Minutes - 20031027 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Halkiotis said that he thinks this list is too much and that the County cannot afford it. Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Halkiotis. However, he does not agree with the process to sort through the projects. He said that in the spring the Board agreed to have an analysis of which buildings could do without a generator or be taken off the grid. He is open to talking about mobile generators. Commissioner Carey said that he is not comfortable with this process, but he knows that there are some generators that may be needed now. He is comfortable with getting the three or four that may be needed now. He asked Commissioner Jacobs what it meant to be taken off the grid. Commissioner Jacobs said that it means to have a solar or alternative energy capability to switch to in case of an outage ar even to operate under. Commissioner Carey asked for more information. He realizes that we need to be prepared far this winter. Commissioner Carey made reference to Commissioner Jacobs' list and an environmental ethic. Commissioner Jacobs said that he was going to bring this up at the retreat about doing an environmental assessment of County operations top to bottom {how the sinks and toilets use water, fuels used, how buildings are built, etc.). Commissioner Carey asked for clarification on the point about percentage of funds spent on education versus County needs. Commissioner Jacobs explained this point further. Chair Brawn said that the priority list for generators needs to be fleshed out. She is also confused because at the last Social Services Board meeting, the DSS Director said that Smith Middle School was going to be a shelter and it is not even an the list. She does not understand how this is funded. Rod Visser said that Smith Middle School is wired for a shelter. The big reason why Smith did not come on line is because of the roads being so narrow and so many trees being dawn. The decision was made on the spot during last year's ice storm to go to Woollen Gym on the UNC campus because it was easier to access. And Smith Middle School is generator- ready. John Link said that he would come back with a recommendation. He asked for a general threshold to spend far this year for addressing basic County services in the event of an emergency outage. The first threshold will probably be $200-300,000. Commissioner Gordan would like to have critical government functions and emergency services. Commissioner Halkiotis said that there are governments and private organizations an the west coast that are generating their awn electricity and selling it back. He would like to study this. Chair Brown said that doing an analysis of our buildings is fine, but there is no one on staff that could do this. A consultant would have to come in and do this work. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to ask staff to come back with a proposal for a consultant to analyze County facilities as to the applicability of generators versus other energy sources and to analyze energy alternatives, including cast projections. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Chair Brown made reference to accountability and said that she is interested in clarifying how to work with non-profits. She would like to upgrade the policy if there is one. Commissioner Gordon would like to see the policy written out. She thinks openness and accountability should obviously be included in the policy. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to charge the staff to came up with a policy for openness and accountability far capital projects and contracts.