Minutes 11-15-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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29 Danny Rogers said this is being looked into. He said value engineering is good, while cost cutting is not. Commissioner Pelissier said the formula for cost sharing with Durham and light rail was based on the sales tax revenue at that time, and she said it was discussed more specifically regarding what percentage of the stations were in one county versus the other. She said having NCCU added, does not nullify the formula, but is rather a new negotiation. Patrick McDonough said many formula options were tried, and the groups arrived at a conclusion based on number of bus hours being delivered in other parts of the plan. Commissioner Pelissier said she did not recall that. Patrick McDonough said both counties agreed that they had reached their desired value, which was how the agreement was signed. He said in the past there was no hard metric. Commissioner Pelisser asked if the same formula would be used when adding a station. Patrick McDonough said there was no specific determination, but he would defer to legal staff for clarification. Commissioner Pelissier referred to Commissioner Jacobs' comments about priorities for Orange County, and said transit is a priority, and another is affordable housing. She said these priorities go hand in hand. She said would like Go Triangle to provide information to the Board on, if light rail were to exist, and bus routes could be changed, could more affordable housing be provided, due to the increased availability of public transportation. Commissioner Rich said she is in favor of the NCCU extension, and the overall project. Commissioner Rich said she too would like to review the cost sharing amounts with Durham. Commissioner Rich said she would like more information about funding for joint development for transit and affordable housing. She said this topic has not been discussed nearly enough. She clarified that the task this evening is a vote on the NCCU extension, and receiving of the financial report. Danny Rogers said nothing is being requested on the financial side tonight. Commissioner Price said she is glad NCCU is now included. She said, going forward, negotiations will be necessary for how these increased costs for the project are funded. She said the extension will benefit Orange County residents as well as Durham residents. Commissioner Jacobs said the County has no jurisdiction for affordable housing, along the light rail line, since that falls under the Town of Chapel Hill. He said the County could ask to see the Town's plans for affordable housing at the upcoming Assemblies of Governments meeting. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the expectations of the Board, for the December 5th meeting, could be reiterated. Danny Rogers said the Board will be asked to give permission to put in the plan that Orange County will make the effort to fund the additional local funds necessary to fill the financial gap; the intent to work toward that end. He said a concrete commitment of actual funds will come at a later date. Chair McKee clarified that it will only be a commitment to intent. Danny Rogers said yes. Chair McKee asked if the timeframe for commitment of actual funds could be identified. Danny Rogers said in April 2017 there will be more definition of the plan, and commitment from the County to be a part of the plan is desired at that time. He said the commitment that is required, when action must be taken, would be when submission is made to the FTA to get into the president's budget in the summer of 2018.