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Commissioner Brown said that she has been going to the Adult Care Home Community <br />Advisory Committee meetings. She also switched with Commissioner Jacobs on the EDC; she is the <br />alternate and Commissioner Jacobs is the representative. <br />Chair Carey said that the short-term task forces should not be on this list. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to talk at the retreat about how the Board could <br />communicate with one another better with what they are doing on the advisory boards. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br />approve the Board member appointments as amended. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that the size of tonight's agenda is daunting. He would like to set up a <br />task force to find a better way to do agenda packets. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to add <br />Resolution B, Appointment of the Orange County Tax Collector to the agenda and to accept the <br />additional information for item 8m. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />2. CITIZEN & AUDIENCE COMMENTS <br />a. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br />Chair Carey said that these matters would be considered as the Board addresses the items <br />on the agenda. <br />b. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br />Sam Brooks, a local realtor, said that she is an advocate for affordable housing. She has <br />been on the Orange County Planning Board and is currently on the EmPOWERment Board. She said <br />that affordable housing needs are not going to be met with a one-time grant or an expensive bond issue. <br />She spoke in support of a housing trust fund. She asked that one cent of the property tax rate be <br />permanently dedicated to provide affordable housing for families that work in Orange County. <br />Chair Carey said that the issue of a trust fund would be subject to a public hearing. <br />Sharon Reid spoke in support of the housing trust fund. She said that she also stands in <br />support of any monies that could be allocated to ensure housing for people with mental disabilities. <br />Ruby Sinreich, a member of the ABODE Advisory Board and an organizer of the Martin <br />Luther King Coalition, spoke in support of the housing trust fund. She said that Orange County has a <br />very special and local affordable housing problem. She said that she likes this proposal because people <br />with the least ability to pay have the least burden. She distributed some brochures about the housing <br />trust fund. <br />Beth Floyd said that she was able to purchase a completely refurbished home in Carrboro for <br />$85,000. She was able to do this with the help of EmPOWERment, Inc. and a federally funded mortgage <br />assistance program. She wants other people in the community to have the same opportunity that she <br />had. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if by consensus the Board would ask staff to look at what has <br />been presented about the housing trust fund and to come back in January with information on how the <br />Board could address the affordable housing issues. She suggested that those groups involved with <br />affordable housing be invited to a summit and talk about what type of housing should be targeted and <br />what the groups are trying to accomplish. She would like the staff to comeback with this information in <br />January or February. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis agreed with Commissioner Brown. He said that he feels it is <br />important to formulate a plan to look at options for affordable housing. He feels that this groundwork <br />needs to be done before the budget cycle. <br />Chair Carey said that this issue would be discussed at the Board's goal setting retreat. <br />John Link asked if the staff could bring this issue back the second week in February. <br />Commissioner Brown asked for information on the creation of the five-year housing plan. <br />She noted that this is the last year of that plan. <br />PUBLIC CHARGE <br />Chair Carey dispensed with the reading of the public charge. <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS