Agenda - 11-16-2010 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 approved adding tennis courts to the current project. Construction of Fairview Park is well underway and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. The park is constructed on lands owned by both the Town and County. This is consistent with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the two jurisdictions in late-2005/early-2006. The MOA defined the process for developing a master plan and agreed to allow both Town and County lands to be used for the park. The MOA also anticipated a future agreement to address operation and management of the facility. However, the Master Plan Committee focused its energy on the park design and did not address operation and management for a variety of reasons (including a change in Town leadership during the latter stages of the Master Plan). Between 2007 and 2010, conversations at staff and managerial level were held to discuss potential joint operation of the park, or a phased conveyance of the park to the Town of Hillsborough. With park construction winding down, and the facility poised to be completed and opened, a formal agreement is needed between the Town and County to address ownership, liability and other operational issues. To this end, in the late-summer of this year, the Managers and staff from both jurisdictions met to discuss the outline of an Interlocal Agreement, a draft of which was created, reviewed and refined by both parties. The Interlocal Agreement approved by the Board of County Commissioners on October 5, 2010 (attached) addresses several key components of the park prior to opening, and leaves open possible future actions as well. In general, the October 5, 2010 version approved by the Board of County Commissioners: • Speaks to property exchanges and easements to address liability and public safety. In short, aone-acre parcel around the Town police substation would be conveyed to Hillsborough; Hillsborough would deed to the County the remainder of the park site on its property (thereby assuring all of the park facilities are under one owner); and easements would be granted to allow the County and Town access to certain nearby facilities or land. • The Town would be responsible for providing water and sewer to the park, at no cost, and would be responsible for opening and closing the park gate, if determined to be necessary. • Public safety response would be handled by the Orange County Sheriff's Department, in coordination with the Town Police Department (which is present on site). • As budgeted by the Town for FY 2010-11, the Town would contribute $30,000 annually toward park operations, increasing by 2% per annum beginning July 1, 2011. • The Town will periodically consider annexation of the park, which is surrounded by corporate limits on three sides, and notify the County in advance of any intention to annex. • The Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, and will be reviewed every five years. The Agreement would expire December 31, 2015, but both parties agree to consider renewal prior to that time. The County-approved October 5th version of the agreement does not preclude other steps toward coordination of efforts regarding the park, and future conversations about the operation and maintenance are not prohibited by the Agreement. The map attachments show current and proposed future property lines, and the park site plan.