001Again, if you if you've got any action floating around in there, >> a sinking chair. >> Oh, you do have a sinking chair. >> Um, are you sure? >> Yeah, this is a sinking chair. All right. For the sake of time, I'm going to call the meeting over and we are going to start this roll call knowing that it's subject to change as people. But we have a very tight So today Bradford I am here. Pete Wilmore >> present. >> Joseph Barnhard >> here. >> Kim Clark here. Paul Slavic >> here. >> Hannah Moon here. Philip Sutton. >> Charlene Thompson >> here. >> Jared Warington >> here. Stephanie Walker >> here. >> Rod Zapple, >> Eric Fradle >> here, >> Amanda Kosak >> here, >> Lisa Woodser >> here, >> Natalie English, John Hennet, Christopher
002Riley, Libby Jeff, >> Mr. Sutton is here. Okay, we're going to move into the pledge and the invocation. >> Starting with the pledge. Pete will alian to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity we have in front of us today. Uh we pray that this community strive uh to work for the betterment of our students uh and for our community. We call this a calling and a passion that we have to influence in a positive way uh the lives of the next generation. Help that to be the focus today that we uh have clear minds, clear thoughts, and a ready heart willing to to help those around us.
003We ask this in your name. Amen. Amen. >> Amen. >> Next up is approval of the agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a first and a second. All in favor of approving the agenda say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> Same thing with the minutes. You have two sets of minutes for the last two meetings. Would entertain a motion to approve. >> So move. Need a second. I'll second that. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed? No. All right. That's going to take us right to presentation of school facilities. So, take a nancond and go through your packet on that. And then if we can keep our comments down and our questions concise because we have a very tight schedule. And at the end of
004this, we are going to have a vote on what our priorities are. And that vote as a committee, there's 18 voting members of this committee. We that that vote will then go on to the full board for their consideration, our board, school board. And then it'll go after much tweaking and discussion and so on, it'll end up in front of the county commissioners. So, um, who's going to lead the presentation? Is this Rob or is this you, sir? >> Rob, I'll kick it over to you and I'll jump in as needed. All right. So, one of the things we had a a a member of the public come up and say, "If you'll let me call on you and I can say your name so that the people listening online know who's speaking when you're
005speaking." So, Rob Morgan um operations director is going to take us through the proposal um of school facilities. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I will kick this off. Rob, sorry. Yes. >> So what you have here is what we sent earlier is basically we ran a capacity study for all of our schools uh after the 10th day of enrollment which is when enrollment start to stabilize. So you can see here as you go down the the um the side here what I've looked at is I just used the capacity that we currently have with the mobile units that are on site right now. So those are mobile units that are in use in those buildings. our current enrollment and then a capacity percentage of how full those schools are. Now, for some reason in this one,
006um, alderman should be highlighted in purple at the top there. I apologize. I must have, uh, shifted at some point, but I did highlight in purple those schools that are under 70% full. Now, again, you don't want a school to be at cap necessarily. That means that every single seat is filled with a child, which gives you very little room for enrollment for shifts that happen naturally during the school year. But I also highlighted in yellow the places that we are over 100% capacity. I think what's when I did this, what really rose out to me was the fact that there are middle and high schools are very very much at capacity or open. So, our middle schools are 80 almost 89% full. Our high schools are 97% full. And then our elementary schools are
007still at 87, which is not a terrible number to work with. So, I just wanted you guys to have that because I think it's relevant in the decisions and conversations we have today. >> Okay. Now, did Rob, did you have anything to add to that? I do not. >> Okay. >> So then we're going to move through your packet to a sample of project costs and that would be Dr. Morgan again. >> Okay. Thank you. Robert. So, based on where we left off at the last meeting, what we've tried to do is grab uh present a sample project cost with the idea of including some of the projects that I believe one of the members proposed. I don't know that it was voted on, but um essentially we were trying to look at what it
008might look like if we were to tally up those particular school projects as well as some of the additional costs that would go into it if we were looking at the $300 million bond option that Mr. Cradle presented last time. And so what you'll see um listed there are uh revised costs that are current. Um you're going to see River Lights and I heard a mention of this previously although I wasn't involved in the conversation so I apologize for eavesdropping. Um River Lights is identified as a new school whereas Pine Valley is identified as a replacement um simply because River Lights doesn't currently exist and Pine Valley does currently exist. Um for New Hanover High School, we identified phase one. Um Tras Middle will be a new building at the on the the grounds where
009CEK High School is currently located. And Porters Neck Elementary School would be an addition of eight classrooms. The additional costs that are not project specific are district-wide technology improvements, district-wide safety improvements, program management, and contingency costs. Yes, >> Dr. Lawrence. >> Yes. One of the things that we have talked about in here when you build a new when you River Lights, Pine Valley, whatever those schools will be built at a higher capacity based on our current enrollment. One of the things I've discussed with the board a lot is about our overhead costs of buildings throughout this process. What we do not want to see happen is to have more buildings than less. We want to exchange buildings that are outmoded, outdated, or unsafe. But I don't think it's our in inclination to increase overhead, which
010means that River Lights really wouldn't be an additional school building. It would replace Williams. I don't think that the enrollment would consider rebuilding another new school at Williams' spot, if that makes sense to everyone. So, with the increased enrollment you would get with a new building, it would more than cover what Williams would be. So, that's sort of responding to our enrollment trends and I just wanted to make sure that that was made clear. I actually spoke with the staff at Williams about that uh last week when I was there, but I didn't want people to think that that's going to be adding to our footprint if that makes sense. Thank you. >> And we had started internally a couple of us referring to the River Lights Mary C as Mary C. Williams at River
011Lights. So you understand that that project would cease when that one came online instead of it's it's two different things. And we're we're we're also referring to the TRA as the TR CEK because TRS will repurposed as well. So we we gain a new school but we keep a an old school and repurpose it frequently. So questions on that. Um, we had we had really looked at these with a little bit lower numbers and now these are pretty much up to-date numbers that what you're seeing and I'm looking at my screen but sample of project cost is where we are and that that comes out to 300,521,418. If we pick up the five schools that we identified last time as what we thought were our priorities, plus the district-wide safety improvements for 10 million, the
012district-wide technology improvements for 10 million, the district-wide building systems and infrastructure for 20 million. That's going to include upgrade to our HBAC's and things in our infrastructure that have not had any attention. And um what Dr. Morgan has in front of you also has uh program management on it for 2 million7. So those nine things is is has been our focus. So now is the time if you have a focus that you want to bring into this or a change now would be the time to bring it up. Yes, Pete Wilmore. I would just like to add uh or really highlight that even though it says TR middle school uh really really protecting not only Trass Middle School but Lane High School really would uh be a huge uh help in in the area of
013the high schools as Dr. Barnes has shared we're very very high or very close to capacity maybe even over capacity especially at Laney but that would give that that would free that up and give us a lot more uh opportunity to bring those numbers down. It would also make the the laning footprint 80 acres as well because they would expand. >> I did >> say that again. I didn't hear you. >> It would create tr as an addition to Laney which would increase their acreage overall. And I think in case if I could jump in in case people don't know, a lot of the tr that I used to be there, a lot of the Tras facility is already used by Laney, like the softball field uh for Laney High School is actually located at
014Tras. Um you know, they do share that with the Tras uh junior high school, but uh it is the Laney softball field. And one of the things that I noted, I made myself a little spreadsheet because it's easier for me to work that way, but the Mary Se at River Lights is project um Eric correct me. Um Chris CJ told me that that was approved in 2017 maybe and it was just dropped off the list because of the the financing. So it had previously been approved and it's just sitting there at the top of the pile. So, in 2017, um there was a resol joint resolution, um a savings resol resolution between um that the county commission made and then that the school board made essentially stating that we did need that property for a
015school. So, that was in my opinion, I'm not an attorney, but it was kind of the >> the what we needed to do to say yes, we need that property. um from a financing perspective uh that I apologize I can't recall the year um I know that we were um talking about that it was on the list and at that point it may have been during COVID cost had doubled um and if I'm remembering correctly the school board also uh requested a grant to cover that because it it did get so large um and they were not awarded that grant. >> Does that help? >> Yes. And I I do remember that but it's it's always great. So basically you're looking at elementary and elementary with Pine Valley uh River Lights then Mary C. Williams
016rolled into two New Hover obviously high school but as Mr. Wavore um noted Tras and CE becomes a high school and a middle school advancement and then the Porter Neck addition of eight classrooms as I understand it there's a corridor just sitting there waiting to add on. I guess the planners knew at the time that they needed to add on there. So those things hit five schools, but they also impact other schools. And then 6, 7, 8, and nine impact every school. And for a bond standpoint, if we don't impact every school, I believe that we're setting ourselves up for less success than we might have if we do impact every school. Yes, Commissioner Walker. >> Thank you. Um, I had a question, but thank you for clarifying that. I had a question about Hanover
017High School. I'm looking at two different spreadsheets here. the one that's in the packet and the one that was on top of the packet. Um, and it says, uh, rework hybrid one and two with elements of three and four. Can somebody elaborate on that because I'm confused. >> That is simply what my ideas were yesterday before we had new information. And I was talking with Mr. Cradle earlier. I would like to see us say we're going to allocate in the bond, what does this one say? Um, $60 million 59786. $60 million and we're going to pick up phase one, but we're going to allow for the option of tweaking phase one and bringing some things up like the cafeteria to me is a high priority. So, if this committee later on says, "Yeah, we got
018to do the cafeteria." So, what can we take off and add? But I don't think we have to drill down and nail that coffin today. I I don't think um there's going to be a lot of opinion. The other I've got three things that in the new handover $60 million that I would like to see and it's the cafeteria first. Second getting the buses off of Princess and across Market Street and change that and then equally to me is the safety of the kids coming across the catwalk and that access point there. And I don't know where the courtyard I don't know I asked Dr. Morgan to tell me which phase that was those three things were in. So, >> so the the cafeteria and the bus the re um movement of the bus drop
019off are both phase one portions of the um catwalk securing the catwalk are in phase one. I think it essentially boils down to the recommendation is for the county to get ownership of the catwalk. >> Yes. and and then we can close it off at the street level um in a couple of places because they we will have the school perimeter enhanced as part of phase one. But there are additional plans in phase three to take the catwalk essentially to the next level where they would had add connectors on either side to the buildings. >> Yeah, >> that that would not come until phase three. But I think securing the f securing the catwalk is included in phase one. >> Do you have any idea what the cost of those additional plans in phase three
020are? >> I I don't have that specific cost, but the phase I mean the total phase three is is uh projected at 56 million. >> Okay. So I could follow that. The confusion is I guess and what I'm concerned with is if we start to do that whether or not the rest of it gets funded. And um I only say that because I think we decided as a a body to choose the hybrid phase. I think we all did that >> and I understand uh the finances is this the part we're struggling with right now and we want to be realistic with that and I do agree which I've talked to my colleague about making sure we have uh countywide stuff on this bond so it gets approved. Um, but I but I am concerned
021uh about uh parsing it out because what happens when we don't get more money? You know, this bond is uh is this a 10-year bond, Eric? Like the six >> 20. Okay. But we we got how many years to spend it? So, I guess I'm just I'm worried that um because I know I well I've been trying to think really hard about where we can get this money from other than the bond, which we all should be doing. And I did a uh happen to find the purchase agreement for the endowment and it does clearly say uh technologies on here also. So I'm just wondering if you know if we're trying to decide what to put in this bond. I mean can can some stuff go for endowment asks? It says in here too school
022facilities designed for the mid 21st century education delivery. So I think if we I mean I don't know what that looks like. I don't have all the answers, but I'm afraid that if we start taking things out and um repurposing and changing the hybrid, like what does that look like in the future? That's like one phase. >> And Commissioner Walker, I would say that sheet that you that was on top, just throw that one away because it's now outdated. That was just my opinion yesterday and it's changed >> and I have the answer to those question. But it kind of is a hybrid though to your point because if you the phase one has some of it but not all of the elements that are in but anyway >> that he just answered my question
023because if the cafeteria is already in phase one and if moving the bus drop off is is already in phase one. Okay. >> I'm happy especially if we're going to work hard to deal with the catwalk so it's more secure. Yes. >> Um but also and and Dr. Barnes talked about this yesterday. We had just a a casual conversation about other funding sources that could come in the next seven years, but the catwalk and that courtyard area would come under a safety feature. So, we might can get a grant somewhere for that separate because it is a safety issue. And again, we do have $10 million um to be spent, you know, over 10 years for safety, but I don't think that should come out of that. I think it should hit all the other
024safety things that we've let go. But Dr. Barnes, would you address some of the suggestions you had yesterday about other ways that we could fund some of this? >> Well, the only thought when when you do incredibly invasive surgery on something, you allow the body to heal before you go on to further surgery, right? So my concern is the reason that we scored set up the phases in the way we did is to build capacity so that there's a place for the students to be while you did further phases if that makes sense. So that phase one the cafeteria also contains a large number of classrooms over on the across Market Street. Is that what you guys call it? >> Okay. across the street from the main campus or whatever. >> Southside. >> Thank you.
025Southside. >> Southside Works. And you have that master plan in your packet, I believe. I know it's online on today's agenda because I'm looking at it. >> So, in working with Mr. Sutton and our folks, we really tried to highlight the things that were critical in phase one. I want to think that sometimes this may take more than a sevenyear or 10 year pattern to get all these things done and I don't want to, you know, take more food on our plate than we can eat. But in regards to other funding sources, there are other ways to leverage funding that does not pass along to the constituents, the taxpayers. So if if phase one was funded in the bond, there are other ways that we can work with the commission, the endowment, other organizations to
026look at further phases as well. I think to Miss Walker's point, what we don't want to do is do phase one and go, looks like we're good because this is a part of a larger plan. However, Dr. Morgan, you sped before that those phases are complete in and of themselves. So when you do a phase, it's not like you're going to walk down the end of a hallway and fall out of the building. Each phase finishes itself to build for the next phase. >> I have a question if I may. So am I understanding correctly then that you need to do phase one or at least parts of phase one to be able to do phase two and three in terms of moving kids around. >> I think you have to do it in this
027specific order. order. >> The rate at which you do it I think is negotiable, but you would want phase one done before you started phase two. >> Right. Okay. That's that's what I >> would you agree, gentlemen? >> I would I mean I think the way that it's set up, you could arguably move things around. I don't think that's the recommendation. I know that that's not our recommendation. I don't think that's the recommendation of the the designers. I think it's established the order is established in in the recommended order. >> Yeah. and and and it's not mine any longer now that I know that it's already up there. That's all I wanted. I want to make sure the cafeteria got dealt with and I want to make sure the bus drop off got dealt with
028and if it's out since those are in phase one, then I am content with it. And again, there are safety. There's money out there for safety and doing the catwalk in the courtyard could come under that. I had talked with uh Principal Sutton about challenging the um all the different alumni groups from New Handover to have a fundraiser. And if we're if we're putting 60 into a bond, maybe they can join together and raise $60 million on their own. You know, it's it's it doesn't this doesn't have to all be in this one bucket. So, we have to be mindful of the taxpayers and the burden that's on them. Now, >> um, >> Miss Barnhart, wait, Miss Barnhart and then Commissioner Zapple. >> Madam Chair, I do have a couple questions for clarity. I'm going
029to echo my colleagues to the left though. I think the TR middle school project definitely supports both levels of secondary and that's a invaluable project for us to have on this bond. Um, when I'm looking at the updated summary costs that was on the top of our packet, when you were mentioning the district-wide infrastructure, including HVAC, on the sample of project costs that we have, I see 10,000 for technology improvements, 10,000 district-wide safety improvements. But on this updated summary cost page, I see a 20,000 for infrastructure, which to my understanding, that was where the HVAC would fall in. Additional 10 for technology, 10 for safety. It said almost six for project management and 11 for contingency. So I see that the 20 million is missing from the sample project costs. And so I just wanted
030to in this example, does this include um potential updates just ride to our HVAC system? For the sample project, it's V sample of project cost. Is that included in this? >> And you are you are correct. >> So it's not included in this. >> And what's on this V sample project? the 20 million for upgrades to infrastructure like HBASC is missing. So that would take this if that would be the ninth thing that would take it to 320,521,418. And I really think that we have neglected our roofs. We've neglected our air conditioners. We've neglected the the important parts of our buildings because we didn't have the money for so darn long in this county. We have to become proactive. we have to and this would put us a long way towards it and I think
031doing that I mean schools need it desperately. So, Commissioner Zappel, you were next and then Commissioner. >> Yeah, I I want to pick up on that thread that we were just talking about New Hover High School and then a couple of other points. I don't see how we can do um phase one without phase two. We have phase two basically deals with the a building or the main campus. We now have an absolutely gorgeous looking exterior but the interior all the classrooms still need to be renovated and and brought up to a 21st century uh school. So to me, it's the point of doing phase one is to create the capacity with the new cafeteria area and all that goes in the band area and all that so that we can move the the school
032population from the large building over there for an 18month or whatever it takes uh period to get the renovation complete. I mean I I feel and Dr. Barnes, you know, along with your thought, I feel like we're in midstep. We've gotten the exterior of that building done. The only way to get to doing the complete job of renovation is to create space to put people without moving them off campus and complete that. So, in my mind, I see the 60 plus a 75. So, it's a $135 million initial phase to get New Hover High School at least into the 21st century. One without the other, well, first off, you can't do phase two without phase one. And doing just phase one only gets us a new place to eat, uh, a nice courtyard to look
033out of, and a place to have some music. >> I'm I'm being a little bit exaggerating here. And and the new bus drop off as well. I I feel like that's half a step. We we need to put more investment in. And I agree with Commissioner Walker that, you know, we have two other phases to get to, but for me, a bare minimum is that phase one and phase two. If I That's a complete thought there. Before we respond, I had some other questions about uh you asked for >> Let's address that one first. >> Okay. Um, board member Barnhart and I have been discussing you guys as county commissioners, you can fund anything you want at any time. >> You're the purse holder. So, you can fund phase two outside of this bond. >>
034Mhm. >> And am I am I correct? >> Well, I mean, they could. Yes. At any given time, that's the per capita that we looked at last time. I mean, stacked onto our debt. I don't know why you would just do it as part of this. Well, we need to stay under the ceiling of of what what is available and >> I feel like you're adding it though late just a little bit later what you're suggesting. >> No, I'm just I'm just posing the question. I I'm in favor of of phase one and then dealing with phase two later on down the road personally, but to answer his question, I mean, they are you guys are the curse holders >> and um but if we don't spread this across the county, we don't have any
035chance of success. um if we if we focus the majority of the money on one school >> that we don't have we we limit our success rate. >> Oh, I I agree, Pat, and I know I've made that point multiple times in in previous committee meetings. I think the real question to Eric and our incredibly talented county staff that's here. Uh do we have the capacity for a $375 million bond? We reviewed various scenarios uh last time that my memory is and I've got we can look at it again if you want to but I had five different scenarios I believe and I believe at that level we would get above our current policy limits um that we've got in place >> and are there mechanisms by which we could raise that I know the
036per capita uh number >> so one other thing I would say is you have yes we hold the purse strings but it's also at the will of a tax rate. >> True. >> And if we're going to start taking out lots of debt, then it probably needs to be talked about that this school board or this committee publicly goes on the record of supporting rate increases to be able to pay for it. The other thing I think we also want to discuss on phase two is needed and at a later time. Are we talking 20 years later when we're done paying off the debt or are we talking in 5 years which means we're going to have more budgeting issues that we're going to have to look at where services come offline to handle it.
037>> Can I add to this real quick? I mean only because I think I understand what is being asked. I don't think Pat when tell me if I'm wrong is is there other pockets or buckets of money that the county has access to that could help pay for this. That's what I'm hearing. I mean because we're talking about putting on a bond for for debt that that that the voters decide. But I I don't see any other buckets of money besides the revenue stabilization fund which has very strict reasons why you can go into it one. But I don't see any other funds we can pull from. And again, I'm holding the paperwork up from the endowment because I think we're talking around this issue and I really would love for us to talk more
038about that. And I know we can't all control that, but I think the the purchase agreement is pretty clear what it would fund and technologies on here also. So, I don't know how we need to make that happen, but I don't think it needs to just that money is community money. It's it's people's money. I mean, and you know, we have a board that is of 13 that ultimately decides there's a grants committee. There's a process, but the road map's here. And I don't know why we're talking around obviously asking them for this. And I'm not saying I have the answers, y'all, but I just know what's in here. And I'd like for us to bring them into the discussion besides the county having to decide, well, what buck what bucket of money do we
039pull this from? Or and the voters. So, um, leaving that out there. I don't know. >> You're looking at you're looking at of of saying, yeah, let's do phase one. Okay. So imagine we have a child naked and it's snowing and you know we can put shoes on that kid and we can put underwear on that kid. We maybe can't buy him a fur hat and gloves but we have to start somewhere. And if if the bond is kind of in the 330 range, then we have to make these numbers work. Well, we we can't we can't deal with the numbers, but we have to make our selection fit within that parameter. And there isn't funding for phase one and phase two in this bond in my opinion. Now, how the committee votes later today,
040that's different. But >> Commissioner Zapple did make an excellent point and I did not think about it before, but that building just because we fixed the front from falling down. >> It is an an older school and I'm not seeing all of the reports. I'm actually trying to get that whole full report on um on the problems with that building, but goodness knows what's in it. >> Dangerous for those students in the city right now. I feel like it's a safety concern and I know nobody wants to admit that out loud but it is a hundred-y old school and you know the things that I'm hearing are not good and I don't think are good for the students to be in that environment. I think it should be a priority. So >> I think point
041on that. >> Do you want to address that Mr. Sutton? >> I I can just say the things that were done to the front of the building um are going to help maintain that main >> uh front. I the windows, these sealant that's on the outside now keeps it from deteriorating and getting even more worse. None of that has been done with the rest of the building and so it's going to continue to degrade um as we go through um you know capacity wise or room sizes, those kinds of things. we've got the rooms, but those rooms um you know are going to continue to break down as the weather um and other elements are are involved there. So, I I agree. I I think you've got to start looking at the rest the stabilization
042of the foundation, those kinds of things um are are happening and needing in some other areas. Um so, it is it's a safety concern all around. Uh it's it's it's upgrades that that's needed. Um, so yes, phase one is going to lead to to phase two and it's going to need to happen or we're going to continue to raise costs and the needs that uh that place is going to have unless we situation like we were in last year and then it's got to happen right away. >> Yeah, that was triage. >> And I'm going to let Dr. Barnes address that next and then Amanda and then Natalie and oh, Livian, I skipped you. So, yeah. And then Pete. Okay, Dr. Barnes, take it away. I think we need to focus on a couple of
043things. It's about momentum and capacity. The way to minimize the cost, correct me if I'm wrong, the way to minimize this cost to the taxpayer is to view this as a marathon, not a sprint. >> Because every year debt service comes off as you guys finish paying it off. So if we can pace ourselves and do this over a course of time, one, I want to make sure that we are good stewards of the money that taxpayers are giving us and completing projects in a timely manner. So I don't want to bite off more than we can chew. And I think if we build momentum and capacity that lends itself to more opportunities for money later on. So whether that is the endowment as you spoke of or whether it's a different idea than debt
044service or whatever it is, I think that we should pace ourselves is my only thought. That's what I was going to say. >> Um Lisa, yes, thank you. I wanted to respond to a couple of comments that have been made. Um first, Commissioners Apple, you asked if the debt limit could be raised. That is an internal policy. Um that is up to the board of commissioners to determine. Um but I will note that changing the debt policy um could potentially impact our our debt ratings. So I just want to make sure that that is out there. Um secondly, there was a comment about how many years we have to spend the money. The 7 to 10 years is how long we have to issue. Um we can take longer to spend it. Um and then
045also one other clarification. I'm sorry it was just multiple things. Um in re I think you mentioned the revenue stabilization fund. I just wanted to remind everyone that that is not just a majority of the board. That does take a super majority of the board to tap into that fund. >> Let me follow quickly with Lisa so that everybody has understanding of raising that that debt capacity. What is it currently now set per capita for every citizen in New Hover County? We have a number, right? 2000. >> So Eric can talk about the actuals. Um I I know our limits are 2200 per capita 1.6% 6% of our um assessed value and 20% of our operating budget. Where we are now is is lower than that. >> And we covered those tax burdens to the
046citizens last month >> and it was pretty tight. >> Well, and we're currently at what like 1600. >> We're at 1672 >> and we have a limit of 2,200, right? And go ahead. >> I was going to say at the $300 million issuance limit, we would have been above 2,200 per capita. for three years. We talked a little bit about last time potentially you could do a temporary waiver. You could Yeah. For for a couple years once you get to the $400 million limit, >> you're at 2742 per capita for one year. You're above 2500 for three years. So just to sort of get some parameters there. >> And Eric, with the recent reassessment, we would have every justification to raise that. Am I correct? >> I mean, No, it's a judgment call. Yes, I
047get it. But, uh, you know, it the capacity is based on the overall, you know, assessment, the amount of value we have in the county, which is now at >> 80 billion. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. Up from 50 billion. >> So, >> from what I understand, it's in a rears. They figure off of the 50 million right now, not the 80. And that was a good clarifier for me. I mean, the property tax base is a secondary debt limit that we've got where we've got very comfortable margin on that. It's a $2,200 per capita. So, that really has something to do with the tax base. That's just taking every person in the county and multiplying by $2,200. So, $240,000 people times 2200 is $530 million >> or so. >> Yeah. That would include the
048debt we already have out on the street, right? The 532. >> 530 is sort of the is the grand total. We currently have 412, I want to say, something like that. So, we're currently got a $130 million cushion, if you will. But again, we talked about last time we pay down debt every >> as it goes down, we could raise up. And also, just I want to make sure everyone heard this that, you know, uh there is a a way by which we could put a waiver in for a multi-year period, two or three years, where we ran into going over that debt capacity until more debt got paid off. That's what I meant by there are several mechanisms by which we could temporarily raise without going to a full, you know, up to $2,700
049per person. >> Let me clarify because I thought I heard Lisa just say that if we did or Eric, if we did the three to 330, we would still be uh needing a temporary waiver for two or three years. Did I not hear you just say that? >> Yes. >> Looking at that at this lower number. So, let's move on from this. I I'm going to come back. Amanda, you were in the stack. Pete's in the stack. Josie's now in the stack, but I think Livian's had her hand up for a lot longer. Okay, let's do Livia and then Natalie because neither one of them spoken yet. >> Um, I just wanted to review like where we are, but 2014 is when I started when they reactivated River Lights. The development agreement was finalized October
0502014. The reason it the official contract is the school system had to identify the site and Eddie would say, "Well, we don't really have the money right now." Um, so it took a couple years for that to happen. In saying that, these projects that are at the top when I served on the bond committee in 2014, and these projects that I see at the top of this list were on that list then. That concerns me. And I know that we've got a bond limit. I saw this past weekend where Brunswick County was going after $410 million. I Yeah. Well, and I don't know. I I haven't dug I had time to dig into it enough, but I just we've got a lot of needs and it's not it's been 12 years and the needs of
051those three at the top haven't changed. Back to Laney. What needs to happen? Laney, as far as I know, has been overcrowded every year. My son, how old is he now? Was there 10 years ago? >> Yeah. >> Um, so it it's a dilemma and I don't know that I have a way to solve it. I like the endowment ideas. You know, we do need to come up with ways to but I just looking at the dollar values. We're only going to be touching some of the needs. >> Yes, we know. >> We know. Okay. All right. English. I um I think that the only information we have today for our decision is the current capacity of the county debt. >> Yes, I think it's great to talk about other potential sources of revenue. It's
052great to talk about how we might have policies changed, but the message we have to work with right now is that we have a $2,200 per capita debt limit, and that is all we should be talking about. I don't I don't see how for us to sit here and keep dreaming and keep begging and keep thinking. I agree, y'all. I am the chamber CEO. It is my job to make sure that we have all of the assets we need in this community for people to want to bring their jobs here, to live here, and work here, and all the things. So, I want $615 million, but I'm a realist also. We right now only have technically it's about $300 million and we're talking about 330. And I'm just I'm struggling with why we keep having
053a conversation about more money when we don't have direction that we have more money today. I think we have plenty of time. If our commissioners have the ability to change policy on their board, a message could be sent back to us that there's more capacity. That's where I'm standing on this. >> Thank you. Um, Miss Well, Pete's next and then Miss Barard. >> Okay. Just real quick, I I just want to agree with uh Commissioner Walker, uh, Mr. Zapple. I think that we could look at this in a in a situation where we look at phase one in the bond because I, again, I'm a realist. I also like to come up with solutions. Um, and I think we could look at phase two. I mean, one thing we've done and and I'm going to
054say I'm part of the the the concern of the problem with this is, you know, you guys have gone to the to the uh endowment. We've gone to the endowment. I think we need to go as as a united front to the endowment say, "Guys, this is what you you know, it's one of your pillars. You need to do this." You're not like, "Well, can you please or I mean we can't demand it obviously, but we can say, you know, and you you guys are the ones that formed, you know, not the current folks, but you know, that the county commissioners were the ones that, you know, through that sale agreement allowed put this together, said we're going to do this. This money is going to be for one of the things is for the
055schools, one for technology." >> I don't think we're we're holding them to the to the fire. And I think we need to start doing that. I we can't do it. Us and them and you guys and you guys and you guys, we need to come, you know, let's get this bond behind us. Let's get that in a good place and then let's go as a united front to them and say >> we got to get it done. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Yes, Commissioner. >> I'd like to shift gears a little bit. >> I would too. >> Um go back to the original question about, you know, this list here. Mhm. >> Um, and Rob, maybe this is a question for you. It's about design costs. I know especially with the two new schools,
056the River River Lights and the Pine Valley, why are we not using a uni unified or unitary design? We already have Porter's Neck, the designs we own for that. Why don't we use that design for those both those other schools and save you know you know six plus million dollars just in that in those design fees is any thoughts >> well for those two particular the best I can tell you >> yeah I think the idea is We've got things on paper. >> Yeah. No, I I hear you. But I I'm sure we have concept, you know, drawings of these, but we've got complete construction drawings that have already been approved and I'm I'm just pulling Porter's neck. I'm sure there are others that we've had in the past there. so that when you come
057to a school, any school in the New Hmer County system, the 42 bricks and mortar, there's uh you know where you are. You're in a new Hannver County school. Um you walk into one, it's the same as walking into another. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but it could also save us um considerable amount of money. >> I I just food for thought, Rob, on that. And maybe that's a discussion with LS3P or or somebody else. Uh also, uh who did the uh cost escalations? Do we know Chris is who some of these are are pretty substantial cost escalations from the numbers we've been dealing with. >> So I worked with I actually worked with LS3P to try and get numbers based on conversations they've been having with others to monitor, >> you
058know, current construction costs. These numbers are indicative of what school systems across the state are using as they plan for things over the next two years. >> I see. >> So, we've got some escalation costs built in as well. >> Uh, you know, just in the River Light school, that number's almost a 25% increase, you know, from one number to the next. somewhere in here there's again it's just we're I'm going to say this without any criticism meant at all but we've turned over the pricing to the people who will most take advantage or get advantage of increasing the price it means nothing to LS3P know them love them great friends but if they you know put on an accelerator rate of you know 22 to 25% on it who cares you know that as
059as long as there's, you know, enough money for them and for everything to get the get the job done. >> That's true. I I also we also have to rely on people who actually follow those trends. I Yeah. >> You know, I don't have the inside knowledge of that simply because part of it because I don't work in that industry and part of it because >> my division encompasses a lot more than just that. And so I agree with you. I also think that them giving us those numbers doesn't mean that they will automatically get to work. >> Yeah, good point. And and one of the points, Commissioners Apple, is as we have done throughout my history here is if we budget 53855 for the River Lights and it comes in under that money will
060then be reallocated to something else on the list or sitting there for the board to then say this is what we're going to do with it. So if costs go down, but I want to redirect us on the task that we have here today. >> Madam Chair, could I just please finish the thought that I I was trying to build to. Okay. >> Uh how about this? If we deliver to LS3P a number that they can design to with the priorities like with New Hver High School, as you noted at the beginning of this meeting, you want the new cafeteria, we want the new bus drop off and we want the re uh renovation of building A. If we said you have $100 million to do that, can you do it? I think that would
061be a different conversation rather than let them set it. You know the difference. >> They can't do it without a contractor have a guaranteed max. >> I was going to say and and also understand that the schematic designs we have aren't necessarily with LS3P for all of these schools which means we would have to go back and start from scratch and get because they're not going to work with somebody else's designs, >> right? >> Uh I Yes. I think you know before we even get down to that level there the the possibility it's the numbers that are bothering me that tend to continually rise in one direction and it's always more and the more you go back and I guarantee Rob if you went back and and talked to the uh you know LS3P today
