Agenda - 01-22-2015 - 6k - Laserfiche WebLink

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assisted by Orange County's vision and leadership, the Carolina Blue Skies Initiative suggested that Orange County be considered for private sector partnership with Brightfield Transportation Solutions ( "Brightfield ") for the licensing agreement where Brightfield would finance, install and operate two "DC Fast Charger' electric vehicle stations - one near the Eno River Farmers Market in Hillsborough, NC, and one near the Chapel Hill /Orange County Visitors Center and Orange County Skills Development Center in Chapel Hill, NC. The existing "Level 2" stations will provide a complete electric vehicle charge in approximately 6 to eight hours, depending on the charging system of the vehicle. The DC Fast Charger station technology allows for a full re- charge in approximately 30 minutes to one hour. This technology will allow for owners of electric vehicles to visit areas for much shorter time frames to receive a full charge - something that is appealing to most electric vehicle owners, especially those visiting and spending dollars within Orange County. The County's proposed contribution to this initiative is only the conveyance of a utility easement for the locations of the property. Brightfield will permit, design, install, and own the facilities and will charge a nominal fee for the charging service. Brightfield will offer the County and its local government partners (Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools, and OWASA) a discount to these charging services should these entities invest in the plug -in electric vehicles now and into the future. The Agreement stipulates the parking areas as not exclusive to electric vehicles; however, they would be include signage as electric vehicle charging areas. The licensing arrangement proposes a nine year term upon the final commissioning of the stations, with a mutually agreed option for a five year renewal period of the license and /or a mutually agreed buyout provision of the stations at the end of the license term. The full proposed licensing agreement is provided at Attachment 3. If the licensing agreement is approved, the Board of County Commissioners will be presented the utility easements for approval after Brightfield secures all of the necessary regulatory approvals for the development. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no cost to the County for this licensing agreement. Should the County exercise its mutually agreed buyout option at the end of the term, the County would purchase the facilities for a negotiated fair market value at that time. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) approve a Licensing Agreement and grant the associated Easements to Brightfields Transportation Services, LLC for electric vehicle "DC Fast Charger" fueling station construction and operations at The Justice Facility parking lot in Hillsborough, NC and the Skills Development Center parking lot in Chapel Hill, NC; 2) authorize the Chair to sign all necessary documents upon final review of the County Attorney.