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Summaries County Commissioners Meetings
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Written by Diana Hales
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Tuesday, 24 July 2012 15:36 |
Summary notes July 16, 2012 Chatham Board of Commissioners: BOC changes Compact Communities Ordinance so developer can now pay money instead of providing affordable housing; both the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and the Green Building and Sustainable Energy Committee need to show why they should exist; update on Chatham water system; new Agriculture Committee members get staggered terms to avoid brain-drain; and Bock talks about denying Lucier's appointment.
Work Session. All Present.
(1) Human Relations Committee. After the mass resignation one year ago, very few applicants can be found to reconstitute this body.
(2) Chatham Water System review. Hobbs and Upchurch Engineering has not completed the fused connections on either end of the new water pipe that was originally installed under the Haw River in 2009, and subsequently re-installed. Litigation between Hobbs and Upchurch and its subcontractor (poor job) are moving glacially, with no end in sight. The County discussed whether it should move ahead and make the connections ($50,000 estimated cost), then sue Hobbs and Upchurch to recover the money and perhaps violate their contract, or just wait it out...already 3 years. David Hughes said the high heat the first part of July stressed the northeast water service, with the area drawing 2.9 million gallons per day (mgd) instead of the usual 2.2 mgd. Maximum water plant production is 3.0 mgd. There is a new water tank and pump station by Governor's Club and it will draw up to 4 mgd from Durham. The county is adding a new 300,000 gallon tank next to the existing 3M tank in Pittsboro. Half of the water in the old 3M tank is reserved for 3M use, the other half of that tank serves county citizens.
The southwest water district has insufficient residential density and low demand for County water service, and does not look viable. If the southwest system is put into place, the project would have to be re-engineered. The sign-up process for county water would have to start over with a new engineering report and financial assessment that will figure fees, based on sign-ups, if this goes forward.
The NC Division of Water Resources has a plan for the Jordan Lake Partnership (the towns and counties using this water) that extends to year 2060. The partners say they need a total of 100 mgd for their populations, which is beyond safe yield capacities of Lake Jordan. Already, 63 mgd is designated and reserved. Chatham County has asked for 12 mgd more. DENR will assign every partner's allocation in 2014.
(3) Affordable Housing and Briar Chapel. The BOC voted 4 to 1 (Sally Kost, no) to approve the text amendment (requested by the BOC Republican majority) to the 2004 Compact Communities Ordinance that would allow the County to receive a payment-in-lieu of providing 60 lots for affordable housing, as required by this ordinance. [Brief History: When Briar Chapel was initially approved under the CCO, they were required to designate 120 lots for affordable housing within the development. However the County and developer agreed to a condition allowing a payment of $1.1 million for half (60) of those lots, which was received and spent through Habitat for Humanity. The lots under discussion are the remaining 60 lots.]
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommended denial, and the County Planning Board recommended that if the text amendment was adopted, (a) the 60 affordable lots in Briar Chapel should be market appraised, and (b) all funds collected by the payment-in-lieu should be set-aside for affordable housing elsewhere in the County. In the discussion Bock (who, although a resident of Briar Chapel was able to vote since he had no "substantial financial interest" in this matter) made it clear that he didn't want to restrict monies to build owner-occupied housing, but perhaps spend it on rental assistance or other social programs focused on homelessness. Mike Cross made a case that the money collected through this ordinance should be used only for housing, not other programs that would then require a continuing funding stream. Bock said he didn't think that Briar Chapel would "agree" with the Planning Board's recommendation of conducting a market appraisal of the 60 lots since the developer has put in infrastructure (value) and thus would make Briar Chapel "pay twice." At the end, the BOC voted (4 to 1) for the text amendment but stipulated that the monies received from the Compact Communities developer would be used only for construction of affordable housing or the acquisition of land for affordable housing. Sally Kost agreed with the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee's position, and voted no.
This item led to the discussion on the purpose of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. Brian suggested the committee could discuss the best way to use the Briar Chapel money the county would receive in payment for the 60 lots. County manager Charlie Horne said there is no money for any housing endeavors until Briar Chapel pays. The advisory committee could function as the clearinghouse for contractor applications, although Mike Cross said Habitat for Humanity has its own application process and there is little turnover in Habitat housing. Bock asked Bill Leroy, committee chair, to make the case for why this committee should continue to exist. Bill Leroy said the committee brings together Chatham municipalities and non-profits to work on housing issues. Beyond homelessness, there is a population living in inadequate housing that needs renovation. Funds are available through Community Development Block Grants for this, therefore the committee can provide coordination and education to the Chatham BOC. Bock wants more reasons from the committee as to why they should not be dissolved.
