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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12-07-2020 Virtual Business Meeting l APPROVED 2/2/2021 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VIRTUAL BUSINESS MEETING DECEMBER 07, 2020 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Virtual Business Meeting on Monday, December 07, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford, Mark Dorosin, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton and Renee Price COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis Myren, Interim Clerk to the Board Greg Wilder, and Assistant Deputy Clerk II Allen Coleman (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Due to current public health concerns, the Board of Commissioners conducted a Virtual Business Meeting on December 07, 2020. Members of the Board of Commissioners participated in the meeting remotely. As in prior meetings, members of the public were able to view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable). In this new virtual process, there are two methods for public comment. • Written submittals by email • Speaking during the virtual meeting Detailed public comment instructions for each method are provided at the bottom of this agenda. (Pre-registration is required.) Commissioner Price called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Price acknowledged and welcomed Commissioners Hamilton and Fowler to the Board, who took the oath of office earlier today. Commissioners Hamilton and Fowler expressed gratitude for the opportunity to join the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and thanked the public for voting them into office. Commissioner McKee acknowledged the re-election of Commissioner Price to her third term. Commissioner Price acknowledged the re-election of Commissioner Dorosin to his third term. Commissioner Price asked the Commissioners to accept a roll call. Roll call ensued. Vice-Chair Price asked if the BOCC would accept a resolution of commendation for former Commissioner Mark Marcoplos. Commissioner Dorosin read the resolution. 2 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION OF COMMENDATION FOR COMMISSIONER MARK MARCOPLOS WHEREAS, the residents of Orange County elected Mark Marcoplos to the Board of County Commissioners in 2016; and WHEREAS, Commissioner Marcoplos has been a dedicated and effective public servant who has gained the respect of all who have known him in both the public and private sectors; and WHEREAS, Commissioner Marcoplos has served the residents of Orange County regardless of geographic location faithfully and with honor, integrity and distinction for the past four years; and WHEREAS, Commissioner Marcoplos has taken special interest and invested substantial effort in environmental protection, climate change, solid waste, public transit, and homelessness; and WHEREAS, during his tenure as an Orange County Commissioner, Mark Marcoplos has served on many boards and commissions, including the Family Success Alliance, GoTriangle Board of Trustees, Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, Durham Tech Community College Board of Trustees, Chatham Orange Work Group, Durham-Orange-Chapel Hill Work Group, Jordan Lake One Water, Orange County Climate Council, Legislative Issues Work Group, Solid Waste Advisory Group and Partnership to End Homelessness; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners officially commends Mark Marcoplos for his hard work, dedication and exemplary service to the people of Orange County, and wishes him and his family the very best in their future endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be presented to Mark Marcoplos and that the Resolution be spread upon the minutes of this meeting. This the 7th day of December 2020. A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Greene to approve the resolution. Roll call ensued. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner Price asked if the BOCC would accept a resolution of commendation for former Commissioner Penny Rich. Commissioner Greene read the resolution: 3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION OF COMMENDATION FOR COMMISSIONER PENNY RICH WHEREAS, the residents of Orange County elected Penny Rich to the Board of County Commissioners in 2012; and re-elected her in 2016; and WHEREAS, Commissioner Rich was elected Chair of the Board of Commissioners in 2018 and again in 2019; and Vice Chair in 2016 and 2017; and WHEREAS, Commissioner Rich has served the residents of Orange County regardless of geographic location faithfully and with honor, integrity and distinction for the past eight years; and WHEREAS, Commissioner Rich has always been mindful of the interests and concerns of Orange County residents and has brought new and innovative ideas to the Board of Commissioners while continually encouraging the Board and staff to think "outside of the box"; and WHEREAS, during her tenure as an Orange County Commissioner, Penny has shared her talent for leadership and public service through her work on numerous boards and commissions, including the Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, Triangle Council of Government, NACo — Nation Association of County Commissioners Telecommunications and Technology Committee, Orange County Food Council, TARPO (Triangle Rural Area Planning Organization), Chatham Orange Work Group, Durham Orange Chapel Hill Work Group, School Collaboration Work Group, NCDOT Quarterly Work Group, Legislative Issues Work Group, Fire Chief's Association of Orange County and Solid Waste Advisory Work Group; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners officially commends Penny Rich for her hard work, dedication and exemplary service to the people of Orange County, and wishes her and her family the very best in their future endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be presented to Penny Rich and that the Resolution be spread upon the minutes of this meeting. This the 7th day of December 2020. A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner Bedford to approve the resolution. 4 Commissioners Greene and Dorosin acknowledged the exceptional and tireless leadership displayed by former Commissioner Rich during the Covid crisis. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS Board Organization a. Election of Chair and Vice Chair John Roberts said this process is typically done by paper ballot, which is not possible this year. He reviewed the nomination and roll call vote process that would be used for this year's voting. A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to elect Commissioner Price as Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, to close the nominations. Roll call ensued for motion #2 VOTE: UNANIMOUS Roll call ensued for motion #1 VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler to elect Commissioner Bedford as the Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to close the nominations. Roll call ensued for motion #2 VOTE: UNANIMOUS Roll call ensued for motion #1: VOTE: UNANIMOUS Chair Price acknowledged the public charge. Jackie Shelton-Green, Poet Laureate of North Carolina, read a piece of her writing to mark the formation of this new Board. 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda Bonnie Hammersley requested the Board consider removing agenda item 8-n, Voluntary Agricultural District Designation: Multiple Farms. She said the item needed additional clarification, and would come back before the Board at an upcoming meeting. Commissioner McKee asked if this could come back at the December 1511 meeting. Bonnie Hammersley said staff would try its best to do so. 5 Commissioner McKee noted that today is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which led the United States to enter the Second World War. He encouraged all to honor Veterans of this war, and all wars. Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager, recognized Chair Price for an award she received over the summer. She introduced Kevin Leonard, Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) to speak about it further. Kevin Leonard said Chair Price was the recipient of the Outstanding County Commissioner of the Year Award. He read some comments of commendation. Chair Price noted some items at the Commissioners' places for items 4-a and 4-b. Arts Moment— No Arts Moment was available for this meeting. 2. Public Comments a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Rob Golan said he is a 23-year resident of Efland, and has lived in Orange County for over 40 years. He said he is very concerned about the possible Buc-ee's development in Efland, and despite paying close attention the news, he has heard nothing about this proposal. He said the lack of information is upsetting. He said he would like to know why this proposal has not been more publically discussed. He asked if the lack of information was purposeful on the part of Buc-ee's. He said if Buc-ee's is such a great idea, it should be announced from the rooftops. Catherine Matthews said she is concerned about the environment and climate change, and is glad that Orange County is not like the rest of North Carolina in its standards and practices regarding the environment. She said she is opposed to Buc-ee's coming to Efland. Tim Spruill said he has lived in Efland for 21 years, and in Chapel Hill for 7 years before that. He said the small town character in Efland originally attracted him and his wife to the area. He said he is opposed to the proposed Buc-ee's development. He said growth and development are good things, but must be done in a suitable manner, protecting the rural character. He said the BOCC should oppose the rezoning request for projects such as Buc- ee's. He said voice4ef land.com is a good source of information for the BOCC to review. He said there are many other more appropriate economic development projects that County staff can review. Lib Hutchby thanked the BOCC for the opportunity to speak, and said she is opposed to the monstrous Buc-ee's proposal. She said the residents of Efland do not want it, and it would ravage rural farmland. She said the BOCC and County staff must do proper research prior to voting to approve anything. She said she is concerned about the environmental impact of a fossil fuel company. She said she will submit further written comments to the Board. Anthony Weston said he is a resident of Durham, and teaches at Elon University. He said he was one of the co-founders of Common Ground EcoVillage (formerly Hearts Mill) in Efland. He said he has been very impressed by the BOCC's historical commitment to the land and the environment. He said he is opposed to the proposed Buc-ee's development. He said he would like to consider other ways the land could be developed such as an electric charging station, a solar farm, a concert venue, etc. He said this is an opportunity to cherish the land into the future. Diana Montgomery said she moved to Orange County 41 years ago, and has been in Efland since 1997. She said Orange County has always been forward thinking and environmentally focused. She said the BOCC has made commitments towards the environment and clean energy. She said she is opposed to the proposed Buc-ee's development, as it is 6 completely out of line with the County's stated goals and commitments. She said the residents of Efland are very unhappy, and she urged the Board to vote no to any zoning changes. Lamar Proctor said he has been a resident of Efland since 2005, and has two children in Orange County Schools (OCS). He said he is opposed to the Buc-ee's development, and encouraged the Board to vote no on zoning changes. He said Orange County is progressive, and this proposal is not. He said he is also interested in bringing the Board's attention to the possible annexation of properties in his neighborhood by the Town of Mebane. He said the Town of Mebane is trying to turn western Orange County into an industrial dumping ground, which is conflict with the local plan. He said the BOCC and the Town of Mebane need to have better communication, and he expects his elected officials to stick up for his neighborhood. Rhonda Parker said she would like to add her voice along with 3,800 others in opposition to the Bu-cee's development. She said she has worked at Camp Chestnut Ridge for over 20 years, and has dedicated her life to the Efland Community. She said Buc-ee's is not good for the long term future of this area, and there are already 2 gas stations in Efland that adequately meet the needs of the area. She said Buc-ee's would not serve the local community in any way, but rather would benefit the corporate world and the owners in Texas. She said the proposed project would have significant negative impacts on the environment. She said a massive fossil fuel development will be a step backwards. Ryan Bliss said he is 19 years old, and the youngest person that has spoken this evening. He said he has lived in Efland his entire life, and is proud to call it home. He said his family is committed to the area, but is considering leaving if Buc-ee's is built. He said he is opposed to Buc-ee's, and asked the BOCC to vote no on rezoning. He said there is so little information about this proposal. He said he is very curious as to why the BOCC is even considering this Texas based project. Nelson Campbell said he lives near the proposed Buc-ee's site, and is opposed to its development. He echoed the comments of all previous speakers. He said the Developer has made false claims about traffic patterns in this area, and he has never had any problems. He said the pursuit of profit cannot lead the decision making process. He said he understands the need for tax revenue, but there are other more appropriate ways to meet this need. Hope Norton said she is very thankful to be a resident of Cheeks Township. She said she is also a founder of the Common Ground EcoVillage, and is so proud of Orange County's commitment to the environment. She said she is opposed to the proposed Buc-ee's development, and was shocked to hear it was even being considered. She said the proposal will bring large amounts of light and noise pollution, in addition the fossil fuels and water contamination. She said the proposal brings no value when compared to the cost. Chair Price said the BOCC will receive a presentation on the Buc-ee's development at the December 15 BOCC meeting. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members Commissioner McKee said he had no comments. Commissioner Greene said she attended the Justice and Public Policy Committee meeting with the NCACC. She said it was interesting, and she was happy to advocate for the County's goals in that setting, including funding for mental health and criminal justice reform. She said she recommended more funding for law enforcement training in the social sciences, but it did not gain any traction at this time. Commissioner Hamilton said she had no comments. Commissioner Fowler said she looks forward to working with the BOCC, and said she just transitioned off of the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools' (CHCCS) Board, where a new Superintendent was just hired. Commissioner Bedford welcomed the new Commissioners. She said she attended the Cardinal Innovations Board meeting last Friday, and is very pleased to announce the Cardinal Innovations Board removed the contingencies in funding related to Club Nova. Commissioner Dorosin said he had no comments. Chair Price recommended that the BOCC have a joint meeting with the City of Mebane in the upcoming year. She encouraged staff to review County policies, as they pertain to inequities in Orange County. Commissioner Dorosin said he would like staff to gather information about this Mebane annexation plan as soon as possible. Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager, said staff has an information item scheduled for the next meeting, and a presentation scheduled for January 19, 2021. Commissioner Greene encouraged the meeting with Mebane to happen as soon as possible. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. OWASA Update on Unpaid Bills The Board received a presentation and information from the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) on impacts to customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ray DuBose, OWASA Board Chair and Orange County Appointee, reviewed the item below: BACKGROUND: At the October 20, 2020 BOCC Meeting Commissioner Mark Dorosin made a petition regarding the Board and OWASA to identify ways to assist residents experiencing back payments during COVID-19. A request was made to Executive Director Todd Taylor to provide information to the Board at a future meeting. The Orange County Emergency Housing Assistance fund provides rent and utility assistance to avoid shut offs and eviction using investments from the County and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. Assistance is available to Orange County residents at or below 60% of Area Median Income and in 2020 has provided more than $2 million in assistance to almost 900 County residents. Of that, $17,502 was paid to OWASA to pay arrears and avoid shut offs. Ray DuBose, OWASA Board Chair and Orange County Appointee, Mary Tiger, OWASA Sustainability Manager, and Todd Taylor, OWASA Executive Director, presented the following PowerPoint presentation: 8 Slide #1 Customer Assistance for An update to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners December •Background on OWASA •COVID-19 Billing Decision-makingTimeline •Fiscallfear 2021 Challenges •Extent of Past DueAccounts •Affordability Outreach and CustomerAssistance •Questions and Collaboration $VmgnNequ`9, Carrbor•-[haPel