1. December 13, 1999 Regular Session
2. January 3, 2000 Special Session

Wanda Lunsford of the Durham County Library is the winner of the January Anchor Award. The Library accomplished its goal of offering public Internet access in late 1999. Wanda Lunsford is recognized for her role in planning, coordinating, and bringing this technology vision into reality. Throughout the months that it took to bring this project to fruition, she demonstrated patience, persistence, and true professionalism.

County Manager's Recommendation: Present the January Anchor Award to Wanda Lunsford, along with the sincere congratulations of the entire organization.

5. Resolution Honoring George T. Preddy
 

A resolution honoring Mr. George T. Preddy has been prepared at the request of Commissioner Ellen W. Reckhow. Mr. Preddy, affectionately known as "Papa," was recently highlighted in the local press for developing reading skills in elementary school children. Over the past 10 years, he has spent five days a week reading to students at various elementary schools throughout Durham County.

County Manager's Recommendation: Present the resolution to Mr. Preddy, and extend sincere congratulations to him for his efforts to bring a love of reading to so many in this community.

6. Consent Agenda
 

1. Ambulance Franchise Request for City of Durham (approve the application and grant the franchise as requested to enhance the safety of our citizens. Place this item on the Commissioners’ February 28, 2000 agenda for its second approval);
2. Ambulance Franchise Request for AAA Transport Service (approve the application granting franchise as additional non-emergency ambulance services will reduce the demand on the County’s EMS Department and help delay the need for any additional non-emergency personnel. Place this item on the Commissioners’ agenda for February 28, 2000 for its second approval);
3. Cancellation of the March 6, 2000 Worksession (vote to cancel the March 6, 2000 Worksession due to the Commissioners attending the National Association of Counties’ Legislative Conference in Washington, DC);
4. Closed Session Minutes—Approval of Minutes to be Opened (approve the Closed Session Minutes as follows:

 
Monday, December 9, 1996
Monday, February 24, 1997
Monday, March 24, 1997
Monday, June 9, 1997
Monday, August 25, 1997
Monday, January 12, 1998
Monday, February 9, 1998
Monday, August 24, 1998
Monday, October 5, 1998
Monday, November 9, 1998
Monday, December 14, 1998
5. Contract with Metes and Bounds for Mapping Assistance (accept the proposal of contracted services in the amount of $44,000 from Metes and Bounds to begin work February 15, 2000 due to the importance of the mapping function to expedite the revaluation process);
6. Property Tax Releases and Refunds for Fiscal Year 99-00 (accept the property tax release and refund report as presented and authorize the Tax Assessor to adjust the tax records as outlined by the report. These are normal recurring releases and refunds that are presented for your consent agenda);
7. Property Tax Releases and Refunds for Fiscal Year 99-00 (accept the property tax release and refund report as presented and authorize the Tax Assessor to adjust the tax records as outlined by the report. These are normal recurring releases and refunds that are presented for your consent agenda);
8. Confirmation of Scheduled Walking Tour and Discussion of the Facility Master Plan for Durham County (confirm scheduled walking tour and discussion of the Facility Master Plan scheduled for February 15, 2000);
9. (removed); and
10. Case Management Software for the Department of Social Services (authorize the County Manager to enter into a contract with Cox and Company in the amount of $92,000.00 for the acquisition of the OneCase software modules and the first year of support as provided by the piggyback provision of the N.C. General Statute 143-129(g).

Note: The purpose of a consent agenda is to handle consensus items with one motion to save time on meeting agendas. Any item a Board member pulls for discussion should be placed at the end of the agenda so public hearings can be concluded as early as possible. This will provide for the least inconvenience to the general public attending the public hearings.

7. Contract to Conduct Health and Human Services Delivery Study
 

In February of 1999, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) developed the following goal for fiscal year 1999-2000:
  "To complete a comprehensive study that identifies and recommends best practices for delivery of health and human services to all citizens of Durham County." To accomplish this goal, the County Manager assembled a Leadership Team consisting of Department Heads from Public Health, Social Services, The Durham Center, Criminal Justice Resource Center, Cooperative Extension, Youth Coordinating Board, Library, and the County Attorney to develop recommendations that best meet the above-referenced Board goal. The Leadership Team recommends the use of a consultant to gather information upon which to formulate their recommendations to the County Manager.

