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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11-11-2021 Virtual Busines Meeting 1 APPROVED 12/14/21 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION November 11, 2021 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Building. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford, and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee, and Anna Richards COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Chair Price called the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. She said this is the first time this board has held a public meeting in person since the start of the pandemic. Chair Price said the County Attorney requested the addition of a closed session at the end of the meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to add a closed session to the agenda, pursuant to NC General Statute § 143-318.11(a)(3) "To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body." VOTE: Unanimous 1. Food Systems Community & Economic Development Update The board received a presentation and discussed regional food and agricultural systems status, COVID effects, current initiatives, trends and directions. BACKGROUND: There has been growing interest in recent years around local and regional food systems and the extent to which a more proximate, deep, diverse, and equitable system is possible. The recent pandemic has further illuminated issues, challenges, and also opportunities within the economic, social, and environmental aspects of food systems. North Carolina, and Orange County in particular, has led many advances over the years in sustainable food systems and agriculture. In the current environment, values and demand are changing rapidly, creating the need for effective responses in policy, funding, education, and advocacy. Informed collaborative regional efforts, based on trusted community relationships, are critical in the development of more resilient food systems. Mike Ortosky, Community Development Agent— Orange County Cooperative Extension, introduced the item and made the following PowerPoint presentation: 2 Slide #1 FOOD SYSTEMS-COMMUNITY &ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MHCEORTID3 -CONOAUNTYDEL'ELOPmENIAGENT-NC COOPEFATTVEEXTENSION via Slide #2 BACKGROUND • TNs presentatlon is about comn�s,ri S economic development That Lr based In local food and agriculture-it is about relationship • Throughout almost all of our history as human be'u�gs we vehod a veryclose relaflanshlp wttn ow food,both physlca Ily and lunctlanally. • most recentlywtth The advent of Irrdustrtollzed transportation,post-warsuburban sprawl.zoning of separate land uses,and the Interstate Highway System,road ccluction in the iJ has been excluded and distanced from ow comrrwrOes{far the first firne In tho history of humanky}. • Arndst a divided PLEEGE la ndscape we have a growheg deJneldemand for a more proximate,diverse.and equitable food system.and the closer social relationships that come wtth It. The parrderrJc has rnllcally illurrenated lraglllles and hequllles in our food system axpcNing The rvaed and opporhfnity for change. Howdo we recanule that discannect3 • we era axperiencir.gawtique tunein , 7. Awarenessand values are c hanging. demand Is changing and our response must also eharge. Slide #3 VALUE-ADDED FOOD INDUSTRY 3 Mike Ortosky explained the five parts of the value-added food industry: product, processing, marketing, distribution, and retail sales. He resumed the PowerPoint presentation: Slide #4 FOOD SYSTEMS COMMUNM-f&ECONMUC QEL'ELOPhMINT OPFCIW RrrV A EACH COIv1POA'ET7 PRODUCTION PROCESSING D15TRIUL-HON MARICEr9 �ti�.�sre -- ll Mike Ortosky said there is opportunity in each of the major components of the food system. He resumed the PowerPoint presentation: Slide #5 LOCAL ECONOMY LEAKY BUCKET THEORY bucket=locallregional economy water=money tvoluel a local economy Is a radius of about an hour drive fromjob _ centers i}. money is always leaking from the economy aeale.grow,and attract primary contn6u lory businesses-Increase inflow locally owned businesses help keep money in the local economy the wealth of a local economy is represented by the amount of water In the bucket 4 Slide #6 TRENDS FCF01)SYSTEMS AS COMPREHENSIVE INDUSTRY COMMUNITY L ECONIamic 0 VEL4PMfNT OPPORTUNITY CHANGING SCALES 8 TKHNOLOGIES CC NiROIIED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE CELLUTARAGRICULTURE FOOD s LAND PLANNING GREAktER INTERE571N FVN4ING ALL A3PEC7S Of F006 SY57€M HEIGHTENED AWAR�NE5S OF INNEFICIENCIFS A INEQUITIES IN FOOD SYSTEM COVID Mike Ortosky said an example of controlled environment agriculture could be as simple as a greenhouse, or something as high tech as a "dark environment" with more controlled variables. He said cellular agriculture could be milk made by cell tissues, or the impossible burger, for example. He said food and land planning trends are to bring food closer to people. He resumed the PowerPoint presentation: Slide #7 CO iD MAJOR DISRUPTION IN MARKET, DEMAND, AND SUPPLY CHAINS load soMeW restoLiranfs R rnstituhom hospitals,schools,elder care) torttLPmtr.grocery&convenience stsxes ILLUMINATE❑ VULNERABLE PORTIONS OF INDUSTRIAL FORD SYSTEM lust-in-time' dStlibutlan - lack of depth&adaptability Iballasil ILLUMINATE❑ rNEQUITIE5 ON THE "HUMAN SIDE" G�&1:r:�n;�rv6�F d�,�rLers{equdcW le.