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Business Meeting

Orange County · Board of County Commissioners
Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Regular meeting Budget and appropriationsPublic facilitiesArts and public artContracts and procurementEnvironment and sustainabilityPolice and public safetyRoads and transportationAppointments and personnelComprehensive planFarmland and open spaceGrants and outside fundingHistoric preservationParks and recreationSchools and educationState legislative agendaTax rate and revaluationTransit

Agenda document Minutes Watch Meeting recap

What was decided

  1. Approved 4.bProclamation Recognizing 25 Years of Orange County Conservation Initiatives / Great Trails State Day Approved unanimously
  2. Approved 4.cProclamation Designating October 2024 as Arts and Humanities Month Approved unanimously
  3. Approved 5.aShort Range Transit Plan Approved unanimously
  4. Approved 6.aDurham Tech Orange County Campus Expansion Sustainability Enhancements and Budget Amendment #2-A Approved unanimously
  5. Approved 8.aMinutes Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  6. Approved 8.bFiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment #2 Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  7. Approved 8.cAmendment to Professional Services Contract with Clarion Associates to Develop a Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and Budget Amendment #2-B Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  8. Approved 8.dPurchase of Budget and Strategic Planning Software and Budget Amendment #2-C Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  9. Approved 8.eBid Award - Fairview Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Expansion Project Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  10. Approved 8.fNaming of 203 Greensboro Project as the Drakeford Library Complex Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  11. Approved 8.gAward of Bid for the Renovation of the Efland-Cheeks Community Center and Budget Amendment #2-D Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  12. Approved 8.hCybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  13. Approved 8.iBonnie B. Davis Meeting Room Audio/Visual System Upgrade Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  14. Approved 8.jApproval and Adoption of 2025 Reappraisal Schedule of Values Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  15. Approved 8.kProclamation Recognizing and Honoring Dr. Harold Russell Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  16. Approved 8.lBoards and Commissions - Appointments Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)

Read from the agenda's recorded outcomes. Where the board published minutes, those are the record — this is a pointer to them.

What's on this agenda

Orange County's Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the county's first Short Range Transit Plan, a five-year plan for same-day demand-response service, a new Mebane circulator and two phases each of Hillsborough circulator consolidation and improvements. The board also weighed $275,000 in added debt financing for an all-electric heat pump system and LED lighting at the Durham Tech Orange County campus expansion.

The rest of the agenda held four proclamations, an Arts Commission economic-impact report, and a 12-item consent agenda covering the 2025 property reappraisal schedule, construction contracts for the Fairview Park pickleball courts and the Efland-Cheeks Community Center, and board and commission appointments.

Summarized from the published agenda. Read the agenda itself before acting on it.

Meeting recap

What happened, drawn from the records published after the meeting. Minutes

Commissioners approved the Short Range Transit Plan without changes after no one signed up to speak at the hearing itself. Vice-Chair Greene moved approval, seconded by Commissioner McKee, and it passed unanimously; the plan calls for same-day Mobility on Demand service, weekend demand-response service, a new Mebane circulator, two phases of Hillsborough circulator work, and longer-term projects including a rural mobility hub and a fare study.

The board also approved Budget Amendment #2-A, adding $275,000 in debt financing so Durham Tech's Orange County campus expansion can add an electric heat pump system and convert existing lighting to LED, on a motion by Commissioner Fowler seconded by Commissioner McKee. Two proclamations passed without discussion: one marking 25 years of the county's Lands Legacy conservation program and Great Trails State Day, moved by Commissioner Richards and seconded by Commissioner McKee; the other designating October as Arts and Humanities Month, moved by Vice-Chair Greene and seconded by Commissioner Hamilton. The board also heard a report on the Arts Commission's 2023 economic-impact survey and acknowledged this year's arts grant recipients. All twelve consent agenda items passed as a single block on a motion by Commissioner McKee seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, including the Fairview Park and Efland-Cheeks construction contracts, adoption of the 2025 property reappraisal schedule, and board and commission appointments. Nothing on the agenda was deferred or tabled. During public comment, a person identified as a member of the county's own transportation advisory board asked the county to set 20 mph speed limits near schools, citing the county's Safe Routes to School plan.

How the votes went

Every recorded vote at this meeting was unanimous, with all seven commissioners present: both proclamations, the Short Range Transit Plan hearing's opening, closing and final approval, the Durham Tech budget amendment, the consent agenda as a block, and the motion to adjourn. No split votes or dissents were recorded.

