Minutes 08-23-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e. Sale of 1914 New Hope Church Road to Oranqe County Schools Board of Education The Board considered transfer alternatives for 1914 New Hope Church Road to the Orange County Schools Board of Education. Asset Management Services Director Pam Jones said that this item is to explore two options on the disposal of this property. About two years ago, the County declared this property surplus after the 911 center was relocated. The County has no purpose for this site. The OCS thought they may be able to use this property since it is next door to New Hope Elementary School. The proposal is for OCS to pay the County $100,000 for the property at $25,000 per year for four years. The Manager has raised an issue about a long-term lease with the schools that would allow OCS to continue to use it in the same manner as if they purchased the building, but the $25,000 per year in pay-as-you-go funds would not be lost. The staff needs direction from the Board on whether to lease or sell this property to OCS. Commissioner Foushee asked Superintendent Patrick Rhodes if the school board has had a chance to consider the proposed long-term lease. Superintendent Rhodes said that the BOE has received the abstract and has reviewed it, but has not discussed the long-term lease. Commissioner Gordon asked what the facilities would be used for and Pam Jones said that it would be used for administrative offices. Commissioner Gordon said that her thought would be that the Manager's proposal for a long-term lease arrangement would be better for the school system because it would not obligate $25,000 in pay-as-you-go. She thinks the OCS should consider this. Commissioner Hemminger said that she liked the lease option. She said that this former 911 center is still listed as an emergency services site on the State and local websites and needs to be changed. Commissioner McKee concurred with all regarding the long-term lease option. A motion was made by Commissioner Yuhasz, seconded by Commissioner Foushee that the Manager negotiate a long-term lease with the Orange County Board of Education for 20 years at $1 per year, with the Schools assuming all maintenance and operational responsibilities. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 9. Reports a. County Assistance to Fire Departments for Public Outreach The Board considered receiving a report on, and providing feedback in follow up to the Board's suggestion that the County assist area fire departments with communications and public outreach. Emergency Services Director Frank Montes de Oca said that this is in response to discussions in June regarding helping the area fire departments getting information out to the public. He showed an example of public announcements for various fire departments. Regarding alert notifications, he would prefer to use some of the County's alert notifications, such as Facebook and Twitter. He said that there will be a utilization of a self-serve process where residents can log in their address and be told where the closest fire department is, fire district tax rates, etc. Deputy Clerk David Hunt said that staff can provide a basic "media marketing 101 course" to local fire departments and how to get information out to residents Commissioner Yuhasz said that he is concerned about the fire departments getting annual meeting information to the residents. He wants to make sure that the residents are invited to these meetings.