Minutes - 20071211 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon said that she pulled this because it was a discussion item and yet it was on the consent agenda. She noted the Planning Board discussion on this item. She suggested a recommendation as follows: That the consultant would be relieved of deadlines as noted in the original contract; that the consultant would charge no additional fees between December 11th and the re-initiation of work; and the County Commissioners would consider re- initiating the work in the first round of the implementation ordinances after the Comprehensive Plan is complete, approximately Fall 2008. She asked if this would fix what the Planning Board wanted. Craig Benedict said that would cover it. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve the language as stated above by Commissioner Gordon. VOTE: UNANIMOUS t. Authorization to Submit Grant Request to N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund The Board considered authorizing staff to make grant applications to the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund by the December 14, 2007 deadline. Commissioner Gordon said this is a grant request for conservation easements and agricultural enterprise funds for the shared value-added process center. She said that since the County is not committing itself to any particular location, then the grant should be written to that effect. The grant funds should be able to be used flexibly. Ag Economic Development Coordinator Noah Rannells said that this is new funding from the State and both projects are very competitive. With regard to submitting a grant that allows for flexibility in location, his understanding is that a grant request such as that would not get favorable reviews because any granting agency wants to know in detail what their funds will do. If there was not a specific location identified, the proposal would be very weak. Commissioner Gordon said that the County has not committed to the Valley Forge site in any way, and if the grant application is successful for this site, it will be a commitment for this site. Chair Jacobs suggested that it would be very easy to leave out of the application at this point the mention of the building. There is a feasibility study going forward and Senator Kinnaird scheduled a meeting for him with Commissioner Troxler, at which he encouraged Orange County to apply for this grant. If the Board moves expeditiously on the CIP, there should be more certainty on whether this building will be used or not. Commissioner Foushee asked if the grant could be amended if this property were not going to be used. Noah Rannells said probably. He said that the challenge is coming up with the 30% match and determining the magnitude of the grant that can be applied for. Commissioner Foushee said that the name of the building would not have to be left out because it could be amended later if the grant were received. Commissioner Carey asked about the reactions of other counties to a site in Orange County. Noah Rannells said that it seems that all neighboring counties are supportive of this. Commissioner Gordon said that the farm enterprise incubator should go into the proposal also so there would not have to be buy-in from other entities. She wants to know what the other counties are willing to pay also. Noah Rannells said that, in his opinion, a grant proposal that tries to cover both components would be difficult to write and he does not think that they would be reviewed favorably because they are very different projects.