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WHEREAS, closure of the West Hill Avenue crossing will re-route traffic to other local streets and <br />crossings providing less direct access; and <br />WHEREAS, these new traffic patterns will impede the flow of north-south traffic and pose potentially <br />negative impacts on the residents and business of wet Hillsborough; and <br />WHEREAS, traffic from Cedar Ridge High School, a 1,000-student high school scheduled to open in <br />August 2002, could feed onto Dimmocks Mill Road and could well have a further significant impact on <br />traffic and traffic flaw through west Hillsborough; and <br />WHEREAS, there should be a more elaborate public forum to discuss the impacts of road closings that <br />further stress the limited north-south routes, such as historic Churton Street, in and around Hillsborough; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners requests that <br />the West Hill Avenue crossing remain open and that the NCDOT Rail Division re-consider its proposed <br />closure of the crossing for the reasons enumerated in the attached Exhibit A. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS <br />a. Grassroots Grants Awards <br />The Board presented the 2001 Spring Arts Grants (Grassroots Grants). Chair Halkiotis said <br />that the Board was pleased to herald the accomplishments of this group of people. The grants this year <br />total $21,530. He read each name and organization and presented each with a check. A list of <br />participants is in the agenda. <br />b. Hillsborough Exchange Club Family Center <br />The Board received information about a new non-profit organization, the Hillsborough <br />Exchange Club Family Center, also conducting business as the Hillsborough Exchange Club Center for <br />the Prevention of Child Abuse. <br />Jahn Link said that he and DSS Director Nancy Coston met with Dale McAndrews about the <br />new program of supporting prevention and education services that is much needed in trying to prevent <br />child abuse. <br />Dale McAndrews, Director of the Hillsborough Exchange Club Family Center, presented the <br />proposal. She said that they opened their doors in April of this year. At this time, she is the only staff <br />member. She read a prepared statement. They were sponsored originally by the Hillsborough <br />Exchange Club and the goal is the prevention of child abuse. Orange County's child abuse and neglect <br />services earned a grade of "D" on the 2001 Adult and Youth Report Card. In Orange County in 1999- <br />2000, there were 1,203 child abuse cases investigated of the over 100,000 cases statewide. Also in <br />Orange County, 370 child maltreatment cases were confirmed out of the 31,828 cases statewide. The <br />center's mission is to enhance positive parenting by providing educational and supportive programs. <br />The center's core program is the parent aid program. There is a summary in the agenda packet. The <br />center has entered into an agreement with DSS to accept referrals of families into the parent aid <br />program. The families may choose not to work with the parent aid program. The program lasts between <br />eight and fifteen months. The aids would not be counselors, but friends and helpers. The services are <br />free. There is a $15 charge for the parenting class to cover the cast of the book. <br />c. 2000-2001 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report <br />Finance Director Ken Chavious presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report <br />{CAFR) and Single Audit Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001. This was a PowerPoint <br />presentation. <br />Revenues and transfers total $107.7 million, which is an increase of 7.71 °~ over 2000. <br />Property taxes account for 65°~ of the revenue and sales taxes account for 13°~. The assessed value of <br />property was $7.4 billion, which is an increase of 4.8°l0 over 2000. Orange County remains one of the <br />best in the state far percentage of taxes collected. <br />