Agenda - 06-23-2004-5j - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 23, 2004 Action Agenda Item No. ~_ SUBJECT: Utilization of Land at Public Works Facility for Parks Operation Base and County-wide Storage Facility DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and Central PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Services, Recreation & Parks ATTACHMENT(S): Timetable for Parks Operation Base Development INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones, (919) 245-2652 Lori Taft, (919) 245-2660 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider utilization of land at the Public Works Facility for use as a parks operations base and countywide storage facility, BACKGROUND: On June 8, the Board reviewed the staff proposal far a land swap between the Town of Hillsborough and the County for property in the area of Fairview Park and the County's Public Works facility, The proposal reflected three potential footprints for future buildings on the portion of the land to be owned by Orange County, The most immediate need is far a location far the parks operations base. The parks services function regtires that equipment be brought inside for routine, day-to-day lubrication and maintenance, As examples, the reel mower for Bermuda grass turf requires oil and filter changes every 50 hours and the "Sand-Pro" for the infields every 25 hours. Blades must be "backlapped" once a month, This specialized day-to-day equipment upkeep goes significantly beyond the capacity of the County garage staff. Further, while the expertise needed to correctly complete the upkeep is part of training far Parks staff, it may be outside of the existing expertise of mechanics, primarily trained on vehicle maintenance. It is also notable that Bermuda grass requires mowing every other day, or at a minimum every three days, This mowing schedule does not allow "down time" for the mower to await prioritized attention to other vehicles and equipment at Public Works, Current Parks staff is capable of performing these functions as quickly as adequate space can be identified. The operations base is also necessary to allow the equipment to be protected from weather and against possible vandalism ar theft and to prevent unauthorized access, which could result in injury. As parks are constructed and opened, it is likely that same pieces of equipment will be kept on site, particularly at the larger facilities where daily use is likely, However, equipment