Minutes - 20050201 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

counties are tied into it also. This would be an opportunity for Orange County to increase the radio capabilities at amuch-reduced price. Tying into another agency helps to reduce the costs. Commissioner Halkiotis asked where the money would come from for this. Jack Ball said that they are actively applying for grants, and they are utilizing Homeland Security funding to help offset some of the costs. Some fire departments have purchased the 800 radio units and are utilizing a modified portion of the VIPER system. Commissioner Halkiotis wants a clear picture of what this system will cost the County if the grants do not come through. John Link said that he understands that they are going to move along with this program as long as there is federal and state money in place to fund it. He thinks this is what Homeland Security funding is all about. There might be some reasonable matching amount, but this is not a $10 million hidden cost. Rod Visser said that the $20 million is for the stand-alone system that is not tied into any other entity. The VIPER system will cost dramatically less because of the economies of scale. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he has read that a lot of Homeland Security funding that was promised to rural areas is going to be pulled back and sent to big urban centers. He can understand the logic behind that, but he does not want to get tied into something that will end up costing several millions of dollars. Rod Visser said that Nick Waters had great confidence in this system and that it would be the most cost-effective system for Orange County, given the choices. Commissioner Jacobs said that there is also a limitation of money collected from citizens who use cell phones. It is restricted by the legislature in ways that are overly limiting as far as trying to replace equipment. He wonders if this should be put on the legislative agenda. Chair Carey said that there are three goals for the legislature and this is one of the other goals, to give counties more flexibility in how the pool of funds is spent. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to ratify the submission of the pre-application for federal grant funding for replacement emergency telecommunications consoles. VOTE: UNANIMOUS e. Proposal to Deconstruct Abandoned Farmhouse on Former Vincent Property The Board considered approving a proposal from Pete Hendricks to deconstruct an abandoned farmhouse on recently acquired County property; and organizing the materials recycled from previous deconstruction projects with which he has assisted the County and authorizing staff to develop a contract and authorizing the Chair to sign subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney. Commissioner Gordon asked about the significance of mentioning the financial impact about the 2004 2/3 net debt bonds. She asked if this was listed for information only. She said that the actual financial impact is not listed explicitly. Purchasing and Central Services Director Pam Jones said that the idea was to identify this part of what has already been appropriated for the Northern Human Services Center project. The financial impact is right at $30,000. Commissioner Jacobs thanked staff for turning this around so fast. He pointed out that Pete Hendricks said that the wood from the deconstruction may well match the buildings at the Blackwood Farm, and they might be immediately reusing the material by moving it directly to the Blackwood Farm.