Agenda 01-16-24; 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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25 1 Cy Stober said it places the burden on staff's shoulders. He said it means the standard 2 of care relies on the county and not the consultant. He said this language was developed by the 3 staff attorney and the consultant's attorney. He said that he will be the one to make sure that the 4 standard of care is followed, and the project moves forward in a timely manner. 5 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if there are any vacancies in the Planning 6 Department. 7 Cy Stober said they have two vacancies, one of which is in the division that would be 8 responsible for the Greene Tract consultant contract. He said they are advertising for the 9 position now. He said that there is also a vacancy in the zoning division. 10 Commissioner Richards clarified that that Gensler said there was a level of interactions 11 needed to get the information that they feel would support the contract and then the Board said 12 it was too much and asked to lower the interactions. She asked if from Gensler's standpoint, 13 their standard would no longer be achieved but that the county is still holding staff responsible. 14 Cy Stober said that the contract negotiations were separate from the requested changes 15 to the scope of work. 16 Bonnie Hammersley said that an analogous example would be the differences between 17 the county's master plan and the school's capital needs plan. She said the county's plan costs 18 less because of staff doing most of the work. She said that this contract is administered jointly, 19 and it does not just fall on county planning staff. She said that the county holds the contract, but 20 they are not paying for the whole contract. She said she and the town managers would be 21 overseeing the contract to make sure one entity isn't carrying the load. 22 Commissioner Richards said that she appreciates that the county's feedback being 23 reflected. She said she also appreciated that the assumptions were recounted as part of the 24 presentation. She asked if those assumptions such as current development and interlocal 25 agreements will be baked into the plan. 26 Cy Stober introduced Mr. Jordan of Gensler to respond to Commissioner Richards' 27 questions. 28 Mr. Jordan said they are going into this with their eyes wide open and ensure that they 29 use the path forward that has been decided already and what are the outcomes for this process 30 that can still be decided. He said that by splitting out planning and engagement, it is sensitive to 31 equity and past harms. 32 Vice-Chair McKee said the language about payment says that Gensler will be paid 33 regardless of the work. 34 Cy Stober said provided they get the deliverables. 35 Vice-Chair McKee said he has no doubt they will get a deliverable. He asked the County 36 Attorney if there was a backstop. 37 John Roberts said he was not able to answer the question at this time. 38 Vice-Chair McKee said the amount of the contract could be used on other community 39 needs. He said he is concerned that this is writing a blank check. 40 Chair Bedford said that she has experience with VHB, a participant in the contract, with 41 other entities. She said they do incredible work for the Durham-Chapel Hill Carrboro and the 42 Burlington-Mebane MPO. She said that she has heard numerous presentations and that she is 43 comfortable moving forward. She said she has worked with planning staff in other towns as part 44 of the MMC meetings, and she is confident in their abilities, as well. 45 46 A motion was made by Chair Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to 47 authorize the expenditure of up to $244,800 for planning services to provide Community 48 Engagement Services for the Greene Tract Master Plan and to approve and authorize the 49 County Manager to execute and sign the contract to provide for the scope of services as 50 detailed in Attachment 1 in the agenda. 51