Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Gordan reported that the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan <br />Planning Organization has elected its officers. Becky Heron of Durham County was elected as Chair <br />and Alex Zaffran was elected as Vice Chair. The Triangle Transit Authority has announced that Jim <br />Ritchey, the General Manager, has resigned. Bill Bell will continue as Chair. Far the Triangle J Council <br />of Governments, Thomas Moore is now the Chair. He is a Commissioner far Johnston County. <br />Commissioner Gordon also reported that OWASA came to the Triangle J COG meeting and asked <br />the Triangle J COG to support them in an assessment of the risk to the water supply from terrorists and <br />other security risks. The Board of Delegates did not support the request. There were two <br />representatives from CP&L who assured everyone that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has all of <br />the information and therefore OWASA's request was considered redundant. She distributed some <br />information from CP&L about safety at the Shearon Harris plant. <br />Commissioner Gordan said that she asked CP&L for a copy of the 50-mile radius evacuation plan <br />for the nuclear plant. There has been no response to date, but they have agreed to send the plan. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis made comments about the latest traffic accidents at Lawrence Road and <br />US 70A. He will bring up this location again and again to NCDOT. He said that we need to up the <br />stakes and get NCDOT's attention about this intersection. <br />Chair Halkiatis made reference to his last formal letter as Chair to Gary Phillips, the Chair in <br />Chatham County, regarding this ongoing issue with CP&L. The letter basically invited Chatham County; <br />along with Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, and OWASA; to start putting together our own <br />planning package as to what to do in case of an emergency. He said that they are planning to do <br />something in January at the Friday Center, which will include County Engineer Paul Thames, Social <br />Services Director Nancy Costan, EMS Director Nick Waters, County Manager John Link, Health Director <br />Rosemary Summers, and others. He said that the Board of County Commissioners has written a letter to <br />the Governor to ask for National Guard troops around that facility the way that other governors have <br />done in seven or eight different states. There has been no response. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he put at everyone's table the brochure that describes the Orange- <br />Chatham Justice Partnership program. He said this is the first publication of this group to try to reduce <br />crime, recidivism, and to address some other issues that have been identified as problems in the two <br />counties. He said that this group is unique because it is the first one in the state to combine the <br />programs of two counties. He hopes in the next few months that a representative from the task farce or <br />staff will come before the Board to share additional information. <br />Chair Jacobs said that he would be getting information from the other Commissioners about <br />possible dates for the retreat and possible places to have the retreat and the agenda. He would also like <br />to have all of the minutes from 2001 on the agenda far January 16tH <br />Chair Jacobs said that we have also asked the Manager to present at the next meeting an update <br />of all of the pending items and follow up actions since the Board reconvened in August. <br />Chair Jacobs distributed copies of the Smart Growth Commission Report. <br />4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT <br />None <br />5. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS <br />a. Proposed General Uses of the Greene Tract <br />The Board considered a resolution providing direction to the Greene Tract Wark Group <br />regarding the disposition of the remaining 109 acres of the Greene Tract and affirming the Board's <br />desired general uses of the property. <br />Commissioner Carey said that everyone has received a copy of the group's report of their <br />accomplishments for the last several months. The Board had asked Commissioner Carey, <br />Commissioner Brown, and a group of elected officials from the towns to form a work group to come back <br />with a recommendation. The group tried to expedite the work because they got started later than <br />anticipated and wanted to try to meet the April 2002 deadline to try to resolve the future use of the 109 <br />acres of the Greene Tract. The group held a public discussion an the Greene Tract. Most of the <br />comments were consistent with the direction the group was headed, which is to use the site far <br />recreation, affordable housing or open space. The premise is that the Greene Tract will not be used for <br />