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2 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 <br /> 3 2. Public Comments <br /> 4 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> 5 <br /> 6 David Keil read the following comments: <br /> 7 <br /> 8 Chair Rich and Members of the County Commission, I'm David Kiel and I have been a resident <br /> 9 of the County since 1977. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 Tonight I speak on behalf of Affordable Transit For All. We are a coalition of Orange and <br /> 12 Durham citizens and civic groups. We advocate for practical transportation solutions. <br /> 13 We have many concerns about the proposed Light Rail Project. Tonight, however, I want to <br /> 14 focus only the potential negative impact on transportation, schools and other public services in <br /> 15 Orange County. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 The original capital expense for this project was set at $2.4 billion. The actual price including <br /> 18 interest on borrowing was recently calculated to be $3.3 billion. We just learned that changes in <br /> 19 the plan required by Durham may add as much as $500 million to the capital cost, a figure <br /> 20 which, as I understand it, does not include associated interest charges. As a result, the project <br /> 21 is hundreds of millions of dollars short. And here is the essence of the threat we see: Durham <br /> 22 and Orange will be expected to make up the difference. The light rail project is currently <br /> 23 absorbing almost all our transit funds. We believe these funds could be used to serve more <br /> 24 people, more flexibly at a fraction of the cost. <br /> 25 <br /> 26 Therefore tonight we ask the Commission to consider four actions: <br /> 27 1.) Please honor your commitment to cap the County's share of the capital outlay for the <br /> 28 project at $149.5 million. <br /> 29 2.) Please consider a cap on Orange County's borrowing associated with light rail, already at <br /> 30 $150 million—and we will be responsible for the associated interest costs on this amount. <br /> 31 3.) Please do not offer other revenue streams to close the funding gaps that we foresee. The <br /> 32 county's schools and essential services face their own serious funding challenges. They should <br /> 33 not lose funds to Light Rail. <br /> 34 If there are unexpended transit tax funds, please use them to expand bus, bus rapid transit and <br /> 35 demand services for seniors and other vulnerable populations. <br /> 36 4.) Since GoTriangle must now come back to this body with a new financial plan taking into <br /> 37 account the increased costs, please invite Davenport, the County's respected financial <br /> 38 consultant, to return and review the new Light Rail financial plan so you can be fully informed as <br /> 39 you consider any further commitments to the project. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 We believe these simple actions are essential to safeguard our citizens from the likely negative <br /> 42 impact of this project on the County's finances, transportation, and other public services. Thank <br /> 43 you. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 Bonnie Hauser read the following comments: <br /> 46 Good evening Commissioners. I'm Bonnie Hauser and I'm also speaking for Affordable Transit <br /> 47 for All. We know you are facing some challenging questions about the light rail project, and we <br /> 48 are working to help you become fully informed. <br /> 49 <br />