Agenda - 09-01-2015 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 1 • Carrboro/McDougle Branch Library 2 • Orange County Website— http://orangecountVnc.gov/ 3 4 Conclusion 5 Orange County exists to provide governmental services requested by our residents or 6 mandated by the State of North Carolina. 7 To provide these quality services efficiently, we must; 8 • Serve the Residents of Orange County— Our Residents Come First; 9 • Depend on the energy, skills, and dedication of all our employees and volunteers; 10 • Treat all our Residents and Employees with fairness, respect, and understanding. 11 Orange County Residents Come First 12 13 3. Public Comment 14 Natasha Adams said she is an Assistant Public Defender in Orange County, as well as a 15 current Board member of Pre-Trial Services, a non-profit since 1994. She said it is her 16 understanding that the pre-trial services will be moved to the Sheriff's office. She said she is 17 asking the Board to consider allocating $45,000, to be able to provide services to existing clients 18 before this program is moved July 1. 19 Jon Wilner is a Senior Board Member with the Communities in Schools (CIS) and he 20 thanked the Board for their consistent support. He said CIS are not going to be in the Orange 21 County Schools (OCS) this year but will remain in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools 22 (CHCCS). He said more children will be served in CHCCS, reducing the waiting list, in an effort 23 to keep them in school. He said CIS will be serving the same number of children this year as in 24 previous years and he requested the Board of County Commissioners to give CIS the same 25 amount received for the past 6 to 8 years. 26 James Stroud said he is the Executive Director for the Center for Home Ownership and 27 Economic Development in Hillsborough. He said he is here regarding the organization's 28 Clearinghouse Network Pilot Program, which was brought to the Board last year. He said the 29 program is not operational at this time as it was not funded. He said his organization is the only 30 resource in the County regarding affordable housing opportunities. He said 180 people have 31 been served so far this year and despite having excellent housing providers in the area, many 32 people are still unsure where to look for housing. He said a centralized hub for affordable 33 housing would be invaluable. 34 Allan Rosen said he presently works at InterFaith Council for Social Services and has 35 been participating with the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition. He said included in 36 the recommended budget is a program about a land banking program for affordable housing. 37 He applauds this effort and hoped that the Board of County Commissioners would adopt this as 38 part of the Capital Investment Plan (CIP). He said he also supports the proposed position in the 39 Housing Department. 40 Stacey Allred said he is a Counselor with the Exchange Club Family Center of Alamance 41 and Orange Counties. He expressed thanks for the BOCC's ongoing support. He reviewed 42 statistics regarding local child sexual abuse rates and asked if the BOCC would consider 43 funding the agency. 44 Sarah Black said she is the Director of the Exchange Club Family Center and asked the 45 Board to reconsider their application for outside agency funding for more funding. She said her 46 agency provides in home services for neglected children. She emphasized the importance of 47 early intervention for children who are abused and neglected to reach greater success. 48 Art Menins said he is here to ask for $1000 for the public radio station WCOM. He said 49 this is a volunteer run radio station serving as the voice of the community.