A competitive bid process was initiated on November 18, 1999 with a one-month acceptance period for responses to the Request for Qualifications. The RFQ was sent to 12 firms and advertised one time each in the Herald-Sun, News and Observer, Charlotte Observer, Carolina Times, and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ newsletter, County Lines. The following four firms responded to the RFQ: (1) DMG Maximus, (2) Benton and Associates, (3) MGT of America, and (4) Public Consulting Group, Inc. Based on the work plans and responses received, the Leadership Team is recommending Public Consulting Group Inc. (PCG) to conduct the analysis and delivery study. Public Consulting Group Inc. clearly possesses relevant experience and knowledge of the health and human service delivery models used by Mecklenburg and Wake Counties. In addition, PCG is able to dedicate the depth of resources and staff time needed to conduct this study in an intensified six- to eight-week period. Consultants from PCG, along with input from the Leadership Team, developed the following revised scope of service to be performed at a cost of $50,000:
 

"To evaluate what service improvements and management goals could be accomplished through an organizational restructuring of the health and human services system, including the departments of: Social Services, Public Health, and MH/SA/DD. This will include establishing criteria for the evaluation, projecting the major cost considerations each would involve, and clarifying the opportunities and risks inherent in each organizational restructuring. The organizational models to be considered are: a) the county model used by Mecklenberg County, b) the human service model used by Wake County, c) the board model currently used by Durham, and d) a model developed through the study and input from stakeholders that will provide the best service in Durham County." The Leadership Team requests the BOCC to approve the contractual agreement with Public Consulting Group Inc. (PCG) for a not-to-exceed amount of $50,000 for their services in conducting a health and human services delivery study. The funds have been budgeted in the County Manager’s cost center to cover the cost of the contract.

Resource Person(s): Carolyn P. Titus, Deputy County Manager

County Manager's Recommendation: We are requesting that the Board of County Commissioners approve the contract with PCG Inc. to conduct a health and human services delivery study in the not to exceed amount of $50,000. These funds were previously approved in the County Manager’s FY ‘99-00 Budget.

7a. HUD "Needs" Public Hearing for the Upcoming 2000-2005 Consolidated Plan and the Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Action Plan
 

The City of Durham Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) requests that the Board of County Commissioners hold the Consolidated Plan Needs Public Hearing on February 14, 2000 in preparation of the 2000-2005 Consolidated Plan and the 2000-2001 Annual Action Plan. The adopted Citizen Participation Plan for use with the Consolidated Plan requires that two public hearings be held prior to the submission of the Consolidated Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the first public hearing is to receive public comments and proposals pertaining to community needs in Durham and the HOME program. The City Council held its Needs Public Hearing on February 7, 2000.

The major use of HOME funds is to expand the supply of safe, decent, sanitary and affordable rental and owner-occupied housing. In May 1993, the Board of County Commissioners and the City Council approved a Durham City-County HOME Consortium Agreement to be used in the administration of the HOME program. HOME program activities are included as a part of the Durham Consolidated Plan and submitted annually to HUD for approval.

At the January 10, 2000 regular meeting, the Board of County Commissioners requested additional information on whether residual funds from the HOME program could be utilized for rental subsidies. DHCD staff is prepared to respond to this matter.

Resource Person(s): Ava Hinton and John Mickle from the Department of Housing and Community Development.

County Manager's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board of County Commissioners hold the Consolidated Plan Needs Public Hearing. DHCD staff will be present to answer questions.

