Agenda - 09-05-2024; 8-k - Amendment to the Professional Services Contract with Gensler Related to Community Engagement and the Greene Tract Master Plan

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 5, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 8-k SUBJECT: Amendment to the Professional Services Contract with Gensler Related to Community Engagement and the Greene Tract Master Plan DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Contract Amendment Perdita Holtz, Deputy Director, 919- 245-2578 Cy Stober, Director, 919-245-2592 PURPOSE: To approve and authorize the County Manager to sign a contract amendment on behalf of Orange County to extend the professional services contract with Gensler, a firm currently providing services for community engagement for the Greene Tract Master Plan. BACKGROUND: At its November 14, 2023 Business meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) authorized a contract with Gensler to provide professional services for community engagement regarding a Master Plan for the Greene Tract. Materials for the meeting can be viewed at: http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/WebLink/0/doc/71238/Page1.aspx. The staffs of the three property owners (Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro) have been working diligently and consistently with the consulting team and an Engagement Team that includes community members. Two well-attended community workshops have been held along with the other work and deliverables included in the scope of work. A final community open house presenting the proposed Master Plan (which is being designed by Thomas & Hutton under a separate contract) is scheduled for September 22, 2024 at Morris Grove Elementary School. The consulting team and staffs will then present the engagement work and Master Plan to the three separate governing boards during the first half of October 2024. Due in part to the desire to avoid public meetings during certain times of the year, the original contract timeline must be extended to accommodate completion of the contract tasks. The current term for the contract with Gensler is from December 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024. The contract amendment proposes extending the term to October 31, 2024. This is the sole change in the contract, and no additional costs for community engagement will be incurred by the County or Towns. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The existing contract for Gensler's services is for a maximum of$244,800. No additional costs will be incurred as a result of the contract amendment (Attachment 1). Pursuant to the 2021 Greene Tract Interlocal Agreement (ILA), Orange County, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro split the contract costs on percentage basis of 43/43/14, respectively. As the contract holder, Orange County pays the consultant and then submits invoices to the Towns for reimbursement.