Nill's not for-P ht I ublic serviceagenrydel nnghigh } yaa1;N water,wamwater,and �� reclaimed warerserv��es. •Rates based on"cost-of-service" •"Benefiting'partyto pay for all utility extensions •Revenue used for utility operation only •Nearly 50%of customer rates fund water and wastewater infrastructure projects,including debt service; other half spent on operations •Bond holder obligations •Supported by users fees(water&sewer bills), not taxes 9 avnsn s�spenes disc afor nonprymen[;Orange p 'a Board County declares Sale of ppwws FY21 Emergency Budge[wide no rece mw on discos Gone ar4 Orange Counn �OnmNeHSSAndard foranonlprymen[andnlaa cOree m Sace of Emerge cY wllew paymen[charges expire March 12113 March 31 June 11 July 29 Dec.31 Like1X30 drys afar Sace of Emergency ends Fiscal Year 2021 Challenges •$5.4 million of capital projects delayed;no pay increases for staff •Budgeted$2.2 million less than normal in water sales for Quarters 1 and 2(July-December) ➢Sales have been just at our projections •Assumed water sales would return to normal in Quarters 3 and 4 •Operational spending has been limited to essential expenses 00 Affordability Outreach Specific COVID-19 Outreach CARE to •Regular communications:partners r SHARE and customers with past-due balances •Care to Share promotion •Letters of Support for funding °"nuntP n 3nzrzozo Cu dX560t indNdwlly-me[ residmdal cuxromers are W-drys pas[due. 10 .....,o �„2020 BUSINESS MEEPNG A--ITEM 4A s..o n.erage nmwm vas�Doe3/12/2020 s,ao CurrentlKarerage part due amount for individually- _e d residential cusro is$267. Standard Collection Practices •Active outreach to customers once a payment is missed •Customers are eligible for disconnection after due date of second,concurrent missed payment. •Resumption of standard collection practices •30 days notice •Offer extended payment plans,free of interest and penalty (18 months) •Restart the calendar for customer payments •Direct customers to utility bill assistance(ongoing) Assistance availableto customers •Interest and penalty-free extended payment plan(12-18 months) •Utility bill assistance •Orange County Emergency HousingAssistance CDBG-CV •Care to Share •Other VIRTUAL BUSINESS MEET MEETINGG AGENDA ITEM 0.A COMMUNITY WASTEWATER SY�T�M o 4o0J—Fart'R-d,Camb Nc27s10 O 919-969-N21 e in(o@owasa.oB ©@OWASAI O www.w.axa.org Commissioner Dorosin asked if clarification could be given on the Standard Collection Practices, and what happens when one cannot make a payment on time. He asked if water is shut off after two months of non-payment. 11 Todd Taylor said yes, that is correct, and during those two months, OWASA makes many attempts to reach the customer and work out a plan to get the debt settled. He said there are options to help customers such as payment plans, third party assistance, etc. He said shut off is a final tool to try to secure payment. Commissioner Dorosin asked what happens after water is shut off, and OWASA is left with unpaid accounts. Todd Taylor said most often customers pay the bill, but sometimes customers move out of the service area, or simply do not have the means to pay the bill. He said the next step is to engage a third party collections agency. He said State law forbids OWASA from forgiving the debt, or using other customer monies to pay off the debt. Commissioner Dorosin asked if a judgement in Court has ever been served to individuals who are unable to pay. Todd Taylor said he does not think this has ever happened. He said if an account goes to a collections agency, it is difficult for the customer to secure service in any other areas. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the collection agencies receive some percentage of the bill. Todd Taylor said he is unsure, but assumes this is correct. Commissioner McKee asked if clarification could be provided on accounts that are in arrears, but are participating in a payment plan of sorts. Todd Taylor said OWASA works with these customers, keeping the service intact as payment plans are paid off. Commissioner McKee said there are about 500 accounts in arrears, and asked if the total number of OWASA customer accounts is known. Todd Taylor said OWASA has 22,000 service accounts, but the previously referenced 562 accounts are specifically residential. He said the 22,000 accounts include commercial accounts. Commissioner McKee asked if having 562 accounts in arrears is higher than normal. Todd Taylor said yes. Commissioner McKee said the PowerPoint presentation referenced $5.4 million of capital projects that are delayed, and asked if these are critical projects, and if the cost of these projects will only double in cost with the passage of time. Todd Taylor said all the projects are critical, and OWASA has just moved them out in its timeline. He said these projects will have to be done, and the cost to do so will ultimately increase customer rates. He said the longer these projects are delayed, the more they will cost. He said there has been no rate increase this year, which will lead to a higher rate increase down the line. Commissioner McKee said the infrastructure cannot be delayed too long. Commissioner Hamilton clarified that standard collection procedures will not resume until the spring. Todd Taylor said the resumption of Standard Collection practices is connected to when the County ends its declared state of emergency. He said resumption will occur 30 days after the state of emergency ends, as long as it is not in place for many months (a year). Commissioner Hamilton said customers will have debts to pay, and asked if OWASA will work out payment plans. Todd Taylor said yes, and the payment plans will likely be 12 to 18 months long. Commissioner Hamilton said this seems realistic, as Covid will have far reaching impacts. She referred to the capital projects, and asked if a large part of the reduction in revenue is really due to UNC not using as much water as is typical. Todd Taylor said he does not know of a monetary amount, but UNC typically makes up 20% of OWASA's water sales. He said this is having the biggest impact on OWASA. 12 Commissioner Hamilton said she brings this up, as the burden of this situation should not fall on the poor. She said she hopes the County can be a strong partner is protecting the vulnerable. Chair Price referred to a letter received by the BOCC, which stated 1,000 community members donated $1,400. She asked if that was a typo. Mary Tiger said $1,400 was received on a monthly basis, and from an annual perspective this totals $15,000. Chair Price asked if one adds onto a bill, by rounding up, for example. Mary Tiger said it was originally was a round up program, but now people are being asked to give a dollar or two per bill. Commissioner Price referred to the 12-18 months payment plans, and asked if these lengths are firm. Todd Taylor said no, they are not firm and longer payment plans are an option. Commissioner Price asked if there is a reconnect fee, to which customers would be subject, if one's water has been cut off. Todd Taylor said yes, there is a charge. He said there are also late fees. He said when standard practices resume, each customer would get a reset button, and not be late at that time, and can work on the payment plan concurrently. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the donations program could be explained further, and how OWASA determines which accounts receive funds. Todd Taylor said Inter-Faith Council (IFC) manages the funds, and OWASA directs customers there. Mary Tiger said currently IFC caps bill assistance, per applicant, at $200. She said there is discussion about keeping or changing this amount. Commissioner Hamilton said it is her understanding that OWASA reserves cannot be used to pay debt, and asked if the permitted uses of the reserves could be identified. Todd Taylor said reserves are available in the case of a catastrophic event, unexpected capital expenditure, or in the event of OWASA could not collect revenue for a month. He said having these reserves plays into OWASA's bond ratings as well. Commissioner Dorosin said his concern is that people are suffering, and cannot pay OWASA bills. He said he would like to find a way to provide direct support to these residents, but it seems that OWASA is not permitted to help in many ways, other than payment plans. He said the total debt is $280,000, which is not astronomical, and he would like the County, the towns, and UNC to partner together to pay off some/all of this debt, so that OWASA could write off the debt. He said the current plan just drags debt along, and he would like to make a bolder move. He asked if his suggestion is one that could be explored, or can OWASA only do payment plans. He said OWASA revenues are higher than budgeted, and expenses are lower. He said there has to be a way to help people in arrears from losing water