Orange County NC Website
5 <br /> 1 Chair Jacobs asked what happened to the library services task force and if the Board <br /> 2 should strike this from the books if there is no place for it in the planning process. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Lucinda Munger said the members of the 2007 task force were part of the leadership <br /> 5 survey on the plan through individual conversations. She said that, because the plan is due in <br /> 6 this form to the state library by June 28th, 2013, feedback is needed from the Board of County <br /> 7 Commissioners tonight. She said staff will continue to reach out to the community, though it <br /> 8 may not be a formal work group. She said that this plan needs to be reviewed annually in order <br /> 9 to be viable. She said she hopes to involve citizens on a broader scale, while seeking out some <br /> 10 of the leaders of that task force. <br /> 11 Chair Jacobs asked that this information be included when the final recommendation is <br /> 12 brought back. <br /> 13 Commissioner McKee said that when this comes back in the fall, staff needs to address <br /> 14 the parking issue, including the availability of free parking. <br /> 15 Lucinda Munger said this was brought up at a prior work session, and the Board of <br /> 16 Alderman is aware that this is an issue for the library and downtown in general. She said that <br /> 17 there is a town owned property that may be converted into a parking area. <br /> 18 Commissioner Gordon said she would like to see a more formal detailed statement of <br /> 19 how the needs assessment relates to the goals and objectives, as well as the metrics. <br /> 20 Dr. Anthony Chow described what a 21St century library will look like. He said that core <br /> 21 services that have been identified show little change, but the means by which these are met are <br /> 22 changing. He said there is more choice, and technology is value-added, but not a replacement. <br /> 23 He noted that patrons still express a desire for both books and e-books. He said the trend <br /> 24 shows that urban libraries are becoming a mixed use space and a social place. He said there <br /> 25 is more versatility and diversity of services. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 2. Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs <br /> 28 <br /> 29 Michael Talbert reviewed the following background information from the abstract: <br /> 30 In October 2012, the NC Council of State authorized issuance of a 50 year land lease to <br /> 31 Orange County for approximately 6.8 acres for construction of a Jail facility. The proposed new <br /> 32 Jail is included in the County's FY 2013-18 CIP, with an estimated total project cost of <br /> 33 $30,250,000. A consultant has been retained to evaluate the site and determine the best <br /> 34 configuration of the potential site, along with any constraints (environmental/regulatory for <br /> 35 example) that might impact the development. Site related planning costs have been included in <br /> 36 the CIP at $250,000 for FY 2013-14. Construction cost estimates from firms in the business of <br /> 37 building detention facilities range from $80,000 to $120,000 per bed. The new jail is intended to <br /> 38 house a minimum of 250 prisoners and provide support spaces needed for such a facility. Site <br /> 39 design costs are planned for FY 2015-16, and Architectural/Engineering costs are included in <br /> 40 FY 2016-17, with construction costs in FY 2017-18. <br /> 41 The proposed new Jail project involves the review of jail alternative programs, individual <br /> 42 program effectiveness and impact on the inmate population of the Orange County Jail. At the <br /> 43 Board's August 30, 2012 work session, District Court Judge Joseph M. Buckner presented an <br /> 44 overview of Court Programs to the Board. Attachment A is the PowerPoint presented by Judge <br /> 45 Buckner that outlines Court Programs. <br /> 46 The County requested and has received a proposal from Solutions for Local <br /> 47 Government, Inc., to assess Jail Alternative Programs in Orange County. Before planning for a <br /> 48 new jail begins, a comprehensive assessment of jail alternative programs needs to be <br /> 49 completed. Solutions for Local Government, Inc. has experience evaluating alternatives to <br /> 50 incarceration related programs and assessing the impact on jail population. Attachment B <br />