Agenda - 04-18-2017 - 8-a - Minutes

Browse Search

8 1 Commissioners will be getting a final report on the MAP in May. She emphasized volunteerism 2 with the aging population, and said Orange County senior centers have been recognized 3 nationwide. She said diversity is thriving, and the Advisory Board will push for expansion of 4 these senior centers. 5 6 • Affordable Housing Advisory Board: Arthur Sprinczeles, Vice Chair 7 Arthur Sprinczeles said the Advisory Board focused this past year on monitoring the 8 bond, which passed. He said the affordable housing tour was completed, which some of the 9 Commissioners attended. He encouraged the Board of County Commissioners to attend one of 10 their meetings. He said the Advisory Board conducts and annual review of outside agency 11 requests to assist the Manager's office. He said in 2017 the AHAB will look for barriers for 12 affordable housing, and how to remove them; look at what other counties do in regards to 13 affordable housing; place an emphasis on affordable rentals. 14 Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an organization that provides affordable housing 15 just for seniors. 16 Arthur Sprinczeles said he would research this question. 17 18 • Arts Commission: Tim Hoke, Chair 19 Tim Hoke said his commission is trying to grow the arts in Orange County, and their new 20 director is helping them. He said they are reevaluating their board services, and they have 21 been under probation from the North Carolina Council of the Arts, and they are working to meet 22 some of their identified concerns. He said the Commission is working on countywide 23 collaboration. He said there are 171 different art organizations in Orange County, which 24 generate about $3.5 million into government funds. He said the Commission is trying to 25 increase their social media presence, and they are working with arts in education, tourism, and 26 creating "art maps" for visitors who come to the area and seek to engage with the arts. 27 Commissioner Price asked if the Commission has done anything with veterans and the 28 arts. 29 Tim Hoke said the Commission is looking at focus groups, and this could be one area to 30 consider. 31 Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Commission's art map includes bookstores. 32 Katie Murray, Arts Commission Coordinator, said literary venues are included. 33 Tim Hoke said if they do a map and someone is left out, the Commission can contact 34 them to add entities. 35 Commissioner Jacobs said he would like to bring more attention to bookstores, and the 36 art of writing. 37 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the probation could be explained a bit further, as he 38 has always been impressed with the levels of arts in this community. 39 Tim Hoke said the Commission was told they were in non-compliance, but did not 40 receive clear direction on issues. He said the Commission has addressed all issues that were 41 brought to its attention, and should get a decision in June. 42 43 • Agricultural Preservation Board: Renee McPherson, Chair/Peter Sandbeck 44 Renee McPherson said some of their main accomplishments include 11 additional farms 45 being added to the Voluntary Ag District and the Enhanced Voluntary Ag District, which added 46 1,084 acres, bringing the total acreage to 11,464. She said the board also hosted a breakfast 47 meeting with about 75 attendees. She said moving forward her board will continue to 48 encourage keeping farmland as farmland. 49 Peter Sandbeck said the board is happy that the newly formed food council has asked 50 one of their members to serve. He said Ken Dawson is fulfilling this role.