Minutes 03-02-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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36 services. He said does not want to cut the library or reduce the parking. He said reusing fixtures and furniture from buildings and centers that will be vacated will reduce costs. Commissioner McKee asked for clarification on differences between the approved budget for the project, and the new costs for the schematic design. Travis Myren reviewed them. Commissioner McKee confirmed the combined cost for Carrboro and Chapel Hill, and said Orange County would fund over half of the costs. Commissioner McKee asked if the $2 million change is a result of the new schematic design, and has come into play since last spring. Travis Myren confirmed, and said this came into play in November 2020. Commissioner McKee said he is concerned that the difference between pre-fabricated versus poured in place was not known earlier in the design process. He said this seems like an obvious factor to consider. He said the costs have been escalating, and he expects this to continue. Travis Myren said the guaranteed maximum price will be known in late September. Commissioner McKee said the price could increase between now and September. Travis Myren said yes, that is possible. Commissioner McKee asked if there is a reason the BOCC is looking at this now before the start of the budget process. He said he does not think it is financially responsible to borrow even more money. Commissioner McKee said he is not interested in building a shell building, and the proposed savings is not that great, given the importance of the project. Commissioner Greene said the reason the BOCC is looking at this tonight is because Carrboro has to get approval from the Local Government Commission (LGC) for their funding process. Commissioner Greene said this branch library has been discussed for a long time, and this discussion at the meeting is part of the political process. She said Carrboro considered the parking issue for a long time. She said she is not interested in changing the parking structure. She said she is most interested in options 4 and 5. She said under option 5, the County could reduce payments to the Chapel Hill Library, once the new library begins attracting patrons. Commissioner Bedford asked if reviewing the CIP would delay the project by 3 months. Travis Myren said if there is a delay, the next opportunity to get a borrowing package in front of the LGC was January 2022. Commissioner Bedford said she would like to take the time to understand how it impacts the CIP, and possible tax rate increases. She said she is not interested in a shell building and wants to preserve the parking spaces. She said the BOCC will hear from the Behavioral Task Force in April, as well as from the schools, and so many needs are unknown at this time. She said the BOCC does not have updated revenue projections, and it is important to consider the things that counties are required to do, like maintenance at the schools and courts. She said all County projects have an equity element. She said she wants to see the full picture with the budget. Commissioner Hamilton asked if Carrboro's timeline could be identified. Bonnie Hammersely said there is a requirement for a decision within 45 days of the end of schematic design, which is March 7, 2021. She said there is liability if the Board does not go forward with the project after that date. She said, because of audits, the timing of when a financing package goes before the LGC is significant. She said there can be delays to review and approval, if the package is submitted too late. She said the final design will be done by September, so the project can go before the LGC. Commissioner Hamilton asked if September is the real deadline.