Agenda - 01-25-2003- - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 The Northern Human Services Center Task Force presented a Future Use Plan to the BOCC in June 2001. The Task Force identified needs and developed a long-range plan for the center and adjacent property owned by the County. The top three facility improvements - estimated to cost approximately $600,000 - were 1) relocation/expansion of the existing wastewater treatment system; 2) the replacement of windows, exterior doors, locks (including investigation of solar possibilities); and 3) securing a new well, water distribution system, and holding tanks (again with consideration of a solar design). Land has been acquired for Cedar Grove Park, and a pre-concept plan has been reviewed but not adopted by the Board. Funding in the amount of $1,200,000 was included in the 2001 bond for this park. The projected concept plan timetable is March - October 2003 with a target date for BOCC consideration of November 2003. Commissioners Brown and Halkiotis have been named as BOCC representatives to the Concept Plan Committee, but no other appointments have been made. In October 2003, the BOCC was made aware that community representatives in the Cedar Grove area were concerned about the lack of progress being made to improve the general conditions of the building for meeting purposes or to see expansion in the number of playing fields available for general use, outside of official County programs. These representatives were organizing their own attempt at establishing a community center with athletic facilities to serve the area on property across the street. Since that time meetings have been held and an agreement reached to continue to work together towards the design of one Cedar Grove Park and careful assessment of planned improvements to the center. Rural Buffer The Board may wish to discuss a Commissioner suggestion about inviting Randall Arendt to meet with the Board to discuss rural buffer planning issues. Low-Income Elderly This segment would provide for discussion about measures and services the County provides to its low-income elderly residents. Examples of current activities administered by the County include: tax return preparation assistance; homestead exemption; adult day care; senior telephone network; recreation/socialization and supportive services through senior centers; abuse and neglect protection; and home repair. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group Update (Coordination with Healthy Carolinians) As part of the Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Group report in 1999, the idea of a parks brochure with map that could be provided to County citizens was suggested. Since then, the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group has briefly discussed creating a parks brochure and map that shows facilities, type of amenities, and location. During 2002, it was learned that the Healthy Carolinians Task Force was also looking to produce a map with information about recreational facilities. In the last few months, staffs from ERCD, Recreation and Parks, Planning and the Health Department have met to discuss this, and a parks map/brochure draft is being created to meet the needs of both groups. The target date for a draft map/brochure is late February. Developing Strategies for Opening Parks In November 2002, ERCD staff was asked to explore the possibility of an interim access plan for the Blackwood Farm property. This plan could be broadened to evaluate the feasibility of opening some portions of planned park sites to public access on an expedited schedule. Issues related to liability, public safety, traffic and access, any recreational programming, and other human impacts would be addressed as part of the report. Groundwater Issues In 2001, the Water Resources Committee transmitted its final report and completed several years of study of the County's ground water resources. Much of the work was conducted in