Town Council

Town Hall TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Town Council Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Meeting Minutes - Final Mayor Pam Hemminger Council Member Paris Miller-Foushee Mayor pro tem Karen Stegman Council Member Michael Parker Council Member Jessica Anderson Council Member Amy Ryan Council Member Camille Berry Council Member Adam Searing Council Member Tai Huynh Wednesday, June 8, 2022 7:00 PM Virtual Meeting Language Access Statement Virtual Meeting Notification Town Council members will attend and participate in this meeting remotely, through internet access, and will not physically attend. The Town will not provide a physical location for viewing the meeting. The public is invited to attend. The Town of Chapel Hill wants to know more about who participates in its programs and processes, including Town Council business meetings and work sessions. Please participate in a voluntary demographic survey https://www.townofchapelhill.org/demosurvey before accessing the Zoom webinar registration. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar in listen-only mode. Phone: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 823 0813 9683 View Council meetings live at https://chapelhill.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx – and on Chapel Hill Gov-TV (townofchapelhill.org/GovTV). OPENING Mayor Hemminger opened the virtual meeting at 7:00 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. Page 1 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 ROLL CALL Mayor Hemminger called the roll and all Council Members replied that they were present. Present: 9 - Mayor Pam Hemminger, Mayor pro tem Karen Stegman, Council Member Jessica Anderson, Council Member Camille Berry, Council Member Paris Miller-Foushee, Council Member Tai Huynh, Council Member Michael Parker, Council Member Amy Ryan, and Council Member Adam Searing OTHER ATTENDEES Town Manager Maurice Jones, Deputy Town Manager Mary Jane Nirdlinger, Deputy Town Manager Loryn Clark, Town Attorney Ann Anderson, Public Housing Director Faith Brodie, Planning Director Colleen Willger, Assistant Planning Director Judy Johnson, Business Management Director Amy Oland, Assistant Business Management Director Matt Brinkley, Special Projects Manager Sarah Poulton, Planner I Jacob Hunt, Manager of Engineering & Infrastructure Chris Roberts, Public Works Director Lance Norris, Library Director Susan Brown, Library Assistant Director Meeghan Rosen, Planning Manager Corey Liles, Community Sustainability Manager John Richardson, and Deputy Town Clerk Amy Harvey. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS 0.01 Proclamation: LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Read by Mayor Pro [22-0525] Tem Stegman. Mayor pro tem Stegman said that June was annual LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Chapel Hill. She read a proclamation that described the Town's leadership role in advancing equal protection and freedom under the law and reaffirmed its opposition to discrimination, prejudice, homophobia and transphobia. The month of June would be a time to reflect on the achievements of the LGBTQ+ movement and the work that remained to be done, she read. The proclamation also noted the Council's vehement rejection of House Bill 755, which proposed to remove elementary schools’ curriculum that affirmed and protected LGBTQ+ students. The Council called on state leaders to focus instead on protecting all of North Carolina's children from discrimination and harm, Mayor pro tem Stegman read. Mayor Hemminger pointed out that Town activities related to LGBTQ+ Pride Month were listed on the Town calendar. This item was received as presented. 0.02 Proclamation: National Aphasia Month, Read by Council [22-0526] Member Ryan. Page 2 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 Council Member Ryan read a proclamation declaring June 2022 to be Stroke and Aphasia Awareness Month in Chapel Hill. She thanked Chapel Hill resident Jeffrey Charles for raising awareness about the language disorder that affects about 30 percent of stroke survivors. This item was received as presented. 0.03 Council Member Ryan Regarding Gun Violence Awareness [22-0527] Day. Council Member Ryan said that it had been heartening to see strong community support for smart gun control measures at a recent National Gun Violence Awareness Day at Peace & Justice Plaza. She thanked North Carolinians Against Gun Violence for presenting at the rally and said that the Town had sent a letter to elected officials asking them to support common sense gun measures. Mayor Hemminger reported that Senator Tillis was considering moving forward with bi-partisan support for sensible gun laws and that the NC House of Representatives had already passed that. She said that "letters do help" and encouraged everyone to continue writing to U.S. Senators Tillis and Burr. 0.04 Mayor Hemminger Regarding Future Meetings. [22-0528] Mayor Hemminger announced a virtual Council meeting on June 15th. She said that a public information meeting on a Bike and Pedestrian Wayfinding Plan would be held at the Public Library's back porch on June 14th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A virtual kick-off for Visioning the Future of Chapel Hill would occur on June 21, 2022, she said. 0.05 Council Member Searing Thanking Public Works Sanitation [22-0529] and Solid Waste Employees. Council Member Searing thanked the Public Works employees who had taken him on some of their routes and shown him their work. 0.06 Council Member Parker Regarding UNC Baseball. [22-0530] Council Member Parker congratulated UNC Baseball for winning the 2022 ACC regional championship. They will be hosting the super-regional championship in Chapel Hill on June 11th, he said. 0.07 Council Member Miller-Foushee Congratulations to Eliazar [22-0531] Posada, New Carrboro Council Member. Council Member Miller-Foushee congratulated Eliazar Posada, a recently sworn in new member of the Carrboro Town Council. Page 3 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 0.08 Council Member Barry Congratulations to UNC Women's [22-0532] Lacrosse Team; Comments Regarding Police Ride-Along. Council Member Berry congratulated the UNC Women's Lacrosse team for winning their national championship. She also thanked the Chapel Hill Police Department for allowing her to accompany them during a recent night-time shift. 0.09 Mayor Pro Tem Stegman Regarding The March For Our [22-0533] Lives. Mayor pro tem Stegman noted that a national March For Our Lives event was planned for Washington DC on June 11, 2022. A similar event would occur at Halifax Mall in Raleigh on that day, she said. 0.10 Mayor Hemminger Regarding Chapel Hill being Highlighted [22-0534] Regarding ARPA Funds at the USCM. Mayor Hemminger pointed out that the Town of Chapel Hill had been praised at a recent US Conference of Mayors meeting for its efforts to take an equity lens to its ARPA funding. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON PRINTED AGENDA AND PETITIONS FROM THE PUBLIC AND COUNCIL MEMBERS Petitions and other similar requests submitted by the public, whether written or oral, are heard at the beginning of each regular meeting. Except in the case of urgency and unanimous vote of the Council members present, petitions will not be acted upon at the time presented. After receiving a petition, the Council shall, by simple motion, dispose of it as follows: consideration at a future regular Council meeting; referral to another board or committee for study and report; referral to the Town Manager for investigation and report; receive for information. See the Status of Petitions to Council webpage to track the petition. Receiving or referring of a petition does not constitute approval, agreement, or consent. 1. Cultural Arts Commission Requests for Arts Funding, Amending [22-0497] the Membership, and Delaying Spring Appointments. A motion was made by Council Member Berry, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that the Council received and referred the petition. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 2. Jeffrey Charles Regarding Transportation Concerns on [22-0498] Homestead Road. Jeffery Charles, a Chapel Hill resident and former Transportation and Connectivity Board member, explained his petition that recommended widening and adding a roundabout at the intersection of Weaver Dairy Page 4 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 Road Extension and Homestead Road. Since it would likely take 10 years to get funding for such a project, the Town should start applying for that soon, he said. Mr. Charles noted that his petition also asked the Council to consider creating an advisory board to address current and future connectivity issues. He volunteered to serve on such a board, if the Council did create it. A motion was made by Council Member Berry, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that the Council received and referred the petition. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 2.1 Robert Beasley Request for Bolin Creek and Trail Monthly [22-0535] Testing. Robert Beasley read his petition requesting that the Council direct staff to implement monthly testing of Bolin Creek's surface water, stream sediment and drainage pathway soil. The petition also asked that Bolin Creek Trail soil be tested for contamination from 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, he said. A motion was made by Council Member Berry, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that the Council received and referred the petition. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. CONSENT Items of a routine nature will be placed on the Consent Agenda to be voted on in a block. Any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda by request of the Mayor or any Council Member. Approval of the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Council Member Ryan, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that R-1 be adopted, which approved the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 3. Approve the First Block of Consent Agenda Items. [22-0499] This resolution(s) and/or ordinance(s) was adopted and/or enacted. 4. Approve the Miscellaneous Budget Ordinance Amendment to [22-0500] Adjust Various Fund Budgets for FY 2021-22. This resolution(s) and/or ordinance(s) was adopted and/or enacted. 5. Adopt the Recommended 2022-2023 Capital Fund Program for [22-0501] Public Housing Renovations. Page 5 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 This resolution(s) and/or ordinance(s) was adopted and/or enacted. 6. Call a Legislative Hearing to Consider Annexing Property at [22-0502] 7300 Millhouse Road on September 14, 2022. This resolution(s) and/or ordinance(s) was adopted and/or enacted. 7. Adopt a Calendar of Council Meetings through December 2022. [22-0503] This resolution(s) and/or ordinance(s) was adopted and/or enacted. CONTINUED CONSENT Prior to a motion to approve the second consent resolution, there may be a motion to recuse one or more members who serve on governing boards of non-profit organizations being considered. 8. Approve the Second Block of Consent Agenda Items. [22-0504] The Council voted unanimously to formally recuse Council Member Miller-Foushee from voting on items related to the Interfaith Council and EmPOWERment, Inc., due to her professional association with both organizations. A motion was made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Huynh, that Council Member Miller-Foushee be recused from the Continued Consent vote. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Hemminger, Mayor pro tem Stegman, Council Member Anderson, Council Member Berry, Council Member Huynh, Council Member Parker, Council Member Ryan, and Council Member Searing Recused: 1 - Council Member Miller-Foushee Approval of the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Council Member Ryan, seconded by Council Member Anderson, to approve the second Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Hemminger, Mayor pro tem Stegman, Council Member Anderson, Council Member Berry, Council Member Huynh, Council Member Parker, Council Member Ryan, and Council Member Searing Recused: 1 - Council Member Miller-Foushee Approve the Second Block of Consent Agenda Items. [22-0504] Page 6 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 9. Adopt the Recommended 2022-2023 Community Development [22-0505] Block Grant Program Plan. This resolution(s) and/or ordinance(s) was adopted and/or enacted. 10. Approve the 2022-2023 HOME Investment Partnership Program [22-0506] Annual Plan. This resolution(s) and/or ordinance(s) was adopted and/or enacted. INFORMATION 11. Receive Upcoming Public Hearing Items and Petition Status [22-0507] List. This item was received as presented. 12. Pedestrian and Bicycle Wayfinding Plan Development and [22-0508] Progress Report. This item was received as presented. DISCUSSION 13. Consider the Final Budget and Related Items for FY 2022-23. [22-0509] Town Manager Maurice Jones reviewed the FY 2022-23 budget process and noted changes from his original proposal. He said that the overall budget was $129.3 million, with $74 million of that dedicated to the General Fund. The budget included a property tax rate of 52.2 cents, which represented a 0.8 cent increase for Transit, he said. Mr. Jones discussed a list of 2023 funding initiatives and said that the proposed budget would help lay a framework for a five-year budget strategy that would be discussed in depth in the fall. He recommended that the Council enact Ordinance 9, which would establish the FY 2022-2023 budget beginning on July 1, 2022. Council adoption of Resolution 8 would approve funds for the non-profit agencies that the Human Services Advisory Board had recommended, he said. The Mayor and Council thanked the Manager and staff for their hard work and for being flexible regarding several last-minute changes. Council Member Miller-Foushee thanked residents as well for coming out and advocating for a budget that really would reflect community values. Mayor Hemminger pointed out that several Council Members would need to recuse themselves from voting on Ordinance 9 and Resolution 8 due to their connection with non-profits that would receive funds. Page 7 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 A motion was made by Council Member Ryan, seconded by Council Member Huynh, that the Council agreed to recuse Council Member Miller-Foushee. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Hemminger, Mayor pro tem Stegman, Council Member Anderson, Council Member Berry, Council Member Huynh, Council Member Parker, Council Member Ryan, and Council Member Searing Recused: 1 - Council Member Miller-Foushee A motion was made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Parker, that the Council enacted O-9 . The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Hemminger, Mayor pro tem Stegman, Council Member Anderson, Council Member Berry, Council Member Huynh, Council Member Parker, Council Member Ryan, and Council Member Searing Recused: 1 - Council Member Miller-Foushee A motion was made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Mayor pro tem Stegman, that the Council recuse Council Members Miller-Foushee, Berry, Huynh, and Parker. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Mayor Hemminger, Mayor pro tem Stegman, Council Member Anderson, Council Member Ryan, and Council Member Searing Recused: 4 - Council Member Berry, Council Member Miller-Foushee, Council Member Huynh, and Council Member Parker A motion was made by Council Member Ryan, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that the Council adopt R-8 . The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Mayor Hemminger, Mayor pro tem Stegman, Council Member Anderson, Council Member Ryan, and Council Member Searing Recused: 4 - Council Member Berry, Council Member Miller-Foushee, Council Member Huynh, and Council Member Parker 14. Consider Approving Town Use of ARPA Funds and Provide [22-0510] Feedback on Community Partner Application Process. Page 8 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 Director of Business Management Amy Oland began the staff presentation regarding which Town projects were being considered for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Staff's recommended projects include those to which the Council had already consented and some for which staff believed it had heard broad Council support, she said. Ms. Oland asked Council Members to state whether staff had captured their priorities correctly and to provide input on the proposed application process for community partners. She discussed a potential timeline for dispersing ARPA funds and said she hoped to begin the project presentation phase in September 2022. Ms. Oland said that staff believed the Council strongly supported moving forward on the following four projects: Cedar Falls artificial turf ($1,150,000), East Morgan Creek Trail design ($500,000); Chapel Hill Public Library AV system ($300,000); and the Homestead Aquatics Center HVAC system ($1,200,000). The total cost for those projects would be $3.15 million, she said. Ms. Oland noted that the Morgan Creek Trail/Phase 3 project would cost $4 million but that staff had heard Council support for determining how much design only would cost. She pointed out that the Aquatics Center would need to be closed if the HVAC system failed. She said that the AV system at the Public Library's meeting room was not currently capable of handling hybrid meetings. Ms. Oland listed other priorities for bikes, pedestrians and greenways and pointed out that the Pickleball Association had pledged to raise $400,000 in matching funds for new courts. The Council had expressed interest in making repairs at the Teen Center ($150,000) as well, she said. Special Projects Manager Sarah Poulton reviewed next steps in the application process for projects by community partners. She said that staff had modified the ARPA eligibility criteria to address two types of needs: big, bold new programs that were not business as usual; and normal operations that had been expanded during the pandemic and would maintain at that higher level when ARPA funds were dispersed in early 2023. Ms. Poulton discussed Town guidance and training opportunities for helping community partners submit strong applications. She described the community partner application review process and outlined a plan to use an equity scorecard when comparing projects. She said that staff hoped to launch the application process in late June or early July 2022. Several Council Members expressed concern about equity issues related to the Pickleball Association being able to raise enough money to jump ahead in line. They confirmed with staff, however, that they were Page 9 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 currently only being asked to decide on the four projects that staff had recommended as highest priorities. Council Member Ryan asked for more information about the Public Library's request, and Ms. Oland explained that the current system would not be able to manage combination ZOOM/in person Council meetings and work sessions. Council Member Searing confirmed that a proposed $75,000 for the skate park would go toward replacing boards, not creating a modern park. Most skate park users probably would see that as a waste of money, he said, and Mayor Hemminger asked staff to find out what redesigning would cost. Perhaps the $75,000 could be put toward that instead, she said. Council Member Parker verified with Mr. Jones that staff had been talking with the Soccer Association about possible contributions to the cost of new turf. Mr. Jones proposed that the Council allocate the funds and then begin that conversation. However, contributing funds would lead soccer clubs to expect a reduction in their fees, which would affect the Town's revenue, he pointed out. Delores Bailey, executive director of EmPOWERment, Inc., expressed concerned about the current Teen Center and encouraged the Council to make the necessary repairs and improvements that would make it a special and safe place for young people to gather. She said that $150,000 would not be sufficient, and she asked the Council to stop procrastinating with regard to that need. The Mayor and Council expressed support for spending the $3.15 million on the four projects that Town staff had recommended: Cedar Falls artificial turf; East Morgan Creek Trail design; Chapel Hill Public Library AV system; and the Homestead Aquatics Center HVAC system. The Council emphasized the importance of repairing the Teen Center and several Council Members recommended talking with teens to find out what they want and if they prefer a different location. However, Council Member Miller-Foushee pushed back on the notion that teens would ever want to be in the current space, which had been neglected for years. The Teen Center needed to be a top-notch location that reflected Town values and much more needed to be done there than just fixing the plumbing and lights, she said. Council Member Parker proposed investing in short-term repairs at the Teen Center and then getting a comprehensive view of what would work best for teens. Council Member Ryan agreed that strategic and comprehensive planning would be needed after the Town made the necessary repairs. Page 10 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 The Mayor and Council discussed talking with teens again about their needs and desires, since much time had passed since the last survey. Council Member Berry proposed engaging with pre- and post-teens as well. Some Council Members pointed out that the Municipal Services Center might present an option for a Teen Center, and Mr. Jones said that funds could be set aside for addressing Teen Center needs in the fall. Council Member Ryan commented that a splash pad did not need to be elaborate, and she proposed combining one with the inclusive playground. Council Member Searing said that $500,000 seemed like a lot of money for the Morgan Creek Trail design and that a natural surface trail would cost much less. Mayor Hemminger pointed out, however, that the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and others would need to approve that trail before it could be submitted for grant funds. The Town would have to spend that amount on design, regardless of the surface, before it could move forward, she said. Council Members Stegman and Berry commented on the Pickleball Association's fund-raising ability being a possible equity issue, but Council Member Ryan pointed out that pickleball was a very popular sport that was greatly undeserved in Town. She wanted it to remain as part of the Town's strategic planning process, she said. Mayor Hemminger explained that she had suggested that the Pickleball Association try and raise matching funds in order to reduce the amount of ARPA funding they would need. She understood the concerns about equity, but the Association was not trying to jump the line or buy its way in, she said. She pointed out that pickleball was an inclusive sport that did not charge fees and was not a club. The group trained and lent equipment to anyone who wanted to come and was trying to expand because it was so popular and overcrowded, she said. A motion was made by Council Member Parker, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that the Council enact O-10. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. ZONING ATLAS AMENDMENT Zoning Atlas Amendment: The Zoning Atlas Amendment, to change the zoning designation on this property, is Legislative. The Council receives and considers public comment on the merits of the proposed rezoning, including opinions, when making Legislative decisions. 15. Close the Legislative Hearing and Consider an Application for [22-0511] Conditional Zoning -PEACH Apartments, 107 Johnson Street. Town staff presented a Conditional Zoning application for PEACH Apartments, a 10-unit affordable housing project proposed to be built on a Page 11 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 one-acre vacant lot. There had been no adjustments or changes to the plan since a May 4, 2022, legislative hearing, when an additional setback for ride shares and pick up had been proposed, he said. Mayor Hemminger said that there appeared to be no conflicts of interest or rezoning issues, and the Council voted unanimously to approve the application. A motion was made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Mayor pro tem Stegman, that the Council close the legislative hearing. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. A motion was made by Mayor pro tem Stegman, seconded by Council Member Berry, that the Council adopt R-9. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. A motion was made by Council Member Parker, seconded by Council Member Berry, that the Council enact O-11. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. CONTINUED DISCUSSION 16. Open a Public Hearing to Consider a Request to Close an [22-0512] Unimproved and Unpaved Portion of Stinson Street Public Right-of-Way. Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure Chris Roberts presented a request to close an unimproved and unpaved portion of the Stinson Street public right-of-way (ROW). He reviewed the ROW closing rules and said that the Council's decision should be based on whether the closing would be detrimental to the public interest or the property rights of any individual. Mr. Roberts showed the location on a map and said that the process had begun with a request to close the ROW on May 27, 2022. The requester owned the only two fronting properties and the closing would not deny access to any adjacent property, he said. He pointed out that there had been no objections to the closing and recommended that the Council open and close the public hearing and consider approving the closing. A motion was made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Mayor pro tem Stegman, that the Council close the public hearing. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. A motion was made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Berry, that the Council adopt R-11. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Page 12 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 17. Consider Library Internet Use Policy and Internet Filtering. [22-0513] Public Library Director Susan Brown gave a PowerPoint presentation on the 1999 Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which was intended to prevent children from accessing pornography and other explicit visual content at their schools and libraries. She said that local and national reactions to CIPA had led an eventual US Supreme Court ruling that CIPA was constitutional. In order to be CIPA compliant and eligible for federal funds, schools and libraries must adopt an internet safety policy that includes a technology protection measure, Ms. Brown said. She explained that the Town had not become complaint because an earlier Council had had concerns about over-filtering and preventing access to searches on topics such as sexual preferences and gender identity. Ms. Brown said that federal funding for library technology had increased in recent years and that some of it was for digital inclusion and equity. As a result, the Library board had created a CIPA Working Group (WG) to look at the filtering issue again, she said. Assistant Library Director Meeghan Rosen reported that the WG had looked at various filtering systems and determined that any the Town installed would need to do the following: default to minimum filtering; allow staff to configure it easily and quickly; be simple to administer and quick to override if an adult requested; and provide reports that show what had been filtered out. Ms. Rosen said that the WG had narrowed its focus to one solution, which happened to be the one that Orange County peers had been using and were highly satisfied with. That system successfully met the WG's requirements for not over filtering, she said. Ms. Brown recommended that the Town pursue CIPA compliance by installing a minimal internet filter on Library-owned, public computers. Approving Resolution 12 would authorize the Town Manager to revise the Library's Internet Use Policy and install an internet filtering device that restricts access to pornographic images on Library-owned public computers, she said. Council Member Berry confirmed that signs would be posted at the Library regarding how adults could ask for the filter to be removed. The Council agreed that the program, as described, would meet the law without disrupting patrons' searches, and they thanked staff for finding a solution. Mayor pro tem Stegman confirmed with Ms. Brown that the Library would provide Council with a progress report about a year after implementation. Page 13 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 A motion was made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Berry, that the Council adopt R-12. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 18. Update the Standing Advisory Board Membership Policy to [22-0514] Allow Boards to Act to Approve or Deny Matters under Remote Participation Parameters on an Ongoing Basis. Senior Planner Corey Liles gave a brief PowerPoint presentation on a proposed update to the Town's policy on advisory boards that would allow the remote participation that had begun in April 2020 to continue. He said that remote participation due to COVID-19 had led to improvements in attendance, productivity, participation and morale. He explained that the proposed change would allow board meetings to be fully remote, fully in person, or a hybrid. Mr. Liles pointed out that opportunities for remote Board of Adjustment and Historic District Commission meetings were limited, however, due to state law regarding quasi-judicial hearings. Staff recommended that those two boards resume meeting in person after the current COVID-19 state-of-emergency ends, he said. He said that Council adoption of Resolution 13 would update the Standing Advisory Board Membership Policy's remote participation parameters. Council Member Ryan proposed beginning the change with one or two boards and then increasing. After confirming that the Town did not currently provide laptops and/or internet access for board members, she proposed looking into doing so in the same way that the Town provides childcare and transportation assistance. Council Member Berry agreed with Council Member Ryan's comments. She could see the positive side but hoped the change would not create another barrier to participation, she said. A motion was made by Mayor pro tem Stegman, seconded by Council Member Huynh, that the Council adopt R-13. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 19. Consider Staff Response to Environmental Stewardship [22-0515] Advisory Board Petition Regarding Electrification. Community Sustainability Manager John Richardson presented a staff response to a January 2022 petition from the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board, which asked the Council to consider adopting policies aimed at transitioning the community to all electric buildings. Mr. Richardson described the Town's Climate Action Plan, which included emissions reduction and clean renewable energy targets for 2030 and Page 14 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 2050. He pointed out that the Plan proposed that 40 percent of new buildings be all-electric by 2025 and 100 percent by 2030. He said that most to the projects the Town was currently seeing within its development review process were either all-electric or all-electric ready. Mr. Richardson pointed out that the report from staff included three tentative policy options for Council evaluation as well as questions designed to help staff and Council evaluate the proposed policies. If the Council wished, staff members could explore the issue further and bring something back for Council consideration in the fall, he said. Council Member Parker confirmed with Mr. Richardson that cities that had been adopting electrification policies were located in states where local authorities had the power to make such decisions. In North Carolina, though, municipalities were looking at ways to incentivize electrification within the existing legal framework, Mr. Richardson said. Council Member Parker verified that adopting such policies could create difficulty for the Town from a legal perspective and/or lead the State of North Carolina to add further restrictions. Town Attorney Ann Anderson said that the legal authority to prohibit certain types of fuel uses on private property in North Carolina was uncertain. However, the Town could do as it wished on its own property, she pointed out. Council Member Parker expressed strong support for seeing how far the Town could legally push the initiatives, and Mayor Hemminger agreed. She pointed out that asking developers to be solar ready and to include EV charging stations in new buildings had led to a situation where they were now coming forward with those. She strongly supported making all-electric a standard that the Council asks for every time an applicant brings a proposal forward for a new or renovated building, she said. Council members signaled agreement and Mayor Hemminger asked Mr. Richardson to return with more information. She recommended that he direct staff to encourage electrification when projects come in for review. This item was received as presented. APPOINTMENTS 20. Appointments to the Community Design Commission. [22-0516] The Council reappointed Susan Lyons and John Weis to the Community Design Commission. The Council seeks additional applicants to the Community Design Commission. 21. Appointments to the Community Policing Advisory Committee. [22-0517] The Council reappointed Simon Palmore and Tim Pressley and appointed Page 15 of 16 Town Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022 Devin Ceartas to the Community Policing Advisory Committee. 22. Appointments to the Housing Advisory Board. [22-0518] The Council reappointed Rex Mercer and Dustin Mills to the Housing Advisory Board. The Council seeks Non-Profit Housing Provider/Professional applicants to the Housing Advisory Board. 23. Appointments to the Parks, Greenways, and Recreation [22-0519] Commission. The Council appointed Shane Brogan, Marcella Twamley, and Christopher Worrell to the Parks, Greenways and Recreation Commission. 24. Appointments to the Transportation and Connectivity Advisory [22-0520] Board. The Council reappointed Heather Brutz and appointed Stephen Bevington and Joseph Johnston to the Transportation and Connectivity Advisory Board. ADJOURNMENT This meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m. Page 16 of 16