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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: December 5, 2016 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7-d <br /> SUBJECT: Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project— Proposed "Non-Binding" <br /> Memorandum of Understanding <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proposed "Non-Binding" Memorandum of Bonnie Hammersley, Orange County <br /> Understanding Manager, 919-245-2300 <br /> Jeff Mann, GoTriangle General <br /> Manager, 919-485-7424 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider approving a proposed "non-binding" memorandum of understanding <br /> with GoTriangle agreeing to cooperate with the municipalities within the County and to work <br /> together to identify potential additional funding mechanisms to directly support the D-O LRT <br /> Project. <br /> BACKGROUND: At its November 15, 2016 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners <br /> (BOCC) received a presentation from GoTriangle staff that included the status of the D-O LRT <br /> project, proposed extension to North Carolina Central University (NCCU), and state, federal, <br /> and local funding changes. The BOCC endorsed the extension of the D-O LRT project to <br /> NCCU, but deferred any action to cooperate with municipalities in the County and to work <br /> together to identify, develop, and implement additional funding mechanisms to directly support <br /> the D-O LRT Project to a future meeting. <br /> An Orange County Assembly of Governments Meeting was held November 17, 2016 among the <br /> BOCC and Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. At this meeting, GoTriangle <br /> presented the information previously shared with the BOCC to the larger group. There was <br /> considerable discussion among the group of attendees regarding the importance of the project, <br /> the increased local cost if the project were to move forward, and timeline for actions. <br /> Recent guidance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) indicates that the D-O LRT <br /> project must enter the Final Design phase by February 2017. In order to meet this milestone, <br /> GoTriangle needs the BOCC to approve the attached "non-binding" proposed memorandum of <br /> understanding this month. <br /> In the future, items for BOCC consideration include: <br /> April 2017 — Amendments to the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan (OCBRIP); <br /> and <br /> June 2018 — Decision to commit any local funds included in the financial plan (OCBRIP). <br />