Minutes 12-05-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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29 Questions Commissioner Burroughs asked John Roberts if this is a non-binding agreement. John Roberts said it is non-binding for the time being. He said if the Board of County Commissioners looks for additional funding, it creates the expectation that it will implement that funding, but the Board is not obligated to implement that funding, under this agreement. He said he drafted additional language, which can be added to the agreement. Commissioner Burroughs said revenue assumptions are going to be discussed by GoTriangle in April, and asked if GoTriangle will have heard from Orange County, at that point, regarding its commitment of funds. Jeff Mann said yes, April is a progress check. He said it should be known at that time whether the FTA has cleared to project to move into engineering. He said there will also be better understanding, at that time, regarding any and all additional funding that may have been secured. Commissioner Burroughs said to Bonnie Hammersley that April is a pivotal time in the County's budget process, and asked if she had an idea at what point the Board would make another decision on how much funding it would commit. Bonnie Hammersley said April would be a hard stop, and staff would be working with Durham County and GoTriangle, up to that time, and would bring back any updates to the Board of County Commissioners. Jeff Mann said the full commitment of funds would not be until June 2018. Commissioner Burroughs asked if the actual expenditure starts in June 2018. Jeff Mann said no, any additional local revenues would not be needed until 2020. Commissioner Burroughs asked if there is a larger expenditure that will occur between 2018 and 2020. Jeff Mann said yes, if the full general engineering and program management consultant contracts are executed, there will be a significant expenditure for design, as well as program management. He said there are sufficient funds to do this now, without these additional local revenues, but there would be an accelerated rate of expenditure to move the project from where it is today, at 30% design, to final design. Commissioner Burroughs said if in June 2018 the County decides not to proceed, there would be no reimbursement from the federal funds. Jeff Mann said that is correct, and federal reimbursement would be granted upon reaching a full funding grant agreement. He said if a full funding grant agreement is not received, the project would not be subject for reimbursement. Commissioner Burroughs said the County has to make a decision by April 2017. Commissioner Price said there will be no increase in funding between now and April, and asked if staff and GoTriangle will be working on finding additional funding. Jeff Mann said there is a project team working on funding, value engineering and continues to work with the Funding and Community Collaborative. He said the bus portion will also be updated. Commissioner Price asked if Jeff Mann feels the federal funds are secure given the upcoming change in administration. Jeff Mann said, while nothing is guaranteed, the funding is expected without issue. Commissioner Jacobs clarified that Jeff Mann said there are sufficient local funds to begin the engineering studies in April, but with a faster expenditure rate.