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Chair Pelissier said that the public will be asked to speak on the content of the plan <br /> and not the cost-sharing. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that she hears Commissioner Gordon's comments but <br /> she thinks that the points were captured and she would like to go back to Durham County with <br /> the bullet points from the work session last week. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that it is important to send Durham County a definite signal <br /> about being on board with this plan. He suggested reexamination of the agreement, and rather <br /> than have a percentage of change in costs, kick in a review of the agreement and make it a <br /> period of time. <br /> Commissioner McKee agreed with Commissioner Gordon and said that there are two <br /> public hearings coming up in April and he does not want to begin negotiating on a specific ' <br /> number with Durham County yet before hearing from the public. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said that the County Commissioners are agreeing to some <br /> negotiations in principle. She would suggest that the cost for this project is not a moving target. <br /> Any negotiations the County Commissioners enter into have to be based on a number. She <br /> suggested communicating to the public to the extent they have to that what they do from this <br /> point forward is in principle only and does not bind the Board to any resolution at this time, until <br /> such time that they hear from the public and the Board has had an opportunity to discuss this <br /> further. <br /> Commissioner Gordon agreed with Commissioner Foushee and said that the important <br /> thing is not to bind themselves in a negotiation and to tell Durham County that Orange County <br /> will be holding two public hearings and then finish the negotiations. <br /> Chair Pelissier pointed out that the timeline received on March 13th says that there will <br /> not be a cost-sharing MOU for a vote until May 1St <br /> Frank Clifton said that the agreement with Durham County on the cost sharing for the <br /> rail is contingent on state and federal monies. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that he is not a fan of the plan but the discussion is how to <br /> divide the cost of the plan that has already been promoted. Regardless of what the public will <br /> say, it will not affect the cost of the plan. He agrees with moving forward in principle. He thinks <br /> that the County Commissioners should move forward with this particular cost split. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that the cost sharing is a fair way to do this. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs <br /> to authorize the Chair to continue discussions with Durham County officials towards a <br /> negotiation and fhat the Chair emphasize that the County Commissioners agree in principle on <br /> the points, there will be two public hearings, and the agreement will be formalized after hearing <br /> the public comments. A/so, the MOA will be brought in periodically for review. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that Durham County has compromised. This is a dual <br /> partnership and Durham County has tried to be collaborative. <br /> VOTE: Ayes, 6; No, 1 (Commissioner McKee) <br /> Chair Pelissier referred to the previous suggestion that the agreement be reviewed <br /> after a certain time period. She asked Patrick McDonough if Orange County had a decrease in <br /> revenues for two years in a row, then how would this impact the model. She would not want to <br /> lose bus hours. <br /> Craig Benedict said that the County Commissioners have seen the impact of the delay <br /> of the implementation of the 'h-cent sales tax referendum. This has resulted in a change in the <br /> amount of bus hours. He made reference to the two excel spreadsheets. <br />