HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 12-06-21; 8-a - Minutes 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 6, 2021
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-a
SUBJECT: Minutes
DEPARTMENT: Board of County Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Minutes (Under Separate Cover) Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919-
245-2130
PURPOSE: To correct and/or approve the draft minutes as submitted by the Clerk to the Board
as listed below.
BACKGROUND: In accordance with 153A-42 of the General Statutes, the Governing Board
has the legal duty to approve all minutes that are entered into the official journal of the Board's
proceedings.
Attachment 1: October 7, 2021 Virtual Joint Meeting with the Orange County Chiefs'
Association and Work Session
Attachment 2: October 19, 2021 Virtual Business Meeting
Attachment 3: November 4, 2021 Virtual Business Meeting
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve minutes as
presented or as amended.
Attachment l
1
1 MINUTES
2 JOINT MEETING WITH THE ORANGE COUNTY
3 CHIEFS' ASSOCIATION AND WORK SESSION
4 October 7, 2021
5 7:00 p.m.
6
7 The Orange County Board of Commissioners conducted a virtual joint meeting with the
8 Orange County Chiefs' Association and work session on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 7:00
9 P.M.
10
11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford,
12 and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee, and Anna
13 Richards
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: NONE
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
17 Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
19 ORANGE COUNTY CHIEFS' ASSOCIATION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chief Brad Allison —
20 Caldwell FD; Chief Charles Bowden - New Hope FD; Chief David Schmidt - Carrboro FD; Chief
21 Jeff Borland - Cedar Grove FD; Chief Jeff Cabe - Orange Rural FD; Chief Matthew Mauzy -
22 South Orange Rescue Squad (SORS); Chief Jamal Phillip Nasseri —Whitecross FD; Chief
23 Jesse DuClau - Orange Grove; and Chief Vencelin Harris — Chapel Hill
24 ORANGE COUNTY CHIEFS' ASSOCIATION MEMBERS ABSENT: Chief John Stroud - North
25 Chatham FD; Chief Keith Hayes - Eno FD; Chief Kevin Brooks - Efland FD; and Chief Bob Louis
26 - Mebane FD
27
28 Chair Price called the Board of County Commissioners meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
29
30 Due to current public health concerns, the Board of Commissioners conducted a virtual
31 joint meeting with the Chiefs' Association and virtual work session on October 7, 2021.
32 Members of the Board of Commissioners and the Association participated in the meeting
33 remotely. As in prior meetings, members of the public were able to view and listen to the
34 meeting via live streaming video at orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange
35 County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).
36
37 A roll call of the County Commissioners was called; all members were present.
38
39 1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
40
41 Chair Price welcomed everyone and asked if all present would introduce themselves and
42 give greetings.
43 The Fire Chiefs introduced themselves.
44 Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services (EMS) Director, introduced himself and Kim
45 Woodward, EMS Operations Manager. He also introduced the new fire marshal, Elizabeth
46 Farnan.
47 Chief Jeff Cabe began the following PowerPoint presentation.
48
49
50
51 Slide #1
2
ED
Orange County Chief'sAssociation
2021
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Joint Meeting
October 7, 2021
1
2
3 Slide #2
Agenda
1. Fire&ResoueStats
• All Volunteer
• Combinatlon
• All PaldfCareer
2. Special Opera lions Team Development
3. Pandemic Impacts:Fire and EMS Services
4. Broadband and Radio Communication Needs
• Update on Radlo System Improvement Project
5. Length of ServiceAwards Program
2
4
5
6 Slide #3
South Orange Rescue
• Chief Mathew Mauzy
• Responds County Wide for Rope Rescue as well as
Statewide for Missing Person Land Search and
Swiftwater/Flood Rescue
• Volunteer Staffing
• One Station
Equipment
- Three Motorized Boats S Four Paddle Craft
- one Patient Transport UTV
- Three BLS Ambulances
- Two Tech nlcal Rescue Trucks
- pna Incident Rehab Unit
• Experiencing a 220%increase in EMS Mutual Aid Standby
• Averaging 1,250 calls per year
3
7
8
9 Commissioner Bedford asked if there is a reason for the increased calls for SORS. She
10 asked if Durham has had trouble with staffing.
3
1 Chief Mauzy said there was an increase in overall call volume for Orange County.
2 Kirby Saunders said he would discuss this increase later in the presentation.
3 Chief Cabe resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
4
5 Slide #4
Fire District: Efland =s06
• Chief Kevin Brooks
• Combination Staffing Model
• Three Stations
• Equipment
- Four engines
- Three tankers
- One brush truck
- Two First Response Vehicles
• Averaging 550 calls per year
6
7
8 Chief Cabe said Efland recently completed its insurance services office grade, which
9 evaluates fire protections capability and assigns a risk factor which insurance companies use to
10 determine the cost of coverage policies. He said the ISO number in the corner of the slide is
11 the insurance services office grade, with 10 meaning no coverage, and 1 being the best
12 coverage. He said Efland has just finished being graded, and has not yet received its new
13 rating. He resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
14
15 Slide #5
Fire District: Orange Rural is0 5
• Chief Jeff Cabe
• Combination Staffing Model
• Three Stations
• Equipment
Four Englnes Two rimt Responder Vehicles
Three Tankers One UTV
One Aerial Platform one Boat
One Heavy Rescue
• Averaging 1.950 calls per year
i
16
17
18 Chief Cabe said there will be a new fire/EMS station built in Hillsborough, which will
19 come before the Board for finance approval on October 191h. He resumed the PowerPoint
20 presentation:
21
22 Slide #6
4
Fire District: Env 1§05
• Chief Keith Hayes
• Combination Staffing Model
• Two Stations
• Equipment
Three Engines One UTV
Three Tankers Tm Boats
One Brush Truck One Squad Truck
• Averaging 716 calls per year
e
1
2
3 Chief Cabe said Eno has a combination of paid and volunteer staff. He said they cover
4 portions of Durham and Orange Counties.
5 Commissioner Bedford asked if a brush truck could be explained.
6 Chief Cabe said it is a four wheel drive utility truck with a small tank and a pump on it,
7 which is used to access areas where full size fire trucks cannot go. He resumed the
8 PowerPoint presentation:
9
10 Slide #7
Fire District: New Hope Isv 4
• Chief Charles Bowden
• Combination Staffing Model
• Two Stations
• Equipment
Three Engines One UTV
TmTankers One Squad Truck
One B rush Truck
• Averaging 600 calls per year
7
11
12
13
5
1 Slide #8
Fire District; Orange Grove ISa 6
• Chief Jesse duClau
• Combination Staffing Model
• Three Stations
• Equipment
Three Engines One Rescue Truck
Three Tankers Two First Responder Vehicles
One Brush Truck One Boat
• Averaging 375 calls per year
2 a
3
4 Slide #9
5
Fire District: Cedar Grove WO
• Chief Jeff Borland
• Combination Staffing Model
• Two Stations
• Equipment
Two Engines One Squad Truck
Two Tankers
Two Brush Trucks
• Averaging 250 calls per year
9
6
7
8 Chief Cabe said Cedar Grove is mostly volunteer run. He resumed the PowerPoint
9 presentation:
10
11 Slide #10
Fire District: Caldwell Aso 5
• Chief Brad Allison
• All Volunteer
• Two Stations
• Equipment
Three Engines One First Responder Vehicle
One Tankers
One Brush Truck
• Averaging 450 calls per year
io
12
6
1 Slide #11
Fire District: White Cross E305
• Chief Phillip Nasseri
• Combination Staffing Model
• Two Stations
• Equipment
Three Engines Two Flrst Responder Vehicles
Two Tankers One Heavy Rescue
One Brush Truck Three Boats
• Averaging 315 calls per year
2
3
4 Chief Cabe said White Cross has the opportunity to do virtual reality training.
5 Chair Price asked about the training.
6 Chief Phillip Nasseri explained the process and said the district is fortunate to have the
7 opportunity.
8 Chief Cabe resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
9
10 Slide #12
Fire District: Carrboro ISO 2
• Chief David Schmidt(Carrboro Fire&Rescue)
• Fully Paid Staffing
• Two Stations
• Equipment
Three Engines OneAerlal Platform
One Tanker,�...... one Battallonchiet
One Brush Truck
• Averaging 1,500 calls per year
11
12
13 Chief Cabe said Carrboro recently finished a multi week research project where three
14 university's researched how best to care for fire fighters.
15 Chief Schmidt said NC State, Florida International University and Baylor Universtity were
16 involved, and he explained how the study was conducted. He said the information the
17 universities obtained will help identify when a responder is experiencing elevated heart rates
18 and may need to be pulled from a fire. He said the other study was on cancer and the effect of
19 metals and chemicals on responder health. He said the district conducted 30 different burns
20 over three weeks in the study. He said he hopes to identify protective measures they can use to
21 protect all responders.
22 Chief Cabe resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
7
1 Slide #13
Fire District: Chapel Hill Ls02
• Chief Vence Harris(Chapel Hill Fire&Rescue)
• Fully Paid Staffing
• Five Stations
• Equipment
Four Engines Two Battalion CMOs
OneAerial Platform One Heavy Rescue
One Aerial Ladder Two Boats,One UTV
• Averaging 4,900 calls per year
2
3
4 Chief Cabe said Chapel Hill runs a firefighter academy in partnership with Durham Tech.
5 Chief Vence Harris said one of Chapel Hill's major challenges is staffing. He said
6 recruitment and retention efforts are ongoing.
7 Chief Cabe resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
8
9 Slide #14
Fire District: Mebane =so 2
• Chief Bob Louis(Mebane Fire&Rescue)
• Combination Staffing
• Three Stations
• Equipment
Four EngInes One Tanker
OneAerial Platforrn One Heavy Rescue
Two Brush Trucks One UTV
• Averaging 3,000 calls per year
10
11
12 Slide #15
Fire District: North Chatham IS04
• Chief John Strowd(North Chatham Fire&Rescue)
• Combination Staffing
• Seven Stations
• Equipment
Eight Engines Seven Tankers
Two Aerial Platforms Two Heavy Rescues
One Brush Truck Eight Boats,One UTV
• Averaging 2,000 calls per year
13 5
8
1 Slide #16
Special Operations Team
2 E
3
4 Slide #17
SOT; The Need Defined
• High Risk and Law Frequency Events
—Trench Rescue
--Heavy Vehicle Stabilization for Rescue
--Structural Collapse Rescue
• High Expense of Equipment
• Increased Number of Rescuers Needed
5 "
6
7
8 Slide #18
SOT; How It Happened
• ORFD LODD fcllcwing a trench rescue in 2019
• 50/50 funding split between ORFD and OC Emergency
Services through support from the BOCC
Donation from the Holden and Miller families to fund
training
• Support from Durham Tech to host training
• Commitment from all County Fire/Rescue agencies to staff
the team
Support from OC EMS to provide Paramedics on the team
9 1E
10
11 Chief Cabe said the SOT is a group effort between the various Fire Departments to have
12 a team that can address these specialized situations so that there are no gaps in coveage
13 across the county. He said funding has come from the county, as well as other sources. He
9
1 said it has been a true collaborative effort. He said having paramedics on the team helps
2 provide advanced care in the middle of a trench rescue. He resumed the PowerPoint
3 presentation:
4
5 Slide #19
SOT: The Results
• Currently a 56-person team of Trench Rescue Technicians
• Equipment housed in Hillsborough
• Access to Chapel Hill Fire's equipment for county response
• Trench Rescue Technicians in multiple county fre,rescue
and EMS agencies
The ability to provide Advanced Life Support to victims in a
Trench Emergency
• More teamwork and collaboration within the emergency
services communities to better serve our residents and
visitors
6 19
7
8
9 2. Highlights of Services Provided and Challenges Faced During the Pandemic
10
11 Chief Cabe made the following presentation:
12
13 Slide #1
Pandemic Impacts: Fire and EMS
14 M
15
16
10
1 Slide #2
Service Impacts
• First responses were adjusted to protect fire department
personnel when PPE was unavailable
— Did not respond to COVI❑+or suspected cases unless imminent
emergency(cardiac arrests,choking,etc.)
• PPE was scarce and inconsistent,has since improved
• Call volume dipped slightly during the height of the
Pandemic
• EMS providers from Fire/EMS accounted for 61%of the
staff delivering initial vaccines to the community
• First responses resumed on August 6,2021
2 21
3
4 Slide #3
Impacts
• Delta Variant surge has placed hospitals and EMS in
overload situations
• Presently e)periencing a 27%increase in EMS call
volume compared to pre-pandemic numbers
• Varied restrictions on in person learning, placing more
strain on personnel levels.
• Increased absenteeism due to childcare and COVID
related illnesses/quarantines
• Increased rellanoe on mutual aid resouroas nationally
• Tel ecommunicatlons (911),Fire and Rescue suffering the
same impacts
22
5
6
7 Slide #4
NREIRES CITE CALL VOLUMES BY YEAR
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9
10
11
I Slide #5
Future Opportunities
• EMS System analysis(underway)
- FMS system growth
- ExpansionofGommun!IV ParamedicProgram
- Deployment structure and station locations
- Analysis of factors that influence public safety services
(demographic shifts,climate change,development,etc.)
• Better match population density and numbers of homes
constructed to the levels of fire,rescue and EMS funding
necessary to protect them.
• Long range planning and forecasting for the next
pandemic
2 26
3
4
5 3. Public Safety Communications and Broadband (Update and Discussion on the
6 Continued Commitment towards Radio System Improvements)
7
8 Chief Cabe made the following presentation:
9
10 Slide #1
Communications and Broadband
11 25
12
13 Slide #2
The Need
• Fire,Rescue,EMS and Law Enforcement depend on NC
State Highway Patrol (VIPER]for their radlo system.
• All public safety agencies depend on data(often cellular
based)and radio communication for crucial and timely
information.
• There still epst significant gaps in coverage for both
paging(alerting responders)and radio communications
(both inside and outdoors)
• Insurance Services office(ISO)does not recognize
cellular service as an acceptable means for fire
departments to receive call information.
14 26
12
1 Slide #3
Progress
• The BOGG authorized studies of the radio system used
by Fire,Rescue, EMS and Law Enforcement in 2016
• In 2017,the contractor was asked to explore expansion
of the VIPER network. That work was completed in
August of 2018_
• In 2021. ES is pursuing the development of a Rough
Order of Magnitude estimate with the State's radio
system engineer.
• In 2021,the BOCC developed a Broadband Taskforce to
look for solutions to address the digital divide in rural
areas.
27
2
3
4 Chief Cabe said just as the public experiences issues with broadband, so do Fire and
5 EMS.
6 Commissioner Bedford asked if a "Rough Order of Magnitude" could be defined.
7 Kirby Saunders said a Rough Order of Magnitude is how much it would cost to fix the
8 radio system. He said an initial estimate was $48 million. He said they are working with the
9 State to narrow that amount, while still improving services. He said the current goal is to
10 expand the VIPER network, the scope of which is still be explored.
11 Commissioner McKee said at the previous day's broadband meeting, the discussion
12 included options for communications upgrades for these types of needs. He said perhaps the
13 two efforts can combine forces moving forward.
14 Chief Cabe continued the PowerPoint presentation:
15
16 Slide #4
Future Opportunities
• We ask that the BOGC consider opportunities where
these projects could be mutually beneficial to one
another
• Fire Stations in the communities can host towers, fiber
connections, and other infrastructure needed to address
both the Broadband need as well as the Radio System
needs of each rural community.
2E
17
18
19 Kirby Saunders said it is wise to keep the broadband needs of the community and
20 broadband needs of fire and EMS responders connected. He said alerts were the most
21 important. He said there are opportunities to work with schools and hospitals that would
13
1 prevent the need to build towers. He said in the next year's budget, they want to improve the
2 paging system, but are focusing on at least being able to maintain the current system.
3 Chair Price said she would like to see a cost comparison between a new, up to date
4 paging system, and maintaining the current system.
5 Chair Price asked if 5G technologies are still being discussed.
6 Kirby Saunders said it is still developing. He said the county does not have full coverage
7 yet so they would not feel comfortable expanding to that.
8 Commissioner Fowler asked if cell phone coverage would still be needed if the county
9 had fiber coverage.
10 Kirby Saunders said the study recommended 17 new towers, which is very high. He
11 said the expansion of the VIPER system would likely need 4 or 5 towers.
12 Commissioner Fowler asked if the towers would be county owned.
13 Kirby Saunders said these would be newly constructed towers, but they have not
14 discussed private versus county owned towers.
15 Commissioner Fowler said the Chapel Hill Carrboro City School System is being paid to
16 put towers on its properties.
17 Commissioner Fowler said it sounds like it would be helpful to take these first responder
18 needs into consideration before an RFP is approved for fiber.
19 Chief Cabe said fiber needs power, and all county fire stations have generators. He said
20 he thought there might be a benefit to tying the fiber into the stations since they have consistent
21 electricity. He said there may be a cost benefit in tying the radios and broadband needs
22 together. He said no one wants a large ticket item that will only cover one need, and if the
23 systems can be married together (data and communications) it would be a win-win.
24 Jim Northrup said the current RFP does have a county ownership model, and the RFP
25 scoring includes a weighted section if there is county ownership. He said they could include fire
26 stations.
27 Commissioner McKee said the broadband task force was interested in learning about
28 these first responder needs, and, to his mind, it would be beneficial to have this be a combined
29 effort to address personal and public needs.
30 Chief Jamal Phillip Nasseri said White Cross has space for tower expansion, and has
31 spoken with private companies.
32
33 4. Establishing a Length of Service Awards Program
34
35 Chief Cabe made the following presentation:
36
37 Slide #1
Recognition of Service
38 29
14
1 Slide #2
The Need
Our communities are served by people for an entire lifetime but
when those folks retire,only those closest to them are aware.
— Chief McCauley,Orange Grove Fire Deparhaeni.41 years
Lt.Wilson,Orange Rural Fire Depaamert,48 years
Many others
• Thew!I I!rigness to place oneseff in harms way as a volunteer is
becoming a thi ng of the past.It's even becomi ng more difficult to find
people you can pay to befirefighters,EMT'sand resc ue tech nicia ns
• Length of Service Awards Programs are one way to help recruitand
keep personnel in their communities.
• There is currently nocountywide recognition program for the
dedication,efforts and longevity of our emergency services
personnel.
30
2
3
4 Slide #3
Future Opportunities
That the DOCC would develop a system that recognizes members
of the fire and rescue departments that give most of their lives to the
betterment of their communities.
• 5imilartosepmea ward s given tocountyemployeesinrecognition
for thei r time with cou my government.
• Fire and RescueDepartmentscan provide the names and service
dates based on whatever criteria the BOCC chooses.
3,
5
6
7 Chair Price said she would be more than happy to participate in a recognition program
8 that includes county staff and volunteers.
9 Chair Price said Chapel Hill has a program that honors first responders. She asked if
10 the fire districts can participate in that.
11 Chief Cabe said this program traditionally included only Chapel Hill, Carrboro, SORS,
12 and Emergency Services; and outside of those areas, there is no recognition. He said the
13 Exchange Club in Hillsborough wants to nominate a firefighter of the year, but that does not
14 reflect years of service. He said it is becoming hard to find people to hire as responders, in
15 addition to volunteers. He said it is important to show recognition and appreciation.
16 Bonnie Hammersley said the county has a recognition program and she could work with
17 the fire districts to include them. She said the county is looking at a quarterly recognition of
18 retirees.
19 Commissioner Hamilton thanked the Chiefs and the Fire Districts for their service. She
20 asked if the financial compensation for fire and rescue service could be identified, and
21 wondered if this impacts the ability to recruit new staff. She said she would like to know about
22 calls per population or calls per geographic area, as she would like to put the numbers in
23 context.
15
1 Chief Cabe said the School of Government might have some of these statistics. He said
2 population impacts the number of calls based on how close people live to each other. He said
3 he would send the information to Kirby Saunders to share with the Board.
4 Commissioner Hamilton said she would like to know the number of houses in a district.
5 Kirby Saunders said they are working on more specific data to put out annually. He said
6 as growth continues, it is important to keep up with the safety needs.
7 Commissioner Fowler expressed her appreciation to the Chiefs and to the Fire Districts.
8 She asked if there is currently training with Chapel Hill High School taking place, and if that has
9 helped with staffing.
10 Chief Cabe said there are two programs: one at Orange High School and one at Chapel
11 Hill High School. He said he has not gained any staff via the program at Orange High School.
12 Chief Jamal Phillip Nasseri said through the program in Chapel Hill he has gained 5 or 6
13 students who are interested. He said he would like to see the schools do more advertising of
14 vocational training to the students in Chapel Hill.
15 Chief Mauzy said he would like to continue the relationship with Durham Technical
16 Community College and the EMT program. He said the South Orange Rescue Squad is one of
17 the few EMS entities that can offer work to those with no other experience. He said the
18 proximity of the squad to UNC Chapel Hill has benefitted the organization, but students move on
19 after graduation. He said they struggle with recruitment and retention.
20 Chief Vencelin Harris said they were able to hire three employees through the program
21 at Chapel Hill High.
22 Chief Cabe said his department is not affiliated with a local government. He said fire
23 districts that are affiliated with the local governments can have their employees participate in the
24 retirement system. He said it is difficult to compete with organizations that can pay more and
25 offer better benefits. She said Wake County's starting salaries are much higher.
26 Commissioner McKee praised the fire districts and their service to the community.
27 Commissioner Richards said she is very impressed with the way emergency services is
28 coordinated across the County. She thanked the Chiefs for their presentation.
29 Chief Cabe said he is very proud of the people who serve as fire and rescue first
30 responders in Orange County.
31 Commissioner Greene thanked the Chiefs and the fire districts for all of their hard work
32 since the beginning of the pandemic in serving the county.
33
34 5. Emergency Services Update — Overview of Current Challenges Facing EMS
35
36 Kirby Saunders made the following presentation:
37
38 Slide #1
Emergency Services Update
39
40 Slide #2
16
Current FY Approved Projects
• Waterstone Co-Location with Orange Rural
• 350 College Park Dr.-Hillsborough
• Efland Standalone EMS Station
• 3800 US Hwy.76-Efland(formerly Crazy Carts)
• EMS System Analysis
ocoo ment,51mcturo.location(current and IvWre needs!
1 15
2
3 Slide #3
General Updates
• 911 Communications Division
ES I Net Switchover complete
Improved location access and connectivity to other centers
95.62%of 911 Calls answered within 10 seconds
• Fire Marshal Division
• Town of Hillsborough additional responsibilities
• Emergency Management Division
EOC Demobilized in June
7,000+Pandemic related resourcerequests
Heavily engaged in FEMA financial recovery with FinancelAdmin
4
5
6 Kirby Saunders said Orange County Fire Marshals are responsible for all fire inspections
7 in the unincorporated parts of the county. He said in July 2021 the county entered a contract
8 with the Town of Hillsborough to also assume fire marshal duties within the town limits. He
9 resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
10
11 Slide #4
Emergency Medical Services
• Challenges
Exponential increasein call volume[surge]
Voids due to COVID related absences.fatigue and vacancies
Paramedic recruitmentlretention
Cueing or stacking of low priority calls
® 3l Pal ae C-n uN11 wren
xnel ae[m H�.al bIM
�aaa 7 9a:ry 7 1 a.r•i 1
12 35
13
14
15 Slide #5
17
DC EMS TeraI Call Volume,
36 �
1
2
3 Kirby Saunders said there is a significant amount of aid given from Orange County to
4 surrounding jurisdictions. He said this is happening across the country. He resumed the
5 PowerPoint presentation:
6
7 Slide #6
Emergency Medical Services
• Mitigation Measures
Reassigning staff to ensure coverage with highestdemands
Utilizing EMS administrative personnel
Exploring additional BITS opportunities
Working closely with regional partners
Engaging franchised services
3r
8
9
10 Chair Price expressed appreciation for everything the first responders do. She said the
11 county will continue to collaborate with first responders on broadband, and that she would work
12 with the County Manager to create a recognition program for first responders and public safety
13 officers.
14 Chair Price asked for a motion to recess for the purposes of a break prior to continuing
15 to the work session.
16
17 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to
18 recess the meeting for 3 minutes.
19
20 Roll call ensued
21
22 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
23 RECONVENE THE MEETING
18
1
2 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to
3 reconvene the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
4
5 Roll call ensued.
6
7 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
8
9 6. Follow-up Discussion Regarding the Regulation of the Discharge of Firearms in
10 Areas of the County with a High Residential Unit Density
11
12 The Board finalized discussions related to the regulation of firearms discharge in limited
13 urbanized areas of the county.
14
15 BACKGROUND:
16 This topic has been previously discussed on multiple occasions by the Board of
17 Commissioners. The two most recent discussions occurred in September 2020 and February
18 2021. At the February 2021 meeting, the Board of Commissioners directed the County Attorney
19 to bring back additional maps.
20
21 The eight maps attached to this abstract are as follows:
22 • Residence with 300 Foot Buffers with Complaint Locations—This map shows the
23 approximate locations of all residences in the County with a 300 foot buffer around each
24 residence;
25 • Residence with 450 Foot Buffers with Complaint Locations—This map shows the
26 approximate locations of all residences in the County with a 450 foot buffer around each
27 residence;
28 • The four maps labeled Site 1 (Timberly Drive Area), Site 2 (Council Lane Area), Site 3
29 (Dogwood Acres Drive Area), Site 4 (Active Shooting Range) show areas of the County
30 where there have been complaints and how those areas would be impacted by 300 foot
31 and 450 foot buffers;
32 • The two maps labeled Whirlaway Lane Area and Foxhill Farm Area show areas of
33 somewhat dense residential development and how those areas would be impacted by
34 300 foot and 450 foot buffers.
35
36 Additional background information is available in the September 2020 and February 2021
37 agenda packets linked below.
38
39 The September 10, 2020 BOCC Work Session agenda materials may be viewed here.
40
41 The February 9, 2021 BOCC Work Session agenda materials may be viewed here.
42
43 As noted in all prior discussions there are state limitations on local government authority related
44 to restrictions on firearms and ammunition. The Board may, however, subject to certain state
45 restrictions, limit the time, place, and manner of firearms discharge.
46
47 County Attorney John Roberts reviewed the background information for the item, and
48 noted requested maps have been provided. He said the State is very restrictive on how
49 counties can regulate the discharge of firearms. He said all existing shooting ranges would be
50 exempt from any new ordinances established by the county.
19
1 Commissioner McKee said he previously sat on a task force for the regulation of
2 firearms, which recommended a set of common sense regulations that he feels are effective.
3 He said he is concerned that a more restrictive set of measures would result in the State putting
4 limitations on the county.
5 Commissioner Fowler asked how far sound travels, and how the 300 and 450-foot
6 buffers relate to noise. She asked if the goal was to avoid firearm discharge within these
7 buffers.
8 County Attorney said the intent was to prohibit discharge within the buffers. He said
9 noise would travel much farther than the proposed buffers.
10 Chair Price said it also depends on the lay of the land and the caliber of the firearm.
11 Commissioner Greene said she is interested in restrictions that can be placed on newly
12 established firing ranges.
13 John Roberts said buffers and distance could be used to address place. He said time of
14 day restrictions would only affect target practice, and not hunting or law enforcement, etc. He
15 said manner could be defined with berms and backstops.
16 Commissioner Greene said she thought the time of day might be helpful for those who
17 have brought this up, so they can leave their homes during those anticipated hours.
18 Commissioner McKee said on open ground shooting a 22-caliber rifle can be heard a
19 quarter of a mile away, and shotguns over a mile. He said it is variable depending on
20 geography, ground cover, etc.
21 Chair Price asked if the current time regulations could be identified.
22 John Roberts said the county does not currently regulate target practice times, but he
23 can look at the noise ordinance for general noise.
24 Chair Price asked if firearm discharge falls under general noise.
25 John Roberts said no, firearms are excluded from the general noise ordinance at this
26 time. He said the current noise ordinance is 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
27 Commissioner Hamilton asked if clarification could be provided on the maps.
28 Brian Carson, GIS Project Coordinator, said one map shows the locations of the noise
29 and the other maps shows complaints from hearing the firearms.
30 Commissioner Hamilton said site four on the map has an active shooting range.
31 Commissioner McKee said on sites 1-3, there were a few complaints, but there were
32 also many homes in those areas that did not complain. He said noise is in the ear of the
33 beholder, and he would like to end this discussion, as the BOCC will never be able to satisfy
34 everyone.
35 Chair Price said she would like to provide the public with information on what to do when
36 they hear gunfire. She said she would also like for people engaging in target practice to tell the
37 Sheriff's department ahead of time.
38 Commissioner Greene said she generally agreed with Commissioner McKee, but she
39 would like to know if there is Board support for regulating the time of shooting for newly
40 established shooting ranges.
41 Commissioner Fowler asked what time of day Commissioner Greene would propose.
42 Commissioner Greene said she would like to have further discussion at a future meeting.
43 Commissioner Fowler said she would be interested in having that discussion, and
44 clarified any potential restrictions would not apply to hunters.
45 Commissioner Greene said correct.
46 Commissioner Richards asked Commissioner Greene if she only wants an ordinance for
47 newly established shooting ranges.
48 Commissioner Greene said shooting ranges are all the Board can limit from a time
49 perspective.
50 John Roberts said the BOCC can restrict the time on target practice. He said an
51 ordinance cannot apply to previously established shooting ranges.
20
1 Commissioner Richards asked Commissioner McKee if the time restriction was midnight
2 to 6 a.m. if that would be a problem.
3 Commissioner McKee said he personally does not think that would be a problem, but
4 feels this is an issue that the Board cannot solve, as noise is so subjective.
5 Commissioner Richards asked if the number of complaints received can be identified.
6 Commissioner McKee he thought it was in the dozens.
7 Chair Price said once people talk to each other, they are able to work out issues.
8 Commissioner Greene said the issue has not been worked out in West Carrboro. She
9 said if there were time regulations on new shooting ranges she thinks there would have been
10 fewer issues.
11 Commissioner McKee asked if the location where shooting has occurred near Carrboro
12 would be considered an established shooting range.
13 Commissioner Greene said she is referring to future shooting ranges.
14 Commissioner McKee said "shooting range" means different things to different people.
15 Commissioner Hamilton said she would like to know how many new shooting ranges
16 come before the Board. She said she would like more context about the issue. She asked if
17 the Board was attempting to fix a problem that does not exist.
18 Chair Price said the Board gets periodic complaints about shooting and has not come up
19 with any solutions.
20 Commissioner Greene said she is specifically thinking of a shooting range that had the
21 appropriate berms for the county on private property. She said complaints came from neighbors
22 because they did not know when the shooting was going to happen. She said she wanted to
23 know if it was appropriate to set times for when shooting can happen for future shooting ranges.
24 She asked the Board if there is agreement to discuss this further at a future meeting.
25 Chair Price asked if there was a specific proposal, as this has been discussed for years.
26 Commissioner Greene said she is not prepared to propose times at this work session.
27 Commissioner McKee said he disagrees with Commissioner Greene on the prevalence
28 of this being a big issue in the future. He said he does not think there will ever be a solution to
29 this very subjective issue. He said in the previous task force, they could not figure out a solution
30 to this problem. He said until it becomes a disruptive problem, the BOCC should leave it alone.
31 Chair Price said the reason the maps were created was to show where the complaints
32 were made. She said creating an ordinance for a suburbanizing area would also affect the
33 more rural areas, which is unreasonable.
34 Chair Price asked Brian Carson if anyone has applied to create a new shooting range.
35 Brian Carson said he does not know of any applications, and they would go through
36 Michael Harvey at the Planning Department.
37 Commissioner Fowler said she is interested in setting a time frame for shooting, given
38 that general noise is already regulated.
39 Chair Price asked the Board to make proposals for time frames so staff can put it on a
40 future agenda.
41 Commissioner Hamilton said she would be interested in putting time frames for shooting
42 on a future agenda.
43 Commissioner Bedford asked the County Attorney if there is a reason that firearms are
44 not included in the existing noise ordinance.
45 John Roberts said he does not know why firearms were not included.
46 Commissioner Bedford asked if the current noise ordinance includes loud parties.
47 John Roberts said he does not think loud parties are included.
48 Commissioner McKee said he thought parties had to reach a certain decibel level.
49 Chair Price said in her experience noise ordinances were for certain loud industrial
50 activities.
21
1 John Roberts said there are 18 exceptions to the noise ordinances, and the discharge of
2 firearms is one.
3 Commissioner Bedford asked if a new ordinance limited hours on the discharge of
4 firearms would it be included in the general noise ordinance.
5 John Roberts said he would not include it in the noise ordinance, but rather would
6 include it in the firearm ordinance. He said the wording could include a timeframe of darkness
7 to 9 a.m.
8 Commissioner McKee said there is recreational shooting/hunting at night.
9 Commissioner Bedford clarified that hunting would be exempt.
10 Commissioner Bedford said the complaints have come from daytime shooting. She said
11 there was one resident who said a bullet entered her home.
12 Commissioner McKee said shooters are liable for their projectiles, both legally and
13 civilly.
14 Commissioner McKee said he knows the Sheriff will try to enforce a firearm ordinance,
15 but he has concerns that an ordinance would be unenforceable and deputies will be wasting
16 their time chasing shots all over the county. He said this is an ineffective use of a deputy's time.
17 John Roberts said the Sheriff has said it will be difficult to enforce a firearms discharge
18 ordinance, because by the time a deputy gets there, the shooting has stopped.
19 Commissioner Greene said due to the enforceability aspect, she is more interested in
20 pursuing a time frame ordinance for future shooting ranges. She suggested sundown to 9 am,
21 and not on Sundays.
22 Chair Price said this proposal can be brought back for a business meeting.
23 Commissioner Greene said she will make a petition for this at a future meeting.
24 Commissioner McKee asked is there a legal definition of a shooting range, beyond a
25 professional, "pay to play" range.
26 John Roberts said the state law that defines a sport shooting range is very broad, and he
27 read the definition. He said it is an area designed and operated for private and commercial
28 shooting.
29 Commissioner McKee said he is unsure how the county prosecutes these issues if the
30 Sheriff's Department follows up on them
31 John Roberts said there would have to be a way to determine when the range was
32 established, testimony from neighbors seeing a berm or a backstop being built, or asking the
33 county to inspect.
34 Chair Price said the Board will not do anything further until another proposal is
35 presented.
36
37 7. Boards and Commissions Appointment Process Discussion
38
39 The Board discussed the boards and commissions' appointment process and
40 supplementary materials for appointment discussions.
41
42
22
1 BACKGROUND:
2 Members of the Board have expressed interest in reviewing the boards and commissions
3 appointment process, including the format in which the supplementary appointment information
4 is presented. Staff hopes to learn the Board's opinions of the current process and materials,
5 hear feedback on the Draft Proposed Example Agenda Packet for Appointment Discussions,
6 and receive direction on the following questions related to boards and commissions:
7 1. Does the Board wish to be sent applications received for a board after agenda
8 publication?
9 2. Does the Board wish to continue receiving appointment recommendations from boards
10 and commissions? What role do recommendations play?
11 3. Does the Board want to schedule a formal review of the Orange County Board of County
12 Commissioners Advisory Board Policy?
13 4. Would the Board like to continue with Annual Report and Work Plan presentations from
14 advisory boards and commissions as in previous years, or see changes?
15
16 Chair Price said there is a need for discussion about the boards and commissions
17 appointment process and clarifying the process for staff. She said the process has been
18 changed many times.
19 Tara May reviewed some of the attachments included in the agenda packet for this item.
20 She highlighted the questions listed in the agenda abstract on which she would like further
21 direction.
22 Chair Price said Tara May is attempting to improve the application and appointment
23 process.
24 Commissioner Greene said the application packet is difficult to read online. She said
25 simpler is better, and she would like to see the resumes of those who have applied. She said
26 seeing who is currently on the board is confusing. She said she would rather see a
27 demographic breakdown.
28 Commissioner Fowler agreed with Commissioner Greene's suggestion of a demographic
29 breakdown. She thanked Tara May for creating a spreadsheet listing the advisory boards and
30 commissions. She asked which staff member supports the Climate Council.
31 Tara May said Brennan Bouma currently staffs the Climate Council. She said the
32 advisory board policy does not list the Climate Council as one of the boards to which the policy
33 applies. She said it does not have a policy to follow.
34 Commissioner Fowler asked if this is also true about the Board of Equalization and
35 Review (E&R).
36 Tara May said the Board of E&R is a quasi-judicial board, and has a general statute that
37 guides its operations.
38 Commissioner Richards said she liked the matrix, but it does not note an applicant's
39 relevant experience.
40 Chair Price said applicants are supposed to put that in the applications.
41 Commissioner Richards said she would like to have more information, but wonders if
42 there is a way to streamline the matrix to see if a candidate has the experience. She said it is a
43 lot of information to review. She said making the decision is about more than demographics,
44 and she wants to know more about an applicant's experience.
45 Chair Price said the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has revised the questions
46 in the past to make them shorter. She said it is up to the Board to make sure applicants are
47 qualified.
48 Commissioner Hamilton said it is hard to keep track of the material in the agenda
49 packets. She would like to see an excel spreadsheet for each advisory board and commission,
50 listing the names of the current board members, the applicants, the demographics, basic
23
1 information, etc., and have the detailed application separately. She said with a spreadsheet
2 one can sort by geography, gender or other variables.
3 Commissioner Hamilton said she is happy to get recommendations from advisory boards
4 and commissions, but making the decision is the responsibility of the Board of Commissioners.
5 Commissioner Hamilton noted an area on the spreadsheet that needs to be corrected
6 regarding who appoints members to the Board of Health.
7 Commissioner Hamilton said she would like to have time to review the advisory board
8 policy.
9 Commissioner Bedford asked if the new software system can help to manage boards
10 and commissions.
11 Tara May said she is still working through implementation issues with the new software.
12 Commissioner Bedford said she would like to know if the new software exports to Excel
13 by committee. She said she currently creates her own excel spreadsheets.
14 Tara May said she it can export into Excel, but it does not come out clean. She said she
15 is looking into ways to export data into easily readable charts.
16 Commissioner Bedford said she likes to see who is currently serving on the advisory
17 boards and commissions.
18 Commissioner Bedford said she sometimes calls applicants to learn more about them
19 before appointment discussions, and the Board could decide it might want to interview
20 applicants.
21 Commissioner Bedford said she has just petitioned to reorganize the Climate Council.
22 Commissioner Bedford said she does not think the Board should consider applications
23 after the agenda is published.
24 Commissioner Bedford said she did not like receiving recommendations from a
25 department head, because it creates a power imbalance, but is willing to hear from the board
26 chair. She said she considers all applicants for boards, and recommendations do not always
27 factor into her decision-making.
28 Commissioner Bedford said she would like to see advisory boards and commissions
29 attend work sessions and talk about what they do, rather than all come on the same night.
30 Chair Price said at annual retreats, the advisory boards and commissions used to
31 present work plans.
32 Chair Price said sometimes department heads work with chairs and vice chairs of
33 advisory boards and commissions to make recommendations. She would like to be clear with
34 advisory boards and commissions that the BOCC may not appoint a recommended applicant,
35 as the vetting and interviewing process is sometimes lengthy
36 Chair Price said she also likes knowing who is currently on an advisory board or
37 commission, but does not need to see the attendance records.
38 Chair Price said an Excel spreadsheet may be helpful, but could also be overwhelming.
39 Chair Price said the current process was created when the Board was receiving paper
40 agenda packets, and current practices are more online. She said it is important to keep paper
41 and digital variables in mind.
42 Commissioner Greene said she is happy to see recommendations, but she would like for
43 advisory boards and commissions to know that the BOCC does not have to appoint the
44 recommended applicant.
45 Commissioner Greene said she would like to see a cover sheet with recommendation,
46 followed by applications, then demographics, roster, etc. She said she would not be interested
47 in an Excel spreadsheet.
48 Commissioner Hamilton said everything that is on the current list would be included in
49 the Excel spreadsheet in one place. She said she also still wants to see the applications. She
50 would like to make it easier to navigate all of the information.
24
1 Chair Price said one thing that is confusing to her is when an applicant uses one
2 application form to apply for multiple. She would like to see a separate application for each
3 advisory board and commission, and answers for why they want to be on a board would be kept
4 separate.
5 Commissioner Greene said she does not agree with having separate applications,
6 because applicants rank the priority order of what board they prefer.
7 Chair Price said there may not be an opening on one's first choice. She said it is just
8 confusing.
9 Commissioner Fowler said she likes to see all of the boards for which an applicant is
10 applying, as it helps her see which is most convincing. She said if one is qualified for other
11 boards or commissions, she will appoint them.
12 Commissioner Bedford asked if there is BOCC support to not consider applications that
13 are received after the agenda is published.
14 The Board agreed by consensus.
15 Chair Price asked if staff is still working on the new software.
16 Tara May said yes, and described what she is able to provide to the Board through the
17 new software systems.
18 Commissioner Bedford asked if Tara May could reorganize the information.
19 Tara May said yes.
20 Tara May clarified that the BOCC would like to see current board members as well as
21 new applicants on the same spread sheet, but no attendance data.
22 Commissioner Bedford said as long as staff is paying attention she would be fine with
23 not seeing attendance records.
24 Tara May asked if the Board supports the four questions contained in the abstract.
25 Chair Price said she does not mind receiving a recommendation, but advisory boards
26 and commissions need to know that recommendations can be made, but may not be followed.
27 The Board agreed by consensus.
28 The Board held discussion on when the advisory board policy was last reviewed.
29 Tara May said she does not think the Board of Commissioners has had a full review of
30 the advisory board policy.
31 Commissioner Bedford asked the County Attorney if he had reviewed the policy.
32 John Roberts confirmed that he added language about electronic meetings, but there
33 has not been a formal review.
34 Chair Price said there have been questions about the purpose of purview of certain
35 boards.
36 The Board agreed by consensus to add a review of the policy to the rolling list of
37 projects.
38 Chair Price said she would like to see annual reports to come in throughout the year.
39 She said it is important to validate the work of the boards and commissions.
40 Chair Price said she would like to know if an applicants meet eligibility requirements, as
41 well as start and potential roll off dates.
42 Commissioner Hamilton asked if advisory boards could present to the BOCC when they
43 have appointments to be made. She said it would provide context to the appointment.
44 Tara May asked if there were any changes to the work plan template.
45 The Board reviewed and discussed the template.
46 Tara May said she needed to know of any changes by November.
47 Chair Price invited the Board to submit changes to the County Manager and Chair.
48
49 8. Discussion on Family Success Alliance Advisory Council Commissioner Liaison
50 Assignments
51
25
1 The Board discussed the number of Commissioners' assignments on the Family
2 Success Alliance (FSA) Advisory Council.
3
4 BACKGROUND:
5 At the March 16, 2021 Business Meeting, Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford petitioned the
6 Board to review the number of Commissioner Liaisons to the FSA Advisory Council. It was also
7 mentioned there are no liaisons to the Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
8
9 There are two Commissioner Liaison positions on the FSA Advisory Council, currently filled by
10 Commissioner Bedford and Commissioner Sally Greene, who will both serve until December
11 2021.
12
13 Commissioner Bedford introduced the item. She said she does not think the Family
14 Success Alliance Advisory Council needs two liaisons.
15 Commissioner Greene agreed with Commissioner Bedford.
16 Bonnie Hammersley said she does not see a need to have two commissioners on the
17 Family Success Alliance Advisory Council.
18 Chair Price said the change would be put on a future consent agenda.
19 The Board discussed the announced departure of a staff member, Sustainability
20 Coordinator Brennan Bouma, for a new opportunity with the Town of Chapel Hill.
21
22 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to
23 adjourn the meeting at 10:16 p.m.
24
25 Roll call ensued
26
27 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
28
29
30 Renee Price, Chair
31
32
33 Laura Jensen
34 Clerk to the Board
35
36 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.
Attachment 2
1
1 MINUTES
2 ORANGE COUNTY
3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
4 VIRTUAL BUSINESS MEETING
5 October 19, 2021
6 7:00 p.m.
7
8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Virtual Business Meeting on Tuesday,
9 October 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
10
11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford,
12 and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton, Sally Greene, Earl McKee (arrived at 7:11
13 p.m.), and Anna Richards
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
17 Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
19
20 Chair Price called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
21
22 A roll call was called; all members were present, except Commissioner McKee.
23
24 Due to current public health concerns, the Board of Commissioners is conducting a Virtual
25 Business Meeting on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Members of the Board of Commissioners
26 participated in the meeting remotely. As in prior meetings, members of the public were able to
27 view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at
28 http://www.orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on
29 channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).
30
31 In this new virtual process, there are two methods for public comment.
32 • Written submittals by email
33 • Speaking during the virtual meeting
34
35 Detailed public comment instructions for each method are provided at the bottom of this
36 agenda. (Pre-registration is required.)
37
38 Chair Price dispensed with reading the public charge.
39
40 Public Charge: The Board of Commissioners pledges its respect to all present. The Board asks
41 those attending this meeting to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner toward
42 each other, county staff and the commissioners. At any time should a member of the Board or
43 the public fail to observe this charge, the Chair will take steps to restore order and decorum.
44 Should it become impossible to restore order and continue the meeting, the Chair will recess the
45 meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed. The
46 BOCC asks that all electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and computers should
47 please be turned off or set to silent/vibrate. Please be kind to everyone.
48
2
1 Chair Price mentioned current events, including the passing of Colin Powell and the
2 retirement announcement by Representative David Price after at least 30 years. She noted he
3 is still in office until December 2022.
4
5 Arts Moment— No Arts Moment was available for this meeting.
6
7 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
8 Chair Price suggested moving items 8-i and 8-j from the consent agenda to the regular
9 agenda, Item 6, for further discussion.
10 Commissioner Bedford asked to pull item 8-h from the consent agenda as well.
11 Chair Price said that item could be pulled for discussion when they reach item 8 on the
12 agenda.
13
14 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to
15 move items 8-i and 8-j from the consent agenda to the regular agenda as items 6-d and 6-e,
16 respectively.
17
18 Roll call ensued
19
20 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
21
22 2. Public Comments
23
24 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
25 Destinee Alston said she is a community health worker and case manager for Orange
26 County through Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO). She said she wanted to
27 introduce herself and the organization to the Commissioners and staff. She said GRRO has
28 received funding to provide services to Orange County, including COVID-related services,
29 mental health services, education, housing, groceries, and anything to better the quality of life
30 for families in the Orange County Area. She said she saw on the last meeting agenda that the
31 Family Success Alliance (FSA) was possibly looking for a liaison and GRRO is interested in
32 learning more and helping to further that mission as well.
33
34 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
35 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda
36 below.)
