Minutes - 20090416 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Commissioner Jacobs said that Hillsborough is considering charging for all events held in Hillsborough. He said that in Chapel Hill there is no charge for these events because the Town co-sponsors these events. An entry fee would then help to subsidize the event. He would like to encourage creative thinking. Commissioner Yuhasz went back to libraries and user fees and said that there was a request from the Town of Chapel Hill to get more money for the library. He asked if the Board wanted to do that or let Chapel Hill charge user fees for people outside the Town using the library. Commissioner Nelson agreed with this suggestion and said, with the possible closing of two of the County's libraries, the Board needs to look at this. Commissioner Jacobs said that this was discussed at the AOG and it was agreed that elected officials should work this out in an expeditious manner. He agreed with Commissioner Nelson and Commissioner Yuhasz that this should be on the table, whether or not the County can continue to contribute $250,000 a year to the Town of Chapel Hill for library services, or whether this should go to a Southern Orange branch of the Orange County Library System that serves Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Commissioner Gordon said that 40% of the users of the Chapel Hill Library are outside of the Chapel Hill town limits. She thinks that it is a good deal to be able to use this library. At the Assembly of Governments town officials said that each user might have to pay $100-150 to use the library if the town were to charge fees. She said to keep in mind that the citizens of Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas also pay County taxes. She is not in favor of discontinuing the funding. Commissioner Nelson said that this is such a touchy topic that everyone should keep an open mind to every option and not make premature decisions. Commissioner Yuhasz said that the place the County is now is not satisfactory and some decision should be made. Solid Waste: Commissioner Jacobs made reference to "reduce miscellaneous contract services, including required seeding," and asked how to reduce something that is required. Solid Waste Director Gayle Wilson said that there can be a delay on those areas that are just thinning. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like Gayle Wilson to put these reductions in priority order. Donna Coffey said that staff is in the process of providing all of these service reductions in priority order for all departments. Commissioner Yuhasz asked if the convenience centers could be closed on another day besides Sundays, because Sunday hours are important for citizens and there is such heavy usage on the weekends. Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to reinforce checking on the priority order of recycling reductions. Visitor's Bureau: Commissioner Jacobs asked why this was not a private entity. He said that the arrangement is odd.