Categories
Miscellany

Board of Commissioners agenda

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
7:30 p.m.
Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC

1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
2. Public Comments
(We would appreciate you signing the pad ahead of time so that you are not overlooked.)
a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
(These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.)
3. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
4. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
The Board will consider correcting and/or approving the minutes from January 22 and 27, 2009 as submitted by the Clerk to the Board.
b. Appointments
(1) Commission for the Environment – Reappointments
The Board will consider making reappointments to the Commission for the Environment.
(2) Orange-Person-Chatham Area Programs Board – Reappointments
The Board will consider making reappointments to Orange-Person-Chatham Area Programs Board.
c. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Release/Refunds
The Board will consider adoption of a refund resolution related to 58 requests for motor vehicle property tax releases or refunds in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes.
d. Applications for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion
The Board will consider three (3) untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem taxation for the 2008 tax year.
e. Advertisement of Tax Liens on Real Property
The Board will consider a report on the amount of unpaid taxes for the current year that are liens on real property as required by North Carolina General Statute 105-369 and to request March 18, 2009 be set by the Board as the date for the tax lien advertisement.
f. Central Orange Senior Center Custodial Contract
The Board will consider approving a contract with OE Enterprises, Inc. for custodial services at the new Central Orange Senior Center and authorize the Manager to sign.
g. Sales Contract Between the Visitors Bureau and the Hyland Group
The Board will consider a request for a contract between the Visitors Bureau and the Hyland Group, a sales firm in Washington, DC that works with visitors bureaus to increase leads and bookings for facilities and hotels, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney.
h. Bid Award: Phase 2 Justice Facility Renovation Asbestos Abatement
The Board will consider awarding a bid to Environmental Holding Group of Morrisville, North Carolina in the amount of $39,900 for asbestos removal and disposal from specific areas within the Courthouse renovation area; and authorize the Director of Purchasing to execute the necessary paperwork.
i. Orange County Landfill Sewer Dedication to OWASA
The Board will consider dedicating a sewer utility line to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) constructed to serve the Orange County Landfill and Animal Services Facility, contingent upon final Attorney review; and authorize the Chair to sign.
j. Resolution Declaring February 24 as Spay Neuter Day USA
The Board will consider a resolution declaring February 24, 2009 as “Spay Neuter Day USA” in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign.
k. Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (Schools APFO) – Approval of Corrected Membership and Capacity Numbers for Orange County Schools
The Board will consider approval of revised November 14, 2008 membership and capacity numbers for Orange County Schools (OCS) which will be used in developing 10-year student membership projections and the 2009 SAPFO Technical Advisory Committee Report.
l. UNC/Orange County Landfill Gas Agreement
The Board will consider approval of the final agreement establishing the Orange County/University of North Carolina (UNC) Landfill Gas Recovery Project and authorize the Chair to sign.
5. Public Hearings
6. Regular Agenda
a. Acceptance of County Master Aging Report for 2007-2008 and Approve Priorities for 2009
The Board will consider reviewing and accepting the Orange County Master Aging Plan Annual Report covering an eighteen-month period from July 2007 through 2008 and approve priorities for calendar year 2009.
b. Memorandum of Understanding – Jordan Lake Partnership
The Board will consider adopting a memorandum of understanding to join a partnership of area local governments and water providers in a Jordan Lake water supply initiative, including water supply planning, potential joint future allocation requests and a possible future water intake and treatment facility and authorize the manager to sign.
c. Federal Stimulus Package
The Board will consider approving a list of projects for the Federal Stimulus Appropriation Package and the resubmission of two projects for the Trans-HUD Subcommittee to Congressman David Price’s office.
d. Information Technology Strategic Plan
The Board will consider approving the Strategic Technology Plan as developed by County staff and the Information Technologies Advisory Committee.
e. Alamance County/Orange County Boundary Line NCGS Survey
The Board will consider a report on the results of the North Carolina Geodetic Survey (NCGS) and the public outreach and to discuss strategies to resolve Alamance/Orange Boundary line issues.
7. Reports
8. Board Comments (Three Minute Time Limit Per Commissioner)
9. County Manager’s Report
10. Appointments
a. Commission for Women – New Appointment
The Board will consider making one new appointment to the Commission for Women.
11. Information Items
12. Closed Session
13. Adjournment

Categories
Miscellany

What’s at Market

Here’s what’s at the Carrboro Year Round Farmers Market:

Tulips, daffodils, lettuce, hydroponic basil, chard, spring onions, pac choy, flour, onions, garlic, arugula, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, fresh herbs, kale, leeks, mustard greens, salad greens, spinach, sweet potatoes, turnips, turnip greens, winter squashes, pecans, NEW chicken-sausage, maple sausage, smoked ham, smoked ham hocks, liverwurst, lamb, bacon, chicken, eggs, cow’s milk cheeses, breads, doughnuts, tortes, pies, cakes, jams, and relishes

The Carrboro Year Round Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9am-Noon on the Town Commons next to Town Hall. Starting Saturday, March 14th our Market hours change to 7am-Noon.

Categories
Food

Potage of sweet potato, lentils, and sage

Recipe Provided by: Dorette Snover, chef and owner of C’est Si Bon Cooking School

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 2/3 cups coarsely chopped onion
1 large clove garlic, coarsely chopped
6 slices prosciutto
2 fresh sage leaves, chopped
1 cup red lentils
6 cups no-salt-added chicken stock
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper flakes, optional
4 cups cooked sweet potatoes
2 cups heavy cream
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Procedure:

heat oil in a heavy soup pot large enough to hold all the ingredients. Sauté onion until it begins to brown (about 10 minutes). Add garlic and sauté, stirring, for 30 seconds. add prosciutto. crisp and remove. when cool, chop and set aside for garnish.

add sage, lentils, stock and bring to a boil. add hot pepper flakes, sweet potatoes, and heavy cream. reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until lentils are soft. garnish with chopped prosciutto.

The Carrboro Year Round Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 9am-Noon on the Town Commons next to Town Hall. Starting Saturday, March 14th our hours change to 7am-Noon.

Categories
Weather

Minimal impact

Even if it does snow, it is not going to snow much. Not only is it not going to snow much, it’s not even going to rain all that much.
So, you can stop freaking out any time now.
From the forecast discussion:

1000-850MB THICKNESS VALUES SUPPORT A CHANGE OVER FROM RAIN TO SNOW IN THE TRIAD BY 06Z…WITH A CHANGE OVER OR MIXING OF RAIN AND SNOW FURTHER SOUTH AND EAST BY 12Z. THIS IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE PREVIOUS FORECAST. IT IS STILL IMPORTANT TO STRESS AT THIS TIME THAT EVEN WITH A CHANGE OVER TO SNOW…FORECAST LOWS FOR MONDAY MORNING WILL BARELY REACH FREEZING…AND NORMAL TO ABOVE NORMAL DAYTIME TEMPERATURES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS WILL LIKELY KEEP THIS EVENT TO MINIMAL IMPACT.

Categories
Sports

Game time vs. Miami

This for planning purposes only — The Tar Heel Men’s Basketball team plays at 7:45 p.m. Sunday in Coral Gables, Florida. Coral Gables is home to the Miracle Mile, which has some nice tile work and is based on the vision of a walkable downtown. The game is being broadcast on Fox Net. From the official game guide:

No. 3/3 North Carolina (22-2, 8-2) will play its second game of a stretch of four games in ten days when it travels to face Miami (15-8, 4-6) on Sunday night.. The Tar Heels beat Duke 101-87 in Durham on Wednesday night to win its eighth straight game and take sole possession of first place in the ACC. Miami is coming off of a 78-75 overtime loss at Duke on February 7th. The Hurricanes have had eight days off. Carolina leads the all-time series between the two schools, 12-2. Carolina has won four in a row in the series. Carolina is 4-1 at Miami.

Categories
Community The Eater

Hashed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Chestnuts

Recipe Provided by: Sheri Castle from Creative Cooking with Sheri Castle

Ingredients

2 pounds small, fresh Brussels sprouts**
8 ounces bacon*, diced
1/2 to 3/4 cup chicken stock
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
1 cup roasted chestnuts, chopped (dry pack from a jar is fine)

Procedure
1.Trim the ends of the sprouts and shred them with a knife or with the shredding dish of a food processor. Set aside.
2.Cook the bacon in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove the bacon to paper towels with a slotted spoon.
3.Add the sprouts to the skillet and stir to coat with the bacon drippings. Drizzle a little of the chicken stock over them, put the lid on, and cook, stirring often, until they soften, about 15 minutes. Add more chicken stock if they get dry. The sprouts should be tender, but not soggy.
4.Season with salt and pepper.
5.Taste and add the sugar if needed.
6.Stir in the chestnuts and bacon.
7.Serve warm.

The Carrboro Farmers Market runs from 9am-Noon every Saturday.

Categories
Miscellany

NC cut of the stimulus

Mark Binker at the News and Record has the release from Gov. Perdue’s office.
NC got zip in rail money and as he notes school construction is out. From the end of the doc, the grand total:

NC TOTAL FOR THOSE ITEMS WITH CURRENT ESTIMATES:
House: $7,361,363,000
Senate: $5,462,631,000
Conference: $6,089,387,000

Categories
Arts & Music

Old Ceremony at The Cradle

With Roman Candle. Sounds like a fine Valentine show. This from them:

You are cordially invited to the release of The Old Ceremony’s third album “Walk on Thin Air” this Saturday at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro (February 14th- Valentine’s Day). I suggest that you buy tickets in advance in case it should sell out (http://www.catscradle.com/tickets.html). We are very happy to be playing at the Cradle with our friends Roman Candle and will have some surprises up our sleeves . . .

Categories
Miscellany

Mobil Guide honors local eateries

The Mobil guide has bestowed its prestigious four-star rating to two area eateries:

The Carolina Inn’s Carolina Crossroads, which won the designation for the ninth year, serves Southern cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in an upscale atmosphere.

The Fearrington House Restaurant, a certified Green Restaurant, serves sophisticated contemporary cuisine in an elegant country inn setting.

Only two other establishments in North Carolina earned four stars: Cary’s Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Charlotte’s Gallery restaurant.

Categories
Miscellany

Last-minute V-Day tips

We know it’s been a busy week and maybe the whole Valentine’s Day timely tips for you.

First, if you’re just getting around to thinking about what to give your darling, check our gift Guidelines for Valentine’s Day giving.

If chocolate’s a must-have for your Valentine, considering buying it from one of our fine local providers listed here.

And if you’re planning to cook up something for your loved one, remember these helpful hints from Glasshalfull Chef Ricky Moore:

• Don’t be generic about it. You could buy that heart-shaped box of chocolates, but don’t.
• Let your passion for your loved one drive your choice of dish and ingredients.
• Remember that cooking for someone is one of the most intimate things you can do. That’s good stuff.

Categories
Miscellany

Win Whole Trade Flowers for a Year!

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/floralsweepstakes/index.php