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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-03-2004-5cORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 3, 2004 Action Agen_da Item No. SUBJECT: Resolution -Agricultural Center Work Group DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension, ERCD, PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No EDC ATTACHMENT Resolution and Charge INFORMATION CONTACT: Fletcher Barber, 245-2050 David Stancil, 245-2590 Dianne Reid, 245-2325 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution creating an Agricultural Center Work Group to evaluate needs and possible uses of an Agricultural Center in Orange County, reporting back within one year of appointment,. BACKGROUND: At the October 27, 2003 work session, the Board discussed a resolution from the Agricultural Preservation Board for a new and fresh look at the longstanding issue of an Agricultural Center in the County, The resolution asked for a work group comprised of diverse members to be appointed to study this issue and report back on the potential for such a Center. The attached resolution would establish such a Work Group, with a defined charge as shown in Attachment 1. The Work Group would be encouraged to look at new and innovative trends and uses of facilities for agriculture, as well as traditional agricultural needs. A report to the Board would be generated within one year of the Work Group's appointment. The focus of the Work Group would be potential uses for a Center, and not the proposed building's location. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the creation of the Work Group. Funding for construction of an Agricultural Center does not exist and would need to be addressed in a future Capital Investment Plan. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the resolution, which includes two Commissioners as members of the Work Group, 2 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Resolution A Resolution Establishing an Agricultural Center Work Group WHEREAS, the concept of an Agricultural Center in Orange County has been a topic of consideration for many years, and WHEREAS, on October 15, 2003, the Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board adopted a resolution asking the Board of Commissioners to consider appointing a Work Group to study the potential uses and need for an Agricultural Center, and WHEREAS, the Agricultural Preservation Board's resolution laid out a number of issues and concepts for the discussion of such a Work Group, including involvement by all stakeholders, and WHEREAS, on October 27, 2003 the Board of Commissioners was apprised of the proposal from the Agricultural Preservation Board and indicated general agreement with a "new and fresh" look at the topic of'a potential Agricultural Center for the County. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of County Commissioners agrees to appoint an ad hoc Agricultural Center Work Group, as charged in Attachment 1 to this resolution, to report back within one year of appointment of the Work Group. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Work Group should strive to ensure that all viewpoints and stakeholders who desire to be heard on the subject have an opportunity for input into the Work Group process and report. This, the 3rd day of February, 2004. Barry Jacobs, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Donna M. Baker, Clerk to the Board Attachment 1 Charge to the Agricultural Center Work Group February 3, 2004 Charge and Mission 1. To investigate and explore the potential need and uses. for an Orange County Agricultural Center, utilizing new information and current/fiiture agricultural needs. 2. To develop a process whereby all stakeholders have an opportunity to provide meaningtd input into the Work Group deliberations .3. To develop a report on the findings of the Work Group discussion and investigation, to be submitted to the Board of Conunissioners within one year of appointment of the Work Group. 4, Review the recommendations of the previous Agricultural Center work group (1989). Timetable Activity Proposed Date BOCC agrees to create Work Group February, 2004 Work Group appointments made March, 2004 Work Group meetings to develop April-October, 2004 public participation process, explore need, visit other centers, and explore potential uses Development of Work Group report October-December, 2004 Report transmitted to Board of ,January-February, Commissioners 2005 Proposed Makeup of Work Group and Staff Resources 2 County Commissioners 2 members, Agricultural Preservation Board 2 members, Orange County Cooperative Extension Board 2 members, Orange Soil and Water District Board 2 members, Economic Development Commission 2 members, Organic and Alternative Farming (at-large) I member, Livestock and Commodity Associations (at-large) 1 member, Fami Associations (Farm Bureau, Grange, other) 1 member, Farmers (at-large) I member, Farm Consumers (at-large) 1 member, Potential Institutional Consumers (universities, school systems, etc) I member, N.C. Department of Agriculture staff Staff Support Cooperative Extension Director (and staff), Environment and Resource Conservation Director (and staff), District Conservationist (and staff), Economic Development Director (and staff), Farm Services Agency Director. Guiding Principles The Work Group should use the following guiding principles in its discussion and deliberations: 1. The intent of this process is to generate a "fresh" look at the concept of an Agricultural Center and the needs and uses of same in the years to come. Previous reports and efforts may be useful as background but should not keep the Work Group from exploring new ideas and concepts for appropriate uses of an Agricultural Center in the year 2004 and beyond 2. Discussion of the potential uses of an Agricultural Center should include (but not be limited to): demonstration and meeting space, a potential value-added processing center (County or regional), office space for farm-related agencies, demonstration farm plots and community farm fields, new and innovative agricultural concepts such as Farm Land-Link opportunities and Community- Supported Agriculture (CSA), and an Agricultural Heritage Museum. 3. The Work Group process should use broad public outreach efforts to engage all citizens interested in this topic and ensure that all interests and stakeholders have the opportunity to be heard 4. The Work Group report should assess needs and potential uses of a Center, as well as identify potential outside funding sources for such a building. 5. The Work Group report should focus on uses and needs for a Center, and need not specify a specific location for a proposed center. 6. The Work Group should be aware of land use and environmental standards in considering the potential of uses for the Center.