NS Purchasing - Use Agreement with KidsCope for Space at Northside

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS • ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: .December 11, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. ~- -- ~ SUBJECT: Use Agreement with KidsCope for Space at Northside DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and Central Srvcs. PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones (919) 245-2652 PURPOSE: To consider authorizing the use of space at the Northside facility as program space for KidsCope. BACKGROUND: The KidsCope program previously shared space with OPC Mental Health in Building # 2 at the Northside Facility on McMasters Street, Chapel Hill; and subsequently with Caring Family Networks (CFN), who occupied the space when they were contracted to take over the programs for OPC following divestiture. As of November 1, 2007 CFN has relocated to leased space in Chapel Hill. KidsCope, who is not part of CFN, has requested their program be allowed to remain at Northside. Although the Board has peripherally discussed future uses for the Northside buildings, no clear vision has yet been articulated. Building #2, which was previously used exclusively by KidsCope, OPC and CFN, is experiencing significant air quality issues, accompanied by mold and mildew problems as a result of an older, inefficient HVAC system and water penetration into exterior walls as a result of stormwater runoff from the steeply sloped site. In addition to the HVAC system replacement, the building is in need of fairly significant maintenance work including, but not limited to a new roof and an extensive interior face lift. Until such time the building's future use is determined it does not appear prudent to invest in these costly items. At the direction of the County Manager, the staff is asked to more stringently evaluate County- owned facilities for highest and best use, prevailing environmental conditions, overall safety and long-term viability, to name a few. Based on those criteria, it is recommended that KidsCope, the only remaining occupant in Building #2, be relocated to Building #1 and Building #2 be taken off line pending a final decision on the disposition of the site. Staff is recommending an agreement be made with Kidscope in order to monitor the use of County facilities by outside • agencies. Such agreements represent a new direction for the use of County facilities and will be formalized in a proposed facilities policy to be considered by the Board at a future date.