Agenda 10-21-2025; 8-a - Minutes for September 16, 2025 Business Meeting and September 25, 2025 Joint Meeting with Schools

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34 1 County, 21% of households earn less than $35,000 a year, and 5.9% earn less than $10,000. 2 She said we have the resources; we need the will. She said that they want to work with county 3 agencies, non-profits, and civic leaders to ensure every resident can live with dignity. 4 Darren Campbell said he has been unhoused and he has experienced sleeping in the 5 cold. He said the care center would provide a place for people to get warm, take a shower, do 6 laundry, and get prepared for job interviews so they can feel like a human again. He said he 7 understands concerns about costs, and that he would gladly give his dollars to ensure that 8 others have the dignity to see themselves as human beings and not as a second-class leftover. 9 He encouraged the Board to move forward with the proposal. 10 11 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she was excited to see this proposal in their packet. 12 She asked if there will be showers. 13 Caitlin Fenhagen said they plan to have showers, whether it is inside or part of a mobile 14 shower system. She apologized for the quick turnaround on the proposal. 15 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked that they consider expanding beyond cold-weather 16 cots in the future. 17 Commissioner Fowler supported adding showers to the center. 18 Commissioner Carter said she is very supportive of the proposal and would like to hear 19 more about partnering with the Town of Chapel Hill. 20 Caitlin Fenhagen said that there have been some conversations with Chapel Hill staff, 21 but there is a new town manager and there will need to be further conversations. 22 Commissioner McKee said he would like to see indoor showers at the center. 23 Alan Dorman, AMS Director, said it was a question of whether the county could afford it. 24 Chair Bedford said there is a lot of opportunity. She said if staff is moved to the facility, 25 she wanted to see if some other office-related CIP projects could be changed. She said did not 26 understand the programming proposal and wanted more information. She wanted more 27 specifics on staffing and where existing positions would be moved from. She said this should 28 go to the behavioral health task force for input. She said she has hesitations over the cost when 29 they won't own the facility. She said there is a question of who is paying for the costs of the 30 facility, who will partner with the county, and how authority and decision making will be shared. 31 Blake Rosser, Housing Director, said services in Hillsborough would not be affected. He 32 said they would still have the street outreach team and the housing helpline would continue one 33 day a week in Hillsborough. He said he did not anticipate an increase in staffing. He said staff 34 based at Southern Human Services would be based at the center. He said they may require a 35 position, but they may be able to use existing staff. 36 Chair Bedford said they would also need to think about security. 37 Caitlin Fenhagen said they have an opportunity with UNC to leverage partnerships. 38 Blake Rosser said the model is to bring it partners who provide assistance with 39 programs and staffing. He said that Oak City Cares in Wake County invited the Board to see 40 their facility. 41 42 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 43 44 c. Review of Options for the Design of Crisis Diversion Facility 45 This item was removed from the agenda and will be considered at a later date. 46 47 7. Reports 48 a. Presentation of the Countywide Strategic Plan FY2024-25 Progress Report 49 This item was removed from the agenda and will be presented later as an information item. 50 51