^:.,4:ss AFFECTED OUR CONCEPTS OF FOOD,HEALTH, SOCIAL INTERACTION. COMMUNITY. HOW WE VALUE WORKERS. AND WORK ITSELF-Robert Reich Commentary 5 Slide #8 RESOURCES, & INITIATIVES n e&manf food Praeeeeing tenor-cdhary incLAo.wcrara gwwe[a use lachen WF Pr-nelwork of wome caned food entrepreneur k"zw Fgrm-27G4Gre InGUbaiar Fans A9 Gmnf Prol:orn-5700.DXwl-&704 r Fck ieO5 to dake n Ap Ssrwi a-susta6 d&ag conference each February oNee Ol counN Food council VMIYEkSIfIES-coon of fhemajor Uni=ersiies in ine h+a'+9k}area have o•golnra load s,+s1 m eHuts in both aMeaeh and ocaoW_me-4n Diverse departments REGIONAL IHfEY�'f IN 1lIAF56LE-Dronggee OuM m•Woke,and surra.ri3ng rurd counifes- comureneralve efforts�r rrrs,r la cafobomte SJCOG 6CenorllC oevelopmern 5INtegd(CF.O51 Re¢enel Mmmmle 6eve4epm rrl Fadnnshlp IN Feed SYskms MCA-ALAS-Rwgiw l FPvd Sy4ems Podnnshipu Gswd W F6A Brad Lack B•ft,R*giassal Chcd4n2v Mike Ortosky reviewed the various resources and initiatives available in the area for supporting the local food economy. He resumed the PowerPoint presentation: Slide #9 FOOD SYSTEMS INFRASTRU CT U ICE 5FACE FOR INCUBATING, GROWLNG,AND RELOCATING EG5LVE55ES ALM- Mike Ortosky said a need in the food systems infrastructure is space for growing businesses to work from as they develop. He said there quite a bit of site development going on currently. He said it is desirable to keep local businesses local and growing. He resumed the PowerPoint presentation: 6 Slide #10 OPPORTUNITY BEYOND COVID - Better food system • Proximate • Deep • Diverse,idlversity=reslllencYl Equitable • Social Implications Reconnection Faced Earth One another Power of Proximity Slide #11 %I f KE ORTOSKY Orange County Cooperative Extension Hillsborough,NC 919-245-2336 o 919-270-6528 c jmortosk@ncsu.edu James Watts, operations manager at Weaver Street Market, said he wanted about symptoms. He said he was interviewed about food inflation. He said food inflation is coming in, but he has discovered that local food inflation is lower when one transacts one's business locally. He said it is a symptom of something that could be developed. He said Orange County Schools asked him if Weaver Street has spare cold storage space. He said this question is a symptom of a food system that has been built with vulnerabilities. He said infrastructure and capacity need to be built to adapt to when things happen out of our control. James Watts said he met with the diversity and inclusion manager at Weaver Street Market. She said black and brown people own less than 2% of farmland, and this number has gone down every year over the last century. James Watts said he was at the Piedmont Progressive Farmers Cooperative Meeting in Yanceyville prior to coming to the work session. He said they are trying to come together to build something better through their farming of chicken and eggs. James Watts said Weaver Street Market can participate by creating more durable and complete visions. He said he is a willing collaborator to create a more durable and effective local and regional food system. He said it needs to be done to create more equitable access. 7 He said the Board of Commissioners (BOCC) can assist in creating a scorecard to hold partners accountable. He said measurements should be made in access to food in the most efficient way, coming from the food economy around us. He said he wanted the Board of Commissioners to challenge partners. Mike Ortosky thanked James Watts for his comments and introduced Eric Hallman from the Piedmont Food Processing Center (PFPC). Eric Hallman acknowledged Veterans Day and thanked all veterans for their service. Eric Hallman said Orange County's leadership is needed in the area of food systems and making it a priority. He said Orange County is the envy of all its neighbors and is a leader in the local food economy, but others are catching on. He said Weaver Street is the largest co- operative grocery store in the southeast. He said there is more to be done and the BOCC needs to lead. Eric Hallman said the Piedmont Food Processing Center is a co-working space for food companies. He said it gives companies the opportunity to start working without large capital investment. He said David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) Director, had the vision to get the center started. He said the initial group put together several grants to pay for the center. He said the center is self-sustaining and does not get funding from Orange County. He said there are currently 65 companies at PFPC, and 75% of businesses that started with the center are still in business. He said PFPC is a huge success, and he is looking to the county for more leadership to keep moving forward in this opportunity to remain as a leader in this space. Mike Ortosky introduced Sue Ellsworth, founder of the WE Power Food. Sue Ellsworth said WE Power focuses on the specific needs of women food entrepreneurs, and is lead by women, for women. She said WE Power members include a variety of members, and problem solves to build a system to support its members. She said the environment is a judgment free space that empowers its members to grow. She said that WE Power is a statewide organization that connects through social media and also has a monthly meeting with guest speakers. She said in 2021, WE Power made its debut at the Food Incubation Summit, the largest network of kitchen incubators and networks in the world. She said WE Power is poised to be a leader in this area and hopes to grow to a national organization. Commissioner Greene asked if the genesis of this group could be shared, and why women are the focus. Sue Ellsworth said she has been at PFPC for several years, and noticed that there were many female owned companies that seemed to disappear and she wondered what happened. She said she heard many reasons that women were closing their businesses, even successful ones. She said family obligations and funding were two main issues. She said she started round table discussions, and really listened to the