Agenda - 12-11-2007-4z - Laserfiche WebLink

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a set of final draft guidelines be brought back to the Board at the first regular Board meeting in 2008 for additional review and approval. Since the October 9t" meeting, Andy Sachs with the Dispute Settlement Center, with some minimal organizational assistance from County staff, has been working to bring the various interests together for discussion. To date, Mr. Sachs has invested eight and a half hours and anticipates another 2-4 hours prior to an upcoming mediatian session. Following that meeting, Mr. Sachs anticipates another 2-6 hours of follow-up work, including the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding. Mr. Sachs has requested an additional 15 hours of mediation time to complete this effort. Mr. Sachs has also noted a charge of $85 an hour. Based on the information above and Mr. Sachs' request, it is proposed that the Board approve up to an additional 15 hours for the mediation process. The cost for just the additional 15 hours would be $1,275 ($85 per hour). FINANCIAL IMPACT: On October 9t", the Board approved the pursuit of the mediation process with the County paying 50% of the costs for mediation for up to 10 hours of mediation preparation and actual meeting time. An estimated cost of approximately $75 per hour for mediation services potentially through the Dispute Settlement Center had been noted in the October 9t" Board meeting materials. The total potential cost to the County at that time was up to $375. It is proposed that up to an additional 15 hours be added to the mediation timeframe and that the cost per hour would be $85, making the potential total approved time 25 hours at $85 per hour. The costs could total up to $2,125, with the County potentially being responsible for 50% of this cost - $1,062.50. The other participants/groups would also need to commit to the additional hours and paying the additional costs up to $1,062.50. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize up to an additional 15 hours of mediation time through the Dispute Settlement Center for a total of up to 25 hours of total mediation time, with the other participants/groups being asked to commit to the additional 15 hours, for a total of 25 hours total mediation time, and the associated cost.