Agenda - 11-05-2015 - 6-a - Minutes

Browse Search

16 1 the record should reflect that fact. She said this is what Democracy looks like. She is 2 saddened that the conversation has taken an unpleasant turn. 3 Commissioner Dorosin said his concern for having $5 million for affordable housing in 4 the CIP is that it is not binding during budget discussions. He said it is a statement of intent, 5 but is not binding, whereas if the $10 million in included in the bond, the funds are guaranteed. 6 Commissioner Jacobs supported Commissioner Dorosin's comments. He said a 7 democratic process is made far more democratic when it is transparent in public, not when 8 phone calls are made privately. 9 Commissioner Pelissier said if the voters approve a bond for a certain amount the 10 BOCC is not obligated to issue all the bond monies either. She said there would be an 11 expectation that bond monies would be issued, just as there should be an expectation that a 12 CIP vote would be honored. She said there is not a 100 percent guarantee either way. 13 Commissioner Pelissier said Orange County has a serious issue with poverty, and she 14 does not want all funds to go to capital needs. She said some rental subsidies might be 15 needed. She said she does not want to commit without a housing plan and does not want to tie 16 all funds to capital needs. 17 Commissioner Price said these accusations, that she put together a proposal and 18 lobbied Commissioners, are untrue. She said her goal was to pull something together that 19 incorporated all that she has heard from the BOCC, staff, and members of the community. She 20 said she has spoken several times with Commissioner Dorosin to reiterate her support of 21 affordable housing. She said she seeks a plan that is not reckless and wants to set aside 22 money in the CIP to allow school plans to move forward sooner rather than later, and to offer 23 flexible spending options for affordable housing. 24 Commissioner Rich clarified that the current motion on the table is her amendment for 25 $120 million for schools and $10 million for affordable housing through the bond and with $5 26 million for the schools from the CIP. She said this is a friendly amendment. 27 Commissioner Burroughs clarified that $130 million would come from the bond and $5 28 million from the CIP. 29 Commissioner Rich said yes. 30 Commissioner Burroughs said she feels there needs to be room for the Senior Centers. 31 She said this is in the long plan, but she is not willing to commit up to $135 million in a 32 combined amount as it stretches the County to its max financially. 33 Commissioner Rich said she wants the amendment to be friendly. 34 Commissioner Dorosin said he does not see a fiscal difference between Commissioner 35 Price's and Commissioner Rich's motions, but he sees a great political difference between 36 them. 37 Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioners Price and Pelissier regarding the 38 difference between capital and operating spending. He said it is very important that any money 39 given to affordable housing must be partially allocated for operational expenses. He said the 40 BOCC has to come up with the money for the operating budget, rather than money that is 41 borrowed for a bond. He said the operating budget has many competing interests. He feels his 42 comments will hold no sway and that it would have been beneficial to have this conversation in 43 a work session previously. He said the BOCC will work it out, but this process is a huge lost 44 opportunity and has been frustrating. 45 46 A motion for a second friendly amendment to Commissioner Price's motion was made 47 by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to raise the bond to $130,000,000 48 with $120,000,000 to schools, $10,000,000 for affordable housing, and find $5,000,000 in the 49 CIP for the schools. 50 Commissioner Price declined this friendly amendment.