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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-08-2011 - 2ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 8, 2011 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Discussion on the Process for the Public to Place an Item on a Regular Board Meeting Agenda DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Excerpt from November 16, 2010 Approved BOCC Minutes INFORMATION CONTACT: Clerk's Office, 245-2130 PURPOSE: To consider and discuss the process regarding the public placing an item on a regular Board meeting agenda and how the Board will address this issue. BACKGROUND: The Board requested, at its November 16, 2010 regular meeting, that this topic be brought back for full discussion by the Board of Commissioners (see attached excerpt from November 16, 2010 approved minutes). FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board discuss the process for the public to place an item on a regular Board meeting agenda and provide direction and feedback to staff. 2 Excerpt from APPROVED November 16, 2010 BOCC Minutes b. Resolution Regarding Afghanistan War and Warfare Funding The Board considered adopting a resolution regarding the Afghanistan War and warfare funding. There were two resolutions before the Board for consideration. One was the original resolution from a citizen, Mark Marcoplos, and the second was a resolution written by Commissioner Gordon. Frank Clifton said that this issue was before the Board before and was brought forward by a citizen. The Board offered revisions, and these have been incorporated in this item. Commissioner Gordon said that she had presented a revised resolution for consideration if the Board decided to pass a resolution. She wanted a resolution that acknowledged the service of the brave men and women who are serving our country in Afghanistan and also the human life that has been lost. She said that this resolution is similar to one that the Board of County Commissioners passed several years ago concerning the Iraq war. She said that there should also be an exit strategy for the Afghanistan war. She wants to put an emphasis on the human cost of the war. She noted that her nephew had served three tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine helicopter pilot flying casualty evacuation missions. PUBLIC COMMENT: Tim Suko said that when he got out of college he joined an organization whose purpose was to support people such as the author of this resolution. He said that he served in the armed forces for 26 years and he missed many family events over the years. He appreciated Commissioner Cordon's comments because it is a family- oriented issue. He said that the families suffer the most. He said that the people that serve in the armed forces do serve voluntarily and he does not think that they would take issue with the author's taking a stand on the issue. He disagrees with the statement that there would be no identified public benefits by the service of the men and women in Afghanistan for the last nine years. He said that if this statement were left in the resolution it would be a slap in the face to anyone that has ever worn. a military uniform. He said that the President has stated that a positive conclusion of the war in Afghanistan is within the vital interests of the United States. He said that the President feels that what the United States is doing over there is necessary and is of vital interest to the country. He suggested that the author write a letter to the President rather than a resolution. He recommended that the County Commissioners reject this resolution. Mark Marcoplos thanked the County Commissioners for recognizing the human costs of war. He said that the American public has come to understand that there are no public benefits to war. He said that a recent CNN poll found that this war reminds people of Vietnam and the United States needs to get out. He read an email that he sent to the Board of County Commissioners earlier today. °The number one issue that arises for local governments in a request that communicates something related to foreign policy to the federal or state government is whether or not it is appropriate. So, I hope that when you vote tonight, you stand up in support of the use of Orange County taxpayer money for the Afghan war and express your belief that there isn't an expenditure that is more valuable to us than local educational funding, social services, environmental protection, business propagation; or that you stand tall with the majority of County citizens who oppose the war, who understand the staggering waste of resources and human life, who understand that our 3 County and our society are suffering problems that could be solved if our taxpayer money were spent to provide .health, education, and economic opportunity at home. In 2009, the Illinois state legislature voted to call for end of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Carrboro recently passed a similar resolution. Several of you voted for a resolution opposing the Iraq war a few years ago. Municipalities all across the country have passed similar resolutions. These resolutions cause no harm to governments. Please vote honorably, either for or against the resolution. We live in extraordinary times. We are experiencing a society decline, a society in which democracy has been corrupted to the point that only our elected officials bind us to real democracy. The military industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about has successfully hi jacked our government as enjoying unprecedented levels of war profiteering with our money. If you send a message to Washington, your priority is beneath your constituents, and you understand the futility of spending funds on this tragic war. That would be a powerful message and an inspiration for those who value true leadership." Charlie