Minutes - 04-24-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3. CLARIFICATION ON COUNTY POLICY FOR PLANNING AND FUNDING OF SCHOOL CAPITAL PROJECTS John Link summarized the information in the agenda abstract. He said that the Commissioners' comments have been incorporated into this second draft. He said that the staff focused on level 2 projects, which are major projects that require several phases to complete. Commissioner Gordon noted that she feels there should be an opportunity far the two school Systems to give the County Commissioners feedback on this policy. She feels this policy might be a surprise to the two school systems. John Link said that he did share a copy of this policy with each school superintendent last Thursday. He feels that seeking feedback from the two school systems is very important. Commissioner Brown said that she hopes that this policy will improve the timing of projects. Commissioner Halkiotis agrees that this policy is pulling together all that has happened the last few years. He feels that decisions need to be made way in advance if there is to be any community use of school facilities. He said that this policy addresses concerns of environmental issues. Commissioner Jacobs agrees that this policy needs to have input from the two school systems. He suggested submitting the policy to the school systems and bringing it back to the Commissioners when the feedback is received. He feels there is a lack of communication between the two school systems and the County Commissioners. He hopes that the Schools and Land Use Council will add environmental standards to the school standards already adopted. He asked if the agreement for ca-location of facilities could be added to this item, and John Link said yes. Commissioner Brown made reference to the standards as they relate to an evaluation process that is ongoing. She would like for the schools to be evaluated on a continual basis. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to site selection for when a developer is offering a site and the school system is not responding. Commissioner Gordon made reference to page 5 where it says "Appoint, by majority vote of the Board, either a Commissioner representative and one staff representative, or two staff representatives, to partner with the school system as the plans develop." Also, on page 3 it is exactly an analogous situation where it says, "Upon receipt of the Board of Education's notification, the Commissioners will appoint, by a majority vote of the Board, a representative to work directly with the Board of Education." She asked if when the Board of Education is working on selecting a site, if Board of Education members are directly involved. Elizabeth Williams, Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board, said that the staff keeps them informed as necessary. Superintendent Neil Pedersen said that with regard to sites, there have been committees that have identified potential sites and all of those have been presented to the Board. With regard to building and design, the Board of Education members are not directly involved. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the selection of sites and said that when buildings are built in wet areas, there are continuous problems. He feels that the County Engineer should be involved in looking at sites for schools. Commissioner Brown said that she feels that the County Commissioners could help in school development from siting through development of the facility. She hopes that this document will help facilitate that process. Chair Carey summarized the changes that need to be made in the document. On page 3 and page 5, the appointment of a representative is not consistent; the Planning Department's involvement in the school siting process; an evaluation process for after school programs and involving the County Engineer in the siting process. He was told that the policy will be shared with the two school boards before it is finalized. John Link said that he would add toward the end of page six that what has already been built will be reviewed and evaluated to determine if the standards were met. The policy will also address an evaluation of after hour uses of Schaal facilities. The Board agreed that this would be revised and circulated to the County Commissioners for comments and then forwarded to the two school boards.