Orange County NC Website
Chair Brown requested that those funds be listed on an amended Project Ordinance form when they are <br />reallocated. <br />County Manager John Link pointed out that this process is designed to provide the Board of <br />Commissioners a level of confidence in knowing where and how the funds are being allocated. He requested <br />clarification regarding the $1.2 million for Southern Village Elementary and the $1 million for the East Chapel <br />Hill High School. <br />Attorney Bob Jessup pointed out that both the bank and the Local Government Commission would need <br />to approve any change in where this money was spent. <br />A handout was distributed entitled "Estimated Cost of "Tier A Middle School" which showed three <br />possible costs ranging from $95.00 per square foot to $125 per square foot. <br />School Board Chair Nick Didow pointed out that the School Board has been working under the <br />assumption that a site would be donated for Meadowmont. In December it became uncertain when, or if, this <br />land would be donated. There is currently an urgent need for expanded capacity. At the present time they are <br />identifying sites and considering options for increasing capacity of existing schools. Staff has initiated <br />communication with several land owners about possible sites. There is some hope of receiving donated land <br />but if that does not occur they will be required to purchase land. The intention is to have the additional capacity <br />by the fall of 2001 which means that they need to have the project under way by December of 1998. <br />There was discussion regarding the renovation for Culbreth Middle School. The $2.3 Million Dollars is <br />intended to renovate the entire school including the auditorium. <br />County Manager Link stated that based on the current policy a formula is used to allocate funds per <br />student in each system. If unexpected costs are faced by the school system, payment of those costs must first <br />be funded from within each system. This is the same requirement faced by the County itself. The County would <br />consider reallocation of funds from other internal projects before they sought other sources of funding. The <br />School Systems need to use that approach. <br />In response to a question, Bill Mullin, Chapel Hill Carrboro City School Facilities Director, indicated that <br />the category "Planning for Future Projects" is intended to pay for architects and engineering studies prior to <br />initiating the project. He mentioned several of the upcoming projects and answered questions regarding those <br />projects. <br />In response to a question from Commissioner Crowther, County Manager Link indicated that he had not <br />received CIP requests from any of the Charter Schools. He pointed out that the Commissioners were not <br />required to provide money for capital needs for Charter Schools and he suggested that they resist those <br />requests. <br />Orange County Schools: County Manager Link asked the Superintendent for an update on plans for the new <br />high school and possible location. In particular he asked if there were any structural challenges which may <br />already be identified. He also asked about cost figures and if they anticipated using the School Park fund. <br />Superintendent Randy Bridges stated that they do not have square foot figures for either the proposed <br />elementary school or high school. They do have overall cost amounts of thirteen million dollars ($13 million) <br />and twelve million five hundred thousand dollars ($12.5 million) respectively. Those figures include all costs. If <br />either of the schools come in under those figures he will inform the Board of County Commissioners regarding <br />how they would like to redistribute those funds. The School Board recently approved a site and staff is moving <br />ahead with plans for that site. They are open to discussing the possibility of locating a park on that site; <br />however, several concerns, including sewer availability, need to be resolved first. At that time they will consider <br />the feasibility of locating a park on the site. <br />County Proiects: County Manager Link mentioned several items of importance with regard to county capital <br />improvements. He mentioned several of the bond functions, including housing, recreation & parks and the <br />sewer bonds. The Richard E. Whitted Human Services Center, the Northern Human Services Center and the <br />replacement of the Galleria Senior Center are top priorities in terms of major capital projects. Another area of