Minutes 02-19-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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that these districts not involved in the greater Chapel Hill District need to somehow be moved forward. She asked for clarification of the steps and timeline necessary for the creation of the three fire districts and the negotiation and signing of three new contracts for fire protection. She questioned if these steps could be finished by a target date of May 21, 2013. Michael Talbert said the steps necessary, as mentioned above are as follows: 1) Schedule a public hearing, which takes 6 weeks from the time of a decision; 2) Contracts must be approved after the public hearing, by North Chatham, Town of Chapel Hill and Carrboro; and 3) The State Fire Marshal must give final approval. He said that the February 1 St deadline came from the State Fire Marshal's office as a deadline to have the maps submitted to have a revised insurance district for those 112 property owners by July 1St. He said there is still time to get the service districts established and sign new contracts and establish a tax rate for July 1St. He said the opportunity to have the State give final approval by July 1St has passed. He said that if the districts can be established, the State may or may not act by September or later to change the ISO rating. Commissioner Gordon asked how the contracts will be negotiated with the fire service providers. Michael Talbert said the contract with the providers would be effective July 1 St regardless of the ISO rating. Commissioner Gordon asked about the service district. Michael Talbert said the service district will be established prior to June 30th and contracts will be in place prior to July 1St Commissioner Gordon asked how far those contracts for North Chatham and South Orange have gotten. Michael Talbert said a first draft has been reviewed with the County Attorney. He said a second draft was reviewed with the Fire Department Chief's Association in January, and a final draft is expected in early March. Commissioner Gordon clarified that early March is the goal for North Chatham, the Town of Carrboro, and South Orange. Michael Talbert said this is for the whole Chief's Association and the plan is to eventually change all of the contracts. He said all three departments mentioned have been at the meetings and have given input on the contract changes. He said there will still be some negotiations after March but it will be done between March and May. Commissioner Gordon asked if it would be done by May 21 St and Michael Talbert said yes. Chair Jacobs said it seems like a lot of issues have been worked out at staff level and this is an opportunity for the town to try and achieve another goal separate from fire service. He said he is not in favor of involuntary annexation, but he is not averse to a discussion about why annexation is desirable for the residents in question. He said perhaps this discussion could be put into a framework of two years with a commitment to bring the annexation issue to a vote within those two years. He suggested a five year contract with a two year opt out, and a two year commitment for the county to help facilitate a discussion process with the residents for possible annexation. He said this will make it more of a mutual compromise and may address some of the issues Chapel Hill has with long term planning interests. Commissioner McKee said he sat through the Chapel Hill meeting in January and the discussion went entirely to annexation and not fire service districts. He said it is true that Chapel Hill responds to all fires in this area through a mutual aid agreement with other entities just like all the other departments in the county have with adjacent departments. He said this does not have to be this complicated and the people who are supposed to be helped are being forgotten and are not being discussed. He said there are 112 homes that through no fault of their own will incur an increase and are at risk of not being able to acquire insurance at some