Agenda - 12-02-2013 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 1 He said that an impression has been given that his interest in providing fair treatment to 2 these residents is not consistent with the obligations of being a County Commissioner. He said 3 that the County attorney is his attorney also, however he does not agree with the advice. He 4 said his main interest in resolving the big issue is in the context of a County Commissioner 5 trying to serve the best interest of everyone in this County. 6 Alderman Johnson said she was hopeful the County would get more clarification from the 7 attorney. She said that it is possible to discuss this without taking action. She said that the 8 residents of this community are present and watching this discussion but not believing anything 9 will happen. She said she hopes this issue will be resolved. 10 She said she sat on the task force and a lot of work was done. She hopes that the Board 11 does want something to happen. She said she hopes that the Board gets a response from the 12 EPA soon, and she likes Commissioner Dorosin's idea of sending a follow up letter outlining 13 what the Board is willing to do. 14 Alderman Gist asked if the value of the properties will be increased when sewer and 15 water are hooked up, and if this will affect the tax rates. She does not want the residents to 16 have an issue with surprise tax bills. 17 Michael Talbert said the County would go through revaluation in 2017, and if the market 18 values have come up then this would have an impact. 19 Commissioner Rich said that roughly 30 homes have indicated interest in hooking up to 20 sewer. She said that those homes will have an increase in value, but so will the neighbors who 21 choose not to hook up. 22 Alderman Gist said she is saying this as a neutral point, but to clarify this as a 23 consequence of this action. 24 Commissioner McKee said none of his comments are intended to question anyone's 25 motives. He said all three of the boards are in different positions. He said that Orange County 26 is the only one being investigated. He said the Board did not have a clue until well into the 27 discussion of this community center about this investigation. 28 Commissioner McKee said his opinion is that the possibilities need to still be discussed, 29 but he cannot go against the strong opinion of the County attorney. 30 Chair Jacobs said he is speaking for a majority of the Board of County Commissioners. 31 He said it bothers the Board that the EPA claim is delaying this action and the Board is not 32 delaying this willingly or happily. He said the County has acted on the attorney's advice. He 33 said it is not fair to question whether the County can be believed. He said the County has done 34 more to address Rogers Road issues than any local government. He noted that the County 35 spent $200,000 to put in a water line, as well as a no fault well fund. He said the County has 36 committed $650,000 to build the Community Center. 37 Chair Jacobs said no one should say that the County cannot be trusted. He said Orange 38 County is committed and wants this to work. 39 He said the Board represents the whole County and does not want to open the County to 40 liabilities that the Attorney has warned against. 41 Chair Jacobs said the Board can continue to talk to the County attorney on point A and 42 point B, while continuing to look for ways to move forward. 43 Commissioner Rich asked Commissioner Dorosin if he represents RENA in this 44 investigation. She asked if he has divorced himself from this investigation to let others in his 45 office represent RENA. 46 Commissioner Dorosin said he does not represent RENA. 47 Commissioner Rich said Commissioner Dorosin is the person who runs the office and he 48 is in the same office with the attorneys representing RENA. She asked why he doesn't have 49 the attorneys in his office write a letter to the EPA to withdraw the investigation so the Board 50 can move forward.