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Health Director Rosemary Summers made a presentation. She said that this was a <br />continuation of grant funds that were received last year. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked why North Carolina ranked first in the nation for the number of <br />syphilis cases. <br />Rosie Summers said that this was a difficult question, and that some think it is because of the <br />number of interstates in North Carolina that are cross-country. <br />Chair Gordon asked if the full-time position would be eliminated if the grant goes away. <br />John Link said that the position would be considered as a project ordinance and it would be <br />guaranteed for more than a year but not indefinitely. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to accept <br />continuation of grant funds in the amount of $43,000 for the syphilis elimination project and establish a <br />new permanent full-time public health education position to provide education and outreach services. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />d. Action Plan for Extending Water Lines to Historic Rogers Road Neighborhood <br />The Board considered adopting a resolution to set into motion the process for constructing <br />extensions of existing water lines to designated properties in the Rogers Road neighborhood. <br />John Link said that since the Interlocal Agreement has been signed, the implementation of the <br />benefits is the responsibility of the County. The paramount benefit is the extension of water lines to the <br />properties in and around the historic Rogers Road neighborhood. He made reference to the resolution <br />that indicates that the County proceed with asking OWASA to engage in developing plans for this <br />extension project. <br />Chair Gordon asked about the cost of the project. <br />John Link said that the staff believes that the waterline extension could be funded through the <br />LOG Enterprise Fund. <br />County Engineer Paul Thames said that the approximate cost of extending the main waterline <br />is $600,000. <br />John Link said that he has made it very clear to the other jurisdictions that the LOG funds will <br />pay for all the enterprise functions that it can. At this time, the funds are coming from tipping fees. Any <br />remaining costs could come from an availability fee or there could be two separate district taxes, and the <br />Commissioners would decide this. He believes that all of the citizens of Orange County contribute to solid <br />waste, so everyone should pay to have it recycled, reduced, or transferred. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he and Commissioner Jacobs brought forward what the <br />Community Benefits Committee recommended a year ago. He said that it is not anything different, it was <br />just taken from a stalemate position. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that it seemed reasonable to take advantage of the commitment <br />from all three jurisdictions and get this project underway. He said that the investigation of alternative <br />funding mechanisms could be done by the Solid Waste Advisory Board. <br />County Engineer Paul Thames explained the map that he distributed. He said that he tried to <br />look at sections that could be pared away. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about Edgar Street, and if the lots had been developed there. <br />Paul Thames said that there are lots at the end of this road and even though all of the lots are <br />not developed, OWASA decided to loop the waterline in this area for the few houses that are on Edgar <br />Street. <br />Chair Gordon invited Robert Campbell to speak about this item. <br />Robert Campbell said that he feels that the Historic Rogers Road neighborhood needs to <br />include all of the homes that need water in the landfill area. He said that many people are spending <br />$75.00 a month for bottled water. They also have to use the Laundromat to wash their clothes. He feels <br />that every neighborhood in the Rogers Road area including Eubanks Road, Millhouse Road, Jericho, <br />Sandburg Lane, and Rush make up this neighborhood. He asked that the County Commissioners not let <br />this plan dissect the Rogers Road neighborhood by excluding some roads. He feels strongly that there is <br />a problem with the operation of the landfill and that chemicals are coming into the neighborhood. <br />Commissioner Brown asked Mr. Campbell about the arsenic in the water and he clarified that <br />26 wells were re-tested and each one of those wells had 0.01 % arsenic in the water. <br />8