Agenda - 01-21-2010 - 6e - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Complex by providing the first phase of water and sewer infrastructure as noted on the last page of Attachment 1 d. Although this is valuable, necessary and supportive infrastructure for the area, fire suppression and trunk gravity sanitary sewer lines are limited with the existing system. Opportunities After the design is completed for Buckhorn EDD Phase 2, State permitting can be pursued, so a future construction project will be primed for funding. Orange County has been discussing funding for construction options with the City of Mebane since these utilities will be built to their standards, and, after completion, will be maintained by them as part of their overall utility system. These areas are also likely to be annexed by the City of Mebane wherein other services will be municipally provided. Mebane would benefit from the looped water system since it travels through its extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and city limits in places along Washington Street. In any event, these areas have been intended by economic development land use and favorable tax base and they will remain in Orange County whether annexed by City of Mebane or not. Orange County has investigated American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants for this type of project. As the BOCC is familiar, stimulus monies are primarily used for construction ready projects where design and permitting is complete. The federal government acknowledges that a significant amount of time can be spent on this preliminary work and their interest was to have more responsive job creation from construction. Authorizing the design work at this time will create funding opportunities in the near future and/or be able to be bid for construction in a period when costs are more favorable and prepare a 400-acre economic development area for eventual certification as a state commerce site. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The estimated costs of the engineering design work is approximately $200,000. Funds will come from a combination of general fund and capital project funds. The Financial Services Department will bring back a revised capital project ordinance at a future meeting. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board: 1. Approve the master infrastructure utility concept plan for the Buckhorn Mebane Area. 2. Authorize staff to revisit the existing utility service agreement adopted in 2004 with City of Mebane and Attorney's Office and bring back for BOCC review. 3. Authorize up to a $200,000 budget ordinance amendment to fund engineering design activity for this project. 4. Authorize staff to seek proposals for water and sewer utility civil engineering design work for this project. 5. Direct staff to bring back recommendations for final approval by the Board of Commissioners.