Agenda - 05-06-2003 - 9-b-1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~~~r'~ r/b ~a3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 6, 2003 Action Agenda Item No. 9-b 1 SUBJECT: Authorization to Contract with Innovative Designs for Analysis of Septic System Options at the Northern Human Services Center, Cedar Grove DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and Central Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Innovative Design Proposal System Operational Information INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones (919) 245-2652 Dave Stancil (919) 245-2590 Ron Holdway (919) 245-2360 Paul Thames (919) 245-2300 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider authorizing the Manager to contract with Innovative Design to conduct an analysis of alternative septic options at the Northern Human Services Center (NHSC) for an amount not to exceed $3,630 in preparation for submission of a grant to the NC Energy Office BACKGROUND: As the Board is aware, a task force lead by Commissioners Brown and Halkiotis have met for two years to explore various development options for the Northern Human Services Center (NHSC). The limited septic system at the facility was the primary obstacle to allowing greater use of the building. In an item later in this agenda, the Board will consider acquiring land by which to expand the system thereby allowing greater programming latitude at the facility. Although staff has proposed a conventional septic system, an interesting alternative to this system was presented during a recent discussion involving Commissioners Brown and Halkiotis and Mike Nicklas, the President of Innovative Design architectural firm. Mr. Nicklas' firm is afront-runner in specifying environmentally sustainable systems in buildings that they design as demonstrated by their work in several North Carolina schools with which the Board may be familiar. The system that Mr. Nicklas has proposed is essentially amini-eco system that treats the waste rather than sending it into a septic tank. Although any wastewater treatment system proposed for the NHSC would require bidding, the system Mr. Nicklas has referred to us as a point of reference for operation is called the Living Machine. Information explaining the operation of the system from the company's website at www.livingmachines.com is attached for your information. Based on discussion among Commissioners Brown and Halkiotis and Mr. Nicklas, he has identified several potential areas where sustainable design could be used at the NHSC. As you will see from the attached proposal, they include the classifications of Energy, Water and Green Products and Systems, with various subsections of potential projects under each. However, the focus for immediate consideration is the item designated under Water as Task W3. It is our understanding that potential