Agenda - 04-07-20; 8-a - Minutes

Browse Search

6 1 Commissioner McKee said if the Board considers this request by Carrboro, then the 2 other two towns will do the same. He said this is becoming more complicated the longer the 3 Board discussed it. He said he does not have a problem with lowering the maximum loan. 4 Commissioner Greene said she can see both sides of this issue. She said if there is no- 5 value criteria, then that cuts the argument that Carrboro is closest to the ground. She said the 6 Board should not just give to Carrboro, because it asked for it, because then one takes away 7 the flexibility of the committee. She said the question of double dipping also comes in. She 8 said in the application process, the committee needs to ask the question to see if entities are 9 double dipping. She said this is a County fund, and the Board need to find a way to distribute it 10 fairly. 11 Commissioner Marcoplos said if the Board divvies up the money now, it will create a 12 precedent. He suggested moving ahead as presented, and to give the committee direction as 13 mentioned. 14 Commissioner Dorosin said he does not know if Carrboro has the same criteria as the 15 County. 16 Commissioner Dorosin said the idea of setting a precedent should not be a concern, 17 since this is an emergency situation. He said if the Board does not want to distribute the 18 monies by percentages, then the Board does not have to do it again. 19 Commissioner Bedford said the loans are not set at a certain amount, just a maximum 20 amount. She agreed with Commissioner Greene that the committee could prorate the 21 amounts. She said this is such a small amount of money that the Board should just move 22 forward, and if this is not working then staff can bring back to the board for amending. 23 Commissioner Marcoplos said they could use the criteria of jobs saved and revenue 24 saved. 25 Commissioner Greene had recommended representatives from the towns to the 26 committee. She asked how the Board felt about that suggestion: one economic development 27 person from each town. 28 29 The Board agreed by consensus. 30 31 32 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded Commissioner Greene by for 33 the Board to recognize that the Emergency Small Business Funding Program is necessary to 34 preserve jobs and tax base during the coronavirus pandemic and is consistent with the State of 35 Emergency declared by OC on March 13, 2020 and to approve the creation of the Emergency 36 Small Business Funding Program and marketing of this program on the County's website, press 37 release, and social media outlets to communicate available financial support to small 38 businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. 39 40 And to approve an Emergency Small Business Funding Program Committee composed of two 41 representatives each from the Small Business Grant Committee, the Agricultural Grant 42 Committee, and the Small Business Loan (SBL) Board and to add one member from each of 43 the towns to the committee to make final determinations between April through June for both 44 grants and loans and that County staff provide status reports to the Board. 45 46 Commissioner Dorosin said he will vote against this item because the board should be 47 giving the money to the Town of Carrboro. 48 Commissioner Greene asked if there is any way in this motion to add double dipping to 49 this motion. 50 Chair Rich said to just let this play out in the committee.