. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS a. Adoption of FY 2002-2003 Budget Ordinance, Grant and Capital Proiect Ordinances Classification and Pav Plan, and Personnel Ordinance Changes The Board considered adoption of the FY 2002-2003 budget ordinance, grant and capital project ordinances, classification and pay plan and personnel ordinance changes, which document is herein incorporated by reference. Commissioner Gordon clarified that item 8-q does not reflect any changes in the budget documents. Motion 1 - A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to adopt the 2002-03 Orange County Budget Ordinance to include a countywide tax rate of 83 cents and a Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools District Tax rate of 19.2 cents. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Motion 2 - A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve the 2002-03 Grant Projects as presented in the County Manager's Recommended Budget. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Motion 3 - A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve the 2002-03 School and County Capital Project Ordinances. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Motion 4 - A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to enact, beginning July 1, 2002, asix-month hiring freeze on non-critical positions and to adopt the "Six Month Hiring Freeze Policy." VOTE: UNANIMOUS Motion 5 - A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to suspend the following Personnel Ordinance provisions effective July 1, 2002 for employees with Work Planning and Performance Review (WPPR) Dates of July 1, 2002 and after: - In-Range Salary Increases (Article V, Section 7.0, "In-Range Salary Increase") Meritorious Service Awards (Article V, Section 8.0, "Meritorious Service Awards") VOTE: UNANIMOUS Motion 6 - A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to adopt the County Fee Schedule as presented.