Minutes 12-02-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner McKee to appoint Michael Talbert as the County Manager (Interim). VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Clerk to the Board A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Price to appoint Donna Baker as Clerk to the Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. County Attorney A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price to appoint John Roberts as the County Attorney. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda (See note above regarding additional abstract materials for item 6-g) PUBLIC CHARGE The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 2. Public Comments a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Terry Rekeweg read a statement, included in the agenda packet, regarding the Durham-Orange Light Rail Project. He noted the recent announcement of a planned, large scale mixed use development in Chatham County. He feels that transit planning should take this into consideration. He said if this park is built in Chatham County, it would make sense to tie this park to Research Triangle Park (RTP). He said it would be great if Pittsboro passengers could transfer in Chapel Hill to a direct ride into RTP, and he questioned the potential use of a route from Chapel Hill to Downtown Durham to board a bus into RTP. He said the large investment for the current light rail route is not useful for this commute. He said light rail that goes directly to RTP would be heavily used and would provide economic benefit to Orange County from transit passengers passing through. Terry Rekeweg said the current light rail plan avoids the RTP area. He said he presented a much more effective plan to the Board months earlier. He made note of a derailed passenger train in the Bronx, and said this has been attributed to a restricted speed curve. He said the Durham-Orange Light Rail has many tight curves that would restrict the speed of the train; however his proposed plan would remove 30 of these restricted speed curves. He said he is submitting this report to the MPO and to Triangle Transit for the NEPA process. Robin Jacobs, Executive Director for the Eno River Association said she brought greetings from the Association. She presented each of the Commissioners with a 2014 calendar. She expressed appreciation for the partnership and working relationship with the Board on conservation over the years. She referred to a series of photographs showing recent joint projects. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Petitions by Board Members Commissioner Gordon read the following petition: