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16 <br /> Commissioner Richards asked how the new communication system and vehicle <br /> purchases connect to the implementation of the plan. <br /> Darlene Weaver said those items are related to this fiscal year and the work program is <br /> for next fiscal year. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said that when she sees the fund balance, it shows a squiggly <br /> like, but it looks like a negative, or deficit, she said that when presenting to the public, it would be <br /> helpful not to follow that convention or to have a footnote that explains the difference. <br /> Nishith Trivedi said that is an update they can make to the plan but that they were following <br /> accounting procedures with negatives showing for money coming in and positives for money <br /> going out. <br /> Vice-Chair Greene said that she would like to keep the fund balance as a savings account <br /> rather than spend it down. She said the plan discusses what they would like to do if they had the <br /> funds available and one project is BRT between Durham and Chapel Hill. <br /> Nishith Trivedi said until a big project is identified there are no restrictions on how to use <br /> them. He said that there are other projects that are about to be approved and are not in the transit <br /> plan. <br /> Vice-Chair Greene said she thought the Transit Plan was guiding future investment and <br /> the idea was that there would be federal funding later to take advantage of, but they require <br /> substantial matching funds. <br /> Nishith Trivedi said more information will be coming to the Board about what can be <br /> incorporated using those funds. He said that there are improvements and needs that are current <br /> in Orange County and they will be updated with the short-range transit plan. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked about the application for Mobility on Demand and if <br /> some riders do not pay anything. <br /> Nishith Trivedi said yes, and work with other county departments to identify those <br /> residents with most need. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> open the public hearing. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> PUBLIC COMMENTS: <br /> Rachel Hawkins read the following statement to the Board: <br /> "I am Rachel Phelps Hawkins, native of Orange County. I am here tonight as the President of the <br /> Board of Directors of the Friends of the Passmore Center in Orange County. <br /> I am asking that you pay close attention to how the transit tax is distributed in Orange County. <br /> More money for the large aging community in rural Northern Orange and rural Southern Orange <br /> County, to be more specific. <br /> One fact is that there is a pandemic of social isolation in older adults — thus the senior centers <br /> offer the opportunity to bond with others daily, by offering meals, card games, activities, plays, <br /> health seminars, attention to healthy living etc. <br /> Because many do not drive or have family to assist to allow them to participate in these activities, <br /> they need transportation —which we have been told, is on the verge of non-existent to the senior <br /> centers (outside the Chapel Hill area), due to a fund deficit. <br /> We know there are other services for individuals to contract with individually, but transportation to <br /> a much-needed lunch at the Senior Centers and all the activities there is a must, if the aging <br /> community is to enjoy the wonderful senior centers that the County provides. <br /> Maybe supplement the Van Driver Program outside the Chapel Hill Transit Area. Our seniors are <br /> the largest growing population group! You and I are or soon will be a part of that. We want to <br />