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VOTE: AYES, 4; NOS, 1 (Commissioner Carey) <br />d. Revocation of Preliminary Plan - University Manor Phase 1 <br />The Board considered a request for revocation of the preliminary master plan for University Manor <br />Phase 1. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to approve <br />the Manager's recommendation. <br />John Link said that he recommends approving the first two items of his recommendation and <br />would suggest delaying the release of the conservation easement to allow more time to study this issue. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is not convinced that this is in the county's best interest to <br />revoke this preliminary plan. Chair Margaret Brown feels that the County should not pay for any of the costs <br />for undoing this. She would like to have additional time to understand all the pros and cons of revoking this <br />preliminary plan. <br />Commissioner Carey added to his motion that the attorney for the project, Mr. Rooks will be <br />expected to do all the paperwork involved with revoking this preliminary plan. <br />VOTE: AYES, 2; NOS (Commissioners Brown, Gordon and Halkiotis) <br />A motion was made by Chair Brown, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to delay action on this <br />request until the next meeting and to bring back information on how this fits in with the small area plan for <br />that area and to see if the County could maintain ownership of the conservation easement. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />e. Request for Funding - Orange Community Housing Corporation <br />The board considered a request from Orange Community Housing Corporation for additional <br />funding for the current fiscal year. <br />Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes explained this item. She said that the <br />Orange Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) reports a $42,000 deficit in their operating budget for this <br />fiscal year ending June 30, 1998. This budget shortfall is primarily due to the fact that the anticipated <br />revenue from the Magnolia Place development included in this year's budget will not be available to the <br />corporation until next fiscal year. Magnolia Place received about $250,000 in community development funds <br />and $200,000 in HOME funds. <br />Robert Dowling, Executive Director of Orange Community Housing Corporation, answered <br />questions about the information presented in the agenda. He explained that the developer Mr. Perry went <br />bankrupt and did not pay some of his bills. He said that their total budget is only $110,000, the same as it <br />was in 1990. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that asking for $19,000 outside of the budget cycle is hard to do, <br />especially since the Commissioners just cut a County project to keep it within budget. <br />In response to Commissioner Halkiotis' suggestion that this corporation become part of County <br />government, Commissioner Carey said that there were many reasons for setting this up as an independent <br />agency. This agency has benefited the County by providing housing for citizens with low income. <br />Chair Brown asked that the County do a financial analysis of the information presented in the <br />agenda. <br />John Link suggested that he convene a fiscal assessment team to assist this organization in <br />developing strategies for getting through this year and what measures need to be put in place so that this <br />shortfall does not happen again. Tara Fikes and Finance Director Ken Chavious will work on this <br />assessment team. John Link will present a plan of action the second meeting of March or the first meeting of <br />April. <br />The County Commissioners received this report as information. <br />f. Letter to Secretary Tolson - N.C. Department of Transportation MCDOTI <br />The Board delayed action on a letter to N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Norris <br />Tolson outlining the Board's ideas on transportation planning for the State and the Durham-Chapel Hill- <br />Carrboro MPO. <br />10. REPORTS <br />a. Housing Programs Update