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small. In the summer of last year, the Chair met with the Chair of the school board and a work group was created. The group investigated other fueling stations across the region and explored potential sites in Hillsborough. Starting on page three is a report with the background and the recommendation of a site. He spoke about the environmental benefits of alternative fueled vehicles. The recommendation is to site the facility at the Orange County Public Works site at Fairview. He spoke about the advantages of this site as stated in the report. There could be opportunities for public access, but state vehicles and other fleet vehicles would mostly use it. The Clean Cities Coalition has offered to fully fund a card reader system on the site. Public access, if needed, could be limited to daytime hours. The $25,000 grant has to be encumbered by June 2005. The timetable for activity is on page 14. The station could be open for use by October 2005. The total matching cost for the County would be $50,000 to go with the $25,000 from the grant and the $30,000 for a card reading system. Commissioner Halkiotis thanked David Stancil for "walking the talk." He asked how many hybrid vehicles there are in Orange County government and David Stancil said that there are about 8-10 E-85 compatible vehicles. These are vehicles that use an ethanol blend. Ethanol is not available locally, so they all run on gasoline. Commissioner Halkiotis said that they have talked about this and suggested that the County move ahead with this. He said that the County should be using this and should buy vehicles that can tie into the compressed natural gas. He will not vote to provide a fueling station for other state agencies if the County is not going to be utilizing it. He thinks that there should be a mandate that any future vehicles, whenever possible, should use this technology. Commissioner Foushee agreed with Commissioner Halkiotis and said that the County should lead by example. She asked, given that they are a week behind in the timetable, if this hinders what needs to be done. David Stancil said that he thinks everything can be done within the timetable. Commissioner Foushee supports this recommendation. Commissioner Gordon said that she does not have a clear picture of the direction in which the County is going in this. She wants to make sure that compressed natural gas is the technology that the County is going with. David Stancil said that it looks like the highest benefit-lowest cost alternative. Commissioner Jacobs said that one of the thrusts of having an environmental goal is to incorporate it into everyday jobs. He asked John Link to identify which vehicles are alternative fueled ones so that there can be a plan in place. David Stancil said that he and Budget Director Donna Dean have discussed this regarding CNG options for the next year. Commissioner Jacobs asked what happened to the bio-diesel proposal for the Wizard's Cauldron and David Stancil said that this is no longer being pursued. Economic Development Director Dianne Reid said that it was decided that the location was not good because it was so far from major highways. Another location is still being explored in Orange County. John Link said that the staff would manifest the commitment to "walk the talk." A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to adopt the siting recommendation from the Work Group and direct staff to identify a funding source to cover the County's share, $50,000, of the project. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Consideration of Non-Public Hearing Discussion Items on February 28, 2005 The Board considered potential discussion/report items for presentation on February 28, 2005, a date originally scheduled for a Quarterly Public Hearing.