Minutes 04-27-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 Commissioner Jacobs said the administrative position is funded by Orange County and Durham County, and as such, is responsible to both counties. He said there will be quarterly updates, an annual update, and every four years there will be a review of the Cost Share Agreement, to insure it is working properly for the two counties. VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Chair Dorosin, Commissioner Rich, Commissioner Jacobs, Commissioner Marcoplos, Commissioner Burroughs); Nays, 2 (Commissioner McKee and Commissioner Price) A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Burroughs to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Orange County Transit Plan (Attachment D). Commissioner Jacobs referred to page 104, the second bullet under further cost cutting, and made a friendly amendment to remove the option of cutting half the stations in Orange County as a cost cutting measure. Patrick McDonough, GoTriangle Manager of Planning and Transit Oriented Development, said the stations that were listed as cost cutting measures have the lowest ridership, and he said one station is in Durham County and one is in Orange County. Commissioner Jacobs said he would like to remove that reference and to delete the second bullet, which reads "Removing the Hamilton Road and Woodmont stations. This strategy would negatively affect customers in these station areas, and could affect the New Starts rating for the DO LRT Project. However, these two stations were selected because they are among the lowest-ridership stations in current projections, and are both relatively closely spaced with the Friday Center station." He said including this language infers that the County would support this as a cost cutting option. He said it may be necessary at some point, but that would require discussion rather than an upfront inclusion. Commissioner Rich asked if this change would have to go back to Durham County. John Talmadge said the language in this plan does not have to go back to Durham, but the same language is in the appendices of the Durham County Transit Plan. He said the change could be managed. Commissioner Rich and Commissioner Burroughs accepted the friendly amendment. Commissioner McKee said the BOCC has yet to approve the document, and it has already found a point of disagreement with Durham. He said he will vote to take this language out, as he has a serious objection to these stations being proposed for removal. Chair Dorosin clarified that the motion is to approve the plan, with the deletion of the second bullet point on page 104. Commissioner McKee said he will vote for the amendment first, and then the plan. Chair Dorosin said the two items are in the same motion. Commissioner McKee said he has shared his sentiments. VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Chair Dorosin, Commissioner Rich, Commissioner Jacobs, Commissioner Marcoplos, Commissioner Burroughs); Nays, 2 (Commissioner McKee and Commissioner Price) Chair Dorosin echoed everyone else about the process. He said it has been an incredible experience with local government and local democracy. He said it is important to investigate, educate, advocate, and agitate; and all involved have done just this. He thanked the staff for its diligent efforts, and the BOCC for its commitment to transparency and trust. Commissioner McKee said this is merely a skirmish and not a battle or the war. He said the issue moves forward, and he encourages all to stay involved in the discussions.