Minutes 10-13-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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addressed that problem by adding a short route that connected to an existing route up to the library. This route is very inconvenient for residents. He said that this was not a forward- thinking decision that was made. He said that his concern is that this is not being approached the right way. He said that he would rather have a slightly smaller facility in the right place than the ideal facility in the wrong place. Joal Hall Broun said that she is going to suggest to the Town Board to take a map of their town and put a circle around where they want a library and where they do not want it. She wants to be real about how much money Orange County has. Commissioner Foushee said that the best thing they have here is so the Board of County Commissioners can hear the real issues that concern both boards. Orange County needs from the Board of Aldermen what Carrboro expects out of this process. The cost will drive what Orange County can buy and can build. If the Town of Carrboro wants Orange County to site a library downtown, then it would be helpful if Carrboro could identify some potential sites that would meet Carrboro's criteria and would meet Orange County's ability to purchase and build. She wants to consider the people that will also be driving to this facility because not everyone will be taking public transportation. She does not think that this changes the trajectory of building a branch, but she thinks that this process has enlightened the County Commissioners that there are some factors that were not considered in the first process that must be considered in this one. Chair Pelissier said that the fiscal reality will drive this project and this is not a short- term issue. She said that the County Commissioners now need to look at the fiscal sustainability of all decisions. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he thinks that $1 million is too much for Orange County to pay for a property. He said that the main question is the population that this library will serve. He said that the density of Carrboro is much closer to a suburban density than it is to a truly urban density. He thinks that the Board needs to look at a location that serves the greatest number of people from the community. Mayor Chilton said that Carrboro is the most densely populated municipality in the State of North Carolina. He said that he believes the library needs to be in the most densely populated area, which is downtown Carrboro. He said that, in looking at the density of low- income families, Carrboro is the highest compared with Chapel Hill and rural Orange County. He said that he thinks it is more important to serve the lower income areas than the Lake Hogan Farms area. Commissioner Hemminger said that she agreed with Alderman Broun and the cost is the most important aspect of this process. She wants to move forward. She said that the money spent and time spent going through the permitting process is taxpayer money. Commissioner Jacobs said that the last siting process was not a good process and they need to be more collaborative and engage the public more this time around. He said that the County does have money in the CIP for this but he would hesitate to take a parcel of land off of the tax rolls in the economic center. Joal Hall Broun agreed. Commissioner Jacobs said that the notion of a southwest branch is a false construct built to bring more support and it does not actually work. The question is if it is an urban library or if it is a southwest Orange. If it is southwest Orange, then they can discuss how far out is too far out. Lydia Lavelle asked where in the timeframe is the decision of the Board of County Commissioners to execute an option to purchase. She said that the public should be notified of a proposed property before it goes to the elected board. The last time it came to the attention of the public too late. Commissioner Gordon said that the last process is not the process she thought the County Commissioners should have followed, so they are trying to refine the process this time