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and agreed upon before the department is approved. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she spoke with Commissioner Crowther and she recommends <br /> that we send the whole thing to public hearing as written, hear what the public has to say and move forward. <br /> They will talk with these two entities to come up with an agreement. She said that this new department has <br /> no intention of taking over any of the responsibilities of the Health Department. With reference to the Soil <br /> and Water Conservation District, they definitely want to interact with this organization and want to work <br /> cooperatively with them. There are also others that they will be interacting with. She stressed that there will <br /> be strong collaboration with all these departments including the Planning Department . Their primary role will <br /> be interacting and supporting the County Commissioners in environmental issues. Her preference is to get <br /> the department going and then work out agreements as we go along. She prefers to send this forward as it <br /> is for the public hearing, receive comments and then decide how to move forward. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to accept <br /> the proposal for formation of the new Environment and Resource Conservation Department for public <br /> comment at the planned November 4 public hearing with a decision to be considered at the November 17, <br /> 1998 meeting. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> C. Proposed County Facilities Improvements <br /> The Board heard a report on proposed improvements to various County facilities and considered <br /> approving a list of improvements to be completed with funds appropriated in the budget for fiscal year 1998- <br /> 99. <br /> Public Works Director Wilbert McAdoo made this presentation showing each improvement as <br /> proposed. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis asked that they look at replacing the roof at the old house located on the <br /> Southern Human Services Center property. <br /> Chair Margaret Brown said that the roof at the animal shelter needs to be replaced and Wilbert <br /> McAdoo said that there are funds to do this and it is currently under contract. He said that they will be <br /> bringing back a report on all roofs for County property. <br /> Wilbert McAdoo explained for Commissioner Halkiotis how the gate at the public works facility <br /> works so people cannot access the buildings where they store supplies. Also, with reference to the HVAC <br /> equipment at the Richard E. Whiffed building, he said that they will get some outside help to plan for <br /> replacement of that equipment. His department is also working on the year 2,000 issue for computers. <br /> Chair Margaret Brown asked if there has ever been a consideration to set up a maintenance <br /> program based on fees the Orange County Animal Shelter collects and John Link said that he would like <br /> very much to talk about this issue. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to receive <br /> the report and approve the list of improvements as recommended by staff, adding repair of the roof at the <br /> house located on the Southern Human Services Center site. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 10. REPORTS <br /> a. Cane Creek Watershed Staff Report <br /> The Board heard a report on staff recommendations to protect the Cane Creek watershed. <br /> Planner David Stancil presented slides which summarized their thoughts on Cane Creek. He showed on a <br /> map the existing land use for the Cane Creek Watershed. It said that it is predominately undeveloped. He <br /> showed on a map the development activity in the Cane Creek Watershed. There is one major subdivision in <br /> red and some minor subdivisions. He gave some basic facts about the watershed. <br /> In answer to a question from Commissioner Carey, David Stancil said that they have received <br /> comments from the Bingham Township Council and also from some of the residents in that area. <br /> Barry Jacobs, a member of the watershed committee, said that they did take into account the <br /> comments they received from those who live in the watershed. They looked at what impact their final <br /> recommendation would have on the property owner. As time went on, the citizens became more supportive <br /> of the open space option. <br /> Chair Margaret Brown clarified that they have a Technical report, Advisory Committee's report and <br />