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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-08-2013 - 1ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 8, 2013 Action Agenda Item No. 1 SUBJECT: Discussion on Potential Establishment of a Women's Commission DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Attachment A — Resolution to Establish the Women's Commission as an Advisory Board/ Commission to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners Attachment B — Excerpt from Approved January 25, 2011 Minutes Attachment C — February 1, 2011 Manager's Memo Excerpt with Attached Memo from Tara Fikes Attachment D — October 28, 2010 Memo from Tara Fikes INFORMATION CONTACT: Clerk's Office, 245 -2130 Cheryl Young, 245 -2307 Commissioner Renee Price 1 PURPOSE: To discuss the potential establishment of a Women's Commission as an Orange County advisory board. BACKGROUND: At the June 18, 2013 BOCC Meeting, Commissioner Renee Price petitioned the Board regarding the establishment of a Women's Commission as an Orange County advisory board to be staffed by and receive technical support from the Orange County Department of Economic Development. Commissioner Price provided a draft resolution (Attachment 1), and stated that there is a disparity that persists between women and men in hiring for jobs that pay higher wages and salaries, with preference given to men over women, and women historically have received and continue to receive less pay and lower incomes than their male counterparts while fulfilling the same duties and responsibilities. Commissioner Price noted that there currently was not an Orange County advisory board that addressed issues unique to women and to provide policy and program recommendations to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners since the former Commission for Women, established in 1978, was eliminated as an advisory board in 2010. 1 Commissioner Price suggested that the overarching charge of a Women's Commission should be to examine and expose the inequalities and inequities experienced by women in the business sector, the workplace, entrepreneurship, education and professional advancement and leadership in Orange County, and to advocate for women so as to give redress to such imbalances and discrimination via policy and program recommendations to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. The functions of the original Commission for Women (CfW) were made a responsibility of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) in 2011, and CfW as a separate entity was disbanded in April 2011. Eight women currently serve on the HRC (16 out of 18 filled positions). FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with discussing the potential establishment of a Women's Commission as an Orange County advisory board. If a Commission is established, potential budgetary and personnel impacts will need to be considered. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Interim Manager recommends that the Board discuss the potential establishment of a Women's Commission as an Orange County advisory board and provide direction to staff. If the Board proposes to establish a Women's Commission as a separate advisory group as proposed within the resolution, the Interim Manager recommends that, in lieu of placing this function within the County's Economic Development Department, it should be housed within Housing, Human Rights and Community Development. The Interim Manager further recommends that, prior to formal Board action, the Board direct staff to evaluate any potential budgetary and /or personnel impacts and provide that information to the Board. 3 Attachment A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION AS AN ADVISORY BOARD /COMMISSION TO THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Whereas on January 29, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, the first bill that he signed into law to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and Whereas, a disparity persists between women and men in hiring for jobs that pay higher wages and salaries, with preference given to men over women; and Whereas women historically have received and continue to receive less pay and lower incomes than their male counterparts while fulfilling the same duties and responsibilities; and Whereas women historically have been neglected in cases of promotion, with promotions being awarded to or favoring men even though women have performed as well as or better than their male counterparts; and Whereas no advisory board that addresses issues unique to women currently exists to provide policy and program recommendations to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, since the former Commission for Women, established in 1978, was eliminated as an advisory board in 2010; Therefore be it resolved that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners hereby establishes The Women's Commission as an advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners, to be staffed by and receive technical support from the Orange County Department of Economic Development; and Be it further resolved that the overarching charge of The Women's Commission shall be to examine and expose the inequalities and inequities experienced by women in the business sector, the workplace, entrepreneurship, education and professional advancement and leadership in Orange County, and to advocate for women so as to give redress to such imbalances and discrimination via policy and program recommendations to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners; and Moreover be it resolved that The Women's Commission, whenever possible, shall work in concert with other advisory boards, county departments and community organizations in fulfilling its purpose to help assure equity and achievement for women locally, regionally and nationally. Excerpt from Approved ATTACHMENT B 4 January 25, 2011 Minutes Commissioner Yuhasz said that he has a problem with this because this entity is funded primarily with Orange County funds but is not under the County's control. Chair Pelissier said that there is enough concern that the Board should probably have a discussion specifically about this board. Frank Clifton said that the Visitor's Bureau is under the County's control and that is the problem with some of the city partners. Chair Foushee said that there needs to be a decision about whether this is going to be an Orange County department or a separate entity. Commission for the Environment: Chair Pelissier said that this board and others under the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) put their objectives in the context of the comprehensive plan. She said that she wanted to thank them for the layout of their goals. Economic Development Commission: The Board agreed to send a letter of acknowledgement for the work of the citizens on this board. Historic Preservation Commission: No comments. Human Relations Commission (HRC): Chair Pelissier said that she was concerned that there were no emerging issues in this summary report. Commissioner Jacobs said that the HRC is still trying to get feedback. Chair Pelissier suggested encouraging the HRC to forward their goals when they are ready. Commissioner Gordon asked what happened with the Commission for Women and the issues with the HRC. Chair Pelissier said that there is a report forthcoming, but the Board agreed to the concept of merging the two boards. Donna Baker said that the status report would be coming through the Manager's Memo. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee: No comments. Orange County Board of Adjustment: No comments. Orange County Parks and Recreation Council: Commissioner Jacobs said that there is no mention of working with non - profits. Frank Clifton said that this is a new process for them and it has been advocated more at the staff level. