Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
DocuSign Envelope ID: E02B9D95-EAB7-42AE-A854-C45E8C08F501 <br /> There are two positions representing hoteliers. Early organizers limited the number of hotelier held <br /> seats to prevent this board from becoming a "hotel association." <br /> Anthony Carey shared that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce seat does not have to come <br /> from their board but can actually come from their membership, allowing the nominating committee a <br /> wider field from which to choose a representative that will help us diversify our board. <br /> Executive Director's Report <br /> Visitors Bureau physical move to 308 West Franklin Street. There have been a few delays but the move <br /> is still on. We had a $250,000 budget from fund balance to retrofit but the bids came in a little higher <br /> than that. The County has delayed another capital project and will use those funds to prioritize the <br /> Visitor Bureau move. That's on the Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting agenda in <br /> December and, once that's approved, renovation construction will begin. We anticipate that to take <br /> about three months with a move around spring 2021. <br /> Presentations <br /> Clean Design, Inc. presentation on how CARES Act grant funds were spent. <br /> New Business/ Roundtable <br /> • Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford—Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> - The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved last night establishing an Orange County <br /> broadband taskforce. <br /> - The Orange County Board of Commissioners reviewed the first quarter budget. Everything is on <br /> track. Sales tax was a little higher than expected because so many people are ordering online. <br /> Property taxes are paid in December so we'll know more at the end of December of where our <br /> budget stands. Many restrictions added to budget such as no hiring, no salary increases, no <br /> travel, etc. Biggest need at this time is housing assistance. <br /> - If you are able, please donate a toy to Friends of DSS, which works to ensure every foster child <br /> has a toy for the holidays and also takes care of many seniors in the community. <br /> - Free COVID-19 testing at the Health Department. People do not have to have a social security <br /> number and/or can be undocumented and still get free testing. <br /> - Emphasized it is safe to come to Orange County if you practice the three Ws. <br /> • Matt Gladdek—Executive Director, Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership <br /> - Hired Kaze Thomas to redo arts and culture. <br /> - Buskers street performers has been very successful. We're pausing this for now due to weather. <br /> - Working with the Town of Chapel Hill to do an outdoor/drive-in movies series. <br /> - Our attempt to do a holiday market this year is also on pause right now due to the higher <br /> COVID-19 numbers the Governor has been reporting. If Orange County's numbers remain good, <br /> we may restart the holiday market. <br /> - We've awarded about 15 grants for facades and outdoor dining. <br /> - Receiving more concerns about aggressive panhandling. We have a separate pot of money <br /> specifically for lights and cameras and we have been getting those installed. Reports from the <br /> employees of where these have been installed is that they feel safer. I feel this is how we help <br /> make downtown feel better. The County,through CARES Act funding, have street outreach <br /> members that are working with the population most in need in downtown Chapel Hill. We've <br /> given them office space in our offices and they're working really hard to get people housed and <br /> the services that they need. I'm thankful for the County prioritizing that money. <br /> 2 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting November 18 , 2020 <br />