Minutes 03-02-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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37 Bonnie Hammersely said yes, September is the deadline for the maximum spending to be known. She said in order to get everything done by September the design process needs to be started. She said it could not start until the schematic phase was done, which was just completed after a period of pause. Commissioner Hamilton asked if holding a decision on the project for a month would affect the design process. Bonnie Hammersley said yes, waiting would make the design timeline too tight, and getting in front of the LGC would not be possible. Commissioner Hamilton asked how the project got into this situation. She said the County is in a corner. Bonnie Hammersley said the County is not managing this project. She said the parking question has been discussed for several years. She said the timing is unfortunate. Commissioner Hamilton expressed concern about not funding the Justice Center generator, due to the impact on those who are in the court system. She said access to the courts is important. Chair Price asked for an explanation on the conservation easement, and the pros and cons of eliminating. Travis Myren said there was $1 million in the conservation easement project. He said two projects will likely closely in by the end of the fiscal year, which would leave a remaining balance of about $400,000. He said the next time the County could borrow for conservation easements is 2023. Chair Price asked if there is a reason why the County went from 42% funding to over 50%. She said she understands that one partner pulled out, but wants to understand why the County is responsible more than 50% of the project. Travis Myren said the increase is a result of locating the skills development center at the site. Commissioner Dorosin said the most important thing is the development agreement that the County signed. He said he feels the County is bound to that agreement, and the County has a long-term commitment to the project. He said there is an important racial equity aspect to it. He said the property is currently used as a parking lot, so the parking needs are important to the project. He said, with any delay, the County can expect the costs to go up. Commissioner Dorosin said he was not sure how valuable the generator would be to the courthouse, given that a power outage would affect many other people in the community. He said almost half of the users of the Chapel Hill Library come from out of town. He said the library has been closed the last year, but the County still gave over$500,000. He referred to school capital projects, and said he will want to know how money was used last year, given the absence of students from the buildings. He said he hopes that projects were addressed. He said budget adjustments can be made throughout the year, and he felt that revenues will improve. Commissioner McKee asked if the liability of not meeting the March 7, 2021 deadline could be identified. He said he feels that he is being rushed into making a decision, due to Carrboro instructing the designer to go ahead with the design process. Bonnie Hammersley said Carrboro has instructed the design process to proceed. Commissioner McKee said he feels that his back is against the wall, and Carrboro made a decision without talking to its partners. He asked if missing the September deadline would kill the project. Bonnie Hammersley said Carrboro does not want to abandon the project. She said staff has been working for a while on various options for providing parking, and she apologized for the Commissioners feeling rushed.