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to communicate to this board about this and Frank Clifton said that he would. Commissioner Hemminger said that staff and this board had some disagreement as to what was to go in this report. ATTACHMENT C ORANGE COUNTY HILLSBOROUGH NORTH CAROLINA MEMORANDUM TO: Orange County Board of Commissioners FROM: Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County DATE: February 1, 2011 RE: Periodic Updates on Significant Topics 5 �sf¢Gfs�e�17S2 I am providing several updates for you as summarized below and in the enclosed attachments. Please contact me directly with any questions. This will enhance my understanding of the particular issue as well as help ensure that your concerns, if any, are addressed. 1. Orange County Housing Authority Annual Update Attachment 1 is a memorandum from James Anderson, Chair of the Orange County Housing Authority Board (OCHA), with an annual update on the OCHA's activities during the past year. Please contact me if you have questions or would like more information. 2. Update on Efforts to Combine the Commission for Women and the Human Relations Commission In follow -up to ,a request from the Board's January 20, 2011 regular, meeting, Housing, Human Rights and Community Development Director Tara Fikes has provided at Attachment 2 an update on efforts to merge! the Commission for Women and the Human Relations Commission. Please let me know any comments or questions. 3. Update on Sheltering of Cats Concern' Provided at Attachment 3 is a memorandum from Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey and Animal Services Director Bob Marotto regarding the sheltering of cats. Ms. Robin Cutson has expressed some concerns with the sheltering cats at the Animal Shelter, and the memo updates the Board on County staff's discussions with Ms. Cutson and related activities. Please contact me if you have any comments or questions. 4. News & Information on Significant Outside Agency Relationships The following provides updates on two agencies recently /currently funded by the County and on an opportunity critical to child care service delivery in the midst of State budget concerns. Adolescents in Need (AIN) The final performance agreement for AIN has been executed and services fulfilled for FY 2010 -11. During the fall Department of Social Services staff met with AIN principals to ensure timely and appropriate transition of involved youth. The AIN project began in 1981 with venture capital AREA CODE (919) 245 -2300 • 688 -7331 • FAX (919) 644 -3004 Ext. 2300 F� ce: Orange County Housing, Human Rights and Community Development Date: January 27, 2011 To: Board of County Commissioners From: Tara L. Fikes, Director Subject: Commission for Women /Human Relations Commission Update cc: Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager Willie Best, Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager Bryant Colson, Human Relations Commission Chair James Spivey, Civil Rights Specialist The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update on efforts to merge the Commission for Women (CFW) with the Human Relations Commission (HRC). In late October 2010, 1 talked with former CFW Chair Shannon Jackson and HRC Chair Bryant Colson about how the two groups could work together to address their respective issues. At that time, Shannon Jackson noted that she had not been able to contact her former board members for a variety of reasons including changes in family and work responsibilities, out -of- county relocations, the inability to add new members and re- appoint others during the BOCC review of all advisory boards and commissions and the manner in which the CFW was disbanded. As a result, she was the only interested member remaining. During our conversation she expressed an interest in continuing to champion women's issues and thinks the advisory role that the CFW had with the BOCC remains relevant. It should be noted that the HRC voted unanimously to incorporate the CFW function into their Commission. Thereafter, the HRC agreed to recommend the appointment of Shannon Jackson to the Board of County Commissioners and her appointment was approved at your January 20, 2011. Further, Ms. Jackson has agreed to assist in recruitment efforts to engage others interested in women's issues. To accomplish this, we are pursuing advertising HRC vacancies in some non- traditional media outlets such as publications geared toward women's issues to recruit interested Orange County citizens. It is envisioned that a subcommittee on women's issues will be formed within the HRC as soon as recruitment has been completed. In summary, James Spivey of my staff and I will continue to work with the HRC to "make this happen" and I will keep you informed of our progress. If you have questions or need additional information, please let me know. Thanks for your continued support. 7 Attachment D Orange County Housing, Human Rights and Community Development Date: October 28, 2010 To: Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager From: Tara L. Fikes, Director Subject: Commission for Women /Human Relations Commission cc: Willie Best, Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners Brian Colson, Human Relations Commission Chair Shannon Jackson, Commission for Women Chair James Spivey, Civil Rights Specialist On October 20th I participated in a telephone conference call with Human Relations Commission Chair Brian Colson, Commission for Women Chair Shannon Jackson, and Civil Rights Specialist James Spivey to discuss your August 27th letter regarding the possible "merger" of the Commission for Women (CFW) and the Human Relations Commission (HRC). Everyone understood from your letter that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) had asked that the two groups talk about how they could collaborate in addressing their issues collaboratively. Shannon Jackson noted that she had not been able to contact her former board members for a variety of reasons including changes in family and work responsibilities, out -of- county relocations, the inability to add new members and re- appoint others during the BOCC review of all advisory boards and commissions and the manner in which the CFW was disbanded. As a result, she is the only interested member remaining. During our conversation she expressed an interest in continuing to champion women's issues and thinks the advisory role that the CFW had with the BOCC remains relevant. Therefore, Shannon is interested in joining with the HRC and assisting in recruitment efforts to engage others interested in women's issues. To that end, we talked about the possibility of advertising in some non - traditional media outlets such as publications geared toward women's issues to recruit interested Orange County citizens. Thus, by copy of this memorandum, I am asking the Clerk to the Board Donna Baker to let me know of any prohibitions when advertising for Commission members. Also, during the call, Brian Colson informed everyone that the Commission discussed your letter during their October 11th meeting and the HRC membership voiced support of the CFW merging with the HRC. Therefore, both Ms. Jackson and the HRC are ready to move ahead with the merger and the necessary recruitment of new commission members who are particularly interested in women's issues. There are currently 10 vacancies on the HRC which can currently have a total of 24 members so there is sufficient space to add members. James Spivey of my staff and I will continue to work with the HRC to "make this happen" and will keep you informed of our progress. If you have questions or need additional information, please let me know. Thanks.