Minutes 05-14-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Burroughs said the numbers on page 133 and 134 refer to a flat budget, with no increased revenue. Commissioner Jacobs said he and Commissioner Dorosin talked about affordable housing, and the new commercial construction on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Chapel Hill. He said many of the mobile home communities will most likely be displaced going forward. He said Commissioner Rich had talked many times about tiny house developments and the County should consider setting aside money for land banking for future affordable housing needs. Commissioner Burroughs said there are currently mobile homes at the intersection of Martin Luther King Blvd and Weaver Dairy Road. Year 1 (FY 2015-16) Recommended CIP Projects Paul Laughton referred to Attachment A in the abstract, which lists Year 1 projects. He said funding decisions will only be for Year 1 with each consecutive year being revisited and adjusted thereafter, based on priorities and available funding. He said there may not be funding for Little River Park next year; which may result in the project being moved to 2016- 2017. Paul Laughton said the largest project in Year 1 is the Southern Human Services Campus expansion, possibly including a dental clinic. He said this may involve spreading out the allotted $3.6 million over future years. He said the final financing package will show that $400,000 has been removed that was dedicated as planning money. Commissioner Price asked if the $25,000 this year and $35,000 next year, allocated for Life Safety and ADA, will bring all the buildings into compliance or above. Jeff Thompson said this year's funds will bring all buildings into compliance and next year will bring the County above compliance. He said the County strives for an elevated standard and one challenge to this is balancing with Historic structures that require preservation. Commissioner Burroughs asked if this is the time to discuss making a recommendation for splitting the funds for the Southern Orange County campus. Bonnie Hammersley said it would be her preference to split the funding, as it is a more realistic reflection of how the process will work. She said $3.6 million will not be spent in 2015- 2016, and should be removed from the list of Year 1 projects allowing the monies to be more accurately spread out over the coming years. Commissioner Rich said she would still like to explore the idea of a Dental Clinic Paul Laughton said the clinic would be covered in the next line item, Southern Human Services Center (Expansion) in Year 2. Commissioner Rich said when the Dental Clinic was removed from the Southern part of the County, that people stopped going to the Dentist. She expressed support for reestablishing a Dental Clinic. Commissioner Jacobs said some of the $3.6 million that will not be used in Year 1 could be carved out for future land banking for affordable housing. Bonnie Hammersley said land acquisition can be included in her recommended budget. Commissioner Rich asked if setting money aside would start an exploration of potential land. Bonnie Hammersley said yes and it would fall into the planning initiative. Chair McKee suggested a million dollars be seeded for this project. Commissioner Jacobs agreed. Commissioner Rich said at the last Durham-Orange Work Group, Durham said it is banking land around the proposed light rail.