(4) Green Building and Sustainable Energy Committee. Same question from Bock, why should they exist. They have lost 6 of their 11 members.
(5) Courthouse Annex Building. renovations vs. new Administration Building. The FY12-13 budget included $1.5 million for renovating the east half of the Annex, and another $1 million will be needed in the future to renovate the west half. The architect was asked to price out a new 30,000 sq ft bldg: the cost was $7.8 million. The BOC will continue with the renovation of the existing 23,000 sq ft Annex.
(6) Brian Bock on non-appointment of George Lucier to Environmental Review Committee. Bock revisited the last BOC meeting when the three Republicans denied Sally Kost's nomination of George Lucier to the Environmental Review Committee. Bock said he wanted to accomplish the overall strategy of the advisory committee, and Lucier's nomination would allow "politics to override." He said in 2007 the BOC Minutes reflect Lucier's intent to replace the entire Planning Board because of their views. Bock said there is a greater balance of "views" on County committees now: 24 Democrats, 12 Republicans, and 18 unaffiliated citizens have been appointed to various boards. He also said that Lucier was not the only qualified candidate for this appointment. Sally Kost said as a member of the BOC, the committee balance Bock is referring to is through her nomination, which was denied.
Regular Session
(7) Why can Agriculture Committee have staggered terms (an exception to BOC Policy) and the Environmental Review Board could not? Sally raised this issue when the consent agenda listed numerous appointments to the Agriculture Committee for staggered terms (one, two, and three years) because of the brain-drain that would result with 12 of the 16 members being "forced" off because of the new 6-year limit. Sally said this same"brain-drain" happened in 2011 on the Environmental Review Board when the all but two members were forced off. This BOC is applying rules inconsistently. She will investigate further.
(8) Public Input: Atty. Wade Barber presented on the Courthouse restoration and raised concerns that the pediment in the clock tower is not setback correctly, nor is the abacus and cornice. He said the new roof is cantilevered and the entire clock tower structure is out of line with the historic architecture and will make a viewer uncomfortable. The Chair took no action to refer the matter on to the builder.
(9) Stormwater Ordinance Public Hearing. Dan LaMontagne said the revised County ordinance adopts the Jordan Lake rules for nitrogen and phosphorous loading rates for the Upper New Hope, Lower New Hope and Haw River watersheds and does not diminish the County's more stringent rules. Although two pending bills, S229 and H953 could postpone adoption of the Jordan Lake rules until August 2014, he recommended adoption of the revised ordinance. The only speaker, Gerald Featherston, Haw River Assembly, said Chatham BOC should adopt the ordinance now, but penalties are too fuzzy and should add enforcement.
Diana Hales, Retired
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Written by Diana Hales
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Thursday, 21 June 2012 16:30 |
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BOC says NO to Kost appointment of George Lucier to Environmental Review Advisory Committee; affordable housing set-aside in Briar Chapel in jeopardy; Chatham-Cary Joint Land Use Plan adopted. Summary notes June 18, 2012, Work Session and Regular Session. All present.
Click here to open the CCDP 2011 Chatham County Board of Commissioners Voting Scorecard.
Work Session
Public input focused on the Chatham-Cary land use plan, some pro, others opposed because of increases in allowable density per acre close to Lake Jordan, septic problems in the soils, potential for sediment plumes washing into Lake Jordan (Amberly construction recent bad example), and the potential for Cary's weaker buffer rules to be used when a developer receives voluntary annexation into Cary.
(1) Chatham-Cary Joint Land Use Plan. Adopted, 3 to 2 (Cross and Kost voted no). This document and 18th map version has one mixed-use residential/commercial node on Lewter Shop, and increases residential densities. The very low density sections will now allow one dwelling per acre, instead of one dwelling per two-to-three acres. The land use plan allows 4 dwellings per acre in the medium density areas, across from Amberly. Kost pointed out several problems with the plan, including topographical problems with the mixed use node not being close to a transportation corridor, non-specification of stream buffers, and the fact that Chatham did not provide design guidelines in the plan for implementation. Petty said vague was good since Cary might have different definitions. Kost asked (again) that the two Commissioners most affected by this plan, Cross and Kost, to be appointed as members of this Chatham-Cary committee. Bock did not respond. Kost commented this is a 5-year Interlocal Agreement and her preference would be special legislation. Staff reported the County's attorney said the County has the authority to create the Interlocal Agreement.
(2) Contraction of Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. BOC discussion about the committee mission and the BOC role. Bock asked if the County should provide single-family housing "to everyone in their neighborhood of choice" or should the County be focused on homelessness. Cross said Chatham got into Affordable Housing because of the Briar Chapel development and also received an Oak Trust Foundation grant of $750,000. The grant money was spent out with Habitat for Humanity and helped build 214 homes throughout the county. The housing market has changed since Briar Chapel made the lots available and few developers want to build any units. Bock said that he wants to change the Compact Communities Ordinance to take the $1.1 million offered from Briar Chapel in lieu of the set-aside lots. Cross suggested the new director of Habitat for Humanity speak to the BOC and perhaps work out a new model. Bock said he would like to invest the money in root causes of homelessness rather than owner-occupied housing. Bock lives in Briar Chapel.
Regular Session
Public input focused on hurrahs for the BOC and protection of land owners; comments in support of George Lucier's nomination for appointment to Environmental Review Advisory Committee, and one against.
(1) FY2012-2013 Budget. Adopted 4 to 1 (Kost voted no). Staff made all final changes and added $133,000 from fund balance. Kost mentioned the provisions she objected to in this budget: no raise for non-teaching school staff (janitors, bus drivers, lunchroom, etc.) when $10,000 more could have accommodated everyone in the school system; not providing $34,000 to Arts Incubator in Siler City to help bridge the lost rental revenues when the Community College's pottery course was discontinued the problem with placing arts with other non-profits in the funding competition instead of retaining a place for arts funding under the Economic Development Corporation; delaying construction of the Northeast High School another year; and her suggestion that the Budget office's approach tends to overestimate expenses. Property tax rate remains the same.
(2) Appointment of Dr. George Lucier to Environmental Review Committee. Denied, 3 to 2 (Kost, Cross). Bock's reason: On the "principle that he (Lucier) did not want to protect property rights," which is why Bock ran for office. Further, Bock can't put someone in a "position" to take land, such as the buffers on the American Tobacco Trail [found out later than Bock totally misrepresented this item]. He said a major corridor ordinance could have "thousands of acres that would move to government control from individual property rights" if Lucier were in this position! George Lucier was not his guy. The other two echoed same. Kost had provided Lucier's qualifications, 34-page curriculum vitae, 250 peer-reviewed scientific articles, toxicologist, person who can work with others, a scientist, and ended by reminding Bock this is an Advisory Committee only. For the second time this year, the Republican majority has DENIED a Commissioner's nomination for appointment to a committee.
Reported by Diana Hales
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Written by Diana Hales
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Thursday, 07 June 2012 15:36 |
BOC passes budget; sends a letter to Legislature on Fracking; reviews consolidation of Chatham local health board with social services. A really short meeting.
Click here to open the CCDP 2011 Chatham County Board of Commissioners Voting Scorecard.
BOC passes budget; sends a letter to Legislature on Fracking; reviews consolidation of Chatham local health board with social services. A really short meeting.
Summary notes June 4, 2012 Chatham Regular Session. All present.
(1) Budget. The budget will not raise the property tax rate from $0.6219 per $100 valuation...Bock's major concern. The BOC authorized an additional $66,000 for a teacher and teaching assistant supplement...but no increase for other school district employees; they restored a previous $10,000 cut for the Economic Development Corporation marketing program; Chatham Transit drivers will see a slight increase in their wages; a 4-H position has been added; and Chatham Trades will have moving costs covered at Cole Park Plaza. County employees will receive a 6% increase, following recommendations of the 2011 paystudy. The awarding of $223,000 in grants to Chatham non-profits was based on the volunteer committee's recommendations, with one exception. That committee had asked the BOC to fund the Arts Incubator using county contingency funds, which was denied (no official vote, just Bock-Petty-Stewart absolutely against this), and no reconsideration. The BOC had a discretionary $10,000 to give and allocated $2,000 more to CORA for the summer snack program for kids and $8,000 more to Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center. The vote was 4 to 1 to approve the budget. Kost voted no because of her concerns with denying a pay increase for non-teaching school staff. The ordinance to adopt the budget will be presented at June 18 BOC.
