HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-17-2005-5fORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 17, 2005
Action Agenda
Item No. ,5~
SUBJECT: Resolution for Acceptance of Grant for Proposed Scenic Easement Project
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Conservation (ERCD)
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, 245-2590
Rich Shaw. 245-2591
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider adoption of a resolution for the acceptance of $141,269 from the
North Carolina Department of Transportation's Enhancement Program for acquisition of a
scenic conservation easement along a portion of St. Mary's Road in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: In June 2002, Orange County submitted a grant application to the North
Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) requesting federal matching funds from
the Transportation Enhancement Program for a pilot project to acquire a scenic easement
along a portion of the historic St, Mary Road corridor. The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro
(DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization endorsed the application.
Orange County was notified in February 2003 that its application was selected far funding.
However, delays in the State's administration of the grant resulted in the County only
recently receiving the paperwork necessary to pursue the project. NCDOT requires that
the County execute an agreement with NCDOT for the use $141,269 in federal funds from
the Transportation Enhancement Program for the purchase the proposed conservation
easement. A draft resolution authorizing the agreement is attached.
Orange County, through its Lands Legacy Program, would identify landowners who are
interested in conveying a scenic easement that would preserve the view along a portion of
the historic St. Mary's Road corridor. The top candidates would be considered by the
Board of Commissioners before selecting the location for pursuing an easement. The pilot
project would be the first scenic easement acquired through the Lands Legacy Program
and the first such easement in Orange County.
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FINANCIAL IMPACT: The NC Department of Transportation will reimburse the County to
the extent of eighty percent (8Q%) of the eligible costs of a conservation easement
purchase up to the maximum federal award of $141,269. Orange County will provide at
least twenty percent (2Q%) matching funds and all costs that exceed the federal award of
$141,269. The specific location and casts of the easement purchase have not been
determined, and will come back to the Board for its consideration and approval.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the attached
resolution authorizing the Manager to sign an agreement with the NC Department of
Transportation for the receipt of $141,269 in matching funds for acquisition of a scenic
conservation easement along an as yet unspecified segment of St. Mary's Road. The
terms of the final agreement are subject to final review by staff and County Attorney.
COPY OF A RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF ORANGE, NORTH CAROLINA
A motion was made by
and seconded by
for the adoption of the following Resolution, and upon
being put to a vote was duly adopted:
WHEREAS, the County of Orange has requested enhancement funding for the acquisition
of scenic conservation easements along St. Mary's Road in Orange County, North Carolina; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation has programmed funding in the
2002-2008 Transportation Improvement Program, as revised, for said acquisition under Project
E-4779 in Orange County; and,
WHEREAS, the County proposes to enter into an Agreement with the North Carolina
Department of Transportation for said acquisition as described in said Agreement; and,
WHEREAS, under the proposed Agreement, the Department of Transportation shall
reimburse the County to the extent of eighty percent (80%) of the approved eligible costs up to the
maximum federal award of $141,269; and,
WHEREAS, the County shall provide at (east twenty percent (20%) matching funds and all
costs that exceed the federal award of $141,269..
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Agreement for Project E-4779 in Orange
County is hereby formally approved by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Orange, and,
on behalf of the County of Orange, the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and Clerk
to said Board are hereby empowered to sign and execute the required Agreement with the
Department of Transportation..
I, ,Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners of Orange
County, North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the
excerpts from the Minutes of the Board of County Commissioners duly held on the day of
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WITNESS my hand and the official seal of said County on this the day of
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(COUNTY SEAL)
CLERK TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
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