Agenda - 09-16-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 12 proposal for a tiered structure that requires residents to write a forest management plan. She said the fee ranges from $250 to $750, depending on the acreage of land. She said the County did 62 of these plans in 2013 -14, so there could be substantial cost to residents if they are required to write them. Dave Stancil said Blackwood Farm Park is proposed for opening before the end of the calendar year. He said the operational items include the increased purchase of volunteer agricultural district signs, which is a new problem. He said operational costs, such as electricity, are also higher. Commissioner Price noted the tournament fee of $35 for residents, and asked how tournaments are defined as opposed to other activities. Dave Stancil said this would be determined by specific criteria, including the schedule of the event and the number of fields used. Commissioner Price said it needs to be communicated to local residents that parks are open to the community, and fees are only charged for renting facilities. Dave Stancil said signs and brochures can be created to communicate this. Commissioner McKee asked for more explanation regarding the Upper Neuse River basin and surface monitoring. He is concerned that the requirements are not achievable and may create problems for agriculture in Orange County. Dave Stancil said the Upper Neuse River Basin Association is aware that the Environmental Management Committee (EMC) has a small window to make a case for modification of the rules. He said 3 -5 years of monitoring are required to make that case, and that is what the association is proposing with these funds. Commissioner McKee asked if there is anything else the County should do. Dave Stancil said the agricultural rules process is out of their purview, and it will run its own course. He said staff had considered the option of doing self monitoring, but this would not count, as the EMC will only consider regional data, which is why the association data is important. Commissioner McKee said he thinks it may be important for the County to collect its own data in case this is needed down the road. Commissioner Gordon asked about an earlier reference to partners who use facilities and do not pay. Dave Stancil said one example is that the YMCA runs a summer camp at the Efland Cheeks Community Center, and the operational costs for this are covered by the County. He said lighting expenses at ball fields are another example. Commissioner Gordon asked if HYAA pays. Dave Stancil said yes. He said there is usually a middle ground between actual cost and the fee that is paid. Commissioner Gordon suggested a future discussion about possible need for changes. Dave Stancil said there has been a proposal for creating a template to evaluate partnerships. Michael Talbert said this is the model that will be followed with RENA. He said RENA will levy fees for the services they provide, and the County will cover the operational costs for the facility. Chair Jacobs asked if the Sportsplex charges different rates for in- County and out of County users. Dave Stancil said he will check on this. Chair Jacobs noted that there is an agreement to sell sponsorships at the Eurosport Soccer Center. He asked if this is being marketed. Dave Stancil said this is marketed on a limited basis, but there is no active advertising.