(2) Senate bill 433 (pending) consolidates Health and Social Services departments. Holly Coleman, Director of Public Health, and Bill Browder, Chair of the Chatham Co. Board of Health, discussed how this legislation would provide counties with the flexibility to merge two separate departments to "streamline" operations. Wake Co has consolidated already and therefore does not fall under Office of State Personnel rules, but county personnel policies. Chatham could opt to keep a Director for each operation, and report to the BOC, rather than fully merge operations. Although there is some overlap between health and social services, they follow different state procedures for data collection. The County Health Board must follow the state-mandated composition (doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, optometrist, etc.) and because it is quasi judicial board it should be retained for hearings. Chatham Health Dept. has additional responsibilities such as rules for well construction, conducting screens for women for breast and cervical cancer, and a childhood lead poisoning prevention program. When asked about hiring in the Health Dept, Coleman said Chatham uses the State application form, job classifications and the Office of State Personnel job descriptions because the State has control over the recruitment process for public health workers.
(3) Letter from BOC to legislators on Fracking, Senate bill 820. Kost presented a letter addressed to members of the Senate Commerce Committee considering S820 to legalize hydraulic fracturing in North Carolina. Letter asked Committee to (a) broaden the membership of the Oil and Gas Board to include a private land owner, county BOC member, and municipal government representative from the entire Triassic Basin (not just Sanford sub-basin; (b) delay the local government impact fee, currently stipulated as $30,000/per well maximum, until a cost-analysis is completed that addresses real local impacts, such as fire department; (c) take adequate time to write the rules; (d) conduct further study to thoroughly analyze impacts to local governments; and (e) asked for local government control over zoning and use regulations. Kost got everyone to agree to the last point (they were not leaning that way--Brian said the current bill stated that local buffer rules can not OVERRIDE state). All agreed for Kost to send, which she did Tuesday morning, before the Senate Commerce Committee met in Raleigh.
Diana's notes on the outcome of the Tuesday, June 5, Senate Commerce Committee.
Substitute S802 bill PASSED, now in House.
This is fast-tracked and Legislature "could" authorize permits in October 2014!
There are more protections for surface land owners in this version of the bill, but ONLY for those who sign leases AFTER the law is passed. Earlier leases are not covered by these stipulations.
(a) The General Assembly will "prohibit the issuance of permits" until they determine adequate rules are in place, but all rules need to be ADOPTED by October 1, 2014, and first report is due in January 1, 2013.
(b) Oil and Gas Board gone! In its place we have the Mining and Energy Commission as the rule-making body. Similar composition, heavy on the industry as the VOTING members, and NON-VOTING members from several State government departments: Commerce, Public Health, the State Geologist from DENR, and chair of Environmental Management Commission.
(c) League of Municipalities and Association of County Commissioners should make recommendations before Jan 1, 2013 for appropriate levels of funding (impact fees) to support local infrastructure and repair of roads. Those fees must be used exclusively for infrastructure impacts from drilling.
(d) "Trade secrets" of chemicals still protected from disclosure.
(e) If someone illegally drills a well on your land, YOU MUST PAY for the survey to prove it is on your land.
(f) Forces landowners who are surrounded by leases into "pooling" (as long as they are compensated), which is a taking of land. The NC Dept of Justice shall make legislative proposals on this before Jan 1, 2013.
(g) Advance written notice to surface land owner before driller enters property: 30 days by certified mail, return receipt requested
(h) Presumptive Liability for Water Contamination (Section 4.(B) G.S. 113-42). Presumed that oil/gas developer or operator is responsible for contamination within 5,000 ft of private drinking water well or water supply...requires replacement of water supply. The driller has to prove that contamination existed prior to drilling as evidenced by a pre-drilling test of private drinking water well sample they take! I would get my own test with lab results.
(i) Damage of livestock, crops, timber...market value if damaged by operator.
(j) Reclamation of surface property required, no later than two years following completion...and operator to provide bond to surface owner.
(k) Mandatory disclosure on mineral leases required by realtors for land transactions.
(l) Cost of drilling permit (per well) $3,000. Each abandoned well and each dry hole shall be plugged, and pay $450 fee.
(m) Penalties for failure to secure a permit prior to drilling or using hydraulic fracturing treatments...$25,000/day.
Diana Hales, retired
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Written by Diana Hales
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Wednesday, 23 May 2012 18:11 |
Click here to open the CCDP 2011 Chatham County Board of Commissioners Voting Scorecard.
Bookmobile conveyed to Board of Education; Briar Chapel amends Conditional Use Permit; public hearing on next year's budget; Pittsboro gets county funds for waterline replacement; lighting ordinance changes; public hearing on Compact Communities Ordinance amendment on moderate-priced dwellings vs cash payout
Summary notes May 21, 2012 Chatham BOC Regular Session. All present.