service. Todd Taylor said OWASA is open to exploring any and all possibilities to provide relief to residents. He said OWASA will work with County staff. Commissioner Bedford agreed with Commissioner Dorosin, and all other comments. She asked if it was worth lobbying the legislature for changes in the law, or are there other ways to move money around to pay off some of these debts. She said this is a health crisis, and washing hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of Covid, but without water one cannot wash one's hands. She asked if there are other sources of revenue that could be used. Todd Taylor said he wanted to provide some clarity around the notion that there is a net profit at OWASA right now. He said OWASA assumed revenues would be down due to the pandemic, but did not expect this for the whole year. He said water sales have not rebounded, and the budget was cut back as much as possible. He said these were not trivial cuts, and they 13 were made in hopes of saving money now to help weather the storm over the next 6 months. He said OWASA needs to find $2 million over the next 6 months, and typically budgets very frugally. He said there is no surplus of funds, as has been intimated. He said OWASA may have to use reserves. Todd Taylor said the lion's share of the budget comes from customer revenue, and it simply cannot be used to pay off debts. He said the money has to be put back into the system. He said customers cannot be charged different rates. He said larger cities are trying out some different practices, but OWASA's rules/restrictions remain intact. Commissioner Bedford commended OWASA staff for not having a pay raise this year. Chair Price asked Bonnie Hammersley if the County could work with the towns and UNC, per Commissioner Dorosin's suggestion. Bonnie Hammersley said staff would follow up on this. Chair Price also suggested starting a conversation with legislative delegates about changing restrictions placed on OWASA. Commissioner McKee said there are two parallel conversations going on: OWASA's business model, and its restrictions therein; and how does the County help alleviate financial burdens of citizens. He said the state laws are what they are. He said he does not see much change coming there. He said he would like the County/Towns/UNC to do something similar to the IFC funding to help residents alleviate debt. He said social justice funds could be used. Commissioner Dorosin said Commissioner McKee's comments are well taken, but he wants a straight answer from OWASA as to whether or not it can write off the debt. He said the total debt is $280,000, and asked if the County/town/UNC paid off some of this, would OWASA be open to this. Chair Price said staff will work on this. Commissioner Dorosin said he would like to hear from OWASA, as some portion of this $280,000 will be uncollectable, and if local governments and UNC could pay some of it, could the remaining portion be written off. Todd Taylor said OWASA is obligated to try and collect the debt, and cannot write off a portion of it, due to current laws and constraints. He said OWASA typically writes off very little, and doing more would be a financial red flag to auditors/creditors. He said it is illegal for OWASA to say it will not pursue certain debt, or write it off. Commissioner Dorosin asked it would be appealing to OWASA for the local government/UNC to pay a large chunk of this now, as opposed to getting some of it over the next 12-18 months. Todd Taylor said the proposal was certainly appealing, but OWASA is constrained on what it can do. He said OWASA wants to help customers in any way that it can. He said one avenue to make changes is through changing state law, but that is unlikely to get any traction. Commissioner Price said staff will pursue working with other local governments and UNC. Commissioner Dorosin asked if there are any other avenues that can be pursued to make this process easier. Todd Taylor said appealing to the state legislature for grant funding is another avenue. He said there are other ways to get the money, but state law handcuffs OWASA. b. Resolution in Support of Reparations for African American/Blacks The Board considered voting to adopt a Resolution in Support of Reparation for African American/Blacks on the 15511 Anniversary of the 1311 Amendment. Annette Moore, Human Rights and Relations Director, reviewed the item below: 14 BACKGROUND: The first unfree Africans arrived in the English Colony of Virginia in August 1619. This period marked the beginning in American history where people of African descent were taken forcibly from their homeland, transported to the American colonies, and committed to lifelong slavery. On December 6, we mark the 155th Anniversary of the ratification of the 13t" Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery in the United States. After ratification in 1865, the immediate impact of the 13th Amendment was to stop chattel slavery in the southern states and involuntary servitude. Section 2 of the 13th Amendment further authorized Congress to "enforce" the ban on slavery and indentured servitude through "appropriate legislation." In 1883, the Supreme Court interpreted Section 2 as "empower[ing] Congress to do more" than pass direct enforcement legislation. The Supreme Court indicated that Congress should "pass all laws necessary and proper for abolishing all badges and incidents of slavery in the United States." The Civil Rights Cases, 109 U.S. 3, 20 (1883). Congress has used the 13th Amendment to enact civil rights laws that target the badges and incidents of slavery by prohibiting racial discrimination in areas such as contracting, housing, and hate crimes. The Supreme Court in The Civil Rights Cases found that the 13th Amendment promised the freed slaves "universal civil and political freedom." It determined that Congress was to use appropriate legislative concepts to assist freed people in fulfilling the promise of universal civil and political freedom. The pledge provided that freed people would receive the full complement of federal civil rights and protections to fully enjoy citizenship denied to them at this Country's inception. This promise however continues today to be an unfulfilled promise of the full complement of rights of citizenship. After the emancipation of slaves, governments were more concerned with providing compensation to former slave owners for losing their"human property" rather than ensuring the rights of freed people. In 1865, General Sherman's Field Order No. 15 divided abandoned and confiscated plantations in South Carolina and low country South Carolina into 40 acres lots. The newly freed slaves were given a lot along with a mule. Later, the policy was rescinded by Andrew Johnson, and the land returned to former slave owners. Southern Reconstruction was overtaken quickly by "Redemption" led by While Liners, Red Shirts, and Klansman bent on subjecting freed Black Americans to racial terror, including lynching, to keep them in their place. Federal Union troops withdrew from the South in 1877, leaving the Black citizens to fend for themselves as they had to navigate racial terrorism and governmental laws that allowed them to be segregated, disenfranchised, held for debt peonage, convict leasing, and in semi-servitude. The government has enacted laws that have disenfranchised Black citizens politically, socially and economically. Roosevelt's omnibus programs, passed under the Social Security Act of 1935, was drafted in race-neutral ways that disenfranchised a majority of Black citizens. Congress enacted the Social Security legislation, leaving out farmworkers and domestics; nationally, 65% of black people were disenfranchised, and 70-80% of those Blacks people lived in the South. The Federal Housing Administration ("FHA") was created in 1930 to assist average Americans in purchasing homes. The FHA underwriters warned realtors that even one or two non-whites in the suburbs could undermine property values. In the 1930s, the federal government institutionalized a national appraisal system that used race as a factor in real property assessments. Between 1934 and 1962, the federal government underwrote $120 billion in new housing loans; less than 2% of those dollars went to non-whites. 