Minutes 03-19-2019 Regular Meeting

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z North American Alliance for Clean Land. She said both groups are dedicated to the elimination of dumping toxic waste on land, and promoting alternative methods of toxic waste disposal. She said Orange County is the 5th most sludge county in the state. She said when sludge is dumped gases are emitted indefinitely from the land. She said the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) dumps millions of gallons of toxic sludge annually through Orange and neighboring counties. She said the gases are dangerous to the environment and to the population. She said if Orange County wants to play a conscientious role in slowing, or halting, climate change, this sludge would be a good place to start. She said Orange County should take the lead in researching alternative methods to its disposal. John and Kristen O'Daly submitted the following petition electronically, and asked if it would be added to the minutes: A Petition to the Orange County Board of Commissioners to End Participation on Durham-Orange Light Rail (DOLRT) The 1980's concept of connecting the whole Triangle region - Raleigh, Durham, RTP, RDU, and Orange County-with integrated light and commuter rail that would instigate nearby affordable housing, adjacent commercial development, and an ever-diminishing need to use personal vehicles was a good intention. What remains in 2019 is the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit (DOLRT) project; 17.7 miles of track that come 2030, if completed on schedule, will take an hour each trip from NC Central University to UNC Hospitals. With the most recent development, DOLRT will not be able stop at or near Duke/VA Medical Centers, making it less of an option as alternative transportation. When considering the modest amount of territory covered, and the multi-billion dollar price tag, it appears clear DOLRT retains little of the good intended 30 years ago. Especially to Orange County where there will only be five stops, three of which are on UNC property. All that seems to remain is the passion of a few to construct DOLRT at all cost. The cost to plan and build DOLRT is significant. As you are well aware the current estimate of DOLRT's total price with interest is $3.3 billion. With recent changes to Durham sections this estimate will increase before construction begins as planned next year, and experience informs us all that expenses will overrun during the 10 years of construction. The project has already cost Durham and Orange County taxpayers $130 million for pre-construction expenses. This on-going burn rate of nearly $5 million per month for planning costs is hard to justify considering how unlikely it now seems DOLRT will be built. At this point there are several difficult hurdles to clear before DOLRT construction can be started. Durham County homeowners being forced to sell their land by eminent domain for the DOLRT maintenance facility are suing to keep their property. Duke University has flatly refused, end of discussion, to accommodate DOLRT near its hospital. The State Legislature deadline of April 30 for the DOLRT project to raise $102.5 million from private sources stands (in early March) at only $15 million raised. Without sufficient private funds by April 30 the project does not qualify to receive $190 million of North Carolina state funds. Without the state or private funds the project does not qualify to receive $1.23 billion in federal funds. Looking forward, let's consider the Davenport and Company report finding that Orange County will at times have "a very, very thin margin" of cash to spend on the project through 2062. Weigh such a risk against these pre-determined parameters - of the five DOLRT stations in Orange County- three are on UNC property, Hamilton Road is already developed, and Gateway station is mostly in Durham County - the potential reward does not justify the risk.