Agenda - 09-02-2008 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 KidsCope, which previously operated through OPC Mental Health. Last year, the Work First Program was relocated to this site from the Northern Human Services Center. However, it will be relocated to the space recently leased by the County for Department of Social Services operations at Hillsborough Commons upon its completion. County and School representatives have recently met with the Board and administrators of the Community School for People Under Six to discuss alternatives that might be available to the Center should the site be designated for use by CHCCS. The day care has served the Northside community for over 35 years, which prompts careful and thoughtful consideration about the impacts of relocation. The day care board of directors and staff are considering alternatives and will provide information to the County and School Boards for future discussion. As indicated, possible divestiture of the Northside site has previously been discussed with the Board. That said, collateralization of the project may be leveraged favorably if the County maintains ownership of the property until the debt on the construction of the school is retired, so while the Board could decide now to allow the property to be used for the school, change in ownership of the property may not be effected for several years. Should the Board authorize the use of Northside by CHCCS, staff will incorporate a recommendation for ownership of the property into the recommended funding plan when it is brought forward for consideration. As a separate, but related note, the full slate of County buildings recommended for divestiture is scheduled for discussion during the CIP deliberations in October 2008. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The buildings at Northside are of an age where maintenance issues are plentiful and expensive. Building B, which housed OPC offices, was closed last year due to mold and mildew issues exacerbated by foundation leaks and an aging and inefficient HVAC system. Allowing use of the site for the elementary school would eliminate the need for future significant County capital expenditures, as well as the on-going operating expenses for such things as cleaning, utilities and routine maintenance. No revenue is derived from the day care, JOCCA or KidsCope. The total cost of the school is $33,177,923. As the Board will .recall, a funding plan was approved on May 20, 2008 that designated lottery funds be used for $974,000, with the remaining $32,203,923 needed for the construction of the facility to be alternatively financed by Spring 2009. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the request of the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Board of Education for use of Northside as a site for Elementary #11; and request the Board of Education, as well as School and County staff, continue to work with the current occupants in their relocation efforts.