15 Consequently, many Black veterans returning from the wars were unable to benefit from the GI Bills VA loans. Redlining, blockbusting, restrictive covenants, predatory contract sales practices all served to deprive Black people of building economic wealth, and kept neighborhoods racially segregated. Today, the average net worth of white families and black families continues to be disproportionate. The proposed Resolution in support of Reparations for Black/African Americans is seen as a way forward to address and give redress to the unfulfilled promises in the Constitution of the United States "that all men are created equal," and to the subsequent Amendments, including the 131"for the government to use its authority to remove all badges and incidents of slavery so that Black people can enjoy the full complements of rights of citizenship. Commissioner Dorosin said he is grateful this resolution is being brought forward. He said the 13t" amendment abolished slavery, but it also included an exception for those convicted of a crime, which has enslaved people of color in a different way. Commissioner Hamilton said this resolution is important to remind everyone of American history, and how it was built on the exploitation of people, particularly those of African descent. She said this exploitation has continued and is embedded in many institutions, leading to many disparities in outcomes. She said resolutions are words, and actions are just as important. Annette Moore, Human Rights and Relations Director, said she is honored to be employed by Orange County, and thanked the BOCC for bringing this issue to the table. She reviewed the Board's commitment to addressing racism, as well as the history of ongoing systemic racism throughout the country, which is in direct conflict with the 131" amendment. She said the 13t" amendment made a promise of reparations. She asked the BOCC to pass the resolution. Chair Price read the resolution below: RES-2020-073 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF REPARATIONS FOR BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICANS WHEREAS, on December 6, 1865, the United States Congress ratified the 13th Amendment to the Constitution thus abolishing slavery in the United States, stating: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction"; and WHEREAS, the 13th Amendment, along with subsequent Constitutional Amendments, civil rights legislation and voting rights acts have sought to recognize and establish equality for people of the Black African diaspora who had been unjustly enslaved and oppressed prior to and since the founding of the United States of America; and WHEREAS, Black/African Americans nevertheless have been segregated, marginalized, disenfranchised, wrongfully incarcerated and lynched through intentional policies and practices including Jim Crow laws, racial terror and the exception clause in the 13th Amendment; and WHEREAS, Black/African Americans have been denied equal access to education and skills development, healthcare, housing, mortgages, neighborhoods, job opportunities and advancement, government grant and loan programs for farms and businesses, and equal rights and equal protections under the law; and 16 WHEREAS, since the desegregation of schools, Black/African American students still are denied access to quality learning, are directed away from advanced courses, and face disciplinary actions at a disproportionate rate from white counterparts; and WHEREAS, as evidenced in morbidity/mortality rates, Black/African Americans received and still receive inadequate and sometimes detrimental healthcare and biased treatment by medical professionals; and WHEREAS, Black/African Americans have been and continue to be unjustly targeted, mistreated and abused by law enforcement and the criminal justice system; and WHEREAS, systemic racism in America, which originated over 400 years ago and has evolved and persists to the present day, has manifested itself as a specific trauma within Black/African Americans and the Black experience, and has affected American society as a whole; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, on behalf of the people of Orange County, affirms the dignity and humanity of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or creed; and BE IT RESOLVED, that Orange County apologizes for its role in the enslavement of Black/African American people, its enforcement of segregation, its promotion of prejudicial policies, and its implementation of discriminatory and detrimental practices and procedures; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners calls on the federal government to work toward the immediate enactment of the following policies and bills: a. A program to provide reparations to the descendants of enslaved Africans sufficient to eliminate the racial wealth gap; b. A program to provide a universal basic income to all citizens sufficient to meet each person's basic needs; c. A program to provide a guaranteed federal or federally-funded living-wage job to all citizens; d. An increase in the federal minimum wage to $15/hr. or higher, with regular increases to account for increases in cost of living and inflation; e. A program to provide universal health care; f. H.R. 40, a bill to establish a federal Commission to Study and Develop Reparations for Black/African Americans. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners hereby is committed to working toward the elimination of racial bias and individual racism, the dismantling of institutional racism and the eradication of structural racism; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners will support and augment the work of the One Orange Government Alliance on Race & Equity [CARE] Team; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners will proceed to collaborate with schools boards, county departments, governmental agencies, 17 private entities and financial institutions with the express purpose of investing in our Black/African American students and their families, investing in Black-owned farms and businesses, investing in Black/African American workers and investing in communities of color as first steps in providing long overdue reparations for the centuries of suffering, loss, anguish, injustice and trauma inflicted upon Black/African American women, men and children; and BE IT MOREOVER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners shall forward this resolution to the Governor of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, the Orange County Delegation to the US House of Representatives, and the North Carolina Members of the United States Senate. Signed this 7th day of December 2020. Chair Renee Price Orange County Board of County Commissioners Commissioner Greene said she had additional language to add regarding federal reparations. She said other local governments are interested in joining together to call for federal steps towards reparations. She read the proposed language, which is referenced in above resolution, in the first "be it further resolved" section. Commissioner Hamilton asked for broader language regarding healthcare disparities amongst African Americans in the 6t" whereas. She proposed the following language: "whereas, as evidenced in morbidity mortality rates, black African Americans have worse health outcomes due to the effects of systemic racism, including poor access to quality health care, higher rates of poverty, increased likelihood of living in a polluted environment, more stress, and sometimes biased treatment by medical professionals." Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated Commissioner Hamilton's remarks, and asked if access to health insurance could be included. He said gender expression should be added to the first "be it resolved". Commissioner Bedford said gender should also be included. Commissioner Fowler said ability should also be added. Commissioner Bedford asked if Commissioner Greene could provide clarity about her additional language, as it seems very broad. She said she supports all the wording, but wondered if it is too broad. Commissioner Greene said it is the exact same language that is being used in the Carrboro resolution. She said the language is not specific to Black African Americans, but it is certainly applicable. Commissioner McKee said he supports the original resolution and the wording added by Commissioner Hamilton, but referred to the first "be it further resolved" and said he cannot accept letters "b" and "c". He said letter"d" will cause low wage workers to lose their jobs, unless it is brought in very slowly. He referred to letter "a", and asked if a monetary number could be suggested. He asked if seizure of property or taxes will pay for this proposal. Commissioner Greene said the argument is being made by "From Here to Equality" authors, Darity and Mullen, that descendants of slaves and white Americans will never be on a level plane if only jobs are considered. She said the issue goes back to net worth, and the proposal calls for millions and millions of dollars to be paid to those who can prove they are descended from slaves. She said there would be a federal commission to oversee this process. She said this conversation has started at the federal level. 