Wake County Board of Commissioners Work Session January 12, :00 p.m. Wake County Justice Center, Room 2800

Transcription

1 Wake County Board of Commissioners Work Session January 12, :00 p.m. Wake County Justice Center, Room 2800 Commissioners present: James West, Chair Caroline Sullivan, Vice-Chair John Burns Matt Calabria Jessica Holmes Sig Hutchinson Betty Lou Ward Staff Present: Jim Hartmann, County Manager Johnna Rogers, Deputy Manager Denise Foreman, Asst. to the County Mgr. Denise Hogan, Clerk to the Board Chairman West opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. He said staff would present information on Infrastructure/Bond Street, Major Facilities Update, Wake Legislative Agenda, and Board Orientation. Mr. Hartmann said it will be effective to receive department presentations in phases. Infrastructure/Bond Street Mr. Frank Cope, Community Services Director, said there are two communities with issues pending before the Board of Commissioners. There is one community that has a problem with their water, and a community that has difficulty with the roads in their neighborhood. He recommended this issue be referred Growth and Land Use Committee. He said that he and Mr. Joseph Threadcraft, Environmental Services Director, would split the presentation. He shared the agenda. County s role with wells - Bond Street area situation County s role with roads - Banks Pointe situation Policy problem Committee work Request to refer to Committee Mr. Threadcraft introduced staff members Mr. Britt Stoddard, Water Quality Director, and Mr. Greg Bright, Environmental Health Groundwater Supervisor. The Groundwater Protection and Wells Program: Administer State statutes and County ordinances Provide technical information for well owners Encourage well maintenance Sample/analyze well water 1

2 Wake County does NOT: Own or operate water systems Enforce Public Water Supply regulations Require existing wells to be tested He shared a map of the Bond Street area. City services include water, sewer and garbage collection and fire protection. Private wells are the responsibility of the property owner. He shared information about the Bond Street area problem. Bond Street Area Problem: Some drinking water wells are contaminated NC DENR provided clean water for four properties Resident s Request: County extend municipal water lines Recoup cost through year assessment Action Plan: Policy Development Analyze residents request Recommendation to BOC Commissioner Burns asked about a resident on Bond Street and whether they had well water. Mr. Bright said they are on well water. Commissioner Ward asked if the City extended the lines prior to the time the homes were built. Mr. Bright said lines were built around the development in the neighborhood. The Bond Street area is considered a donut hole. Mr. Threadcraft said the donut holes are a national issue. Staff Actions to Date: 10/2012 Analyzed well water (citizen request) 2012 to present Neighborhood interactions 2013 Contaminated groundwater program Hydrogeologist 2013 Coordination with the City of Raleigh (on going) 2014 Options for Addressing Contaminated Well Water 2014 Education sessions/unc School of Government 2014 Committee to advance draft policy Commissioner Holmes asked if any measures have been taken to ensure residents are not drinking the water. Mr. Threadcraft said staff shared the results of the testing, but there has not been a mandate. Mr. Threadcraft said that there have been treatment systems installed. There are 273 houses in this sub-division; 44 percent showed some contamination. Of that 44 percent, 18 percent exceeded contamination levels. Commissioner Calabria asked for clarification of the contamination. Ms. Caroline Loop, Hydrogeologist, Environmental Services said that DENR has attempted to determine the source of contamination. Pesticide compounds have shown no identification of the source. Termite spraying has caused some issues. Commissioner 2

