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a. Community Development Block Grant Award -IDA Program <br />The Board considered approving the execution of the Grant Agreement; Funding <br />Approval Form; Signatory Form and Certification cards; and Resolution for the FY 2005 <br />Community Development Block Grant Award giving signatory authority to the Chair of the Board <br />of County Commissioners. <br />Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes said that this is a request far <br />the Board to formally accept the IDA grant recently received from the Department of Commerce <br />in the amount of $50,000. This is the second grant they have received, and funds from this <br />grant will be used to match first-time homebuyer participant savings for a down payment toward <br />the purchase of a home. The savings will be matched at a ratio of 2:1 with $1,000 coming from <br />the CDBG funding and the other $1,000 coming from local funds. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked how long Tara Fikes had been with Orange County and <br />she said 22 years. He said that he asked Tara Fikes last week about the total amount of money <br />that she and Orange County have been successful in getting over those 22 years and she told <br />him that it was over $5 million. He said that her tireless work with other housing agencies and <br />countless other people, this County has one of the most aggressive staff and citizens that are <br />fighting for affordable housing. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiatis, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to <br />approve the execution of the Grant Agreement; Funding Approval Form; Signatory Form and <br />Certification cards; and Resolution for the FY 2005 Community Development Block Grant Award <br />giving signatory authority to the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />b. NC Helping Neighbors Fund Distribution: Katrina Relief in Orange County <br />The Governor's Office has announced the distribution of $4,756 to Orange County <br />based upon their FEMA registrations (evacuees) following Hurricane Katrina. These funds <br />consist of private donations and charitable giving into the NC Helping Neighbors Fund. The <br />Board considered fund distribution far Katrina evacuees residing in Orange County. <br />Gwen Harvey said that Social Services is the lead agency. She said that NC Helping <br />Neighbors is charitable giving through the office of the Governor. <br />Social Services Director Nancy Coston said that the County Commissioners have a draft <br />plan in their packets and Orange Congregations in Mission, the Inter-Faith Council, and the Red <br />Cross have been working with DSS. She said that they have already helped these people with <br />other resources. These are additional funds to be used for needs that have still not been met. <br />She said that they would publicize that funds are available. The amount has gone up to $7,424 <br />and could go up again. <br />Chair Jacobs pointed out that Orange County is 10t" in the state for the number of <br />Katrina evacuees who have registered with FEMA. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to <br />approve the distribution plan for NC Helping Neighbors Funds for Katrina evacuees residing in <br />Orange County, with the understanding that more funds might be available at a later time. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />8. Public Hearings <br />a. Orange County Consolidated Housing Plan Update <br />The Board received comments from the public regarding the housing and non-housing <br />needs to be included in the Annual Update of the 2005-2009 Consolidated Housing Plan for <br />Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County and proposed uses of <br />2006-2007 HOME funds. <br />Tara Fikes said that the purpose of this public hearing is to receive comments from the <br />public regarding the housing and non-housing needs in the 2005-2009 Consolidated Housing <br />