Minutes - 20030415 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Governments that there was a meeting of the Finance Committee that was called today and one of the things was a bill to reduce youth smoking and raise tobacco taxes. Commissioner Gordon said that the CHATPEC is continuing forward and they hope to get a report put on the agenda soon. Commissioner Carey said that he was prepared to ask the Board to respond to a request from Empowerment for an extension of time for the people who live within 3,000 feet of the OWASA/American Stone project to request their pre-blast surveys. He was looking through his information and saw the memo from Robert Davis and the matter has been addressed. He thinks that the people who live within 3,000 feet of the project need to know that they have until October 10, 2003 to request the pre-blast surveys. He commended the staff for keeping the Board up to speed. He also commended American Stone for having a dinner to educate the public about the quarry. Commissioner Carey said that Duke Power gave an advance notice that they would have tree cutters in his area to clear the power lines. He waited to see what would happen and if what they did was consistent with what they said they would da. There was consistency and he commended Duke Power for this. Commissioner Jacobs said that there has been some discussion about The Preserve, the development north of Hillsborough that has been proposed a few times. He would like to have some information on the agenda with the joint meeting with Hillsborough from Environmental Health about potential perking in this area. There is some discussion with the developer about putting in community septic systems. He wants to be sure this is on the agenda. Commissioner Jacobs asked that the Board write a letter of thanks to NCDOT Division Engineer Mike Mills because he helped get the turn lanes for the entrance to Little River Regional Park. Chair Brown asked staff to look into other areas where turn lanes are needed and if money is available. Commissioner Jacobs said that Mike Mills also mentioned a Driving Ahead Program proposed by the Governor to do a lot of repairs and there should be money in our division. He said that the County should be looking at opportunities to do road straightening, shoulder improvements, tapers, etc. He wants to make sure that we understand how much time we have to get this information and educate the public. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the library being closed this summer. He asked about this and educating the public. John Link said that Library Director Brenda Stephens is working on a plan to provide library services elsewhere. Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey said that she received an email update from Brenda Stephens today. In summary, given the renovations at the Whitted Building, part of the library function will have to be relocated. Some functions will be in the Whitted Building and some will be in a modular across the street, which is now being occupied by the Health Department. She will gather this documentation and report back to the Board as soon as possible. There will also be ample notification to the visiting public. Commissioner Jacobs asked that a press release be done for the media. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the State of the Economy Breakfast where the figures on the poverty levels in Orange County were discussed. He said that everyone was surprised at how high the levels were. He asked if anyone had been looking at these numbers. Chair Brown said that at the Social Service Board meeting, she heard that the Social Services and the Economic Development Directors were going aver the numbers and will come back with an explanation. It appears to be the student population that is throwing the numbers off. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the proposal to site a high school and said that there should be some kind of public comment component. He does not know if there is a policy on this, but it should be available for any school that is sited.