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Mark Gill, a resident of the Northern Transition zone, made reference to a quote in the <br /> Chapel Hill News from Chair Jacobs. He read the quote as follows: "The type of joint planning specified in the JPA <br /> is not suitable for today, but was suitable for the 1980's." He asked for clarification of this statement. Chair Jacobs <br /> said that the context of the conversation with the reporter was about joint approval and that in the 1980's, the notion <br /> of joint approval was revisited because it was deemed impractical. As far as joint approval now, we do have joint <br /> approval, unless there is an annexation. <br /> Mark Gill said that there is interest by a group of citizens in challenging this legal opinion on annexation <br /> and removal of Orange County from the joint planning process. <br /> Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered as the Board addressed the items <br /> on the agenda below.) <br /> 3. BOARD COMMENTS <br /> Commissioner Gordon- none <br /> Commissioner Carey - none <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is thankful that it rained last Friday and that the Hillsborough reservoir <br /> has filled up to 80% capacity. He said that we should not get too overly excited about this because we were in the <br /> most serious drought conditions in this area since the mid 1930's. He hopes that we continue to treat water as the <br /> precious resource that it is and not rush out and wastewater like we were doing before. He would like to keep this <br /> issue of water in front of the public. <br /> Commissioner Brown seconded what Commissioner Halkiotis said and suggested that the Board of County <br /> Commissioners should write a letter on the issues of water sustainability and pass it on to the municipalities and <br /> water providers. She thinks it would be good to make a clear statement so that it does not slip away from our <br /> consciousness. <br /> Chair Jacobs suggested considering a Board resolution and that we may need a permanent conservation <br /> ethic, not just when it is a crisis. <br /> Commissioner Carey said that a resolution would be appropriate and that we should send it to the media as <br /> well as the towns and the water providers. <br /> Commissioner Brown suggested sending it to the other area County Commissioners through the NCACC. <br /> Commissioner Brown made reference to Dr. Schopler's proposal and his comments about wildlife habitat. <br /> She said that this Board has done a lot with wildlife corridors and it is right in tune with him. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that on November 6th at the Southern Human Services Center from 6:15- 7:15, there will <br /> be a reception for Senator Howard Lee to honor his 33 years of public service. There will be a resolution to honor <br /> him at the regularly scheduled meeting. Also, on October 291h at 7:00, the Little River Planning Group will have a <br /> public review of the concept plan for the Little River Regional Park. This will be at the Pleasant Green Community <br /> Center. <br /> Chair Jacobs congratulated the Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Development Director and the <br /> Commission for the Business Expo that took place last week. He said that it was a well-attended event. This is <br /> another example of how we are trying to support our business community in Orange County. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that even though Environment and Resource Conservation Director Dave Stancil will have <br /> a column in the Chapel Hill Herald tomorrow, he did not want to pull the item off the consent agenda. He said that <br /> under Budget Amendment#4, we are receiving almost $800,000 of grant money for the purchase of agricultural <br /> conservation easements. He said that in Columbia, South Carolina's State paper yesterday, Richland County is <br /> hoping to have a one for one program where they protect one acre of undeveloped land for every acre of land that <br /> is urbanized in the county. He said that, according to our staff, we have been able to do that for the last three <br /> years. We have generated nearly two million dollars in grant monies to conserve and purchase land in our county. <br /> He said that there was an unfortunate editorial in the Chapel Hill Herald, which was negative about the County's <br /> effort to purchase conservation easements from local farmers. He said that we were proud of this program and the <br /> farmers who have sold their land for conservation easements. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis saluted Chair Jacobs for his comments. <br /> 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT <br /> John Link introduced Lone Taft, the new Recreation and Parks Management Director. She has a BS degree <br /> from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters in Physical Education and Recreation Administration from <br /> Temple University and has spent many years in the recreation and parks department in Delaware. <br /> John Link said that County Engineer Paul Thames would give a brief summary of the water levels in the <br /> County. He echoed the sentiments about being cautious with water. <br /> Paul Thames said that we got more than six inches of rain in the northern part of the County and it raised the <br /> water level at Lake Orange from nine feet below full to one foot below full. He thinks that Lake Orange will be full <br /> by the weekend. Hillsborough's reservoir went from 50% full to 83% full. Hillsborough calculates that they have <br />