HomeMy WebLinkAboutAHAB Minutes 051321
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Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Board Minutes
Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Virtual Meeting
Members Present: Mae McLendon, Arthur Sprinczeles, Jenn Sykes, Adejuwon
Ojebuoboh, Olivia Fischer.
Members Absent: Holly Meschko (excused), Douglas Boemker (excused), James
Eichel, Cain Twyman, Tammy Jacobs (Vice Chair), Allison Mahaley, Keith Cook (Chair).
Staff Present: Erika Brandt (Interim Housing and Community Development Director),
Maria Dewees (Acting Housing and Community Development Manager).
Public Present: Saru Salvi, Tim Woody.
I. Call to Order/Introductions – Ms. Sykes volunteered to chair the meeting
beginning at 6:08 PM.
II. Approval of the February 9, 2021 Minutes – The advisory board was
unable to approve prior meeting minutes without a quorum present. No
corrections to the minutes were proposed. This item was tabled until the next
AHAB meeting.
III. Introductions- OCHCD staff, advisory board members and guests
introduced themselves.
IV. Board Member Updates –
Ms. Sykes updated the AHAB about the 160D North Carolina General Statute
regarding urban development ordinances. Local governments in North
Carolina have adopted text amendments to update their development
ordinances to comply with the new NCGS Chapter 160D.
Ms. Sykes updated AHAB members on the Orange County Board of
Commissioners Elections Advisory Group (BEAG) to study how county
commissioners are elected in Orange County and to recommend possible
changes for consideration by the Board of Commissioners.
The Board discussed the recent County property tax valuations in the
community and advocacy by The Marian Cheek Jackson Center (MCJC) and
Orange County Home Preservation Coalition (OCPEC) around the issue of
inequitable tax burden on the Northside, Tin Top and Pine Knolls
neighborhoods- all historically African-American communities. OCHCD staff
shared copies of the advocacy letters authored by MCJC and OCPEC about
this issue.
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Ms. Salvi (soon-to-be AHAB member) recommended a podcast about
housing called Bending the Arc.
V. Department of Housing and Community Development (OCHCD) Updates
Erika Brandt updated the Board about Emila Sutton’s departure from OCHCD
and the organization structure while a new permanent director is hired.
Ms. Brandt also presented the Department’s request for funds from the
American Rescue Plan (ARP) to fund the Emergency Housing Assistance
Program. The Department’s current request includes $4 million in funding
each year for the next four (4) years. Decisions about ARP funding will be
made by the Board of County Commissioners in the coming weeks. The
Annual Budgeting process will also take place in June and OCHCD has
requested local funding for EHA as well.
Ms. Brandt also updated the Board on ongoing collaboration with the Towns
on a countywide Manufactured Housing Strategy to respond to the
displacement caused by the sale and redevelopment of manufactured home
parks.
VI. Old and New Business –
a. New Member Appointments – Introduction of new members joining the
AHAB. Gio Mollinedo and Saru Salvi’s terms will begin on May 18, 2021.
Tim Woody’s term will begin on July 1, 2021 when Tammy Jacobs’ term
ends.
b. Election of Chair and Vice Chair – Quorum needed. This item was
tabled until the next AHAB meeting.
c. Adoption of Updated AHAB Policies and Procedures – Quorum
needed. This item was tabled until the next AHAB meeting.
d. Share Standard AHAB Presentation – Ms. Brandt shared a PowerPoint
presentation of the Department’s programs and resources and requested
that each member of the AHAB share this presentation with other
community groups. OCHCD would appreciate the AHAB’s help getting the
word out about County resources.
VII. Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 6:45PM
Submitted by Maria Dewees, Acting Housing and Community Development Manager