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HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-26-1998 Budget Session ~ ~ . 362 MINUTES HILLSBOROUGH TOWN BOARD March 26, 1998 7:30 p.m., Town Office Complex The Hillsborough Town Board met in budget session on Thursday, March 26, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Office Complex for the purpose of meeting with agencies requesting contributions from the Town. Present for the Board Meeting were Mayor Johnson, Commissioners Richard Simpson, Evelyn Lloyd, Kenneth Chavious, Catherine Martin, and Frances Dancy. Staff present were Town Manager Eric Peterson, Finance Director Sherry Carter, and Town Clerk Donna Armbrister. Others present were Margaret Henderson, Lee Rogers, Scott Phar, Ann Wagoner, Joyce Kuhn, Bob Ward, Robert Dowling, Frances Henderson, Tammy Jordan, Alan Mauer, Mary Jane Burns, Kathy Alberter, and Dean Debnam. Mayor Johnson Called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. I. REQUESTS FROM NON-PROFIT AGENCIES Orange County Rape Crisis Center Margaret Henderson appeared before the Board representing the Orange County Rape Crisis Center. Ms. Henderson explained that the Rape Crisis Center dedicates itself to ending sexual violence by providing educational services to promote the awareness and prevention of sexual violence and by supporting its victims. Ms. Henderson reported that the Center offers programs such as Support Groups, Crisis Intervention, Educational Services, and a Web Page. The Center offers support groups for survivors of sexual violence. In recent years groups have been held for adolescent survivors in the high schools, for secondary survivors of sexual assault, for adult survivors of child sexual abuse or incest, and for adult survivors of rape or sexual assault. The Center offers an on-going support group for non-offending parents of children who have been sexually abused. Experienced volunteers undergo 12 hours of Support Group Facilitation training before being paired with another volunteer to co-facilitate a group. An experienced counselor or therapist serves as a professional advisor to the co-facilitators. Groups typically meet once a week for 8-10 weeks. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center is requesting a contribution of $2,000 from the Town of Hills borough. 1 363 Orange County Historical Museum . Lee Rogers appeared before the Board requesting the [mancial assistance to complete a re-carpeting project. Ms. Rogers explained that they have obtained funding to purchase and lay the new carpet, but all of the museum pieces and cases of materials will have to be removed before the carpet is installed. The Orange County Historical Museum is requesting a contribution of $1 ,900 from the Town of Hillsborough to be used for this project. Mayor Johnson stated that the Board would consider this request, but also suggested that Ms. Rogers submit a grant application to the Tourism Board for these. funds. Orange County Rescue Squad Scott Phar appeared before the Board explaining that the Orange County Rescue Squad is a non-profit organization that provides heavy rescue services 24 hours a day, and also provides the primary County EMS provider with personnel certified at all emergency medical technician levels at night and on week ends. Mr. Phar informed the Board that heavy rescue services are challenging, and at time dangerous. The protective equipment they are required to use is quite expensive. . The Orange County Rescue Squad is requesting a contribution of$2,000. Orange Congregations in Mission Ann Wagoner addressed the Board explaining that Orange Congregations In Mission was created to minister to the urgent needs of citizens in Northern Orange County through the volunteer efforts of diverse congregations and individuals inspired by faith in God, and to enhance self-sufficiency and awareness of community resources. OCIM was incorporated in 1981 and is in it's 17th year of ministry. OCIM provides a Meals on Wheels program which offers a hot meal at the noon hour to the elderly and homebound; and a Samaritan Relief Ministry which continues to provide emergency services for those in need with food, clothing, utility payments and shelter. Orange Congregations in Mission is requesting a contribution of $3,000. Alternative Sentencing ~ Ms. Joyce Kuhn appeared before the Board representing Alternative Sentencing. Ms. Kuhn reporting that Alternative Sentencing is a Community Penalties Program which 2 .364 . targets prison-bound offenders and develops individualized written punishment plans to be presented to the sentencing Judge. The goals are to utilize local resources for the rehabilitation of motivated offenders stipulating appropriate measures to accomplish deterrence (punishment) and repayment of victims and/or performance of community service. Substance abuse treatment and/or vocational rehabilitation are often appropriate punishment options specifically provided for the Court to follow in the judgment. When these community-based punishments are used, tax dollars are saved which otherwise would have been spent on incarceration. Recidivism is reduced and victims are repaid. A social history is provided to the Court enabling the Judge to make a more informed decision. Resources appropriate for rehabilitation and punishment of a particular individual offender are researched, arrangements and specific recommendations are made. Alternative Sentencing is requesting a contribution in the amount of $250. Orange Community Housing Bob Ward and Robert Dowling appeared before the Board representing Orange Community Housing. They explained that Orange Community Housing, a non-profit developer of affordable housing, was created by the local municipalities of Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro in 1990. . Mr. Dowling informed the Board that due to the problems the organization incurred during the development of Magnolia Place, the organization has suffered budget deficit of approximately $40,000 which was supposed to have been funded by the development fees from the 42 homes developed by OCHC in Hillsborough. As a result, OCHC is asking their core government funders to provide sufficient support to allow OCHC to operate effectively without relying totally on development fees. Orange Community Housing is requesting a contribution in the amount of $10,000. Dispute Settlement Center Frances Henderson, Executive Director, appeared before the Board explaining that the Dispute Settlement Center provides free and low cost mediation services to residents of Hillsborough. During their last program year, they served 315 Hillsborough residents. Ms. Henderson informed the Board that when cases go through mediation, they experience an above 90% resolution rate. The Center provides mediation services for disputes involving consumer issues, property damages, simple assaults, communicating threats, harassment, landlord-tenant, and many other alimony, child support, an4 parenting on a sliding scale fee basis. The Dispute Settlement Center is requesting a contribution of$1,200. :~ 3 16~ KidSCope . Ms. Tammy Jordan appeared before the Board representing KidSCope. Ms. Jordan explained the KidSCope program provides support for Orange County's young children, their families and teachers by serving children birth to age six who are having emotional, social or behavioral difficulties in child care or at home. As a program of Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health Center, KidSCope offers free assistance for these preschoolers and the important adults in their lives. KidSCope currently offers individual child intervention, parent education, counseling and advocacy, and consultation to child care settings. KidSCope is requesting a contribution of $1 ,000. Hillsborougll Youth Athletic Association (BY AA) Alan Mauer, President of HY AA, appeared before the Board explaining that HY AA' s goal is to provide youth baseball for the children and youth of Orange County ages 5-17 in a supervised, structured, drug and alcohol free environment. Mauer told the Board that HY AA receives no Federal or State funding and exists "hand to mouth" year to year through fund raising activities and support from businesses, community groups, volunteers and Orange County Government contributions. ~ Mr. Mauer asked the Board to consider their request for a contribution from the Town in the amount of $4,800. The Women's Center Ms. Mary Jane Burns, Chair of the Women's Center, addressed the Board stating that the mission of The Women's Center is to provide a supportive community where women of all races, classes, religions, ages, and sexual orientations: · inspire each other to grow, both personally and professionally; · share strategies for self-sufficiency; · build problem solving skills; and · find encouragement, information, and referral, particularly in times of stress. Residents of Hillsborough use many ofthe services of The Women's Center, including legal information, information and referral, career/educational counseling, and community financial counseling. The Women's Center is requesting a contribution of$870. . 4 366 Orange County Learning Center (Literacy) . Kathy Alberter appeared before the Board representing the Orange County Learning Center. Ms. Alberter explained that the purpose of the Orange County Learning Center is to increase overall adult literacy levels in Orange County. The center offers free, one-to-one tutoring for adult non-readers or those with low literacy skills. Other programs include family literacy classes, small group classes, and a student support group for adult new readers. The center provides an intensive 12-hour initial training for ne volunteer tutors, with continuing training in the form of quarterly inservice workshops. Ms. Alberter informed the Board that an office and learning center is maintained at 118 N. Churton Street in Hillsborough which serves 25-30 new readers each year through the one-to-one tutoring program. Two ofthe Four annual training workshops for new tutors take place in Hillsborough. The Orange County Learning Center is requesting a contribution of $525 from the Town of Hillsborough. Day Care Services Association. Inc. ~ Dean Debnam representing Day Care Services Association addressed the Board stating that DCSA is a private, non-profit, tax exempt corporation dedicated to promoting affordable, accessible, high quality child care for families. DC SA performs three major functions: service, research and advocacy. These activities include: · family support services such as child care referral for all families and child care subsidy to help low income working families who cannot pay the full cost of quality child care; · support services that help child care providers operate more efficiently; · quality enhancement services such as scholarships for child care providers to take courses, salary supplements to improve the wages of child care workers and reduce turnover in programs, technical assistance and training; and · public policy research to understand the complex issues facing the early care and education system; and advocacy to improve the affordability, quality and accessibility of child care for all families. Day Care Services Association is requesting a contribution in the amount of $5,000 each year for the next five years for a total of $25,000 which would be used towards the purchase of a new building to house their operating facility. Mayor Johnson called an end to the agency's funding requests. . 5 ~ ~ ~ 3R7 II. ADJOURN Upon a motion by Commissioner Chavious, seconded by Commissioner Martin, the Board moved to adjourn at 9:40 by a vote of 5-0. The motion was declared passed. ~~ Respectfully submitted, Donna F. Annbrister, Town Clerk 6