37
38 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
39 Commissioner Greene said she attended the Efland Seafood Festival a couple of weeks
40 ago, which was an interesting and fun experience. She said she attended the groundbreaking
41 for the Weaver's Grove development from Orange County Habitat yesterday, which is project
42 the county helped fund in Chapel Hill. She said it will be 237 units of mixed used development,
43 101 of which will be Habitat units. She said this project has been in the planning stages for 19
44 years. She said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat International, is a Chapel Hill native and
45 made remarks. She said she also attended the Freedom Fund Banquet yesterday, held by the
46 Chapel Hill-Carrboro National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at
47 the Carraway drive-in movie theater in Chapel Hill. She said the speaker was Ns6 Ufot, CEO of
48 the New Georgia Project, which a non-partisan organization that has done work getting people
49 registered to vote in Georgia. She noted the unexpected death of Beau Bennett of Beau's
50 Catering, a very lively and great young man who touched a lot of lives. She said Mayor Jenn
51 Weaver wrote a tribute to him in this week's News of Orange.
3
1 Commissioner Richards said she is continuing her education on Orange County, and
2 was briefed by 26 of the 28 departments in the County. She thanked the Clerk for arranging
3 those meetings and staff for meeting with her. She said she attended the Jordan Lake One-
4 Water event, which was very informative. She said she toured the Buckhorn Economic
5 Development area, and is getting out and doing some of the orientation she committed to do.
6 She said she attended a Hispanic Heritage Month event sponsored by Chapel Hill Carrboro City
7 Schools (CHCCS) in Carrboro on Friday night, and then went to the other events Commissioner
8 Greene mentioned. She said she welcomed guests at the Chamber of Commerce issues forum
9 on real estate, and encouraged the Commissioners to watch the video from that event.
10 Commissioner Hamilton said she attended the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet, and the
11 keynote speech was inspiring and highlighted the importance of working together. She said
12 there is a lot of work to do, which will take a long time and will require tag teaming to get the
13 work done. She expressed appreciation to Hilary McKenzie of the Orange County School
14 (OCS) Board and OCS Superintendent Dr. Felder for sending the resolution to Commissioners
15 to let them know about what is going on in Orange County Schools. She said she is concerned
16 about the learning environment for the students and wants to support them in improving things.
17
18 Commissioner McKee arrived at 7:11 pm.
19
20 Commissioner Fowler seconded Commissioner Hamilton's comments and stands in
21 solidarity with the schools against hate, and is in support of students and staff. She said she
22 attended the Inter-Governmental Parks meeting last month and heard updates from each
23 municipality about parks and land conservancies. She said the main focus remains on following
24 COVID practices, but there has been a lot of use of outdoor facilities thanks to COVID. She
25 said there is increasing focus on sustainability projects as well. She said she attended the
26 NAACP event online. She said it is "Ink-tober", as celebrated by the Orange County Library,
27 and encouraged Commissioners to participate and get engaged.
28 Commissioner Bedford wished Commissioner Greene a happy birthday. She said she
29 voted today and encouraged others to vote early. She said early voting is open in the current
30 week Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and
31 Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. She said next week's schedule is online, and no voter IDs
32 required this year. She thanked the elections staff running the sites and the temporary poll
33 workers.
34 Commissioner McKee recognized and congratulated 29 Orange County farms inducted
35 into the North Carolina Century farm program at the North Carolina State Fair. He said the farm
36 that he and his mother, brother, and sister own was one of the 29 farms.
37 Chair Price referred to the letter from OCS, and said Commissioner Hamilton and
38 Commissioner Bedford have volunteered to write a statement in support. She said she will
39 bring forward a proclamation at the next meeting to proclaim November as Native American
40 Heritage Month. She said she attended the dedication of the mural of African American
41 Trailblazers in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, and encouraged Commissioners to view it because there
42 are recognizable faces there. She said she also went to an event at Pluck, regarding the
43 Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which Commissioner Greene also attended. She said she attended the
44 virtual meeting with the public regarding the Buckhorn Area Study, which included a brief
45 presentation by staff and comments from the public with good discussion. She encouraged
46 anyone with questions to contact Tom Altieri in the Planning Department. She said Saturday
47 10/23 is National Operation Take Back Day, and all three towns are participating. She said this
48 effort allows people to dispose of medications properly. She said drop off locations include the
49 Fairview Community Center, Wegman's in Chapel Hill, and possibly the Town Hall in Carrboro.
50 She said Senator Foushee's weekly newsletter announced that House Bill 951 passed, which
51 provides a path for 70% reduction in carbon emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality by
4
1 2050. She said by the end of 2022 Utilities Commission must sign off on Duke Energy's first
2 carbon plan, setting guidelines for carbon reduction.
3 Chair Price said over the years, she has received periodic complaints about debris in
4 people's yards. She said the county has comprehensive land use regulations addressing many
5 environmental topics and has worked hard to educate local communities on the environmental
6 management program. She said there have been issues associated with the upkeep of
7 property and the county can do better. She said issues involve unkempt yards, chemicals, etc.,
8 and some situations need to be addressed by more than one department, and she asked if the
9 County Attorney and Planning Supervisor would prepare a report outlining available options to
10 the county to address such nuisance issues. She said it is important to consider how
11 regulations will be enforced, and who will enforce them. She said she would like to see
12 departments work together to develop a comprehensive solution to local residents' needs.
13 Commissioner Bedford reminded Chair Price to ask for volunteers to serve on the
14 committee that will look at the possible restructuring of the Climate Council. She volunteered to
15 serve.
16 Chair Price asked how many people they discussed to serve.
17 Commissioner Bedford said two or three.
18 Commissioner Richards also volunteered to serve on the committee.
19
20 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations
21
22 a. Recognition of County Employee Retirements from July 1, 2021 through
23 September 30, 2021
24 The Board recognized and expressed gratitude to recent county employee retirees for
25 their devotion and service to Orange County and its residents.
26
27 BACKGROUND:
28 The following employees have retired in the first quarter of this fiscal year:
29
First Retirement YRS OF
Name Last Name Title Department Date SERVICE
FACILITIES ENVIR TECH
ERNEST MOORE II SHERIFF 08/18/2021 3
DEPUTY REGISTER OF
CLAUDE PIERCY DEEDS II REGISTER OF DEEDS 08/31/2021 5
ADMINISTRATIVE ENVIRONMENT, AG,
LISA BRASHEAR SUPPORT I PARKS & REC 07/31/2021 16
HOUSING & COMM
ANGELA ROCKETT OFFICE ASSISTANT II DEVELOPMENT 07/30/2021 19
DEPUTY FINANCIAL FINANCE AND ADMIN
PAUL LAUGHTON SRVS DIRECTOR SERVICES 08/31/2021 22
ADMINISTRATIVE
GWEN CAPERS SUPPORT II HUMAN RESOURCES 08/31/2021 32
SOLID WASTE SOLID WASTE
BLAIR POLLOCK PLANNER MANAGEMENT 07/30/2021 33
EMERGENCY
TRUDY LUCAS TELECOMMUNICATOR SERVICES 07/31/2021 34
30 The Orange County Board of Commissioners thanked each of these retirees for their service to
31 Orange County and for their dedication in meeting the primary mission of Orange County, in
32 serving residents with fairness, respect and understanding.
33
5
1 Chair Price said this idea came about while working on her Monday Memo and realizing
2 that there has not been an opportunity to recognize those who are retiring from Orange County,
3 due to Covid-19.
4 Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources Director, indicated the recognized retirees
5 present on the call first, including Angela Rockett, Blair Pollock, and Trudy Lucas. She then
6 recognized the other listed retirees who were not present.
7 Commissioner Hamilton thanked the retirees for their years of service to Orange County.
8 Chair Price thanked retirees for their dedication and wished them the best in their
9 retirement. She said it will be hard to replace them.
10
11 5. Public Hearings
12 None
13
14 6. Regular Agenda
15
16 a. Community Climate Action Grant (CCAG) — FY 2021-22 Project Selection for
17 General Applicants
18 The Board received the grant project funding recommendations from the Human
19 Relations Commission (HRC) and the Commission for the Environment for the FY 2021-22
20 Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Program; considered approving funding for the
21 recommended Community Climate Action Grant projects for FY 2021-22 as outlined in the
22 attached report; and received and considered approving the request from the HRC to shift one
23 point in the scoring rubric from "Time to Complete" to "Social Justice/ Racial Equity" in future
24 rounds of grant funding.
25
26 BACKGROUND:
27 As part of the FY 2019-20 budget, the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) created
28 the Orange County Climate Action Fund dedicated to accelerating climate change mitigation
29 actions in Orange County. This decision was motivated in part to help the County meet the
30 climate change mitigation goals set by the Board in recent years:
31 • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions community-wide by 26 percent by 2025 (from 2005
32 levels).
33 • Transition to a 100% renewable energy based economy by 2050.
34
35 For the 2021-22 funding cycle, $536,665 in funding was budgeted to support climate action
36 projects that will benefit Orange County residents both socially and financially. Following the
37 direction of the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC), the process for soliciting and
38 selecting projects to receive funding was conducted through a formal Community Climate Action
39 Grant (CCAG) program.
40
41 For this grant cycle, the BOCC reserved half of the total funding for this grant program
42 ($268,332.50) to be awarded to projects submitted by either of Orange County's two public
43 school districts. The remaining half($268,332.50) was to be made available to all other eligible
44 general applicants in this round.
45
46 Only one project totaling $68,616 has been submitted from either School district, and no funding
47 allocated for the schools has yet been recommended for approval. Attachment 2 provides
48 additional information. In light of the Board's interest in supporting school climate action projects
49 and the special challenges facing schools as they operate during a pandemic, the current grant
50 deadline for school projects will be extended through the end of November. County staff have
51 already begun reaching back out to the schools to offer direct assistance in generating project
6
1 proposals for this extended FY2021-22 round of funding as well as the FY2022-23 round of
2 funding set to open later this year.
3
4 The information below describes the scoring, ranking, and reasoning of the review of general
5 applications.
6
7 The Community Climate Action grant program received seven (7) applications in this round from
8 a variety of general applicants representing non-profit and public organizations whose total
9 requests add up to more than $880,000. While staff fielded some questions from prospective
10 applicants from the private sector, no private sector applications were received.
11
12 Grant applications were completed over the summer and reviewed and scored by the
13 Commission for the Environment (CFE) and the Human Relations Commission (HRC). On
14 September 13, 2021, each of these Commissions voted to forward their final scoring and
15 comments to the BOCC.
16
17 The following is a rank-order summary table of the combined project scoring and
18 recommendations, and more details on each project are available in Attachment 1:
19
Funding Recommend Total Rank*
Project Applicant Requeste ed Funding Running Score Out of 7
d Level total Out of application
25 is sl
Low Income Rebuilding
HVAC Together of $113,000 $113,000 $113,000 22.8 1
Replacement the Triangle
Neighborhood NC
Energy Sustainable $115,000 $90,000 $203,000.0 21.2 2
Resiliency Energy 0
Project (NERP) Association
Food Waste Town of
Monitor Carrboro $4,000 $4,000 $207,000.0 20.4 3
0
Food Waste Eno River
Monitor Farmer's $3,765 $3,765 $210,765.0 19.6 4
Market 0
Sustainability
Upgrades (Bike
Rack and Carrboro $17,000 $17,000** $227,765.0 18.4 5
Charging Arts Center 0
Station element
only)
203 Project Town of $268,332.5
Solar PV Array Carrboro $178,507 $40,567.50** 0 17.7 6
and Green Roof
7
Wayfinding Town of $268,332.5
Implementation Chapel Hill $100,000 $0 0 14.9 7
Sustainability Carrboro $268,332.5
Upgrades (Full Arts Center $371,290 $0 0 13.8 8
Project)
Total Requested by General
Applicants (Funds available $885,562 $268,332.50
for 2021-22: $268,332.50
1 * All projects, including those that tied in their scoring and those that exceed the funding limit
2 were placed in rank order by CFE and HRC voting.
3 ** The HRC recommended funding only the Bike Rack and Charging Station element of the
4 Carrboro Arts Center. The CFE did not recommend funding any portion of the ArtsCenter
5 application in favor of adding to the partial funding of Carrboro's 203 Project.
6
7 In addition to providing feedback on the FY 2021-22 round of grant applications, the HRC also
8 made a suggestion regarding an improvement to the scoring rubric used for the grant
9 evaluations. The HRC suggested reducing the weight given to the "Time to Complete" scoring
10 category and adding a point to the "Social Justice/ Racial Equity" category to better reflect the
11 grant program values.
12
13 Brennan Bouma, Sustainability Coordinator, reviewed the background information for the
14 item and made the following PowerPoint presentation:
15
16 Slide #1
r
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Community Climate
Action Grant
Project Selection for FY21-22
October 19, 2021
17
18
19
8
1 Slide #2
Climate Action Fund — Background
• '/A cent property tax for climate action
approved for the 1 9-20 Budget
• Community focus(not operations)
• Prioritizes projects with Social Justice and
Racial Equity benefits
• Current and future projects open to
community through grant program
2
3
4 Slide #3
Community Climate Action Grant—
Qverall Tmeline
2019 20 19.20 Project Creation and CFE 19-20 Project Evakalkon and
Rankng BOCC aeleclion
Appllcatlon Project seietlion
Created and Prgecl Revrew end Conlractrnp Application
2020.21 Opens for FY20. and Ranking for for Opens for FY21•
21 Funds FY2o•21 FY20-21 22 Fonds
Project Selection
Projecl Review for FY21.22, Projecl Review project Selection
2021-22 and Raming for Appticatioa and RaMilng for for
FY21.22: Opens for FY22• FY22.23 FY22.23
23 Funds
5
6
7 Slide #4
CCAG Eligibility Guidelines
• Non-profits, public entities, and small
businesses.
• All funds must be spent in Orange County.
• Must have legal standing to receive funds.
• Ongoing projects eligible if expanding or
accelerating.
• Replacement and repair projects are eligible if
not likely to be funded within 5 years.
8
9
10
9
1 Slide #5
CCAG Scoring Criteria
25 point scale
• Social Justice and Racial Equity(5pis)
• Emissions reduced(4 pis)
• Efficient use of Funds(4 pis)
• Capacity of Applicant(3 pis)
• Local Economic Development(3 pts)
• Amount and Duration of Engagement(3 pts)
Time to complete(3 pts)
2
3
4 Slide #6
CCAG Scoring Criteria
• 25 point scale
• Social Justice and Racial Equity(5pts)+1
• Emissions reduced(4 pis)
Efficient use of Funds(4 pis)
• Capacity of Applicant(3 pis)
• Local Economic Development(3 pis)
• Amount and Duration of Engagement(3 pis)
Time to complete(3 pis)-1
5
6
7 Slide#7
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8
10
1 Commissioner Richards asked if there is a requirement to complete within a certain time
2 frame, without this scoring criteria.
3 Brennan Bouma said the target for all projects is a one or two year implementation. He
4 said the intention of the Board, upon initial proposal of these scoring criteria and waiting, was to
5 stay open to lots of different kinds of projects. He said there could be a longer running project
6 with higher impacts, and that is baked into the broad eligibility and scoring. He said the point
7 heard form Human Resources Commission (HRC) members was that it is not uncommon for an
8 applicant to put in a 1-2 year time scale, and it is not a hard bar to reach, so it makes sense to
9 take a point from this area for social justice and racial equity.
10 Commissioner Hamilton said she wants to get an understanding of the 203 project and
11 the bike rack. She said both seem to be for projects that have not started, and asked if there is
12 a timeframe for when solar would be put on given the overall project conjections.
13 Brennan Bouma said there of course would need to be a building before the solar
14 installation, and this was a question from the reviewers as well. He said in the application, they
15 said it was likely they would be able to break ground and move forward on project within 2 year
16 time period, but reviewers had questions about whether that was feasible given current labor
17 and material shortages.
18 Commissioner Hamilton said as long as the climate tax exists, money will come in every
19 year. She said to tie up that money, when the project may not start for 2 years, does not make
20 sense to her. She said she would prefer to look at projects that will start within a year in order
21 to have the impact, and then there will be money for projects further out in another funding
22 cycle.
23 Brennan Bouma said there may be benefit to securing money upfront in order to design
24 with the green roof and solar array. He said this is perhaps one reason why they may be
25 applying for this funding early.
26 Steve Arndt, Asset Management Services Director, said the 203 Project design is
27 complete. He said he expects they will start in February or March with site clearing and
28 developing. He said obtaining funding will allow proper planning to occur and ensure it can be
29 installed during course of construction.
30 Chair Price asked if there was discussion as to why the HRC wanted to take a point
31 away from time to complete rather than just adding a point to social justice and racial equity and
32 making it a 26 point scale.
33 Brennan Bouma said he believes their intention was to stay within the 25 point scale
34 provided.
35 Commissioner Greene said 25 looks like a good number to work with, but there was
36 internal discussion of different numbers at different times. She said it would not bother her if the
37 scale was out of 26 points instead of 25, to keep the points for time to complete, but is also
38 happy to honor the HRC's recommendation.
39 Chair Price said she is concerned about diminishing the importance of time to complete.
40 Commissioner Fowler asked if it would be a one year time frame for the food waste
41 monitors.
42 Brennan Bouma said yes.
43 Commissioner Fowler asked if, it proves to be beneficial, the applicants would find other
44 funding or apply again.
45 Brennen Bouma said yes.
46 Commissioner Fowler asked if the 203 Project is the project that is also partially the
47 library.
48 Brennan Bouma said yes.
49 Steve Ardnt said yes, it is the library and the skills center.
50 Commissioner Fowler asked if reviewers gave feedback about the requests that were
51 not recommended for funding related to that project.
11
1 Chair Price said there were comments that some of the items should just be part of the
2 design anyway.
3 Commissioner Fowler said the county had to say no to some of the things because, all
4 together, it is beyond what is affordable, and what the county builds goes into debt service. She
5 said this does seem like a reasonable use to her, and Brennan Bouma has said this is about
6 community ideas. She said it does bring out the idea that the County, schools, and other
7 government entities cannot always afford extra things that would actually be beneficial for
8 cliamte action. She said she is not opposed to funding things like this with this resource, and
9 hopes the schools will think creatively in applying for this funding.
10 Chair Price said the abstract mentions interest from private entities but in the end they
11 did not apply. She asked if private entities identified a reason for this.
12 Brennan Bouma said the private entity expressing interest was brought into the
13 conversation by one of the community advocates pulling together the Neighborhood Energy
14 Resiliency Project. He said the administration of a grant program was beyond the interest of the
15 private entity. He said at that point, the neighborhood advocate contacted the NC sustainability
16 association.
17 Chair Price said it would be good to try to continue gathering those explanantions in
18 case the funding is expanded to additonal groups in the future and the process can be made
19 easier for them. She said other than that, she was impressed by the innovative ideas. She said
20 it seems, without the eprogram, they may not have happened or would have taken longer to do.
21 Commissioner Bedford said she appreciates the advisory boards who scored the
22 projects and agrees with their recommendations. She said she is happy to go to 26 points as a
23 solution to putting more emphasis on social justice aspect. She asked if solar was part of the
24 original design for the 203 project.
25 Steve Arndt said it has been under consideration throughout the design, but due to
26 budgetary constraints was listed as an alternate if funding was available. He said he mentioned
27 this grant to the Town of Carrboro, and recommended applying.
28 Commissioner Bedford asked if the amount is enough to cover both the solar and green
29 roof.
30 Steve Arndt said he thinks this will be enough to fund both.
31 Commissioner Bedford said hopefully the Town will get this amount and can apply again
32 in two weeks for the next round of funding.
33 Steve Arndt said yes, because the project will extend over time.
34 Commissioner Bedford asked if the payback period for solar panels is known.
35 Steve Arndt said payback period has continued to go down over the years, and is under
36 a 10 year payback now.
37 Commissioner Bedford said she wants to support these recommendations and if the
38 County Manager wanted to bring a budget amendment to fully fund the ask from other capital
39 funds she would be supportive.
40 Steve Ardnt said okay.
41 Commissioner Greene said this is a very thoughtful set of recommendations to a very
42 excellent set of proposals, and she is glad the advisory boards score them because they bring
43 important perspective. She said money is going towards projects that those who initally
44 supported the tax wanted to see it do: projects that mitiage climate change, that would not
45 otherwise be possible due to a lack of funding. She said she is happy to endorse the
46 recommendations, and adding the additional point to the rubric.
47 Commissioner Hamilton said would love to see the numbers about how greenhouse gas
48 is decreasing over the years in future reports. She said it is helpful to track the impact of the
49 efforts. She said it would also be helpful to have a brief summary of currently funded projects
50 and how they are going and how much greenhouse gas was produced locally. She said this will
51 provide important perspective and assurance that the efforts are well directed. She said she
12
1 also agrees with increasing scale to 26 points to add an additional point to social justice
2 category.
3
4 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, to
5 approve funding for the recommended Community Climate Action Grant projects for FY 2021-
6 22; and increase the possible score total to 26 to add one point to "Social Justice/ Racial Equity"
7 in future rounds of grant funding.
8
9 Roll call ensued
10
11 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
12
13 Commissioner Fowler said these are all good projects, and she would still like to have
14 greater impact with future projects.
15 Chair Price asked for a report of projects funded in the past.
16
17 b. Establishment of a Schools Capital Needs Work Group
18 The Board considered establishing a Schools Capital Needs Work Group to review,
19 consider and prioritize the capital needs for the Orange County Schools (OCS) district and the
20 Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) district.
21
22 BACKGROUND:
23 At the May 18, 2021 Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) Business meeting, a
24 petition was submitted by Commissioner Jean Hamilton, supported by Commissioner Earl
25 McKee, that a Work Group be established to review, consider and prioritize the school districts'
26 capital needs as well as budget requests.
27
28 The proposed Work Group will consist of Board of Education members from both districts,
29 members of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, school staff from both districts and
30 County staff to develop a plan to address both districts on-going capital needs, repairs and
31 renovation projects. The attached indicates the specific proposed membership slots for the
32 Schools Capital Needs Work Group.
33
34 Bonnie Hammersley reviewed the background information for this item.
35 Commissioner Hamilton said there are school needs that have not been addressed that
36 affect the health and wellbeing of students. She said, since it was her petition, she will
37 volunteer to serve and work collaboratively with the schools to create a plan. She said that it is
38 unlikely that they will have enough money to get everything done, but she anticipates getting a
39 better idea of what is needed and what should be prioritized.
40 Commissioner McKee nominated Commissioner Hamilton to serve on the work group.
41 Commissioner Bedford nominated Chair Price to serve to have representation from both
42 District 1 and 2.
43 Commissioner Greene agreed with the nominations and seconded the motion.
44
45 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Greene to
46 approve the establishment of the Schools Capital Needs Work Group as outlined above and
47 approve the membership detailed on the attached list; appoint Commissioner Hamilton to serve
48 on the Work Group with the Board Chair; and direct the County Manager to coordinate with the
49 School Superintendents to schedule the first meeting of the Work Group.
50
51 Roll call ensued
13
1
2 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
3
4 Commissioner Richards indicated that October 22 is Brennan Bouma's last day with
5 Orange County before beginning his new position with Chapel Hill. She commended him for his
6 outstanding service, speaking as a Commissioner, as well as a community member and
7 someone who worked with him in that manner. She said Brennan Bouma is an outstanding
8 County employee, with exemplary commitment, knowledge, and a personable and patient
9 attitude. She said she is sorry to see him leave, but wanted to go on record to thank him for his
10 work and wish him the best in his career.
11 Commissioner Fowler seconded all of those accolades and said Brennan Bouma has
12 been generous with his time to discuss climate action. She said she would also like to volunteer
13 for the committee to review the climate council that was discussed earlier on in the meeting.
14 She asked if the County Manager has a plan to fill Brennan Bouma's shoes.
15 Bonnie Hammersley said there is currently a hiring freeze in county government. She
16 said all vacancies are evaluated. She said this position is under the supervision of the Asset
17 Management Services Director, who has been asked to review the job description to determine
18 if changes need to occur. She said the position will then go in the queue for prioritization with
19 all the other open positions in the County, but in mean time, the AMS Director and Manager's
20 Office will cover the duties.
21 Commissioner Fowler said she hopes Brennan Bouma heard all of the accolades.
22 Brennan Bouma said he did, and expressed thanks to the Board.
23 Chair Price said expressed gratitude to Brennan Bouma.
24
25 c. Establishment of a Library Services Task Force
26 The Board considered establishing a Library Services Task Force to collaborate on
27 issues relating to the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County library funding and inter-
28 operability.
29
30 BACKGROUND:
31 On August 31, 2021, Town of Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger sent a letter to BOCC Chair
32 Renee Price informing her that the Chapel Hill Public Library Advisory Board had submitted a
33 petition (attached) to the Town Council requesting the formation of a task force to work on
34 issues relating to library funding and inter-operability.
35
36 On September 28, 2012, the Town of Chapel Hill and the County entered into an inter-local
37 agreement (attached) regarding the funding of the Chapel Hill Municipal Library and improved
38 interoperability of library services. The inter-local agreement between Orange County and
39 Chapel Hill expired in 2017. In early 2015, a work group met to discuss the terms of the inter-
40 local agreement as well as pro-actively renew the agreement. The work group was
41 unsuccessful at revising or renewing the agreement due to the uncertainty of how the
42 construction to replace the existing Orange County Southern Branch Library system would
43 impact library services in Southern Orange County.
44
45 The letter from the Town of Chapel Hill Mayor requests that the Task Force include the following
46 individuals:
47 • Chapel Hill's Library Director
48 • Town of Chapel Hill Library Advisory Board Chair
49 • Friends of Chapel Hill Library Board Chair, and
50 0 the Town Council's Liaison
14
1
2 To balance out the Task Force, the County would appoint:
3 • Orange County Library Director
4 • Friends of the Orange County Library Board Chair
5 • Friends of the Carrboro Library Board Chair, and
6 • a BOCC Liaison
7
8 In addition, Mayor Hemminger's letter requests the hiring a trained facilitator to help lead these
9 discussions and process, with financial responsibility shared between the Town of Chapel Hill
10 and the County.
11
12 Bonnie Hammersley reviewed the background information for this item.
13 Commissioner Fowler said she would be in support of, and is willing to serve on, this
14 task force. She said she would support sharing the cost of a facilitator if there is a way to cover
15 those funds.
16 Commissioner Greene said Chapel Hill has wanted to have this conversation for a while
17 and she thinks it is time, since more is known about how the new Southern Branch Library is
18 going to shake out. She said this task force structure is different than the old structure, in that it
19 has more staff and less elected officials, but she is fine with that. She said she does not think a
20 mediator is necessary, but if the town insists on one, she thinks it is okay for the county to share
21 cost, but she does not see a need for it.
22 Chair Price said she would like to try it without a facilitator, as other than taking notes,
23 the group is small enough to operate without a facilitator. She said if Chapel Hill wants one,
24 maybe it should cover the costs. She said she is optimistic the work can be done without hiring
25 a facilitator.
26 Commissioner McKee asked Commissioner Greene to confirm that the task force did not
27 have a facilitator when they served on the 2012 committee.
28 Commissioner Greene said there was no facilitator and the task force included three
29 elected officials from each body who just had a conversation with each other.
30 Commissioner McKee said there was never a lot of discussion about whether the County
31 should support the facility, but to what extent there would be crossover between the County and
32 Town libraries and interactions between them. He said he is not sure there will be any need for
33 a facilitator, and this group should all be able to sit down with the understanding that this
34 cooperation is a need and benefit to the County as a whole. He said he is not sure what a
35 facilitator would accomplish.
36 Commissioner Fowler said she is fine without a facilitator, and was just being agreeable
37 to the Town's recommendation.
38
39 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to
40 designate Commissioner Fowler to serve as the Board's Liaison on the Task Force.
41
42 Commissioner Hamilton said one difference from the previous task force is the addition
43 of the Southern Branch Library, which may demonstrate the need for a facilitator.
44 Chair Price said this additional library has been a part of the conversation for many
45 years.
46
47 Roll call ensued
48
49 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
50
15
1 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to
2 approve the establishment of the Library Services Task Force, appoint the County
3 representatives as outlined above; direct the Task Force to provide an Interim Report to the
4 Board of Commissioners by April 1, 2022; move forward without hiring a facilitator; and direct
5 the County Manager to coordinate with the Town Manager to schedule the first meeting of the
6 Task Force.
7
8 Roll call ensued
9
10 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
11
12 d. Change in BOCC Meeting Schedule for 2021
13 The Board considered changes to the Board of Commissioners' meeting calendar for
14 2021.
15
16 BACKGROUND:
17 Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 153A-40, the Board of County
18 Commissioners must fix the time and place of its meetings or provide a notice of any
19 change in the Meeting Schedule.
20
21 Due to current public health concerns, it is proposed that the Board of Commissioners
22 conduct virtual business meetings during the months of November and December 2021.
23 Members of the Board of Commissioners would participate in the business meetings
24 remotely. As in prior meetings, members of the public would be able to view and listen to the
25 meeting via online streaming video or on Spectrum Cable TV. The meetings would be
26 streamed in real-time on the County's website for public viewing/listening, real-time broadcast
27 on Spectrum Cable, and video-recorded for future television broadcast and reference on the
28 County's website.
29
30 It is also proposed that the virtual Business meeting scheduled for November 2, 2021 be
31 rescheduled to November 4, 2021.
32
33 Additionally, it is proposed that the November 11, 2021 work session scheduled to take place
34 at the Southern Human Services Center be relocated to the Whitted Building at 300 W. Tryon
35 St. in Hillsborough. The work session would be conducted in-person and attendees would be
36 required to wear masks and to remain socially distanced from others.
37
38 November 2021 Meetings
39 November 4 BOCC Virtual Business Meeting — 7:00 pm
40 November 11 BOCC Work Session at the Whitted Building — 7:00 pm
41 November 16 BOCC Virtual Business Meeting — 7:00 pm
42
43
16
1 December 2021 Meetings
2 December 6 BOCC Virtual Business Meeting — 7:00 pm
3 December 14 BOCC Virtual Business Meeting — 7:00 pm
4
5 Chair Price said there was discussion on moving the November 2 meeting to November
6 4, due to municipal Election Day. She said she talked to Manager, and there are not many
7 agenda items for this meeting, so the Board could possibly cancel the meeting, or even have a
8 regular meeting before work session on November 11.
9 Commissioner Fowler asked if the second option could potentially impact meeting in
10 person on November 11, since business meetings allow public comment.
11 Chair Price said the Native American Month Proclamation could be passed onto
12 November 16. She said other items could be approved on November 11.
13 Laura Jensen said the Rules of Procedure indicate that the Board does not take action
14 at work sessions, but could vote to suspend the rules in order to approve a proclamation at their
15 November 11 work session and it would not be considered a business meeting.
16 Chair Price said there are options to make it work. She said the question is whether to
17 come together on November 4 for a short meeting or not.
18 Commissioner Fowler asked if the Board would need to vote to cancel the meeting.
19 Chair Price said yes.
20 Commissioner McKee said he is not in favor of cancelling the November 4 meeting, and
21 thinks the Board should stay with its precedent of meeting on the first and third Tuesdays of the
22 month. He said because of continuing virtual meetings through the end of the year, with
23 exception of the November 11 work session, he will vote against this as a sign of protest. He
24 said public business needs to happen in public. He said children are back at school with
25 masks, the public is back at work, and people are interacting more and more and going to
26 restaurants and social events. He said it is time for the Board to go back to in person meetings,
27 and the Whitted meeting room can be configured safely.
28 Commissioner Hamilton said the Board should hold the November 4 meeting. She said
29 she wants more information on safety of the November 11 meeting. She said she is open to
30 going back in person, but wants to make sure all possibilities and risks have been thought
31 through.
32 Chair Price said the first issue is whether to move November 2 meeting to November 4,
33 and then to determine whether to meet in person through December.
34 Commissioner Greene said she is in favor of meeting virtually on November 4. She
35 joked it might be nice for new members to experience a short meeting. She agreed with
36 Commissioner McKee about keeping the meeting schedule consistent.
37 Chair Price said in the past meetings have been cancelled due to lack of agenda items
38 in order to save time and money; however, she is fine with the meeting being held. She asked
39 the Board for its thoughts on meeting in person for the remainder of the 2021 meetings.
40 Commissioner Hamilton said she thinks the December schedule should be decided after
41 the in person work session on November 11, depending on how the meeting goes.
42 Laura Jensen showed a diagram of the proposed configuration of the Whitted meeting
43 room for the November 11 work session.
44 Commissioner McKee said this diagram is consistent with his vision for the room.
45 Laura Jensen explained the diagram, noting appropriate spacing between attendees.
46 Commissioner Fowler asked if there is a plan for overflow and if all those in attendance
47 will be required to wear masks.
48 Laura Jensen said Quintana Stewart, Public Health Director, advised that all in
49 attendance for meeting wear masks.
50 Chair Price said all Commissioners and guests will be able to be six feet apart.
51 Commissioner Fowler said both precautions are recommended.
17
1 Laura Jensen said the overflow space is in the hallway outside of the meeting room,
2 consistent with chairs set up for a vaccine clinic held at Whitted. She said the audio of the
3 meeting will play in this area so any overflow attendees can keep up with the meeting.
4 Chair Price said she can vouch for the sound system.
5 Commissioner Bedford said the Clerk should also check where the Sheriff's Deputies
6 would like to be positioned.
7 Laura Jensen said she will follow up on this. She said she has never done in person
8 meetings here, but will make sure the deputies are accounted for.
9 Commissioner Hamilton asked if there will be protocol for people who do not comply with
10 wearing masks.
11 Laura Jensen said, per John Roberts, public health and safety measures can be set for
12 meeting, including mandatory mask wearing. She said she will have masks available for
13 anyone who needs one. She said if people do not comply a Sheriff's Deputy will escort them
14 from meeting room.
15 Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is a plan in place if more than one person refuses
16 to wear a mask.
17 Laura Jensen said she will develop a plan with the Sheriff's Office, and if this is
18 approved tonight, her next call will be to the Sheriff's Office.
19 Chair Price said she can also recess the meeting until folks are in compliance.
20 Commissioner McKee said the Chair does have the ability to stop meeting until decorum
21 is established and request deputies remove anyone who does not comply with guidelines. He
22 said there are additional side rooms off of the main room that could also accommodate any
23 need for overflow. He said the Chair can also ask people to rotate out of the room after
24 speaking to accommodate those in overflow.
25 Commissioner Richards asked if any requirements would be published with notice of the
26 meeting, so anyone attending would have full knowledge of rules of operating.
27 Chair Price said yes.
28 Commissioner McKee said there should be a public announcement on television and
29 radio, so that everyone can know the rules.
30 Chair Price asked if the Public Health Director is recommending masks be kept on while
31 speaking as well.
32 Laura Jensen said the recommendation is to wear masks throughout the meeting, since
33 the virus spreads during speech.
34 Commissioner Richards asked for a reminder of the Clerk's email about the Governor's
35 declaration of State of Emergency.
36 Laura Jensen said the BOCC can meet virtually due to Governor's state of emergency
37 declaration, which has been extended through the end of November. She said if it is not
38 extended again, the Board will have to move back to in person business meetings. She said
39 one advantage to moving to in person work sessions, earlier than required, is it enables staff to
40 work out any issues before being required to return in person for business meetings, which are
41 more heavily attended.
42 Commissioner Richards reiterated the reason the Board can meet virtually is because of
43 the declaration, but the Board is not prohibited from meeting in person.
44 Laura Jensen said yes, and some surrounding communities are already meeting in
45 person.
46 Commissioner Hamilton reminded the Board that the mask mandate is based on local
47 Orange County rules, and the Board decides when that is lifted. She suggested that staff speak
48 with school superintendents, to get an idea of what their experience has been meeting in person
49 and help get better prepared.
50 Laura Jensen said this will be part of the conversation.
51
18
1 A motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to
2 move November 2 meeting to November 4; hold the November 11 work session in person at the
3 Whitted Building; and hold the November 16 Business meeting and two business meetings in
4 December virtually.
5
6 Roll call ensued
7
8 VOTE: Ayes, 6 (Commissioner Bedford, Commissioner Fowler, Commissioner Greene,
9 Commissioner Hamilton, Commissioner Richards, Chair Price); Nays, 1 (Commissioner
10 McKee)
11
12 e. Approval of Board of Commissioners Meeting Calendar for Year 2022
13 The Board considered approval of the meeting schedule for the Board of Commissioners
14 for calendar year 2022.
15
16 BACKGROUND:
17 In accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-318.12, a schedule of regular meetings
18 shall be filed with the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners. The schedule must show
19 the date, time, and place of each meeting.
20
21 Commissioner McKee said he is sorry to sound like a broken record, but there is no
22 excuse to not be in person in January, otherwise the kids should not be in school.
23 Commissioner Fowler said she takes Commissioner McKee's point, but it would be nice
24 to see what happens with COVID in the winter, given how the Delta variant changed things in
25 the summer. She asked if this calendar has to be voted on tonight, or if it was approved, could
26 it be changed.
27 Laura Jensen said the calendar is usually approved at this time, and it is important for
28 departments that schedule public hearings, etc. with Commissioners. She said it would be good
29 to have the dates established for the meetings tonight, and the locations can be changed at any
30 time. She said this is all predicated on whether or not Governor extends state of emergency
31 past November. She said if the calendar is approved as recommended with the first three
32 months of the year virtual, she may have to come back to the Board in early January anyway to
33 change all locations to in person. She said it is always a possibility to change location and date
34 so long as she can provide sufficient public notice.
35 Commissioner Greene said she had the same question as Commissioner Fowler. She
36 said she does not know why a decision has to be made night, and the County has never been in
37 COVID before, and she wonders if staff can bear with Commissioners and live with uncertainty
38 as Commissioners are doing. She said she is very supportive of the retreat being in person, but
39 does not know why decisions have to be made tonight about January and February.
40 Chair Price asked if the Board can just approve the dates for the time being.
41 Commissioner Richards said she is wondering the same thing.
42 Commissioner Greene said she thought the question was whether to be virtual or not.
43 Chair Price said in approving the calendar, the Board is deciding the dates.
44 Commissioner Greene asked if the dates can be approved without deciding whether
45 they are virtual or not.
46 Laura Jensen said state law requires the Board to fix the date, time, and location of all of
47 its meetings. She said if the Board decides not to establish a location at this time, staff would
48 likely bring this item back at first business meeting in December for a decision. She said either
49 way, a change will have to be made. She said staff can certainly live with uncertainty and have
50 gotten used to that. She said staff will make whatever the Board wants work.
19
1 Chair Price said even if the dates are decided today, the location can be decided in
2 December.
3
4 A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to
5 approve the dates of the BOCC's 2022 meeting calendar as written, with all meetings in person
6 beginning in January.
7
8 Commissioner Hamilton said the Board should commit to in person, and can change to
9 virtual if necessary.
10 Commissioner Richards said she was going to suggest the same thing. She said the
11 messaging is better to say the Board wants to meet in person and only change back to virtual
12 with a clear reason.
13 Commissioner Fowler said she is also willing to do that, but would have preferred to
14 approve as written with January and February virtual and then move to in person depending on
15 what happens in the winter. She said masks and distancing will be crucial, and she would like
16 to see the opportunity for children to be vaccinated first, but she is willing to try the way it has
17 been suggested.
18 Commissioner Bedford said March 8, 2022 is the primary election and made a friendly
19 amendment to Commissioner Hamilton's motion for that meeting to be moved to March 10.
20 Commissioner Hamilton and Commissioner McKee accepted the friendly amendment
21 from Commissioner Bedford.
22 Laura Jensen said the proposed motion would make the meetings at the following
23 locations: January 18, 2022 meeting at the Whitted Building, January 25 at the Whitted Building,
24 February 1 Business Meeting at Whitted Building, and February 17 Work Session at Southern
25 Human Services Center. She said the meeting with the School Boards on February 22 would
26 be at the Whitted Building.
27 Commissioner Bedford asked if the Assembly of Governments (AOG) meeting is safe to
28 hold in person at Whitted.
29 Laura Jensen said this meeting will push the 33 attendees limit, and that is a reason why
30 that one was originally listed as virtual.
31 Chair Price recalled the AOG for 2021 was cancelled. She suggested the Chairs and
32 Vice Chairs of the elected bodies could get together if issues need to be discussed.
33 Commissioner Bedford said some members might be able to sit in different rooms.
34 Chair Price said it can be approved as is, and changed if needed.
35 Commissioner Greene said she is not in favor of cancelling this meeting even if it has to
36 be done virtually.
37 Chair Price said she is not suggesting cancelling it, but just remembered it was
38 cancelled for 2021.
39 Commissioner McKee reminded the Board this is all fluid because the Governor can
40 change his declaration. He said if it turns out a meeting will not work in person, the Board can
41 always change the calendar.
42 Commissioner Fowler asked if the Clerk will send an updated calendar to reflect the
43 changes.
44 Laura Jensen said yes, and will also send a 12-month color-coded calendar with all of
45 the meetings and locations listed.
46 Commissioner Richards asked if the meetings have been held elsewhere besides the
47 Whitted building or Southern Human Services Center.
48 Commissioner McKee said meetings have been held in the community a few times.
49 Commissioner Richards asked if it would be possible to meet in a community space for a
50 meeting if space is an issue.
51 Chair Price said yes, that is possible, and the Board needs to be creative.
20
1
2 Roll call ensued
3
4 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
5
6 7. Reports
7
8 a. Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness — 2021 Data Update
9 The Board reviewed updated data about homelessness in Orange County submitted to
10 the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) earlier this year.
11
12 BACKGROUND:
13 The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH) was created in 2008 to
14 coordinate funding and activities to end homelessness in Orange County. OCPEH is jointly
15 funded by Orange County (39%) and the Towns of Carrboro (15%), Chapel Hill (41%), and
16 Hillsborough (5%).
17
18 OCPEH Manager Rachel Waltz will present the updated data and discuss how current data
19 relate to identified gaps in the homeless service system.
20
21 Corey Root introduced Rachel Waltz, Homeless Programs Manager. She said she is a
22 licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years' experience working in housing instability. She
23 said Waltz was hired as the Homeless Program Coordinator in April 2021, and became the
24 manager for the program when Corey Root became the Housing and Community Development
25 Director. She said Waltz worked in the VA in Durham, the Bronx, as well as UNC Center for
26 Excellence in Community Mental Health.
27 Rachel Waltz made the following PowerPoint presentation:
28
29 Slide #1
Partr4rshL�ran�r Lni:n
�.^ tEnd Homelessness
October 19,2021
30
31 Rachel Waltz said this presentation is lightly adapted from one done for community
32 service providers and stakeholders in August. She continued the PowerPoint presentation:
33
34
21
1 Slide#2
•w many people
experiencing homelessness?
3 Rachel Waltz said other questions are:
4 -What is known about people experiencing homelessness in Orange County?
5 -What is known about people exiting homelessness in community?
6 She said the report is based on two sets of data: the Point in Time Count conducted annually
7 and the System Performance Measures, which captures data submitted through September
8 2020. She resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
9
10 Slide #3
Orange County Point-in-Time (PIT) count
numbers increased significantly
z POINT-IN-TIMECOUNTDATA
2017-2021
1SU
70[1
I
SOF14fIB0
IhISYllhlld
50
O
201! 2012 2019 =0 > 1
uiq p. Ly
pan"fnd H peie w'
11
12
22
1 Slide#4
SubpopWations are suing different
outcomes
• Steady decreases for families
• Veterans flat lined
• Most chronic homeless identified since 2010
35 f LIIFDWhH@MdM
30 f famwa
25 Honl�k�YHerans
20
15
10
5 MIT loin 2619 :0M M21
f Paimeishir,�..
2
3 Rachel Waltz said many gains in addressing chronic homelessness were lost over the
4 past year. She said a Street Outreach Team was developed in the Fall 2020, which may
5 account for some of this increase as more people are connected with the system. She said
6 there continued to be around 10 veterans homeless in Orange County, despite significant
7 investments from the VA and other service providers. She heard concerning news from service
8 providers that intimate partner violence is increasing and people are staying in unsafe situations
9 longer because of lack of access. She resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
10
11 Slide #5
PIT counted 176 people on one night,how
many in 12 months?
Pe pn Ieenuring 3u
r s�a�� h01SIngOppross9rims "� _tl,
�2 0 the
' .,
■raaex,w.namra■h.� l.desvewr..•fixnre
• %total that experienced homelessness for the first time
85% 72% 63% 75% 79%
• Shelter,Transitional Housing, &Permanent Housing
• Homeless for first time=no entries for 24 months prior
12
13 Rachel Waltz said staff is starting to see the percentage of people experiencing
14 homelessness increasing, for the first time, after a previous period of decreasing. She resumed
15 the PowerPoint presentation:
16
17
23
1 Slide#6
What do we know about people
experiencing homelessness?
rsh,ppe'
F.-dHw..Mz-
2
3
4
5 Slide#7
There have not been significant changes in
MOST demographic categories
HOOSEHaMM AQ
■AlJieag .1fdGYtr
■f.nllf ■I7aYE.�
■IFN
GENDER
.W.
.Trrtq--0-R
6
7 Rachel Waltz said youth homelessness increased from 2% to 8% over past the year.
8 She resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
9
10 Slide#8
5%of people exp.homelessness are Latina
compared with 9%in overall population
ETHNICITY
16.(FM*EWs•d9 Ekm*—u Dry C.,q
pan imm ieon. ■�.nsm.ea
%01 PRapl!In pang!muMy OYcrall
E-d'H rehlpB n
Homc+exn.�.
1 1
12 Rachel Waltz said staff is exploring ways to insure all resources are made available in
13 multiple languages. She resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
24
1 Slide#9
67%of people exp,homelessness are
Black/African American—5.5x general pop
RACE
I
2
3 Rachel Waltz said staff has seen a further exacerbation of gap in representation due to
4 COVID-19. She resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
5
6 Slide #10
o, people exiting
ft Hw.rNewass
7
8
9 Slide#11
Length of time homeless large and
increasing
741
.�
.7. y
37 - x7x m a3i m
• Shelter,Transitional Shelter&
Housing,&Permanent Transitional
Housing Housing only
• Includes approximate date Program entry to
of homelessness exit
10
11 Rachel Waltz said the HUD goal is that someone experiencing homelessness can
12 access services in 90 days. She said the median number of days of someone experiencing
13 homelessness is currently close to one year, and average is close to two years. She said the
14 length of time in programs is decreasing after increasing in past years, which is a good sign.
