HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 12-02-19 Item 12-5 - Information Item - Memorandum-FY 19-20 Orange County Budget Appropriation for Sidewalk Study – Orange Grove Road Corridor and Pedestrian Safety 1
PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT
Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director
Administration 131 W. Margaret Lane
(919) 245-2575 Suite 201
(919) 644-3002 (FAX) ORANGE COUNTY P. O. Box 8181
www.orangecountync.gov NORTH CAROLINA Hillsborough, NC 27278
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Tom Ten Eyck, Transportation/Land Use Planner
CC: Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning Director
Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor
DATE: November 13, 2019
SUBJECT: FY 19-20 Orange County Budget Appropriation for Sidewalk
Study— Orange Grove Road Corridor and Pedestrian Safety
Attached for your information is an update recently provided to the Orange Unified
Transportation Board regarding the FY 19-20 Orange County budget appropriation for a
sidewalk study of Orange Grove Road from Patriots Point Drive to New Grady Brown
School Road (Attachment 1). In addition to the information provided to the OUTBoard, this
memo includes an update on a more recent staff meeting and an opportunity to more
effectively utilize the previously budgeted monies of $50,000 for a feasibility study of the
corridor.
On Friday, October 26, 2019, Orange County Planning staff met with staff from NCDOT
Division 7, the Town of Hillsborough Planning Department, DCHC MPO staff, an official
from Orange County Schools and the Orange County Staff Engineer to discuss the scope
of data collection and analysis for consulting services along Orange Grove Road. The
meeting was a continuation of a dialogue with multiple stakeholders present following an
accident where a student was struck by a vehicle.
During the discussion, NCDOT Division 7 staff made mention of a separate study to be
conducted by NCDOT's Transportation Mobility & Safety Division—Municipal and School
Transportation Assistance (MSTA) in regard to this corridor to be provided within a sixty-
day period from the time of agreement. As the discussion evolved, stakeholders
recognized an opportunity to consider a shared study for both NCDOT and the County.
As of November 13, NCDOT staff has followed up with Orange County staff to better
understand the scope of NCDOT's consultant work to inform how the monies allocated in
the County's FY 19-20 budget can best be utilized. At this point in time, it appears that
NCDOT will likely start its study within ninety (90) days, which can take place only after
data has been provided. MSTA studies are geographically bound to schools, but the MSTA
official shared that the transportation area of influence is determined by the "transportation
behaviors" of the area as well as final stakeholder input, meaning that the study area may
still incorporate the traffic and pedestrian crossings on the bridge that crosses over 1-40.
The remaining question is when the stakeholder meetings will take place and what format
this meeting will take. NCDOT has indicated that Orange County and Orange County
Schools are stakeholders and will be notified of meetings. Planning staff will keep the
Board apprised throughout.
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Alignment to the scope of work anticipated for the County's feasibility study—if needed as
follow-up to the NCDOT study—would include the collection and study of existing reports,
plans, and recommendations, and short- and long-term recommendations to improve
pedestrian safety. Necessary components would include an implementation agreement
and the plan for a long-term maintenance agreement between the County, Orange County
Schools, the Town of Hillsborough, and NCDOT.
If you have any questions regarding the information contained herein, please contact Tom
Ten Eyck at 919.245.2567 (email: tteneyck(a)_orangecountync.gov) or Tom Altieri at
919.245.2579 (email: taltieri orangecountync.gov).
Enclosures:
Attachment 1 — October 2016 OUTBoard Action Agenda Item Abstract with Attachments
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ORANGE COUNTY
ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 16, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 5.a.
SUBJECT: FY 19-20 Orange County Budget Appropriation for Sidewalk Study
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections
ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. High School Principal Message Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning
2. Excerpt FY 2019-20 County Budget Supervisor, 919-245-2579
Nish Trivedi, Transportation Planner,
919-245-2582
PURPOSE: Receive information on available monies to complete a sidewalk study of Orange
Grove and New Brady School Roads to help devise a strategy to mitigate pedestrian safety
concerns and next steps.
