Minutes - 04-25-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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that in this case it makes sense to extend water and sewer together. He does not have any confidence in the water utility supplier because Orange-Alamance does not want to talk to the County. He does not want to put a developer in an awkward situation because of the water issue. He agrees that we need to make decisions about the water. Commissioner Brown concurred with both Commissioner Gordon and Commissioner Jacobs. She feels that it would be irresponsible to proceed with permitting and development until questions can be answered about water and sewer. Chair Halkiotis asked the County Attorney how the County could act in a responsible and legal manner when there is a water supplier that will not talk to you. Geoffrey Gledhill said that the issues are far more complicated than he can answer right now. He said that a sewer system subdivision could be developed without public water. It is a policy decision to put public water with public sewer. He said that the decisions linking public sewer and public water have not previously been put before this Board. The bond project will complete the master plan that was approved and the bond project assumes that there would be connections to the sewer system within the band project area. There are some policy decisions to be made. Commissioner Brown does not want to make a motion that will have a time limit. Until the policies are clarified, she would like for action to be held up on any applications for this sewer area. Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Brown, without the time limit. He would rather direct staff to bring back a decision tree including the policies and implications. Commissioner Brown asked if the citizens of Efland realize the high density that all of the development would bring. Geoffrey Gledhill said that this was not about higher density, but flexible development plans that concentrate the housing units into smaller areas with extensive open space. Chair Halkiotis suggested that two Commissioners, the County Manager, the County Attorney, the Planning Director and the County Engineer get together and bring back a recommendation. Commissioner Brown and Commissioner Jacobs volunteered. John Link suggested that the study group make the assumption that the County would not necessarily be the utility provider. He said that it was very hard to separate the role of zoning and planning and that of a utility provider. Commissioner Gordon reemphasized the inter-basin transfer issue. She said that this could have implications to the Jordan Lake water allocation. The Board agreed to put together a study group on this issue and come back with some additional information. 3. Library Services Task Force Report Library Director Brenda Stephens introduced task force members Dana Thompson, Diana McDuffee, and Miriam Jackson. Commissioner Jacobs made comments about the short-term task force that met for 10 months. He said that Orange County's resources were not adequate at this time to provide for the needs of library services. Brenda Stephens made a presentation of when the task force met and gave information about what they talked about and how they reviewed requests. She spoke about the difference in funding by other counties and Orange County for library services. Several clarifying questions were asked by the Commissioners and answered by Brenda Stephens. Commissioner Carey asked about the records center and Commissioner Jacobs clarified that it would not be for all County records, but an opportunity for departments that are in a crunch far space. Commissioner Brown asked about per capita for library services. John Link said that it is a measure that is used many times. He said that he would be curious to compare Chapel Hill to the