HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-16-2017 1
APPROVED 3/7/2017
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION
February 16, 2017
7:00 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a work session on Thursday, February
16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Dorosin and Commissioners Mia Burroughs,
Barry Jacobs, Earl McKee, Mark Marcoplos, Renee Price and Penny Rich
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
appropriately below)
Chair Dorosin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Chair Dorosin said Agenda Item 1 needs to be moved to February 21st, due to the full
nature of this evening's agenda.
A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Rich to move
this item to the 21st agenda.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Commissioner Rich asked if, when Item 1 is presented next week, could it be formatted
differently to make it easier to read the comments.
Bonnie Hammersley said staff felt similarly, but wanted the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) to see all the comments. She said staff received three sets of
comments, and rather than manipulating the comments, chose to number the pages and enter
page numbers as each item was discussed. She said some comments were moved into the
recommendations, and noted the different colors were due to various technology that was
used, and the colors were difficult to manipulate.
Chair Dorosin said he would like to reverse the orders of Items 4 and 5 this evening.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Rich to
reverse the order of these two items.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
1. Review and Amend the Orange County Housing Affordability Policy
This item moved to the February 21st Board of County Commissioners Regular
meeting.
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2. Solid Waste Five Year Financial Plan and Cost Study
Bonnie Hammersley reviewed the information below, and noted that this presentation
has already been given to the Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG).
BACKGROUND: The Department of Finance and Administrative Services determined that the
current programs fee of$107 was not sufficient to meet Solid Waste expense requirements in
subsequent fiscal years attributed in part to a dramatic shift within the Recycling industry. From
fiscal years 2010-11 to the present, the recycling market has undergone significant changes
which have resulted in a decrease in recycling revenues to the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.
During the same period, operating expenses for recycling operations processing has
increased, as evidenced by the tons recycled. The chart below illustrates the decrease in
recycling revenues and the increase in tons recycled from FY 2010-11 through FY 2015-16.
The Solid Waste Enterprise Fund has had to utilize fund balance to offset the decline in
recycling revenues.
As a result of the unstable state of the recycling market, the County retained an independent
third party consultant, SCS Engineers to confirm its' internal assessment by conducting a solid
waste cost of services and rate study. SCS Engineers in collaboration with County staff
developed a Five Year Financial Plan to ensure fiscal resiliency to the Solid Waste Enterprise
Fund on a long-term basis while at the same time maintaining the County's record and
reputation for achieving high waste reduction targets and landfill diversion.
The financial analysis concluded that an increased program fee is necessary to achieve a
sustainable and recurring revenue stream for the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. The suggested
method for increasing the fee is to use a multi-faceted approach with a General Fund and a
Solid Waste Fund Balance contribution to modestly increase the program fee. On January 30,
2017, the County Manager presented to the Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) two options
that used the multi-faceted approach (Attachment C). Also, the Community Development
Director will develop a communication plan to inform residents of the Solid Waste program fee.
Bob Dick with SCS Engineers made the following PowerPoint presentation. He
reviewed some history, noting, prior to FY 15-16, Orange County had several different fees
after the closing of the sanitary landfill in 2013. He said these fees were discontinued in 15-
16, and the County introduced a comprehensive program fee to 60,000 developed parcels. He
said the finance department observed a potential shortfall, and SCS Engineers was called in to
look at a more comprehensive 5-year financial plan.
Bob Dick made the following PowerPoint presentation:
Financial Plan and Rate Study for Solid Waste Enterprise Fund
Orange County, NC
Presented by Bob Dick, PE and Ryan Duckett
February 16, 2017
Summary of SCS' Efforts
Since May 2016 SWAG Meeting
• Revision of Financial Model based on Actual FY 2016-17 Budget
• Budgetary Leveling throughout Financial Model
• Additional Revenue/Expense Analysis
• Finalize and Submit Final Report
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Solid Waste Enterprise Fund
• 4 Cost Centers (Divisions within Department)
• 33 Distinct Revenue Sources (line items)
• 47 Distinct Expense Sources (line items)
• 5 Capital Sources
Budgeted SW Dept. Revenue Components as Portions of Total Revenue (FY 2016-17)
(chart)
Baseline (Status Quo) Scenario
• 5-Year Projections
• Maintains Revenues
o SW Programs Fee — $107/parcel
o Appropriated Fund Balance — Excludes sources other than loan proceeds in last
4 years
• Estimated Fund Deficit of$1.8 Million addressed by Appropriated Fund Balance in FY
2016-17 only
Commissioner McKee referred to the deficit for FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19, noting an
increase of about $100,000 each year. He asked if there is a reason for the jump in those
years. He said the solid waste balance appropriation is going down, but the deficit is
increasing.
Bob Dick said any place where there is not a direct correlation between the indication of
a diminishing appropriated fund balance contribution, and the ultimate deficit, is most likely
attributed to capital projects that are to be completed in that individual year. He said the
department is in the process of modernizing some of the solid waste collection centers. He
said the operation costs tend to change in a uniform nature, and any substantial changes are
due to larger equipment purchases, or an upgrade or modernization of a collection center.
Chair Dorosin asked if the current general fund contribution, listed at $2 million, is the
total of the fee collected.
Bob Dick said no. He said the Solid Waste Assessment fee, at $107 per parcel, yields
about $6.5 million, which is included in the top line revenues. He said this current general fund
contribution is an allocation that the County has made historically each year.
Chair Dorosin asked if$2 million is in addition to the $6.5 million that is generated by
the fees.
Bob Dick said yes. He resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
Baseline (Status Quo) Scenario
• FY 2016-17
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $3.8 Million
- General Fund (GF) Contribution= $2.0 Million
- SW Fund Balance = $1.8 Million
Yields Balanced SW Budget = $0
• FY 2017-18
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $4.0 Million
- Current GF Contribution = $2.0 Million
- SW Fund Balance* = $0.5 Million
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Remaining SW Deficit = $1.5 Million
• FY 2018-19
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $4.1 Million
- Current GF Contribution = $2.0 Million
- SW Fund Balance* = $0.5 Million
Remaining SW Deficit = $1.6 Million
*Residual Solid Waste Fund Balance Phase Out not included in Pro Forma model
Baseline (Status Quo) Scenario
• FY 2019-20
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $4.4 Million
- Current GF Contribution = $2.0 Million
- SW Fund Balance* = $0.3 Million
Remaining SW Deficit = $2.1 Million
• FY 2020-21
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $4.6 Million
- Current GF Contribution= $2.0 Million
- SW Fund Balance* = $0.3 Million
Remaining SW Deficit = $2.3 Million
*Residual Solid Waste Fund Balance Phase Out not included in Pro Forma model
Financial Analysis Conclusions
Status Quo (Scenario 1)
• Enterprise Fund current financial structure is unsustainable.
• Significant annual deficits are projected for next 5 years.
• Fund subsidized by General Fund Contribution (historical precedent) and allocation
from Appropriated Fund Balance (SW reserves).
• Allocations from Appropriated Fund's Balance could deplete entire Fund in 5 years.
• Refer to Table 1 in Appendix F of Report (page F-1).
Scenario 1 (chart)
Financial Analysis Conclusions
Break-Even Analysis (Scenario 2)
• If the historical General Fund Contribution is maintained, then break-even Fee required
calculated at approximately $137 to $148 per parcel.