BACKGROUND: In 2003, the Town of Hillsborough and OC adopted an Orange Grove Access
Management Plan that identified the need for pedestrian improvements on Orange Grove Road
and New Grady Brown School Road. Pedestrian improvements were also identified in the
County's Safe Routes to School Plan (2014), which was adopted by the OC School Board,
Town, and County. The County has attempted implementation of a variety of projects through
the State's prioritization processes (SPOT) for projects to be included in the State
Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) but has not been successful in obtaining funding.
Although there are some grant sources for funding pedestrian projects, they have not been
actively pursued due to prerequisite local match requirements, as well as uncertainty over
sidewalk maintenance responsibilities.
In addition to the regular discussions and updates provided to the OUTBoard during its annual
goal setting and reporting of activities to the BOCC and biannual discussion of County
transportation priorities, the OUTBoard has received meeting notes from the County's
luncheons with NCDOT staff to keep the Board informed. Planning and its Engineering staff
have continued its research and discussions with NCDOT and completed cost estimates for
sidewalks (2,050 LF) along the north side of Orange Grove Road earlier this year. Including
20% contingency, construction costs are estimated at $823,901 with an additional $115,346
estimated for surveying and design. This estimate does not address the need for a pedestrian
bridge or receiving sidewalks on the southwest side of 1-40 and sidewalks at the schools. In
2010/2011, a feasibility study included a cost estimate of approximately $400,000 for a
pedestrian bridge. The County pursued funding through the SPOT/STIP process in 2013 but
the project scored very poorly through the quantitative process and was not funded. The lack of
receiving sidewalks for any pedestrian bridge has long been cited by NCDOT staff as an
obstacle to funding.
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Minor safety improvements that have been completed include the installation of fencing along
the bridge over 1-40 and a reduction in the speed limit along the Orange Grove Road corridor
from 45-MPH to 40-MPH. NCDOT, at the request of the County, has also studied the Oakdale
Drive/Orange Grove Road intersection for congestion and safety improvements. In 2015,
NCDOT conducted a test, placing temporary All-way stop signs at the intersection. As a result,
it was determined that an All-way stop treatment was not viable for this location and a signalized
intersection would be needed. Requests to consider the inclusion of sidewalks on the Cedar
Ridge High School campus, as part of its classroom wing expansion project, were heard but
unsuccessful due to funding limitations.
Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle: On Monday, September 9, 2019, a pedestrian with an age-17
restricted driver's license, was struck by a motor vehicle on Orange Grove Road. The accident
occurred at 2:13 pm at a location 160' toward 1-40 from Oakdale Drive, in the vicinity of the
bridge over 1-40. The pedestrian is a student at Cedar Ridge High School and suffered a broken
arm, while walking home from school, as a result of the accident. Subsequently, the School
Principal issued a message strongly encouraging students to refrain from walking to and from
school as there is not a safe area for them to do so (Attachment 1).
County Budget and Next Steps: In response to the Planning Department's budget request and
the County Manager's recommended budget (Attachment 2), the BOCC approved up to $50,000
for consulting services to complete a sidewalk study of Orange Grove and New Brady School
Roads to help devise a strategy to mitigate pedestrian safety concerns. Since the budget was
passed in June 2019, County staff has received additional information from Town of
Hillsborough staff stating its inability to maintain sidewalks outside of its incorporated area
based on State law. Planning staff received direction to develop a scope of services and
initiate the consultant procurement process in September 2019.
Over the course of the next few weeks, Orange County staff will be meeting with staff
representatives from NCDOT, Orange County Schools, and the Town of Hillsborough to discuss
the Orange Grove Road corridor and safety concerns to help inform the development of a
Scope of Services for a consultant. County Transportation Planning staff is also coordinating
with the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization to establish a
financial and planning partnership for the study.
