Minutes 10-06-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rose Snipes said she too is a member of Saint Paul's AME Church, and affordable and senior housing are the congregation's number one priorities, as well as educational development for children. Jane Kerwin said she attended the September 15, 2015 meeting and noticed that no one stepped forward to oppose a bond. She said it was even suggested that a larger bond be approved. She emphasized the great physical needs of the schools and that the schools must be safe and ADA compliant. Mark Marcoplos said he is here to ask that affordable housing be included in the bond in the amount of$10 million. He said he also supported funding for the schools and seniors. He also noted his appreciation for the public that has come out to speak at the two meetings and made the vital connections between safe, affordable housing and good schools. Jill Simon said she is speaking on behalf of the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) PTA Council and would like the full bond amount of$125 million for the schools, as well as additional funds for affordable housing. Joann Mitchell said she is a Habitat homeowner, and she supports funding for affordable housing in the bond. Jonathan Young, Community Empowerment Fund, said he supported bond funds for affordable housing. Donna Champointe said she supports funding for affordable housing in the bond. Commissioner Price thanked the community for their comments on the bond. Commissioner Dorosin applauded the organized advocacy of the public, and noted he had been pushing hard for affordable housing funding in the proposed bond. He said he previously felt that $5 million should be allocated to affordable housing, but now feels a higher amount may be possible based on updated information from staff. He said there will likely need to be a balance of getting funds from both the CIP and the bond. He said there is a compelling case for all needs to be funded, and he feels $10 million would be appropriate for affordable housing. Commissioner Rich said she agreed with Commissioner Dorosin. She also thanked the affordable housing community for working together to advocate on behalf of the needs of Orange County. She said that increasing the bond to allot $10 million for affordable housing seems very manageable and hopes that some of that money could be dedicated to seniors. Commissioner Pelissier said she is heartened to see the public recognizing the interconnection between the needs within the County. She said the schools need far more than $125 million. She said bond funds are not the only way to address capital needs, and she encouraged the public to stay involved as the BOCC goes through the CIP on a yearly basis. Commissioner Burroughs said the Poet Laureate set the tone for the evening. She said Democracy should be a process of working together to move the County forward. She said the bond funds would only meet half of the schools needs. She said she looked at the CIP and concludes that there are some flexible funds available to address other needs, but those funds appear to be in the out years. She said that may be too far away, and more discussion may be necessary to see how the CIP could provide more funds. She said she supports funding for both the schools and affordable housing through a combination of the bond and CIP, but is uncomfortable going to $135 million solely through the bond. Commissioner Jacobs said it has been really heartening to see so many people come forward to move the BOCC to include affordable housing in the bond package. He said he is hopeful that this will happen. He said this bond is the "goldilocks" package, it must be neither too hot nor too cold; it must be just right. He said the bond package must be as inclusive as possible.