25
1 She said transitional housing and rapid rehousing services have been particularly impactful in
2 recent months. She resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
3
4 Slide #12
A brightpoint:Returns are low and
continue to decrease
t 2 AO Mtum to
{.� IO hemel essness
■rr/// within 7 years
—�ia'il�fyfr Eua'>
F 264 11% 4396 6% M
From
4an1niee4 0% DAL H.A4 ]516 3IX5
homing
F.— 0% ilk 3% 10% A Exl[ed
"a.fiq On.2017-
r w 00.2019 10� sx 19% 14% 9% S
to
®®®®® permanent
hausing
5
6
7 Rachel Waltz said the HUD goal is to have fewer than 20% of people who exit to
8 permanent housing return to homelessness within 2 years, and this is currently 9% in Orange
9 County. She resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
10
11 Slide #13
Next up:filling
system gaps
12
13
14 Slide #14
So many pandemic response changes affect
homeless data—many successes!
Noncongregate&expanded shelter
$7 million in rent&utility assistance
•New programs:SOH RAID,Rapid Re-
housing, Housing Helpline,Housing
Stability
-Tighter collaboration with healthcare
system
x
15
16
17
26
1 Slide#15
Other pandemic responses created
challenges
-Decreased in-person services
-Coordination and collaboration had to
happen in different ways and with
different people
-Gaps exacerbated
2
3
4 Slide#16
Orange County has significant gaps in the
homeless service system
14 current gaps
•Housing:Rapid Rehousing,Permanent Supportive
Housing,Youth housing,Landlord Incentive Program,
Housing Locator,Household goods
Services—Temporary Housing.Accessible housing-
focused shelter,Medical respite,Bridge housing
Services—Connections:Housing Helpline,Sober Center,
Integrated service center
Services—Dignity:24-hour bathroom access,Memorial
service funding r'art3°gin,"
^eeH m
5
6
7 Slide#17
Please let me know if I can present to your
group,or provide furtherinfo
Rachel Waltz
rwaltz@orangecountync.gov
(919)245-249G
8
9 Commissioner Fowler asked if the percentage of people with mental health conditions,
10 substance abuse, or intellectual/developmental disabilities experiencing homelessness is
11 known.
12 Rachel Waltz said HUD collects data on these items, but Orange County does not
13 require people to answer these questions.
14 Corey Root said the information is collected and more can be provided. She said this
15 information is not always the best because it is based on how people identify versus clinical
16 diagnoses. She said these should not be considered firm statistics.
17 Commissioner Fowler said it could be helpful in informing the gaps analysis.
18 Commissioner Greene asked about the gap for the housing locator and thought that
19 position had already been funded.
27
1 Rachel Waltz said the Housing Access Coordinator position was funded, which focuses
2 80% of time on system level issues like landlord recruitment and retention, building
3 collaboration to increase affordable housing stock in the community that is willing to partner with
4 rental subsidies, etc. She said this position spends the remaining 20% of its time is dedicated
5 to individualized housing searches for people with multiple barriers. She said a Housing
6 Locator position would strictly provide the individualized housing search.
7 Commissioner Greene said this position originated at Community Empowerment Fund
8 (CEF) and got transferred to the county.
9 Rachel Waltz said that part is currently happening, and Christopher Jackson came on
10 board the end of June and he engages in the landlord recruitment and reaches out to landlords
11 and builds relationships. She said he came from the Durham Housing Authority, and is focused
12 on providing high quality rentals.
13 Commissioner Greene asked if the difference between the Housing Access and Housing
14 Locator positions could be explained.
15 Rachel Waltz said the locator would have an individualized role with people searching
16 for housing. She said the Current Housing Access Coordinator is only able to do a portion of
17 that.
18 Commissioner Greene recalled a past presentation from Corey Root where then
19 Commissioner Dorosin asked how much money would be required to fund the gaps and
20 therefore end homelessness in Orange County, but then COVID happened and it got lost. She
21 asked if staff can reestablish what amount of money it would take to end homelessness in
22 Orange County and begin that conversation again with colleagues in municipalities.
23 Rachel Waltz said the OCPEH Leadership Team will vote on whether or not to adopt the
24 updated gaps analysis at its November meeting and will present that information to the BOCC
25 thereafter.
26 Corey Root said staff is also working on updated gaps numbers for American Rescue
27 Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
28 Commissioner Richards said there are a couple of gaps that community partners may be
29 able to help fill, and asked if that is factored into the gaps analysis. She said the reentry project
30 involved churches that came forward willing to provide goods and services to help people.
31 Corey Root said there are lots of different entities and people needed to fill these gaps.
32 Commissioner Richards asked if there is an outreach person who does that in terms of
33 community organization.
34 Corey Root said she and Rachel Waltz do that, plus service providers. She said these
35 gaps are a galvanizing tool for the community. She said there has been success in partnering
36 with community organizations to address the gaps, and highlighted some examples.
37 Commissioner Hamilton asked if the percentage of newly homeless is increasing
38 because of job losses as result of COVID is known. She asked where the newly homeless are
39 coming from within the County, and how mental health and domestic violence play a factor.
40 She said this type of information helps Board understand what is needed and how much. She
41 asked if there is a reason why there is not 24-hour bathroom access, and where, when, how,
42 they could exist. She asked if other communities have addressed this need successfully.
43 Corey Root said there was a task force pre-COVID with the Town of Chapel Hill to
44 discuss public bathrooms for all residents. She said these bathrooms need to be in downtown
45 Chapel Hill or Carrboro, preferably with a shower option. She said there was a pilot project that
46 was set to move forward in March 2020, which needs to be picked back up.
47 Commissioner Hamilton asked if funding was identified for the pilot project.
48 Corey Root said it was going to be an ask from Town of Chapel Hill, for a fancy port-a-
49 potty with some tracking technology to understand how often it is used, etc.
28
1 Chair Price referred to the return to homelessness within 2 years, and asked if some
2 particular happened in 2019 to make the percentage so low and then go back up in 2020 and
3 2021.
4 Rachel Waltz said that is actually the number exited from homelessness to permanent
5 housing, not people returning to homelessness.
6 Chair Price asked if there is an idea of the number of people who will always be
7 homeless, because it is their choice or preference.
8 Rachel Waltz said this is a common question, but no one wants to be homeless;
9 however, shelter comes with a set of conditions that most people would not want for
10 themselves. She said permanent supportive housing is a best practice that has been around for
11 40 years now, and is designated for people who have experienced chronic homeless and have
12 a self-identified disability. She said there is large amount of research that people who are
13 permanently housed have better health outcomes, less interaction with criminal justice system,
14 more night housed, etc.
15
16 Commissioner McKee exited the meeting at 9:35 pm
17
18 Chair Price said there are people who just will not be housed for whatever reason,
19 whether to do with mental illness, or they just reject housing and would rather be homeless.
20 She asked if there is an idea of the percentage in this community. She said she did know one
21 person who preferred to camp in the woods, and did not want permanent housing. She said in
22 other locales, there are some people who remain homeless no matter what staff does,
23 Corey Root said it used to be acceptable in the field to say that some people just want to
24 be homeless and that is that; but now, in the work, there are a lot of people who are hard to
25 house, have barriers to housing entry and housing maintenance. She said there are no people
26 in this community who staff is not trying to continue to house, even if the answer is repeatedly
27 no. She said staff continues to have conversations about housing with people who may have
28 previously declined. She said if housing is offered with optional high quality case management,
29 where people can be in their own space and set their own rules, it is irresistible. She said this is
30 true nationwide as well.
31 Chair Price said she is glad to hear this.
32 Commissioner Greene said staff has always told her that if there are people who are
33 "choosing" to be homeless, it is not really their position, and it is the failure of the providers to be
34 reaching their needs. She said it used to be the broader feeling that some people prefer to be
35 homeless, or are unhelp-able, but there is more of an understanding that if one works hard
36 enough at it, people do want to be helped.
37
38 8. Consent Agenda
39
40 Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
41
42 Items 8-i and 8-j were moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda at the start
43 of the meeting.
44 Commissioner Bedford asked to pull item 8-h from the consent agenda for discussion.
45
46 Commissioner McKee returned to the meeting at 9:40 pm.
47
48 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to
49 approve the remaining consent agenda.
50
51 Roll call ensued
29
1
2 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
3
4 Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
5
6 a. Minutes
7 The Board approved the minutes from the September 14, 2021 Virtual Business Meeting.
8 b. Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget Amendment#2
9 The Board considered approved budget, grant, and capital project ordinance amendments for
10 fiscal year 2021-22.
11 c. Approval of Financing Arrangements for Orange Rural Fire Department to Construct a
12 New Fire/EMS Station
13 The Board approved Orange Rural Fire Department (ORFD) entering into a financing
14 arrangement for the construction of the fire portion of a joint fire/EMS station in the Waterstone
15 community of Hillsborough and authorize the BOCC Chair to sign the appropriate documents
16 related to the financing arrangements.
17 d. Development Agreement between Orange County and Orange Rural Fire Department
18 for a New Fire/EMS Station
19 The Board approved a Development Agreement between Orange Rural Fire Department
20 (ORFD) and Orange County; and considered authorizing the County Manager to execute the
21 Agreement upon final review by the County Attorney.
22 e. Amendments to the Orange County Code of Ordinances, Section 14-1- Fire, to Adopt
23 All Optional Operational Permits as Identified in the NC Fire Prevention Code, Section
24 105
25 The Board approved a resolution, which is incorporated by reference, amending the Orange
26 County Code of Ordinances, Section 14-1- Fire, to adopt all Optional Operational Permits as
27 identified in the NC Fire Prevention Code, Section 105.
28 f. Renewal of the Expiring Three-Year Interlocal Agreement between Orange County and
29 the Town of Chapel Hill to Continue the Joint Funding for the "LAUNCH, Inc." Small
30 Business Incubator
31 The Board renewed the current three-year Interlocal Agreement between Orange County and
32 the Town of Chapel Hill that financially supports the LAUNCH, Inc. entrepreneurial small
33 business incubator.
34 g. Approval of a Lease for the Historic Norwood Law Office — 135 Court St.,
35 Hillsborough, to the Preservation Fund of Hillsborough, Inc.
36 The Board approved a three-year lease agreement with the Preservation Fund of Hillsborough,
37 Inc., for the historic Norwood Law Office, built c. 1830; and considered authorizing the Chair to
38 sign the Resolution for Lease, and the Manager to sign the Lease Agreement upon final review
39 by the County Attorney.
40 h. Approval of the Management Services Agreement for the Piedmont Food Processing
41 Center
42 The Board approved a management services agreement between Piedmont Food Processing
43 Center (PFPC) which establishes a legal agreement under which the County can continue
44 working with and supporting PFPC to provide shared kitchen incubator services.
45
46 Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
47
48 Commissioner Bedford petitioned for there to be a presentation at a work session in the
49 future to include information about PFPC and its operations, so the Board has more information.
50 She said she realizes that data pulled right now is not necessarily accurate, due to the
30
1 pandemic. She said staff might need a longer time frame, and she would like to let the Manager
2 work with Executive Director, Eric Hallman, to determine when to gather a good data set. She
3 said having data that can take a longer, deeper view. She proposed changing the contract to 2
4 years, as 5 years is a long time.
5 Commissioner Fowler said she likes the idea of getting data, and knowing what
6 percentage of clients are going on to other successful venues. She said PFPC is supposed to
7 serve as an incubator, and having an update on it would be useful.
8 Commissioner Greene said she is the Board's representative on this board of directors.
9 She said her sense is that the BOD would welcome the opportunity to share more information
10 as well as observations of the board's composition. She said these are known needs, and the
11 BOD welcomes the criticism and opportunity to explain the history of the board. She said there
12 are only a few clients who stay for a long period of time, and most move on successfully. She
13 said two years is a reasonable amount of time.
14 Chair Price said it is always good to look at and review entities for any potential
15 changes.
16 Eric Hallman said he appreciates what Commissioner Bedford brought up. He said the
17 goal with the contract would be to present to the Board regularly. He said he hopes to have two
18 commissioners at a time come to facility, as it is well known nationally. He said
19 entrepreneurship is the way to do economic development. He said the reason this came up fast
20 is because the Golden Leaf foundation gave a grant, and one condition was to have an
21 agreement in place. He said PFPC planned to come present to the Board, but the timeline from
22 Golden Leaf was pushed forward as it was going to rescind the money. He said that is why this
23 item is on the consent agenda without any background information. He said the facility is
24 amazing, creating revenue as well as jobs. He said the county supports with free rent, but no
25 operational costs.
26
27 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Greene, to
28 approve a management services agreement between Piedmont Food Processing Center
29 (PFPC), amended for a term of two years.
30
31 Roll call ensued
32
33 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
34
35 9. County Manager's Report
36 Bonnie Hammersley brought attention to census item on consent agenda. She said
37 there is an information item that looks more closely at Orange County and NC census results.
38 She said another information item includes the status of 2016 Bond Referendum projects from
39 both school districts.
40
41 10. County Attorney's Report
42 John Roberts said the General Assembly has been focused on redistricting, and he
43 anticipates a flood of bills to be passed by legislature after they get this issue dealt with.
44 Commissioner Richards asked if there is any information about how school funding will
45 increase based on the decision of the Leandro v. State of North Carolina.
46 Chair Price said the schools have an idea of what they may receive.
47 Travis Myren said he will provide that information to the Commissioners.
48
49 11. *Appointments
50 NONE
51
31
1 12. Information Items
2
3 • October 5, 2021 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List
4 • Memorandum — Report on 2020 Census Results in Orange County
5 • Memorandum Regarding 2016 School Bond Referendum Projects
6
7 13. Closed Session
8 None
9
10 14. Adjournment
11
12 A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to
13 adjourn the meeting at 9:54 p.m.
14
15 Roll call ensued
16
17 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
18
19
20 Renee Price, Chair
21
22
23 Tara May
24 Deputy Clerk to the Board
25
26 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.
Attachment 3
1
1 MINUTES
2 ORANGE COUNTY
3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
4 VIRTUAL BUSINESS MEETING
5 November 4, 2021
6 7:00 p.m.
7
8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Virtual Business Meeting on
9 Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
10
11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford,
12 and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Anna
13 Richards
14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
17 Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified
18 appropriately below)
19
20 Chair Price called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
21
22 A roll call was called; all members were present.
23
24 Chair Price recognized the beginning of Diwali, a Hindu five-day celebration of lights.
25 She sent peace and blessings to all those celebrating.
26 Chair Price noted that the local elections are over and she is looking forward to working
27 with new colleagues in collaboration across the county.
28
29 Due to current public health concerns, the Board of Commissioners is conducting a Virtual
30 Business Meeting on Thursday, November 4, 2021. Members of the Board of Commissioners
31 participated in the meeting remotely. As in prior meetings, members of the public were able to
32 view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at
33 http://www.orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on
34 channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).
35
36 In this new virtual process, there are two methods for public comment.
37 • Written submittals by email
38 • Speaking during the virtual meeting
39
40 Detailed public comment instructions for each method are provided at the bottom of this
41 agenda. (Pre-registration is required.)
42
43 Chair Price dispensed with reading the public charge.
44
45 Public Charge: The Board of Commissioners pledges its respect to all present. The Board asks
46 those attending this meeting to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner toward
47 each other, county staff and the commissioners. At any time should a member of the Board or
48 the public fail to observe this charge, the Chair will take steps to restore order and decorum.
49 Should it become impossible to restore order and continue the meeting, the Chair will recess the
50 meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed. The
2
1 BOCC asks that all electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and computers should
2 please be turned off or set to silent/vibrate. Please be kind to everyone.
3
4 Arts Moment— No Arts Moment was available for this meeting.
5
6 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
7
8 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour)
9 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
10
11 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
12 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.)
13
14 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
15 Commissioner Richards said she has attended a couple community events over the past
16 few weeks. She noted the 251h Anniversary of EmPOWERment and said it was a great
17 celebration for a community organization that the Commissioners work closely with and the
18 county supports. She said EmPOWERment does great work. She also shared that she traveled
19 this week and was able to celebrate her mom's 95th birthday yesterday in Pennsylvania. She
20 said she is glad to be back and looking forward to upcoming work, as November is a busy
21 month.
