Orange County NC Website
ORANGE COUNTY SENIOR GAMES EVENTS DAYS <br />AND encourages citizens age 55 and over to participate. <br />This, the second day of April 2002. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS -NONE <br />7. PUBLIC HEARINGS <br />a. 2002-12 Capital Investment Plan Public Hearing <br />This item was presented for the purpose of receiving public comments on the Manager's <br />recommended 2002-12 Capital Investment Plan. Budget Director Donna Dean made a PowerPoint <br />presentation, which is incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the proposed CIP are available in the <br />County's budget office in Hillsborough; the libraries in Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro; and on <br />the County's web site. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the SportsPlex funding. She said that the original <br />agreement for this facility was that the County would pay $400,000 a year for 10 years. Also, for project <br />funds through June 30, 2002, the amount of total project costs was listed as $6.9 million. She asked if <br />this amount was checked. Donna Dean said that she did check this amount and the revenue reflects <br />$2.9 million, which is the correct number. This is on the list for items to discuss on April 22"d <br />PUBLIC COMMENTS <br />Kathy Bryan spoke in support of the addition to Orange Enterprises. She said that she is not <br />sure how the state funding cuts will affect their operation next year. She said that thirty percent of their <br />income is from contract work. She said that with the downturn in the economy, they usually lose work <br />because companies do the work in-house instead of contracting it out. They had to turn down an <br />opportunity recently because they did not have the space for the inventory. This is one of the reasons <br />that they need more space. She said that they have a friend in the state purchasing department and <br />they have a contract with the state. Their association of rehab facilities will act as the conduit and the <br />state will get the offers of work. This opens up a lot of possibilities, but they do need additional space. <br />She is also pursuing federal set-aside contracts. This might take up to two years. She also said that if <br />anyone comes to the office in a wheelchair by themselves, they have to sit outside until someone sees <br />them because there is no electronic door. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis suggested that Kathy Bryan send a request to the County <br />Commissioners in writing for an electronic door. This type of door is not a great expense. <br />Roy Fortmann, Chairperson of the Commission for the Environment, presented a statement <br />on the position of the Commission far the Environment on the plan far funding the Lands Legacy <br />Program. This statement is incorporated by reference. The Triangle region has been losing an average <br />of 45 acres of green space a day. The Lands Legacy Program has protected 794 acres of natural and <br />cultural resource lands and future parkland. The Commission for the Environment has helped to frame <br />the vision for the Lands Legacy Program and believes that the appropriation for fiscal year 2003-2004 <br />could be inadequate for this program. They urge the County Commissioners to consider moving forward <br />some of the bond funds that have been allocated for later years. They believe that land acquisition for <br />the preservation of functioning ecosystems and watersheds, sustainable agriculture, archeological <br />resources, and parkland far our growing communities cannot be put off. If the acquisition of an important <br />area is postponed for two to three years, we may find that the land in question has already been <br />converted to residential or business use or that the cost has escalated beyond the County's means. <br />They urge the County Commissioners to shift $1 to $1.5 million from fiscal year 2005-2006 to fiscal year <br />2003-2004. The success of the Lands Legacy Program will depend on adequate funding being available <br />sooner rather than later. <br />