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33 <br /> Slide #16 <br /> Thank you! <br /> ORANGE COUNTY PIEDMONT <br /> NORTH CAROLINA <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if there are other management agreements with other <br /> entities and if this recommended agreement is consistent with those. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said what is being recommended is to model a management <br /> agreement similar to the agreement the county has for the Sportsplex. She said the county owns <br /> the PFPC facility, just like how the county owns the Sportsplex. <br /> Jonathon Smith said that there may be some aspects that are like rental agreements, but <br /> there should be clear and defined goals. He said the areas of responsibility have been unclear <br /> since the beginning. He said for example, some commissioners asked if the goal would be to start <br /> fresh and define the expectations. He said that that they are a non-profit corporation and have <br /> their own by-laws, like any business would have. He said that the county could clarify the <br /> relationship and let them run the facility. He said that other folks could be removed if they are not <br /> a stakeholder. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said that the recommendations seem very responsive to previous <br /> commissioner comments. She said that she understands the comments about needing outside <br /> users. She said a small discount for Orange County residents would be beneficial so that Orange <br /> County does have a benefit from it. She said she loved the concept, but she thought it was <br /> important to have a more organized structure and find ways that both the county and PFPC could <br /> benefit. She said it does not make sense for Durham County to have positions on the PFPC <br /> board given that they do not have any other involvement. <br /> Jonathon Smith said one of the things they have talked about with the County Manager's <br /> department and they are also now doing food insecurity work. He said that Cooperative Extension <br /> would be involved on behalf of the county. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton thanked Jonathon Smith for his presentation. She said when <br /> looking at the data, she would like more details about the incubators in other counties. She <br /> wondered about some of the economic opportunities in those counties. She asked if this is <br /> something that county government should be doing, similar to the Sportsplex. She said that the <br /> county has limited resources and could use the maintenance funds for other uses. She said that <br /> if there is a management contract, they would have to treat it similarly to the Sportsplex and see <br /> if there are other management options. She asked if county government should be doing this. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she took a tour of the facility and met with one of the <br /> business owners there who expressed their appreciation for PFPC. She said that over half of the <br /> businesses there are minority-owned. She said there is also a lot of vacant commercial spaces <br /> now that are not being utilized, and she would not want the county's facility to also sit vacant. <br /> Vice-Chair Greene said she appreciated the work they do and she also appreciates the <br /> presentation and the responses. She said in terms of investment, forgoing rent each year and <br /> achieving more retail value, then it is very powerful economic development. She said she is not <br />