3 Calabria asked about all the health effects. The state toxicologist evaluates these type issues but the specific effects are not known. Commissioner Hutchinson asked about annexation of this area. Mr. Threadcraft said that it is not anticipated that this area would be annexed. Commissioner Hutchinson asked why the entire issue would not be taken care of. Mr. Threadcraft said there may not be motivation to correct the issue. Commissioner Ward asked if there had been conversations with the City of Raleigh. Mr. Threadcraft stated there had been conversations with City staff and one council member had attended a meeting with staff. Chairman West said that the City of Raleigh felt that connecting to the City water system is cost prohibitive. He further stated that there are other areas of the County with similar situations. Chairman West said there have been health concerns. He would like some feedback on the failed systems. Making sure that all the data is being reviewed is important. He said residents often do not understand the difference in water contamination and stormwater runoff. He asked for explanation of storm cleanup. Mr. Stoddard said that when Hurricane Fran came through some homeowners had their wastewater systems destroyed because of fallen trees. They approached the County to help create wastewater systems for them. The County was successful in receiving some grants and loans to assist. There were some wells that are contaminated, and others not. Mr. Warren said that before hurricane Fran in 1994, North State failed. North State was a utility company that was regulated by the utilities commission. When it failed financially, Wake County had to step in and create sewer districts to assist with the issue. The issue was comprehensive. In 1996, there were failed systems that were permitted by the state. Some of those systems were complex and required FEMA funding. One of FEMA s requirements is that Wake County recovers those funds. The residents that had their own septic system were required to move. Many of the properties were condemned. Mr. Cope said Wake County does not build or maintain public roads, private roads, or orphan roads. Orphan roads are roads that are designed, built and recorded to be public roads but were never turned over to the Department of Transportation. Currently, Wake County has about 130 miles of orphan roads in subdivisions. Historically, the County had maintenance guarantees that were applied to the developer once the roads were built. Mr. Cope said it is likely that orphan roads will not exist in the future. He shared maps of the deteriorating roads in the Banks Pointe subdivision. Banks Pointe Problem: Subdivision roads never turned over to NCDOT Original developer bankrupt, no funds available to repair the roads to get them turned over to NCDOT Resident s Request: County fix the roads, get them turned over to NCDOT, assess costs back to property owners 3

4 Action Plan: * Policy Development Analyze residents request * Recommendation to BOC Commissioner Ward asked how many houses were in the Banks Pointe neighborhood. A resident said there were 73 houses and 89 lots. Commissioner Burns asked if the roads are in the bankruptcy developer s estate. Mr. Scott Warren, County Attorney, said often the roads are in a corporate situation. The current Water and Sewer policy is out of date, does not address roads at all, and provides inadequate guidance. He shared a list of Infrastructure Policy Committee members. Mr. Cope said staff needs clarity of the County s Water and Sewer Funding policy, to find available options, funding tools, and a funding source. Mr. Cope said securing a policy will help staff bring a request to the Board of Commissioners. He suggested the issue be referred to the Growth, Land Use and Environment Committee to revise the County s Water and Sewer funding policy, consideration of adding roads to the policy; and identifying potential funding sources. Commissioner Hutchinson agreed that the issue needed a broader proactive approach. He welcomed expertise with groundwater. He asked if wells need to be tested often. He said groundwater and surface water are two water sources. The issue creates need for a broader discussion in dealing with groundwater issues. Major Facilities Update Mr. Hartmann shared an outline of the discussion. 1. Background and Context 2. Interlocal Review 3. Business Development Fund Extension 4. Capital Projects Funding Using 2 for 1 Funds 4

5 Background and Context In 1991, the City of Raleigh and Wake County entered into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) regarding the implementation of Countywide Room Occupancy and Prepared Food and Beverage Tax. Since the approval of the original ILA, 18 Amendments have been approved jointly by the City of Raleigh and Wake County. The Board of Commissioners will receive a presentation that provides a brief overview of the agreements and use of tax revenues. Additionally, the Board will receive information on a request to defer review of the ILA including the Convention Center Financing Plan, the Convention Center Facilities Plan and the PNC Arena CIP and a request to extend the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau Business Development Fund an additional three years. Ms. Denise Foreman, Assistant to the County Manager, shared a quick primer to the agreement. First Dollars Out: Cost of Collection/Administration City of Raleigh Holdback Town of Cary Hold Harmless Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau Centennial Authority Projects that have been funded and completed (with no outstanding debt): Exploris/Marbles/IMAX Soccer Center Performing Arts Center Yates Mill Pond Park American Tobacco Trail Park North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences NC Ballet She shared other information related to the agreement. Projects Completed (with outstanding debt): PNC Center (through 2020) Five County Stadium (through 2015) City of Raleigh and Wake County receive $1 million per year for purposes consistent with legislation Ms. Foreman shared the agreements since % of all net revenue is dedicated to the Raleigh Convention Center 15% of remaining net revenue has been committed to: NC Museum of Art ($15 million) NC Museum of Natural Sciences Green Square Project ($6 million) Town of Cary Sports Facilities ($10 million) St. Augustine s College Track ($1 million) Whitewater Park ($150,000) PNC Facility Improvements ($26 million) Wake County 2 for 1 ($8 million) She shared the major facilities overview. 5

6 Chairman West asked about the status of Whitewater Park. Ms. Foreman said $150,000 has not been distributed toward this project. The project is being held and has not moved forward. Interlocal Review Mr. Hartmann shared the Interlocal Review information. In 2012, conducted public, inclusive review of Convention Center Financing Model Resulted in 18 th Amendment: Revised Convention Center Financing Plan Funded Capital Maintenance Plan for Raleigh Convention Center Provided for 2 for 1 transfer for Wake County Extended GRCVB Business Development Fund to 2022 Committed to review of Convention Center Financing Plan, the Convention Center Facilities Plan and the PNC Arena CIP by January 1, 2015 He said that he has spoken with Mr. Ruffin Hall, City Manager, about how to handle the review of the financial model and tax revenues are being reviewed. The City and County Managers have agreed to defer the full review. Commissioner Calabria asked if there are any impacts to deferring it. Mr. Hartmann said there are not any known impacts. 6

7 Chairman West asked how this compares to the action taken in Ms. Foreman said the review has placed the County in a good position. Business Development Fund Mr. Hartmann shared the Business Development Fund (BDF) information. 13 th Amendment established a Business Development Fund (BDF)to support the new Raleigh Convention Center Funded at $350,000 annually through FY2015 GRCVB staff use BDF to incent major and/or multi-year events to RCC 17th Amendment extended BDF Additional $150,000 in FY10 and FY11, $150,000 for FY2016 through FY2018 and $316,000 in FY2011 for NHL All-Star Game Events 18th Amendment extended BDF to FY2022 at $450,000 annually Received request to extend BDF to FY2025 Continue at current funding level - $450,000 annually Will allow continued multi-year commitments Continue current review process by GRCVB Committee and approval by City and County Manager Next Step: 19 th Amendment to be on January 20 th Board of Commissioners and City Council agenda Capital Projects Funding Using 2 for 1 Funds Ms. Foreman shared the 2 for 1 funding information. 8 th Amendment allows Wake County to receive $2 for every $1 utilized by the City of Raleigh for support of additional Convention Center Operating Expenses The City of Raleigh exercised their authority in FY2009, FY2010, FY2011, and FY2013 Wake County received the initial $6 million owed in FY2013 Began process to award $6 million in 2013 Have since received additional $2 million owed for FY2013 utilization Ms. Foreman shared the 2013 Board Goal as follows: Develop and implement a competitive community-wide process to maximize return on investment for the tourism industry and to allocate up to $6 million in hotel/motel and prepared food and beverage tax revenues. She shared information of the Board-approved guidelines. Projects must enhance sports, cultural, convention or arts facilities in Wake County Funding is only available for capital no operating expenses Funding capped at $3,000,000 per project 7

8 Proposals should include non-county funding for at least 65% of total project capital budget Ms. Foreman shared the ten proposals received and the process. She shared the process. Review Team (staff and industry representatives) reviewed all proposals Utilized approved criteria and forced-choice matrix Identified four top projects Naismith Legacy Park Ammons Competition Center NCSU Gregg Museum Holly Springs Athletic Complex Ms. Foreman shared the board action. Commit $3 million to Ammons Competition Center - Contingencies/Milestones: County dollars are last dollars in Commit $3 million to Naismith Legacy Park Project - Contingencies/Milestones: County dollars are last dollars in February Acquire site in Wake County June 2015 Approval of Funding Agreement July Receive full financial commitment February Receive $5 million from investors - Reserve remaining $2 million for future eligible projects Ammons Wake Competition Center 8

9 She shared information about the Ammons Wake Competition Center Indoor multi-sport facility Twin ice rinks (w/1,200 seats) Volleyball Gymnastics Located in Morrisville Project cost = $13,991,773 Amount awarded = $3,000,000 Ms. Foreman shared the key terms of the draft funding agreement. Key Terms of Draft Funding Agreement: Provides funding in three stages: $2.1 million upon completion of ice facility $450,000 upon completion of volleyball facility $450,000 upon completion of gymnastics facility Completion of project by December 1, 2017 Performance Goals established consistent with Proposal Goals expire upon achievement of goals or 12 years Has up to 12 years to host 932 event days If goals not achieved, will pay County per event day not met Project Termination Clause Ms. Foreman said there is a process that tracks the performance by year. Ms. Vice-Chair Sullivan asked about the numbers on each event day. Ms. Foreman said that the cost is $3,000 each event day. Commissioner Hutchinson asked if there is a process to track the events. Mr. Hartmann said that the tracking method is a good measure to be used. Ms. Foreman stated the next steps are to receive Board feedback and approval of the Funding Agreement is scheduled for the January 20 and February 2 Regular board meetings. Commissioner Burns asked if the finishing of the agreement would be the date of operation. Ms. Foreman said that it would be. Naismith Legacy Park Ms. Foreman shared information about Naismith Legacy Park. Youth basketball facility 2 basketball villages 18 fieldhouses Team cabins Located in Knightdale Project cost = $10,183,000 Amount awarded = $3,000,000 She shared an update. Received request from Mr. Fogal to defer deadline for land deal to July 2015 Working Town of Knightdale on land deal 170 acres to be donated by Wake Stone 9

10 ~$4 million estimated value Request supported by Town of Knightdale Staff recommends approval of request Project leaders continue to develop partnerships and gain financial commitments Ms. Foreman said Naismith Legacy Park was formed out of the Cooperstown model. She shared the following next steps: Next Steps: Receive Board Feedback Approval of Funding Agreement Scheduled for January 20 th Board Agenda Ms. Foreman shared information about other projects. Mr. Hartmann shared the new requests. Recommendation: Consider revised requests from NCSU Gregg Museum (ranked in top four of previous process) Hold proposals from other projects until: Determination of approved projects meeting County terms Process for allocation of remaining funds determined by the Board Commissioner Ward recommended that North Carolina State University and Holly Springs North Main Athletic Park present before the board since the new board has not heard their request. Chairman West agreed. Commissioner Holmes asked why the Holly Springs North Main Athletic Park project was not included in the original recommendation. Mr. Hartmann said that he had received a request from Mayor Dick Sears, Town of Holly Springs, recently to consider the request again. Commissioner 10

11 Burns asked to see the presentation from the fall in the event the request had been adjusted, so that the county receives the best return on investment. Vice-Chair Sullivan said that the process was extensive and driven and the original committee recommendation was to fund one project. Chairman West said the rating system has been inconsistent and the rules changed in the middle of the process. Mr. Hartmann shared the summary. January 20th Board Agenda: th Amendment to ILA: a. Deferral of Interlocal Review to be conducted by January 1, 2017 b. Approve extension of Business Development Fund to FY Funding Agreement for Ammons Competition Center 3. Deferral of Naismith Legacy Park land deal to July 2015 A 10 minute break was taken. Wake County Legislative Agenda Ms. Foreman said Mr. Hartmann will share the approach to the legislative agenda. She would share State-wide goals and how that process works and where we send it to the Commissioners. She said she would then share about Wake County s local legislative agenda. Mr. Hartmann shared the advocacy approach. Partners Board of Commissioners Intergovernmental Affairs Committee (New) County Manager s Office Legislative Liaison (New) Legislative Teams (New) Contract Lobbyist (New) Roles Agenda Development Communication Advocacy Monitoring He said that former State Senator Richard Stevens will help the County focus on the roles as Wake County s lobbyist. Ms. Foreman shared Wake County Legislative Agenda development process. Statewide Goals: 11

12 Counties submit proposed goals to North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) in Sept NCACC Steering Committees review goals in Sept/Oct Draft goals approved by NCACC Board of Directors in December Wake Commissioners provide feedback on draft goals at January Work Session NCACC membership approves goals at January Legislative Goals Conference Commissioners approve County legislative agenda Feb 2 (includes local and statewide) Ms. Foreman shared the statewide goals submitted by Wake County. Ms. Foreman highlighted the 44 draft goals for the board to review that are ranked low, moderate, and high. Ms. Foreman said Commissioner Betty Lou Ward will be the voting delegate for the legislative goals process. Commissioner Ward said that it will be important for the board to collaborate together on the goals. Commissioner Holmes asked about the goal for the collective bargaining programs for local government programs. Ms. Foreman said cost was an issue for the collective bargaining program. Commissioner Ward said that smaller counties do not have the same understanding as Wake County about Medicaid funding being shifted back to counties. Commissioner Ward said there has been discussion about public mental health to ensure adequate state funding for services and facilities at the local level. Commissioner Sullivan said she is on a subcommittee and other counties view this differently instead of having one goal. Mr. Ronnie Beale, President, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, would need to address this issue. Ms. Foreman shared the legislative agenda development process 12