062they would increase these numbers again and say oh we just got you know more information from Kataba County about a school they just put in there >> and and also I have no problems reaching out to others as well. Yeah, >> that to me it's not necessar I was simply trying to trying to give us numbers that we could we could begin to work with because I don't think there I don't think that we're going to find drastically different numbers. But I agree they're always going to go up. >> Yeah. >> So I I understand where you're coming from that. I just don't want I don't want anybody to feel like I'm beholden to working with one group to try and get us numbers. I'm I'm simply trying to get get us information in a
063short time frame. >> Yeah. I guess I'm just suggesting that uh we work from our top number and then look at the amount the work that we want in our priority. I agree. And if we get to that point where we have a number, I think that's where we'll begin. >> And we can talk about our vendors later on in this process. Now we have to establish our list and go forward and that's what we're here for today. >> Our policy has a process of choosing vendors as well. We will adhere to office process. So, with the time we have remaining, does anyone have questions that would hinder them from being able to say, "Yes, I want to go with these eight things," or, "Yes, I want to go with these nine things," or, "I
064want something else to come into the mix." And I'm going to go with Natalie English, and then Amanda. >> Thank you. So, my question has to do with the the 10 million for technology and the 10 million for safety. >> Um, can we list the schools at some point? I'm not saying it has to be here, but can you tell me which schools get it and which might not? I think that'll be really important um for me. >> Yeah, of course we can. Yeah, >> I can't spot it off right now, but I will. >> And my understanding was it will hit all schools sooner or later. What the order in hitting the schools is is still to be determined. Yeah, I think the idea is that it would like every year certain schools would
065be hit so that every school ideally in the district would benefit from that. >> So when we're asking our neighbors to vote yes, right? Can I safely say to them that at some point in the next 7 to 10 years, every school in our district will be impacted by technology and safety improvements? >> Yes. under under this bond, not just but because there's other ways it can be impacted. >> I'm asking them to vote for the bond. >> And so that's why I needed that. Thank you. That was >> that's our understanding. >> That's my question. Thank you. >> That's our understanding. >> Um I think Amanda was next. >> That was one of my questions. I think it'll be important to sort of even just list it out for people's visual. But my second
066one um was the River Lights Elementary. I'm understanding it's going to William C. Mary is going to come offline. I notice there's no cost next to it. Do we need to have a demolition cost? Is that already built into River Lights? >> That is built into River Lights. >> That perfect. >> What is Amanda? I didn't hear you if um Mary C. Williams is coming offline as River Lights come on the demolition cost of Mary C. Williams. >> Perfect. >> And and what happens to that property is a board decision later down the road. Um, Commissioner Walker. Okay. >> Oh, okay. You got He hasn't spoken. >> Christopher Riley. >> Yes. Um, just looking at some of the uh capacity information. Um this would be a question I would have if I were a taxpayer
067for the endowment is that um you know if you're going to um the taxpayers to ask for this money and you have six elementary schools below 80% capacity um then the question I guess I would have is you know where's the accountability and the efficiency in the number of schools that are being run. You're asking for more money so from the taxpayers. Um, and I don't know what kind of thinking has gone into this process, so forgive me for just being more general. Um, and I think, you know, there's some give and take here with taxpayers. We've probably lost students net over the past six years. It's not a huge number, but it's some number. And that should be in the conversation cuz that's a question the taxpayers are going to have and should have
068as well as the members of the endowment is, you know, where's the thinking around the efficiency of the money that's being spent, which certainly we're we're in dire need of of this money, but um we're looking to pass the bond. So, I'm thinking of it from a perspective as what could keep the bond from passing. And that's if if everybody saw this information and they saw that I think that's a question a lot of people would have. >> I'm going to let Dr. Barnes answer first. >> So I think some of that is the way it's being framed. We're not trying to just Our goal isn't just to increase our capacity. Our goal is to replace outmoded, unsafe, and outdated schools to then we can't even have the conversation about consolidation, redistricting, things like that
069until we fix these schools that are just not really as the safest place for students that we can have. So, do I think that the question is, do we need to continue to look at our overhead and how do we consolidate and how do we make sure that we're putting the right pieces in the right places? I think the answer to that is yes, but I really think these have to happen before those conversations can. >> Yeah. And and if you remember, I mean, if you have not taken a tour of Mary C. Williams, call the principal right over. Same with Pine Valley, and you will know exactly why we're talking about this. You, you know, no disrespecting how well they maintain those properties, but they are definitely outdated, outmoded, and in my opinion, a
070security risk. So, Miss Barnhart, our office next. >> Oh, well, we could just ask our principal, too. Um, did you were you next? >> I I did want to echo um my colleague Spenceman, the fact of looking at numbers um to be able to have the conversation about consolidation and you know, earlier we discussed an opportunity of where could different revenue sources come in. It's it's re-evaluating and you know we're going to have a meeting right after this as a workshop with fellow board members to talk about the m the maximizing efficiency specifically in our elementary schools. What does that look like to say how how can we do it to maximize space and have the staffing we want at the school sites? What is that number of students that we want to have in
071the building to be able to have that effectively? And that's a conversation we'll be having uh very shortly after this meeting. Um but I I do hear your concern and in the conversation if it is a dis if it is a discussion to say let's look at some um consolidation there's an opportunity if it's the will of the board to potentially look at selling property and recouping some of that loss. >> Yeah. And and I forgive me you could go ahead and sign up for your tour with the principal over there >> right now right now. So I'm going to urge everybody to do that. It will help you in discussing this in the community. Absolutely. I promise you >> during non-instructional time. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, I'm going to go cuz I was
072I was supposed to go after Mr. Riley, but I I do agree a little bit with this. I agree with Dr. Barnes, too. I think safety is the most important part of this, but I am I mean >> that conversation has to come up. You know, the downside I've I wasn't on school board when they had their last redistricting discussion, but it was very a hot issue. A lot of parents do come out for that and they get very upset. I don't know. Doing the same doing the same time as a bond is a good idea only only as I think it causes a lot more probably upset and people to be fair don't understand the nuances. We're sitting here trying to understand it. A lot of folks don't really understand. All they hear is
073my kids going to get moved and that's upsetting. I do not disagree with you though. I think people do want to know that we are using our space wisely. There are um a few schools that are under and and then and on on the side of it also there are areas of the county that are growing a lot faster than other areas of the county. River Lights area is definitely an area. So is Porter's Neck and um Castle Hannes 100% o it's 100% capacity 101.24 to be exact. That side of the county I think is going to keep growing. Um but like the Laney like you said it's been a problem. My kid weren't there. There was 400 kids more than there should have been in that school. That's a safety issue, you know. So
