Minutes - 20021001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Board considered confirming the County's dental insurance rates for 2003 with no increase in rates paid by employees, and to authorize a renewal with Delta Dental as the County's dental insurance plan administrator effective Jan. 1, 2003. Commissioner Carey asked about the increase in the dental insurance premiums. Personnel Director Elaine Holmes said that for the upcoming year for 2003, there is no increase. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to authorize a renewal with Delta Dental as the County's dental insurance plan administrator effective January 1, 2003. VOTE: UNANIMOUS h. Proposed Environmental Summit and Conservation Award The Board considered a proposal by the Commission for the Environment to hold an environmental summit in March of alternating years to bring together members of environmental organizations and present the State of the Environment report and a proposed new Orange County Conservation award. Commissioner Brown asked about the criteria for the award and who would make the selection. She would want to see this in writing before she feels comfortable with the award. The Board agreed to table this to the October 151h meeting and get more information. Commissioner Gordon mentioned that on page 4 there is some reference to conservation heroes and on the next iteration it is changed and it does not say conservation heroes. 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA a. Review and Consideration of the Southern Park Conceptual Plan Committee Report The Board reviewed and considered the report of the Southern Park Conceptual Plan Committee. Environment and Resource Conservation Director Dave Stancil said that the Town Council has approved the plan on March 251h with the revisions. He introduced Pam Hemminger, Chair of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee. Pam Hemminger referred to page 17 of the packet. She said that there were at least five items in the park that are not anywhere else in Chapel Hill or maybe even Orange County. She pointed out different aspects of the park on a map. Specifically, there will be two basketball courts, a roller hockey court, a footprint for a future community center and an outside swimming pool, a children's water spray park, a small outdoor performance area, etc. Commissioner Gordon asked some clarifying questions about the map and Pam Hemminger answered satisfactorily. Commissioner Gordon asked about the costs and if it was $3.75 million minus the proposed community center. Bill Webster, the staff support on this project, said that the park would require some type of phasing plan. The numbers are very preliminary. Commissioner Gordon asked about the consultant costs of$100,000 and what the consultant did. Bill Webster said that the consultant is still with them and they are anticipating all of the environmental permitting, DOT permitting, special use process, etc. He said that it did not cost$100,000 yet, but that it has cost$30,000 so far. Commissioner Halkiotis asked some clarifying questions about the park that was answered satisfactorily by Pam Hemminger. Commissioner Carey asked about a sidewalk along Dogwood Drive. Pam Hemminger said that it was not the entire length of the park, it was to the entrance of the trail. They are going to put a footpath on the side and not a sidewalk from the Dogwood Acres side to the trailside. Commissioner Carey asked if the fields would be lit and Pam Hemminger said yes. Commissioner Brown asked about bus access and Pam Hemminger said that they want to make the park as user-friendly to get to as possible. Commissioner Brown asked that the consultant do a map of the greenways and the bus stops. Commissioner Brown said that her interest is if this park is part of a more densely populated area— Southern Village—it would seem that we would take advantage of public transportation issues with the free bus service in Chapel Hill and try to play down the access to it by automobile. Bill Webster said that they could not rely solely on the park and ride lot. Commissioner Brown is concerned about the Dogwood Acres piece and the park negatively affecting the residents of Dogwood Acres. Her concern is the third soccer field. She spoke about the soccer field at Scroggs school. She asked for a rationale for this field. Pam Hemminger said that the committee heard lots of need for soccer fields and Town Council still felt the pressure to add more fields. Bill Webster said that the committee recommendation for two fields was taken to the Town Council and they added the third field. The Town Council has heard so much feedback from soccer groups about the need for fields. Commissioner Brown said that you could not reestablish the natural area once a soccer field is done. She does not support this extra field. She suggested that it not be done in the first phase.