Minutes 05-14-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Court Street Annex (CIP page 36) Paul Laughton said there is replacement of electrical circuits scheduled in Years 6 through 10 at a cost of$100,000. Jeff Thompson said alternatives are being studied for the existing jail property. Generator Projects (CIP page 39) Paul Laughton said this is a new project for this year. He said there are several locations in the next three years that will be looked at regarding generators, or other sources of back up energy. He said grant funded sources are always pursued for these types of needs, as well. Commissioner Rich asked if solar generators and batteries are being considered. Jeff Thompson said the cost benefit analysis will be conducted regarding solar energy. Commissioner Price asked if the generators at these locations will be replacement ones or new. She said the increase in weather related power outages may result in the County's buildings being used as shelters for the Community and having power will be vital. Jeff Thompson said they will mostly be new. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the buildings currently used for emergency shelters could be identified. Jim Groves, Emergency Services Director, said the primary shelters are C. W. Stanford Middle School, on Orange High School Road; and Smith Middle School, on Seawell School Road. He said Smith Middle School has a generator that is always ready for use no matter the reason. He said at Stanford Middle School the generator is pre-staged if a bad weather event is anticipated. He said if more space is needed, the high schools are the next locations to be used in emergencies. He said a new option is to use the buildings belonging to faith based organizations. Commissioner Jacobs said that in previous discussions with Mebane, a request was raised for a shelter in the western part of the County, perhaps at Gravelly Hill Middle School. He asked if this discussion, or a plan to address it, had moved forward. Jim Groves said the Gravelly Hill site had been reviewed, but currently it does not have an emergency generator on site. He said this would have to be addressed prior to Gravelly Hill being used. He added the site is appropriate for such use, per Red Cross standards. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a process of paying a fee to someone in order to have a reservation on a generator. He asked if this option would be more cost effective for somewhere like Gravelly Hill. Jeff Thompson said this pre-staged model can work. He said the strength of this option is the cost effectiveness; but the weakness is insuring a generator is available during an emergency when there will be a high demand for generators. He said this option will be considered in greater detail looking for the right contract to meet the County's needs. Commissioner Jacobs asked if some of the $400,000 could be directed towards some pre-staged generators, which would incur an annual fee. He asked if staff would return to the Board with more information in the future. Jeff Thompson answered yes to both questions. Bonnie Hammersley said a discussion arose today regarding generators and the best approach to take. She said this budget will most likely approve an investment for generators, and the discussion outlined the money does not have to go to just one type of generator or one approach. She said all options would be researched and brought back to the Board. Commissioner Price said Nancy Coston, Director of Department of Social Services (DSS), may have an idea of how many people could be vulnerable in an emergency.