Agenda - 12-12-2017 - 8-e - Right of Way Encroachment Agreement for Non-Utility Encroachments on Primary and Secondary Highways

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17 Older adult residents of Orange County have already been actively involved in advocating and planning for improved bus services throughout the county. As part of the county's Age-Friendly Community 2017-22 Master Aging Plan (MAP), over 1,000 community residents participated in public meetings, surveys, and focus groups to determine their needs and desires. A Transportation Work Group was commissioned to develop the specific transportation-related goals, objectives, strategies and outcome indicators and worked together over 5 meetings to create their portion of the 2017-22 MAP. In addition to 3-4 community member representatives, the following public and non-profit providers worked together: Chapel Hill Transit, Orange Public Transit, Triangle Transit, Triangle J Council of Governments, Piedmont Health Services, Department of Social Services, Orange County Council of Disability Advocates. The 2017-22 MAP went into effect on July 1, 2017. The Transportation Work Group members will continue to meet together on a quarterly basis to select implementation priorities and to oversee the process. The Department on Aging provides leadership to this group, by facilitating the meetings and keeping members informed of actions accomplished or partnerships needed. This project will benefit all of Orange County, as the targeted bus stop improvements will facilitate travel throughout the county. The new bus seats will be installed primarily in the Town of Hillsborough, on its Circulator Route, and along the major bus routes between Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Efland. This area was targeted for this project because its current bus stop visibility, comfort, and safety is far poorer than that in the more populous area of Chapel Hill, home to the University of North Carolina. Many older adults live in the quiet towns of Hillsborough and Efland, but have been increasing forced to move into areas of the county that have more and better transportation options, once they give up their cars. If funded, the Orange County Department on Aging would purchase the fifteen Simme seat bus stops and contract with the Public Transportation Department for installation of the seats/poles at the agreed upon sites. The Public Transportation Department has already sited the stops and has the capacity for installation through their own contracted personnel. They guarantee that the installation can be completed by November 1,2017. The Department on Aging will cover the costs associated with marketing the new bus stop improvements and the Transportation Specialist will focus a portion of her time on providing travel information and training to older adults living in these communities to encourage and facilitate their use of the public bus system. In addition, the Public Transportation Department will cover any installation costs above the stated estimate.