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Commissioner Jacobs said that the Human Services Advisory Council is having their <br />forum on September 10t" at the Friday Center, and the topic is Fifty Years after Brown versus <br />Board of Education -How African Americans in Orange County are faring in Education, Health <br />Care, and Economic Opportunity. <br />Commissioner Jacobs represented the Board at the dedication of housing units at <br />Meadowmont that were provided by Orange Community Housing and Land Trust. He said that <br />it was gratifying to see affordable housing funds being used in the community. He said that <br />Arnie Katz, who has consulted with the County on the Northern Human Services Center on the <br />solar components, was there and pointed out that all housing units at Meadowmont and the <br />future ones done by EmPOWERment and by Habitat for Humanity in Orange County are being <br />done with an energy efficiency component. This is unique in affordable housing in North <br />Carolina. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that there was another Rural Planning Organization meeting, <br />which pairs Orange County with Moore, Lee, and Chatham Counties. They are going to try and <br />develop a joint proposal for the TIP. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he and Chair Brawn met with the schools on August 27tH <br />and today to talk about smart growth principles for the proposed thirdlfifth high school. They <br />hope to bring some specifics to the Board on September 16tH <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked the Manager and the Personnel Director about having <br />Partners insurance. He said that a few years ago this was investigated, and we were told that <br />our insurance providers would not provide it. He read that Durham County's insurance <br />providers said that they would provide it. He would like to discuss this when the Board meets in <br />November to discuss employee benefits. <br />Chair Brown welcomed Ms. Waters' 4tH grade class from New Hope Elementary to the <br />meeting. <br />Chair Brown announced that the County is having a rain barrel sale this Saturday, <br />September 6tH from 8-12 at the Eubanks Road Park and Ride lot. <br />Chair Brown said that she met today with the CHCCS board about the third high school. <br />She brought the documents from the meeting. <br />Chair Brown mentioned a letter to the editor from Chris Moran. She said that the letter <br />conveyed the impression that somehow the County is not allowing people to get section 8 <br />vouchers. She would be glad to write a letter to the editor correcting this misinformation. <br />Commissioner Carey said that there is a lot of misinformation about section 8 vouchers. <br />He said that there is a mistaken perception that if the County continues to allow people to sign <br />up far them, that somehow the County is going to get more federal funding to support them. <br />This is not true. He is not convinced that writing a letter to the newspaper is going to educate <br />everyone that needs to be educated. If the letter will help, then he will support it. <br />Commissioner Carey suggested drafting a letter and then sending it to all human <br />services agencies. <br />John Link said that the staff would assist with the letter. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked Chair Brown to check to see if the administration is going <br />to cut section 8 housing and to include this in this letter. <br />4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT <br />John Link made reference to the light yellow memo, which is a response by <br />Superintendent Pedersen to the questions the Board had in what would be included in the 800- <br />student initial phase of the third high school and what core facilities would be included. This is <br />in response to item 1 discussed on August 19tH on addendum A that the school board submitted <br />to the Board to adopt. Further clarifications for addendum A will be submitted by staff on <br />September 16tH <br />