2. Agenda Adjustments

3. Minutes

Two Durham County Programs have been recognized by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners with Outstanding Program Awards. "Welcome Baby" from the Durham Center, and Purchasing’s "Contract Management Program" were selected from among 85 statewide entries for the recognition. The judges recognized these programs for superior innovation and collaboration.

"Welcome Baby" is a program designed to strengthen parenting skills and provide support for new parents. New parents may seek advice, attend classes, and receive informative newsletters. Community partners for this program include Duke University Medical Center, Durham Regional Hospital, Lincoln Community Health Center, and Genesis Home.

Purchasing’s "Contract Management Program" assures the effective, timely management of the contracting program while providing consistent adherence to legal and financial requirements. Contracts are handled in a central county location.

Ms. Debra Henzey, Director of Communications from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, will present the awards to Ms. Linda Allsberry, Unit Director, Child Youth and Family Services, The Durham Center, and Ms. Sandra Phillips, Purchasing Director.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Congratulate Ms. Allsberry and Ms. Phillips as well as their respective staff members for receiving recognition for these successful programs.

5. Consent Agenda
 
 

6. Shearon Harris Nuclear Waste Storage Facility Expansion

On January 11, 1999, the Board of County Commissioners requested that the Environmental Affairs Board (EAB) investigate and monitor Carolina Power & Light’s application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for expansion of the nuclear waste storage facilities at the Shearon Harris nuclear power plant in Wake County. This matter was discussed by the Commissioners on January 25, 1999, and added to the EAB agenda for January 26, 1999.

The EAB discussed the information distributed to them and the schedule for developing a recommendation as the public comment period ends on February 12, 1999. The EAB agreed that additional information and research would be beneficial and scheduled a special called meeting for Friday, February 5, 1999 to develop a recommendation on this matter. The EAB plans to hear from at least two speakers regarding CP&L’s proposal and develop a recommendation for presentation to the Commissioners at their meeting on February 8, 1999.

Resource person: Jim Conner, Chairman, Environmental Affairs Board

County Manager’s Recommendation: Receive the report of the EAB and determine if any action is appropriate prior to the end of the comment period on February 12, 1999.

7. Pagehurst, Phase 1

The Perfect Corporation is seeking approval of a site plan request to subdivide a 18.21-acre tract into 57 single-family lots. The site is located on the south side of Lumley Road, west of Page Road, and east of the Stirrup Creek subdivision (Tax Map 540B, Block 3, Parcels 3 & 4). The Development Review Board recommended at its December 30, 1998 meeting, approval of the project.

Mr. Steve Medlin, Senior Planner, Durham City/County Planning, will present the case and answer questions.

8. Community Transportation Grant Approval Request

Board approval is requested to submit a FY1999-2000 Community Transportation Program grant application to the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT). This Community Transportation Program grant application requests $112,399 from NCDOT. $15,515 will be required of Durham County as the local match. The total grant and the local match are substantially less than the FY1998-99 grant because three vehicles were purchased in 1998-99. In 1999-2000, only one vehicle is needed. The grant proposes the transition of administrative functions from our contractor to the community outreach division of Cooperative Extension and greater attention to training and development of transportation staff. Staff will work with NCDOT to develop a transportation development plan and communication plan for the transportation system.

Budget

The revenue from this grant and the expenditures required of the County will be budgeted in the FY1999-2000 budget through organization 580.6700 Coordinated Transportation. Annually, the County applies for grant funding through the NCDOT to purchase vehicles and to subsidize the administrative costs associated with the Community Transportation Program.

The grant has been presented, reviewed, and endorsed by the County Transportation Advisory Board. Delphine Sellars and Cheryl Lloyd will be available for questions regarding the grant.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt the resolution authorizing the Durham Center, NC Cooperative Extension Service to submit the FY1999-2000 Community Transportation Program grant application to the State of North Carolina. This grant application has been approved by the Durham County Transportation Advisory Board. The 1998-99 appropriation was $301,694; this year’s appropriation has been reduced to $112,399.

