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a. Second step of Local Landmark application process for the Nicholas Corbett Hester <br />House, Part 2: Staff noted that we are waiting for the SHPO to provide their mandatory <br />review comments, which are due by Dec. 5th. Once we get their comments, staff will send <br />out a revised version with any changes noted in highlight. Then we can move the entire <br />package forward, with the SHPO letter, to the BOCC in time for our Dec. 15th joint public <br />hearing. This is inconvenient, but not a problem. We will still be able to hold the hearing, <br />then the BOCC can pass the ordinance. The good news is that this will be the first public <br />hearing item on the BOCC agenda. The hearing will be held at the Southern Human <br />Services Center in Chapel Hill, on Homestead Road. Staff will send a map link and other <br />information. <br />b. Review of Procedure for HPC joint public hearing with BOCC: Staff gave an overview of <br />how this will work. Most members were present for the White Cross School landmark <br />hearing back in May, so it will follow that same process. Members will have reserved <br />seating in the front row. Staff will introduce you to the BOCC, then give a brief <br />presentation about the Hester House. The BOCC chair will open the public hearing, ask <br />for any comments, then close the hearing. They will then vote on the adoption of the <br />ordinance to designate the house as a landmark. Last time the BOCC did not vote but <br />waited for a month, then staff had to make a second presentation about the same <br />property, and then the BOCC acted. This time we will shorten the process as other <br />commissions do if there are no substantive public comments. If we ever do receive <br />comments that must be addressed, then we will have to wait until a later meeting so that <br />those comments can be addressed. <br />c. Adoption of meeting calendar for 2016: The draft calendar presented by staff was <br />approved by acclamation. Staff will review the attendance policy at our next meeting to <br />bring everyone up to date. The County Clerk is asking all boards to observe that policy <br />more rigorously. Ireland wants the record to show that Golan has missed only one <br />meeting during his entire two terms of service, over almost six years. <br />ITEM #7: DISCUSSION ITEMS <br />a. Annual Report and Work Plan due on Dec. 18: <br />Staff reviewed the annual report/work plan process and noted that the board chairs and <br />staff will attend a BOCC work session on February 9th to answer questions and explain <br />goals and needs. Ireland raised questions about the quantity of the various work items <br />listed and wondered if the BOCC put special emphasis on metrics. Staff noted that in past <br />work sessions, it is clear that the County Commissioners are most interested in the big <br />picture, the stated goals and recent accomplishments. They want to know that you are <br />setting goals and getting things done. They also want to know about issues that may be of <br />special interest, ie, are politically sensitive or will require funding. Ireland asked if this <br />reflects the current goals. Staff explained that the goals here were defined during the <br />HPC's retreat held in 2013. It may be time to start talking about having another retreat to <br />review goals and set new ones. Ballard stated that the book was going to be a demanding <br />project and would require our focused effort to get it accomplished. It would help her and <br />other members to get an updated, detailed timeline for the project, mapping out the next <br />steps and the future budget needs. Staff will provide this for the next meeting. Ballard <br />reminded members that while the book is our main focus, we also need to maintain our <br />focus on designating at least two landmarks per year. Discussion followed about how <br />landmarks are funded. Staff reviewed the current scenario whereby there is some funding <br />available each year through the Lands Legacy budget to help property owners pay <br />consultants to do landmark applications so we can maintain this pace. We try not to pay <br />for the whole thing but get owners to put up some of the cost so that our County funding <br />can go as far as possible. There is a down side for local governments if too many <br />2 <br />