ORD-2014-011 Report and Recommendations from the County and Town Managers Regarding the Implementation of Improvements in the Historic Rogers Road Neighborhood

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3 of the preliminary engineering will be shared with the Town of Chapel Hill and the Town of Carrboro. 3. That the County participate in community outreach partnering with organizations such as the Jackson Center and/or the Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association (RENA) to identify action steps to provide sewer service to the Rogers Road Neighborhood and lay the groundwork for a master plan for the development of the Rogers Road area (including the Greene Tract), not to exceed $50,000. Carrboro, Chapel Hill and the County will share in the cost of this outreach. 4. Consider a budget amendment of $77,400 (43% of $180,000) for the initial engineering and community outreach expected to take 8-10 months to complete. Town of Chapel Hill: On February 10, 2014, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved "A resolution initiating funding for preliminary engineering and outreach for the Rogers Road Sewer Project and continuing the Public Hearing for the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Boundary Amendment (Attachment 2). The Town Manager was directed to prepare agreements and appropriate budget action to initiate preliminary engineering and outreach efforts for the Rogers Road sewer project. Town of Carrboro: On March 4, 2014 the Carrboro Board of Aldermen will consider participating and sharing the costs of preliminary engineering and outreach for the Historic Rogers Road Neighborhood. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accepted an administrative complaint filed against Orange County Planning and Inspections Department (OCPID) received on April 18, 2011 and is conducting an investigation of the complaint. John Roberts, Orange County Attorney, continues to advise the Board of County Commissioners to suspend consideration of the extension of sewer line to the Rogers Road Neighborhood as long as the EPA investigation remains open, (see Attachment 3 letter dated October 17, 2013). Orange County continues to seek a reasonable and speedy conclusion to this investigation. A County contract to provide a preliminary engineering estimate for the cost of sewer and participation in community outreach does not obligate the County to extend sewer to the Rogers Road Neighborhood. A Board decision to fund or not fund the extension of sewer lines to the Rogers Road Neighborhood will be made after the EPA investigation is complete. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact of funding an initial engineering and community outreach will not exceed $77,400. It is recommended these funds be appropriated from General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance. Future improvements in the Historic Rogers Road Community are uncertain until direction is provided by the Board of County Commissioners. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize the Manager to: 1. Negotiate a cost sharing agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Carrboro for a preliminary engineering estimate to provide sewer to the 86 parcels identified by the Task Force not to exceed $130,000 based on the Task Force recommendation; 2. Negotiate a contract with OWASA for a preliminary engineering estimate to provide sewer to the 86 parcels identified by the Task Force not to exceed $130,000;