• Refer to Table 1 in Appendix F of Report (page F-1)
Break-Even Scenario
• FY 2016-17
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $3.8 Million
- General Fund (GF) Contribution= $2.0 Million
- SW Fund Balance = $1.8 Million
Yields Balanced SW Budget = $0
• FY 2017-18
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $4.0 Million
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- Current GF Contribution = $2.0 Million
Remaining SW Deficit = $2.0 Million
• FY 2018-19
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $4.1 Million
- Current GF Contribution = $2.0 Million
Remaining SW Deficit = $2.1 Million
• FY 2019-20
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $4.4 Million
- Current GF Contribution = $2.0 Million
Remaining SW Deficit = $2.4 Million
• FY 2020-21
Enterprise Fund Deficit = $4.6 Million
- Current GF Contribution = $2.0 Million
Remaining SW Deficit = $2.6 Million
Scenario 2 (chart)
Financial Analysis Conclusions
• As an alternative to solely increasing the Program Fee, the County could take a multi-
faceted approach by increasing the General Fund Contribution, using Solid Waste
Fund Balance when available, and more modestly increasing the Program Fee.
Cost-of-Services Benchmarking (graph)
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if there is no fee indicated, does that mean that the
particular county does not charge a fee.
Bob Dick said yes, and he said every municipal jurisdiction gets its funding through
slightly different formulas. He said this chart was completed using only counties that assess a
Solid Waste fee. He said if a county receives funds via the county tax rate, a fee would not
show up in this chart.
Commissioner Price asked if the commissioner approved fee schedule, contained in
the report, is consistent with other counties.
Bob Dick said this is a difficult question to answer definitively as Solid Waste programs
tend to have all sorts of mechanisms and fees assigned. He added that throughout its review,
SCS Enterprises did not see any glaring inefficiencies throughout the entire department's
programs that would warrant a suggestion of improved efficiency.
Commissioner Price asked if there is any particular plan to deal with recycled materials
that are not purchased.
Gayle Wilson said all of their materials are going to market daily in Raleigh, and he said
the County no longer has to pay to have those materials received. He said changes are being
made day-to-day, and a bit of money is being made currently, with the exception of glass.
Commissioner Price asked if there is a way to dispose of glass without a market for it.
Gayle Wilson said there is a market for glass if it is given away. He said it is a difficult
material to run through the machinery, but once it is sorted there is a market, but it is not paid
for.
Commissioner Price said she wanted to insure that the recycling efforts are not in vain.
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Gayle Wilson said that County agreements prevent glass from being landfilled.
Bob Dick resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
Recommended Financial Plan
• Continue General Fund Contribution
• Reduce reliance on Solid Waste Fund Balance in a phased manner as necessary
• Increase Program Fee in FY17-18 and beyond
• Evaluate Potential Revenue Generating Ideas
• Evaluate Potential Expense Reductions
• Evaluate Potential Cost Saving Ideas
• Consider Program Financing Issues
Bonnie Hammersley made the following PowerPoint presentation, which she noted had
been presented to the Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) in January:
Solid Waste Fee
Key Assumptions
Parcels Average Annual Growth Rate 1.1%
Expenditure Average Annual Growth Rate 1.6%
Landfill Post-Closure Liability $6,570,862
Available Solid Waste Fund Balance $4,441,611
General Fund Balance Appropriations-Annual $2,000,000
Solid Waste Fund Balance Appropriation TBD
Option #1
Five-Year Financial Forecast
FY 17-18 FY 18-19 FY 19-20 FY 20-21 FY 21-22
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Solid Waste Fund $750,000 $500,000 $350,000 $200,000 $200,000
Balance Appropriation
General Fund $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
Appropriation
Program Fee $128 $132 $139 $145 $148
Estimated Available $4,441,611 $3,691,611 $3,191,611 $2,841,611 $2,641,611 $2,441,611
Solid Waste Fund
Balance
%of operating expenses 42% 28% 24% 19% 19% 17%
Number of Assessed 60,178 60,840 61,509 62,186 62,870
Parcels
Option #2
Five-Year Financial Forecast
FY 17-18 FY 18-19 FY 19-20 FY 20-21 FY 21-22
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Solid Waste Fund $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000
Balance Appropriation
General Fund $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
Appropriation
Program Fee $134 $134 $138 $142 $148
Estimated Available $4,441,611 $4,041,611 $3,641,611 $3,241,611 $2,841,611 $2,441,611
Solid Waste Fund
Balance
%of operating expenses 42% 30% 27% 22% 20% 17%
Number of Assessed 60,178 60,840 61,509 62,186 62,870
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Parcels
Bonnie Hammersley said after she presented this to the SWAG, they suggested she
talk to all of the Town Managers about her recommended options.
Bonnie Hammersley said staff is putting together a communications plan about this
proposed fee increase.
Commissioner Price said the report discussed the possibility of reducing hours, and
asked if the Manager's schedule takes that into effect.
Bonnie Hammersley said her plan does not cut back hours, but she recommended
looking at this each year.
Commissioner McKee asked if there was consideration given to increasing the general
fund contribution to $2.5 million or more, in order to soften the first year blow.
Bonnie Hammersley said this consideration was not given, and available funds would
need to be identified in the general fund.
Commissioner McKee said he asked this question because if the general fund
appropriation was increased, it would not change the draw off of the fund balance, but it would
allow the first year increase to be a bit less dramatic.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the parcels are solely residential.
Bonnie Hammersley said this includes developed and individual parcels.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the University of North Carolina (UNC) pays its fair
share.
Bonnie Hammersley said UNC has its own system, and staff is working closely with the
University.
Commissioner Jacobs said non-profits have to pay the fee too.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Manager has a plan to pay back the fund for the
County's portion of the Greene Tract.
Bonnie Hammersley said the purchase of the Greene Tract from Solid Waste was
already completed, and is in this year's activities; and at year-end 2016-17, this will be
completed. She said this is not reflected in the numbers at this time, but it will be at year-end.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if this would potentially affect the point made by
Commissioner McKee.
Bonnie Hammersley said yes, depending on how the year ends. She said this will be
more clear as the budget process continues.
Commissioner Burroughs asked if the manner in which other governments fit into this
could be explained.
Bonnie Hammersley said staff is working on an interlocal agreement. She said the
County cannot charge the towns unless this fee is agreed to, and staff is working closely with
the Towns on this issue. She said the SWAG has been very helpful, and she expects this to
be resolved before the beginning of the next fiscal year.
Commissioner Burroughs clarified that these options are being presented to the Towns.
Bonnie Hammersley said yes, that she is meeting with the Managers on this, and has
also offered to present at town meetings.
Commissioner Burroughs recalled this issue being tricky in the past.
Commissioner Jacobs said the closure of the landfill raised a lot of resentment, and in
the course of talking about the interlocal agreement the County made sure that the Towns
were informed in plenty of time, so that the fees could be worked into the various budgets. He
said some of the attitudes on the SWAG have become more collaborative, which has made
this process easier.
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Commissioner McKee said he had issues with the fee because of its impact on low-
income residents, and asked if ways to lessen the impact on low-income residents, such as
those in mobile home parks, has been discussed.
Bonnie Hammersley said staff has looked at the mobile home parks, and the fees that
park owners assess to renter is unknown, making it difficult to come up with a solution. She
said those who own their mobile homes do not receive tax notices. She said staff is looking at
best practices from other counties, and is working to try and find a suitable solution.
Chair Dorosin referred to the closure liability and the Solid Waste fund, and asked if
there is any requirement that these two be related. He said the amount that is in the Solid
Waste fund is not necessarily linked to the $6 million closure liability.
Bonnie Hammersley said no and there is no state mandate for what you have to have.
She said the $6 million liability is based on what it would take if there were a catastrophic
event.
Chair Dorosin asked if there is another pot of money, other than the fund balance, for
closure liability.
Bonnie Hammersley said there is the $6.5 assigned within the balance sheet for that
purpose. She said the available fund balance is also on the balance sheet and is unassigned.
Chair Dorosin clarified that there is $6.5 million set aside to cover the potential closure
of the landfill, and if the balance fund were to be dipped into to cover this shortfall, the $6.5
million would not be affected.
Bonnie Hammersley said that is correct, and the $6.5 million is separate from the $4.4
million.
Chair Dorosin echoed Commissioner McKee's concern about this fee and its affect on
low-income residents, and he hoped to find a solution for this. He said he would like to reduce
the County's reliance on fees, as stated by Commissioner McKee.
Chair Dorosin said the Board has looked at various potential revenue sources for the
closed landfill, and the consensus seems to be that nothing can be done with it. He said he
would like to keep working on this and encouraged creativity.
Commissioner Rich thanked all who come to the SWAG meetings.
Chair Dorosin thanked Commissioner Jacobs and Commissioner Rich for their service
on this committee.
Commissioner Jacobs thanked the Manager for her work on this committee.
Commissioner Price asked if the way in which apartments will be affected by this fee
could be outlined.
Gayle Wilson said each apartment unit is assessed a fee, for which the owner of the
building is responsible to pay.
Commissioner Price requested that any public outreach and education on this topic
should include information about the tax exemption for this fee. She said many people do not
know about this.
Commissioner Marcoplos said it may be worthwhile to look at other counties that do not
have fees, but are still high performing.
Commissioner Marcoplos said landfills take about 30 years to settle.
Gayle Wilson said it may take longer, but federal law says 30 years post closure
maintenance and monitoring.
Commissioner Marcoplos said there is solar technology that can be overlaid on a
landfill prior to 30 years.
Gayle Wilson said this is possible depending on the degree of subsidence and settling
of the landfill. He said if it is stabilized enough, it is possible.
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3. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)-Light Rail Transit (LRT) Discussion
BACKGROUND: In 2010 and 2011 (adopted July 2011) an Alternatives Analysis (D-O AA) of
the Durham Orange Transit Corridor was conducted by URS (now AECOM) consultants as part
of the Triangle Regional Transit Program. An introductory excerpt from the 171 page study is
below. The link for this information is http://ourtransitfuture.com/wpcontent/
uploads/2013/12/2.2.2a-00401-DO-Vol-l-Detailed-Def-July-ALL-DVD-READY.pdf.
Triangle Transit has commissioned an Alternative Analysis (AA) to initiate fixed guideway
transit service between Durham and Orange counties. The AA is a component of the Triangle
Regional Transit Program, a comprehensive effort to study expanded bus and rail networks
across Wake, Orange, and Durham counties.
This report documents the analysis and findings of the Durham-Orange County Corridor
(Durham-Orange Corridor)AA process. The AA is an outgrowth of the system-level
Transitional Analysis that was completed in the fall of 2010 and that recommended the
Durham-Orange Corridor as one of the region's priority high-capacity transit corridors to be
advanced into the more detailed AA process. The AA evaluates and screens alternative
alignments, modes, and station locations within the Durham-Orange Corridor and concludes
with the selection of a recommended Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).
The AA process detailed in this report is consistent with the Federal Transit Administration's
(FTA) New Starts guidelines that enable fixed-guideway projects to be eligible for federal
funds.
The purpose of an AA is to determine the best mode or technology (i.e. Bus Rapid Transit,
Light Rail Transit, or Commuter Rail Transit) for the corridor based on goals of the local
government. Table ES-1 entitled "Summary of Evaluation Results for LRT, BRT-High and BRT-
Low Alternatives" is included as Attachment B. This table provides a high level summary of the
capabilities and costs associated with the technologies that were evaluated. BRT-High
represented a dedicated lane approach while BRT-Low represented more of a mixed traffic
approach.
Although this document was created in 2011, it represents the information that was available
at that time to the policymakers involved in recommending the mode of transportation in the
corridor and the alignment. Work has continued since 2011. One significant difference
between the 2011 estimates and current estimates is that the estimated ridership on the LRT
project has increased from approximately 12,000 in the 2011 study to over 24,000 in the most
recent analysis.
Wake County has gone through an extensive transit analysis and public outreach process in
preparation for the County's 2016 transit referendum. Their alternatives analysis of a more
dispersed transit region concluded that a mix of BRT, CRT, and bus service would best serve
the needs of the County.
In this presentation, GoTriangle has been asked to provide information on why BRT was not
chosen as the appropriate technology for the Durham Orange Transit corridor and why it was
chosen for application in Wake County.
Patrick McDonough, GoTriangle Manager of Planning and Transit Oriented
Development, made the following PowerPoint presentation:
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Orange County -Why Light Rail Was Selected for the Durham-Orange Corridor
Orange County Board of County Commissioners
February 16, 2017
Presentation Overview
• Matching Transit Technology to a Particular Corridor
• Key Travel Data for Durham and Orange Counties
• LRT & BRT performance in the USA
• Transit & the Environment
• Discussion
The Triangle Will Be A Growth Leader(graph)
Lessons from Seattle-Tacoma and Minneapolis-St Paul
• Multiple transit providers
• Several modes of transit
• The right "transit tool" differs from one corridor to another
Minneapolis-St. Paul metro: 3.5 million people (photo)
Seattle-Tacoma metro: 3.7 million people (photo)
How These Communities Decided Which Mode Goes Where
Key To Travel Markets: Density of Jobs and Housing
Mode Profile: Conventional Bus
Where It Works:
• All major roadways, arterials, collector streets, and some neighborhood streets
• Demand for service every 20 to 60 minutes at rush hour
• Trip Intensities of 10-35 trips/acre
Operating Characteristics:
• Operates in mixed traffic with cars
• Stop spacing: every 1/4 mile to every 1/2 mile
• Typically 40-foot bus
• Avg speed at rush hour: 6-12 mph, depending on traffic conditions
Mode Profile: Bus Rapid Transit
Where It Works:
• Major roadways and urban arterials within bus-only lanes, with limited travel in mixed
traffic. 60-foot articulated buses do not fit on neighborhood streets and some collector
streets.
