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HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-27-2000 Budget Session .. . .. 238 MINUTES HILLSBOROUGH TOWN BOARD March 27, 2000 7:30 p.m., Town Office Complex The Hillsborough Town Board met in budget session on Monday, March 27th 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 Brian Lowen, Kenneth Chavious, Mark Sheridan, Evelyn Lloyd, and Frances Dancy. Staff present were Town Manager Eric Peterson, Finance Director Sherry Carter and Town Clerk Donna Armbrister. Others present were Frances Henderson, Margaret Barrett, Kay Stagner, John Marsh, Fletcher Barber, Sheila Sholes-Ross, Heather Ferrell, Lucy Lewis, Ray deFriess, Robert Dowling, and Barbara Delon. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. I. REQUESTS FROM NON-PROFIT AGENCIES 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. 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, and parenting on a sliding scale fee basis. The Dispute Settlement Center is requesting a contribution of $2,000. Orange County Rape Crisis Center Margaret Barrett appeared before the Board representing the Orange County Rape Crisis Center. Ms. Barrett 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. Barrett 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 I 239 . 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 $5,000 from the Town of Hillsborough. OCIM (Orange Congregations In Mission) Kay Stagner appeared before the Board representing OCIM. Ms. Stagner explained that by ministering to the poor in Hillsborough, the Samaritan Relief Ministry is providing the Town with actual resources to avoid hunger and the lack of basic qualities of life such as shelter, running water, electricity and clothing. This ministry makes available to churches and public agencies an immediate solution to problems that directly impact individuals as well as the community as a whole. This ministry provides a calm, safe and respectful atmosphere where clients can receive food and financial assistance with their self-respect intact. . OCIM is requesting a contribution of$3,000 from the Town of Hills borough. Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association (HY AA) John Marsh and Fletcher Barber 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. Mr. Marsh 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. Marsh asked the Board to consider their request for a contribution from the Town in the amount of $4,000. Communities In Schools of Orange County, Inc. (CISOC) . Sheila Sholes-Ross appeared before the Board representing CISOC. Ms. Sholes- Ross explained that their mission is to connect needed resources with schools to help children successfully learn, stay in school, and prepare for life. They provide parents a support system and aid teachers with the academic development of students. The program structure monitors academic progress, attendance, student/family emotional and 2 240 .' physical well-being: issues that can affect and delay student success. CISOC also provides funding for summer camps; engage community leaders to provide "shadowing" experiences and arrange field trips to broaden student learning and life experiences. CISOC strives to promote student achievement on End of Grade tests, improve student behavior/attitudes and reduce the rate of absenteeism and dropout rate of students associated with the program. CISOC is requesting a contribution in the amount of$3,000 from the Town. Communities In Schools of Orange County, Inc. (CISOC) for Orange County Middle School After School Program Sheila Sholes-Ross addressed the Board representing the CISOC for Orange County Middle School After School Program (MSAS). The MSAS program provides positive educational, social, and recreational support for middle school adolescents during after- school hours. This funding application focuses on MSAS as a program and non-CISOC as an organization. Under the auspices of CISOC, the MSAS initiative is an excellent means by which to connect students with needed resources. The program provides the community a safe haven for youth to address academic deficiencies through tutorial assistance and enhances developmental success through cultural enrichment activities. . MSAS is requesting a contribution in the amount of $8,000 from the Town. The Trading Path Preservation Association Heather Ferrell, Orange High School student volunteer, appeared before the Board representing The Trading Path Preservation Association. Ms. Ferrell explained that a group of nine Orange High School student volunteers have been surveying the remnants of two very important old roads on Hillsborough owned property west of Town, near Lake Ben Johnson. These were the main roads to Wilmington and to Salisbury tied to Hillsborough by King Street. The student objective for this year is to survey the roads, identify and contact affected landowners, and prepare a presentation for the Town Board. This presentation, which is tentatively scheduled for the Board's April Board Meeting, will request permission and assistance to proceed with the development of a hiking trail for the Town. The Trading Path Preservation Association is requesting a contribution in the amount of $2,500 from the Town of Hills borough. Orange County Learning Center (Literacy) . Lucy Lewis appeared before the Board representing the Orange County Learning Center. Ms. Lewis explained that the pwpose ofthe Orange County 3 241 . 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 new volunteer tutors, with continuing training in the form of quarterly in-service workshops. The Orange County Learning Center is requesting a contribution of $700 from the Town of Hills borough. Orange County Rescue Squad Ray deFriess 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. deFriess 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 $2,500. . Orange Community Housing Robert Dowling appeared before the Board representing Orange Community Housing. Mr. Dowling 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 stated that Orange Community Housing remains committed to building quality, affordable housing in this area. Since finishing Magnolia Place, OCHC has begun talking to developers in Hillsborough about additional opportunities for affordable housing. There remains a strong need for both affordable home ownership and rentals. Orange Community Housing is requesting a contribution in the amount of$2,000 from the Town of Hillsborough. The Women's Center . Ms. Barbara DeLon 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; 4 . . . 242 . share strategies for self-sufficiency; build problem solving skills; and find encouragement, information, and referral, particularly in times of stress. . . Residents of Hills borough 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$1,000. Mayor Johnson called an end to the agency's funding requests. Mayor Johnson reminded the Board of the Assembly of Governments meeting that is scheduled for Thursday, March 30th at the Homestead Center regarding Facilities Planning. II. ADJOURN Upon a motion by Commissioner Dancy, seconded by Commissioner Sheridan, the Board moved to adjourn at 9:30 PM by a vote of 5-0. The motion was declared passed. I:d.~~ Donna F. Armbrister, Town Clerk 5