Agenda - 04-16-2001-2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment Possible Organizational Assessment Focus Areas 'I. Parks, Open Space and Conservation In June 1998, the Board of County Commissioners established the new Environment and Resource Conservation Department (ERCD). This initiative was the culmination of several years of research and discussion on the role of Orange County in the preservation of natural resources. Among other things, this department's tasks include developing and implementing a program for the acquisition anal management of land for resource conservation. At the same time under its charge from the Board of County .Commissioners, the Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Group has been pursuing objectives in collaboration with the environment and resource conservation initiative in significantly expanding the County's park resources. While participating in this initiative, the Couhty's existing Recreation and Parks department has focused its efforts on ongoing active recreation programming. The organizational assessment would address the optimal organization to effectively pursue the County's' vision of where it wants to be in terms of parks and parklands. This would include identifying current responsibilities for parks and parklands in ERCD and Recreation and Parks and assessing the most effective division of those responsibilities between these departments. Under the function of active recreation, we also may want to look at possibilities that the new parklands may offer such as for nature programming; ie, youth nature walks, fitness trails. Related areas to consider in this assessment might include adding responsibility to the ERCD for coordination with the State Forestry program to provide a clear organization linkage between the County and this program. Also an organization linkage might be established between the ERCD and the Soil and Water Conservation Department. 2. Solid Waste In April 2000, the County assumed responsibility for Solid Waste management from the Town of Chapgl Hill and established a new County Solid Waste Department. At present there are Solid Waste functions found in both the Solid Waste Department and the Public Works Department. Solid waste functions presently in the Public Works Department include: • Operation and maintenance of the County's six staffed Solid Waste Convenience Centers. • Collection of waste from convenience centers, County buildings, and various school sites, and its transport to the landfill. • Recycling in County office buildings.