Minutes - 04-04-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the form. Commissioner Jacobs clarified that if there was a blank left on the form that it did not invalidate David Herman said that he feels that taxpayer money should not be used to buy private property, specifically the Guess Road property that is going to be turned into a park. He said that this was not an important need facing Orange County. He said that tax reductions were a much more pressing need. He said that Eno River State Park was right down the road and sees moderate use. He said that the purchase of this property requires more taxpayer resources, both far the acquisition and management of the property. He said that he feels that none of this would change until there are district elections. He commended Chair Carey for actively supporting district elections. He said that with district elections the rest of Orange County would be represented and at least two of the Commissioners would lose their seats. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Carey read the public charge. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Gordon asked the Manager to prepare for the Board a brief summary of statutory functions of counties and the recognized optional functions of counties. Commissioner Brown asked John Link about the one-cent on the tax rate for affordable housing. John Link said that he needs direction from the Board on this item and that he would ask for this direction on April 24t" Chair Carey asked that John Link come forward on April 11~" with a preliminary recommendation on the one cent increase for affordable housing. Commissioner Jacobs reported that Commissioner Halkiotis and he met with the mayor and mayor pro-tem of Durham City in late March. There was a cordial discussion. A number of issues were brought up such as courtesy review of major projects, recreation, solid waste cooperative efforts, and the extension of water and sewer into the EDD along US 7a and I-85. They were assured, particularly on the issue of solid waste and the extension of utilities, that the Durham staff would be directed to work with the Orange County staff on cooperative efforts. He said that Durham definitely supported Orange County's land use plan. Commissioner Jacobs said that the Soccer Symposium is scheduled for April 26t" at 7:a0 p. m. at A.L. Stanback. This will allow the public to get some information about the history of some of the soccer programming in the County and to express concerns or interests. Commissioner Jacobs said that we should be very proud that Orange County got the Clean Water Management Trust Fund monies for the Little River Park that is being done in association with Durham County, Triangle Land Conservancy and Eno River Association. He said that this was one of the most unique and cooperative ventures that has occurred in North Carolina to date as far as open space acquisition and planning. He said that there would be minimal maintenance and low-impact recreation. Commissioner Jacobs brought a brochure from New Hanover County on their bond issue that is taking place next month. New Hanover County is proposing a 45 million-dollar bond issue for open space, 75°l0 of which is for low-impact recreation, and the other 25% of which is for active recreation. Commissioner Jacobs reported that the State Board of Transportation would shortly be forwarding for public comment revised subdivision road standards which are supposed to be a lot more flexible and amenable to recognizing and respecting the individual interests of local jurisdictions in trying to protect the character of their communities. Chair Carey informed the members of the Board and the Manager that he spoke with representatives from the I-85 Buckhorn area, and they identified some concerns related to water quality, etc. They also have a need to ensure that the land use plan is protected so that they do not have to suffer some of the off-site effects that development is presenting. He has asked the representatives to attend the Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 4t" and make a report on their concerns. Chair Carey congratulated the County Attorney, Geoff Gledhill, because his daughter Johanna has received a leadership scholarship for Montreat College. Commissioner Jacobs thanked Chair Carey for meeting with the citizens in the Buckhorn area. He thinks this sends a message to Mebane that the Commissioners are willing to address issues in a prompt fashion. Commissioner Brown said that Congressman David Price met with a group at the Skills Development Center on Franklin Street last Friday. There were representatives from about seven or eight agencies that co-exist in the facility and it was a very pleasant meeting with Congressman Price. Many concerns were shared with Congressman Price about various job-related issues and the difficulties in the federal programs.