Minutes 03-03-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Perdita Holtz said staff is not expecting differing resolutions, but if there are differences, the local governments will need to come together to address this. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Rich to: 1. Open the public hearing, and 2. Defer the hearing by adjourning it to May 5, 2015 in order to allow time for the necessary JPA land use amendments to be further considered and adopted. VOTE: UNANIMOUS c. 2015 -2019 Consolidated Plan/HOME Proqram The Board considered opening the public hearing to receive comments from the public regarding the housing and non-housing needs to be included in the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County and proposed uses of the 2015-2016 HOME funds, and closing the public hearing. Audrey Spencer-Horsley said the purpose tonight is to receive public comments, which initiates a community input process for the five year consolidated plan that is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funds received by the Orange County Consortium and Chapel Hill CDBG funds. She said the plan covers housing and non- housing needs to be included in the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County and proposed uses of the 2015-2016 HOME funds. She said there will be other opportunities for community input, and prior to submission of the plan to HUD, there will be on-line surveys and stakeholder meetings. She said staff has received a final number for the amount of funding that will be received this year. She said this amount is $311,832, which is $40,000 less than 2014. She said applications for funding were due by February 20th, and these applications have been forwarded to the consortium for review. Commissioner porosin asked why the public hearing is being held now when the application deadline has already passed. He said the purpose is to find out how the community feels the home program money should be spent, but the applications have already been submitted to receive the money. He does not understand the timeline. Audrey Spencer-Horsley said the timeline is not ideal. She said the goal would usually be to complete this process prior to receiving applications. She said these HOME funds will represent the annual action plan, which is required for each of the five years. She said this is the first year in the five year process, and there are four more years of opportunity. She said the consolidated plan also looks for other funding resources for addressing affordable housing. Commissioner porosin said if the deadline for applications is set outside of our control then next year, he would suggest that the public hearing be held two months prior. Audrey Spencer-Horsley said this should be possible next year. She said this year's process will give them a guide for next year. Commissioner Price questioned whether this timeline is due to the Board of County Commissioners schedule or HUD. Audrey Spencer-Horsley said next year's schedule will be more in alignment with the Board's expectations, and it will allow more time to get ahead of the curve. Chair McKee asked if a reason was given for the $40,000 reduction of funds. Audrey Spencer-Horsley said the funding was reduced at the federal level, and the County's cut was proportional to this. PUBLIC COMMENT