Minutes 01-25-2019 BOCC Retreat - Laserfiche WebLink

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16 Both Bonnie Hammersley and Theo Letman clarified that there are bus stops on Highway 70, but those were only for the midday OPT route, not for the GoTriangle routes. Commissioner Price said there is still a group that ends up unserved that work in retail type jobs that start in the midday. Bonnie Hammersley said the route's future is ultimately up to the BOCC, and they could decide how to use the resources if they are hearing from residents. There was then some agreement among the board that perhaps the Orange-Alamance route would be better served by on-demand. The facilitator clarified to the group that since they had made progress already on how existing collaborations worked, they would combine the next two conversations. The group would consider items for consensus as well as areas for intergovernmental collaboration in one conversation. The group agreed. The facilitator started the conversation by highlighting areas of consensus among the group. The group agreed that partnership with Hillsborough is a priority and that talks had begun already. The group also agreed that the train station and land use would be included. Commissioner Dorosin said a memorandum of understanding should be developed that included many aspects of county-town agreement on transit, including: bikes, the train station, bus routes, sidewalk plans and more. Chair Rich agreed that this is underway, and she supports a formal memorandum. She said the Manager is already in contact with Hillsborough. Bonnie Hammersley agreed, and said that she hopes to bring progress back to the Board. Commissioner Marcoplos said he is interested in having conversations with Hillsborough around partnership, especially concerning the train station and economic development. Commissioner Dorosin agreed, and said the booming population of Hillsborough creates opportunities in all three themes of the day. He said offering support and forging a stronger partnership would serve Hillsborough and the county. Commissioner Price said she feels that there is also an opportunity for elected officials to reach out, past just the staff level. She said it is important to approach them collaboratively. Commissioner Dorosin brought up other collaborations and what is working well and what needs to change. He said both the north-south bus rapid transit and the relationship with GoTriangle are topics for discussion. He said the County feels like communication has been difficult with GoTriangle in the past. Commissioner Marcoplos reiterated that it is important for the County to lead with their desire to support the whole County in discussions, especially about the train station. He said the train station is a tremendous opportunity for collaboration in transit, economic development, and affordable housing. Chair Rich said the conversation needs to open, and that this is a good time to reevaluate partnerships. She said that which is good for the jurisdictions, is good for the whole County. She said she recently found out the train station was funded at a GoTriangle meeting, not directly from Hillsborough. Commissioner Dorosin said the BOCC has expressed interest in involvement with the train station, but perhaps needed to take the next step of proactive planning as opposed to a more ad hoc approach. He asked the group how they can better engage in that way. Commissioner McKee said that while the BOCC has an appointee to the board of GoTriangle that does not lead to leverage. He said he does not believe GoTriangle have been great partners. He asked if the Board could create a better partnership with GoTriangle. Commissioner Marcoplos said this is a long conversation to have, but there is a lot of second-guessing of GoTriangle. He alluded to when the tunnel was announced in Durham, and how people wanted answers as soon as it came out.