Minutes 03-06-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Michael Talbert said this is on a very fast track, and he noted the application due dates of April 1 and May 1. He said there are several things outlined in the memo, including the engineering study and confirmation of area demographics, which must be done in order to apply. He said the demographic study could be done through the Jackson Center and/or RENA. He noted the need for certification and mapping of failed septic systems. He said this must be planned for in the capital investment plan, and it must be in OWASA's plan. He hopes these steps can be completed this year in order to be in a good position to apply for this next year. He reviewed some of the manager recommendations. He said one of the concerns of the Carrboro Board was that everyone gets a chance to review the documentation, especially for the Jackson Group and RENA, to make sure that the scope of services is what everyone wanted. He noted that the CIP, which comes out in March, will include, in year 2, the potential to fund the sewer if everything is approved and the EPA concludes their investigation. Chair Jacobs said the joint agreement to operate the community center was recently approved, and he thanked Michael Talbert for helping to make this happen. Michael Talbert said the community center is currently out to bid, and staff hopes to bring the bid award back in April. Commissioner Rich asked for an explanation of the ETJ process. Michael Talbert said Rogers Road splits the unincorporated part of Orange County and the part that is in Carrboro in half. He said the Orange County unincorporated section could potentially be in a future Town of Chapel Hill ETJ. He said an initial public hearing has been held and continued. He said his feeling is that the town is waiting to get buy-in that everyone wants to move forward with this. He said the Chapel Hill town attorney has advised that the only way the town can participate is if this is part of the ETJ. He said town is pursuing this and will have to come back to the County for permission. Commissioner Rich thanked Commissioner Dorosin for bringing this information forward. She asked for clarification that it is too soon to do this now, but it will be done for next year's budget. Michael Talbert said yes. He said the sealed project budget estimate, which is pending approval tonight, will take up to 6 months to complete. Commissioner McKee asked the County attorney if there is any way to finesse the timing issue and apply for a hold on some of these funds. John Roberts said for some grants this is possible, but he does not know if that is the case for this particular grant. He can look into this. Michael Talbert said this is a small amount of money for a statewide grant. He said you really need shovel ready projects to complete this application. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the sheet and asked if it is not possible to do a May 1 st submission. Michael Talbert said it is possible to do this, but there is a very slim chance of getting it. He said there are no plans in the CIP and no sealed engineering report. Commissioner Dorosin said he would argue for trying to apply. He said all of this funding is for water and sewer infrastructure. He said the County is going to need to do this anyway, and he thinks it is worthwhile since there is a contract with OWASA, and an engineering contract is expected. He said the website has an income eligibility map and the Orange County section shows Rogers Road as 71 percent to 80 percent low and moderate income, which meets the threshold. He thinks it is critical to apply, and then next year the County would have a shovel ready project. He said this would demonstrate to the community that the County is taking their sewer commitment seriously. He said there may be other grant projects that come up, and this will make the County more prepared and competitive. He thinks this may be another representation to the EPA that Orange County is committed to