Minutes 01-24-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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- Help determine how Orange County might partner with the towns on economic development initiatives; and - Assist and advise on the recommended areas suitable for economic development and commercial nodes. Commissioner Yuhasz made reference to the first paragraph and asked if there would be a formal acknowledgement of the role that the Chambers of Commerce should play in developing the Economic Development Advisory Board. Commissioner Foushee added her support for Commissioner Yuhasz's comment. She ' said that the chambers should have some official recognition. Commissioner Jacobs agreed with trying to be more specific to include the chambers and to also include agriculture. He said that if they do include groups like the chambers, part of the charge is that they are there to represent the entire County and not a specific chamber. He I said that it is important to articulate that they stipulate that they operate within their parameters of the Orange County Land Use Plan. Commissioner Hemminger is supportive of the chambers' involvement through connectivity. Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to make sure that this is integrated with the land use plan and grounded in Orange County. She said that maybe not every member should be a resident of Orange County but that most should, rather than just have an economic development interest. She preferred to have staff refine the proposed process and to come back to the BOCC for approval. John Roberts said that the EDC will be governed by the boards and commissions policies and his staff will be working with boards and commissions to develop specific board policies. Frank Clifton made reference to the Chambers and said that there are some issues with a lot of the businesses not being in Orange County. He has discussed with the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce the idea of creating a Business Council that is countywide. Commissioner Foushee said that her comments as related to the relationship between the Board and the chambers was not to have the directors on this board but to move forward with an established relationship with both chambers. She said that to move forward without any significant recognition of the partnership sends a message to the chambers that she does not want to send. Commissioner Yuhasz and Chair Pelissier agreed. Commissioner Yuhasz said to also reach out to the Alamance County Chamber members that have an interest in Orange County. Chair Pelissier said that she liked the potential functions and she suggested that she would like to see the membership at about 8-9 members. Commissioner Gordon said to direct staff to work with John Roberts's office. 9. Reports a. Update on Buckhorn-Mebane Phase 2 Water and Sewer Utilitv Design The Board received an update on the progress of the Buckhorn-Mebane Phase 2 utility design for economic development. Planning Director Craig Benedict said that the County is four to five months away from having the sewer system that will service the Buckhorn EDD. 10. County Manaqer's Report Frank Clifton said that the last couple of years the system in place for filling positions has generated about $2 million a year in employee payroll savings. He said that from 2005- ;