Orange County NC Website
9 <br /> Craig Benedict emphasized the training that is now provided for BOA members. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is an update on reviewing the BOA. <br /> Craig Benedict said a series of educational videos from the School of Government <br /> (SOG) have been purchased. He said the training covers quasi—judicial procedures, which the <br /> Planning Board often conducts. He said there has been turnover and new board members are <br /> completing orientation. He said every time there are regulatory changes, staff works with the <br /> Attorney's office to be more specific, to avoid confusion of interpretation. <br /> John Roberts said staff asked the BOA if it needed outside and separate legal counsel, <br /> and the BOA said no. He said he has given it great thought, and his opinion has fluctuated <br /> over time. He said in the event that the staff's recommendation is in conflict with the BOA, the <br /> staff would need separate representation. He said if the Board would like to explore separate <br /> representation for the BOA, staff can certainly do so. <br /> Chair Rich asked if the education and training are helping. <br /> John Roberts said yes, and he and James Bryan also did an overview of the BOA's <br /> responsibilities. <br /> • OUTBoard (Orange Unified Transportation Board) Art Menius, Chair <br /> Art Menius said they have Abigaile Pittman and Tom Altieri and others that support their <br /> Board, and he thanked them and said they are able to provide extensive orientation to their new <br /> members and it is also on their website. <br /> Art Menius said the OUTBoard has a strong interest in multi-modal transportation, and <br /> would love to be known for this around the state and country. He said the bike safety task force <br /> is exciting, and safety videos and other media, are being circulated effectively. He said the <br /> website is up and operating, and the OUTBoard continues to see open communication between <br /> the government entities about how to create the best conditions for transportation safety in non- <br /> motorized modes. He said the safe routes to school are an important piece of this, with the <br /> route to Grady Brown Elementary and Cedar Ridge High School still being of concern. <br /> Art Menius said public transportation is a priority and the OUTBoard is excited about the <br /> progress made by Transportation Director, Theo Letman. He said ongoing conversations about <br /> providing better transportation to the rural parts of the community are exciting and allowing the <br /> County to be on the cutting edge of innovation. He said of special concern is effective <br /> communication of their public transportation offerings to the public who most need these <br /> services. <br /> Art Menius said staff continues to support the OUTBoard in dealing with all of the tasks <br /> that comes to it from TARPO and the MPOs. He said the OUTBoard is observing the Highway <br /> 54 project closely, and opposes widening it to 4 lanes. He said an area that has sparked great <br /> citizen interest is the Efland/Buckhorn/Mebane access area. He reviewed the following <br /> highlights: <br /> Activities for 2019: <br /> In 2018, the OUTBoard has: <br /> 1. Received and reviewed information regarding Orange County's SPOT 5.0 project lists <br /> and scores submitted by the DCHC MPO, the BG MPO, and the TARPO and NCDOT <br /> for ultimate consideration of inclusion in the 2020-2028 Statewide Transportation <br /> Improvement Program (STIP). <br /> 2. Received and reviewed regular updates regarding NCDOT Division 7 projects located in <br /> the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO), <br /> (Burlington-Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization) BG MPO, and (Triangle Area <br /> Rural Planning Organization) TARPO. <br /> 3. Initiated a quarterly effort to assist Planning staff with the identification of small <br />