22 Commissioner Greene congratulated winners in local elections and thanked those who
23 ran for putting themselves out there. She said she appreciates everyone who ran and is looking
24 forward to working with new colleagues.
25 Commissioner McKee congratulated Commissioner Richards's mother on her birthday.
26 He said Orange County Schools were meeting in public session at schools where other
27 activities were going on, and due to a number of people attending the meetings and chances of
28 interactions between students and other groups, the school board decided to go back to virtual
29 meetings. He said he was contacted about the use of the Whitted meeting room. He said he
30 believed that when the room was built it wasn't intended for sole use by the Board of County
31 Commissioners, but was available for other elected boards and other community events. He
32 said his issue is with the charge for audio/video services, which he said seems high. He
33 petitioned staff to bring the Board the cost on a per meeting basis and notify other elected
34 boards in the county that they are able to use the Whitted meeting room and provide what the
35 audio/video price should be, as they will have to contract independently with vendors.
36 Commissioner McKee asked Bonnie Hammersley to share the general cost per meeting.
37 Bonnie Hammersley said she had a conversation with Dr. Felder, superintendent of
38 Orange County Schools, the prior day. She clarified that any entity that uses the meeting room
39 would contract with vendors separately. During their conversation, Dr. Felder shared the school
40 system was quoted $1200-$1500 per meeting and felt that was reasonable. Bonnie
41 Hammersley said staff will ask the vendors what they will charge for other entities who use the
42 meeting room, and noted that Laura Jensen would know what the cost is per meeting for the
43 Board of County Commissioners.
44 Commissioner McKee said the numbers he was given were significantly higher than that
45 so that is why he would like the clarification. He reiterated he would like staff to contact other
46 elected bodies to notify them the Whitted meeting room is available for their use and has always
47 been available for their use.
48 Commissioner Hamilton congratulated all of the candidates who won local elections and
49 thanked those who ran for public office for their public service. She attended the Board of
50 Health meeting in the prior week, and things are going a little better with COVID. She said the
51 health department is still doing testing and the vaccine clinic, and is also working on a customer
3
1 satisfaction survey. She said that, in light of the protest that took place at Orange County
2 Schools and concerns about intimidation and violence, she petitioned the Board to have
3 discussions about ordinances that can regulate protests in order to increase the chance that
4 things can stay civil at an upcoming work session, including representation from the Sheriff's
5 Office and schools to discuss what might support civility in the community. She thanked John
6 Roberts for researching this topic.
7 Commissioner Fowler congratulated those who ran successful campaigns for mayor and
8 town councils, and schools boards. She also thanked those who were willing to serve and put in
9 time and effort with the goal of benefitting the community.
10 Commissioner Bedford echoed Commissioner Fowler's comments. She reminded
11 commissioners of the Veteran's Day program on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 11:00 am at
12 the memorial across from Southern Human Services off of Homestead Rd.
13 Chair Price said there is also a tailgate/drive-thru breakfast at the Passmore Center and
14 anyone interested should sign up by November 9tn
15 Chair Price said that Chapel Hill Pediatrics was visited by Governor Cooper and
16 Secretary Mandy Cohen to highlight the fact the Pfizer vaccine is available to children 5-11
17 years old. She noted this is a milestone in the pandemic. She also said the opioid litigation is
18 moving forward. She and the County Attorney received documents by email, and they will be
19 ready for Board probably around the first meeting in December for approval. She thanked
20 Commissioner Greene and her colleagues in the group that helped make all of this possible.
21 Chair Price said the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition became aware
22 there is a portrait of John Washington Graham in the old courthouse. She said he was a
23 Confederate major and was the leader of "Leave no Negro alive". She made a petition for the
24 portrait to be removed. She asked John Roberts to advise the Board on who has the authority to
25 remove this portrait.
26 Commissioner Greene said this should be the same procedure as the removal of the
27 portrait of Judge Ruffin which was in the same room.
28 John Roberts said he does not remember the specific process that was followed, but it
29 has been done before and he will get back to the Board on the steps.
30 Chair Price said the Board appealed to then Judge Carl Fox for his approval. She said
31 she is petitioning that this Board at least weigh in if it does not have the final say.
32 Chair Price reminded the public there will be two meetings about the Greene Tract in the
33 next week in the Rogers Road Neighborhood Center. The next day will be a Zoom meeting for
34 people to ask questions and make comments. She also reminded that the Board should have
35 received an invitation for a meeting the Orange County Schools is holding on November 5t"
36 She said there is also a wet paint sale on November 5tn at Eno Arts Mill.
37 Commissioner Richards said there is a lot of misinformation about the information
38 meetings and has received several emails. She asked how to combat the misinformation. She
39 said it creates a lot of unnecessary fear, and her fear is that meetings intended to be
40 informational will turn into something else because people will come geared up for battle.
41 Chair Price said Mayor Lavelle, Mayor Hemminger, and herself issued a statement that
42 was posted several places regarding the intent for the Greene Tract in following what was
43 decided 20 years ago. She acknowledged that some adjustments had to be made due to the
44 environmental study. She and two council members signed a statement even more recently to
45 try to combat some of the misinformation, but it is hard to get people to understand. She said all
46 Commissioners can do is try to continue providing facts. She said it is very difficult when people
47 send out false information, and the best thing they can do is continue to provide correct
48 information. She said she's spoken with people from the Rogers Road community and some of
49 them are concerned with comments supposedly being made on their behalf when they never
50 spoke to them. She said the best thing the Board can do is continue the consistent statement
4
1 that the plan is in line with what the board has been trying to do for the last 20 years, that the
2 county needs affordable housing, and there will still be green space still available.
3
4 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/Special Presentations
5
6 a. Resolution Supporting Orange County Schools
7 The Board considered adopting a resolution supporting Orange County Schools.
8
9 BACKGROUND: Orange County School's Board of Education meetings and events in
10 September and October were disrupted by protestors displaying hostile and intimidating
11 behavior including racist and homophobic language. In an October 11, 2021 Resolution
12 to Address Harm Caused to Students by Incidents of Hostile and Racist Behavior, Orange
13 County School's staff and students attested to the emotional and psychological harm
14 done by the protestors.
15
16 As stated in Section 12-3 of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance, the policy of
17 Orange County is to promote the equal treatment of all individuals; to prohibit
18 discrimination in Orange County based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,
19 disability, familial status, and veteran status; to protect residents' lawful interests and their
20 personal dignity so as to make available to the County their full productive and creative
21 capacities, and to prevent public and domestic strife, crime, and unrest within Orange
22 County.
23
24 The attached resolution commits to working with Orange County Schools, the Orange
25 County Sheriff's Office, and the broader community to promote peaceful and civil
26 discourse and behavior, and support students and school staff. The resolution also
27 proposes that the Department of Human Rights and Relations and the Human Relations
28 Commission study and recommend measures that will promote civility among all groups in
29 the County.
30
31 Commissioner Hamilton reviewed the background information for the item. She said she
32 and Commissioner Richards worked on the resolution in response to the events that happened
33 in Orange County Schools. There were protests by parents, but also by members of the Proud
34 Boys, where there was intimidation and hostile and racial comments that caused students and
35 staff to feel unsafe. She said it is important for the Board to recognize what happened and to
36 support the schools to foster a civil environment and a positive school climate. She read a quote
37 by Marian Wright Edleman, founder of Children's Defense Fund: "a nation that does not stand
38 for its children does not stand for anything and will not stand tall in the future". She said the
39 future prosperity of the county and nation depends on children's education and children can't
40 learn in an environment of fear and intimidation. She said adults may disagree about curriculum
41 and public health measures, but must disagree in a civil manner that respects individual
42 differences and upholds a school climate that supports learning and emotional health for all
43 students as well as teachers and staff. She indicated adults must model what a civil society
44 looks like, and that this resolution says how the Board will do their part and support the schools.
45 Commissioner Richards said she would underscore the fact this resolution is not
46 intended to quell civil discourse of parents and input from the community around schools. She
47 hopes that commissioners, in support of this, can make sure this is communicated. She said
48 there is a role for parents to be involved and engaged and encourage parental involvement and
49 support for schools. She said it is all about how that is done and the respect and modeling of
50 civil behavior that should be encouraged. She said people may disagree, but need to do it in a
51 way that is respectful and projects values of the county. She said this was her first assignment,
5
1 and appreciated working with Commissioner Hamilton on this. She thanked the Board for their
2 willingness to read the resolution together to present a united front.
3 Starting with Commissioner Hamilton, the Board read the following resolution in turn:
4
5 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
6
7 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE STUDENTS, STAFF, AND BOARD OF EDUCATION OF
8 ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS WHOSE SCHOOL CLIMATE HAS BEEN ADVERSELY
9 AFFECTED BY PROTESTORS
10
11 WHEREAS, Orange County Schools is located in the northern and western part of the county
12 and serves more than 7,400 students and approximately 800 teachers and administrative staff;
13 and
14
15 WHEREAS, respect for diversity and emotional and physical safety are central elements in the
16 Safe and Supportive Learning Environments adopted by the US Department of Education in
17 2015; and
18
19 WHEREAS, Orange County Schools Board of Education meetings and events in September
20 and October were disrupted by protestors displaying hostile and intimidating behavior including
21 racist and homophobic language; and
22
23 WHEREAS, in the Resolution to Address Harm Caused to Students by Incidents of Hostile and
24 Racist Behavior, passed by the Orange County Schools Board of Education on October 11,
25 2021, staff and students attested to the emotional and psychological harm done by the
26 protestors; and
27
28 WHEREAS, as stated in Section12-3 of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance, the policy of
29 Orange County is to promote the equal treatment of all individuals; to prohibit discrimination in
30 Orange County based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, familial status,
31 and veteran status; to protect residents' lawful interests and their personal dignity so as to make
32 available to the County their full productive and creative capacities, and to prevent public and
33 domestic strife, crime, and unrest within Orange County; and
34
35 WHEREAS, the Orange County Human Relations Commission was established by the Orange
36 County Board of Commissioners to make recommendations designed to promote goodwill and
37 harmony among all groups in the County;
38
39 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County
40 Commissioners (BOCC) shall work with Orange County Schools, the Orange County Sheriff's
41 Office, and the broader community to promote peaceful and civil discourse and behavior, and
42 support our students and school staff; and
43
44 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County BOCC calls upon the Orange County
45 Department of Human Rights and Relations and the Human Relations Commission to continue
46 to study and recommend to the Orange County BOCC, within the next six months, measures
47 that will promote civility among all groups in the County; and
48
49 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners directs the Clerk to the Board to
50 share this resolution with the Orange County Schools, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools,
6
1 the Orange County Sheriff's Office, and the towns of Hillsborough, Mebane, Chapel Hill and
2 Carrboro.
3
4 This the 41h day of November, 2021.
5
6 Renee A. Price, Chair
7 Orange County Board of
8 Commissioners
9
10 A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Richards,
11 to approve the resolution supporting Orange County Schools.
12
13 Commissioner Fowler said she appreciates Commissioner Hamilton and Commissioner
14 Richards working on this resolution and believes the resolution is really important. She said it is
15 well thought out and well crafted. She said she believes the Board's goal is to uphold their
16 mission and the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance, which promotes civil discourse, and to
17 protect residents' lawful interest and personal dignity. She believes the community benefits
18 when it works together to understand other perspectives.
19 Commissioner McKee said he appreciates Commissioner Richards's comment that it
20 does not speak to parents who have concerns over education, curriculum, sports, wearing or
21 not wearing a mask, virtual school, or in person school. He said those people have a right to
22 express their concerns civilly and strongly if they so desire. He said it is his understanding that
23 there were people at the school board meeting from outside of Orange County and even North
24 Carolina with intent to disrupt. He said he will support civil discourse until his last breath, but
25 will not support a disruption of meetings or a hostile protest.
26 Chair Price said this is so important because this is about children and young people.
27 She said that when she first got the email from school board chair Hilary McKenzie, she read
28 the statements from students, and felt the Board must stand behind them and lift them up and
29 protect them. She said people can disagree civilly, but the most important thing is children being
30 able to learn in a safe environment.
31
32 Roll call ensued
33
34 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
35
36 Chair Price noted that school board member, Brenda Stephens, wanted to attend the
37 meeting tonight, but Spectrum is working on her internet right now.
38
39 5. Public Hearings
40 NONE
41
42 6. Regular Agenda
43 NONE
44
45 7. Reports
46 NONE
47
48 8. Consent Agenda
49
7
1 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to
2 approve the consent agenda, noting there was a change in minutes for September 23, 2021 to
3 remove Joal Broun as an attendee at the joint meeting with the schools.
4
5 Roll call ensued
6
7 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
8
9 • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
10 • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
11 • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
12
13 a. Minutes
14 The Board considered approving minutes from the September 23, 2021 Virtual Joint Meeting
15 with Schools.
16 b. Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds
17 The Board considered adoption of a resolution to release motor vehicle property tax values for
18 two taxpayers with a total of three bills that will result in a reduction of revenue.
19 c. Property Tax Releases/Refunds
20 The Board considered adoption of a resolution to release property tax values for five taxpayers
21 with a total of five bills that will result in a reduction of revenue.
22 d. Applications for Property Tax Exemptions/Exclusion
23 The Board considered ten untimely applications for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem
24 taxation for ten bills for the 2021 tax year.
25 e. Quarterly Report (2021 Q3) for Orange County's CDBG-CV Grant
26 The Board received the third quarterly update on Orange County's Community Development
27 Block Grant — Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) grant from the NC Department of Commerce, and
28 authorized the Chair to sign the report for submission to the NC Department of Commerce.
29 f. Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget Amendment#3
30 The Board considered approving a budget amendment for fiscal year 2021-22.
31
32 9. County Manager's Report
33 Bonnie Hammersley noted the Board will have an in-person work session on November
34 11t". She said the agenda will include discussion of the local food economy and boards and
35 commissions appointments. She said this will be a pilot for future in-person meetings. She
36 noted the information items including the financial report for the first quarter of 2021-2022, and
37 asked the Board to contact her or the Chief Financial Officer with any questions.
38 Commissioner Richards said she read the data available for the financial report, and
39 asked if it would be discussed tonight.
40 Bonnie Hammersley said the item was submitted to the Board for their information and if
41 there are questions, they should be sent to staff and staff will send out the question and answer
42 to all commissioners.
43
44 10. County Attorney's Report
45 John Roberts said the legislature completed map redistricting for federal and state
46 representatives and senators. He anticipates a lot of bills being passed in the next week or two,
47 but if not, it means they will be revisited in the short session that is coming up. He said any bills
48 left now have survived crossover from both houses so can be considered in the short session.
49 Commissioner Richards said there are already lawsuits on the maps. She asked if the
50 maps stand until the judicial process is complete.
8
1 John Roberts said unless a court enters an injunction ordering those districts to not be
2 used, those districts will be used going forward. He said the last districts, at least on a federal
3 level, in 2010 were determined to be unlawful, but they stayed in place and no court required
4 them to be repealed or replaced.
5
6 11. *Appointments
7 NONE
8
9 12. Information Items
10
11 • October 19, 2021 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List
12 • Tax Collector's Report— Numerical Analysis
13 • Tax Collector's Report— Measure of Enforced Collections
14 • Tax Assessor's Report— Releases/Refunds under $100
15 • Financial Report - First Quarter FY 2021-22
16
17 13. Closed Session
18 NONE
19
20 14. Adjournment
21 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee and seconded by Commissioner Fowler to
22 adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m.
23
24 Roll call ensued
25
26 VOTE: UNANMIOUS
27
28
29 Renee Price, Chair
30
31
32 Tara May
33 Deputy Clerk to the Board
34
35 Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.
36
37