Cleary from Orange County spoke. He said that he and some ex- veterans reviewed this resolution and they chose not to support it. He said that all of them are ex-veterans. He is a Vietnam veteran and he knows how people felt when they came back. He said that they were told to come back to the United States not dressed in their uniforms because they would be spat upon, and they were. He said that by not supporting your veterans, you are telling them that all of the things that they have done are in vain. He asked the County Commissioners not to support this resolution. Ben Lloyd said that in his 80 years of calling Orange County home, four years was spent in the service, 35 years was spent in some public and political involvement, and four years was spent as a County Commissioner. He said that in this entire period, nothing in his opinion has been as upsetting to him and as ridiculous as this resolution being considered. He said that nobody likes war, but cutting off funds for the troops is not the answer. He said that agreeing to do so sends a message to the Taliban, AI Qaida, and terrorists to come in and take over. He said that he read an article in the Durham Herald in October where Iran and Venezuela has formed a close partnership to establish a new world order that will eliminate western dominance. He said that the intent of these groups is to kill us. The President recently sent 30,000 more troops to end this situation over there. He suggested that the County Commissioners let Congress and the military leaders handle it. He said that Colin Powell was on Larry King Live last night and Colin Powell's statement was, "we must stay engaged and not walk away." This resolution is walking away. He said that he is embarrassed that a resolution such as this is even considered. Bobby Nichols said that he represented the WW II veterans. He spent a couple of years in the Navy. He did not do any fighting, but every person that he knows that has served in the military was willing to die for their country. He said that this resolution was the wrong thing to do. He said that terrorists are our big worry in this world now. He said that we need to pay our servicemen, and he is opposed to putting this money into education or anything else. He said that his son went to get a job and they told that him that he was overqualified. Bill Ray is from the northern part of the County. He said that for Orange County to ask the President to send 30,000 troops to Afghanistan and then deny him the money is ridiculous. He did not know that Orange County was getting involved in national politics. He said that the federal government should handle this. He said that he has been in the service three different times and if the service men and women are not supported, the country will go down the drain. 4 Commissioner Hemminger said that she appreciated all of the dialogue on this. She said that she is not inclined to support this. A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Yuhasz to not support this resolution. Commissioner Gordon asked if this meant both of the resolutions and Commissioner Hemminger said yes. Commissioner Pelissier said that she appreciated this resolution that was brought to them because it raises questions that the County Commissioners need to think about, such as what kind of resolutions that this Board of County Commissioners will consider. She said that she has thought about the resolutions that the County Commissioners have passed while she has been on the Board. She said that she got confused about this resolution and whether it was asking for increased monies locally or amoral statement on the funding of the war. She said that Carrboro's resolution was more about finances. She does not think that the County Commissioners should make resolutions about moral statements, but rather to advocate for the health and welfare of Orange County residents. She does not see that this resolution is supporting that. Commissioner Jacobs said that he does not disagree with anything that has been said by his colleagues. He said that there have been two times since he has been on the Board where the County Commissioners passed resolutions that had to deal with national issues. One was a proposal to use the Sheriff to enforce a national immigration policy and the other was to impose invading Iraq. He thinks that there are times when the Board can appropriately make comments about issues that go beyond the borders of Orange County, but he also thinks they have to be well-crafted, carefully thought out, and well-balanced. He does not think that this particular resolution reprises to that level. Commissioner Nelson arrived at 7:47 PM. Chair Foushee said that in listening to Commissioner Pelissier's comments as they relate to the health and welfare of the residents of Orange County, that she would add "safety" to that list. She said that this is a serious concern, but putting forward this resolution would not ensure the safety of citizens. She is not opposed to anyone speaking out about concerns. Commissioner Nelson said that he does not have a problem supporting controversial resolutions or resolutions coming from citizens. He said that this war has been screwed up and the President is trying to resolve a mess that he did not create. He does not feel comfortable supporting any resolution telling their leaders what to do. VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nay, 1 (Commissioner Gordon) Commissioner Yuhasz said that that this does bring up the issue as to how this Board responds to petitions that are brought forth from citizens. He would like to include this at the Board retreat. A motion was made by Commissioner Yuhasz, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to discuss this issue of how to handle petitions, resolution, etc. from citizens at the Board of County Commissioners' next retreat. VOTE: UNANIMOUS