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project for the County to initiate. <br />Historic Preservation Commission - Don Belk reported that this Commission recently completed <br />the nomination of Cedar Grove Crossroads Rural Historic District to the National Register of Historic <br />Places. The official listing is expected by April 1998. The first group of "Orange County Historic <br />Landmarks will be designated by June 1998. They have also applied for a grant to complete the <br />National Register Nomination for the St. Mary's Road/Trading Path Historic corridor. <br />Human Services Update <br />• Skills Development Center - John Link reported that bids were received on November 20, <br />1997. The Commissioners have authorized negotiations with the apparent low bidder. Bid <br />award/contract approval by Board of Commissioners is anticipated for February 17, 1998 with <br />construction anticipated to begin no later than March 2, 1998 with a projected seven month <br />construction period. The anticipated completion is September 30, 1998. He mentioned that the <br />services offered in this facility will address the challenges of Orange County citizens who are <br />faced with under-employment and welfare reform. <br />• Southern Human Services Center - John Link reported that the Town of Chapel Hill has <br />conducted final inspections of the facility. The County will petition the Town for a conditional <br />Certificate of Occupancy, pending the completion of the left turn lane which was a condition of <br />the Special Use Permit issued by the Town on July 5, 1994. The County plans to open for <br />business on Monday, March 16, 1998. <br />• Joint Master Recreation and Parks Plan Work Group - John Link reported that this Work <br />Group consists of representatives from the Towns of Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Orange <br />County. The Charge to the Work Group is to update and modify the Master Recreation and <br />Parks Plan to be a joint long-range capital facilities plan for Orange County, Carrboro and Chapel <br />Hill and to present the new plan at the October 8, 1998 Joint Planning Area public hearing. He <br />listed the items this plan will include and indicated that they could be modified and/or added prior <br />to implementation. A list of the components in the plan are in the permanent agenda file in the <br />Clerk's office. <br />• Orange County Work First - John Link mentioned that Work First is an employment and <br />training program that focuses on work and personal responsibility in encouraging people to move <br />from welfare to work. Work First helps families move to independence and self-sufficiency. He <br />reviewed the Orange County Work First Profile which presented specific Chapel Hill-Carrboro <br />data. This information is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's office. <br />Concern was expressed regarding the provision of child care and the availability of transportation <br />for parents moving into the workforce. There was discussion about the possibility of providing van pools <br />and/or car pools. Also, that it might be effective to have a mobility specialist work with these citizens. <br />CHAPEL HILL STATUS REPORT - Town Manager Cal Horton indicated that the Town of Chapel Hill is <br />in excellent financial condition and he felt that there may be a recommendation for a tax increase for the <br />fiscal year 1998-1999. He presented brief overviews of the following topics. <br />Planning for Southern Village Gymnasium - A brief update on planning for this project was given. <br />Town of Chapel Hill and Chatham County Joint Meetings -The elected officials of Chatham County <br />and the Town of Chapel Hill have met several times to discuss topics of general interest. They intend to <br />meet again this week to discuss transportation, water issues and solid waste. These meetings are not <br />intended to be decision making forums, but rather to encourage open dialogue. <br />Council member Capowski mentioned that Chatham has closed it landfill and is transporting its solid <br />waste to Kernersville. <br />Joint Chapel Hill-Orange County Meeting with Legislative Delegates - Council member Brown asked <br />if the members of the Board of Commissioners were interested in participating in a joint Chapel <br />Hill/Orange County meeting with the Legislative Delegates. <br />There was consensus among the members of both the Board of Commissioners and the Town <br />Council to proceed with the meeting. The Town and County Managers will arrange this meeting during <br />the long session after the November elections. <br />Status on Chapel Hill's Northwest Area Plan - Council member Evans indicated that she had worked <br />on this project prior to being elected to the Council. It has been in limbo for some time because of the <br />issues surrounding Site 17 and she would like to move this issue forward. She suggested that it is an <br />appropriate issue for the Assembly of Governments to discuss. <br />Council member Andresen suggested that the individual Boards look at this issue once again. <br />Council member Evans mentioned that the Greene Tract could be removed from this discussion <br />and progress could be made on the remainder of the area.