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component, where an apprentice would work with Sarah Craige. They have not heard back <br />from this. <br />Chair Carey asked about the other funds raised and Martha Shannon said that they <br />received money from the Howard Perry Walston Foundation. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiatis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to <br />approve artist Sarah Craige for the Southern Human Services Center Public Art Project to be <br />completed during FY2006. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />8. Public Hearings-NONE <br />9. Items for Decision--Regular Agenda <br />a. Approval of contract to Nurcnase Keal h'roperty - uuKe University <br />The Board considered approval of a contract to purchase 8 acres of land located at the <br />intersection of Erwin and Pickett Roads from Duke University for the future New Hope Creek <br />Preserve, and authorizing the Chair to sign subject to final review by staff and the County <br />Attorney the Letter of Agreement regarding the conditions of interest described; and instructing <br />the County Attorney and staffs from ERCD and Finance to schedule and complete the closing <br />on the property, which is expected to occur on or before July 31, 2005. There was a revised <br />abstract for this item (blue sheet). <br />John Link said that since 1992, Orange County, the Town of Chapel Hill, the City of <br />Durham, Durham County, and the Triangle Land Conservancy have been working toward <br />preserving the New Hope corridor area. A few years ago, this property was added to the Lands <br />Legacy list of priorities. <br />Environment and Resource Conservation Director Dave Stancil said that the only <br />difference in the new sheet is some language changes on the back page. The language <br />clarifies the intent of the activity on the property. Duke's concern has been the safety of Erwin <br />Road, before the trail is constructed to the south to connect to the Jordan Lake and Durham <br />County trail network. Duke is concerned that the construction of facilities on the property will <br />encourage people to cross Erwin Road, even though it is a dangerous section of road. The <br />change in language addresses this concern. He said that the discussions about this property <br />predate all of the Erwin Trace discussions and it was already identified in the Lands Legacy <br />Action Plan. There was an appraisal of the property, and the value was identified at $72,000, <br />which is $9,000/acre. Duke was amenable to this price and agreed to the contract. This is part <br />of the New Hope Corridor Master Plan that was identified in 1992. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that she is glad that this is back and that there was so much <br />media coverage about Erwin Trace that this got lost. This is a key piece of the Lands Legacy <br />program. She said that on the Orange County side, there would be a trail going from this <br />access all the way down to the Durham County line. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked Dave Stancil to check the letter on page 12, and pointed <br />out some typographical errors an the second line of the first paragraph and the second line of <br />the second paragraph. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that one of the presenters on the forestry tour was the <br />Manager of Duke Forest, and he mentioned to him that once Orange County owns this property, <br />it would be an appropriate place to put a sign indicating that it is the future home of New Hope <br />Preserve. He hopes that there will be a sign when the Board reconvenes. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to: <br />• Approve the purchase of approximately 8 acres of land located on Erwin Raad <br />from Duke University; and <br />