Minutes - 08-30-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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John Link made reference to page three of the agenda abstract and said that the three items for the County Commissioners to consider tonight are land acquisition, schools and parkland, and open space. The County Commissioners have approved a middle school for the Orange County schools and two Elementary Schools for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. The amounts far the schools have not been determined. There have been no decisions on parkland and open space. He suggested that the County Commissioners address land acquisition first. LAND ACQUISITIONS Commissioner Jacobs recalled the County Commissioners asking Bond Attorney Bob Jessup to contact some other entities to see if there were any other interpretations that might be used. Bob Jessup said that he had several conversations with different people. He had a long conversation with someone from the Trust for Public Land. The conversations were not helpful in finding another way around this problem. Commissioner Jacobs made a proposal and distributed a document entitled, "Summary and Justification -Resolution of Intent to Provide Funding for Non-Public Access Conservation Lands." He said that this states that the County Commissioners' intention was to take action to assure that there will be funds available to preserve land through conservation easements. This was a motion to approve the resolution, which is incorporated herein by reference. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Brown. Commissioner Gordon said that this resolution was a good idea, but she would like to find out if the bond referendum passes first before she commits to this. She would also like to see the other projects that are competing. She would like to see a priority list of projects. Commissioner Carey asked what the impact of this resolution would be in the list of items that are already earmarked for alternative financing. Finance Director Ken Chavious explained that money for open space could not stand alone. The money can be included with other projects. This is the spirit of the resolution. Commissioner Jacobs painted out that the $3,00O,OOQ would be less than 10°~ of the additional capacity the County has for alternative financing. Commissioner Jacobs said that we could add verbiage to state that if the bond package does not pass in November that all items earmarked far alternative financing would be reviewed. Chair Halkiotis said that the resolution makes a commitment about open space and how important it is to the County Commissioners and that it is not binding. He cautioned the Commissioners about painting a negative picture of the passing of the bond referendum. Commissioner Gordon said that she did not want to take far granted that the bond referendum was going to pass. She suggested in item #2 in the resolution, "This resolution states the Board of County Commissioners' intent to make the funding commitment for..." Commissioner Jacobs accepted this amendment. Commissioner Brown also accepted this amendment. VOTE: UNANIMOUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING Commissioner Gordon asked for more detail on the affordable housing projects that will be funded by the band referendum. She feels the County Commissioners should provide some guidance for the bond education committee on what affordable housing projects should be included.