Minutes - 20060822 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Metadata

Thumbnails

Annotations

I retreat used to be done in December. The County Commissioners have not adopted a set of goals in a long time. Commissioner Carey said that he would like to ask citizens and anyone else who would want to participate to engage in an activity to educate the public about the upcoming district elections referendum that will be on the November ballot. He thinks that the lack of education is inviting failure. Chair Jacobs said that he and Commissioner Halkiotis met with the Manager and the Assistant to the Manager yesterday and they discussed the issue of educating the public. Staff is working on bringing something back to the Board soon so they can get the public's attention in a neutral way. Commissioner Gordon reported on some meetings that happened over the summer. The Transportation Advisory Committee of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization met and Karen Lincoln will get a summary to all Commissioners. Commissioner Gordon reported that the General Manager of the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) is recommending that TTA not submit its new funding application for the Regional Rail Project this time around. Part of the reason is the recent changes in the federal funding criteria. The action is on the agenda for tomorrow's TTA meeting. She said that TTA will work with the community to come up with the options to pursue. Doing nothing is not an option because traffic congestion is getting worse on 1-40 and other roads. She said that TTA has increased ridership for its buses and van pools this past fiscal year. Commissioner Gordon said that the Commission for the Environment worked on Transfer Development Rights (TDR) at their last meeting. Commissioner Gordon said that she supported considering having the Board's retreat in December. Chair Jacobs said that they would be having discussions of goals and priorities at the August 31 n work session. Chair Jacobs thanked the animal shelter and Animal Services staff for successfully putting online images of all of the animals at the shelter that are available for adoption and that are lost. Chair Jacobs underlined what Commissioner Halkiotis said as it relates to money found in the fund balance at OCS. He also appreciated Superintendent Pedersen's kind words and invitation to the convocation. He said that both school systems were able to fund everything they needed this coming year. Chair Jacobs asked if the Board would like to have a simple event to commemorate the 5`h anniversary of what happened on September 11, 2001 and to also commemorate the many people that died during Hurricane Katrina last year. There will be no speeches, only someone playing taps, a Saponi prayer of peace, some candles, a moment of silence, and the flag will be lowered to half staff. The Board agreed. Chair Jacobs said that this is John Link's last regular meeting and they appreciate him as a person, a colleague, and a Manager. 4. County Manager's Report John Link said that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners distributes their awardees for the Ketner Award, which was started by Ralph Ketner, who founded Food Lion and put aside money so that the NCACC could recognize efficiency and innovation on the part of local county governments. He said that Rob Taylor and others from Solid Waste received the Ketner award for their TRIP program, which means Toxicity Reduction Improvement Program. They have focused on recycling electronics, computer waste, hazardous household waste, automotive waste, and dry cell household batteries. He said that Orange County ranks highest in the state for pollution prevention and environmental assistance.