Orange County NC Website
13 <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to <br />appoint Ms. Elizabeth Grew to the Commission for Women to a Chapel Hill Township seat for a first <br />regular term, which will expire June 30, 2006. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />(3) Triangle Area Rural Transportation Planning Organization (RPO) -Rural <br />Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC) -Appointment(s) <br />The Board considered appointing one member and one alternate to the Triangle J Area <br />RTAC and to provide comments regarding bylaws (TAC and TCC). <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br />appoint Commissioner Jacobs to the Triangle J Area RTAC. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Chair Brown to appoint <br />Commissioner Gordon as an alternate on the Triangle J Area RTAC. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to page six of the bylaws. Commissioner <br />Jacobs said that he would bring forward the changes at the first meeting of RTAC. <br />(4) Efland Cheeks Park Conceatual Plan <br />The Board considered making appointments to the Efland-Cheeks Park Conceptual <br />Plan Committee. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br />appoint all six citizens -Leo Allison, Julia Champion, Elvira Mebane, John Pringle, Marie Tate, and <br />Denise Wilson. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />10. REPORTS <br />a. Proposed OWASA Drought Water Conservation Standards and Ordinance <br />The Board received as a presentation information from the Orange Water & Sewer <br />Authority's (OWASA's) proposed water conservation standards. <br />Ed Kerwin from OWASA gave a PowerPoint presentation, which is incorporated by reference. <br />He went through some history of the levels of the reservoirs. All of their reservoirs are currently full. <br />They are currently doing a comprehensive review of 100 conservation management practices and trying <br />to improve the existing Water Conservation Ordinances. Other initiatives include an update of Water <br />Reuse Feasibility Study (joint project with the University), review of "Safe Yield" of OWASA's water <br />supply, and review of rate and pricing alternatives (drought and year-round). <br />Ed Kerwin spoke about the drought last year and what OWASA learned from it. They <br />learned that the existing ordinance was not fair to all users. They had a public forum and there was <br />some good feedback. Some key objectives include improving drought "triggers", promoting greater <br />year-round water conservation, saving more water when restrictions are in effect and achieving better <br />equity among users, and providing greater flexibility by allowing hand-watering orultra-efficient irrigation <br />when restrictions are in effect. The next steps are to respond to questions and suggestions about <br />proposed ordinance changes, seek approval by local governments, and keep customers and local <br />governments informed and involved with other ongoing OWASA initiatives (conservation, reuse, etc). <br />Commissioner Gordon pointed out that every other page of the standards was missing. The <br />even numbered pages were missing. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about the comment at the joint meeting in January that OWASA <br />should set very high rates or fines for customers who exceed establish limits. The response was that <br />OWASA did not have the legal authority, but the towns and counties may do so if they choose. He <br />asked if OWASA was pursuing to approach the jurisdictions and ask them to do this. Ed Kerwin said <br />that OWASA could set rates in a more proactive way. Governmental entities can levy fines in their <br />ordinances. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if anyone was trying to coordinate, monitor, or mandate <br />collaboration when the water got very low last year. He asked how would a utility determine when it <br />13 <br />