Minutes 11-17-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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16 Danny Rogers said if the project falls out of the program, whilst decisions are trying to be made and money is spent, those funds are not eligible for reimbursement. He said getting to engineering is time sensitive, and allows far more specific information to be gathered prior to making decisions about major financial commitments. Alderman Chaney said Town Council Member Cianciolo's point is well taken. She asked if the number of people, who will get out of their cars if this project is built, is known. Danny Rogers said about 24,000 per day. Patrick McDonough, Manager of Planning for GoTriangle, said just under 27,000 riders per day, when including the NCCU station; and another 20,000 when including the bus trips to and from the various light rail stations. Alderman Chaney said that is a lot of people who will benefit from this project. She said she hoped that the Board of County Commissioners will think about getting to the next step. She said they want to achieve the goal so badly, and it is the proportion that has changed not the cost. She said there is a risk here but she, as a taxpayer, is willing to take that risk. Commissioner Jacobs said he suggested on Tuesday night, the need to re-negotiate the formula with Durham. He said before moving forward in April, he would like to know who is going to do the value engineering. He said he would like to see independent value engineering, and he asked if there is a development coordinator to solicit funds from the universities and the private sector. Commissioner Jacobs said, at some point, the BOCC will need information from Chapel Hill about the extension of the BRT, the tripling of the cost, and why the BOCC has not been a part of this conversation. He said the topic of affordable housing along the light rail also needs to be revisited. Mayor Hemminger said the Town Council was working today to see what is happening with the BRT, since they just heard about this. She said the Town would work on the affordable housing request. She said three of the stops are UNC owned and will not include affordable housing. She said Glenn Lennox is already built out, and the only other opportunities are the Woodmont and Gateway stations. Town Commissioner Weaver said she wanted to speak up for those in the northern part of the County, and she sees the benefit to the light rail project. She said there are a lot of risks and unknowns, but this current step is really important, and she does not want to lose sight of the bigger picture and overall benefits. Commissioner Pelissier said sometimes risks have to be taken, and voting to at least look at funding options is not that big of a risk. She hopes her colleagues will vote in favor of doing so. She said light rail will add to affordability. Commissioner Jacobs said just because the Board of County Commissioners asks tough questions, it does not indicate any lesser commitment to light rail and affordability. He said the BOCC will have to deal with the consequences of adding more funding. Alderman Slade said the engineering phase is rapidly approaching, and asked if it is realistic that GoTriangle will be able to meet the deadline. Danny Rogers said the process is on track, and if a financial plan is in place they should be in good shape to submit it to FTA. He said it would then wait to be seen as to how FTA reacts to said plan. Commissioner Rich said the Board of County Commissioners is supportive of this project, and it would be a shame to throw this all away. She commended Commissioner Pelissier for all of her hard work on this. Chair McKee asked if, funding gap aside, there is a firm, written commitment from Duke to pick up any Right of Way (ROW).