18 Commissioner McKee said he can understand this argument, and sees his own success in life being connected to inherited property and others benefits. He said he sees a reparations plan costing trillions of dollars, not millions, and struggles to support a resolution prior to discussing the implication of the action. He said he supports HR 40 and universal health care. He said the minimum wage being increased to $15 would eliminate low wage work. He said he cannot support letter"c," as it is without any clarification or boundaries. He said the resolution overall is important, as it address the past, present and future, but it is important to really consider the future as we cannot remain a divided country. Commissioner Greene said she hoped the BOCC could pass this resolution unanimously. She said she would be willing to leave out letters b and c if it would earn Commissioner McKee's vote. Commissioner McKee said no, he has concerns with the entire section. He said conversations need to lead to specifics, and this is too general. Commissioner Dorosin said the entire section is important. A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Greene to approve the Resolution in Support of Reparations for Black/African Americans, and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution. Commissioner Fowler asked if Commissioner McKee would be willing to vote for the resolution if Commissioner Greene's additional "Be It Further Resolved" were removed in its entirety. Commissioner McKee said yes, absolutely. Chair Price asked if the motion makers would approve the removal of letters "a" through "e" in the "be it further resolved". Commissioners Dorosin and Greene said no. Commissioner Hamilton said she would vote for this resolution, but wanted to acknowledge Commissioner McKee's concern that looks to resolutions calling on others to do something. She said Orange County should look at itself, and see what it can do to address systemic racism. She is hesitant to just put out words, and fail to follow up with specific actions. Commissioner Greene said she referenced the Darity/Mullen book as one approach to reparations, and, of course, there are other approaches. She said the intent is to move the conversation forward, which this resolution does. Chair Price called each Commissioner by name (roll call). VOTE: 6 Ayes; 1 Nay (Commissioner McKee) MOTION PASSES: 6-1 5. Public Hearings NONE 6. Regular Agenda a. County Commissioners: Boards and Commissions Assignments The Board considered selecting Boards and Commissions on which Board members would like to serve during 2021. 19 Greg Wilder, Interim Clerk to the Board, reviewed the item below: BACKGROUND: BOCC members serve on various County and County-related boards and commissions. On an annual basis, BOCC members indicate their desire to continue serving on specific boards or commissions or their desire to make changes. The Board discussed the various positions, and went the through the process of choosing where to serve. BOARD NAME MEETING BOCC MEMBER BOCC Member BOCC Member DATE Serving 2020 Serving 2021 STATUTORY ABC Board Monthly, Third Commissioner Not Commissioner Commissioner Tues 8:30 AM- Required (non- Dorosin McKee ABC offices in voting member) Hillsborough Intra-county (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2021) Dec 2022) Board of Health Monthly, 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Typically Required McKee Hamilton Fourth Wed Intra-county 7:00 PM-at (Two Year service (Potentially Serve Health Dept in ends Dec 2020) Dec 2020 through Hillsborough Dec 2022) Board of Social Monthly, Third 2 appointees ( one Commissioner Commissioner Services Monday- 4:00 citizen) Bedford McKee PM at DSS Commissioner not offices in required but usually (Two Year service (Potentially Serve Hillsborough a Commissioner ends Dec 2020) Dec 2020 through serves Dec 2022) -I ntra-county Cardinal TBD Regional Commissioner Commissioner Innovations Price Price County Commissioner (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Advisory Board Dec 2018 through Dec 2018 through Dec 2022) Dec 2022) 20 INTERGOVERNMENTAL and OTHER GROUPS WITH BOCC MEMBERS Burlington/Graham 6x/year-(or Requires Commissioner Commissioner MPO more as 1 Commissioner Bedford — McKee -- Member Transportation needed) member Member Advisory Tuesdays at 1 Alternate Committee 5pm in Commissioner (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Burlington Regional Dec 2018 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Dec 2024) Commissioner Commissioner Marcoplos - Bedford — Alternate Alternate (2020-2024) (Potentially Serve Dec 2018 through Dec 2022) Cardinal Orange 2nd Mondays — Commissioner Commissioner County 1:00 pm Bedford Bedford Community Advisory Council Chatham Orange 3x/year- 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner Joint Planning alternates Regional Dorosin - Member Dorosin - Member Task Force between Orange County (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve and Chatham Dec 2019 through Dec 2019 through County Dec 2023) Dec 2023) Commissioner Commissioner McKee — Hamilton — Alternate Alternate (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2023) Dec 2024) Chapel Monthly 1 BOCC member Commissioner Commissioner Hill/Carrboro Intra-county McKee Hamilton Chamber of Third Commerce Thursdays at (Two Year service (Potentially Serve 8:30am at ends Dec 2020) Dec 2020 through Chamber Dec 2022) 21 Climate TBD 1 BOCC member Commissioner Commissioner Committee Intra-county Marcoplos Dorosin (2019-2021) (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Community Home Monthly-2nd 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Trust BOD Thursdays at Required Greene Dorosin 6pm at CHT Intra-county office (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2021) Dec 2022) Cooperative March 9, June 1 Commissioner Commissioner Extension 8, Sept 14, Bedford Leadership 2021 & Council December (Potentially Serve Retreat Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Durham- Chapel Monthly- 2nd 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Hill — Carrboro Wednesday at 1 Commissioner Price — member Bedford — Metropolitan 9am in Durham Alternate member Planning Regional Organization (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve (MPO)- Dec 2018 through Dec 2020 through Transportation Dec 2022) Dec 2024) Advisory Committee (DCHC-MPO) Chair Rich — Commissioner Alternate Greene — (2019-2023) alternate (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2024) 22 Durham- Orange- Quarterly- at 2 BOCC Members Commissioner Commissioner Chapel Hill Work noon - rotates Regional Greene Fowler Group locations- Durham/ (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Chapel Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Hill/Orange Dec 2023) Dec 2024) County Commissioner Commissioner Marcoplos Bedford (2019-2023) (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2024) Durham Tech 6x/per year- 2 Appointees— one Commissioner Commissioner Board of Trustees usually 4th Commissioner Dorosin Dorosin Tuesday of Regional month at 4- (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve 6pm (locations One resident- Dec 2019 through Dec 2019 through move about) already appointed Dec 2023) Dec 2023) Plus there are committee meetings Family Success Meets 6x per 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner Alliance year- Mondays- Intra-county- Greene Greene 1-3pm Alternates — (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve northern and Dec 2019 through Dec 2019 through southern Dec 2021) Dec 2021) Orange County Commissioner Commissioner Bedford Bedford (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2019 through Dec 2021) Dec 2021) Fire Chief's Bi-monthly— Commissioner not Chair Rich Commissioner Association of first Weds.