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Norman Umstead is Chair for the People for Progress and Pastor of Mt. Moriah Baptist <br />Church on Buckhorn Road, and he said that they have some concerns about the double rate. <br />He said that this was facilitated through the City of Mebane and mast of these people in this <br />area are senior citizens and they need support to get these double rates eliminated. He said <br />that this community has changed drastically over the past few years and they want to keep <br />commercialism out. He thanked Chair Jacobs and Paul Thames for their support and hard <br />work. <br />Chair Jacobs said that they had their first meeting about six years ago and he <br />welcomed everyone from People for Progress. <br />Blair Pollack spoke about the Village Project. He said that this is an opportunity to look <br />at a denser residential area and create atransit-oriented development in the node that <br />surrounds Buckhorn Road. He urged the Board to look at the current zoning, which prohibits <br />any kind of residential, and to consider putting a fair amount of housing and local commercial <br />activity. <br />Chair Jacobs suggested to Mr. Pollack that he raise this issue at the public hearings <br />about the land use plan. <br />Allen Rosen is Chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and said that he is glad <br />to find out that the size of the sewer would have the capacity to support other uses besides the <br />school and some residential areas and churches. The AHAD advocates for public investment to <br />allow for "upzoning" -more dense residential development. They see this as an opportunity to <br />zone for mixed-use and to change zoning in the area to lead to opportunities for affordable <br />housing and reduced transit times. He said that he is frustrated that his board found out about <br />this process by accident. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Foushee <br />to close the public hearing. <br />UOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />The Board directed the staff to proceed. <br />9. Items for Decision--Regular Agenda <br />a. Transfer Funds From the Critical Needs Reserve to Social Services for <br />Emergency Energy Assistance for Low-Income Families <br />The Board considered appropriating $102,865 in additional County funds to help <br />address increased emergency needs of low-income families due to rising energy costs and <br />increased numbers of eligible families. <br />Social Services Director Nancy Coston gave an update on the emergency assistance <br />programs. They have three funding sources for emergencies: Crisis Intervention Program <br />(federal program}, Work First Block Grant ($110,000}, and County funds ($112,000}. The <br />federal funds have not come in this year yet so right now they are concerned about their <br />projection of needs of the families in the area. They have had a significant increase in demand <br />in the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter of last year. Spending is already up <br />about $20,000 and this was prior to entering into the winter months. In the last year, they have <br />had about a 13°~ increase in food stamp recipients this year and utility costs are also going up. <br />She said that they did get $41,000 from the State but this is included in their charts. She said <br />that now they are $46,000 short so far this year. She said that they have met with utility <br />companies and others to help meet demands, but these funds will be used quickly. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he heard today on a program that someone making <br />minimum wage could not find a suitable one-bedroom apartment to live in. Also, fuel for cars or <br />to heat homes is becoming a trade commodity for the average citizen. He is concerned about <br />the national priorities. <br />