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John Link said that this issue was with the Planning staff at this time and he would check on the <br />status. He said that he would aggressively pursue this for the June 29t" meeting. <br />Myles Presler from Empowerment, Inc. talked about an opportunity to purchase eleven houses <br />from one owner in Carrboro. These homes are right off of Hillsborough Road in Carrboro on Dillard Street, <br />which is a small, gravel road. The Wright family built these homes many years ago. The family has since <br />passed and left the homes to seven heirs, with the instructions that the rents be kept affordable. The rents <br />on the two bedroom houses - 900 to 1000 square feet -are $450 a month. Empowerment is under contract <br />today to purchase the properties. He said that Empowerment would need a decision in August. He asked if <br />he could work with the staff over the next month to ascertain if this is something that the Board would be <br />interested in working on. They need a commitment by August 30t". The amount of subsidy they would <br />request depends on how it is approached. He is open to whatever will work. Tonight he just wants to know if <br />this is something that the Board is interested in. <br />Chair Carey said that the Board was interested in having a review done by the staff on these <br />properties. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis suggested that Myles Presler work with the County staff and bring <br />something back before the summer break. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to see Myles Presler get together with staff. <br />However, he feels that there are other affording housing groups that are waiting on decisions from the Board. <br />Commissioner Gordon would like to see a written proposal. Also, to be fair to other groups, she <br />wants it to be clear that other groups would have the same access to staff and that any group can come and <br />ask staff to work with them at any time. <br />Jahn Link said that the staff would need to have their proposal and report by June 19t" or June <br />20t". He suggested that the material be sent out in advance of the June 29t" meeting so that questions and <br />concerns can be addressed. <br />b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered as the Board addressed the <br />items on the agenda below.) <br />PUBLIC CHARGE <br />Chair Carey read the public charge. <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that a person lost her life on US 70, east of Palmer's Grove Road a couple <br />of weeks ago. He asked that the Chair write the Department of Transportation (DOT} to request a traffic light <br />at this intersection and to reduce the speed limit from 55mph to 45mph. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the Efland Cheeks Park. He said that the ball field was <br />driven on this weekend and the field was heavily damaged. He thought this Board designated the community <br />center as a Sheriff's substation. He asked that direction be given to staff to designate two parking spaces for <br />Sheriff vehicles. He would like to see how the facility is being used. <br />Commissioner Jacobs reported that he went to the informational meeting about the southeast high- <br />speed rail system and the conceptual plan has changed. They have found out that they will need to slow <br />down an some curves. The train will be going 110 mph, but they are accepting 70-80 mph on same of the <br />curves. They are also looking at an alternate route that may skip this section of North Carolina and go from <br />Raleigh through Sanford and Troy to Charlotte. The committee is in the information gathering stage and will <br />report back in early 2001. <br />Commissioner Jacobs reported that a meeting was held last evening on Agricultural Economic <br />Development, with the primary message on looking at agriculture as an industry. The speaker, Phil Gatwalls, <br />gave numerous examples of haw working with farmers as a business helps farms became more successful. <br />He made reference to agricultural incubators and how the new Commissioner on Agriculture, Meg Scott <br />Phipps, was interested in pursuing this far regions in North Carolina. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the comments made about US 70 east and said that this was <br />a good example of why the County Commissioners should have an established process for give and take <br />with the Department of Transportation. He would like the County Commissioners to have some kind of direct <br />impact on decisions about roads in the County. <br />