(1) Budget Public Hearing. The proposed budget will not raise the property tax rate from $0.6219 per $100 valuation. The long-term capital plan will allow for $1.5 million to be spent on refurbishing the east section of the County office building, repairs on the schools' list, and completion of the new Justice Center. The General Fund is $88 million. Most of the speakers were from non-profit agencies that sought additional funding beyond the committee's recommendations for their programs. The entire pot of $223,000 was allocated by a committee for all these worthy services, whose applications totaled double the amount available. Note: at Tuesday's budget public hearing held in Siler City, there were more County staff and BOC members than citizens who showed up...mainly in support of the Arts Incubator and Cora Food Pantry. Budget work session Thursday, May 24, 9:30 am at the Agriculture Building auditorium. Always fun!
(2) Briar Chapel (BC) Conditional Use Permit revisions. This revision concerned three conditions the Planning Board and Newland Properties could not agree on The fire station, the sheriff's satellite office, and the library. The fire station wanted to reserve sewer hook-ups and asked for a 10-year window to build their new facility on land in Briar Chapel; Briar Chapel only wanted to give 5 years. The BOC and BC lawyer agreed to a compromise of a 7-year time frame to build this fire station. The Sheriffs office was originally slated for retail store frontage, when the 15/501 commercial strip is developed in Briar Chapel. Now BC wants to move the Sheriff to the back of the retail building so their commercial developer can lease more prime frontage. BC will still provide a 5,000 sq ft. shell space at no charge to the County; the County, however, will have to outfit the space and pay rent. The BOC agreed with this change. The original 2005 CUP stated that Briar Chapel will provide land for a library, or pay $80,000 in-lieu of building a library. Sally and Mike said providing the money instead is OK as long as it is reserved for a northeast Chatham library. With those stipulations, all three items passed unanimously.
(3) Compact Communities Ordinance Public Hearing: Moderately Priced Dwellings. The BOC wants to consider amendments that would allow them to receive a cash payment, releasing the developer (Briar Chapel) from setting aside 18 lots for affordable housing. All speakers were opposed to this change and want the BOC to maintain the commitment to serve the public employee workforce (earning less than $55,000/annually, that is nurses, teachers, fire and police, etc.) in moderately priced housing, which is almost non-existent in the northeast part of the county. These houses can not be purchased and flipped. Of the 18 lots plotted in Briar Chapel, 3 were conveyed to non-profits for sale, and the housing (mortgage) market tanked. Just a question of time before market is back. Speakers talked about benefits of neighborhood to children, this is not a failed system, just economic downturn. Habitat for Humanity spoke and mentioned that through $292,000 received it has built 40 homes that now house 70 adults and 95 children in this county, and there is a growing need. The single-mother health care provider who owns a unit in Briar Chapel spoke.
(4) Countywide Lighting Ordinance, amendment. Sally would not support this text amendment to allow internally-illuminated signs and delete the amortization requirement for vehicular canopy lighting, because of the glare and safety factor at night. There are 25 of these highly illuminated gas-station signs in the county. Vote to adopt: 4 to 1, Kost against.
(5) Zoning Ordinance, Section 13 lighting, amendment. Similar amendment on lighting (see above)to the Zoning Ordinance. Vote to adopt: 3 to 2, Kost and Cross against.
(6) Pittsboro Water Line Assistance. The replacement of 6,340 linear ft of water line from Pittsboro's water tower down Hillsborough Street to the courthouse circle will cost almost $1.5 million, based on the bids, and Pittsboro is short $223,432. The BOC agreed to allocate $78,000 now so construction can move forward, and hold in reserve $145,000 for contingencies, but that money is based on getting a reduced water rate for Northwood High School. David Hughes, Public Works, said they tested the water pressure for new sprinkler system in the renovated courthouse, and the corroded pipes still provide adequate pressure of 200 gallons per minute; therefore, money for the new waterline cannot be covered by the insurance payment for the courthouse renovations. Motion to provide Pittsboro this financial support ($223,000 maximum), based on doing a deal on Northwood High School water rates, passed unanimously.
(7) Resolution to convey the Bookmobile to Board of Education for use as a summer classroom. Motion passed unanimously.
(8) Resolution on hydraulic fracturing: Kost and Bock are working on a draft letter (no Resolution) to key members of the General Assembly addressing key points.
