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as buildings are built. This has become a model across the nation. The County incorporates the practices, but has not formally adopted the guidelines. She would like to bring this forward for adoption in the near future. Commissioner Foushee said that it would be helpful to have a list of how high performance building guidelines are incorporated into any building projects. 2. Potential Strategies to Expedite Construction Projects Jahn Link said that this is a topic that the Board of County Commissioners wanted the staff to bring back. This is basically a brainstorming abstract. Planning Committees: Commissioner Gordan made reference to Planning Committees and said that the County has always done a good jab of getting public input. She does not understand the statement, "Utilize ad hoc committees, not specifically appointed by the BOCC to eliminate the need for public notice and meeting minute requirements." She does not want to do anything to exclude the public. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the justice facilities process and said that it took months to set just three meetings. Then the commissioners met with Pam Jones and the architects, and this was mare expeditious. He said that setting up meetings is the hardest part. He would like to still involve the public and stakeholders without making it such a big production. Commissioner Gordan said that they should not eliminate the process of getting ideas from stakeholders. If it is a smaller project, then the process could be tailored to the job. She does not want to exclude the public at-large or the dynamic process of design. Chair Carey made reference to the top of page five, and the bullet that says, "Couple the broader based public information with the formation of smaller planning groups." He said that a different process could be recommended by staff for each project. Commissioner Halkiotis said that it would be a great opportunity to test this out with the new animal shelter. He likes the idea of smaller planning groups. Commissioner Foushee said that it was hard far her to understand haw ad hoc groups would work if they were not formed or authorized by the Board of County Commissioners. She said that, unless it is a staff oriented committee, it would be hard to get around the public notice. Geof Gledhill said that public bodies are any groups that the Board appoints. If the Board does not appoint the group, then it is not a public body. John Link said that this target of finishing by 2009 for the animal shelter is not going to work. It will have to be sped up and every priority cannot be number one. Commissioner Jacobs suggested doing what Commissioner Halkiotis said far the Central Orange Senior Center also and expediting the process with smaller planning groups. Commissioner Gordon said that the Board should not utilize the ad hoc committees and to not consider this option. Board approvals-Design and Construction Phases: Commissioner Jacobs said that, dealing with the regulatory process, they need to be mare attuned to the deadline processes of the other jurisdictions and their timeframes. It might just be an issue of working more closely with the jurisdictions' staff. Pam Jones said that the Town of Chapel Hill has an upfront process where you can sit down with them and map out the progress. Chapel Hill has the longest process. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is not for moving ahead with the proposal of anything under $300,000 not coming through the County Commissioners. He would like to maintain the opportunity to review these bids. He has no problem with the way it is currently set up with $20,000. Board Participation in Project Planning: