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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-21-2026; 8-g - Approval of a Cost Share Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Orange County and City of Mebane (Mebane) for the West Ten Road Waterline Connector 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 21, 2026 Action Agenda Item No. 8-g SUBJECT: Approval of a Cost Share Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Orange County and City of Mebane (Mebane) for the West Ten Road Waterline Connector DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections, Economic Development ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Proposed Memorandum of Understanding Christopher Sandt, County Engineer, (MOU) for Consideration 919-245-2583 Steve Brantley, Economic Development, Director, 919-245- 2326 PURPOSE: To approve of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Orange County and the City of Mebane (Mebane) to jointly fund the costs of professional engineering design, construction, and construction administration of the West Ten Road Waterline Connector (hereafter the "project"). BACKGROUND: The project is part of the County's current Capital Investment Plan (CIP) budget, for which $500,000 of Orange County funding was requested and approved by the Board in the FY 2024-2025 CIP request cycle. The project consists of the design and installation of approximately 1,750 linear feet of 12-inch diameter ductile iron pipe (DIP) public water line. The project is located along the southern shoulder of West Ten Road between Buchanan Drive and Buckhorn Industrial Parkway in Cheeks Township. The project provides a critical 12-inch water line loop between two dead end sections of existing 12-inch water line currently owned and operated by Mebane. Once complete, the induced public water system looping provides increased fire flow and water transmission line redundancy to the western portion of Orange County, including the Gravelly Hill Middle School site and the designated Efland-Buckhorn Economic Development District (EDD). An indirect benefit is improved insurance ratings of local residences and businesses and enhanced interconnection potential with the Orange Alamance Water System (OAWS) and existing infrastructure in the Buckhorn and Perry Hills communities. Mebane is managing the project and will assume ownership, operation, and maintenance of the project once the project is constructed, inspected, and certified. The engineering/design phase of the project is complete; however, the necessary permits for construction have not yet been obtained and construction bids have not yet been received. Mebane intends to formally advertise and solicit for competitive construction bids in April 2026. Construction is expected to take approximately six (6) months, weather permitting, with an estimated substantial completion in November/December 2026. 2 Orange County and Mebane mutually propose to fund this public utility improvement project via a cost-share Memorandum of Understanding (MOU, see Attachment 1). The City of Mebane has provided an estimated total cost of the project at $944,750, inclusive of engineering design ($80,000), construction ($809,750), and construction administration ($55,000). Per the MOU, Orange County would cover 50% (estimated at $472,375) of the total project cost and Mebane will cover 50% (estimated at $472,375) of the total project cost. Orange County's portion of the project would not exceed the FY 2024-2025 CIP amount of $500,000 approved by the Board without seeking additional Board approval. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The negotiated Orange County share of the costs for professional engineering design, construction, and construction administration services, estimated at $472,375, will not exceed the currently appropriated CIP project budget of $500,000 without seeking additional Board approval. Any subsequently approved MOUs, agreements, and/or related amendments will not exceed the appropriated project budget. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION OBJECTIVE 6. Protect water supply/watersheds. • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 6. Provide sustainable, equitable, and high-quality community safety and emergency services to meet the community's evolving needs. • GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY OBJECTIVE 7. Expand the non-residential tax base. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the Board Chair to execute the Memorandum of Understanding between Orange County and City of Mebane (Attachment 1) on behalf of the Board. 3 Attachment 1 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ("MOU") Between Orange County And City of Mebane I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this MOU is to clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of each party related to the proposed West Ten Road Waterline Connector Project ("the project"). In particular, this MOU is intended to: 1. Define the roles and delineate the roles and responsibilities of each party. 2. Outline communication, financial, and other expectations of the parties until the project is completed and turned over to the City of Mebane. II. PARTIES The parties of this MOU are Orange County, North Carolina ("the County") and the City of Mebane ("Mebane"). III. BACKGROUND The project consists of the design and installation of approximately 1,750 linear feet of 12- inch diameter ductile iron pipe (DIP) public water line. The project is located along the southern shoulder of West Ten Road between Buchanan Drive and Buckhorn Industrial Parkway in the Cheeks Township of Orange County. The project provides a critical 12-inch water line loop between two dead end sections of existing 12-inch water line currently owned and operated by Mebane. Once complete, the induced public water system looping provides increased fire flow and water transmission line redundancy to the western portion of Orange County, including the Gravelly Hill Middle School site and the designated Efland- Buckhorn Economic Development District (EDD). An indirect benefit of the project is improved insurance ratings of local residences and businesses and enhanced interconnection potential with Orange Alamance Water System (OAWS) and existing infrastructure in the Buckhorn and Perry Hills communities. Mebane is managing the project and will assume ownership, operation, and maintenance of the project once the project is constructed, inspected, and certified. The 4 engineering/design phase of the project is complete; however, the necessary permits for construction have not yet been obtained and construction bids have not yet been received. Mebane intends to formally advertise and solicit for competitive construction bids in April 2026. Construction is expected to take approximately six (6) months, weather permitting, with an estimated substantial completion in November/December 2026. Mebane is managing the construction administration of the project. The County shall have no responsibility or obligation to design, administer, construct, operate, or maintain the project. Orange County and Mebane mutually wish to fund this public utility improvement project via a cost-share Memorandum of Understanding. The estimated total cost of the project is $944,750, inclusive of engineering design ($80,000), construction ($809,750), and construction administration ($55,000). Per the MOU, Orange County will cover 50% (estimated at $472,375) of the total project cost and Mebane will cover 50% (estimated at $472,375) of the total project cost. Orange County's maximum total project cost shall not exceed the Board of County Commissioners FY 2024-25 CIP approved amount of $500,000, without additional Board approval. IV. IT IS MUTUALLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES THAT- 1. Both the County and Mebane shall be responsible for half (50%) of the total project cost outlined in the attached cost estimate. Orange County's maximum total project cost shall not exceed the Board of County Commissioners FY 2024-25 CIP approved amount of $500,000, without additional Board approval. Mebane shall contract with a qualified and competitively solicited contractor to construct the project and shall manage the impending construction contract as such. 2. The terms of this MOU shall begin on the date of execution and shall expire upon Mebane's final inspection/certification and acceptance of the project. 3. The parties shall at all times remain in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including, but not limited to, all state and federal non-discrimination laws, policies, and rules. 4. Modifications of this MOU must be in writing and approved by both parties. 5. This MOU and any exhibits and amendments attached hereto, and any documents incorporated specifically by reference, represent the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior oral and written statements or agreements. 6. The County and Mebane shall be responsible for providing coordination and access to their respective properties/facilities/records and shall provide all documentation as requested by the impending construction contractor to complete the project. 7. Upon Mebane's final inspection/certification and acceptance of the project, the County shall reimburse Mebane within 30 days of the County's receipt of the Page 2 of 3 5 associated invoicing by Mebane and Mebane's verification of its acceptance of the project. Parties indicate agreement with this MOU by their signatures: *ORANGE COUNTY CITY OF MEBANE By: By: Name: Name: Title: Title: Date: Date: *Orange County routing sheet shall also be attached for all other parties within Orange County to sign. Page 3 of 3