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Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about Horace Williams Airport and the fact that jets <br />are again permitted to fly to and from this airport. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about the Hillsborough Reservoir and the property <br />owners in that area being treated fairly. It was decided that Chair Crowther will call Mayor Horace <br />Johnson and express this concern. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if any of the discretionary money that DOT has can be used to help <br />repair potholes in Orange County. She feels that there are several topics the County needs to pursue <br />with UNC Chapel Hill. The Board will schedule either at a regular meeting or a work-session a <br />discussion on the benefits and impact of the University. <br />4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT <br />John Link said that the plan to pour concrete for the jail was postponed from last Saturday to <br />this Friday, beginning at 4:00 a.m. <br />5. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS - NONE <br />6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE <br />7. PUBLIC HEARINGS <br />A. ORANGE COUNTY CONSOLIDATED HOUSING PLAN ANNUAL UPDATE <br />This item was presented for the purpose of receiving public comments regarding the housing <br />and non-housing needs to be included in the 1997-98 Annual Update of the Consolidated Housing Plan <br />for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County and proposed uses of 1997-98 <br />HOME funds. <br />Susan Levy, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, asked for $60,000 in HOME funds. They <br />will use this money to build six (6) new homes. She said they will be raising the walls on their 50th home <br />soon and the Board would be invited to attend this momentous occasion. They plan to build 10 homes a <br />year for the next 5 years. They built eight (8) in 1996 and have seven (7) under construction at the <br />present time. She said that later this year she will comeback to the County Commissioners with a <br />proposal to help with emergency housing repair for the elderly. In response to a question from <br />Commissioner Halkiotis, Susan Levy will write a letter to him requesting a shed at the landfill where <br />builders could deposit good building supplies for them to use. <br />Myles Presler, EmPOWERment, Inc. asked for $120,000 in HOME funds. These funds would be <br />used for down payments on homes that would then be sold back to low income families. It seems that a <br />barrier for some people owning a home is the upfront costs. This proposal came from a working group. <br />He also expressed his support for a Living Wage Ordinance. <br />Keith Cook, Chair of the Orange Community Housing Corporation Board, noted that affordable <br />housing is a critical need in this County. He listed the biggest needs for this year's HOME funds as <br />stated below: <br />1. Neighborhood revitalization activities to preserve and increase homeownership in older, <br />predominantly African-American neighborhoods in the three municipalities; <br />2. Second mortgage loans to make new homeownership opportunities more feasible for groups <br />like OCHC and Habitat for Humanity; <br />3. Funds to support the housing activities of OPC Mental Health for their clients; and