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18 <br /> Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) Commissioner Jacobs <br /> and Commissioner Rich <br /> Space Study Work Group In Maintenance <br /> 1 <br /> 2 <br /> EX-OFFICIO <br /> Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce- Chair Serves <br /> does not require a Commissioner <br /> NC DOT Quarterly Meetings Chair/Vice Chair <br /> School Collaboration Meetings Chair/Vice Chair <br /> 3 <br /> 4 4. Environment and Agricultural Center Project Update <br /> 5 Due to time constraints this item is considered an Information Item. <br /> 6 <br /> 7 BACKGROUND: <br /> 8 On June 16, 2015 the Board of County Commissioners appropriated design and due <br /> 9 diligence funds in the FY2015-16 Capital Investment Plan for a new or renovated Environment <br /> 10 and Agricultural Center on its existing and desired Revere Road site. The purpose of the <br /> 11 renovation is to improve the facility as an operationally efficient and centralized provider of <br /> 12 agriculture related services. <br /> 13 Over the past three months, County staff and consultants have performed due diligence <br /> 14 on the site in preparation for the coming engineering and design activities. A request for <br /> 15 qualifications ("RFQ") process was initiated in September 2015 for the designer for the project. <br /> 16 Nine submittals were reviewed, and four firms interviewed with a staff panel representing <br /> 17 DEAPR, Cooperative Extension, Asset Management Services, the Soil & Water Conservation <br /> 18 District Board of Supervisors, and the Commission for the Environment. The interview panel <br /> 19 has since selected a preferred designer. Staff is negotiating the professional services <br /> 20 agreement and related fees and hopes to bring a recommendation for this firm as part of the <br /> 21 agenda review process in March. <br /> 22 Once the designer is engaged, the first priority in the design process will be to solicit <br /> 23 stakeholder feedback for the project. The designer will conduct surveys of building residents, <br /> 24 County partners, elected officials, staff, and other interested stakeholders in an effort to <br /> 25 assemble the best facility of its type and purpose for Orange County. <br /> 26 The project team will present this information to the Board for its discussion and <br /> 27 feedback <br /> 28 As the project progresses through this collaborative design process, staff will provide <br /> 29 future updates as the schematic design unfolds. The Board will be asked to approve the final <br /> 30 design development documents and authorize construction documents and bidding to occur. <br /> 31 <br /> 32 A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to <br /> 33 adjourn the meeting at 10:26 p.m. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 36 <br /> 37 Earl McKee, Chair <br /> 38 <br /> 39 <br /> 40 Donna Baker,Clerk to the Board <br /> 41 <br />