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4 <br /> multimodal corridor study. He said the board debated hard about that because it is going to be <br /> expensive, invasive, and problematic if it ever happens. He said they have a new website that <br /> has links to maps with county and DOT projects. He said in 2025 they will continue pursuing the <br /> regional multi-model hub in Hillsborough. <br /> Commissioner Fowler thanked Michael Hughes and the OUTBoard for their work. <br /> Chair Bedford said they will receive an update on the train station and hub during a joint <br /> meeting with the Town of Hillsborough. She said that it has not been done in six years. She said <br /> that it is ongoing legislative lobbying work to change the rules with state funds on how they can <br /> be used for bike and pedestrian projects. She said that currently, a project must also have a road <br /> tied to it for any bike-ped funds. She said it was the youth member that got them excited about <br /> the safe routes to school initiatives. <br /> Allan Polak of the Animal Services Advisory Board said that a resident communicated her <br /> concerns about a dog attack by speaking at two of their meetings. He said that a key initiative of <br /> the board in 2024 is enhancing the efficiency and fairness of the dangerous dog appeal process. <br /> He said they standardized the format. He said they supported the closure of the Buckhorn Flea <br /> Market because they sold animals that created significant health and safety issues. He said they <br /> have formed a taskforce to introduce youth delegates. He said they reviewed applications for the <br /> Pat Sanford Award. He said they will continue to focus on managing pet overpopulation. <br /> Chair Bedford said that she appreciated the concept of "one health" and the impact of <br /> animal health on human health. She said she appreciates the work of the board. <br /> Commissioner Carter said that she appreciated the reference to getting the public more <br /> involved and she is interested to hear how the work progresses. <br /> Jemm Merritt and Rhian Carreker-Ford of the Human Relations Commission presented <br /> on behalf of their commission. Jemm Merritt said their most important accomplishments were the <br /> Mildred Council dinner and the Pauli Murray Awards. She said they are working to develop a <br /> community survey to address local issues and they are working with the preservation committee <br /> to support the purchase of headstones to honor the enslaved people that were in Orange County. <br /> Rhian Carreker-Ford said that in 2025 they want to facilitate community conversations over <br /> political divisions and disagreements in the county. He said they hear from the community that <br /> affordable housing is a concern, and they want to partner with organizations to address this issue. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he appreciated their focus on helping Orange County residents <br /> over political divisions and disagreements. He said he also appreciates that they are keeping up <br /> with state and federal politics to monitor anything that might affect the county. He said that <br /> affordable housing structural or regulatory changes are needed, and that conversation would be <br /> important to continue. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how they will keep up with what is going on in the <br /> community and how they plan to educate the community on affordable housing concerns. <br /> Rhian Carreker-Ford said they would like to host a seminar with sectors that are involved <br /> in the housing market. He said that he would like to have candid conversations on finances and <br /> the home-lending process. He gave an example of a non-profit that helps fund minority <br /> mortgages. He said that it is bringing different stakeholders to the conversation and discussing <br /> community issues from a variety of sources. He said that filling all their board members positions <br /> would help. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how many vacancies are currently on the board. <br /> Rhian Carreker-Ford said there are three vacancies. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked where they were from. <br /> Rhian Carreker-Ford said he is from Chapel Hill and Jemm Merritt said she lives in <br /> Hillsborough. <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton said she was curious about what other issues have come up in the <br /> community besides affordable housing. She said the charge of the HRC is broad and they can <br />