Minutes 03-12-2024 - Work Session

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5 another corridor study on US 70. He said that the right of way there is not available and will be more complex. He said they approved the Safe Routes to School updates. He said that there is concern with the bridge from Grady Brown Elementary to children's apartments. He said he took pictures and made a presentation to Chuck Edwards of NC DOT. He said that they have a process, but they are continuing to work on that. He said that he wants people to visit that bridge and see how unsafe it is. He said on the transportation side, they are expanding the Mobility on Demand service. Commissioner Hamilton expressed thanks to the OUTBoard for their work and for bringing attention to the issues at Grady Brown Elementary. Chair Bedford asked if Michael Hughes gets emails from the Durham-CH-Carrboro MPO. Michael Hughes said he did not. Chair Bedford said she will get them on that. She said it is good they comment on development proposals for the Board. Vice-Chair Greene said she had the same question about information sharing from the MPOs. She said a lot of the stuff they work on is local, but they need regional planning information too. Michael Hughes said he used to sit on the MPO when he was with the City of Durham, so he was familiar with the organization. Patrick Burns from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board said he is very proud of the ABC operation. He said ever since COVID they have seen record sales, which is a good thing, but also is concerning. He said that it increases the amount of money they can give back to the County and community organizations that work on alcohol education. He said they are a very different operation than other advisory boards because they are a retail organization. He said that it is different because they do not profit, the county and other community organizations profit. He said that they have been able to pay down debt service and reinvest funds into their operations. He said they have had a great partnership with the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Fowler said that from her time on the ABC Board, information was clear, and they are making smart decisions in paying off debt service and investing in substance abuse prevention. Commissioner McKee thanked Patrick Burns for making upgrades on stores. He said it is a two-edged sword, given the amount of alcohol that is being consumed. Patrick Burns said that he is involved with law enforcement agencies, and he has seen both sides. He said he continues to be very involved with the local groups trying to lend support in whatever way he can. Chair Bedford said she thought that revenues would go down after COVID, but they have not. She said that they have put funds into the Criminal Justice Resource Department. She said that a lot of money went into helping youth. She said she attended the Mebane store opening, and there will be a new one opening in Southern Village. She said the stores are well-located in the county. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if there is a formula for deciding how much each group gets. Patrick Burns said it is a complete evaluation of what they are applying for and what they plan to do with that. He said it is not one simple thing. He said they spend a lot of time looking at applications and discussing them before coming to a decision. Commissioner Richards said that prior to becoming the BOCC liaison to the ABC Board she had no idea in what they are involved. She said they have had updates from the organizations, and they have a good idea of how previous grant funds are being used. She said it has been a great eye-opener for her. She said there is a wide variety of organizations and partnerships between the towns and the university. She said that the prevention and deterrence work is also focused on. She said it gives people an opportunity for counseling rather than a record and she is happy to be on the board and learning a lot.