Agenda - 01-24-2017 - 8-a - Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan Updates - Durham-Orange Light Rail Financial Update and Chapel Hill Bus Rapid Transit Project Update

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The Board of Commissioners also directed the County Manager to engage a consultant to conduct an independent review of finances and value engineering choices for this project. The County has executed an agreement with its financial advisor, Davenport & Company, to review the financial model. GoTriangle staff has indicated that the value engineering options will not be evaluated until the agency has an engineer under contract to proceed with the future design of the project. As a result, staff will identify a consultant unrelated to the project after that decision has been made. The Board also directed the Manager to contact Durham to initiate discussions of reevaluating the split in funding based on changes in mileage and differences in economic development opportunities between the two counties. The County Manager’s Office has initiated this scheduling request. The full scope of the D-O LRT Project will be reviewed as part of the County’s update of the BRIP in Orange County. The allocation of taxes and fees to this project, as well as other portions of the BRIP, will be considered as part of the Plan update. Based on the current schedule, the Board will receive a presentation of the initial draft Plan during a work session on February 16, receive the final draft on March 7, and consider approval of the Plan on April 4. Chapel Hill Transit Update on North-South Corridor BRT Project – The Board of Commissioners also requested a review of the Chapel Hill BRT Project and its related costs. The Town of Chapel Hill completed an alternatives analysis for the project. Subsequently, the Metropolitan Planning Organization approved an amendment to the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan to expand the scope of the project. The new LPA has been submitted to the FTA to enter project development. The current BRIP identifies a total project cost of $24.5 million while the expected cost of the new LPA is currently estimated at $125 million. The current BRIP dedicates $6.1 million in local transit taxes and fees, or approximately 25% of the total costs, to this project. The proposed revision to the BRIP would increase the allocation of Orange County’s transit taxes and fees to $37.7 million. This increase will also be part of the upcoming update to the BRIP scheduled for February and March with possible approval April 4. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no cost associated with receiving the reports. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this agenda item. Public Transportation provides opportunity for access to jobs and services to many individuals. • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board receive the reports and ask any questions. 2