Agenda - 09-16-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Susanne Haff said if she is representing the Board of Commissioners, she would not want to say the wrong thing, though she does not think the Board would know she said it. She thinks her voice has been heard and honored, but her advice has not necessarily been followed. She appreciates the honor of having been heard and of being able to work on difficult problems. Commissioner Gordon asked whether there is an orientation for boards and commissions in other jurisdictions. Staff answered no. Commissioner Gordon said there are parts of the comprehensive plan that relate to land use and transportation. She said this would be helpful to know. She said the Board of County Commissioners has a list of goals and objectives, some of which relate to land use. She thinks an orientation on general issues would be good, and there is some homework that could be done. Susanne Haff said she does a huge amount of homework on Chapel Hill. Commissioner Gordon asked if she was given an orientation by the Chapel Hill planning board. Susanne Haff said yes. Commissioner Gordon said perhaps it would help if the Board of Commissioners was more explicit regarding their expectations. She said she is interested in any item where Chapel Hill's land use will affect the schools. She is also interested in items of regional significance or anything that would spread beyond the borders of Chapel Hill. Susanne Haff said there is currently a big debate on rapid transit and the train from Duke to UNC. She said there would then be dense development along that train route. She knows that part of Orange County doesn't want buses. She has learned much about these issues from a friend who used to be in politics. She referenced issues of water availability and a working relationship between OWASA and the town of Hillsborough Commissioner Gordon said there is a rural buffer in between. Susanne Haff said she has heard the comments and discussions about this. Commissioner Pelissier said she thinks it would be good to have some sort of orientation with planning staff regarding planning and transportation issues. She thinks it might also be a good idea for new people to meet with one or two Commissioners. She thinks it is good to have contextual information on fundamental issues like water and sewer. Susanne Haff said she does think that there are ideas that go back and forth, and she is not sure what and when to send to the Board. Chair Jacobs said she should not be shy to share information. He said too much information is better than not enough. He said there has never been a connection, so a communication plan will need to be invented, and a relationship can be evolved. Commissioner McKee thanked Susanne Haff for taking the time to serve. He said each of the Commissioners might give different answers on specific issues. He said what is important is that the appointees are able to think of what is best for Orange County. He said the Commissioners may not always agree on how to get there, but they all generally agree on the direction. Susanne Haff said she knows several of the Commissioners represent northern Orange County, and she has tried to work on the concept that people in the County have a variety of income and abilities. She has advocated that there needs to be more responsibility for each other. She has also worked on advocating for cable and other services in northern Orange County. Chair Jacobs thanked her for her service, and he noted that all of the Commissioners represent the interests of northern Orange County.