Minutes 05-11-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Nelson asked about the desk itself and how high it would be. Ken Redfoot said that the consensus was that the best arrangement was the N. C. Pharmacy Board room because it is tabletop height. Commissioner Nelson said that the Southern Human Services Center dais does not feel right at all for Board of County Commissioners and their interaction with the public. He asked about desktop functionality and what would be there. Ken Redfoot said that he wants to make sure there are appropriate functions for the Board of County Commissioners with data and electricity. The functionality would include providing that and providing the appropriate width. He asked what kind of technology the County Commissioners would like to have - microphones, presentation monitors, etc. Commissioner Nelson said to design it flexibly enough so that as technology changes, it would still be functional. Commissioner Yuhasz suggested using the columns as much as possible for electricity since the floor is concrete. Commissioner Gordon said that she supports the comments that the other Commissioners have made. She asked how the presentations would actually work because this is a long narrow room with low ceilings with columns. Ken Redfoot said that there are a number of options and he is working with a sound and visual consultant. Discussion ensued about the options for presentations in the room. Frank Clifton said that monitors are the way to go with technology. Commissioner Pelissier asked what people could see on monitors, especially with maps, etc. She does not like the idea of monitors at each Commissioner's place because of the fine features on a larger screen. Commissioner Nelson asked about the materials that will be used in the space. He said that he did not like the Cary space except for the rich panels behind the Board of County Commissioners seating there, which made it warmer. He asked if any thought had been given to these materials. He said that they should not be afraid of the use of color in the meeting room. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to see some cost options for seating chairs for the public to make them as comfortable as possible. Also, he asked about deconstruction of the room and Ken Redfoot said that there is not much to deconstruct except some drywalls and reinforced concrete block walls. Commissioner Jacobs said that when the County traded land with Hillsborough at Fairview, the County convinced Hillsborough not to build a meeting room there and it agreed to this. One of the reasons that there was agreement was because the County discussed sharing meeting space at the Link Center with Hillsborough. He suggested running this proposed meeting space by the Town as a courtesy, but not for approval. Commissioner Gordon said that the Manager's recommendation says that if the Board of County Commissioners desired to move forward on this project, then it costs $750,000. She asked if the County has this money to proceed forward with this now. The alternative would be the DSS meeting room. She said that the County has other priority issues such as Emergency Services, and the Sheriff's office. Frank Clifton said that they would do short-term financing on this project. Commissioner Gordon said that this could push the County to its debt service ceiling. Frank Clifton said that if you do the design work and go out to bids and you get good bids, then that would be helpful. If the bids come out of line, the Board of County Commissioners can then decide whether to move forward. He said that this project is on the books now and a large space is sitting empty in the building now.