Agenda - 09-02-2021; 12-6 - Information Item - Memorandum Regarding Orange County-Durham County DCHC MPO – Durham City Governance Study Interlocal Agreement (ILA)

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1 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager FROM: Craig Benedict, Planning Director Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager DATE: September 2, 2021 SUBJECT: INFORMATION ITEM — Orange County/Durham County DCHC MPO — Durham City Governance Study Interlocal Agreement (ILA) This study is a joint project with Durham County as discussed in our regional connectivity meetings. This memorandum summarizes the interlocal agreement with Durham City acting as the "local planning agency (LPA)" of the DCHC MPO regarding an update to the governance of the OCTP and update to existing implementing agreements using a consultant. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Transit Plan (OCTP) is undergoing an update to the 2012/2017 plan due to the discontinuance of the Durham Orange Light Rail Transit (DO-LRT) program. The County has been developing options, reaffirming transit goals, reviewing the financial plan/model and conducting outreach. One important element of the updated plan is our close collaboration with Durham County who has long been a partner in transit goals. Part of the existing update includes a "Regional Connectivity Element" which develops a background of our common interests and social-economic/demographic transit needs. This agreement with Durham County and Durham City as the MPO planning agent will examine the implementation of the updated plan through other interlocal agreements such as the one created in 2012 between Orange County, DCHC MPO and GoTriangle. These agreements operationalize the future OCTP as it is implemented on at least an annual basis. The aspects would include but not limited to; authorizing legislation and requirements, corollary agreements, funding system, reporting requirements, implementation committee(s), budget processes benchmarks and material change thresholds that affect the financial model. Both Orange and Durham counties are paralleling their efforts with this joint agreement. In addition, we will also bring in a host of other stakeholders in the region including Wake County and universities. Our existing OCTP Policy Steering Committee (PSC) will be kept apprised of these efforts as the project moves forward in the later part of this year. Durham County has signed this agreement and Durham City/MPO will sign on September 9, 2021 after our approval. Atkins Consulting Group has been jointly chosen as the consultant. The ILA and consultant scope is attached. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Orange County will be the approving entity for any and all scope related work to Orange County. Monies for this work have been budgeted through Article 43 Transit Tax in the 19- 20 OCTP/GoTriangle budget. The amount for this contract is less than $55,000 for Orange County's share. The original appropriation from the 19-20 budget of $500,000 approved in February 2020 covers the cost of the update (Renaissance) and this governance work (Adkins) can be signed by the County Manager. Please communicate any questions or concerns to Craig Benedict, Planning Director (cbenedict(a-)orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2585).