Minutes 05-10-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Chair McKee said transportation is a critical factor; but in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, Orange County is not responsible for transportation. He asked if there was discussion about coordinating transportation between the County and the Towns. Audrey Spencer Horsley said the people with whom she met said that transportation in Chapel Hill is much more accessible, but the perception of Orange County is that there should be better transportation options and routes. She said the current lengthy County routes are especially stressful for seniors. Commissioner Dorosin clarified that there is the Affordable Housing Master Plan (AHMP), followed by this series of community meetings, and now the Board has this recommendation/action sheet. He asked if the goal of tonight is to begin to try and narrow the plan and set priorities. Commissioner Dorosin said the timelines of the budget and the bond must be considered. He said one goal would be to have a succinct summary of what the key actions are going to be, which can assist in talking about the bond. Bonnie Hammersley said the structure for tonight was to talk about some of the recommendations. She said staff put the new recommendations first, followed by those that are underway, but need additional resources, and finally those that are already underway. She said this evening is an opportunity to receive BOCC feedback on as many recommendations as possible. Commissioner Jacobs said this does not help him tonight. He said he had specific questions and concerns at the April meeting and was waiting for tonight's meeting to discuss those concerns. Bonnie Hammersley said the new items are from the existing document. Commissioner Jacobs said he does not see his concerns in the document before the Board tonight and assumes his concerns will not be addressed. Bonnie Hammersley said the presentation of the recommendations will answer the questions previously asked by the Board. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the process going forward can be clarified. Bonnie Hammersley said her new recommendations are already in the plan, but are not currently being completed. She said direction is needed from the Board before moving forward. Commissioner Jacobs said he brought up Mebane at the April meeting. Bonnie Hammersley said staff reached out to Mebane and the University of North Carolina (UNC) to try and involve them in this process. Commissioner Jacobs said he brought up using the Greene Tract for affordable housing in April, since there is an existing plan for housing. He asked if the Greene Tract is included in her recommendations. Bonnie Hammersley said the Greene Tract is part of what is being considered going forward, and staff is asking for direction from the BOCC this evening. She said the Greene Tract is going to be included in the discussion tonight. Bonnie Hammersley said there may not be answers to all of the Board of County Commissioners' questions, and staff may need greater clarification in order to answer them. Commissioner Jacobs said it would have been helpful for Bonnie Hammersley to walk the Board through the recommendations document prior to this meeting. Bonnie Hammersley said the document will be covered this evening during the continuation of the presentation. She said staff does not have all the information needed, but the conversation can begin this evening. Commissioner Price asked Audrey Spencer Horsley clarifying questions about the comments sheet.