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<br />Item 5: Other interests, comments, and involvement by members of the audience.
<br />Chairman Garrett stated, "There.might be other persons in the audience who have
<br />direct knowledge or some additional information that they would like to speak to
<br />personally concerning the involvement of themselves or knowledge they may have about
<br />the Grant process Are there any persons who want to speak? Would you please
<br />stand and state your name?
<br />pr. Silas Coley, Interior Director of the Mental Health Centel for the three
<br />county areas, presented the following remarks: "My comment had to do mole with
<br />need than background. I think that's been adequately covered in writing and in
<br />the descriptions of our transactions. We, at this time, have reached an impoint
<br />beyong which we cannot provide more services without more working space. We currently
<br />use our rented office space in Chapel Hill continually. Each week day, two evenings
<br />per week, every office is filled. That's about all we can afford in terms of secretarial
<br />coverage. We have had to forego meetings with other representatives of other Agencies
<br />in promoting promotion programs because we can't offer the meting space and do our com-
<br />mitment to patient care, at the same time, space available. we are scattered around
<br />in borrowed and rented space in seven different locations in Chapel xi11. In nine
<br />different ones in Orange County alone, and in fourteen different ones in three counties.
<br />This makes for a difficult problem in coordination. We feel that a certain amount
<br />of this decentralization is appropriate; but in the instance of the leements in Chapel
<br />Hill, it is actually detrimental to our smooth coordination of services. We were
<br />lucky to get the lease that we did at the time we did. Some eight thousand square
<br />feet at little over a $1.00 per square foot. I think is wildly unrealistic to ever
<br />think we can ever get it renewed at that price. At the same time we have spent about
<br />all the money we have available for rent. The only monies that we are allowed to
<br />spend for rent are those other than State matching funds and Federal matching Grants,
<br />and so we are dependent on the counties and on direct collections to fund working
<br />space. This is money that is spent, it goes to the landlord which in this case is
<br />the Merchants' Association, we would be saving not merely the cost of rent if we had
<br />a more adequate building. We would be able to continue to resume or expansion of
<br />both direct and indirect services and we would also be able to use money that we are
<br />now spending on rent for other programs and it would then be eligible for matching
<br />by State matching funds,.also by any subsequent Federal Grants that we are able to
<br />obtain. 5o in effect, we could be bringing in more money on a continual basis to
<br />the County. We are pointing out that the one significant figure and should help the
<br />local economy in this year in which something seems to be especially needed. So
<br />rather than a commitment for expenditure we feel that this really is an opportunity
<br />for an investment which will constitute definite savings and even gain for the
<br />county as a whole financially as well as in the terms of human services that we would
<br />like to provide through the center. I would reiterate one thing, and that.'s that
<br />our commitment from the State for construction funds is simply an authorization to
<br />proceed. Nothing is irreversible at this point, indeed, we are feeling somewhat
<br />anxious to obtain further approval and action of the County, so that we'll actually ~
<br />be able to get this money and proceed with our expansion. That's all I have to say.
<br />Thank you very much."
<br />Chairman Garrett inquired, "Are there any other remarks from members of the
<br />audience? 2 see two former County Commissioners sitting out there. Do you have
<br />anyting you want to say, Mr. Henry?"
<br />Henry Walker replied, "I just had some other business and I thought 2 would run
<br />in and see if I could learn anything."
<br />chairman Garrett state, "Then if there are na further questions or comments from
<br />the audience we will now hear from the members of the Hoard of Commissioners who may
<br />have comments and questions they wart to raise at this point."
<br />Chairman Garrett then recognized Commissioner Walker.
<br />Commissioner Walker stated, "2 would like to say in going over the history, Pat
<br />was very, very accurate; but I want to bring out a few points that was sort of,
<br />probably wasn't recognized. I would like to go over this same history the way I
<br />see it. On February 18th, I brought in the attention of this Board the Orange-
<br />Person-Chatham Mental Health Center Area Board did on September 12, 1974 file a
<br />Notification to the Clearinghouse of an Intent to apply far assistance for the
<br />proposed zenovation of the abandoned school prope=ty. This application under Section
<br />5, Subsection B, appears to have committed Orange County in the amount of $50,000.00.
<br />This particular item has given cause for grave concern to the Heard. They are at
<br />a loss to explain how this commitment could be made without .the consent and knowledge
<br />of the Hoard. A pre-application.was approved by the Triangle J council of Government
<br />on November 20th, without first being approved by this Board of County Commissioners.
<br />In fact, it has never been formally brought before this Board for official action and
<br />my knowledge is that the members of this Board agreed informally to set aside this
<br />money. The members serving on the Board at this time, as of September 12, 1974 were
<br />Melvin Whitfield, Henry Walker, Norman Walker, Mrs. Garrett, and Mr. Whitted. It must
<br />be clear, made clear to the North Central RegXOn Office that $50,000.00 has not been
<br />set aside in the '74,-'75 Budget. I have in my possession all the minutes of the.
<br />Mental Health Area Board that weak of this project and that's November 29, 1974;
<br />January 22, 1974; October 31, 1974; and Aecember 10, 1974; and the only ting in there
<br />is just some statement from Mrs. Walton to the Board. No action. Mrs. Walton and
<br />Mr. Whitted stated on February 18th, 1975, at the Orange County Board meeting that
<br />the Area Mental Health Board did approve $50,000.00, and Mrs. Walton quoted from a.
<br />Statute that the Area Board did have the authority to do this. The minutes of the
<br />Orange County Hoard of Commissioners will substantiate this statement. In talking
<br />with Melvin Whitfield, which was a member of the Mental Health Board at the time,
<br />to setlasxdeh$50 000 OOemember the Board ever taking formal action or even agreeing
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