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<br />WHEREAS, a matching grant of $300,000 was awarded to Orange County from the federal <br />Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program to help protect the future of this farm with an <br />agricultural conservation easement; and <br />WHEREAS, a conservation easement on this approximately 138-acre section of the farm would <br />ensure the preservation of this farmland for future generations and compensate the owners for <br />this long-term commitment: <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does <br />hereby 1} accept on behalf of Orange County the agricultural conservation easement to protect <br />prime farmland owned by William Latta and Tate Latta; 2} approve the execution of this <br />conservation easement agreement with William Latta and Tate Latta, in accordance with the <br />terms of the proposed easement agreement, subject to final review by staff and the county <br />attorney; and 3) authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the easement agreement on behalf of <br />the Board, with a closing to occur on ar about May 31, 2007. <br />This the 27th day of March, 2007. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />7. Special Presentations-NONE <br />8. Public Hearings <br />a. Orange County Housing Rehabilitation Community Development Block <br />Grant Program <br />The Board received citizen comments concerning the proposed FY 2007 Housing <br />Rehabilitation Program Application and considering approving a resolution authorizing the <br />submission of the formal application document on or about March 30, 2007 and authorizing the <br />Chair to sign. <br />Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes introduced this item. Since <br />the public hearing held on March 13t", staff and the HOME Review Program Council met to <br />discuss potential dwelling units to target for this grant. Four units have been identified in each <br />jurisdiction that could be repaired to standard level. The grant is due on March 30tH <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br />Robert Campbell said that he has lived in the Rogers Road area for over 30 years. He <br />said that he used to attend community events. He said that recently, the community has tried to <br />acquire funds to repair homes in this area, but they did not have the expertise to submit the <br />proper documents. He asked for consideration of a workshop in neighborhoods to assist people <br />in applying for these grants. He asked that the grant money be used to set up a workshop. He <br />said that there are many homes that are in need of repair in this community. <br />Chair Carey said that the County Commissioners will take this into consideration. He <br />said that a grant would not be needed to hold a meeting to help residents understand the <br />process. He asked Tara Fikes to explain the process of identifying the homes subject to receive <br />this money. <br />Tara Fikes said that there is always a waiting list in the office of residents who call <br />seeking assistance with homes. There are also referrals from the Urgent Repair Program. She <br />said that one of the houses targeted in unincorporated Orange County is in the Rogers Road <br />area. <br />