Minutes 02-12-2019 Fire Chiefs - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Commissioner Price asked if the Chiefs are interested in a particular spot at Blackwood Farm. Phillip Nasseri said the location needs to have at least 2 acres of space, but it is up to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. He said it would be nice to have a flat, clear space. Chief Sullivan said Orange County is blessed to make all kinds of decisions, and this is a direct reflection of the quality public safety services that undergird the community. Commissioner Dorosin said he is the new liaison to the Fire Chiefs committee, and there is a lot to recommend Durham Tech as a site: water and sewer already there; goal of trying to create an Orange County fire academy at Durham Tech. He said the Board of County Commissioners can play a more significant role with Durham Tech and this process, and this is an opportunity to work collaboratively. He said the Commissioners need to prioritize these negotiations, as this facility hits on multiple goals that they share. Commissioner McKee said the $17 million figure came out of the Emergency Services work group from 2011-12, and that number is probably low now. He said there is a deadline for this process because this a federal grant, and time is not on their side. Commissioner Price said echoed Commissioner McKee's comments about time. She said if they decide to go with Durham Tech to make sure they partner with them in all aspects of fire training. She said $17 million is too low. Chair Rich said she is impressed with how the fire departments coordinate with one another, and a lot can be learned from this coordination. She said she has a meeting with Durham Tech this week, and she will discuss this with them. She asked if there are more specifics available about the timeline, as March is very soon. Phillip Nasseri said they need enough time to get the grading done for the facility, and the foundation marked up. He said the facility is pre-fabricated, and takes about 5 days to assemble. He said he is trying to get everything done expeditiously. Chair Rich said the grading at Durham Tech would be easier than Blackwood Farm. Phillip Nasseri said there is a lot of rock at Durham Tech, and is not the most level terrain. He said if Durham Tech agrees to the memorandum of understanding, it can help fund to remove the rock. He said if Durham Tech does not work as a location, it has said that some funding may still be available for another site, as long as Durham Tech can use the facility. Chair Rich asked if the Town of Hillsborough would need to be involved in approval. Travis Myren said Durham Tech's existing Special Use Permit would allow for any educational facilities related to the educational mission. He said if the Town sees this facility as fitting those parameters, it is possible that the current SUP would cover the installation of this facility. He said if the Town will not allow the SUP to cover the installation, the time line will be much longer. Commissioner Marcoplos agreed with pursuing the Durham Tech site, but asked if the Millhouse Road site could be more specifically pinpointed, should Durham Tech fall through. Chief Sullivan said the Town of Chapel Hill has a small parcel of land between the transit and the public works facilities. He said this property was supposed for a transfer station and he may be able to use this property temporarily. He said the structure is portable, and could be moved at a later date. He said the County has two large parcels on Eubanks, which may also be possibilities. Commissioner Dorosin asked if those locations are too far south. Chief Sullivan said possibly. Chief Hayes (Eno Fire Department) said it was brought to his attention that a resident came to the February 5th Board of County Commissioners meeting with some complaints, which he wanted to address: