Minutes 12-14-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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16 Commissioner Richards said she has ongoing questions about designations and what they mean. She said she struggles with the lack of development in economic development district areas from an infrastructure standpoint. She said the county is reliant on Mebane and Durham and their capacity and capability. She said it runs counter to her to have an economic development district when the vast majority of the county is rural and lower density. She said there are only a few areas that are designed for higher density, and she does not understand why there is a lack of infrastructure after 40 years. She said she has spoken with the Planning Department and she was told that this was a political decision that this how the county wants to move. She said the county would have to explore if it wants to do something else. Chair Price said she met with residents in Whispering Pines five years ago who were expressing concern with the intensity and type of use in their community. She said they wanted something that would be compatible with residential as opposed to more manufacturing or high intensity uses. She said since the existing zoning was reliant on Durham and nothing had been done in 40 years, she said it seemed like time to relieve some of the anxiety felt by the residents and put a border around the residential areas. She said they talked about the development on the western side of the County and how that was moving more quickly. Commissioner Richards said her concerns were not so much with this particular item. She said her concerns are global, and she wonders about the county's overall plan and how the county intends to move forward with development when possible. She said she understands the concerns of the residents who spoke at the public meetings Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6. Regular Agenda a. Fiscal Year 2021-22 American Rescue Plan Act Allocations Round 2 The Board approved the next allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funding to projects, also known as Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLRF). BACKGROUND: The Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides direct allocations to local governments. Orange County is designated to receive approximately $28.8 million. The first draw down of approximately $14.4 million was approved by the Board of Commissioners on a budget amendment on June 1, 2021. The second draw down will occur before the end of the current fiscal year. ARPA funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and must be fully expended by December 31, 2026. The ARPA funds are intended to broadly address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals, government agencies, organizations, and small businesses. The Treasury Department has issued interim guidance on the use of ARPA funds for local governments. This guidance establishes five broad categories for potential investments: 1. Support public health expenditures, by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff; 2. Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector; 3. Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic;