Minutes 02-21-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Composition of the Task Force - two members appointed by each Town, Chapel Hill (will make appointments on 2/27/12) and Carrboro; two members appointed from the County; and two members appointed from RENA ( David Caldwell and Robert Campbell who were nominated from RENA.) VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to approve the charge of the Task Force to address sewer service to historic Rogers Road area as defined by the previous water hook ups in this area and a community center and to direct the task force to include how to pay for these recommendations, and direct task force to submit an interim report to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners by the end of August. Commissioner Yuhasz pointed out the difficulty in providing sewer service in an economical manner while complying with all of OWASA's requirements for providing that sewer service. Part of that should be a discussion with OWASA about adjusting some of the policies for this service. Specifically, he is concerned about the requirement that all sewer service should be gravity rather than to a pump station. Commissioner McKee said that he has severe reservations on the sewer aspect because it is not defined how large an area this is. Sewer service is generally a municipal responsibility. This will move Orange County into providing sewer. There needs to be more specificity. Commissioner Foushee said that Commissioner McKee's comments should be considered but what the task force brings back are only recommendations and they would not bind the Board to do anything. She said that the County Commissioners need to be clear on what is provided and how it is provided. She said that Commissioner Yuhasz's comments are one point and what happens in the historic area is another point, and all of this is part of the task forces' purposes. Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Foushee and Commissioner McKee. He does not see any reason why the group could not make an interim report to the boards so the towns and County can address the concerns before the final report. Commissioner McKee requested that the motion be withdrawn because he wants to vote for the community center, but he cannot support adding the sewer. Commissioner Hemminger said that she would not accept this as an amendment. Her understanding is that the task force only makes recommendations and then the boards eventually decide what to do. Commissioner McKee said that the sewer system needs to be narrowly defined. Commissioner Hemminger amended the motion to provide sewer only to the Historic Rogers Road neighborhood. Commissioner Hemminger repeated the motion: The motion is to charge the task force to address the community center and sewer service to the historic Rogers Road neighborhood as defined by the previous water hookups in this area and to report back with an interim report by the end of August, with a final report to be brought back before the Assembly of Governments meeting on December 6, 2012. VOTE: UNANIMOUS