The Board of County Commissioners commit $15,515 for inclusion in the County’s FY1999-2000 budget to meet the local match requirements.

9. Cooperative Extension Requests Support of Entrepreneurial Investment Program for Youth

The Durham County Center of NC Cooperative Extension is requesting support of the Board of Commissioners in initiating a Youth Entrepreneurial and Investment Program. The 4-H Youth Development Program is soliciting grant support from the Triangle Community Foundation to initiate the component of this program designed to enhance teenagers’ skills in record keeping, teamwork, resource management, and decision making. The program will provide the opportunity for 50 Durham County teenagers to establish investment clubs and work with finance professionals and volunteers in the county to learn saving and investment strategies that allow them to reach their financial goals. This program will serve as the partner to a program for 8-12 year olds that will focus on developing an understanding of how our economy works. Bryan Terry, 4-H Youth Development Agent with the Durham County Center, and Dr. Lisa Giuon, Extension Youth Development Specialist with NCSU, will provide technical support.

Budget:

Personnel $5,056

Equipment & Supplies 5,844

Rewards & Recognition 3,100

Travel 1,000

Total $15,000

This project offers informal opportunities for reinforcement of skills taught in schools. The proposal has been discussed with Anita Daniels (Youth Services Coordinator), NCSU 4-H Youth Development Program, and is a collaborative effort with Durham City Parks and Recreation.

Cheryl LeMay Lloyd and Bryan Terry will be available to answer questions related to this request.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Authorize Cooperative Extension to submit this Triangle Foundation Grant with the support of the Board of County Commissioners and signature of the Chairman.

10. Demonstration of Proposed New County Home Page

Deborah Craig-Ray, Public Information Director, will introduce Ian Worthington, Durham County’s Public Information Technology Coordinator, who will guide the Commissioners through the County’s proposed new Website. This is the first update since the site was established in 1997, and is part of the Public Access to County Government Information Development Plan which the Board approved.

Highlights of the new Website include a new homepage, a new navigation scheme, information organized by audience and topic, electronic versions of County publications, and feedback and search areas.

This new Website will serve to enhance Durham County’s image, allow external and internal entities to more easily conduct business with the County, provide easy links to other sources of County information, and expand the capability and capacity for eventual interactive electronic communications with the citizens of Durham County.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Receive the demonstration and direct staff.

11. Case M98-2 Gearon Communications: Major Special Use Permit For A 300’ Lattice Telecommunications Tower (Moores Mill Road/Quail Roost Site)--Order For Denial

Gearon Communications is requesting the granting of a Major Special Use Permit for a 300’ lattice telecommunications tower, equipment building, and five co-location sites within a 100- by 100- (10,000 s.f.) lease parcel. At the public hearing on November 17, 1998, the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to prepare an Order of Denial. On December 14, 1998, the Board requested revisions to the order which have since been made.

The site is located on the east side of Moores Mill Road and US 50, south of Hill Forest Road, and north of Quail Roost Road.

Mr. Steve Medlin, Senior Planner, Durham City/County Planning, will be present to answer questions.

County Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt the Order of Denial.

12. Setting A Special Meeting For Major Special Use Permit Case M98-1 (Old Hope Valley Farm Road/Farrington Mill Road Site)

The Board, at its meeting on December 14, 1998, continued a public hearing for
Case M98-1 (a major special use permit hearing for a tower site on Old Hope Valley Farm Road and Farrington Mill Road) to allow staff the opportunity to properly notify all surrounding property owners of the request. The applicant has provided a revised and corrected notification list and mailing labels as requested by the Board. The case is now ready to be rescheduled for a new hearing. There is considerable opposition to the request and it has been the Board’s directive that when this occurs, a special meeting date be scheduled. The hearing should be scheduled no sooner than three weeks after the hearing date is set to allow proper notification by mail and placement of legal ads.

Mr. Steve Medlin, Senior Planner, Durham City/County Planning, will present the request and answer questions.