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VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> c. Further Review and Decision Reqardinq One-Half(1/2) Cent Sales Tax for <br /> Transit <br /> The Board continued discussion and making decisions regarding the Orange County <br /> Bus and Rail Investment Plan draft associated with the Triangle Regional Transit Plan (1/2 <br /> cent sales tax), received updates on municipal meetings and developed a schedule for the <br /> Orange County Transit Plan (OCTP) implementation. <br /> Craig Benedict introduced this item. This is a continuation of the work session on May <br /> 19th with Triangle Transit. There will be a vote on this on June 22nd, and the comments need to <br /> be in before that time. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the MPO will be holding two public open house <br /> meetings in Orange County—June 14th at the Chapel Hill Town Hall and June 16th in <br /> Hillsborough at the Orange County Library. <br /> David King, Triangle Transit Executive Director, said that they hope to review questions <br /> that the Board of County Commissioners mentioned before and others that may arise. He <br /> stressed that this whole process has been a collaboration. <br /> Patrick McDonough, Senior Transportation Planner with Triangle Transit, made a <br /> PowerPoint presentation. <br /> Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan: Responding to Questions <br /> What We Heard: <br /> Questions Regarding Financial Planning <br /> - Does rail investment have the potential to crowd out bus investment, especially if <br /> there are cost overruns? <br /> - How can we effectively control costs and project delivery? <br /> - What is the proportion of spending on bus and rail by year? <br /> Questions Regarding Light Rail <br /> - Are 4,000 parking spaces along the line enough? <br /> - Will development around LRT stations compete with economic development <br /> opportunities in northern Orange County? <br /> - Does light rail make as much sense in Chapel Hill as it does in the region's largest <br /> city? (Raleigh) <br /> - Meadowmont was designed for light rail. Why study another route? <br /> Other Questions <br /> - Which services most benefit northern Orange County residents? <br /> Financial Plan: Being Fiscally Conservative <br /> Approaches to Financial Conservatism: Cost <br /> - Rail cost estimates: Specific 30% Cost Contingency on: <br /> o Construction, Right-of-way Acquisition <br /> - Unspecified additional general contingency: 4.6% <br /> - Use Inflation of Federal CBO/OMB, but add 0.5% long term <br /> 9 <br />