074I think if we stress the safety and the health and well-being of students first, I think that's a good idea. But you can't ignore the fact that they there needs to be discussion on I would call it pocket redistricting maybe not like an overall thing. Um but it's clear there are trends in the county that we need to look at. But I will also add talk about Mary P. Williams not to pick on it but like Hanover has the same argument like we just heard from the principal you know the front looks beautiful but you cannot ignore the the rest of what's going on at that school and to me that is a safety issue as well. So, I mean, I would say the I mean, I don't know what the numbers look at because
075we're trying to decide. Let's see. We from the last meeting, I don't remember us discussing um 10 million in technology. Maybe we did briefly. >> They were on the list. >> We did it briefly, >> but I don't know that we added that as the top five million. >> We did. I don't remember. >> We were on the list because I feel strongly that every school or at least >> we did a technology getting done in 10 years. Like I think a technology changes every two or three years. I don't to your point. I didn't say I didn't that's not what I I said over the period. I heard what you said, but what my point being is you're right. We need to message that that what does that include? Because if you're going to
076sell a bond, you definitely got to talk about what the specific >> a lot of things about selling it that we'll get to. And Chris is right. You're right. I think we all have we'll get to a point. I think that and I um I and I saw this I guess yesterday for the first time and had the same thoughts Chris you know and so I do think that the board has to be preparing because one of those messages I I have heard that so um that so that some one of those messages that we're going to have to create to sell these bonds to the voters is going to be that there's the the value of some consolidation and or um property um surplus property being off the off the table means then there
077are savings in overhead. That's another thing, right, that we that that we continue to hear our schools everywhere need more money, right, for operations, you know, and we all agree. And yet, if we're inefficiently spending some of those, I mean, I think this is ultimately going to be good messaging. Yes. Because I've tr I'm trusting >> Don't let me down. I'm trusting that my superintendent and my school board are really going to dig in and do the hard work between now and next summer so that we can tell people what to expect to a certain degree and everything changes. And we got to be careful not to write everything in blood and stone and all the things. And I think this is going to be an important exercise and we could very well be an
078example to some other school systems who haven't been forced to figure this out. But we got to figure this out. It's kind of ridiculous that we've got some of the low percentages and and we're talking about new schools, right? The average person's not going to be able to make sense of that. So, we got to help them, >> right? And to address the 10 million for safety, 10 million uh for technology, and then 20 million for other capital, including HBAC. I would expect at this next meeting, we would have a breakdown of what those things would include because our board's going to need it between now and then. And um but baby steps, you know, we we we we've got to have we got to have the baby first and that's us approving whatever our
079list is today and then that goes to our board. And so if if we could direct questions back, what is a stumbling block for you to be able to vote in the next 10 minutes on this list? Because I will I in in in parliamentary procedure, somebody puts out a motion. So I would be interested in a motion to take sample of project cost that list that we all have add the 20 million for the capital improvements including HVAC to take us to 3 million uh 320 million 521418 as our suggestion to the board. So >> I'll second that >> I'll make that motion then we have a second but that was what that's what I'm interested in. Now we can debate that motion. Um, pro and con. Yes, ma'am. Alisa, >> um, I actually
080have two questions and then a comment. Um, so my first question is on this list, are these still in priority order? So if if whatever the recommendation is um by the school board goes to the county commission if, and I have no idea how anybody feels about it, but if they decide that there's not 300 million of capacity, there's 200 million of capacity. Totally making up numbers. Um, but that some of these would need to be cut off. Are they in priority order? >> That's my first question. >> I'll let Dr. Barnes answer that. >> I think that as a committee, you guys are going to give your recommendation to the board. >> I would probably ask Mr. Kre, Mr. Kredo, would you prefer it to be in in priority order or not? And then
081our board can do that work. I think you can send your recommendation that way or not that way. Okay. I'm kind of cool either way. Okay. >> But if that's the way the end result needs to be, we will deliver to the county in that manner. >> Okay. Um that's helpful. And then my second question related to Tras Middle School with the new building. Um just to make sure um if the current building is going to be used to house ninth graders or or house Laney students in some way. Are there any renovations needed at that school? And is that included in this cost at the current Tras site? >> No, not right now. I mean, the principal is here. I'm sure she would say yes, there are renovations. >> No, I would actually I
082mean no, the building was just completely renovated for >> six years ago. >> Okay. >> It's a beautiful facility. >> All right. Wonderful. That's helpful. Thank you. >> Yes. So, it's ready to continue, you know, minor things, but >> no, that building is in beautiful shape. >> Thank you. That's very helpful. say with Lisa's question, I would then amend that motion that I made to order them. River lights one, New Hover Phase 1, two, Pine Valley 3, Tras uh CEK 4, Porterneck 5, six, district-wide technology improvements, seven districtwide safety improvements, eight, this is the only change, eight, I would add the 20 million for other capital improvements to be number eight. And then let program management contingency be nine and 10. So there are 10 things now on this list. >> Disagree heavily with that
083order. Madam >> chairfly. Go ahead. That's my that would be my amendment. But what would you how would you like to change that? >> I I I mean it's I I don't want to monopolize a discussion of the committee, but I do not believe that that is a priority for for myself at least. And so if we're looking at trying to get the will of the committee um getting feedback from that is I would be happy to see it. But that is not my order of top priorities of projects to be completed. Okay. >> That order that you listed off. I just want to express that. >> Let's do this. Do we believe I think Dr. Barnes just addressed this. Do we believe that we have to order them today or do we have to
084we have to get that magic number today and the and and the body of what we want to do. >> I don't think we're ready to do that. I mean, I don't know enough about >> Yeah. And and I don't I don't care. I don't care if we order them, but um today I don't care if we do. Um but if it's necessary we do it today, then we need to. But if not, and that's the question, is it necessary that we order them today? >> Madam Chair, if I could make an uh maybe a compromise solution here or in the priority list, I think that only the first uh five should be prioritized. The other ones, districtwide technology, safety, and the other capital improvements fall into a separate different category that will be >>
085good point >> fully prioritized across the entire system. To Natalie's point, >> if I could put a point in >> and I withdraw that amendment, >> I would almost make a the idea that we should come up with the list the board because the board's going to the board should order, you know, the board should order it. I agree. I agree. Madam Chair, may I ask a question again to clarify my um absolutely how I want to >> respond to your motion? Um it's it's a question for Eric, Lisa, Amanda. Um and so this this motion is to recommend to the school board 320,521,418 in a bond referendum. And how um how does I think I know the answer. How does this fit into the debt capacity? Good question. Um, we've got a 15-year plan
086that we presented the last time. It includes a lot of new issuances, even ones that we don't know that are coming up. Um, and I think we were somewhat conservative and um, in lagging those out. Uh, even though in the $300 million one, we do go above the 2200 line for 3 years. It just me, it doesn't seem excessive and it's for a fairly short period of time. So, um, I think it's not unreasonable to put that to the commissioners for their consideration. And that's 300, not 320, right? Yeah. >> Okay. I'm sorry. 320 would put it up. Not materially. So, so I don't think that's completely out of unreasonable either. >> I like to add my two cents if that's okay. I feel like Hannover should be the very very top priority honestly. And
