Agenda 12-02-19 Item 8-a - Minutes

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26 1 Commissioner Dorosin referred to page 15, and thought the idea was the representation 2 from GoTriangle and the MPO would be achieved by the County and municipal appointments. 3 Chair Rich said that is correct. 4 Commissioner Bedford said the way it reads to her is that the towns would be included. 5 Commissioner McKee said he thinks it would be difficult to represent both GoTriangle 6 and a competing group at the same time. He said he would like to appoint people to this group 7 who are not currently holding any other transportation positions. 8 Commissioner Marcoplos asked Commissioner McKee if he has noticed competing 9 interests. 10 Commissioner McKee said not at all, but having different people can bring different 11 perspectives. 12 Commissioner Price said she is concerned that Commissioner Dorosin's 13 recommendation will not provide for any additional representation from the northern part of the 14 County, other than Hillsborough, and there will not be representation from the a rural part of 15 Orange County. 16 Commissioner Greene said the Board represents the entire County as at large 17 members. 18 Commissioner Price said understands that, but the interests are different in the northern 19 part of the county. 20 Commissioner Bedford said she would recommend Commissioner Greene and 21 Commissioner Marcoplos, who have experience living in the more rural parts of the County, as 22 well as experience with Chapel Hill Transit. 23 Chair Rich said she thinks it is important for Commissioner Marcoplos to be on this 24 committee, as his focus and dedication is very well respected. 25 Commissioner Greene said she is happy to serve if called. 26 27 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Price to 28 appoint Commissioner Marcoplos and Commissioner Greene to serve as co-chairs of the Policy 29 Steering Committee. 30 31 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 32 33 Commissioner Dorosin said it is important to be clear that the comment about the Board 34 spending $14 million on light rail is inaccurate. 35 Chair Rich said, additionally, the Board did not spend $100 million on light rail; but rather 36 spent 16% of$130 million. 37 Commissioner Dorosin said he takes objection to Commissioner McKee's comment that 38 this was a waste of money. He said Duke and the State killed the light rail project, and he 39 thinks it was a good investment and the project would have been an invaluable asset to the 40 County. 41 Commissioner McKee said he asked about the $14 million, because he knows that was 42 not spent. He said he respectfully disagrees with Commissioner Dorosin, and while there was 43 some benefit, most of the money was wasted. He said this is his opinion. 44 Commissioner Greene said the Board took a calculated risk, and it was a big idea and 45 had a chance of success until the very end. 46 Commissioner McKee said that is why this iteration must address the citizen's needs, 47 and must have citizen input. 48 Commissioner Marcoplos said he has spent a lot of time at GoTriangle Board meetings 49 advocating for Orange County to be a stronger participant in the triangle feature of the region, 50 with some success.