From the published minutes.

Speaking at this meeting

Orange County's own rules for public comment — check them before you rely on anything here.

Jump to an item (29 on this agenda)
  1. 1Additions or Changes to the Agenda
  2. 2Public Comments (Limited to One Hour)
  3. 3Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
  4. 4.aRecognition of Graduates of the 2024 Orange County Youth Preparedness…
  5. 4.bProclamation Recognizing 25 Years of Orange County Conservation Initi…
  6. 4.cProclamation Designating October 2024 as Arts and Humanities Month
  7. 4.dOrange County Arts Commission 2024-25 Annual Grant Recipients
  8. 5.aShort Range Transit Plan
  9. 6.aDurham Tech Orange County Campus Expansion Sustainability Enhancement…
  10. 7.aOrange County Arts Commission Arts & Economic Prosperity Survey Data…
  11. 8Consent Agenda
  12. 8.aMinutes
  13. 8.bFiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment #2
  14. 8.cAmendment to Professional Services Contract with Clarion Associates t…
  15. 8.dPurchase of Budget and Strategic Planning Software and Budget Amendme…
  16. 8.eBid Award - Fairview Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Expansion Project
  17. 8.fNaming of 203 Greensboro Project as the Drakeford Library Complex
  18. 8.gAward of Bid for the Renovation of the Efland-Cheeks Community Center…
  19. 8.hCybersecurity Awareness Month 2024
  20. 8.iBonnie B. Davis Meeting Room Audio/Visual System Upgrade
  21. 8.jApproval and Adoption of 2025 Reappraisal Schedule of Values
  22. 8.kProclamation Recognizing and Honoring Dr. Harold Russell
  23. 8.lBoards and Commissions - Appointments
  24. 9County Manager's Report
  25. 10County Attorney's Report
  26. 11Appointments
  27. 12Information Items
  28. 13Closed Session
  29. 14Adjournment

Agenda items (29)

