Agenda - 03-07-2017 - 6-a - Minutes

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10 1 this bond is so important to her organization. She is supportive of these efforts, and hopes 2 building will start soon. 3 Chinita Howard said she came to this County to interview a client, but had a seizure on 4 the way to that meeting, and she remained here for the medical facilities. She found a home, 5 which she thought was affordable, but upon arrival found it to be bug infested. She said she 6 went to the owners, neighbors, etc., to explain about this, but had to leave after 30 days. She 7 found a new place at the Crest for $540, and stayed there five years until rent went up to fair 8 market value, which was $1,110. She reviewed the many places she went and the waiting lists, 9 and then she lived in the woods in the fall of 2016 for two months. She said most people like 10 teachers cannot afford to live in Orange County. 11 Brittany Bullock said she is a community advocate at the Community Empowerment 12 Fund and InterFaith Council (IFC). She said it is difficult seeing her clients coming for 13 assistance with affordable housing, and not being able to provide any. She is in support of 14 affordable housing efforts. 15 Soteria Shepperson said she works mainly with the IFC and assists them in many areas, 16 including trying to find affordable housing when they leave the IFC. She implored the Board to 17 find the value in the people. She said she is supportive of affordable housing efforts to support 18 hard working members of the community. 19 Susan Levy said thank you to the Board of County Commissioners for expediting this 20 process, and it is moving quickly. She referred to the criteria about giving points to those who 21 are already living in Orange County, and said points need to be given to those who work in 22 Orange County. She said she is unclear about the RFP for County-owned properties, and 23 asked if a donation of property at zero cost would be considered. 24 Robert Dowling said there is a need for affordable rental housing. He said this process 25 is very quick. He agreed with Susan Levy about assigning points for those living in the county 26 or working in the county. He said as far as the land, he would hope Orange County would 27 donate the land for affordable housing. He said he hopes all partners would continue to work 28 collaboratively through this process. 29 Allan Rosen said he agreed that those working in Orange County should receive the 30 same consideration as a resident. He said this spring they will know how much $2.5 million will 31 be able to buy and afford. He thinks this amount may need to be supplemented down the line 32 to reach 1000 units in five years. 33 Delores Bailey said affordable rentals are what are needed in Orange County, and this 34 is a countywide need. She said it is urgent to get this process moving, and the money 35 allocated. 36 Chair Dorosin asked Travis Myren if the resolution for disposing of property does allow 37 the Board to donate County property to one the providers. 38 Travis Myren said yes. 39 Commissioner Burroughs referred to the terms of scoring, and suggested adding a word 40 or two to capture those that work in Orange County, as opposed to just residents. 41 John Roberts said he has no objection to that suggestion. 42 Commissioner Rich asked Bond Counsel if he could explain the actual process, now 43 that the bond is passed. 44 Bob Jessup, Bond Counsel, said the process this evening is the Board, as part of the 45 consent agenda, formally confirmed the results of the election. He said the regulating authority 46 wants the County to have construction bids in hand for the projects, on which the money will be 47 spent. He said this is true of both housing and school projects. He said more than $5 million 48 should be ready to go to market, and then there will be a bond sale. He said the County will be 49 ready for a bond sale in the fall 2017, and it is important to know the cost of projects so that the 50 correct amount of money is borrowed. He said money can be spent prior to the fall.