Diana Hales, retired
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Written by Diana Hales
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Wednesday, 09 May 2012 19:28 |
- Next BOC will be the Public Hearings on the proposed FY 2012-2013
- Budget: Monday, May 21, 6 pm, Agriculture Auditorium, Pittsboro Tuesday, May 22, 6 pm, Siler City Town Hall, Courtroom
Work Session
(1) Chatham County Annex Bldg renovations. When new Justice Center is complete at the end of this year, more office space will be available in the Annex. Architect Taylor Hobbs created a design and phased plan with costs for renovating the 21,000 sq. ft. building (originally, these were four separate buildings that were later joined) to create more energy efficiency with new HVAC and windows, enclose the central breezeway, and organize more efficient citizen access, floor plans and security for the various departments. The entire project estimated cost is $2,394,000, but it can be phased as eastern and western halves of the building. The County Manager's office will take over the District Court space on second floor.
(2) Pittsboro Water Line Assistance. The replacement of 6,340 linear ft of water line from Pittsboro's water tower down Hillsborough St. to the courthouse circle will cost almost $1.5 million, based on the bids, and Pittsboro is short $223,432. Pittsboro asked the County to chip in so they can get this work started. The two-inch water pipes from the 1920's are rusty-crusty and resulting inadequate water pressure was one of the reasons firefighters could not quickly extinguish the courthouse fire. The BOC is investigating whether leftover insurance money from the burned courthouse can be used for this project, since new water pipe pressure will benefit the sprinkler system in the renovated courthouse. Sally wants to add into the negotiation that Northwood High School could be annexed into Pittsboro's town limits, or some other rate accommodation, so the school will pay a cheaper monthly water rate to Pittsboro. Expect a BOC decision on May 29, as to how much the county will give to this necessary project.
Regular Session
(3) Bookmobile to be sold as surplus property. Sally made one last pitch to keep it. Motion to sell bookmobile: 4 yes, 1 no (Sally).
(4) Public input session, 15 speakers: Most speakers were against the Voter ID resolution proposed by Brian Bock (3 spoke in favor of having identification requirement). Other topic was the two fracking resolutions (Brian Bock version...go slow; Sally Kost version...no fracking) and no one supported Brian's. Diana Hales cautioned that legislation titled "Clean Energy & Economic Security Act" could be moving out of committee as early as next week to push fracking into NC law and open the door to the industry by July 1, 2014.
(5) Budget. The budget will not raise the property tax rate from $0.6219 per $100 valuation...Bock's major concern. The recommended budget is $3.9 million higher than last year, but offset by expected revenue increases. The long-term capital plan will allow for $1.5 million to be spent on refurbishing the east section of the Annex (see #1 above), and repairs on the schools' list, and completion of the new Justice Center. There was a recommendation for a one-time funding of $34,000 from Contingency Fund to give the Siler City Arts Incubator a few more months to find paying tenants in their downtown building being vacated by the Community College. Public hearings on the budget are 6:00 pm on both May 21 (Pittsboro) and May 22 (Siler City). After the public hearings the BOC gets down to budget nitty gritty on May 24, 10:30 am - 5:00 pm, and May 31, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Pittsboro, Agriculture Auditorium. Always interesting to watch.
(6) Voter ID. Petty pulled out his 1979 voter registration card and said he always carried it. Can you find yours? The resolution concerns presenting an ID...NOT exclusively a photo ID...when you vote. Bock mentioned studies "confirmed" that voter ID has not suppressed the vote. He says this is not to "hamper turn-out," and he mentioned that in the 2010 BOC race their win was by less than 2% of the vote. He thinks this is reasonable (even though people already must sign the voting register in Chatham). Kost wanted the BOC to analyze cost efficiencies, implementation costs and a plan to reach those without IDs, and an educational campaign. She offered an amendment to the motion that FAILED by 3 to 2 vote. But, Kost did get one amendment to the resolution, a Whereas, that stated "we do not want to disenfranchise any voters." The motion passed, 3 to 2 (Kost and Cross voted no).
(7) Two resolutions on Hydraulic Fracturing. Both withdrawn from consideration. Sally offered to work with Brian on something in light of potential legislation in the Short Session, which begins May 16 in Raleigh.
(8) Resolution to Support Traditional Public Schools in Chatham. Coming on the heals of a Bock resolution (Feb 20, 2012) in support of Charter Schools (passed 3 to 2, Cross and Kost opposing), this Resolution, also submitted by Bock, supports "the operation and reform efforts of traditional public schools in Chatham County to prepare students for life in the 21st Century." It urged state legislators to work to support and adequately fund traditional public schools.... Motion passed unanimously.
Diana Hales, retired
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