Minutes 03-28-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Commissioner Jacobs also encouraged the boards to copy the BOCC on this. He said he had to deal with facilities with his own mother recently, and noticed a vast difference between those paying publicly and those paying privately. He would be interested in knowing if there are problem facilities in this County, as well as political problems. Max Mason said the performance of these facilities needs to be improved. Peggy Cohn said she is very proud of the Department on Aging, which is greatly supported by the Board of County Commissioners but as well as staff members Mary Fraser and Janice Tyler. Peggy Cohn said the BOCC is familiar with the Master Aging Plan (MAP), and the number of older adults is increasing daily in Orange County. She said the MAP has gotten input from all segments and organizations in Orange County, and the Board of County Commissioners will be getting a final report on the MAP in May. She emphasized volunteerism with the aging population, and said Orange County senior centers have been recognized nationwide. She said diversity is thriving, and the Advisory Board will push for expansion of these senior centers. • Affordable Housing Advisory Board: Arthur Sprinczeles, Vice Chair Arthur Sprinczeles said the Advisory Board focused this past year on monitoring the bond, which passed. He said the affordable housing tour was completed, which some of the Commissioners attended. He encouraged the Board of County Commissioners to attend one of their meetings. He said the Advisory Board conducts and annual review of outside agency requests to assist the Manager's office. He said in 2017 the AHAB will look for barriers for affordable housing, and how to remove them; look at what other counties do in regards to affordable housing; place an emphasis on affordable rentals. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is an organization that provides affordable housing just for seniors. Arthur Sprinczeles said he would research this question. • Arts Commission: Tim Hoke, Chair Tim Hoke said his commission is trying to grow the arts in Orange County, and their new director is helping them. He said they are reevaluating their board services, and they have been under probation from the North Carolina Council of the Arts, and they are working to meet some of their identified concerns. He said the Commission is working on countywide collaboration. He said there are 171 different art organizations in Orange County, which generate about $3.5 million into government funds. He said the Commission is trying to increase their social media presence, and they are working with arts in education, tourism, and creating "art maps" for visitors who come to the area and seek to engage with the arts. Commissioner Price asked if the Commission has done anything with veterans and the arts. Tim Hoke said the Commission is looking at focus groups, and this could be one area to consider. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Commission's art map includes bookstores. Katie Murray, Arts Commission Coordinator, said literary venues are included. Tim Hoke said if they do a map and someone is left out, the Commission can contact them to add entities. Commissioner Jacobs said he would like to bring more attention to bookstores, and the art of writing. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the probation could be explained a bit further, as he has always been impressed with the levels of arts in this community.