8. Resolutions Authorizing School and Wastewater Bonds and Reimbursement of Expenditures
 

The Board is requested to approve the resolutions. The resolutions allow the County Administration to start the application process for 2/3's bonds to finance school renovations and expansion of the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant. Phase II construction of the plant will initially involve the issuance of certificates of participation. This will allow for the uninterrupted construction of this project. It is anticipated that general obligation bonds will be used to refinance the project at a later time. The construction proposal will be brought to the Board at the February 28, 2000 meeting. The financing is being brought to the Board before the construction in order to take advantage of the 2/3's bonds advantageous interest rates. Due to the financing calendar, it is necessary to approve these initial resolutions at this time.

The school portion of the bonds is for the renovation of Lakeview School to accommodate the Durham Public Schools’ plan for serving suspended and disruptive students.

A bond order, which is the next step in the financing process for the Board, is anticipated to be brought back in March.

Resource Person(s): S. C. Kitchen, County Attorney; Patty Gravinese, Finance Director; David Thompson, County Manager.

County Manager's Recommendation: Approve this initial step in securing financing for these two projects. The types of financing recommended are the most cost efficient and timely means for securing the funds necessary. The Board should note that this is simply an effort to have these financing tools available for the Board’s utilization if and when these projects are approved for actual construction. It is my opinion that it makes sense to utilize the ability to issue new debt based on the reduction in school debt that is occurring this fiscal year to finance the Lakeview project.

9. Housing for New Hope
 

New documents are required for the financing whereby Housing for New Hope is taking over the financial responsibility for the County’s loan for the house located at 602 Holloway Street. The property is being purchased by Housing for New Hope from Churches for Action, and the first payment will be due on January 2, 2001. As part of this purchase, Housing for New Hope will be doing further rehabilitation to the structure. Additionally, as part of this refinancing, the County will take a first mortgage position.

Resource Person(s): S. C. Kitchen, County Attorney.

County Manager's Recommendation: Approve the form of the documents as this represents greater collateral for the County, as well as ensuring the continued viability of Phoenix House.

10. Final Qualifying Bid to Purchase County Property (308 N. Guthrie Avenue)
 

On January 10, 2000, the Board adopted a resolution to publish a Notice of Sale and accept upset bids on a vacant lot located at 308 North Guthrie Avenue. Durham County obtained the property located at 308 North Guthrie Ave. (parcel #138-01-003) through a tax foreclosure sale on April 8, 1998. This is a 50 X 50 buildable lot and is currently zoned Residential 3. The County's investment in this property is $4,450.00 (taxes 93-98 and legal costs). The assessed fair market tax value from the 1993 valuation of this parcel is $12,592.00.

There was not an upset bid submitted for this lot (parcel 138-01-003) during the advertising period January 13, 2000 through January 22, 2000. Therefore, the final qualifying bid of $5,350.00, submitted by Mr. Joe Hicks, is being presented for the Board's consideration.

Resource Person(s): Sandra Phillips, Director of Purchasing

County Manager's Recommendation: Approve the offer of $5,350.00 submitted for 308 N. Guthrie Avenue by Mr. Joe Hicks and prepare a non-warranty deed for the Chairman's signature.

11. Adoption of Resolution & Designation of Members for 2000 E&R Board
 

North Carolina General Statues 105-322 requires adoption of resolution to appoint a special Board of Equalization and Review to hear tax appeal matters. Membership to this Board needs to be determined by the Board of County Commissioners by the first Monday in March. The Board of County Commissioners shall also appoint the Chair and Vice Chair for this special board and set the rate of compensation.

The rate of compensation for the 1999 Board of Equalization and Review was $50.00 per session. A session consists of a three-hour block of time that Board members actually attend for official meetings.

Resource Person(s): Wendell Davis, Acting Tax Assessor/Deputy County Manager

County Manager's Recommendation: Adopt resolution to appoint a special Board of Equalization and Review, designate membership to this Board, appoint Chair and Vice Chair, and establish rate of compensation for serving on this Board at $50.00 per session.

12. Manager’s Update on Board Directives
 

Please note the attached updated BOCC Directives. Staff has been instructed to continue to bring this list forward at the first regular meeting of the Board each month.

County Manager's Recommendation: Receive for informational purposes.

12a. Board Appointments
 

The Board needs to deliberate on appointments of board members to the following boards and committees: