Agenda - 01-22-2009 - 6e - Laserfiche WebLink

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14 Ms. Blackmon stated there was a collaborative work group that had worked over the summer and would begin bringing various discussion topics back to the various boards, such as how to fund that group to continue to move forward. She said the consultant for that particular project was paid for by Durham, noting that group was mostly staff-based. She said they were moving forward rapidly, and had identified the issues which were centered on allocation from Jordan Lake as well as the western intake. 9:05:39 PM Commissioner Cross stated one issue he believed they needed to work on quickly as a group was the 2009 legislative session coming up, noting now was the time to take advantage of that opportunity and come together on some proposals to put before the legislators for that 2009 session to request funds for the bus transportation partnership, as well as for a water partnership. He stated those issues needed to be pushed, and that those issues should also be included on TJCOG's list of legislative goals as well. Mayor Chilton suggested that they form the type of work group outlined in the materials, but restrict it initially to discussion of transportation issues between Orange and Chatham Counties and see where that discussion led them. He said they could then see what other opportunties might arise to discuss other issues. Commissioner Cross suggested that the best place to start would be to have their managers and staff begin that process, and then have the elected officials involved. Mayor Chilton asked was it contemplated that some action would be taken on this work group proposal tonight. Commissioner Jacobs suggested that representatives of Hillsborough think about whether they wanted to participate in that discussion and whether the rest of the group would welcome it, because Hillsborough did have a water allocation reserved from Jordan Lake but the Board had decided it was not worth paying the annual rent for the privilege of perhaps getting water some day. He said Hillsborough was a part of the community, and he would be interested in knowing whether they wanted to be involved in those discussions. He said as well, transportation issues went north just as they did south, and that regional land use had an interlocking effect. Alderman Coleman stated they already had a transportation partners group in southern Orange, which was an oversight group for Chapel Hill transit which had representatives from Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and the University, and it included development planning. He suggested they could schedule a meeting of that group and include Pittsboro and Chatham representatives, as well as the Town of Hillsborough. He stated he believed that would provide a framework to at least begin an initial discussion. Commissioner Gordon stated that group did not include Orange County government. Mr. Coleman responded his point was that most of the players were already in that group, and they could bring that group together for a special meeting to include the rest, including Orange County, to craft a framework to begin work on transportation issues. Commissioner Gordon stated it seemed like a reasonable suggestion, but was not sure it should be limited to Chapel Hill 9