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idea is to establish some affordable housing on the Greene Tract. He said if a developer could <br /> be found for this, then that project could also produce funding for water and sewer. <br /> Mayor Chilton said this would presumably also be split 43-43-14. <br /> Council Member Lee Storrow said what is important to remember is that the council <br /> also has an interest in doing this work as soon as possible. He believes the second <br /> recommendation is the most important. He said the timeline and the money are ambitious, but <br /> continued discussion delays the original goals. He said the boards have an obligation to end <br /> this budget process; however he wants to be realistic that having a broader conversation about <br /> whole budget priorities will put things in a better place to make this kind of investment. <br /> Council Member Lee Storrow said the district idea has been discussed, and the larger <br /> district allowed Chapel Hill's participation. He said if a district were to be defined solely as the <br /> 86 parcels, none of that falls within the boundaries of the Town of Chapel Hill or the ETJ. He <br /> said the smaller district does not allow Chapel Hill's participation in funding. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the task force has been meeting for two years and has <br /> considered all of these options, including the district. He said the task force came forward with <br /> recommendations, and the priority is to get water and sewer to these 86 parcels. He said this <br /> could be moved forward expeditiously, and the district could come later. <br /> He said there is a plan in place to get this process moving. He said Carrboro has <br /> committed its share of funding, and Hillsborough could put funding in with the ETJ. He said <br /> the County needs to make clear its commitment to putting in funding. He said his <br /> understanding was that the $3.7 million plan assumed that Chapel Hill would not be able to put <br /> in any money. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said he feel it is a disastrous idea to sit back and wait for the <br /> resolution of the EPA complaint. He believes the majority of the Commissioners are committed <br /> to recommendation #2. He feels this should be explained to the EPA, and this could possibly <br /> resolve the complaint and allow them to move forward. He said the EPA could take months, <br /> and this would cause momentum to be lost. He said this is an opportunity to do what is right <br /> for the County. He would like to move forward with recommendation #2. <br /> Mayor Chilton said he agrees with Commissioner Dorosin, and he feels the <br /> municipalities should come together collectively and approach the EPA to communicate that <br /> the complaint has been resolved. He said it feels disingenuous to hold this up while waiting on <br /> the results of the EPA or another study. He feels it is time to adopt the recommendations and <br /> go forward. <br /> Alderman Seils referred to an email from the County attorney to the town attorney <br /> regarding the direction that no funding should be committed until RENA provides assurance <br /> that their complaint has been withdrawn or that the EPA has dismissed the complaint. He then <br /> read from a letter addressed to the County attorney from RENA, stating that RENA would <br /> voluntarily dismiss the EPA complaint in exchange for the County's written agreement to fully <br /> fund sewer infrastructure in Rogers Road. He said this seems like a way out, and the solution <br /> is right in front of them. <br /> Commissioner Price said once the sewer lines are in, there is cost associated with the <br /> hook ups. She said this is expensive, and most of these residents cannot afford it. She said <br /> the extension of the ETJ would allow for the application for community development block <br /> grant (CDBG) funds to help residents hook up. She asked if it is almost certain that Chapel <br /> Hill would agree to the ETJ. <br /> Mayor Kleinschmidt said the Town asked for more information about a water and sewer <br /> district instead of extending the ETJ. He said even if the ETJ is extended, this area is still not <br /> in Chapel Hill. He said despite the fact that some CDBG funds have gone up nationally, <br /> Chapel Hill gets less CDBG funding because HUD has changed their formula. He would like to <br />