Procedural · 8Contract or award · 5Proclamation or recognition · 4Staff or committee report · 3Presentation · 2Budget action · 2Public hearing · 1Minutes approval · 1Other · 1Resolution · 1Appointment · 1
  1. 1 Additions or Changes to the Agenda
    Procedural
    None were made.
  2. 2 Public Comments (Limited to One Hour)
    Procedural Police and public safetyRoads and transportationSchools and education
    A person identified as a member of the county's transportation advisory board asked the board to set 20 mph speed limits near schools, citing the county's Safe Routes to School plan and its findings on pedestrian survival rates.
  3. 3 Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
    Procedural
    Commissioners reported on outreach events, Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina, early voting logistics and a joint meeting planned with the Mayor of Mebane.
  4. 4.a Recognition of Graduates of the 2024 Orange County Youth Preparedness Camp
    Presentation Police and public safety
    The board recognized three teens who completed the county's disaster-preparedness camp and helped 21 area households build emergency kits and communication plans.
  5. 4.b Proclamation Recognizing 25 Years of Orange County Conservation Initiatives / Great Trails State Day
    Proclamation or recognition Environment and sustainabilityFarmland and open spaceParks and recreation
    The proclamation marks 25 years since the county created its environment department and Lands Legacy Program, which has since protected nearly 3,000 acres, and designates October 19 as Great Trails State Day. Commissioner Richards moved approval, seconded by Commissioner McKee.
    Approved unanimously
  6. 4.c Proclamation Designating October 2024 as Arts and Humanities Month
    Proclamation or recognition Arts and public art
    The proclamation recognizes the economic and civic impact of the arts nationally and in Orange County. Vice-Chair Greene moved approval, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton.
    Approved unanimously
  7. 4.d Orange County Arts Commission 2024-25 Annual Grant Recipients
    Presentation Arts and public artGrants and outside funding
    The board acknowledged 33 local artists and organizations awarded a combined $106,116 in grassroots arts and artist project grants out of 65 applications.
  8. 5.a Short Range Transit Plan
    Public hearing Roads and transportationTransit
    The board held a public hearing, at which no one signed up to speak, on a five-year transit plan recommending expanded demand-response service, a new Mebane circulator, two phases of Hillsborough circulator work, a rural mobility hub and a fare study. Commissioner McKee moved to open the hearing, seconded by Commissioner Fowler; Commissioner Fowler moved to close it, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton; Vice-Chair Greene then moved approval of the plan, seconded by Commissioner McKee.
    Approved unanimously
  9. 6.a Durham Tech Orange County Campus Expansion Sustainability Enhancements and Budget Amendment #2-A
    Budget action Budget and appropriationsEnvironment and sustainabilityPublic facilities
    The board added $275,000 in debt financing, raising the campus expansion's budget to $11,275,000, to fund an all-electric heat pump system and LED lighting conversion at Durham Tech's Orange County campus. Commissioner Fowler moved approval, seconded by Commissioner McKee.
    Approved unanimously
  10. 7.a Orange County Arts Commission Arts & Economic Prosperity Survey Data Presentation
    Staff or committee report Arts and public art
    Staff presented 2023 survey findings on nonprofit arts spending and attendance in Orange County, gathered from 103 arts agencies and 1,200 audience surveys with the towns of Hillsborough, Carrboro and Chapel Hill.
  11. 8 Consent Agenda
    Procedural
    Commissioner McKee moved approval of the full consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton; no items were pulled for separate discussion.
    Approved as a block, unanimously
  12. 8.a Minutes
    Minutes approval
    The board approved draft minutes for the September 5, 10 and 17, 2024 meetings.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  13. 8.b Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment #2
    Budget action Budget and appropriations
    The board approved a set of budget, grant and capital project ordinance amendments for the current fiscal year.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  14. 8.c Amendment to Professional Services Contract with Clarion Associates to Develop a Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and Budget Amendment #2-B
    Contract or award Budget and appropriationsComprehensive plan
    The board extended and expanded the county's contract with Clarion Associates, LLC for work on a new comprehensive land use plan.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  15. 8.d Purchase of Budget and Strategic Planning Software and Budget Amendment #2-C
    Contract or award Budget and appropriations
    The board approved buying budget and strategic-planning software from ClearGov, Inc.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  16. 8.e Bid Award - Fairview Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Expansion Project
    Contract or award Contracts and procurement
    The board awarded a construction contract to H.M. Kern Corporation of Greensboro for the Fairview Park court expansion and approved buying lighting fixtures from Musco Lighting.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  17. 8.f Naming of 203 Greensboro Project as the Drakeford Library Complex
    Other Public facilities
    The board accepted the County Manager's recommendation to name the project the Drakeford Library Complex, ahead of a formal naming resolution planned for November 7.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  18. 8.g Award of Bid for the Renovation of the Efland-Cheeks Community Center and Budget Amendment #2-D
    Contract or award Budget and appropriationsContracts and procurementHistoric preservationPublic facilities
    The board awarded a construction contract to Landmark Management Partners, LLC for the community center renovation.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  19. 8.h Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024
    Proclamation or recognition
    The board proclaimed October 2024 Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  20. 8.i Bonnie B. Davis Meeting Room Audio/Visual System Upgrade
    Contract or award Contracts and procurementPublic facilities
    The board approved a contract with Sound Advice of Eastern NC to upgrade the audio/visual system at the Bonnie B. Davis Environmental and Agricultural Center.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  21. 8.j Approval and Adoption of 2025 Reappraisal Schedule of Values
    Resolution Tax rate and revaluation
    The board adopted the schedule of values that will govern the county's 2025 property reappraisal and directed staff to publish the required advertisements.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  22. 8.k Proclamation Recognizing and Honoring Dr. Harold Russell
    Proclamation or recognition
    The board recognized Dr. Harold Russell as an Orange County Community Treasure.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  23. 8.l Boards and Commissions - Appointments
    Appointment Appointments and personnel
    The board approved board and commission appointments reviewed at its October 8, 2024 work session.
    Approved as part of consent agenda (unanimous)
  24. 9 County Manager's Report
    Staff or committee report
    County Manager Travis Myren had no report.
  25. 10 County Attorney's Report
    Staff or committee report State legislative agenda
    County Attorney John Roberts said he would update the board on any action during the legislature's brief session the following week.
  26. 11 Appointments
    Procedural
    None.
  27. 12 Information Items
    Procedural
    The board received the October 1, 2024 meeting follow-up actions list and a memorandum on county employee retirements from July through September 2024.
  28. 13 Closed Session
    Procedural
    None.
  29. 14 Adjournment
    Procedural
    Commissioner Fowler moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton.
    Adjourned at 8:41 p.m., unanimous

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