Agenda 05-07-24; 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

10 1 oversight and so many bosses are not good and adds an extra layer of bureaucracy. She said 2 she also thinks it is redundant. She said it is a good point to centralize it. She said they spent 3 $70,000 on LAUNCH, they subsidize the PFAB, they spent $20,000 for the Innovation Hub in 4 Chapel Hill, and $72,000 for Durham Tech to provide a small business administrator. She said 5 she sees a lack of communication. She said that she has heard reports that they have services 6 and grants, but she would direct manager to increase communication. She said she did not know 7 that the CHOCVB has a list of minority businesses and sources. She said they know from the 8 valid survey for the Strategic Plan that communication needs to be a focus here and they want 9 them to assist and focus on minority businesses. She said they can ask the Durham Technical 10 Community College to focus on minority businesses. She said that a position like this should focus 11 on the whole county, notjust Chapel Hill and Carrboro. She said it is important to do this internally. 12 She said the collaboration piece is better done and better managed, unlike the climate and food 13 council, in-house. 14 Commissioner McKee said when he joined the Board, economic development was in a 15 feeble state. He said that he has watched that evolve and strengthen. He said there was also no 16 contact with Raleigh early on, but it has been an extraordinary job to bring them back from the 17 brink. He said he sees this as a complement to economic development efforts. He said if they are 18 not open to all avenues then they are missing opportunities. He said that the county must keep 19 moving forward. He said that it is a service contract. He said the questions that other members 20 have brought up are important and should be addressed. He said that many entities contact him 21 to request and lobby for support. He said there will be many departments to lean on, including 22 the Chamber. 23 Vice-Chair Greene said there is one entity that cannot lobby the county, which is the 24 Partnership to End Homelessness. She said it sounds like there are four commissioners 25 interested in bringing it back to a business meeting, where they can receive public comment. 26 Commissioner Fowler asked how the position will be funded in years 4 and 5. She also 27 asked if this could be expanded to include individuals with disabilities. 28 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she thought it was a great idea and she was in support 29 of it. 30 Commissioner Richards said she supports bringing this back and having more information 31 available. 32 Chair Bedford said they would want to see a contract and real numbers of what is 33 proposed. 34 Commissioner Hamilton said she still thinks it will be hard for someone to be successful 35 in this position. She said it would be important to be clear how that individual will be evaluated. 36 There was consensus on the Board to move forward and get more information on the 37 proposal and bring it back to a future business meeting. 38 39 3. Affordable Housing Advisory Board —Appointments Discussion 40 The Board discussed appointments to the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. 41 42 BACKGROUND: The Affordable Housing Advisory Board prioritizes affordable housing needs 43 and assesses project proposals. The Board also publicizes the County's housing objectives, 44 monitors the progress of local housing programs, explores new funding opportunities, and works 45 to increase the community's awareness of, understanding of, commitment to, and involvement in 46 producing attractive affordable housing.As a general practice, this Board has decided not to make 47 recommendations for vacancies. 48 49 The Board of County Commissioners appoints all fifteen (15)At-Large members. 50 51