Orange County NC Website
9. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA <br /> a. Planning Groups for Durham Technical Community College Satellite Campus in Orange <br /> County <br /> The Board considered approving membership of the Site Selection Advisory Committee and <br /> provided comments regarding a needs assessment advisory committee to be appointed jointly by <br /> Durham Technical Community College and Orange County Commissioners. <br /> Director of Central Stores and Purchasing Pam Jones said that the County Commissioners' <br /> comments have been taken into consideration for this planning group. Also, the Needs Assessment <br /> Planning Committee is being presented for the County Commissioners' consideration. The Clerk to the <br /> Board would advertise for two groups over the summer—the at-large citizen representative and two <br /> employer representatives. By this time next year, they hope that a recommendation for a site will be <br /> brought back to the County Commissioners. <br /> Dr. Phail Wynn, President of Durham Technical Community College (DTCC), said that Pam <br /> Jones, Barbara Baker, and he have discussed this in detail. He feels it important to do the needs <br /> assessment in concert with this committee. The composition as recommended would accomplish the <br /> task and accomplish it well. He said that he sees the Needs Assessment Committee being a joint <br /> committee with most of the participants being Orange County residents. <br /> Commissioner Brown clarified that the Site Selection Committee has two County <br /> Commissioners serving on it. Pam Jones said that criteria have been set for this committee and she will <br /> provide that list to the County Commissioners. The Site Selection Committee will use the criteria and set <br /> weight to each one because certain things are more important than others. Commissioner Brown said <br /> that she would like to review these criteria before approving the committee. Pam Jones will bring back <br /> the criteria to the County Commissioners before appointments are made in August. <br /> Commissioner Brown asked why representatives from the Chambers of Commerce were on <br /> the Site Selection Committee. <br /> Dr. Phail Wynn said that they have worked with the Chambers of Hillsborough and Chapel Hill <br /> and they bring a perspective of what employers want and the training they need. They base the courses <br /> offered on what is needed in a particular area. They see themselves serving three groups of people <br /> including the school systems, the employers and the citizens in planning for adult educational services. <br /> Commissioner Carey said that he views the involvement of the Chambers the same as Dr. <br /> Wynn. He feels that the Chambers are major stakeholders and connectivity between the citizens and <br /> employers in the County. This committee is an advisory committee with the County Commissioners <br /> making the final decision. <br /> Commissioner Brown would like to add to the composition a person who could evaluate sites <br /> environmentally. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that this process has been going on for several years. He has a <br /> problem with not stating up front the criteria. He wants to be clear and specific to the citizens up front. <br /> He does not want any misunderstandings in this process. The ad should state a purpose with respect to <br /> the parameters. He would like to move forward. <br /> The Board agreed to review the criteria at their next meeting scheduled for June 27`h <br /> Commissioner Gordon agreed that there should be a representative from a recognized <br /> environmental group and that ERCD should be available at least in a consulting role. <br /> John Link said that the Site Selection Committee will establish the weight of each item listed <br /> as part of the criteria for a site for a community college. <br /> Pam Jones said that this group will look at several sites and rank the sites and bring that <br /> ranking back to the County Commissioners for a decision. It would be no different from anything the <br /> County Commissioners get from any other advisory committee. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that it does mean that all the sites will be public knowledge and <br /> that could affect the cost. <br /> John Link said that at a certain point in the process, the County Commissioners need to look <br /> over those sites that meet the criteria and go through a process of deliberation. <br /> Dr. Wynn made reference to a discussion after the Community College task force had <br /> submitted a report with the list of criteria. The rating system would allow for viable sites to essentially be <br /> evaluated so that a lot of the initial information gathering would be available to come back to the County <br />