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<br />MEM0~2ANDUM <br />To: Laura Blackmon, County Manager <br />Willie Best, Assistant County Manager <br />From: Lori Taft, Recreation and Parks Director <br />Re: Potential Smith Middle School Artificial Surface Project <br />Response to Cornrnissioner Inquiries <br />Date: February 27, 2008 <br />A report on this topic was presented to the Board at the November 5, 2007 meeting. At that time the <br />Board asked for follow up information on two particular questions. <br />The Board wished to know the term of the lease for the property. <br />The property is owned by the State of North Carolina. It was leased to Orange County with Chapel <br />Hill-Carrboro City Schools as a "sub-tenant" in June of 2001. The term of the lease is 30 years, which <br />would run through June 14, 2031. <br />The Board also wished to confirm the assertion by Carrboro staff to Orange County staff, that Carrboro <br />would waive fees for the entities offering to "partner" with the county by donating funds toward the <br />project. The potential value of these donations totals over $600,000. <br />A letter was sent to Anita Jones-McNair on November 27, 2007 to request waiver of these fees as well <br />as permit and engineering fees associated with the Town's approval process. This letter is attached. <br />A response was received today from Ms. Jones-McNair (also attached) indicating that the Aldermen <br />discussed the issue at two meetings but took no action on the request. <br />It appears at this point is that the Town does not agree to waive any of the fees as requested in the <br />November 271etter. I have also been in touch with one of the potential donor groups to ask for their <br />reaction, and I have been told they would not be willing to donate any funds for this project without fee <br />waivers. <br />