13 Local Goals: Departments submit proposed goals to County Manager s Office Nov/Dec County leadership reviews draft goals - Dec Draft goals presented to BOC at Work Session - Jan Local goals and statewide goals presented for Board approval Feb 2 General Assembly convenes January 14/January 28 Ms. Foreman shared information about draft Wake County local goals. Submitted as Statewide Goal, but not moved forward: 1. Protect County Revenue in tax reform consideration; Support legislation that does not reduce sales tax authorization currently provided to Counties 2. Allow more cost effective methods for second primary elections. New Goals for Consideration: 3. Board of Equalization and Review Reappraisal Year Panel Flexibility 4. Financial Statement Reporting 5. Funding for Public School Student Growth 6. Emergency Plan Review Funding 7. Funding for Individual Assistance Program Chairman West asked how the board approves the goals recommended by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. Ms. Foreman explained the process of whether the goal is opposed, supported or seek. She said the process depends on how active the board is for advocacy of certain goals. Chairman West asked about the process of the goals from last year from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC). Ms. Foreman said that the NCACC may ask Wake County to advocate for the goals that the board presents. Commissioner Ward said that meeting with NCACC staff may help in moving the goals forward. Commissioner Calabria asked if it is necessary to ask for the Clerk of Court s office or District Attorney s office for input. Ms. Foreman said these departments are not included in the process, but Board of Elections, Sheriff s office, Register of Deeds, and Human Services are included in the process. Ms. Foreman said that in 2016 there would be another property re-evaluation. The Board of Equalization and Review had over 30,000 appeals during the last re-evaluation which resulted in 2500 hearings. Proposed legislation would allow the chairman of the Equalization and Review to form smaller sub-committees formed to review appeals for the 2016 re-evaluation. Ms. Rogers said the new goal consideration for financial statement reporting is beneficial for the smaller counties. Smaller counties have a smaller undesignated fund balance. Mr. Josh Creighton, Emergency Management Director, said the state offers funding for emergency plan review funding. Ms. Foreman shared the next steps: 13

14 Receive feedback on proposed goals/positions Represent Wake County at NCACC Legislative Goals Conference Recruit Legislative Liaison Engage Lobbyist Approve Legislative Agenda at February 2 nd Board Meeting Commissioner Burns asked if there has been discussion about including in the budget for workman s compensation and liability insurance for school buses. Ms. Rogers said it was not in the final budget. Mr. Warren said expense was an issue. Ms. Foreman shared three guiding principles. 1. Support Legislation that grants greater flexibility to counties 2. Oppose legislation that supports unfunded mandates 3. Oppose legislation that shifts costs from state to counties 4. Commissioner Holmes expressed her concern that driver s education funding may not be included in the budget. Commissioner Hutchinson said it was a public safety issue Board Orientation Mr. Hartmann congratulated Mr. Threadcraft on receiving his PHD. applauded his efforts. The board Mr. Threadcraft shared a department overview. FY 15 Expenditure Budget: $ 8.9 million General Fund $ 28.4 million Enterprise Fund FY 15 Authorized FTEs: 134 Number of Locations: 20 He shared charts of full time employee and the general fund. Full Time Employees Summary 14

15 General Fund Expenditure Summarys 15

16 He shared the service matrix. Animal Services intake of ~ 14,000 animals Food and Lodging Facilities ~ 4,300 Landfill Activity ~ 405,000 tons Septic Systems ~ 59,000 Private Wells ~ 32,000 Public Pools ~ 1,200 Mr. Threadcraft shared the level of service delivery. National Association of County Awards 1. Administration (2014) 2. Animal Services (2014) 3. Environmental Health & Safety (2013) 4. Solid Waste (2014) 5. Solid Waste (2014) 6. Water Quality (2014) Mr. Threadcraft shared the Administration Division Mandates. 16

