REVISED

(Item Nos. 2a and 7)

 

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

 

Wednesday, March 3, 2004

 

9:00 A.M. Worksession

 

AGENDA

 

 

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2.     Legislative Agenda for Court Officials                                                                              20 min.

 

        Court officials in Durham County have developed a legislative agenda for the short session and are seeking the support of the Board of County Commissioners in helping to articulate the systems’ needs to members of the Durham County legislative delegation.

 

        RESOURCE PERSON(S): Kathy Shuart, Court Administrator

 

        COUNTY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report and advise staff if any additional action is necessary.

 

2a.   Memorandum of Understanding with District Attorney and Public Defender                   15 min.

 

        Each year, the County enters into an agreement with the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to fund one assistant district attorney ($38,754) and one assistant public defender (48,376) for the ADA Bond Hearing Project (AOC Contract).  The main purpose of the attorney positions is to handle bond reduction motions at first appearance hearings, early identification of cases eligible for expedited disposition, and the enhancement of jail population management reduction in Durham County.  The attorneys work under the supervisor of the District Attorney and Public Defender.

 

        The implementation of results-based accountability and an escalating increase in jail health costs prompted the Board of County Commissioners to request the Manager to develop a memorandum of understanding.  The memorandum requires semi-annual reports to the Board of County Commissioners regarding the effects that the initiative is having on the County’s jail population.

 

        RESOURCE PERSON(S): Jim Hardin, District Attorney; Bob Brown, Public Defender; Mike Ruffin, County Manager; Chuck Kitchen, County Attorney; Carol Hammett, Assistant County Attorney

 

        COUNTY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board review the memorandum, make any desired changes, and authorize the placement thereof on the March 8, 2003 Consent Agenda.

 

3.     Environmental Affairs Board Review of Wake County Air Quality                                    15 min.

 

        Commission Chairman Ellen Reckhow recently asked the Environmental Affairs Board (EAB) to review an Air Quality Task Force Report regarding local air-quality strategies under consideration in Wake County.  The EAB completed its review and published its recommendations in a report dated February 11, 2004.

 

        RESOURCE PERSON(S): Ellen Reckhow, Commission Chairman; Kathi Beratan, Chairman, Environmental Affairs Board; and Sig Hutchinson, Chairman, Wake County Air Quality Task Force

 

        COUNTY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board review the report and advise staff if any additional action is necessary.

 

4.     Forestry Management Regulations                                                                                              15 min.

 

        No state regulations require submission and approval of forestry management plans to harvest or thin timberland.  Forestry management plans are submitted on a voluntary basis; however, no permit is required, although some water quality and erosion and sedimentation control ordinances may impose other requirements that must be observed.  Consequently, the Forestry Service does not currently regulate the practice commonly referred to as “clear-cutting".

 

        RESOURCE PERSON(S): Wayne Williams, County Ranger, and Mark Bost, Water Quality Forester

 

        COUNTY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report and advise staff if additional action is necessary.

 

5.     Lincoln Community Health Center Improvements                                                                        20 min.

 

        Lincoln Community Health Center’s facility is owned by Durham County and is in need of renovations and repairs.  The Lincoln Support Agreement with the Duke University Health System (DUHS) requires that DUHS pay for maintenance to the facility.  DUHS has assessed the facility and developed a five-year schedule of improvements that require an expenditure of $912,500 for renovations, repairs, maintenance, and replacement of equipment.  The County Attorney has reviewed that evaluation in the context of the Support Agreement and concurs that the Health System is responsible for $340,000, leaving a decision by the County as to how to fund the remaining $572,500.

 

        RESOURCE PERSON(S): Dr. Evelyn Schmidt, Executive Director, Lincoln Community Health Center; Mr. Phil Harewood, Chief Financial Officer, Lincoln Community Health Center; Mike Ruffin, County Manager; and Chuck Kitchen, County Attorney

 

        COUNTY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board review the request and advise staff if additional information is necessary to facilitate its understanding.  (The Manager will consider using funds from the Community Health Trust Fund as a part of his FY 2005 Recommended Budget.  Subsequent years’ needs will also be routinely addressed, as with other capital needs, when the recommended budget is prepared.)

 

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7.     The Crisis Center Contract for The Durham Center/Local Management Entity (LME)

                                                                                                                                                            20 min.

 

         On January 8, 2004, following a formal RFP process, The Durham Center Area Authority awarded a Crisis/Emergency Services RFP to Telecare Corporation, which provides services in several states and has been providing Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACCT) services in Durham County for the past year.

 

         The Crisis Emergency Services Contract is one of the most critical pieces in our community system of care.  The contractor must provide 24-hour/7-days-a-week access, screening, and triage to all county residents either by phone or in person to facilitate entry into our services.  The contractor must also provide immediate emergency intervention to persons with a mental health crisis or requesting substance abuse intervention such as detoxification.  The contractor will also provide crisis stabilization and crisis residential services at the same location.

 

         The Durham Center is finalizing the draft contract.  Telecare is prepared to sign a lease for a facility located near Durham Regional Hospital that will accommodate this comprehensive program once the contract is approved.

 

         The Durham Center Area Authority/Local Management Entity (LME) plans to request the Board’s approval of the final contract with Telecare for FY-04-05 at the March 8, 2004 meeting.

 

         RESOURCE PERSON (S):  Ellen Holliman, Interim Area Director

 

         COUNTY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: The County Manager recommends the acceptance of this presentation as a matter of information.