Minutes - 20051003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon said that she is glad that there are public information sessions on the proposed district tax - on October 19th at the Northern Human Services Center and November 1St at the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, North Carolina. She made reference to the frequently asked questions on the brochure and asked for an introductory paragraph explaining the purpose of the district tax. John Link said that the intent at the two public sessions is to share the facts about what the tax is and what it can be used for. He said that the process is similar to the one that was used for Twin Creeks. There would be posters with information and have people can mill around and ask questions and then come together at the end of the event to discuss. Commissioner Gordon said it is very important to emphasize that if this district tax is passed, the only way it can be levied is if the OCS Board requests it. Commissioner Jacobs said that open house forums are an insufficient way to relay information. He requested that the brochures be left at all the country stores and to send them home with OCS students. The Manager's office and the Clerk's office will work this out. Commissioner Jacobs asked Commissioner Gordon about the TTA plan and if the approach was flawed. He read TTA's projections that it will take 4 hours and 16 minutes to drive from Durham to Raleigh. He asked if the Trustees asked questions about the commute time proposed by this model. Commissioner Gordon said the Trustees ask questions about the model at every meeting. She explained the reason for the model's predictions. She also noted that the federal government has raised its standards for transit projects (and not road projects) so TTA's project is being judged under new rules. These are different from the rules in place for the years during which the project was being designed. Chair Carey said that, with respect to Orange County's adopting a county, NACo has a process of adopting a county and it would be more efficient to go through NACo and to use that model first. Chair Carey made reference to the urban caucus. He said it is not a part of the NCACC yet. It is a movement in its infancy that grew out of frustration of large urban counties that felt like some of the needs of urban counties were neglected by the legislature during the last session. This is the first time it has been raised in the NCACC. He will keep the Board informed. Chair Carey said that, regarding the OCS middle school #3 and the utility issue, they did arrive at an amicable and economical solution so that there will not be any delays. However, it will require action by the Board of County Commissioners to support the extension of these utilities to the school. Chair Carey said that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. He thanked the Family Violence Prevention Center in Orange County for promoting this. He said that the Orange County Human Rights and Relations Commission sent, in recognition of Women's History Month, a publication with short stories by women in Orange County from age 10 to 66. 4. County Manager's Report John Link made reference to the water and sewer project to connect to the new middle school and said that this would be a top priority for County staff. There are some "time eaters" for the schedule such as regulatory standards, etc. They may need the Board's action in terms of resolutions or contacts. John Link made reference to the brochures about the proposed district tax and said that it would be a good idea to share them with fire departments and rescue squads. 5. Items for Decision--Consent Agenda