Minutes 03-15-2012 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon asked about the rationale for Orange County paying all of the costs in the Chapel Hill part of Durham County and how much the County was bound by that. Chair Pelissier said that the conversation is starting fresh this year. She thinks that what Durham County has offered is a reasonable scenario, which was Orange County paying for four stations. During the first five years, Orange County would get more bus hours and Durham would actually lose some. She said that neither party wants to lose too many bus hours, because a lot of the bus hours are regional and the costs are shared. This is a regional transit plan. Commissioner Yuhasz said that it is unfortunate the way the Durham County referendum vote transpired and the Durham County Commissioners committed to something that was probably a little more than they should have. He thinks that Durham County does not have a lot of flexibility now. Commissioner McKee said that the Hillsborough train station could be expanded for commuter rail. He would like to revisit and reconsider the vote that light rail be the preferred alternative. Commissioner Jacobs said that he thinks that Durham exercised as much flexibility as it thought it could based on what it had made as a commitment. He said that in the discussions that he participated, it was made clear that Orange County did not consider Durham County's commitment Orange County's commitment. He said that all of the agonizing over the projections is a little excessive to him because there is no way that anyone can know what will happen 15 years down the road. Chair Pelissier said that it is clear to her that the majority of the Board agrees that this is a fair and reasonable way to do cost-sharing at this point in time. She also hears that the Board does not want to commit any General Fund monies and if there were situations where the revenues were lower, that the plan would have to be revisited with Durham. She suggested putting these three basic principles on the agenda next week, along with not reducing bus hours. Commissioner Hemminger said that she would like to continue strongly advocating for the Hillsborough train station as part of this. Chair Pelissier said that this is another part of the conversation, but this is important. Commissioner Gordon said it that she would like to have a Hillsborough train station. She asked how much was being put aside for this. Patrick McDonough said that a bare bones station would be about $4 million. The $4 million station is basically a platform, a roof, a ticket machine, and a parking lot. The local match is 10% of that. Commissioner McKee asked for some specific information to be brought forward on the $3 million for the park and ride lots. Commissioner Gordon said it appears that there will have to be some reprioritization of bus hours. Chair Pelissier said that staff will get together tomorrow morning and will come up with a revised bus plan that provides additional services to rural and urban areas as well as regional. This will come forward next Thursday. Chair Pelissier said that this is a draft plan and this is open to suggestions from the public. The whole idea for a Hillsborough train station came from public input. She said that TTA has agreed that there can be an agreement between Orange County and TTA that if this is put on the ballot in November and it passes, TTA would not levy the tax until Orange County Board of Commissioners says in a resolution that it wants TTA to levy the tax. This allows time to get the agreements worked out with the partners. Craig Benedict made reference to Attachment 6, which is a draft agreement.