At this time, staff anticipates that the study may include but not necessarily be limited to:
• Study area along Orange Grove Road from Patriots Point Drive to New Grady Brown
School Road intersection and along New Grady Brown School Road to capture the
school properties
• Data collection and analysis
• Collection and summary of existing reports, studies, plans and recommendations
• Short and long-term recommendations, including cross-sections, for on and off-road
improvements to improve pedestrian safety
• Cost estimates, feasibility, and recommendations for funding implementation
• Public involvement at early stages and when a draft is available
• Presentations to the Orange County BOCC and School Board
RECOMMENDATION(S): Staff recommends the OUTBoard receive the information and offer
any suggestions on items to be addressed through a Scope of Work for consulting services.
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Tom Altieri
Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL MAIL!] Fwd: 9/9 Safety Precaution
A message from CEDAR RIDGE HIGH
Good Evening,
Afterschool a student was hit by a car while walking home. CRHS Staff, Orange County Schools Staff, EMS
and the Sheriff department worked together to attend to the students' medical needs. The student was
transported to the hospital after he was given medical attention for his non-life threatening injuries.
We strongly encourage students to refrain from walking to and from school as there is not a safe area for them
to do so. Bus transportation is available for students who do not have an alternative method of transportation. If
your child is in need of bus transportation please contact the school to make that request
Thank you,
Intisar Hamidullah
Principal
Cedar Ridge High School
This e-mail has been sent to you by CEDAR RIDGE HIGH.To maximize their communication with you,you may be receiving this e-mail in
addition to a phone call with the same message.If you no longer wish to receive email notifications from CEDAR RIDGE HIGH,please click here to
unsubscribe.
To view the CEDAR RIDGE HIGH privacy policy,please click here.
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Government appropriation is recommended to grow from $9.9 million in FY2018-19 to $10.5 million in FY2019-
20. The Budget recommends the following initiatives in General Government functions.
• County Attorney
In FY2018-19, 0.5 FTE Senior Staff Attorney was assigned to be the Director of Human Rights and Relations.
Due to workload pressures, the County Attorney requested to restore this staff capacity to hire a new 0.5
FTE Staff Attorney to specialize in litigation. The FY2019-20 Budget restores this capacity and adds $19,200
to maintain Staff Attorney capacity during an anticipated parental leave.
• County Manager—Information Security Officer&Sidewalk Study
The County Manager's Budget adds 1.0 FTE to serve as the County's cyber security officer, starting in
January of 2020. The County's recent experience with sophisticated malware highlighted the importance of
having a staff resource dedicated to cyber and data security both on the computer network and throughout
County operations. As part of the County Manager's Office, the position will have the full support of County
leadership as well as an indirect line of responsibility to Information Technology. The Budget adds $54,300
in operating funds to support this position. During the Capital Budget Amendment process, an amendment
will be requested to provide an additional $350,000 in to purchase hardware and software to harden the
County defenses to data security threats.
The Unified Transportation Board completed a work plan for Safe Routes to Schools. This plan identified the
need for pedestrian options for students. Since several Orange County Schools are located outside of Town
boundaries, the County has been attempting to devise a strategy to mitigate pedestrian safety concerns.
The County Manager's base budget included $50,000 for program evaluation studies. This funding will be
reallocated to retain a consultant to evaluate options specifically along Orange Grove Road.
• Board of Elections
The 2019-20 Fiscal Year will feature three Countywide elections, municipal, primary, and second primary.
Recommended Operating Budget for the Board of Elections increases by over $226,000 in personnel and
operating costs to reflect the administration of three Countywide elections during FY2019-20.
• Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners
The Clerk's Budget anticipates facilitator expenses of$2,500 to assist with the pilot intergovernmental work
group process. As the facilitator time commitment for these meetings become defined, this amount of
funding may have to be revisited.
• Register of Deeds
Due to current trends,the Register of Deeds recommended a decrease of$125,000 in excise stamp revenue.
This revenue is based on the sale price of a real estate transaction. The decrease could be due to a
reduction in large, commercial sales.
• Tax Administration
The Tax Administration Recommended Budget begins to prepare for the 2021 revaluation. It includes
$26,000 for independent appraisal services for commercial properties as well as$21,100 to maintain staffing
capacity during anticipated parental leaves next year. The Budget also funds NC Property Tax System
enhancements at a cost of$35,000.
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