- required as member (2020-2022) McKee Orange County 7pm — but can attend as guest(s) (Potentially Serve Intra-county Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) 23 Food Council Meets 1/x per 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Month (usually Intra-county McKee Greene the 1st Monday at 4:00) (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Alternates Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through between Dec 2021) Dec 2022) Chapel Hill and Hillsborough Go Triangle Board Monthly 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner of Trustees 3rd Wed-12pm Regional Marcoplos Price in Durham (2019-2023) (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2024) Go Triangle Meets every 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner Special Tax Board January (more required McKee McKee often if needed) Regional in Durham at (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve GoT office Dec 2019 through Dec 2019 through Dec 2023) Dec 2023) Commissioner Commissioner Price Fowler (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2018 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Dec 2024) Go Triangle 6x per year ( 1 Board of County Commissioner Commissioner Transit Advisory assuming they Commissioners Bedford Bedford Committee- will meet at Go Liaison T offices) Regional (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2019 through Dec 2023) Dec 2023) Healthy Meeting Commissioner not Commissioner Commissioner Carolinians Schedule for required —often Price Hamilton 2021 being same BOCC developed Member as on the (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Board of Health Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Intra- county Dec 2021) Dec 2022) 24 Orange County Quarterly 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Local Government Required Dorosin Greene Affordable Intra-county Housing (Two Year service (Potentially Serve Collaborative (the ends Dec 2020) Dec 2020 through Collaborative) Dec 2022) Intergovernmental Meets 2-3 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Parks Work Group times per year Member McKee — member Hamilton — at 5:30pm-on 1 Alternate member Wed. Commissioner (Two Year service at SHSC Intra-county ends Dec 2020) (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Commissioner Dorosin — alternate Commissioner Fowler— alternate (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through (Potentially Serve Dec 2021) Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Joint Public Safety Meets as 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner Training Facility needed at ES Intra-county Price McKee Work Group (Two Year service (Potentially Serve ends Dec 2020) Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Commissioner Commissioner Marcoplos Hamilton (2020-2022) (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Jordan Lake One Meets the third 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Water Association- Wednesday of Regional Marcoplos Dorosin Elected Officials every other (2019-2023) month from (Potentially Serve 9:00 AM to Dec 2020 through 11:00 AM at Dec 2024) TJCOG 25 Justice Advisory Quarterly 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner Council (Friday Intra-county Greene Price afternoons- 3:30pm) in (Two Year service (Potentially Serve Hillsborough ends Dec 2020) Dec 2019 through Dec 2021) Commissioner Commissioner Price Dorosin (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2021) Dec 2022) JCPC (Orange Meets 6-7x per 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner County Juvenile year (every Intra-county Bedford Fowler Crime Prevention other month) Council) Fridays at noon (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2021) Dec 2022) LIWG ( Legislative Meets as 2 Commissioners Chair Rich Commissioner Issues Work needed Term - one year (2020) Price Group) Commissioner (2021) Dorosin Commissioner (2020) Fowler (2021) NACo Voting 1 Commissioner Chair Rich Chair Price Delegate Required (2020) (2021) NCACC Voting 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Delegate Required Bedford Greene May have alternate (2020) (2021) N/S BRT As needed 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner (North/South Bus Intra-county Price McKee Rapid Transit) policy committee (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2021) Dec 2022) 26 Orange Co Every other 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Behavioral Health month (IntraCounty) Bedford Fowler Task Force 3:30-5pm Hillsborough (Two Year service (Potentially Serve Hospital ends Dec 2020) Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Orange County Bi-monthly- 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Partnership for Last Intra-county Bedford Hamilton Young Children Wednesday-at 8:30am- (Two Year service (Potentially Serve alternates — ends Dec 2020) Dec 2020 through Chapel Hill/ Dec 2022) Hillsborough Partnership to End Monthly-3rd 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Homelessness Mondays Greene Bedford (Two Year service (Potentially Serve ends Dec 2020) Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Piedmont Food 5-6 times per 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner And Agricultural year Regional Marcoplos Greene Processing (2020-2024) (PFAP) Center (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2024) Small Business Meets as 1 Commissioner Chair Rich Commissioner Loan Program needed to vet Intra-county (2020-2022) Fowler applications received (Potentially Serve (7:30am on Dec 2020 through Fridays) Dec 2022) 27 Solid Waste Meets as 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner Advisory Group needed Intra-county Marcoplos Bedford (SWAG) (2019-2021) Chair Rich (Potentially Serve (2019-2021) Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Commissioner Hamilton (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Strategic Meets as 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner Communications needed Commissioners Dorosin Dorosin Work Group (internal) (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2019 through Dec 2021) Dec 2021) Chair Rich Commissioner (2020-2022) Price (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2022) Transit Planning Meets as 2 Commissioners Commissioner Commissioner Committee needed Intra-local Greene Greene (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2019 through Dec 2023) Dec 2023) Commissioner Commissioner Marcoplos Dorosin (2020-2024) (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2024) 28 Triangle Area Bi-monthly- 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Rural Planning meetings at Member Greene Fowler— member Organization 12pm, 1 Alternate (TARPO) alternates Commissioner (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Transportation counties —Lee Regional Dec 2018 through Dec 2020 through Advisory and Chatham Dec 2022) Dec 2024) Committee Commissioner Commissioner Marcoplos Price — alternate (2019-2023) (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2024) TJCOG Meet 1 x per 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner month- Last 1 Alternate Greene — Greene — Wednesday Regional member member 6pm- (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2018 through Dec 2018 through Dec 2022) Dec 2022) Chair Rich — Chair Price — alternate alternate (2019-2023) (Potentially Serve Dec 2020 through Dec 2024) Upper Neuse Bi- monthly at One Director Commissioner Commissioner River Basin 9:30am- Position Greene — Bedford — Association 12:OOpm Two Alternate member member (meets in Positions Butner) Regional (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2018 through Dec 2019 through Dec 2022) Dec 2023) Commissioner Commissioner Bedford — McKee — alternate alternate (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2023) Dec 2024) 29 Workforce Meets monthly Does not require a Nancy Coston Nancy Coston Development in various Commissioner- Board — Regional counties- usually has been 1 Partnership Non-Voting Liaison Visitor's Bureau 8:00 am third 1 Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Wed., monthly, Required Bedford Greene no meeting in Intra-county July/December (Potentially Serve (Potentially Serve Dec 2019 through Dec 2020 through Dec 2021) Dec 2022) A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin for staff to fill in the Commissioners selections and bring the item back to the Board of County Commissioners on consent agenda at the December 15t", 2020 Virtual Business meeting. Commissioner Hamilton suggested staff put this process into an excel spreadsheet for future years. Chair Price called each Commissioner by name (roll call). VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Extension of 2021 Tax Listing Period The Board considered voting to extend the 2021 Tax Listing Period until February 28, 2021 and voting to approve a resolution for the extension. Nancy Freeman, Tax Administrator, reviewed the item below: BACKGROUND: North Carolina General Statute 105-307(a) establishes that the annual tax listing period begins on the first business day of January and ends on January 31. It also allows for the County Board of Commissioners to extend the time during which property is to be listed for taxation by resolution. Due to current public health concerns related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Tax Administration office doors are currently closed, the number of staff in the office is kept to approximately half, and taxpayer entrance is limited to ensure that we help mitigate the spread of the virus. Because of this, we anticipate that taxpayers will need additional time to obtain assistance with completing and with submitting their 2021 listing forms. For those who do not intend to visit the office for assistance, staff is available by phone, email, regular mail and chat. As always, the listing forms may be mailed and may be placed in the drop box located outside the main entrance to the Tax Office in Hillsborough. Each year there is a significant number of taxpayers who request in-person assistance to complete the forms. The number of in-person visits averages 20 per day for the month of January. In addition, on average, 20 people per day drop off the forms, and although a lengthy 30 visit is not required, they do request that their form be reviewed when submitting it. For 2021, we anticipate that the requests for in-person assistance will increase, especially for businesses whose day-today activities have been altered significantly by the impact of the pandemic. To ensure that we are able to provide assistance to all taxpayers who indicate a need, and keep staff and taxpayers as safe as we can, we are requesting that the tax listing period be extended. RES-2020-074 NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE COUNTY EXTENSION OF TAX LISTING PERIOD RESOLUTION (Approval) Whereas, North Carolina General Statutes 105-307(b) allows the Board of County Commissioners to extend the time during which property is to be listed for taxation for up to 60 additional days in a revaluation year; and Whereas, the Board has found it reasonable and prudent to extend this period for 2021. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY THAT the time during which property is to be listed for taxation in 2021 be extended until February 28, 2021. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the foregoing resolution was passed by the following votes: Ayes: Commissioners Noes: I, Greg Wilder, Interim Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing has been carefully copied from the recorded minutes of the Board of Commissioners for said County at a regular meeting of said Board held on , said record having been made in the Minute Book of the minutes of said Board, and is a true copy of so much of said proceedings of said Board as relates in any way to the passage of the resolution described in said proceedings. WITNESS my hand and the corporate seal of said County, this day of , 2020. Clerk to the Board of Commissioners A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee to approve the resolution. Chair Price called each Commissioner by name (roll call). VOTE: UNANIMOUS 7. Reports None 31 8. Consent Agenda • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda -Item 8-n already removed earlier in the meeting -Item 8-a recommended for removal by staff for factual corrections • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda Commissioner Greene expressed congratulations to all of the artists who received Arts Commission grant funding. • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Greene to approve the consent agenda. Chair Price called each Commissioner by name (roll call). VOTE: UNANIMOUS a. Minutes The Board approved the draft minutes from November 5, 12, and 17, 2020 as submitted by the Interim Clerk to the Board. b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, to release motor vehicle property tax values for six taxpayers with a total of fourteen bills that will result in a reduction of revenue in accordance with the NCGS. C. Property Tax Releases/Refunds The Board adopted a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, to release property tax values for fourteen taxpayers with a total of twenty-one bills that will result in a reduction of revenue in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 105-381. d. Applications for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion The Board approved nine untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem taxation for nine bills for the 2020 tax year. e. Advisory Boards and Commissions —Appointments The Board approved the Advisory Boards and Commissions appointments as reviewed and discussed during the November 12, 2020 Work Session. f. Approve a Construction Contract for the Main Building Roof Replacement of the Orange County Sportsplex Building The Board approved a construction contract with Bar Roofing and Maintenance for the main building roof replacement at the Orange County Sportsplex; and consider authorizing the County Manager to execute the Agreement and execute any subsequent amendments for contingent and unforeseen requirements up to the approved budget amount on behalf of the Board. g. Memorandum of Agreement Renewal with Town of Hillsborouqh — Fairview Park The Board voted to renew an existing Memorandum of Agreement with the Town of Hillsborough for certain activities and operations of Fairview Park. h. Proposed One-Year Extension to ABB's Inc.'s Incentive Performance Agreement Concerning the Company's Employment & Investment Target Dates 32 The Board received and reviewed a request from ABB, Inc. for the Board to approve a waiver to the original Performance Agreement, waive Section 6. B (Delay in Inducement Package Initiation) in the Performance Agreement, and consider voting to approve a 1-year extension in the company's contractual requirement to achieve overall employment hiring and investment goals over the first 5 years, and authorize the Chair to sign. i. Request for Road Additions to the State Maintained Secondary Road System for River Stone Road and Running Cedar Lane in the Cabe Crossing Subdivision The Board forwarded a petition for Addition to the State Maintained System to the NCDOT for River Stone Road and Running Cedar Lane in the Cable Crossing Subdivision; and recommended the Department of Transportation accept the roads for maintenance as a State Secondary Road. j. First Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance Priority Care Ambulance The Board approved on First Reading the granting of a franchise by ordinance to Priority Care Ambulance Inc. (Priority Care) and the Franchise Agreement under which they will operate, for a five-year term. The Board will consider bringing back the Franchise Agreement for a second reading approval at the Board's December 15, 2020 Business Meeting; and if approved authorize the Chair to sign. k. First Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance UNC Campus EMS The Board approved on First Reading the granting of a franchise by ordinance to UNC Campus EMS and the Franchise Agreement under which they will operate, for a five year term. The Board will consider bringing back the Franchise Agreement for a second reading approval at the Board's December 15, 2020 Business Meeting; and if approved authorize the Chair to sign. I. Board of Equalization and Review The Board voted to remove one member of the Board of Equalization and Review. M. Orange County Arts Commission 2020-21 Annual Grant Recipients and 2020 Operations Support Grants The Board acknowledged local artist and arts organization receiving 2020-21 Orange County Arts Grants and 2020 Operating Support Grants. A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Greene to approve 8-a minutes with the following corrections: -page 11, which reads $1,500,000 but should read $165,840 -page 22, which reads Club Nova, but should read Cl (Cardinal Innovations) Chair Price called each Commissioner by name (roll call). VOTE: UNANIMOUS 9. County Manager's Report Bonnie Hammersley reminded the Board of its next meeting on December 15, 2020. She said the primary agenda item is the Efland Station Public Hearing. She said if a large number of the public sign up to speak, the Board should consider if it may like to add additional meetings to allow all the public to speak, and, if so, when these meetings should occur. 33 10. County Attorney's Report NONE 11. * Appointments NONE 12. Information Items • November 17, 2020 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections • Memorandum Regarding Further Regulation of Aggressive Dogs • Survey Results for Stipend Pay for BOCC Participation on Statutory, Intergovernmental, and Other Boards 13. Closed Session "Pursuant to G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(3) "to consult with an attorney retained by the Board in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the Board." Approval of Closed Session Minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, second by Commissioner Fowler to go into closed session at 11:17 p.m. Chair Price called each Commissioner by name (roll call). VOTE: UNANIMOUS RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION A motion was made by Commissioner McKee seconded by Commissioner Fowler to reconvene into regular session at 11:35 p.m. Chair Price called each Commissioner by name (roll call). VOTE: UNANIMOUS 34 14. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner McKee seconded by Commissioner Fowler to adjourn the meeting at 11:35 p.m. Chair Price called each Commissioner by name (roll call). VOTE: UNANIMOUS Renee Price, Chair Recorded by Allen Coleman, Assistant Deputy Clerk II and Gregory A. Wilder, Interim Clerk to the Board Submitted for Approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board