THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

 

Monday, June 2, 2003

 

9:00 A.M. Worksession

 

AGENDA

 

1.     Citizen Comments?Domestic Partner Benefits

 

The following citizens have requested time on the agenda to speak to the County Commissioners about extending full benefits to the domestic partners of Durham County:

 

Jennifer Feldman

Pearl Levine

David VandeVusse

Sumayyah Muhammad

Kathi Sippen

Jo Wyrick

 

2. Citizen Comments?Jack Steer

 

Mr. Jack Steer has requested time on the agenda to speak to the County Commissioners regarding taxes and his resignation from The Friends of Durham.

 

3.     Citizen Comments?Robert Zucker

 

Mr. Robert Zucker has requested time on the agenda to speak to the County Commissioners regarding the school bond issue.

 

4. Citizen Comments?Felicia McNeil

 

Ms. Felicia McNeil has requested time on the agenda to speak to the County Commissioners regarding the bathroom at DATA, problems on the bus, Urban Ministries, and housing programs for drug addicts.

 

5.          (left blank intentionally)

 

6.     State of Open Space Report by Triangle Land Conservancy

 

The State of Open Space 2002 Report is a two-year update to an effort originally produced by the Triangle Land Conservancy in 2000.  The report takes a broad look at open space protection progress being made across the Triangle.  The update report looks at progress made across the region over the past two years towards achieving regional open space goals, highlighting both successes and challenges.

 

The Triangle Land Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust active throughout the Triangle J region in open space protection.  It partnered with the Eno River Association to help raise funds of $170,000 towards the acquisition of the Little River Regional Park that is a joint project of Durham and Orange Counties.

 

Resource Person(s): Lorelei Costa, Associate Director, Triangle Land Conservancy, and Jane Korest, Senior Planner

 

County Manager?s Recommendation: The Manager?s recommendation is that the Board receive the report and update on open space protection progress in the Triangle region.

 

7.     2005 Revaluation Date

 

The purpose of this agenda item is to make a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners outlining the requirements for shortening the revaluation cycle and also to present the status of the county valuation two years past the revaluation.

 

Resource Person(s): Kenneth L. Joyner, Tax Administrator

 

County Manager?s Recommendation: The Manager?s recommendation is that the Board receive the presentation from the Tax Administrator.

 

8.     Revisions to County?s 10-Year Capital Improvements Program (CIP)

 

The Board and staff have undertaken a review of the Manager?s recommended,
10-Year CIP for FY 2004-2013 with the following goals:

 

·         Review all project estimates for accuracy and ensure that all costs have been included to bring each project to fruition;

·         Consider any new projects that may have surfaced since last revision;

·         Revise project scheduling and funding to accommodate the earlier completion of several projects; and

·         Revise revenue estimates for property taxes, sales taxes, and other dedicated revenues for the capital finance plan that supports the CIP.

 

Resource Person(s): Mike Ruffin, County Manager; Carolyn Titus, Deputy County Manager; Wendell Davis, Deputy County Manager; Pamela Meyer, Budget and Management Services Director; George Quick, Finance Director; Glen Whisler, County Engineer; Mike Turner, General Services Director; and Keith Lane, Senior Budget Analyst

 

        County Manager?s Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the CIP as revised, including the recommended projects for the
November 2003 Bond Referendum.

 

9.     Report on Voter Opinion Survey for the 2003 Bond Referendum

 

In May 2003, Johnston, Zabor, McManus Inc. (JZM) conducted a total of 400 five-minute telephone interviews with Durham County registered voters.  The objective of this study was to evaluate voter support for four questions proposed for the ballot: Durham Public Schools Bond; Durham Technical Community College Bond; Museum of Life Sciences Bond; and the South Branch Library Bond.  The results of the survey will be shared through this presentation.  A detailed report will also be provided during the presentation.

 

Resource Person(s): Melissa R. Thrower, Project Manager, Johnston, Zabor, McManus Inc., and Paul K. Hayes, Field Sales Manager, Johnston Zabor, McManus Inc.

 

County Manager?s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation.

 

10.   Review of Memorandum of Understanding with Durham Public Schools

 

        The Durham County Board of Commissioners and Durham Public Schools Board of Education have agreed to develop annual Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to strategically identify issues/initiatives of mutual interest.  The agreement is largely an effort to ensure strong channels of communication between both boards while working to improve the quality of education for students attending Durham Public Schools. 

 

        The two boards met on April 28, 2003, part of which was devoted to a discussion of a MOU for the 2003-2004 School Year.  This discussion produced several changes.  In addition, the Manager met with the Superintendent, who has proposed the approval of a two-year MOU with an annual evaluation/adjustment.

 

        Resource Person(s): Mike Ruffin, County Manager 

 

County Manager?s Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board review the proposed MOU and advise staff of any additional changes or issues that should be incorporated in the FY 2003-2004 MOU.