AGENDA

1. Citizen Comment—Ralph McKinney

Mr. Ralph McKinney has requested time on the agenda to make comments to the Board of County Commissioners.

2. Citizen Comment—Jerry L. Williams

Mr. Jerry L. Williams has requested time on the agenda to make comments to the Commissioners about the Veterans Service Office.

3. Nonprofit Agencies FY 1998-99 Requested Budgets

All nonprofit agencies that have submitted a request for funding to the Board of County Commissioners will be given an opportunity to make a brief presentation to the Commissioners on behalf of their request. This will also be an opportunity for the Board of County Commissioners to ask questions and get further clarification from these agencies regarding their requests.

County Manager’s Recommendation: I recommend that the Board of County Commissioners receive this item for information purposes. No official action is required.

4. Presentation of Durham County Farmland Protection Program Guidelines

Mr. Wayne Cash has requested to appear before the Board of County Commissioners to discuss the Durham County Farmland Protection Program. The purpose of this program is to reserve Durham County’s best agricultural land for continued agricultural use. The Farmland Protection Program has four goals as outlined in the proposal:

· To protect and conserve those soils in Durham County best suited to agricultural uses;

· To identify and harmonize policies of government at all levels which may conflict with the goal of protection of farmland;

· To reduce land use conflicts between agricultural and other land uses; and

· To promote agriculture as an integral part of the Durham County economy.
Non-traditional farms will also be promoted.

To achieve the goals outlined above, a program to purchase development rights in agricultural lands is being proposed. The Durham County Farmland Protection Program Guidelines describe how land may be designated as Agricultural Priority Areas. In addition, the guidelines summarize the procedure for the purchase of development rights, lease of development rights, donation of development rights, and repurchase of development rights in agricultural areas.

5. Property Transactions Involving Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority

The Airport Authority is considering a land swap with an adjoining landowner because of a boundary dispute. The swap is being considered due to a potential sale of the landowner’s property which is being held up because of this conflict.

The Airport Authority also proposes to sale a parcel of property to the Triangle Transit Authority for its use. The property will be used by TTA for vehicle maintenance and as a storage facility.

Jim Tatum, attorney for the Airport Authority, and other officials will be present with maps of the subject property and appraisals.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Receive the information of the Airport Authority with action to be taken at the June 8, 1998 Regular Session.

6. Hearing on Possible Removal of Vanessa McGee-Smith From Mental Health Board

This is an administrative hearing on the possible removal of Vanessa McGee-Smith from the Durham Area Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Board. It is alleged the Ms. McGee-Smith was absent a total of six of the eight times the Board met after she was sworn into office in calendar year 1997. The policy of the County is to allow absences at no more than 50 percent of the meetings.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Hold the hearing and take such action as warranted based on the evidence presented.

7. Closed Session—Potential Relocation of Business

The Board of County Commissioners will go into Closed Session to discuss the potential relocation of a business in Durham County pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(4).