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Bill Waddell said that emergency services are an integral part of Orange County but he <br /> fears that this project is premature. He said that the statistical calculations as described are not <br /> transparent, repeatable, or verifiable. He said that the work group has not discussed the basic <br /> service levels. He said that the goal of the work group was to rebuild the working relationships <br /> between the county and the departments. They hope to get past hidden agendas. He asked <br /> the Board to wait 3-12 months before retaining a consultant to develop a long-term plan. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that there will have to be as much data as possible in order <br /> to review all solutions. He said that the work group could proceed with the work as these things <br /> come forward. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she wanted to make sure that the North Chatham Fire <br /> Department and Mebane Fire Department are included in this study, and she pointed this out to <br /> the consultant. <br /> Steve Allan said that North Chatham and Mebane are included and Michael Talbert <br /> agreed. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he respects Mr. Waddell's comments. But he is <br /> comfortable with the Manager's recommendation. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger <br /> to authorize staff to enter into a contract with Solutions for Local Government, Inc. to develop a <br /> multiyear strategic plan for the Emergency Medical Services System and E911 <br /> Communications Center, based on a recommendation from the Emergency Services <br /> Workgroup and to authorize the Manager to execute the contract. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz asked Commissioner McKee if Durham County answers if called <br /> in Orange County and Commissioner McKee said yes. Commissioner Yuhasz suggested <br /> including a conversation with Durham County in this study. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that they would take it under advisement. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> c. Propertv Divestiture: 112 and 118 N. Churton Street, Hillsborouqh <br /> The Board considered divestiture options regarding two surplus properties owned by <br /> Orange County at 112 N. Churton Street and 118 N. Churton Street in Hillsborough. <br /> Asset Management Services Director Pam Jones introduced this item. <br /> Since April 2009 the County has actively marketed the properties at 112 and 118 N. <br /> Churton Street, Hillsborough for sale. Several rounds of bid/upset bid were conducted and on <br /> November 5, 2009, the Board was presented with winning bids of$465,500 and $159,500 <br /> respectively for the two properties. These bids were rejected in order to initiate action that <br /> would effectively fill a gap in the existing Town regulations, by which a property owner could <br /> potentially remove the buildings. <br /> The Board authorized staff to negotiate an agreement with the NC Preservation <br /> Foundation to accept and administer a preservation agreement on the properties, effective <br /> upon sale. The Foundation agreed to a discounted fee of$7,000 and $3,000 respectively, <br /> which would be added to the final bid price for the properties and would be paid directly to NC <br /> Preservation Foundation by the new property owners at closing. <br /> Subsequent solicitations using this contract were unsuccessful for the property at 112 N. <br /> Churton, and the highest bid for 118 N. Churton was later withdrawn. Although the Foundation <br /> significantly reduced the preservation requirements, particularly for the interior of the buildings, <br /> no further interest in buying the properties has been forthcoming. <br /> In October 2011 the County requested the Town of Hillsborough accept a preservation <br /> easement for the properties, which would likely have been administered through its Historic <br />