• Demand for service every 10-30 minutes at rush hour
• Trip intensities of 20-75 trips/acre
Operating Characteristics:
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• Operates mostly in dedicated bus lanes
• Stop spacing: every 1/2 mile to every 1 mile
• Articulated buses for busway-only service, 40-ft bus for buses that use part of busway
• Avg speed at rush hour: -14 mph in recent USA installations
Mode Profile: Light Rail Transit
Where It Works:
• Dedicated tracks in separate right-of-way or rail-only segment of major roadways
• Demand for service every 5 to 15 minutes at rush hour
• Trip intensities of 50-100+ trips/acre
Operating Characteristics:
• Operates on dedicated tracks out of traffic, limited lane sharing with buses/first
responder vehicles
• Stop spacing: every 1/2 mile to every 2 miles
• 90-foot cars that can be joined together in trains
• Avg speed at rush hour: -21 mph in recent USA installations
Mode Profile: Commuter Rail
Where It Works:
• Only mainline railroad corridors
• Demand for service every 20 to 60 minutes at rush hour, limited or no off-peak or
weekend service
• Serving long-haul trips for large regular workday employment market to dense job
center in city CBD
Operating Characteristics:
• Shares tracks with freight, Amtrak trains
• Stop spacing: every 2 miles to 5 miles
• Typically 3 or more coach cars hauled by diesel locomotive
• Avg speed at rush hour: 25-40 mph
Measuring Trips Per Acre in Durham and Orange Counties
Key To Travel Markets: Trip Intensity Map of Triangle (TJCOG) (graph)
Trips Per Acre by Location (see map handout)
D-O LRT Corridor Trips Per Acre, 2040 (graph)
North Hills, Raleigh- Projected 2040 Trip Intensity: 75 trips/acre (graph)
The Major Trip Generators in the Durham-Orange Corridor Are Strongly Related to Each
Other
Transit Onboard Survey, Durham & Orange Counties, 2014 (map)
Transit Onboard Survey, Durham & Orange Counties, 2014 (map)
Transit Onboard Survey, Durham & Orange Counties, 2014 (map)
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Transit Onboard Survey, Durham & Orange Counties, 2014 (map)
The reasons the Durham-Orange corridor is the largest transit market in the Triangle
What Drives Transit Ridership Outcomes
• Growth Patterns
• Policy Choices
• Level of Service Provided
Key Durham & Orange Decisions That Made the D-O LRT Corridor
• 1789 - UNC founded
• 1855 - NC Railroad begins operation Greensboro-Goldsboro
• 1892 - Duke University moved to Durham from Trinity, NC
• 1910 - NCCU founded
• 1974 - Jordan Lake complete, limiting access to Chapel Hill from East, pushing future
traffic towards NC 54
• 1982 - UNC and Duke Hospital designated Level 1 Trauma Centers. Only 6 such
centers in North Carolina, all but 2 along D-O LRT corridor
• 1980s - Orange County and municipalities adopt Rural Buffer, Durham creates Rural
Tier
• 1988 - Interstate 40 built, limiting "crossing" points between Durham and Chapel Hill
Why BRT Was a Good Fit for Wake County, and LRT Was a Good Fit for Durham-Orange
(chart)
Policy Choices
FARES
• Chapel Hill Transit: $0
• GoDurham: $1.00
• GoRaleigh: $1.25
• GoCary: $1.50
Transit Service Hours By Metro Area (graph)
Recent Transit Ridership
• Durham-Orange: -72,000 boardings per day (Chapel Hill Transit, GoDurham, Duke
Transit, GoTriangle Durham/Orange routes)
• Wake County: -38,000 boardings per day (GoRaleigh, GoCary, NCSU Wolfline,
GoTriangle Wake routes)
• Durham and Orange have roughly half the population of Wake County, but generate
nearly double the transit ridership
Commissioner McKee asked if the portion of the Durham Orange, that is Chapel Hill
transit, could be identified.
Patrick McDonough said about 25,000-27,000.
Transit Usage by Metro Area (graph)
Key Take-Aways
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• Durham & Orange counties have been investing in transit at a higher level for a long
period of time, and have built a large transit market responding to their compact growth
choices and job centers
• Wake County is investing to catch up to Durham-Orange, using a plan and
technologies that complements their more suburban growth choices
• Different transit technology choices can match transit markets in the different counties,
and still become a fully integrated system
Commissioner Price asked if the riders' destination could be identified.
Patrick McDonough said riders are moving within the corridor among the various zones.
He said the 3D map shows the intensity of the trips.
Commissioner Price asked if the conclusion is that bus riders would rather get on the
train.
Patrick McDonough said in areas of high bus ridership, the addition of higher capacity
transit draws riders to it, and in greater numbers.
LRT and BRT rarely provide a similar type of service.
"BRT" is a term used for many things.
Travel Speeds of Light Rail and BRT in the USA, Projects Built or Added to Since 2000
(hand out)
Why is speed important?
In a large, continuing study of upward mobility based at Harvard, commuting time has emerged
as the single strongest factor in the odds of escaping poverty. The longer an average commute
in a given county, the worse the chances of low-income families there moving up the ladder."—
"Transportation Emerges as Crucial to Escaping Poverty," New York Times, May 7, 2015
Operating Costs of Bus & Light Rail (graph)
Economic Development & Rail (graph)
Projected Economic Impact of D-O LRT
• Add $4.7 Billion in economic output in Durham and Orange Counties each year
• Add $600 Million in additional economic impact statewide
• Estimated 750 of direct construction related jobs, + over 1,000 indirect construction
related jobs
• Add $175 Million in new tax revenue (per year) due to economic impacts
BRT and LRT both offer environmental benefits.
LRT benefits demonstrate increasing efficiency with greater use, just like operating cost.
Emissions of Transit Modes Per Passenger Mile-graph
Emissions Benefits Facilitated By Compact, Focused Growth
• More walking means fewer short vehicle trips, fewer cold starts trips
• Each 1% of short-trip mileage reduced typically reduces air emissions by 2-3%.
Mixed-Use Developments Reduce Traffic
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• Mixed use generates far less traffic than single - use suburban development
• Experiences of 6 large - scale US Suburban Mixed Use Developments:
o 30% Internal Capture
o On average, 15% of external trips by foot, bike, transit•
• Thus "45% of trips put no strain on external road network"
Public Health Benefits Facilitated By Rail
Before -and-after surveys of Charlotte, North Carolina LRT passengers found:
• Body Mass Index (BMI) declined an average of 1.18 kg/m2 compared to non-LRT users
in the same area over a 12-18 month period, equivalent to a loss of 6.45 lbs. for a
person who is 5'S.
• LRT users were also 81% less likely to become obese over time.
Summary
• Durham-Orange corridor is already a large, robust transit market, in a high-growth
metropolitan area.
• LRT can provide capacity to meet current & future demand in a way BRT cannot
• LRT supports the compact growth & economic development strategies of
Durham/Orange that preserve farms/forests, reduce emissions
• LRT will provide faster service and more opportunity/social mobility than BRT over 17
miles
• LRT will provide lower cost per passenger trip
Review: 2011 AA Document vs Dec 2016 FEIS/ROD to NCCU
Review-2011 Documents vs Dec 2016 FEIS/ROD to NCCU
-LRT Vehicle Capacity: -180 passengers per car
-Standard Bus Capacity: -50 passengers per bus
What they have learned since 2011 AA
• GoPass use increased LRT ridership
by making transit feel free
• If BRT had been chosen, ridership
would have risen for BRT, too
• Lower bus capacity + Higher BRT ridership =
o More buses/higher operating cost
o Introduces new, significant traffic impacts
• Then, A Tough Choice:
o BRT in mixed traffic- slower, less reliable service
o Spending more on capital cost to add up to 40 bridges
• LRT remains a better fit for high-demand corridor
Discussion
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the state wide economic benefits could be identified.
Patrick McDonough said there is a contractor in Granville or Person County that sells
concrete railroad ties nationally. He said this contractor would be a great bidder because they
would have a really short transportation cost to sell concrete ties one county away. He said
15
this would be a rural county selling to an urban project, which is a statewide impact beyond the
three core counties.
Commissioner Rich asked if the average age of riders could be identified.
Patrick McDonough said this information has been gathered, and he will send it to the
Board.
Commissioner Rich said her sons take public transportation everywhere, and do not
want to use their cars. She said 20-40 year olds do not want to be in the car, and she would
like to see if GoTriangle's research matches her experiences.
Commissioner Rich said there is a lot of talk about BRT versus Light rail, but a lot of
money has already been invested in light rail. She asked what would be lost if the plan were
to switch to BRT.
Patrick McDonough said the process is at 30% design stage, which is 30% completion
on the construction drawings to hand to a contractor to build.
Patrick McDonough said it would be a minimum of a 4-year loss of time.
Commissioner Rich asked if the timing, from the beginning to the end, of the light rail
line could be identified.