17 Mr. Threadcraft said his department partners with Wake County Public School System, North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, North Carolina State University, A & T State University, Cooperative Extension, Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee, Food and Drug Administration, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, DENR, Duke Energy, North Carolina Board of Examiners, North Carolina Groundwater Association, Home Builders Association of Raleigh/Wake County, and the twelve municipalities in Wake County. Animal Services Division Mr. Threadcraft said that Ms. Jennifer Federico, Animal Services Director, has worked to carry out the Board of Commissioners 2014 goal for Community Health and Vitality. Objective: Increase the animal shelter s live release rate by implementing various shelter assessment strategies such as community education, community partnerships and ordinance revisions He shared the model for reducing euthanasia in an open intake shelter. 17

18 Plan Review and Recreational Sanitation Mr. Threadcraft said that Mr. Andre Pierce is the Environmental Health and Safety Division Director. He highlighted the responsibilities of this department. Outbreak investigations Tattoo inspections Methamphetamine lab tracking Asthma Trigger Evaluations Lead Poisoning Prevention in children The Food and Lodging division has conducted over 6,500 inspections. In 2008, the department participated in a food status program. The department has achieved four of the nine certifications. The department has received national recognition for providing mentor services throughout the United States. Solid Waste Division Mr. Threadcraft said that Mr. John Roberson is the Solid Waste Management Director. There is an active landfill at South Wake Landfill. South Wake Landfill is located on 470 acres in Apex, NC. The project has a gas energy component. The North Wake Landfill is now a post closure project, offices, and a convenience center on 260 acres, in North Raleigh, NC. Landfills are regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agency. They are operated primarily by contracts with private service providers (9 primary contractors with support contracts). He said the South Wake Landfill, Apex, NC has recycled 30,000 tons. The landfill life is projected to be extended to The Landfill gas-to-energy facility, Apex, NC fuels enough energy to power at least 10,000 homes. Water Quality Division Mr. Threadcraft said that Mr. Britt Stoddard, Water Quality Director, is responsible for: 1. Ordinance Administration Floodplain 18

19 Stormwater Erosion Well Septic Recreational waters 2. Policy Analyses Human Services Board Planning Board Task forces Stakeholders 3. Outreach Mr. Threadcraft said materials have been developed by Ms. Chelsea Reeves; Public Health Educator, Wake County Human Services, and Dr. Caroline Loop; Hydrogeologist, Wake County Environmental Services, for communities that need information on testing for waters. Mr. Threadcraft said Environmental Services has identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats during their strategic planning. The five areas to watch are: Maintaining service levels with a growing economy Developing an outreach program that continues to address groundwater issues Keeping pace with community expectations for Solid Waste Disposal Evaluating community needs and resources in Animal Services Adding Value to the community without adding cost Community Services Mr. Frank Cope, Community Services Director, shared the FY 15 Department Overview for Community Services. 19

20 He shared the full time employee (FTE), expenditure, and revenue summaries. FTE Summary Expenditure Summary 20

21 Revenue Summary He said that Community Services had 5,192,286 documented businesses that the public made over the past year. He shared the Administration Division overview and delivery structure. He introduced Mr. Jason Horton; Deputy Community Services Director and Ms. Jenny Coats; Business Officer. Veterans Services/GIS He shared information about Veterans Services and GIS. He introduced Mr. Douglas Douggy Johnson; Veterans Affairs Director and Mr. Charles Friddle; GIS Manager. 21

22 FY15 Veterans Services Division Overview Mr. Cope said that Veterans Services assists veterans and their families with discovering and obtaining state and federal benefits unique to veterans. There are 58,000 veterans in Wake County. Veteran s Services in Wake County has the largest population in the state. The department receives 24,000 inquiries a year. The past three years there have been 370 successful claims processes that averages $4.2 Million a year. Mr. Cope shared the FY15 Geographic Information Services (GIS) overview. Mr. Cope shared information that is required for GIS to be successful. Provide the best data possible 22

