TITLE
Work Session on Draft Chatham County Comprehensive Plan Request For Proposals
ABSTRACT
Action Requested:
Receive Draft Request For Proposals and postpone approval until FY16 budget adoption; hold a work session in July to discuss development of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.
Introduction & Background:
The purpose of this report is to inform the Board of Commissioners regarding the development and the modifications to the Draft RFP for the Chatham County Comprehensive Plan and outline comments collected on the document through its development.
The RFP is structured into two parts: Phase 1 and Phase 2. The intention of Phase 1 is to focus on determining community priorities, evaluation of existing plans, refinement of the proposed scope of services, and the development of a community outreach and participation plan. Phase 1 culminates with a presentation of a report and recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.
Phase 2 focuses on the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan. Recommendations for public outreach, project branding, and refinement to the scope of services will be incorporated into project.
Discussion & Analysis:
The following serves as a summary of the comments collected from the Planning Board's Land Use Subcommittee, Chatham County Department Heads, and the Planning Board as a whole.
Summary of Comments from Land Use Subcommittee routed to Planning Board 5/5/15
· Equal Opportunity Employment statement reviewed and made compliant with Human Resources recommendation.
· A comment was raised regarding the bid price in the proposal section. County staff advised that all RFP and bidding procedures are being followed per the Chatham County Finance Office.
· It was requested to include a description of oil and gas deposits within the county and add a documentation of impaired waters within the county.
· Consideration for privately-owned public wastewater facilities.
· Consideration for emerging heavy industrial uses such as hydraulic fracturing and structural fill for coal ash.
· Intent for the plan to consider food deserts and development of a Strategic Farmland Map that will assist in identifying areas for farmland protection.
Summary of Comments from Chatham County Department Heads to Date- Collected 5/29/15
Staff collected comments from the various Chatham County Department Heads. Specific comments from the Departments are outlined below.
Sheriff's Office- The Sheriff's Office (CCSO) mentioned lack of public safety mentioned in the draft RFP. It was determined that the CCSO will find useful the fiscal impact section of the plan where population thresholds and fiscal impacts of the various land use scenarios are discussed for organizational planning.
Emergency Operations- EOC has provided reference to several plans used by the Department. Additionally, the EOC would find useful the fiscal impact section of the plan in order to assist with organizational development.
Public Health- Staff provided comment, expanding "Public Health Considerations" under Scope of Services, Community Profile (p.2) to include the entire public, including vulnerable populations (aging, minority, limited English proficiency), mobility, obesity, and health impacts of potential policies and projects. Staff also included a comment to coordinate with Chatham County Schools, including school siting.
Chatham County Manager's Office- A fiscal impact component of proposed plan will be added to the scope. The intention is to work with county staff to suggest a methodology for determining the fiscal impact of various land use scenarios.
Chatham County Finance- The Finance Office is continuing to work with staff to ensure compliance with procurement laws and methodology.
Chatham County Libraries- The Libraries have provided a comment, requesting future libraries be considered within the fiscal impact section.
Chatham Information Technology (MIS)- Provided comment regarding the technology needs of the county as it relates to a comprehensive planning approach.
Central Permitting- Central Permitting provided input, citing that accurate population projections will assist in projecting the number of residential permits to expect in addition to staffing expectations.
Council on Aging- The COA provided planning staff with the agency's Strategic Initiative and county-wide population data provided by Chatham County Public Health.
Planning Board Input 5/5/15
The Planning Board discussed the draft RFP, updated edits to the document and the Board agreed that the extra time allotted to gather Departmental input was useful to the document's development.
The Planning Board voted 7-1, with 1 abstention to approve the modified Draft Comprehensive Plan RFP as submitted.
Budgetary Impact: The Comprehensive Plan RFP is tied to the FY16 budget, with a proposed project funding amount of $325,000
Recommendation: Accept the Draft Chatham Comprehensive Plan and postpone approval until FY16 County Budget Adoption. Staff also recommends a BOC work session in July to discuss the development of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.