Minutes - 19750109 - Laserfiche WebLink

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(~:~:.~ "The Task Force for Community Development has determined in its two meetings that the following items could be included in Orange County's application for Community Development funds. These are listed as the Task Force has ranked them with relevant discussion included. 1. Water resources and sewage extension and treatment. Specifically the Task Force agreed that funds should be requested tb im lament sewage extension and treatment programs proposed through studies~ed with 208 and 201 funding. Community development funds are not to be requested for engineering studies or surveys since these can be funded under the other programs now in progress. Other comments by the Task Force included concern about specific areas such as Fairview Community, West Hillsborough, and trailer park sanitation. However, no agreement was reached that it was this group's responsibility to i target certain areas since most members felt that a comprehensive survey of -" needs would have to be done before such targeting would be possible. The group's concern about water resources was not discussed after Mr. Burnham indicated that other programs are available which specifically address the problems of water resources. 2. Under the general discussion of problems of housing rehabilitation the Task Force reached some agreement on these ideas: Community development funds could be used to provide fora rural rehabilitation housing coordinator, full time, with a staff of two or three rehabilitation crew supervisors. The coordinator would help eligible Orange County citizens to apply for Farm Home Administration funds already available, and would identify and implement other housing rehabilitation programs now available or which may become available in the future. Ms. Mace indicated that rehabilitation crew supervisors and Manpower program trainees can provide low-cost labor in rehabilitation program and thereby increase the value of funds loaned for rehabilitation purposes. The Task Force felt that two or three such rehabilitation crews could be effectively used by the County. Need something more than a loan program fund to guarantee loans. Members of the Task Force placed a lower priority on a rent subsidy program. However, proposal was made that the c~~*+ity development funds could be utilized to provide fox implementation of an existing program -- the Section 8 leasing program -- for rehabilitating rental property. This could be included as a mandate of the rural housing coordinator. Members of the Task Force generally agreed that the Commissioners should consider setting a goal that all Orange County housing be brought up to minimum standard in the next 10 years. This includes providing for a program of code enforcement beginning at a specified future date. 3. The third priority seemed to be a comprehensive program of community centers. There was not time to cover this in great depth; however, these specific suggestions were made: That community development funds be utilized to rehabilitate existing buildings in corruuunities in the county (such as schools which have been closed, or other suitable buildings) for the purpose of providing space for such programs as: day care, after-school care, Head Start, adult education, day care for elderly citizens, scheduled clinics (well child, immunization, screening, etc) meals for elderly citizens, and recreation programs. The Task Force was unable to agree to recommend any of these programs for specific funding, it agreed only to provision of facilities. It also tentatively agreed that community development funds could be requested to provide personnel -- probably a County coordinator of community service programs and appropriate staff -- to assure that communities can maintain ` active viable programs in their Centers. 4. Many members of the Task Force placed a high priority on extension of fire protection to northern Orange and areas in southern Orange not presently protected. However, citizens who visited the Task Force meeting suggested that the whole issue of fire protection in Orange County needs study. It was proposed that the County utilize the services of the North Carolina Fire Insurance Rating Bureau to redraw fire district lines. This would allow a unified county fire tax rate and assure .county-wide fire protection. The citizens also urged that a County Fire Marshall be employed. Enough members of the Task Force expressed concern about fire protection so that it is included as an item for consideration. However, other members of the Task Force suggested that the Commissioners be urged to look into this matter themselves to see what might be done. The Commissioners may wish to consider including a request for personnel costs for a County Fire Marshall in the community development request.