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the Board needs to be very clear that its interest is in protecting the interests of the citizens of Orange <br /> County. <br /> Commissioner Price said she is not opposed to light rail or buses, but she is concerned that an <br /> agency has the same power as elected officials. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said she appreciates MPO staff coming, and she asked Mark Ahrendsen to <br /> speak to the policy on this matter. She read this policy and asked him to clarify. <br /> Mark Ahrendsen said one of the main reasons for including Triangle Transit as a voting member is <br /> because it is a federal requirement to provide a seat for the local transit authority on the MPO. <br /> Commissioner McKee said the Board was asked to provide feedback, and he is providing feedback <br /> that he is opposed to this, even if it is a requirement. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier noted that the majority of the TTA board members are elected officials. <br /> She said the only members that are not elected officials are from Wake County. She said all of the <br /> Durham and Orange County members are elected officials. <br /> c. Work Group and Charge for an Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs <br /> The Board considered the creation of a work group and charge for the assessment of Jail <br /> Alternative Programs. <br /> Michael Talbert reviewed the following information: <br /> Background: <br /> In October, 2012, the NC Council of State authorized issuance of a 50 year land lease to Orange County <br /> for approximately 6.8 acres for construction of a jail facility. The proposed new Jail is included in the <br /> County's FY 2013-18 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) with an estimated total project cost of$30,250,000. A <br /> consultant has been retained to evaluate the site and determine the best configuration of the potential site, <br /> along with any constraints (environmental/regulatory for example) that might impact the development. Site <br /> related planning costs have been included in the CIP at $250,000 for FY 2013-14. Construction cost <br /> estimates from firms in the business of building detention facilities range from $80,000 to $120,000 per <br /> bed. The new jail is intended to house a minimum of 250 prisoners and provide support spaces needed for <br /> such a facility. Site design costs are planned for FY 2015-16, and Architectural/Engineering costs are <br /> included in FY 2016-17, with construction costs in FY 2017-18. <br /> The proposed new Jail project involves the review of jail alternative programs, individual program's <br /> effectiveness and impact on the inmate population of the Orange County Jail. At the August 30, 2012 <br /> Board work session, District Court Judge Joseph M. Buckner presented an overview of Court Programs to <br /> the Board. Attachment 1 is the Power Point presented by Judge Buckner that outlines Court Programs. <br /> On May 14, 2013 the Board reviewed a proposal from Solutions for Local Government, Inc., to assess Jail <br /> Alternative Programs in Orange County. Before planning for a new jail begins, a comprehensive <br /> assessment of jail alternative programs needs to be completed. The Board indicated that the creation of a <br /> work group to address alternatives to incarceration programs operating in Orange County and the impact <br /> each program may have on inmate population could be a feasible solution. A work group could review <br /> alternatives to incarceration programs operating in Orange County and provide recommendations to the <br /> Board. <br /> Possible composition of a Jail Alternatives Work Group: <br /> County Commissioners 2 <br /> Senior Resident Superior Court Judge or Designee 1 <br /> Chief District Court Judge or Designee 1 <br /> District Attorney or Designee 1 <br /> Public Defender or Designee 1 <br /> Clerk of Court or Designee 1 <br /> Sheriff or Designee 1 <br /> Jail Administrator or Designee 1 <br /> Department of Social Services representative 1 <br /> Mental Health representative 1 <br />