Minutes 09-05-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Jacobs verified that Dwane Brinson, as a senior staff member, was making an affirmative statement that these positions are needed on a permanent, full time basis, even after the revaluations. Dwane Brinson said yes. A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner McKee to approve the Budget Amendment#1-D by approving two (2.0 FTE) additional Appraiser I positions within the Revaluation Fund as part of the cyclical North Carolina revaluation process, and an appropriation from the Revaluation Fund's Unassigned Fund Balance to cover the FY 2013-14 costs. VOTE: UNANIMOUS S. Consent to Chapel Hill to Proceed with Chapel Hill Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Expansion Process The Board considered consent of the request from the Town of Chapel Hill for the Town to begin the process to expand its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Commissioner Gordon said she does not object to the expansion process per se, but she does feel that this has a bearing on the historic Joint Planning Agreement (JPA). She feels that the Joint Planning Agreement should be acknowledged, and there should be a process in which this expansion is related to joint planning. She suggested that the letter be assembled with some language added to the third paragraph to acknowledge the Joint Planning Agreement. She feels these processes should operate in concert. Commissioner Price said her concern is that some of these items on the consent agenda should have more information and highlights to explain fully what the Board is being asked to consider and vote on. She said this item is not really saying that Chapel Hill and the County are going to go forward, but the Board is consenting to beginning the process. Commissioner Dorosin said this comes out of the Rogers Road Task Force and the idea of the County, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro jointly funding installation of water and sewer in this community. He said Chapel Hill could not expend funds in an area that is not in the town limits or the town's ETJ. He said that by allowing Chapel Hill to extend their ETJ, the town will be able to participate in funding the water and sewer. He said this is moving forward with Chapel Hill. He noted that this consent is not necessary but just a process by Chapel Hill to make sure all partners are on the same page. He said if the town votes to expand the ETJ this will come back to the Board for an official vote on whether the County wishes to go along with it. He said questions regarding the joint planning agreement will be answered during the process. He believes the people who live in the neighborhood will not see changes on the ground. John Roberts said the extension of the ETJ is a statutory process. He encouraged the Board to send any questions regarding the Joint Planning Agreement after the actual extension of the ETJ. He said amendments to the Joint Planning Agreement are complicated, and it will lengthen the process significantly. Frank Clifton said this is an unusual request. He noted that this letter does not bind the Commissioners to action. He noted that the letter is drafted to encourage a spirit of cooperation and to depict that the Board accepts that the town is moving forward. Commissioner Gordon said she is just asking what will happen to the JPA now. She just wants the knowledge. She read the following proposed sentence: "The BOCC expressed no objection to Chapel Hill's ETJ expansion process but requested an explanation of the amendments to the existing Joint Planning Agreement (JPA) that could be made to recognize this ETJ expansion, along with a process and timeline for amending the JPA." She said this will not hold anyone up, assuming that staff can do this analysis. Commissioner Dorosin suggested this question be posed to County staff, rather than putting that language in the letter and asking Chapel Hill staff to get that information. He said staff could get this information between now and when the ETJ is approved and comes back to the board, assuming it is approved. He noted that there is a minimum of 30 days notice for a public hearing, so there is plenty of time. Commissioner Gordon said the amendment to the letter could suggest that Orange County staff provide the explanation. Commissioner Dorosin questioned why this needs to be in the letter. Commissioner Gordon said she is expressing an objection unless the JPA issue is addressed.