087I do agree with Commissioner um Zapple on at least getting two phases into this bond. If we do remove that, I did the math. If you check out the the the stuff below Porters Neck Elementary on this list, it's 272350891. I mean, approximately. Um I think the more we can add handover in there, the better because I I'm just concerned that if we don't address at least the two phases of this plan, I don't know what's going to happen. I mean, we don't we all don't know where the funding is coming from. The endowment is definitely where we should be turning our attention. At the same time, we don't know like to to the point that was made earlier and this bond is important. Handover has been left behind for way too long. I don't
088think we need to count the 12 nine to 12 million um that um did to shore up the building because that to me was it was neglected for so long. I don't think that should be counted against New H High School. But I just think we've gone on to this trouble to get these plans together and put these phases together. I think I think we should at least figure out I don't know if we can parse it up. I mean, just phase one alone, I just don't think is enough. If we can do, you know, I don't know, somebody suggested adding things from other phases. I'm not really in favor of that either, but if we if it gets us further along the line on New Hover High School, then we need to look at
089that. I just think New Hover is just it's it's falling apart, y'all. Come on. We We can't ignore that. It's a safety issue board, not just a let's make it a modern school. So, that's my feedback. >> Thank you. The motion we have before you is to take the sample of project costs in any order and add the 20 million for other capital improvements including HVAC's to take it to 10 things for 320 521418. That's the motion before you. Motion is second. So you have a little sticky note and you'll be able to put a yes or a no on that and then Jenny's going to collect those back and I'll take one more question. >> I just wanted to make a note. I wasn't finished with my thoughts. I I wanted to make a
090comment that county staff are going to refrain from making the recommendation. >> Okay, that'll take us down to 15 voting members >> for anyone who's counting. >> Pat, can you explain one more time what we're supposed to do? >> Yes, you Yes, you vote yes to the motion that's on the table, which is the sample of project cost. It's online and you've got it on paper adding the 20 million of capital improvements including the HVAC's over the 10-year period to to make it 10 things in no particular order. We'll deal with the order next time, but I agree with Mr. Wilder. We probably we will hear the order preferences out of our board and that'll probably take precedent over ours. Um we can fight about that next month. >> So unspecified. >> Hm. No, no,
091we're not gonna >> Madam Chair, just a yes or no. >> Yes means a yes to $320 million to this list. That would be our recommendation of this committee to our school board and then our school board will then take that and massage it in any way they want. >> What if you think the number's too low? >> Then I would vote no. Okay. >> And if this motion fails, then you can propose another motion. >> All right. Have you reached out to your county commissioner? Well, and and that too, Mr. Zapp, Commissioner Zapple, if we ask you for 320 and you want to give us 350, that's totally up to you. We will not say no to more money ever. Ever. >> Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> I did I talked with a couple
092of commissioners this morning. I did reach out to Mr. uh Cadray as well because when we first got the the five scenarios that you guys pulled together for us, I was surprised by how high that number was. >> Now, I know that things cost a lot and I and I called him specifically to say, do you believe that the county can weather that kind of cost? he feels like those numbers that he has put from to us are appropriate. So I I'm never going to say you gave us 320 million that's not enough. Right. However, I do think that that is a very reasonable number that I went back and verified. Is that a reasonable number? And he thinks that it is. >> Eric, did I say that correctly? >> Okay. >> And I did
093it, too. So, yes or no on your yellow sheet, Jenny's going to pick them up. Um, I actually move to put the CEK on there next month because not CEO. I don't know, >> but it is. So, we'll just we'll just move that to next month. >> It is on the agenda. >> Are are we collected, Jenny? >> Okay. So, we have we have about 10 more minutes. We have our next meeting date already set and it is September 18th at 12:30 and then I believe we have October 17th. Um, >> oh, sorry, October 17th at 12:30 is set. So, with Christmas and New Year, I mean, and and and Thanksgiving, um I'd love some suggestions on what a November meeting might look like. Um in terms of your calendar now, if you can throw
094out I absolutely have to have this done by this date or I can't meet with you guys, that would be great. Um uh Isaac Bear is on our list for discussion today. I'm just going to roll that over till next month. Um obviously Isaac Bear is not included in this bond, but I think we're making some progress in talking to people. So, please continue to talk to the people who are decision makers in that and see if we can't come up for some solution there. Um, as well, while we wait on a tally from Jenny, um, look at November on your calendar. >> Madam Chair, I'm unavailable through the 13th. >> Ouch. Okay. looking at the calendar we have from the county are not cast in stone. Um the scope has to be determined by
095October 31st. So I'd like to hit that if we can which means that our October 17th meeting we will we will get to that point and then we don't have anything else we have to have finalized until January. But we have to have our our our um central office staff work and then we have to have theirs work. we have to allow time for the two departments admin to to do their work. So, I think we should do maybe November and maybe skip December. Um or either either way. I don't I don't care. Um I just need some suggestions from you, the body. If we do October 17th, um you know, Miss Barnhart saying from the 11th to the 13th is out. That puts us the 14th of November, the 17th or the 18th of
096November. Now we're getting a little close to the holiday. 20th would be a Thursday, but I don't know if we need to get that close to Thanksgiving. It's a week out. What about November 20? >> Can everybody do November 20? >> November 20. Go once. >> Wait. >> Yeah. >> Our business people, >> my board meets that day. I cannot meet before 3:00. >> Okay. What about the 19th? Wednesday. The 19th. That's a no. >> For me, it is. >> Okay. What date would work for you in November? Sometimes it's easier to work backwards. And Livian, how about you? Chris, how about you? >> I could do the 18th. >> It's a Tuesday. The 18th. Do we have anything on that day? Is that policy, Pete? Nope. November 18th, Tuesday. Want to try that? Okay,
097we're good. Do you have a total breath, sir? >> Take it away. >> We have 12 yeses, two nos, and one Philip Sutton needs a raise. So, I guess we know how he voted there. 12 yeses and two nos. H um policy is it one? So that that would blow that um h >> what about Monday the 17th? We never do a Monday. There might be a reason for that. >> Mondays are just uber hard for me. I just got back tobacks on Mondays. >> Ah, okay. >> Pete, what about a morning meeting for this group before policy? >> H, >> what time would that be? What would make it comfortable for you? >> Change the room out. What about 10:30 on the 18th? Change in time >> might be different. >> Okay. >> All
098right. Let's save that as a tenative and Jenny will send that out. And so the motion passes 12-2 to bring this recommendation sample project project cost plus adding the 20 million um to take us to 320 521 418 and then we're going to immediately go into a work session for our board and this could get torn completely apart. We don't know the appetite of our seven member board but we'll see. And um I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. I really appreciate everyone's attention to this. I think from October to today, we have accomplished a great amount and it's kind of exciting and scary at the same time, but we're moving in the right direction. So, um we'll see what these next couple of weeks do and then we'll get back to it um in
099October. So, thank you. A motion to adjurnn. Anyone? >> Second. >> All right, we are adjourned. It's like