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a. Appointments <br />The Board considered appointments to the Research Triangle Regional Partnership. <br />Commissioner Brawn made reference to the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and verified <br />that Orange County pays $8,000 annually to be a part of this organization. She said that she has an <br />issue about one of the goals of this organization. On page two, one of the primary assets is "relatively <br />low land prices and labor costs." She questions whether cheap labor is an asset to this community. <br />Commissioner Brown said that she will not support any appointments to this organization <br />because she does not support the goals of this organization. <br />Commissioner Jacabs agreed and said that we reduced our contribution because of the <br />issues and because we were not represented at the level for which we were paying. He said that the <br />organization almost never prints anything about Orange County in its newsletter. <br />Commissioner Carey said that we do have to realize that we are part of the region and failure <br />to participate means that we will have no voice. The amount of money sent to this organization by <br />Orange County was reduced. He does support this appointment. <br />Chair Halkiotis suggested that he, John Link, and Economic Development Director Diane <br />Reid meet and bring back a recommendation. <br />b. Chance in Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting Schedule <br />The Board considered three changes in the County Commissioners' regular meeting calendar <br />for the year 2001. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the cancellation of the JPA meeting on October 1St <br />Planning Director Craig Benedict said that he spoke with Roger Walden, Chapel Hill Planning <br />Director, and Chris Berndt of Chapel Hill and the staff perception is that the repercussions of Chapel <br />Hill's comprehensive plan that affected the urban services boundary was just to affect their <br />comprehensive plan. There are repercussions against the JPA if there is to be a change in the rural <br />buffer and the transition area. This will be a separate item that comes internally from Chapel Hill to <br />address the comprehensive plan changes and how these changes may or may not affect the transition <br />area. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the specifics of the meeting with Durham Technical <br />Community College on October 11th. Clerk to the Board Beverly Blythe answered satisfactorily. She <br />said that it might be important to advertise when the business meeting will take place since there is a <br />dinner beforehand. <br />Chair Halkiotis said that the entire meeting could be a business meeting and not just after <br />dinner. He encouraged the press to come at the very beginning. <br />Chair Halkiotis said that he was confused about the JPA issues because he thought an <br />agreement had been reached regarding the water and sewer boundary. Commissioner Gordan said that <br />she was told that the agreement had not been changed but that the water and sewer map was changed <br />to reflect the comprehensive plan. <br />County Attorney Geoffrey Gledhill said that the change to the map changes OWASA's service <br />area to exclude the area that has been excluded from Chapel Hill's urban services boundary in its <br />comprehensive plan. In order for the water and sewer boundary agreement to be in agreement among <br />all other parties, the change in the map has to be sent around again. <br />Commissioner Brawn said that she never found that sitting at a long table was a goad way to <br />communicate. She is not clear on what is to be accomplished. It does not seem very business like to <br />her. <br />Commissioner Carey said that we need to clarify the current position on the satellite campus <br />and what steps we plan to take to move forward. He plans to attend and learn as much as possible. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he appreciates that Durham Tech is taking the initiative. He <br />thinks it is a good opportunity to support the satellite campus in Orange County. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that she would feel more comfortable if there was a set time for <br />the business meeting apart from the dinner sa the public could be better accommodated. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Carey to amend <br />the regular meeting calendar by canceling the JPA October 1, 2001 meeting; moving the October 2, <br />2001 regular meeting to October 1, 2001; and adding a meeting with Durham Technical Community <br />College for October 11, 2001. <br />6 <br />