Minutes 06-14-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon said that Triangle Transit has designated staff to do public relations. Commissioner Yuhasz said that Orange County has expended monies through meetings and information sessions and he does not think that anything more can be done to better educate the public on this. Commissioner Hemminger said that the County needs to update the website and give the link to Triangle Transit. She thinks that the Board needs to be involved in an effort to educate. She does not want to spend money on promotional materials. Chair Pelissier agreed and said that there is a grassroots community effort in process now and she does not want the County Commissioners to expend any monies either. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to find out formally what Triangle Transit is dedicating to public education and if Chapel Hill or UNC is going to participate in educating the public. He suggested having a FAQ on the County's website. He said that staff or Board of County Commissioners could speak at groups. He said that having an information campaign along an advocacy campaign and saying that they are separate is not effective. He said that it is a winking relationship and it makes him uncomfortable. He said that this is complicated enough that the public really needs to know what is going on and the Board needs to make sure the public knows what is going on. Chair Pelissier said that Triangle Transit is going to do education and Commissioner Jacobs said that he wants this in writing. Chair Pelissier said that she is uncomfortable asking the towns to spend money on advocacy. Commissioner Gordon said that they need to make sure there is something available such as FAQ and all of the documents on the website, etc. She said that at the last TAC meeting this week when the bus and rail plan came out, the TAC approved the plan in concept and deferred action on the plan until Orange County brings back the plan with what role the MPO will play in the plan. The education campaign should be ready in September. Commissioner Jacobs said that the County should formally ask Triangle Transit and Chapel Hill Transit what, if any, is the extent of the educational campaign they plan to participate in or propose to educate the residents of non-urban Orange County with the details of the plan. He does not want to assume anything. He would like to suggest an affirmative response from Triangle Transit on what they are planning to do and when they come back in August they can review this or make another plan. Chair Pelissier said that staff can ask both entities these questions. Commissioner Jacobs said that this is not enough. He would like to know the plans, not via staff. Chair Pelissier said that staff could ask Triangle Transit to tell the County Commissioners the plan. Commissioner Hemminger said that Orange County should partner with Triangle Transit on the northern and southern input sessions. Commissioner McKee agreed with Commissioner Jacobs regarding finding out the plans. He said that he continues to think that Triangle Transit is the one that will be running the show and they should do the public information and education. As far as Commissioner Hemminger's recommendation to do education in the rural area, he thinks that this area already understands this well. He cannot support any campaign that uses Orange County funds to educate on this issue where the funding goes to Triangle Transit. He agreed with having information on the County's website but it should be fair and balanced. Chair Pelissier asked if all agreed to not allocate funds for education and to ask Triangle Transit to do information sessions in northern and southern Orange County and this will come back to the Board of County Commissioners in August.