Patrick McDonough said it was originally a 35 minute ride time in 2011, but the design
has changed in order to accommodate community values; for example, property impacts and
the addition of the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) stop. He said these changes
lengthen the time.
Commissioner Price referred to the comparison of Durham and Orange with King
County, Washington, and asked if Orange County will benefit in the same way. She asked if
people in rural areas like Efland will benefit from the LRT.
Patrick McDonough said the most important element is good rail-bus integration
planning.
Chair Dorosin referred to the hand out about buses that run in 100% mixed traffic
lanes, and asked if this is the case, how is that type of bus considered rapid.
Patrick McDonough said the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has noticed this as
well, and has redefined BRT to require that lanes must be at least 50% bus dedicated. He
said the cities referenced in the presentation are still committed to improving their bus systems.
Chair Dorosin said there could be a bus system, which goes down the existing traffic
ways of Martin Luther King Boulevard in Chapel Hill that is called a BRT system. He asked if
the distinct characteristics of a BRT system could be identified.
Patrick McDonough said there is a national standard checklist for a BRT definition. He
said BRT is still being applied to a wide variety of implementations nationwide.
Chair Dorosin said one of the challenges is that there are not clear definitions about
many of the things being discussed.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if BRT systems ever get faster.
Patrick McDonough said it depends on the system and the location.
Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Wake County is focusing on BRT due to the wide-
open spaces that exist there.
Patrick McDonough said Wake County is much more spread out than Orange and
Durham, and BRT would work better for them. He said Orange and Durham counties have
gone to great planning lengths to preserve the LRT corridor.
Commissioner Price asked if Patrick McDonough could speak more about decreased
car trips in Raleigh, as mentioned in the presentation.
Patrick McDonough said he was actually talking about Franklin Street. He said since
the buses became fare free, ridership doubled over a few years.
16
Commissioner Price asked if there was a way that it was determined that buses or the
move to fare free were the cause of the decreased ridership, as opposed to more people living
in town.
Patrick McDonough said this is part of it, but traffic has dropped, and it would be a
strange coincidence if this were not related to the buses being fare free.
Danny Rogers, GoTriangle Project Director, said he is here to update the BOCC on the
project, and it is moving forward at an appropriate pace. He said the next big step is moving
into engineering, and good progress is being made. He said all information has been given
the FTA, and there are a few additional clarifications that need to be made regarding the
existing bus rail investment plan and the money that is included in that. He said as the timeline
has been followed appropriately, the FTA is allowing additional time to make up the
clarifications during.
Commissioner Burroughs asked if the plan is for the GoTriangle Board to vote on
advancing the engineering contract on April 26th
Danny Rogers said the schedule must be held to, and that date is correct. He said the
draft plans should be ready prior to that date. He said these contracts are not all or nothing
and there would be the opportunity to stop, if necessary.
Commissioner Burroughs said the draft plan should be available prior to the April 26th
date, and then there will be a required comment period, but the Board of County
Commissioners and MPO will be looking at the draft plan prior to April 26th
Danny Rogers said the draft county transit plans will be available ahead of April 18th,
and on that date GoTriangle will share with the BOCC that it is ready to go to its own Board of
Directors (BOD) for approval.
Commissioner Burroughs said she will have a very hard time signaling positively about
going forward with the engineering, having only seen the draft plan for such a short period of
time. She asked if more detail could be given as to why it must be April 26th, and why the
engineering decision cannot be lined up with the final plan being considered in June and July.
Danny Rogers said the FTA schedule for New Starts is on a calendar year schedule,
and if a deadline is missed by a month, it may be missed by a year. He said deadlines have
been pushed as far as possible to reduce exposure. He said if this is approved April, there is
still room to pull out in June. He said if the plan is not approved in April, the FTA may be
missed, and the whole cost of building the project would be delayed a year, resulting in
inflation being added, the cost of administration would increase, etc. He said it is a much
bigger risk to not approve the contracts, than it is to approve them.
Commissioner Burroughs said the project would not be knocked out of New Starts, but
a year would be lost resulting in increased costs.
Danny Rogers said there would be increased costs from project administration for the
delay and increased costs from inflation. He said as the project moves forward into
engineering, hopefully in the next few weeks, the budget is set on year of expenditure. He
said if the project is delayed a year, the inflation does not get adjusted in the budget, and
would be a true cost increase. He said this puts more on local ability to pay for the project, as
the budget does not get adjusted from the FTA's perspective.
Commissioner Burroughs said she would like to see this played out from a money
perspective as there is a real due diligence issue here with the timing, and she would like to
know exactly how much it will cost to delay a year, versus what would be paid in the first few
months of the engineering contracts.
Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Burroughs, and said it would be
helpful to have a timetable of all items and costs, and as the cost is discussed. He said he is
interested in GoTriangle's cost and/or Orange County's exposure based on the cost.
Danny Rogers said this information can be put together.
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Commissioner McKee asked if the expectations of the Board of County Commissioners
in June could be specifically outlined, and if it is a go-no-go decision on the BOCC's part.
Danny Rogers said June is the update of the transit plan, and in April they would be
committing to a higher level of expenditure to advance the design. He said if the BOCC is not
comfortable in April, it can direct the BOCC representative on the GoTriangle BOD to vote
against approving the contracts. He said in June the BOCC will be asked to approve the
County Transit Plans, which would include the DOL-RT and all the other parts of that which
would be necessary for continuing to move forward.
Commissioner McKee asked if there is a reason that preparations have not been made
to bring it to the Board of County Commissioners in April. He said it seems to be getting the
cart before the horse, and it looks as if the BOCC will need to approve contracts before seeing
the revised County Transit Plan.
Danny Rogers said the plan has been adjusted due to the statewide participation, and
financial models have been updated. He said GoTriangle is in the process of finalizing all the
information that the BOCC needs to move forward. He said the original schedule had the two
coinciding, but this is no longer the case.
John Talmadge said in September 2016, the staff working group agreed that the plans
needed to be updated, with April set as a deadline, as it was in line with when the MPO wanted
some information. He said all staff worked very hard to get information ready for that time, but
two weeks ago the assessment was that the product is not ready to be taken out for public
comment, and that there is more information that needs to be vetted, as well as answers to
questions that cannot yet be given.
Commissioner McKee said what happens if Board of County Commissioners directs its
representative to the GoTriangle BOD to vote no.
John Talmadge said the decision is the GoTriangle Board of Trustees to make, but
prior to that Management will have to decide whether or not to bring the item before the Board
of Trustees. He said he cannot say what the Board of Trustees will decide,
Commissioner McKee referred to the plan and the changes, and said he would like to
know when was the work on the new financial model, that eliminated the $4 million a year for
10 years, completed.
Danny Rogers said at the end of December 2016, when it was turned into the FTA. He
said that model was being worked on, with the hope that it would succeed, but this was not
known for certain until December.
Commissioner McKee said it would have been helpful if he had known this plan was
being pursued during the meetings in December.
Chair Dorosin said the concern is the voting in April, and that information related to that
vote in April, may not be available until June. He said getting Commissioner Burroughs'
information request would be critical.
Chair Dorosin said as much information that is available in April should be shared, even
if it is not in its final form.
Chair Dorosin said the above item would have been better discussed at a regular
meeting.
4. Discussion on Board Policies and Procedures
Chair Dorosin said issues have come up over the past year about policies and
procedures that predate the majority of the current Board.
