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3 <br />p„, Orange County <br />,l u~PiO~~ ~lations C~onsO)~iu~j <br />post Offie~Box 8181 Chair: R7artha 1loytman <br />fi811sborough, MC 27278 ~ - Vied-Chair: Tonya Williams <br />T¢l: 919 732-8181 _ - <br />May 25, 2006 <br />Dear Board of County Commissioners, <br />We, the members of the Employee Relations Consortium, are nominated by our <br />departments to represent all employees of Orange County Goverrunent. It is our mission to <br />foster effective employee relations by serving as liaisons between employees and <br />management and encouraging community involvement. As the designated representatives <br />of Orange County employees, it is the responsibility of the Consortium to respectfully <br />communicate issues and concerns raised by County employees to the members of <br />management. <br />Recently, we have had the opportunity to participate in discussions concerning the parking <br />near and around the Goverment Services Center and Government Services Annex <br />buildings, We have learned about the near-term and longer-term issues and have <br />participated in brainstorming sessions identifying potential solutions, <br />Employee parking close to the county buildings is one of the benefits of wonting far <br />Orange County. We recognize that we are very fortunate. Our counterparts at other <br />university, county, municipal and state offices do not have free panting available near-by <br />azid are required to utilize distant park-and-ride lots, pay for parking, or both. <br />We also recognize that the anticipated growth in government facilities in downtown <br />Hillsborough will limit parking for citizens visiting county buildings. <br />However, as we learn more about the scope and direction of the changes under <br />consideration, we have serious concerns for the safety of county employees using the <br />proposed shuttle service. It is our understanding that the shuttle service maybe available <br />to the public, specifically for those citizens conducting business at the Govemment <br />Services Center or the Justice Facility. County employees deal with taxpayers who are <br />unhappy with county services or family members unhappy with the outcome of a social <br />services intervention. Sharing a ride on a public shuttle with a family member that the <br />employee may then face in the tax office, in the courtroom, or at a mediation session is at <br />best uncomfortable and at worst, dangerous. <br />In addition, convenient panting near to the workplace enables employees to balance their <br />work obligations and their personal responsibilities.. Day-care drop-offs and pick-ups, <br />