Minutes - 20061003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Metadata

Thumbnails

Annotations

anything there except an empty field. He is opposed to giving this money to further fund Southern Park construction. He does not think this is good business. Commissioner Foushee said that she sees this as an equity issue because two fields have been completed in southern Orange with seven planned, and one in northern Orange with only two others planned. Commissioner Carey agreed with Commissioner Halkiotis and Commissioner Foushee and he thinks the Board should make decisions about priorities and not deter from their original plan for West Ten. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the Twin Creeks Park and asked how many fields would be in this park. Lori Taft answered that there are four fields in the master plan and phase one would include two fields. Commissioner Gordon said that southern Orange has a total of seven fields. Central and northern Orange has a total of four, if the two at West Ten are built. If there are four mare fields built at West Ten that would be eight for central and northern Orange. She questioned the equity issue. Her understanding is that if Chapel Hill does not get more money, then it will only be able to build one soccer facility at Southern Community Park. She thinks that the County should fund two soccer fields at West Ten and make them complete. Whatever is decided, she thinks that it should be put out for public comment before committing to the capital plan. She thinks that two fields done right is not shabby and it is equitable. Chair Jacobs said that when the County bought the Adams Tract, Carrboro paid half, and when the Cybrary was done, Carrbaro also paid half. The Board has made a policy that if parks are going to be done in the future in municipal jurisdictions, that it will be done as partners. Orange County has paid $2.8 million toward this project in Chapel Hill. The Mayor has twice written to the Board asking the County Commissioners to keep the costs down. He suggested that, since Chapel Hill has not raised taxes, that the Board ask Chapel Hill to look for the additional $770,000 it is asking from the County Commissioners. He agrees with Commissioner Carey about trying to find a way to do West Ten in a cost effective manner. He sees the two projects as separate projects, but in terms of equity, the funding has not been equitable. Southern Park has never been portrayed as a County park, but as a City park. Commissioner Halkiotis asked Lori Taft what the $733,000 does for the two fields at West Ten. Lori Taft said that it does not include lights, but does include irrigation and restrooms. Chair Jacobs said that everyone seems to agree that at least two fields should be done, and he and Commissioner Carey would like to see if the whole project could be done and ask staff to come back with how to fund it in a reasonable timeframe. A motion was made by Chair Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to ask staff to came back with information on funding the entire project at West Ten Soccer Complex in a reasonable timeframe, with additional information on how it would fit into the debt capacity and borrowing capacity. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the Chapel Hill request and said that she understands that it was not trying to eliminate the soccer fields. She said that if more than two fields are going to be built at West Ten, she would like to consider the request from Chapel Hill. She does not agree beyond the two fields. Chair Jacobs said to consider the motion first and then the Board could consider Chapel Hill's request. VOTE: Ayes, 4; No, 1 (Commissioner Gordon) A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Chair Jacobs to refer the request from Chapel Hill back to staff and get a full report from Chapel Hill with specifics, and that staff come back with a recommendation for an appropriate amount. The second was contingent upon urging Chapel Hill to contribute more money to the project. Commissioner Gordon agreed. VOTE: UNANIMOUS