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11 <br /> 3. What is the realistic long-term outlook for bus service in Orange County under the current <br /> plan? <br /> 4. What is the wisest way for Orange County to proceed, when the leadership of the General <br /> Assembly, especially the Senate, has been antagonistic to light rail, and Congress and the <br /> Entertainer-in-Chief cannot be relied upon to follow-through on important public <br /> commitments? <br /> Chair Dorosin referred to the revised schedule at their places, and asked Bonnie <br /> Hammersley if there is time to hold a public hearing on April 18th <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said financial information will be received on April 4th, and the BRT <br /> plan will become available April 3. She said a public hearing could occur on April 18th <br /> Commissioner Price said the revised schedule has a time for public comment with <br /> GoTriangle, and said she wants to make sure that the public gets the opportunity to be fully <br /> heard. <br /> Chair Dorosin said yes, both are warranted. <br /> Commissioner McKee said comments by the Bishop hit him the most because it <br /> demonstrated how this plan will not serve the people that need it. <br /> Commissioner McKee reviewed the time timeline since November, noting that <br /> GoTriangle repeatedly requested a letter from the BOCC endorsing $4 million per year for 10 <br /> years to be submitted to the FTA. He said in mid January the BOCC was told that the $4 <br /> million was no longer needed, and the plan was to backload Transportation Infrastructure <br /> Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans. He said this communication did not actually say that <br /> because there was a statement indicating that the "local fund could still be needed". <br /> Commissioner McKee said GoTriangle presented the LRT to the BOCC again on <br /> January 16th, but at the February 16th meeting GoTriangle was in possession of a letter from <br /> FTA stating concerns, which was not disclosed to the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner McKee said at the same February 16th meeting, the BOCC was told that <br /> June was the decision date, and now tonight the deadline April 30th <br /> Commissioner McKee asked Jeff Mann if he knew when the back loaded loans would <br /> be issued. <br /> Jeff Mann said that GoTriangle did tell the BOCC on February 16th about the <br /> communication from FTA. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he did mention this, but he did not indicate the seriousness <br /> of the FTA communication. <br /> Jeff Mann said the FTA communication was received that day, and it was not yet fully <br /> understood by GoTriangle. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if the communication indicated a previous phone <br /> discussion on February 15th <br /> Jeff Mann said yes there was a conference call, where the FTA indicated a letter would <br /> be following with full information on the issues. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if TIFIA could be defined, and when those loans would be <br /> issued. <br /> Jeff Mann said TIFIA loans come through the DOT, and would be issued in 2020 with <br /> the beginning of construction. <br /> Danny Rogers, GoTriangle Project Director, said these loans will be issued over the <br /> construction time frame, so that debt is not taken on before it is needed. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if the original principal amount of the TIFIA loans could be <br /> clarified. <br /> Danny Rogers said $400 million, and he said there are other types of financing as well. <br />