Minutes 03-12-2024 - Work Session

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