Minutes - 03-29-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Brown made reference to the Recommendations of the School/Parks Reserve Committee of May 6, 1999 and pointed out the third criterion for evaluating funding which reads: "County funding contributions should not be made for parks design or planning, unless County funds are used to complete the project." She asked what had been paid out far the Northern Chapel Hill Community Park and Homestead Park. Finance Director Ken Chavious has not disbursed any funds for the Northern Chapel Hill Community Park or Homestead Park, but he will check it out. Commissioner Brown asked for a statement on how bond money was promised to be disbursed and how the bond money is being spent. Commissioner Jacobs asked for clarification of any money committed for Smith Middle School fields. Commissioner Brown mentioned that she stopped by Homestead Park and that the skate board park that the County helped to fund was jammed with kids. Chair Carey said that this part of the park should be publicized. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 20 and the Chapel Hill schools plan far expanding their parking and said that maybe the school systems could get involved in the energy efficient vehicles. f. Agriculture Center Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 28 regarding the Agriculture center and asked about the time frame for the recommendations coming back to the Commissioners and David Stancil said that it would be October or November of 2000. Commissioner Jacobs would like to know if this effort is still worthy to pursue. Commissioner Brown said that this also interfaces with the space study. g Orange Enterprises Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 40 and clarified that the matching funds were in the amount of $10,500. Budget Director Donna Dean said that this appropriation was made several years ago in hopes that Orange Enterprises could use it as matching funds to receive a grant from the state. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the status and Donna Dean said that she has not heard from Orange Enterprises this fiscal year, but she has received a request for funding for the upcoming fiscal year. John Link clarified that Orange Enterprises has not asked for capital money. Commissioner Jacobs wants to know about the long-range plan for Orange Enterprises. h. Senior Centers Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the Senior Centers on page 45 and asked about pursuing some space for a centralized center. John Link said that he is expecting a report back from the group working in central Orange County. Department on Aging Director Jerry Passmore said that these reports would be coming back in the Master Aging Plan. i. Land Legacy Commissioner Jacobs made reference to pages 73 and 75 and the utility expansion and suggested considering the land legacy program a high priority along with affordable housing as having a dedicated funding source. As far as utility expansion development monies, he would like to know what years these monies were appropriated and whether this is the best way to spend this money to promote economic development, ar whether it should be a grant or a loan. He would like to consider other ways to use the money to promote economic development and produce an equal number of jobs. Chair Carey said that this is something for which the Economic Development Commission could come back with some recommendations. Commissioner Jacobs said that he was not suggesting appropriating more funds, but looking at the concept and whether there was a better way to promote economic development. John Link agreed and clarified that the purpose was not being changed, just the definition to expand the funds to use for other purposes. John Link clarified that in terms of the public hearing there would be a note that this issue would be broadened in terms of possible utility expansion. Commissioner Brown asked if there was anything in the budget to upgrade physical building problems at Parks and Recreation. Public Works Director Wilburt McAdoo said that as part of the overall project, there were items included for the building. Commissioner Brown said that she was specifically talking about the problems with the windows.