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26 <br /> 1 • Next meeting date is October 17, 2015 <br /> 2 • Loan committee agreed on 9/17/15 to increase the maximum loan amount to <br /> 3 $100,000.00 (up from $50,000.00) and double the repayment term to 10 years (up from <br /> 4 5 years) in consideration of future loan applicants. Purpose is to increase the loan <br /> 5 activity. <br /> 6 <br /> 7 Commissioner Rich asked if Steve Brantley could define a fun farm. <br /> 8 Chair McKee said he believes this farm is centered on children and educational <br /> 9 activities. <br /> 10 Commissioner Jacobs said there is an open planning meeting for the Agricultural <br /> 11 Summit on October 15. <br /> 12 Commissioner Jacobs asked if buildings are being built at Breeze Farm without a <br /> 13 Memorandum of Understanding. <br /> 14 Steve Brantley said no. He said it is a concept of how to get more value out of the <br /> 15 Breeze Farm. He said it is going the step beyond planting a row of squash and considering <br /> 16 how the produce could be brought closer to the market. He said historically Orange County's <br /> 17 agricultural efforts are somewhat dispersed between economic development, cooperative <br /> 18 extension, and parks and rec and agriculture. He said there is a good staff team which keep <br /> 19 lines of communication open between various groups and the County. <br /> 20 Commissioner Jacobs said a staff person reported to him being very pleased with all the <br /> 21 structures being built at Breeze Farm. He said he was surprised to hear of this happening. <br /> 22 Steve Brantley said there is a sense that North Carolina State University (NCSU) may <br /> 23 not be able to do too much more with Breeze Farm. <br /> 24 Commissioner Jacobs asked if the BOCC could receive minutes from the Economic <br /> 25 Development Board. <br /> 26 Steve Brantley said yes. <br /> 27 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there was an update regarding the hybrid vehicle <br /> 28 proposed by the State which was intended to replace the Department of Commerce. <br /> 29 Steve Brantley said the Department of Commerce still exits with several divisions <br /> 30 working on Community Development, Incentives, etc. <br /> 31 Chair McKee said he has visited the Breeze Farm location several times. He said a <br /> 32 wash station has been installed, as well as a small storage facility, a greenhouse, and some <br /> 33 fencing. He said these items are an integral part of insuring the people trying to make a go of <br /> 34 this project. He said he is unsure of the ownership of these items, and the Board should have <br /> 35 further discussion if larger amounts of funding should be need in the future. <br /> 36 Steve Brantley offered to provide a brief report to the BOCC in the next few days. <br /> 37 Commissioner Jacobs said this would be helpful, as well as determining NCSU's plans <br /> 38 for future involvement and research stations. <br /> 39 Bonnie Hammersley said she is in conversation with NCSU and the future of the Breeze <br /> 40 Farms. She said she would bring updates to the BOCC as they are available. <br /> 41 Commissioner Rich asked if all information is being shared with the Towns. <br /> 42 Steve Brantley said this can be done easily. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 9. County Manager's Report <br /> 45 Bonnie Hammersley said Tuesday, October 13, is the next work session, and the Article <br /> 46 46 sales tax as well as the Rogers Road sewer items will be discussed. She said there would <br /> 47 also be an update on Solid Waste events. <br /> 48 Bonnie Hammersley said that tonight is the last required meeting for Paul Laughton as <br /> 49 Interim CFO. She applauded his excellent effort. She said Gary Donaldson will begin in his <br /> 50 new role as CFO on Wednesday. <br />