23 Create and maintain data sets Obtain and adapt external geographic data Facilitate linking non-geographic data to geographic data Carry out an effective quality control process Provide access to the data Have an appropriate and reliable infrastructure Appropriate tools based on the customer s knowledge level He shared information about GIS Programs and Services as it relates to Public Safety Emergency Operations Center (EOC) pre-planning and activation support Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications 911 Center map/data support - Foundation for recommending closest first responders - Generating routable street networks Street addressing, road name approval Commissioner Ward said that when she became a Commissioner the GIS public information was black and white, and since that time it has been converted to color. Planning Development and Inspections Mr. Cope shared information about Planning, Development, and Inspections (PDI). He introduced Mr. Tim Maloney; Planning Development and Inspections Director, and Mr. Barry Mooneyham; Inspections, Development Plans and Permits Director. 23

24 He shared the following PDI programs and services. Inspections Permitting Construction Plan Reviews Field Inspection Planning Subdivision Administration Zoning and Land Development Land Use Planning, Data Analysis and Transportation Code Enforcement Mr. Cope said the inspectors work from their vehicles. performs their own inspections. The Town of Fuquay-Varina Parks Recreation and Open Space PROS Mr. Cope shared information about FY 15 Parks Recreation & Open Space. He said Proctor Farm, Turnipseed, and Robertson s Mill facilities would soon be opening. Mr. Cope introduced Mr. Chris Snow; Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Director and Mr. Matt Roylance; Deputy Parks and Recreation Director. He shared information about the programs and services. Provide the park experience people want Preserve what we can for the future Maintain what we have 2,008 acres of park land 24

25 5,934 acres of open space 31,481 students attended programs at Oak View and Yates Mill Chairman West asked why there was not a Parks, Recreation, Greenway Committee. Mr. Cope said there is an Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee (OSPAC). Mr. Cope said Commissioner Hutchinson was the past chair of the OSPAC and the board is appointed by the Board of Commissioners that evaluates open space and park issues. He said this committee has evaluated greenways in the past. Public Libraries Libraries Division Mr. Cope introduced Mr. Mike Wasilick; Library Director, and Ms. Ann Burlingame; Assistant Library Director. He shared the following information: Mr. Cope said building libraries in schools is challenging. Mr. Wasilick said the challenges are that schools control guests for libraries, parking, and materials that can be checked out. Mr. Cope shared information about public libraries programs and services. Products that people love Collections that people want Access to the internet and other digital services that is easy Programs that are engaging, entertaining, and educational Facilities that are well thought out Libraries that are located where people are Libraries that are well designed Libraries that are inviting places where people feel comfortable and safe Experiences that are pleasant 25

26 Resources that are easy to use Resources that are available when people want them Staff that is engaged and knowledgeable Mr. Cope said Wake County is sixth in the nation for circulating library books. Commissioner Sullivan asked which states are ahead of Wake County. Mr. Cope said New York, Portland, Hennepin, Brooklyn, and Toronto are ahead of Wake County. He shared the operating expenses per capita and print circulation. 26

27 He shared the top four issues/challenges. Mr. Cope said the book budget has decreased, but staff is reviewing this. Digital books may have a significant impact on Wake County in the future. Less libraries will be needed if digital books become popular. He shared an example of the cost differences in hard back and digital e-book copies of books. He pointed out electronic books do not wear out. 27

28 Commissioner Calabria asked if circulation has decreased nationally. Commissioner Sullivan asked if the circulations numbers have decreased was the result of the reduction of library hours. Mr. Cope said every community is different, but it is a national trend. Mr. Cope said circulation is being built back up. Commissioner Holmes asked about the impacts at Hunt Library. Mr. Cope said the Hunt Library has great materials but has had no impact on Wake County Libraries. Commissioner Hutchinson said that the Wake County Parks System is unique. The County Parks and Recreation focuses on passive recreation more so than active recreation. He said there is diversity in the parks system and examples are: American Tabacco Trail Yates Mill Pond Lake Crabtree Commissioner Hutchinson complimented Mr. Snow and his staff. Chairman West asked how technology has impacted instant access to information at libraries. Mr. Cope said the county subscribes to databases for libraries. Libraries no longer purchase medical and reference books in text since the information is online. Chairman West thanked staff and said the presentations have provided the information needed. He said the challenge is to transfer the knowledge and continue to provide top notch service. Adjourn Meeting Adjourned at 5:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Denise Hogan Clerk to the Board 28