Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
8 <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said generally the County is trying to operate more efficiently, <br /> and affordable housing is a priority for the BOCC. He said housing resources are stretched <br /> thin, and it is especially important to be work wisely. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she did not realize that the HA was a separate entity, and <br /> she said would like to understand why the County's entity operates independently as opposed <br /> to the Towns. <br /> Commissioner Greene said when Chapel Hill created its current Housing Advisory Board <br /> it merged the function of the advisory board to support the public housing. She said there <br /> should be a way to make the County's operations more streamlined, efficient and effective. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said both Tammy Jacobs and Keith Cook mentioned the Rural <br /> Buffer, and the BOCC is trying to make progress on the Greene Tract area of the rural buffer. <br /> He said this would be a great boost for affordable housing. <br /> • Human Relations Commission (HRC) Deborah Stroman, Chair <br /> Deborah Stroman said despite the current cultural climate, they believe a large majority <br /> of the County wants to connect and are good people. <br /> Deborah Stroman said her board is made up of true patriots, and it is the role and <br /> charge of the Commission to bring issues to the Board of Commissioners. <br /> Deborah Stroman said the Commission is moving toward reducing their board <br /> membership from 18-12, and are doing better with marketing and social media. She said their <br /> annual Community Read ("Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City."), will be on April 3 <br /> at 6pm at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill. <br /> Emerging Issues <br /> 1. Ensuring that the membership of the HRC reflects racial, cultural and gender diversity. <br /> 2. Recruiting even more representation from Northern Orange for the HRC. <br /> 3. Creating an open line of communication between the HRC and other residents in order <br /> to keep up-to-date on social justice issues impacting all parts of the County. Promote <br /> the new communication tools: Chapelboro.com blog and Facebook page. <br /> 4. Engage the community in frequent conversations to promote positive communication <br /> and understanding. We decided to move against the promotion of a civility program due <br /> to the charged language of the word `civility'. <br /> 5. Being mindful that UNC-Chapel Hill social justice issues are Orange County social <br /> justice issues. <br /> 6. Coordinate a community-wide social justice meeting whereby all leaders of these <br /> organizations will be invited to share their purpose and best practices. <br /> 7. Continued engagement with Government Alliance on Race & Equity (CARE) sponsored <br /> by the Haas Institute and Race Forward. <br /> 8. Learn more about immigration laws and ICE to gauge the impact on the community. <br /> Deborah Stroman added a few more items: Orange County Remembrance Coalition, <br /> specifically lynching, and concern about Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' (CHCCS) equity <br /> advocacy and implementation. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if the Commission will look at the Orange County Equity <br /> policy. <br /> Deborah Stroman said yes. <br /> Commissioner McKee thanked the HRC for bringing in more rural voices. <br /> • Board of Adjustment (BOA) Craig Benedict, Planning Director <br />