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12 <br /> Attachment 5 <br /> A) Staff Questions/Comments: <br /> 1) The C1 and C2 light rail alignment alternatives were both submitted for further <br /> study and environmental review by Triangle Transit; however, the BOCC and <br /> MPO both adopted the C2 light rail alignment as the locally preferred <br /> alternative to take priority for further study over that of the C1 alignment <br /> alternative (Exhibit 1 of Attachment 5). To reel in the wide variation in cost <br /> outcomes (i.e., the $6 million difference in the $30-36 million forecasted) <br /> associated with the environmental review and further project development <br /> process for both alignments because of the potential uncertainties identified <br /> regarding environmental constraints, a basic constraints analysis should be <br /> completed before proceeding to more intense environmental review and study <br /> as part of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process to more <br /> clearly identify the environmental challenges and associated costs of both <br /> routes so environmental and project development consulting funds can be <br /> more efficiently allocated toward the C2 alignment first. A large sum of money <br /> should not be spent on the environmental scoping/review and project <br /> development process for the C1 alignment when the C2 alignment is <br /> preferred and likely involves fewer environmental challenges (e.g., Jordan <br /> Lake wetlands as an issue with the C1 alignment). The C1 alignment should <br /> only be studied intensively in the NEPA process if the results of studying the <br /> C2 alignment indicate that the C2 alignment will present more profound <br /> environmental challenges than what is likely for the C1 alignment. <br /> 2) Staff Budget/Financial Summary Comments in Addition to BOCC Comments <br /> (Exhibit 2 of Attachment 5): <br /> a) Staff suggests preparation and presentation of a draft budget/financial <br /> summary in February of each year by Triangle Transit to incorporate into <br /> the upcoming Orange County fiscal year (July 1St — June 30th) budgeting <br /> process so that support for Orange Public Transportation (OPT) can be <br /> determined before the preparation and finalization of Orange County's <br /> general budget. <br /> b) Staff suggests that the budget/financial summary specify the limits of the <br /> fiscal year(s) (FY) to which it is referring. Is this the forecast for Orange <br /> County's fiscal year (July 1St — June 30th), or is this the forecast for some <br /> other fiscal year? <br /> c) Staff suggests that the detail regarding when revenues from each source <br /> are received further specify whether each period provided is the time <br /> period during which the revenue is actually received or when the revenue <br /> is levied. Because there is a 3-month lag from when revenues are levied <br /> to when they are actually received, what is provided may just capture <br /> when the revenue is received; however, if it applies to just when the <br />