HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-18-2008-11b
MEM0~2ANDUM
To: Laura Blackmon, County Manager
Willie Best, Assistant County Manager
From: Lori Taft, Recreation and Parks Director
Re: Potential Smith Middle School Artificial Surface Project
Response to Cornrnissioner Inquiries
Date: February 27, 2008
A report on this topic was presented to the Board at the November 5, 2007 meeting. At that time the
Board asked for follow up information on two particular questions.
The Board wished to know the term of the lease for the property.
The property is owned by the State of North Carolina. It was leased to Orange County with Chapel
Hill-Carrboro City Schools as a "sub-tenant" in June of 2001. The term of the lease is 30 years, which
would run through June 14, 2031.
The Board also wished to confirm the assertion by Carrboro staff to Orange County staff, that Carrboro
would waive fees for the entities offering to "partner" with the county by donating funds toward the
project. The potential value of these donations totals over $600,000.
A letter was sent to Anita Jones-McNair on November 27, 2007 to request waiver of these fees as well
as permit and engineering fees associated with the Town's approval process. This letter is attached.
A response was received today from Ms. Jones-McNair (also attached) indicating that the Aldermen
discussed the issue at two meetings but took no action on the request.
It appears at this point is that the Town does not agree to waive any of the fees as requested in the
November 271etter. I have also been in touch with one of the potential donor groups to ask for their
reaction, and I have been told they would not be willing to donate any funds for this project without fee
waivers.
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Orange County \
Recreation & Parks
November 27, 2007
ORANGE COUNTY RECREATION & PARKS
P.O. Box 8181
300 West Tryon Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: 919-245-2660 Fax 919-644-3042
Ms. Anita Jones-McNair, Director
Recreation and Parks Department
Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St.
Carrboro, NC 27510
Dear Anita,
As you may recall, during discussions with soccer leaders last spring, the idea came up to install
artificial surfaces on a soccer field. The soccer leaders identified Smith Community Field as an
ideal site. During initial meetings with partners and soccer representatives, Triangle United
Soccer Association, Triangle Futbol Club and CHAC Soccer each offered to contribute funds,in
support of this project. The potential contributors have requested that, in exchange for their
donation toward the project, facility use and lighting fees be waived for their organization. For
example, if a club were able to contribute $100,000, they would have free use of the field(s) until
$100,000 worth of credit is used.
Initially, I had the understanding that you agreed to this proposal and that Carrboro would be
willing to absorb this potential loss of revenue, thereby contributing to the project. The County
Manager has instructed me to be sure that I am correct in this understanding. Presumably,
Carrboro would also consider raising fees if the fields were to be converted to artificial. I believe
that a survey would show higher rental fees for this type of field. This might help reduce the
impact of this loss of revenue.
Available funding for this project is virtually non-existent, and would only be available if the
BOCC chooses to divert funds from another project. Current estimates for artificial surfaces on
both fields are in the $1.6 - $1.75 million dollar range. In order to reduce potential costs for the
Smith project as much as possible, we would also like to request that you inquire as to whether
applicable permit and engineering fees could be waived or absorbed by Carrboro. We believe
that there will be some engineering consultation required and are unsure as to what degree. Your
assistance in this area would help us minimize and understand the full financial impact of the
project to the County so that the Commissioners can make as fully informed a decision as
possible.
Please provide me with Carrboro's response to these inquiries at your earliest convenience. I
look forward the working with you on this project if and when it is approved.
Sincerely,
Lori N. Taft
Management Director
liar ~-1kk~:~~,
~;, a~. Carr6ora Recreation and ,Parks Department
;~,:~.~ ~~~~I 1.00 N. Greezzsboro street.
i ,;, _ ~ Garrbora, NG 27510
,~~.?~-' 919-9I$-7~$1
February 21, 20Q~
Lori. N. Taft:, Management i~irector
Orange Cout~tyRecreation and. Parks Departnle~lt
1'4 £io~: 8181
3OQ West Tryon Street
Hillsbaraugh, NC 27278
Dear Lori:
The Board of Aldermen met,several tunes conceniing Orange Count}r's reyilest to waive the
permitting and engineering fees; along with. soccer fieli~ rese~vatian :fees `for soccer organizations
tliat contribute to the Sinitla Soccer Field ArtiCcial Turi'lnstallation,Praject.
'The item; was :aitially'discttssed on January 15, ?OOS. At that meeting tiae Board requested staff
to>. provide .same fi:riancial projecti.uns Wand hov many soccer .fields are available 'in Qranae
Gotmty for ptiblic use: The item was then.. placed on th.e February 19`h agenda. Tle Board
discussed the request Iurther and took no<action;~n the request.
If you -have any,questions,, or need additional information, .please don't hesitate to contact me.
rieere ,
flnita J nes-McNair
Recreation aild Parks''Directar