Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:09:15 -0500
From: virginia penley
Subject: BOC meeting notes, 1/21/2014
From Diana Hales, retired reporter:
*Commissioner Sally Kost resigned; Revised animal control ordinance allows “humane” 24-hour tethering; Rezoning requested for property across road from Sprunt Community Center in Moncure; Strata Solar to build another 1.99 megawatt solar farm off 15/501; Annual financial audit; Zero support for arts in budget*
*Work and Regular Sessions* (all present)
1. *Commissioner Sally Kost resigns*. Sally Kost is moving to Colorado in February. She spoke of her 10 years in Chatham and her commitment to open, citizen-based government. She said she was stunned by the lack of commissioner discussion at the recent budget planning retreat (January 10). Other issues she said were shortchanged by the current majority include, not combining and implementing the agriculture and land use plans, lack of aggressive pursuit of broadband for Chatham, lack of land-banking for future school sites, the fact that there has only been one joint meeting of the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners in three years, choosing not to work with regional planning organizations, ignoring Fracking issues that will affect Chatham’s air and water, choosing not to create a strategy for affordable housing, not funding the public health staff position to focus on childhood obesity, and not beginning the discussion to find a long-term solution to handling and co-mingling the county waste stream. She thanked the citizens for their involvement and
support. The Chatham County Democratic Party will make a recommendation to the BOC in February for her replacement from District 1.
2. *Animal Control Ordinance and tethering*. The 37-page ordinance was reduced by deleting word-for-word copying of state statutes and making technical corrections. There were two issues before the BOC: Tethering of dogs and holding times in the Animal Shelter before the animal is euthanized. Public comment focused on (a) complete ban on tethering dogs, which has been adopted by 167 jurisdictions in 25 states; (b) restricting tethering to a few hours a day; (c) discussion of tethering as cruel to dogs and harmful to humans; and (d) keeping the current 5-day holding period in shelter before animals are euthanized.
The revised ordinance added procedures for permanent “humane” tethering that includes shelter, food, water and specifications for length of tether, a buckle collar or harness that does not exceed 10% of animal’s body weight, and unobstructed range of motion. Dogs could be tethered 24 hours a day. A *second* tethering* option* would follow those procedures AND restrict daily tethering to 10 continuous hours, off tether for 2 hours,
and repeat. This option included an 18-month education campaign and would eventually require owners to get a permit to tether their dog. Bock, Petty, Stewart preferred the first “humane” option with no “arbitrary” time restrictions on tethering (therefore no enforcement problems), no permit is required, thus protecting property rights. The majority also wanted to keep the 5 (business) days holding option, even though the Animal Control officer had recommended 3 (business) days in the ordinance revisions because of a capacity issue at the animal shelter. They try to adopt the animals; euthanizing is last resort.
Walter Petty asked to pull the spay/neuter requirements from the revised Animal Control Ordinance for further discussion (property rights of dog breeders). Petty says wants to “encourage” spaying and neutering, but not require it when an animal is taken in to the shelter. Petty says if the same animal is picked up “over and over” then the animal could be spayed or neutered. With that section removed for further discussion in April, the BOC approved the Animal Control Ordinance with “humane” tethering restraint (no time limits) and retained the five (business) day holding period; 4 to 1 (Kost, no).
3. *Public hearing to rezone a parcel in Moncure.* This rezoning request by F Properties would zone their entire 1.77 acre parcel to B-1 Business, since about half of it is currently zoned as R-1 Residential. The property fronts on Old US 1 and is directly across from the Sprunt Community Center. Commissioner Mike Cross expressed community concerns that certain approved uses within a B-1 Business zoning include gun stores, ABC stores, and bars. The request was forwarded to the Planning Board.
4. *Public hearing for conditional use permit, Strata Solar.* Another 1.99 megawatt solar facility would be located on a 21 acre property on Vicker’s Road, just across Hwy 15/501 from Briar Chapel development. The
Appearance Committee has approved the request, and this item is referred to the Planning Board.
5. *Annual Audit of County Financial Report*. Very good financial management at the county. There was a Fund balance increase of $1.7 million this past fiscal year. Property taxes generated $56 million; Sales taxes increased $8.5 million (new WalMart not a factor in this); and debt is at $140 million, although according to State rules, Chatham County “could” carry debt up to $600 million.
6. *Nothing for Arts*. At the annual budget retreat Friday, January 10, the BOC decided how much money will be in the pot for grants to non-profit agencies. Kost asked for an increase to $250,000. They (4 to 1 vote) kept last year’s amount $233,000, with the stipulation that arts organizations cannot apply. Jon Spoon, Director of the North Carolina Arts Incubator, Siler City, asked for the BOC to reconsider its opposition to funding
non-profit arts programs. Spoon mentioned that 32 small businesses in Siler City are arts related and the community events, music, and bilingual arts education benefit citizens.