Agenda - 06-18-2013 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

21 1 Frank Clifton said the space has been designed to accommodate other groups such as 2 the Planning Department and other County entities. He said that the Commissioners are one of 3 the largest boards. 4 Commissioner Rich and Frank Clifton discussed a meeting room in Indiana with 5 balconies and false ceilings, and Frank Clifton said this was considered, but there were issues. 6 Ken Redfoot said there is significant budget devoted to audiovisual and technology. 7 Commissioner Gordon said that there is no curved dais in Concept A or Concept C. She 8 noted that Southern Human Services Center has a curved dais, which provides a seating 9 arrangement that allows Board members to see each other easily. There is also a permanent 10 electronic installation for computer devices. She asked if that is a contemplated design. 11 Jeff Thompson showed a schematic of a curved dais and said this was discussed at 12 length during the tours. He said this is in the list of considerations. 13 Commissioner Gordon asked how the audiovisuals would be designed. She said the 14 structure often drives the functionality of the audiovisual equipment. She asked for an 15 explanation of how this would work in the space so that everyone can see and hear. 16 Chair Jacobs reminded everyone that this is just the conceptual phase and asked if 17 these issues can be addressed later in the process. 18 Commissioner Gordon said it is very important to discuss this now and lock in on a 19 concept for the audiovisual to avoid another scenario like Southern Human Services Center 20 where some cannot see the presentations. 21 Jeff Thompson said the audiovisual components of the facility are of utmost priority and 22 this will be addressed throughout the schematic. 23 Commissioner Gordon referenced the Commissioners' space and the difference 24 between the "flexible meeting and closed session space" and the "BOCC Pre-function". She 25 asked if this space is for the Commissioners use only. 26 Jeff Thompson said yes. 27 Commissioner McKee said there had been discussion about keeping the school board 28 and the Town up to speed on these issues and asked if this is being done. 29 Jeff Thompson said this is happening. 30 Commissioner Price asked about monitors for viewing presentations. 31 Jeff Thompson said this is being researched. 32 Commissioner Price asked about space for quarterly public hearings and joint meetings 33 with other entities. She asked about building accessibility and the use of steps on both sides of 34 the dais, and she requested a ramp. 35 Ken Redfoot said there is a ramp behind the dais, and one could be put on the side. 36 Chair Jacobs clarified that, under no scenario, will the large room be split, and staff 37 agreed. 38 Chair Jacobs said a line of trees was planted east of the building, in commemoration of 39 9/11, and he asked of these will remain. 40 Jeff Thompson answered yes. 41 42 PUBLIC COMMENT: 43 Max Wallace lives with his wife on West Tryon Street three doors east of the Whitted 44 Building. He has been there 35 years and his wife is an artist. He has served on the Durham 45 Arts Council and is sympathetic to the idea of a cultural center in theory, but is very concerned 46 about the idea from the standpoint of a neighbor three doors down in a historic residential 47 neighborhood with very small streets and no curbs. He said he works in research and data 48 counts and he referenced a traffic count study he submitted in a letter to the clerk and the 49 Board. He said that in a 20 hour study done on several days from 6pm to 10pm the average 50 traffic was one car every 2 minutes and 35 seconds. He said there were several nights were