Minutes 05-03-2018 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Commissioner McKee said he would like staff to work with the HRC to move this flag conversation forward. Chair Dorosin said the HRC report indicates that the HRC does not currently have partnerships with other advisory boards and commissions, but members are interested in collaboration in 2018 and going forward, particularly co-sponsoring annual events. He said the HRC can work with the Manager to make this happen. Chair Dorosin said the HRC is one of the biggest advisory boards, and asked if its size is appropriate. Deborah Stroman said the board is too big, and she believes in a smaller board with sub-committees. Chair Dorosin said the Manager’s proposed budget has funding for staff to attend racial equity training, and he would like to see if HRC members could also be a part of this. • Chapel Hill - Orange County Visitors Bureau Anthony Carey, Chair Anthony Carey said he has worked and lived in Orange County his entire of his life. He said the Bureau appreciates the Board’s support. He said the Visitor’s Bureau (VB) has 1700+ rooms for sale in Orange County, with need for more in Hillsborough, but the VB is concerned about paying attention to proper growth. He said the University of North Carolina (UNC), UNC HealthCare, and the UNC sororities and fraternities are doing great things for the VB, but there is a need for business demand generators in Orange County, such as a multicultural center, to drive weekday and weekend business. He said the VB is also dealing with Airbnb, which has over 380 rooms in Orange County. He said he is concerned about this, and the VB is gathering best practices as how best to deal with Airbnb, including the collection of taxes. He said of great concern with Airbnb is the lack of health regulations, as well as training for lodging operators. He said the VB would like to create partnerships with the Airbnb properties in the County. Anthony Carey said the VB continues to look into creative promotional scope. He said there are many great events in Orange County, and the VB helps to promote these. He said the VB gives back to the SECU home, and as a Hotelier, he lets his rooms out at a reduced rate whenever possible for health care needs. Commissioner Jacobs commended the idea of sitting down with the Airbnb, instead of seeing it as an adversary. Chair Dorosin referred to the VB report, concern #2, which states: “Orange County hospitality leaders fear Triangle area having too much hotel supply, especially in Orange County where two main demand generators include: UNC and UNC Healthcare”. He asked if this point could be clarified. Anthony Carey said there is a need for more hotels in Hillsborough, while Chapel Hill is saturated, and Carrboro is getting ready to build another one. He said new demand generators are needed. Laurie Paolicelli, VB Executive Director, said she is not sure if the VB will take a strong position on too many hotels, but the concern of the existing supply is try to avoid cannibalism of existing services. She said there is a need to develop new products for visitors, such as sports fields, cultural center, and open space. • Commission for the Environment Bradley Saul, Chair Bradley Saul highlighted some activities: o Continue to plan for, and prepare, the 2019 State of the Environment report