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Resolution Supporting Orange County Contract for Community Engagement Consultant Services Related to Development of a Master Plan for the Greene Tract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to request that the Town Council consider adopting a resolution of support for Orange County proceeding with community engagement consultant services related to the development of the Greene Tract Master Plan.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Trish McGuire, Planning Director, pmcguire@carrboronc.gov <mailto:pmcguire@carrboronc.gov>, 919-918-7327; Marty Roupe, Development Review Administrator; mroupe@carrboronc.gov <mailto:mroupe@carrboronc.gov>
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ Climate __ Comprehensive Plan __X__Other
Council Direction Statement
The Town’s commitment to working with our local government partners to support the Rogers Road community achieve community interests for the Greene Tract is extensive and longstanding. Information related to the Greene Tract, in particular and the current jointly adopted resolution for its future use may be found at Greene Tract | Orange County, NC (orangecountync.gov) <https://www.orangecountync.gov/3070/Greene-Tract>. Racial Equity Pocket questions are included as Attachment B.
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INFORMATION:
Information
Orange County released a Request for Proposals (RFP) in June 2023. Proposals were reviewed by staff from Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County and a preferred consultant team has been identified for contract negotiation. The contract for this work will be between Orange County and the consultant. The cost-share breakdown is 43 percent from Orange County, 43 percent from Chapel Hill, and 14 percent from Carrboro. The Interlocal Agreement adopted in June 2021, details the future uses of the Greene Tract to include affordable housing, mixed income housing, a future school site and public recreation spaces.
Consultant services were identified to provide dedicated, focused resources to advance this project on a specified timeline. Staff capacity in all three jurisdictions has been strained in recent years due to turnover and high workloads. The consultant will work closely with staff from the three jurisdictions to develop and lead community engagement strategies that are to inform the development of the Greene Tract Master Plan. The anticipated schedule is projected to conclude in December 2024.
The maximum amount currently proposed for the community engagement is $360,000. Carrboro’s share would be $50,400. This maximum amount includes approximately $50,000 for community stipends as part of an equity-centered engagement approach. Orange County is in communication with the preferred respondent regarding modifications to the project scope that might result in lower costs.
The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a resolution of support on Wednesday, September 27th (TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL - File #: [23-0685] (legistar.com) <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__chapelhill.legistar.com_LegislationDetail.aspx-3FID-3D6361052-26GUID-3D4893D2D2-2D796D-2D452F-2D8797-2DB87AE4B096A1-26Options-3D-26Search-3D&d=DwMFAg&c=JRU6Crajf79kKcplUJFHFfpcQ9GkS9xWLut8YRTooJY&r=-Zu7Xcrib_Gl8DuLctkFb55BhrA3Nr_DKHDgX-uDIIs&m=HAMe22Ngd8K2sIZRYF85NR6ArnjD43lVZ_X0Yopfk5ASgA8BCuty63yAvwK6g9wl&s=Cc9UEfPhrUcL-vlaZmrkbF4o-cRE7RGcVvVp-cLAiyM&e=>. During the discussion, Council Members also expressed strong interest in a more streamlined process that would be completed much sooner, potentially a process led by staff that would be less costly. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to consider contracting for the Community Engagement and Master Plan Design at an October 10th Work Session and will consider taking action to authorize the contract to be executed at the October 17th Regular Meeting and may discuss these comments and interests.
A separate procurement process is in progress for the Master Plan design process. Initially, one RFP for the Master Plan was released and only one response was received. The community engagement and design processes were separated into separate procurement processes to seek participation by diverse and experienced firms capable of establishing and implementing an engagement approach in accordance with One Orange (Town of Carrboro - File #: 22-37 (legistar.com) <https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5398852&GUID=D3093EFE-6567-4F6F-BAD1-55CBAECF126B&Options=&Search=>).
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: Carrboro’s share of the costs of engagement is estimated to be up to $50,400. The Consultant will work closely with staff from the three jurisdictions to develop and lead community engagement strategies that are to inform the development of the Greene Tract Master Plan.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: A resolution expressing Town support for Orange County proceeding with the contract for the Green Tract Community Engagement services is provided for the Council’s adoption (Attachment A).