Orange County NC Website
hate crimes which have increased. She made reference to the domestic partners insurance and her request for the <br />County to provide this insurance for County employees. It was referred to the Human Relations Commission several <br />months ago. She asked that this be moved up on their agenda. <br />With reference to the entertainment tax, Commissioner Jacobs suggested that this be a statewide tax. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill suggested moving it into the other resolution. Since three County Commissioners decided not to <br />support this for local legislation, it was dropped from consideration. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis, to approve the <br />resolution without the entertainment tax. A copy of this resolution is incorporated herein by reference. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the second <br />resolution with a notation that there will be additional information added to both parts of this resolution. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />b. Orange County Consolidated Housing Plan Update <br />The Board held a public hearing on proposed housing and non-housing needs to be included in the 1999- <br />2000 annual update of the Consolidated Housing Plan for Housing and Community Development programs and <br />proposed uses of 1999-2000 HOME funds. <br />Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes said that Orange County does not do urgent <br />repairs because HUD requires that the house be "up to standard" at the completion of the work. Urgent repairs would <br />not take care of everything that needs to be repaired to cause the property to be up to standard. <br />Commissioner Carey asked that this be included in the comprehensive plan because he feels we need to <br />address this need. Tara Fikes said that they could address this need through local funding instead of federal funds. <br />One possibility is the housing bond monies or another local funding mechanism. John Link said that we could ask the <br />General Assembly for specific money for this purpose. <br />Commissioner Carey would like to add to the list of local legislation a request for specific funds to be used <br />for urgent repairs. Commissioner Jacobs agreed saying that he would like to see us address the backlog. <br />Chair Gordon asked that staff develop local legislation for urgent repairs and single family rehabilitation and <br />bring back to their March 16th regular meeting. <br />Public Comments were heard <br />Pat Connelly from OPC Mental Health requested $150,000 to assist the neediest people who suffer from <br />mental illness. She is looking for money to help with rent assistance or whatever the County Commissioners can help <br />her with. <br />Robert Dowling, Executive Director of Orange Community Housing Corporation, said that they resolved their <br />problems from last year. This year they are embarking on two development projects: the Scarlett Drive Townhomes <br />and the Meadowmont Townhomes. Scarlett Drive will consist of 14 homes and will be the first landtrust development in <br />Orange County. Meadowmont will consist of 32 homes. They anticipate breaking ground on both developments later <br />this year. They need substantial subsidy for these two projects. He requested $230,000 of HOME funds for fiscal year <br />1999-2000. He said that though this represents a large percentage of the available funds, it is only a small part of the <br />funding needed to make these homes affordable. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about Meadowmont and clarified that the land is being donated. She said that <br />the town houses sell for $122,000 which includes the $3,000 impact fee. <br />Lane Sarver, private consultant, asked for inclusion of the First Baptist Church HUD Section 202 application <br />in the 1999 Consolidated Plan annual update. <br />By consensus the Board received the comments. The plan will be updated and brought back to the Board <br />for decision in May. <br />8. ITEMS FOR DECISION -CONSENT AGENDA <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve those items on the <br />Consent Agenda as listed below: <br />a. Appointments <br />This item was removed and placed at the end of the Consent Agenda. <br />b. Minutes <br />The Board approved the minutes of its December 1, 1998 regular meeting. <br />