Minutes 03-16-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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7 Commissioner Bedford petitioned the Board to consider changing the current appointment structure to the Family Success Alliance and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. She said the Family Success Alliance has two commissioner liaisons, but there are none to Affordable Housing Advisory Board. Commissioner Bedford asked if the Board would consider moving one liaison position to the Affordable Housing Advisory Board from the Family Success Alliance. Commissioner Hamilton said the Chamber for Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro will have a forum, featuring economist Michael Walden, on March 25, 2021 from 8:30 to 10 a.m., and invited anyone interested to attend. Commissioner Fowler said she attended the "Lunch and Learn" today hosted by Orange County, and the group heard from Joann Wilson, who was the "first" in many things that she did. She said Joann Wilson grew up in East Raleigh, and went on to become a professor of medicine at Duke University. She said in many of the places she went, Wilson was the first African-American and the first woman. She said Joann Wilson's story was very inspirational. Commissioner Dorosin asked if staff would include information about money that was allocated in the fiscal year 2020-21 budget that were not spent or reallocated impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in upcoming budget presentations. He said, for example, the Chapel Hill Library received over $500,000 in the fiscal year 2020-21 budget, but it has been closed for about a year. He said he would like to know how those funds were used, if they were used at all. He said if the funds were not used, he asked if the funds rolled back into the Town of Chapel Hill's general fund. He said he would also like the same information on funding for schools, in particular funds allocated for capital improvements. He asked if school funds are still earmarked for the original projects. He said he also has similar questions on funding for School Resource Officer positions, since schools were not open. Commissioner Dorosin said he would like to know the next steps on Buckhorn Area Plan. He said the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) needs a short term and mid term timeline, given the time and encroaching development pressures. He asked if there could be a list of action steps created. Bonnie Hammersley said after the March 9, 2021 work session, she contacted the Town of Mebane to discuss next steps. She, the Deputy County Manager, and the Planning Director will be meeting with the Town Manager of Mebane and his staff to put together next steps, including a plan for community engagement, which will be brought to the Board for approval. Chair Price said the Big Night In For The Arts was a great success, and offered congratulations to Katie Murray, Arts Commission Director, for her efforts. She said there are many activities scheduled to recognize the importance of the arts in communities. She said the North Carolina Arts Commission will be hosting an event in the upcoming week. She said the same day as Big Night In For The Arts, she met with the Arts and Culture Commission for NACo during the legislative conference, and the Commission was successful in getting four different steering committees to accept their resolution to have more funding for the arts, including veterans' health, juvenile justice, and the environment. She said the arts have a big impact on the community, and arts and culture can help with the transition out of the pandemic, keeping people motivated and improving the economy. Chair Price said Dr. Sonny Kelly will be doing a performance titled "Haunted" on March 27, 2021. She said Orange County Arts Commission and other community groups are cosponsoring the performance, and it will be streamed for free online. Chair Price said she met with the Mayors of the municipalities in the County to discuss relief funds that are available for housing. She said the Mayors, Chair, Managers, and Staff will meet to discuss coordinated efforts for housing, and will bring it back to the Board for further discussion.