Agenda - 02-21-2017 - 6-a - Minutes

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9 1 Brennan Bouma highlighted the Commuter Benefits Program for County Employees referenced 2 in Travis Myren's presentation, including the staff Telework Program and Share the Ride NC, 3 which provides anonymous car pool matching for neighbors who otherwise would not know they 4 are driving to the same destinations at the same times. He is collaborating with Theo Letman to 5 apply for the 50% cost share grant referenced in Travis Myren's presentation, which will go 6 towards a Transportation Demand Management position. If the grant proposal is successful and 7 the Board decides to provide the other 50% for that position then the County will have a person 8 to coordinate diverse projects and programs aimed at getting people out of their single 9 occupancy vehicles. 10 11 In reply to a question from Commissioner Jacobs, Brennan Bouma said his view of 12 "sustainability" is consistent with the general consensus he is hearing in the Board's discussion 13 today: a holistic view. If any project can advance social equity, environmental quality, and 14 economic prosperity then he would consider it sustainable. Any time they can identify the 15 missing element in a project across those three elements they are working towards 16 sustainability and he said he is happy to take the Board's direction on this. 17 18 Commissioner Jacobs referenced Commissioner Price's earlier point about Durham providing 19 subsidies to Durham Tech students to use public transportation. The Orange County 20 subcommittee considering a scholarship program for Durham Tech students might want to 21 consider how to help the scholarship recipients get to class using public transportation at a 22 reduced rate or no cost. They would be helping an economically disadvantaged group access 23 services using public transportation, thereby integrating all three elements of sustainability. 24 25 Commissioner Price said sustainability would be advanced by increasing the frequency of the 26 buses. People need flexibility within the ten hours of the day that they are trying to get to stores 27 or to work; they might also consider night buses as demand picks up. People will get out of their 28 cars when they know they can rely on the bus. 29 30 Commissioner Burroughs said she was inspired by the "Uber" ride share idea raised earlier by 31 Commissioner Dorosin and developed further in a practical sense when the Manager explained 32 what a Mobility Coordinator does. It combines all three of the sustainability elements, and 33 reminded her of Project Engage, where they are connecting different tiers and staff and 34 churches to make something happen. If they were voting now she would put all of her dots on 35 that idea. 36 37 Commissioner Marcoplos noted that people drive long distances to get to Tanger Outlets in 38 Mebane. Perhaps Tanger Outlets would be interested in partnering with Orange County on 39 public transportation since our buses deliver customers to them and there is an environmental 40 impact from all the drivers. 41 Commissioner Rich noted that at least part of their parking lot is located within Orange County. 42 43 Chair Dorosin said another angle on sustainable transportation is bringing things to where 44 people already are located. He said he often buys stuff on line, for example. This links this 45 conversation to the next one they are going to have on broadband. It also can direct them to 46 services that they might bring to community centers in the rural parts of our county. A lot of 47 counties have satellite offices at which rural residents can pay fines, access court documents, 48 apply for SNAP benefits, etc. They need not be elaborate facilities; they can be store fronts or 49 small office buildings. What services or programs can be moved closer to residents? 50 9