Orange County NC Website
6 <br /> <br />Bradley Saul said it is easy to do, but he wants to make sure it is permissible to do. He <br />said there is no guidance. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he is looking forward to the report on The State of the <br />Environment. He said the environment is changing faster than they can react, and it may be <br />beneficial to complete this type of report more frequently than every five years. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he hopes the Commission will look into the identifiable <br />signs of local climate change, such as the algae in University Lake. He said more information <br />could lead to greater understanding amongst the public on environmental issues. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he noticed the Commission’s goal to develop a plan for <br />researching the potential environmental impacts of the rural buffer, and this is the 30th <br />anniversary of the rural buffer. He said the rural buffer is a critical contribution to the <br />community, and there are many existing impacts – sound mitigation, water quality, air quality, <br />etc. – and not just potential impacts. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said he has been trying to get the Planning Directors back <br />together to discuss the rural buffer, and create a report. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said there is a County intranet with contact information for all <br />advisory board members. He said there should be a way to allow board members to access <br />each other’s information to easily cross-pollinate. <br />Chair Dorosin said the Commission can just bring resolutions forward, and let the Board <br />of Commissioners review and decide whether to act on them. <br />Chair Dorosin referred to the State of the Environment Report, and suggested replacing <br />the 200-page document with a 45-minute presentation, which can be used at community <br />meetings, and other organizations. <br />Chair Dorosin said one of the Commission’s emerging issues is continuing to learn <br />about environmental justice matters, which he greatly appreciates. <br /> <br />• Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) Vice Chair Paige Zinn <br /> <br />Paige Zinn said she is the Vice Chair, and Delores Bailey is with her, and she is getting <br />ready to roll off the Board. <br />Paige Zinn said she has served on the board for two years, and shared some updates: <br />• Continue their financial support, and to increase their Article 46 funding for their Small <br />Business Loan program <br />• Add funds to the agricultural grant program <br />• SWOT Analysis has been completed, and EDAB will be discussing this later this month <br />and will then make their recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners <br />• EDAB will be hosting the ED Summit in the fall 2018 and will be organized around 4-5 <br />topics and be broadcast by WCHL. <br /> <br />Delores Bailey thanked the BOCC for allowing her to serve on this board, and said they <br />do own Midway Center, which was the first small incubator in Orange County. She said she <br />also serves on the grant program, and listed 5 minority-owned businesses they were able to <br />assist. She encouraged the BOCC to increase the funding as requested. <br />Commissioner McKee said he knew several of businesses that have got off the ground <br />with grants from EDAB, and it is to be commended. <br />Chair Dorosin asked if the amount of applications could be identified. <br />Paige Zinn said 22. <br />Chair Dorosin said it is amazing how much difference a small amount of money can <br />make to a fledgling business. He thanked Delores Bailey for her service.