Discussion Points for BOCC
18
1. For Board and staff to discuss eliminating the practice of attributing planning
efforts to specific Board members
Excerpt from the December 13, 2016 APPROVED BOCC Meeting Minutes
• Announcements and Petitions by Board Members
Commissioner Jacobs petitioned to eliminate the practice of attributing planning efforts
to particular Commissioners in the abstracts.
Commissioner Jacobs said he brought this up, and he does not think it should be an
abstract, as to who made the petition about a particular issue. He said it is fine to leave it in
the minutes, but do not add to it an abstract.
A motion was made by Commissioner Burroughs, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs
to adopt a policy to take attribution out of abstracts and keep it in the minutes.
Bonnie Hammersley clarified when staff writes an abstract that may be related to a
Commissioners petition, staff will not use individual names, but rather will state, "the Board
requested."
Chair Dorosin said yes.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
2. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Chair and Vice Chair would come back with a
clarification of policy about having the BOCC represented on other boards, in
positions that require an elected official.
Excerpt from the December 13, 2016 APPROVED BOCC Meeting Minutes
• Announcements and Petitions by Board Members
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Chair and Vice Chair would come back with a
clarification of policy about having the BOCC represented on other boards, in positions that
require an elected official (as well as other elected officials serving on BOCC advisory boards,
but who are not members of the BOCC-separate item below).
Chair Dorosin said this is related to delegating a seat, which is assigned to the Board of
County Commissioners, to a non-Commissioner delegate. He asked if the Board wants to
require a Commissioner sit on a board that is assigned to a Commissioner, or can the spot be
delegated to another person.
Commissioner Rich asked Commissioner Jacobs if he remembers to what this was in
reference to.
Commissioner Jacobs said he did not.
Commissioner Rich said she wondered if it pertains to a former Commissioner who may
still be representing the Board in one of the aforementioned seats.
Chair Dorosin said there is a difference between a delegate being a County staff
person versus a member of the general public.
Commissioner Jacobs said the difficulty is that people who represent the BOCC on
boards never report back to the Board of County Commissioners. He said there has not been
a successful mechanism to loop people in.
Commissioner McKee said he does not want to limit the Board's options, and there are
situations where it works extremely well, such as with Pam Hemminger who represented the
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BOCC on the Upper Neuse River Basin Association (UNRBA). He said he would like to leave
things as they are and make a decision on a case-by-case basis.
Commissioner Jacobs said he has no problem with keeping things as they are, but he
would like there to be a stipulation that this person would report back to the BOCC on a regular
basis.
Chair Dorosin said that suggestion is reasonable.
Commissioner McKee said to make that the stipulation of the appointment, and if it is
not done, it would be grounds for revoking.
Commissioner Rich said Todd McGee could create a sheet similar to the reporting form
used by the BOCC for conferences, etc.
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
remain with the current system and consider appointments outside of a Board of County
Commissioners' position on a case by case basis and include the stipulation that the appointee
must report back to the full Board on a regular basis.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
3. For the Board to discuss about having elected officials from other entities serve on
their County boards.
Excerpt from December 13, 2016 APPROVED BOCC Meeting Minutes:
• Orange County Planning Board —Appointment
The Board considered making an appointment to the Orange County Planning Board.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if this appointment could be deferred until the Board
discusses a policy about having elected officials from other entities serve on their boards.
Commissioner Price said she emailed John Roberts, and he said it was fine if the
BOCC wanted to appoint an elected official from another board to this board.
Commissioner Jacobs said in the past, appointing other elected officials on their
boards, has been avoided. He said there is only one applicant, which is not an effective pool.
Commissioner Rich said she does have concerns about this, and which board does
that person report to. She said there is a conflict.
Commissioner McKee asked if an example could be given.
Commissioner Rich said if one is a school board member doing planning for Orange
County that effects a school district, does one recuse oneself.
Commissioner McKee said one cannot recuse oneself unless there are financial gains
involved. He said he could not recuse himself when his wife was being appointed to the Bond
Board.
Commissioner Rich said she does not see Commissioner McKee's example as a
conflict, but does see her example as a conflict.
Commissioner Price said she does not see a conflict, as the BOCC serves on different
boards. She said there is no statutory restriction, and she sees no issue with it. She said an
elected official serving on another board would be serving as a citizen.
Commissioner Jacobs said he has been on boards where he was not an elected
official, and there were elected officials on the boards who big footed other members. He said
he does not want advisory boards to be put in that position.
20
Commissioner Burroughs said she agreed with Commissioner Jacobs, and she would
not vote in favor of appointing an elected official to another board, whether a policy is created
this evening or not.
Commissioner Marcoplos said he would be uneasy about it, and he said these advisory
boards give citizens a chance to engage with government and learn. He said the elected
officials are already in that foray and do not need that same opportunity. He said more citizens
need to be invited into the process.
Commissioner McKee said the Board always has the option not to appoint someone.
Chair Dorosin said such a policy has the quality of being directed at an individual, which
makes him uncomfortable, and he would vote against this.
A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner McKee to
keep the policy as is, in which there is no formal prohibition if an elected official wanted to
apply for one of the BOCC advisory boards.
VOTE: Ayes, 4 (Chair Dorosin, Commissioner Price, Commissioner McKee, Commissioner
Burroughs); Nays, 3 (Commissioner Jacobs, Commissioner Rich, Commissioner Marcoplos)
4. For the Board to discuss revising the Regular Meeting Order of Business to move
Board Comments to near the beginning of the meeting and/or combine with
Announcements by Board Members
Excerpt from the January 24, 2017 Approved BOCC Meeting Minutes:
• Announcements and Petitions by Board Members
Commissioner Rich petitioned to move Board comments up on the agenda, to be
combined with petitions.
Below is the current order for Agenda items:
1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
Public Charge
2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour)
3. Announcements and Petitions by Board Members (Three Minute Limit Per Commissioner) -
4. Proclamations/Resolutions/Special Presentations
5. Public Hearings
6. Consent Agenda —
• Removal of Items from Consent Agenda
• Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
• Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
7. Regular Agenda
8. Reports —
9. County Manager's Report
10. County Attorney's Report
11. Appointments
12. Board Comments (Three Minute Limit Per Commissioner)
13. Information Items
14. Closed Session
15. Adjournment
21
Commissioner Rich asked Commissioner Jacobs if there is a layout or plan that he had
in mind.
Commissioner Jacobs said the only item that is a bit difficult to sort is the consent
agenda, as it is a hodge podge.
Chair Dorosin asked the Clerk if there must be a formal structure to the agenda.
Donna Baker said there is a policy and procedures book, and any time there is
structural change, this book is updated. She said standardization of agendas is good, as it
helps the public follow along, and to know what to expect.
Greg Wilder, Manager's Office, said in some cases it may be easy to determine
external versus internal items, but sometimes it may not.
Chair Dorosin asked if there could be a policy for the order of business that said high
priority, high interest items will be put at top of agenda, with internal reports pushed towards
the end of the agenda.
Commissioner Jacobs referred to the consent agenda for the February 21st meeting,
noting there is only one item that would interest the public. He said it is unclear to him why
these items would be before the regular agenda, in which the public may be interested.
He said the way it has been done, up to this point, was to be respectful of staff time at the
price of the public, and noted that staff is paid to be present. He said he thought it may be
worth trying for flexibility.
Chair Dorosin said if having an order is important, then the Board should look at how
the order can be rearranged to make more sense.
Commissioner McKee said line staff could be sitting for hours, if the consent agenda is
moved down.
Bonnie Hammersley said she could answer most questions that may come up in a
consent agenda, and anything that she could not answer could be brought back at a later time.
She is always willing to cover for staff if necessary.
Commissioner McKee said he is good with that.
