AHAB minutes 051419 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Board Minutes Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 6:00 pm Conference Room 204 131 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Members Present: Keith Cook (Chair), Olivia Fisher, Tammy Jacobs (Vice Chair), Ellie Kinnaird, Allison Mahaley, Mae McLendon, Noah Oswald, Narayanan Venkatakrishnan Parlikad, Jenn Sykes Members Absent: Alison Brown, Douglas Boemker, Nannie Richmond, Blake Rosser, Arthur Sprinczeles, Cain Twyman Staff Present: Sherrill Hampton, Housing and Community Development Director and Diane Beecham, Community Development Specialist I. Call to Order/Introductions — The Chair, Mr. Kevin Cook, called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm. There were no suggested changes to the agenda. II. Approval of Minutes — On a motion by Ellie Kinnaird and seconded by Allison Mahaley, the Advisory Board unanimously approved the meeting minutes of April 23, 2019. On a motion by Jenn Sykes and seconded by Mae McLendon the Advisory Board approved the March 26, 2019 minutes. On a motion by Tammy Jacobs and seconded by Ellie Kinnaird, the Advisory Board unanimously voted to reopen the vote on the April 23rd minutes to make the change that Ellie Kinnaird gave the report on the Family Success Alliance, rather than Jenn Sykes. III. Message from Chair— Mr. Cook stated that he wanted to address the letter to the Advisory Board from the County Attorney. He stated that the Advisory Board has been tasked to accomplish a number of items, including giving a housing report to the BOCC. The Advisory Board needs to start moving forward on this. The County Attorney's letter stated that the Advisory Board requested a separate budget apart from the Housing and Community Development. Mr. Cook said that the Advisory Board was not requesting a separate budget, but instead wanted to be part of the Department budget and have funds available for such items as the affordable housing bus tour, attendance at the annual convention in Raleigh and having food provided at the new member orientation. Mr. Cook stated that a new member orientation is very important because he thinks that one reason new members often do not ask questions or participate in the discussion is that they do not know enough about what is being discussed. Presently, the new member orientation is only 30 minutes long and held right before a regular meeting. He would like to have a luncheon orientation. Mr. Cook stated that he was on the Department of Aging Board and through activities on that Board was able to know every Board and staff member. One of these activities was a breakfast meeting with local ministers that over time became very well attended. He would like to have a similar type of meeting with ministers and affordable housing advocates. Also, Mr. Cook wants the agencies that come before the Advisory Board to come to a meeting at least once a year so that Advisory Board members can learn more about these agencies. He indicated that he would like to have the support of the Director for this proposal. Ms. Page 1