Agenda - 04-04-2017 - 8-a - Minutes

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10 1 support public transit, they do not support this plan. She said she supports the petition for a 2 public hearing. 3 Heather Brutz said she is a transit user by choice, and she is in support of the light rail 4 and increased bus service. She said her employment has always depended on access to 5 transit. 6 Ben Reinhart said he relies on public transit in Chapel Hill, and where he chose to live 7 and work was dependent on access to public transit. He said a strong public transportation 8 system can expand the horizons of all residents of the area. 9 Sue Hunter said she is in favor of light rail, and she sees it as an artery and not the only 10 transit tool. She said the LRT is a natural extension of the rural buffer, which increased 11 residential density inside it. She said LRT is an investment in the overall transportation system. 12 She said everyone may not use the LRT, but there are many services that are not used by all 13 but are still paid for by all, such as schools or parks. 14 Alyson Coleman said she is the President of her HOA in Richmond Hills in Efland. She 15 said there is one bus that goes from her community to Duke, but because of her schedule she 16 cannot take it. She said the service is so limited. She said the bus system is a cupcake with no 17 frosting, sprinkles or cherry. She said this must be improved before adding LRT. 18 Paula Hemmer is an environmental engineer. She uses public transportation when she 19 can, but finds the service to be very limited. She said buses are a flexible option to light rail. 20 She said the LRT project is just a sexy fixed line bus, and it is too costly. She challenged the 21 BOCC to think outside the box, and build up their bus ridership before considering the light rail. 22 Commissioner Marcoplos expressed thanks to the public for all their comments. He 23 said he is trying to figure this all out, and he needs to understand the financial part of this plan. 24 He said he has been researching bus rapid transit as an alternative to light rail. He said there 25 are few gold level BRT systems with dedicated lanes. He said there are varying levels of 26 services that seem to go slower, and thus he does not see BRT as an alternative to light rail 27 outside of the cost. He said getting to the gold level BRT would be just as costly as light rail. 28 He said he welcomes alternative research to what he has discovered. 29 Commissioner Price said BRT has controls on buses that trigger the lights, and there 30 are different levels of BRT. 31 Commissioner Jacobs said wherever opinions may fall, he appreciated people coming to 32 the meeting and being involved. 33 Commissioner Jacobs said he hoped that there will be a public hearing on this issue, 34 once the requested information is received. 35 Commissioner Jacobs said he will reserve judgement until the end of April, but he did 36 come up with four questions during the public comment period. They are: 37 1. What is Orange County's financial exposure, immediately and long term, beyond the funds 38 generated by the 1/2 cent sales tax? 39 2. Can we be confident that GoTriangle can successfully execute the plan before us or any 40 amended plan? 41 3. What is the realistic long-term outlook for bus service in Orange County under the current 42 plan? 43 4. What is the wisest way for Orange County to proceed, when the leadership of the General 44 Assembly, especially the Senate, has been antagonistic to light rail, and Congress and the 45 Entertainer-in-Chief cannot be relied upon to follow-through on important public 46 commitments? 47 48 Chair Dorosin referred to the revised schedule at their places, and asked Bonnie 49 Hammersley if there is time to hold a public hearing on April 18th.