Minutes 10-06-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

with $117,000,000 to schools, $10,000,000 to affordable housing, $3,000,000 senior facilities; and find $8,000,000 in the CIP for schools, which in addition to the $117,000,000 from the bond, it would give the schools a total of$125,000,000. VOTE: Ayes, 3 (Commissioner Dorosin, Commissioner Rich and Commissioner Jacobs); Nays, 4 (Commissioner Burroughs, Commissioner Rich, Commissioner McKee, and Commissioner Pelissier) Motion failed. Commissioner Rich said she would like to make another hostile amendment, raising the bond to $130 million with $120 to schools and $10 million to affordable housing with $5 million coming from the CIP for the schools. Commissioner Jacobs said he is willing to support this amendment. He said it is unfortunate that the Board has not given enough attention to seniors. He said he does not have confidence that monies will be found within the CIP without having a clear plan. He added that groups of Commissioners are making decisions as majorities, without including the rest of the Board. Commissioner Burroughs said she understands the frustrations. She said she is frustrated as well, saying she spoke to each member of the BOCC throughout this process, and the record should reflect that fact. She said this is what Democracy looks like. She is saddened that the conversation has taken an unpleasant turn. Commissioner Dorosin said his concern for having $5 million for affordable housing in the CIP is that it is not binding during budget discussions. He said it is a statement of intent, but is not binding, whereas if the $10 million in included in the bond, the funds are guaranteed. Commissioner Jacobs supported Commissioner Dorosin's comments. He said a democratic process is made far more democratic when it is transparent in public, not when phone calls are made privately. Commissioner Pelissier said if the voters approve a bond for a certain amount the BOCC is not obligated to issue all the bond monies either. She said there would be an expectation that bond monies would be issued, just as there should be an expectation that a CIP vote would be honored. She said there is not a 100 percent guarantee either way. Commissioner Pelissier said Orange County has a serious issue with poverty, and she does not want all funds to go to capital needs. She said some rental subsidies might be needed. She said she does not want to commit without a housing plan and does not want to tie all funds to capital needs. Commissioner Price said these accusations, that she put together a proposal and lobbied Commissioners, are untrue. She said her goal was to pull something together that incorporated all that she has heard from the BOCC, staff, and members of the community. She said she has spoken several times with Commissioner Dorosin to reiterate her support of affordable housing. She said she seeks a plan that is not reckless and wants to set aside money in the CIP to allow school plans to move forward sooner rather than later, and to offer flexible spending options for affordable housing. Commissioner Rich clarified that the current motion on the table is her amendment for $120 million for schools and $10 million for affordable housing through the bond and with $5 million for the schools from the CIP. She said this is a friendly amendment. Commissioner Burroughs clarified that $130 million would come from the bond and $5 million from the CIP. Commissioner Rich said yes.