Chair Dorosin said the Board has been good about flagging things through emails prior
to meetings.
Commissioner Marcoplos said to do a trial run, and then reevaluate.
Commissioner Burroughs said on another elected board, on which she served, the
agenda was changed all the time, and she is in favor of giving the Chair/Vice Chair the
flexibility to make a call if needed.
Commissioner Jacobs said it would solve a problem of what belongs on consent or not.
He said if there was a consent item of particular interest to the public, the Chair/Vice Chair
could move it to the regular agenda.
Commissioner Rich said additions and changes to the agenda would give the option of
changing the agenda.
Chair Dorosin said he is convinced that there should be structure, but with retained
flexibility.
Commissioner Rich said to move the regular agenda (item 7) before the consent
agenda (item 6).
Chair Dorosin said petitions could be moved to the end, move announcements to the
beginning and petitions to the end.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an opportunity to discuss responses to petitions
at meetings. He said this information is typically only sent in a letter, and there is no
discussion. He said he liked having petitions at the beginning, as it allows concerns to be
raised while people's attention is fresh. He said sometimes this is just posturing, but
sometimes items of great concern are shared. He said if comments are wasted at the end of
the meeting, due to no one listening, then petitions would be wasted there as well.
22
Commissioner Burroughs clarified that the proposal is to put comments at the
beginning of a meeting.
Commissioner Rich said no, announcements only.
Commissioner Price asked if it is wise to have announcements and petitions at the
same time, as it would take up a lot of time. She agreed with Commissioner Jacobs.
Chair Dorosin said it is not fair to say that petitions are made and then not discussed
again. He said many petitions turn into future agenda items, where they are discussed in full.
Commissioner Marcoplos said to try it out with some flexibility, and if there are some hot
topic issues, to move them up and see how it goes.
Commissioner McKee said the Board very seldom uses more than 10-15 minutes for
petitions as a group. He suggested keeping petitions and announcements where they are.
Commissioner Jacobs said there is never a public component for petition responses.
Commissioner Jacobs said if all Commissioners agree to keep
petitions/comments/announcements at three minutes, then he would be in favor of keeping the
agenda as it is. He said the Chair or Vice Chair should be empowered to keep track of the
time, and cut Commissioners off when time is up.
John Roberts said the BOCC rules require the Board make rule amendments at a
regular meeting.
Commissioner Burroughs said sometimes people are not comfortable with being cut off,
but she is happy with any of the aforementioned options.
Chair Dorosin suggested modifying policy at an upcoming regular meeting as follows:
1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
Public Charge
2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour)
3. Announcements/Petitions/Board Comments by Board Members (Three Minute Limit Per
Commissioner)
4. Proclamations/Resolutions/Special Presentations
5. Regular Agenda
6. Public Hearings
7. Reports
8. Consent Agenda
• Removal of Items from Consent Agenda
• Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
• Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
9. County Manager's Report
10. County Attorney's Report
11. Appointments — **subject to be moved up if need be
12. Information Items
13. Closed Session
14. Adjournment
Commissioner Jacobs requested the clerk's office look at appointments that come in,
and note any bi-laws, special considerations of training or other qualifications in the agenda
abstract with the appointment. He noted recent confusion regarding a Board of Health
appointee.
Donna Baker said there is an advisory policy, and bi-laws were adopted in 2012. She
said the Board of Health by-laws were never given to the Clerk or the County Attorney. She
said any board specific information that she has is always included in the abstract.
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Commissioner Rich asked if board appointments are being moved up in general, or
only when there is an attached recommendation.
Donna Baker said appointments are typically done once a month.
Chair Dorosin suggested moving them up in general, as appointments typically go
quickly.
Commissioner Jacobs said if a board chair is going to attend, then appointments should
be moved up; but if not, the public does not care to hear appointments and they could be left
towards the end.
5. For the Board to discuss re-structuring the agenda order to reflect externally
oriented items versus internally oriented agenda items.
Excerpt from the January 27, 2017 BOCC Retreat DRAFT Minutes:
• In response to Chair Dorosin's earlier remarks about the Board's meetings not being as
engaging to the public as they could be, Commissioner Jacobs said that the Board
could consider changing its meeting agendas. The first part of our meeting could be
externally oriented. Then in the middle we could have a presentation from one of the
Departments. We could leave the dais at that point and turn the podium over to the
staff. And then we would come back for the more internally oriented agenda items after
that, such as procedures for advisory boards or appointments, for example. Just like
they have moved public hearings up to the front, because that is what is of interest to
most people in the public, they could identify the items that most people in the public do
not care about, and address them later.
This item was addressed in the above item.
5. Policy for Governing the Selection Process of BOCC Boards/Commissioners
Assignments
Additional discussion item:
Chair Dorosin wanted to discuss and change tonight how the Board chooses their
annual boards and commissions to serve on. He said the current policy is below:
Policy Governing the Selection Process of BOCC Boards/Commissions Assignments -
2011
• Each BOCC member (veteran) shall chose one board that they currently serve on to
keep in perpetuity
• The junior member will then pick one board first in the first round and then least senior
members of the Board will choose one board on which to serve ((suggestion is to do this
alphabetically— by last name)
• In the second round, the senior member will pick first, and then the other senior
members to the least senior member will pick
• And then it is back to the junior member....
• Round Robin will not include short-term taskforces (limited duration), ex-officio boards,
and non-O.C. boards with BOCC in officer/leadership positions (these boards also
cannot be taken away by other BOCC members).
Chair Dorosin recommended not having this policy, which allows one board picked by
senior members. He said he would throw the process wide open, and he finds himself
disengaged with the work of boards on which he never has the opportunity to serve.
24
Commissioner Rich asked if this pertains to the boards that Commissioners choose, or
just to the boards on which a Commissioner is also an officer.
Chair Dorosin said to get rid of it all, and just put all boards on the floor for choosing.
Commissioner Jacobs said if this policy is set, it should be done next year, as this just
came up and Commissioners may lose a lot of positions unexpectedly.
Commissioner McKee agreed with Commissioner Jacobs, and he does not have a
problem with Commissioners keeping one saved board.
Commissioner Price agreed.
Commissioner Rich said she would like to throw it open in order to learn other boards.
Commissioner Burroughs agreed it may be nice to mix things up, but is fine with waiting
until next year to do so.
Commissioner Marcoplos deferred to the rest of the Board.
Commissioner Jacobs said having no boundaries will encourage folks to think about
next year's process and picking.
A motion was made by Chair Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Rich to keep the
process as is for this year, and abandon the entire policy going forward, starting in 2018.
VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Chair Dorosin, Commissioner Jacobs, Commissioner Rich, Commissioner
Burroughs, Commissioner Marcoplos); Nays, 2 (Commissioner McKee and Commissioner
Price).
5. County Commissioners — Boards and Commissions Assignments
BACKGROUND: BOCC members serve on various County and County-related boards and
commissions. BOCC members on an annual basis indicate their desire to continue serving on
specific boards or commissions or their desire to make changes.
The Board discussed and chose the boards/commissions that they would like to serve on in
2017:
BOARD NAME MEETING DATE BOCC MEMBER BOCC Member Serving 2017
Currently Serving
STATUTORY
ABC Board Monthly, Third Commissioner Not Commissioner Commissioner
Tues 8:30 AM Required (non-voting McKee McKee
member)
Board of Health Monthly, Fourth 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Wed Required Burroughs - Burroughs
7:00 PM Member
Board of Social Monthly, Third 2 appointees Chair McKee— Commissioner
Services Mon 4:00 PM Commissioner not Member McKee
required but usually a
Commissioner serves Citizen-Already
appointed
Community Oversight As needed 1 Commissioner or Commissioner Commissioner
Board (part of OPC designee Price Price —Vice Chair
Community Operations 1 Consumer/Family
25
Center) member
1 Citizen/
Stakeholder
INTERGOVERNMENT
AL and OTHER
GROUPS WITH BOCC
MEMBERS
Burlington/Graham 6x/year-(or more Requires Commissioner Commissioner
MPO Transportation as needed) 1 Commissioner Jacobs — Member Jacobs- Member
Advisory Committee Tuesdays at member Chair McKee - Commissioner
5pm in 1 Alternate Alternate Marcoplos-
Burlington Commissioner Alternate
Chatham Orange Work As needed 2 Commissioners 2 OPEN Commissioner Rich
Group POSITIONS Commissioner
Marcoplos
Criminal Justice 4x/year 2 BOCC Commissioner Commissioner
Advisory Council Jacobs Jacobs- co chair
1 Open Position Commissioner
Price -
Community Home Monthly- 1 Commissioner Commissioner Rich Chair Dorosin
Trust BOD Wednesdays at Required
6pm
Durham-Chapel Hill- Monthly- 2nd Requires Commissioner Commissioner
Carrboro-Metropolitan Wed. at 9am in 1 Commissioner Jacobs -Member Jacobs — member
Planning Organization Durham Member Commissioner Commissioner
(MPO)- Transportation 1 Alternate Price -Alternate Rich-Alternate
Advisory Committee Commissioner
Durham- Orange- Quarterly- at 2 BOCC Commissioner Rich NOT MEETING AT
Chapel Hill Work noon - rotates Commissioner THIS TIME- MAY
Group locations- Jacobs BE SUNSETTED —
Durham/ BUT WAITING ON
Chapel INFO FROM
Hill/Orange DURHAM
County
Durham Tech Board of Quarterly 2 Appointees— one Commissioner Commissioner
Trustees can be a Price — Member Price
Commissioner but
doesn't have to be Citizen already
appointed
Family Success Meets as 2 Commissioners Commissioner Rich Commissioner
Alliance needed Burroughs
One Open Position Commissioner
Marcoplos
Fire Chief's Bi-monthly—first Commissioner not Chair McKee Commissioner
Association of Orange Weds.-7pm required as member— McKee
County but can attend as
26
guest(s)
Food Council 2x monthly 1 Commissioner Commissioner Chair Dorosin
Jacobs
Go Triangle Board of Monthly 1 Commissioner Former Commissioner
Trustees Commissioner Jacobs (for 2017)
Pelissier
Go Triangle Special Meets every 2 Commissioners Commissioner Chair Dorosin and
Tax Board January and required Dorosin and Commissioner
maybe more Commissioner Burroughs
often at needed- Burroughs —elected (Secretary)
in Durham Secretary 1/2017
Healthy Carolinians Meets quarterly Commissioner not Commissioner Commissioner
(3rd Thursdays at required —often same Dorosin Burroughs
8:30am) BOCC Member as on
the Board of Health
HOME Program Quarterly 1 Commissioner Commissioner Chair Dorosin
Review Committee Required Dorosin
Intergovernmental Meets 3 times 1 Commissioner Member- Open Commissioner
Parks Work Group per year at Member Rich- Member
5:30pm 1 Alternate Alternate- Commissioner
Commissioner Commissioner Rich Burroughs-
Alternate
JCPC (Orange County Meets as 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Rich
Juvenile Crime needed Price
Prevention Council)
LIWG ( Legislative Meets as 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner
Issues Work Group) needed Burroughs and Price and
Commissioner Rich Commissioner
Marcoplos
Orange County Bi-Monthly-last 1 Commissioner - Commissioner Commissioner
Partnership for Young Wed of month- Board of Directors Burroughs Burroughs
Children at 8:30am
Small Business Loan Meets as 1 Commissioner Open Position Commissioner
Program needed when a Jacobs
thoroughly
vetted
application has
been received.
PFAP Commissioner Commissioner
Jacobs Jacobs
Partnership to End Monthly -1St 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Homelessness Wed. at 5:30pm member Dorosin Marcoplos
27
TJCOG Meets every Commissioner Rich Commissioner Rich
other month at — member Commissioner
6pm in Durham Commissioner Price-Alternate
McKee -Alternate
Triangle Area Rural Bi-monthly- 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Planning Organization meeting at noon Member Price —Member- Price — Chair
(TARPO) in Lee County 1 Alternate CHAIR-
Transportation Commissioner Alternate —
Advisory Committee Alternate-OPEN Commissioner
McKee
Upper Neuse River Bi- monthly Commissioner Commissioner
Basin Association (meets in McKee and McKee- Director
Butner) Commissioner
Jacobs Alternate:
(and Pam Commissioner
Hemminger) Price
Workforce Meets monthly in Does not require a Nancy Coston — Nancy Coston —
Development Board — Asheboro/Siler Commissioner-usually DSS Director DSS Director
Regional Partnership City has been 1 Non-
Voting
Liaison
Visitor's Bureau Monthly—Third 1 Commissioner Commissioner Rich Commissioner Rich
Wed Required — Member- — Member-
8:00 AM Finance Officer Finance Officer
(part of Executive (part of Executive
Team) Team)
BOARDS TO WHICH
BOCC HAS ALREADY
MADE
APPOINTMENTS for
2017
NACo Voting I Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Delegate Required Price Price
NCACC Voting 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Delegate Required Price Price
SHORT TERM TASK FORCES/WORKGROUPS 2016 2017
Cedar Grove 2 Commissioners Commissioner Future Phase
Advisory Board Jacobs and forthcoming
Meeting Commissioner
Price
Chapel Hill Historic Meets as 1 BOCC Commissioner Rich Commissioner Rich
Town Hall Committee needed
Joint Public Safety Schedule to be 2 BOCC Commissioner
Training Facility Work developed McKee and
28
Group Commissioner
Burroughs
Solid Waste Advisory Meets as 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner
Group (SWAG) needed Jacobs and Jacobs and
Commissioner Rich Commissioner Rich
Space Study Work Meets as 2 Commissioners Chair McKee and In Maintenance
Group needed Commissioner
Price
Strategic Meets as 2 Commissioners Commissioner Rich In Maintenance
Communications needed and
Work Group OPEN POSITION
EX-OFFICIO
Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce- does not Chair Serves
require a Commissioner
NC DOT Quarterly Meetings Chair/Vice Chair
School Collaboration Meetings Chair/Vice Chair
OFFICERS
NCACC Board of Directors Commissioner Price
TARPO Commissioner Price - Chair
Visitor's Bureau Commissioner Rich —Finance
Officer—2017
Go Triangle — Special Tax Board Commissioner Burroughs —
Secretary ( elected 1/2017)
Boards to be decided on/chosen at future work session
JOCCA- need to decide Meets Quarterly in 1 Commissioner
whether to continue Pittsboro at 5:30pm - Or
participation Citizen
Boards — Not Meeting at this time
Efland Mebane Small Area Not meeting at this 1 Commissioner
Plan Implementation Focus time
Group
Historic Rogers Road Task Not meeting at this 2 Commissioners-
Force time Commissioner Price and
Commissioner Rich
Hollow Rock Park Planning Not meeting at this 2 Commissioners
Committee time-
Will take all 4
governmental entities
to sunset this group
29
Library Services Task Force Has not met since 2 Commissioners
2009—suggestion
to sunset and re-
create, if needed at
a later date
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Donna Baker
Clerk to the Board