needs, which lead to the creation of WE Power. Mike Ortosky introduced Mart Bumgartner from the Orange County Extension. Mart Bumgartner described the purpose of the NC Extension. He said it provides information to help people. He said he is the crops and horticulture agent, working with famers and homeowners, and is responsible for the Master Gardner program. He said the Master Gardner program won an international award for the stormwater runoff garden between the courthouse and farmer's market in Hillsborough. He said is also the Orange County pesticide coordinator, and holds mandatory on going education training for farmers. He said some were done over Zoom during the pandemic, and an in-person training was held in September 2021. He said the pandemic has changed the landscape for farmers and many have been creative to stay afloat using CSAs and online orders. 8 Mart Bumgartner said the pandemic forced suppliers to develop new ways to meet customers. He said in 2020, Cooperative Extension used $26,000 to purchase products from local farmers, such as cheese, apples, duck, milk, potatoes, squash, ice cream, collards, and muscadines. He said they supplemented food boxes given away at the holidays. Mart Bumgartner said he manages the community garden grant program. He said he also assists farmers with pest control; coordinating meetings around the state to make sure farmers are well informed, while also assisting in research on soils and new pests. He said he assists the Northern Piedmont Farm School in teaching and trainings. He said Orange County will host the graduation this year and using as much local foods and businesses as possible. Commissioner Bedford asked if Bumgartner is involved with the garden at the Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agriculture Center. Mart Bumgartner said yes, he is working with the 4-H on this project. Mike Ortosky thanked Mart Bumgartner and introduced Ashley Heger, Orange County Food Council Coordinator. Ashley Heger introduced herself and said she works with the Orange County Manager's Office. She said she would like to reimagine the food economy, and wants to invite the county to be even more involved. She said the food council is trying to do more equity-based work. She made the following PowerPoint presentation: Slide #1 .- .O food-based"Thestakes for development builds power are high...t a reap the powerful benefits of food projectsand enterprises as vehicles for community developmentand health,while investing deeply in the self- determination and leadership of community residents." Slide #2 IdentifyingOperationalizing equity in food system development • Network development and Asset msppin�; • Develop resources for •• MkINS Ashley Heger described the priorities and primary concerns for the food council. She said the Council wants to focus on people who have been historically marginalized. She said 9 the Council is assessing what assets exist in the region and locally. She said many local people make a living off of food, but some of these same individuals are often not recognized or deeply connected to institutional support. She said existing assets need to be considered along, with the return on investment around community self determination and community driven economic development. She said it can feel difficult on the institutional side for how to reach people who do not have access to resources on grants, small business loans, and information. She said one idea to address this difficulty is to give funding to community organizations who can then disburse the funds, such as EmPOWERment, Inc. Ashley Heger said a common question from people in the food economy is about access to cold storage. She said there are infrastructural changes that could be made to benefit the community and economic development. Ashley Heger said the Council is conducting a new food assessment, and collecting best practices from those doing the work on a daily basis. She resumed the PowerPoint presentation: Slide #3 Orange County Black Farmers Think tank framework Re-commendation from an ec1uityass4ssrn4nt Triangle 3 « .. System Academy * Training program for electedn+staff Regional supply chain and infrastructure w Food access implicat.ions Ashley Heger said in 2020, the Orange County Black Farmers Think Tank was created. She said the food system is not doing anything to disrupt institutional racism, and the county was encouraged to hear from actual black farmers and learn from them. She said it is important to build real relationships between various parties to gain understanding and trust between the marginalized and institutions. She said the bridges have to be built on a larger scale than just person-to-person. She said the food council is working with Triangle J on these issues. Ashley Hager said in addition to cold storage, people have asked for shared meeting space, in order to work together more. She resumed the PowerPoint presentation: 10 Slide #4 ... Oriented Development •D [wua• development . ..d r••IorM•Iw owland agriculture to create economic opportunities, neighborhoods,and explicitly ® to build communitypride, • power marginalized • Ashley Heger said economic and community development is not a zero sum game. She said everyone needs to practical yet value driven in the approach to these needs. Commissioner Fowler said it seems like the needs are for cold storage and shared meeting space. She referred to asset mapping, food assessment, and best practices, and asked if this research has already been completed. She said she interested in seeing this information. Ashley Heger said the asset mapping has not yet happened, but there will be a report in the spring on food assessment. She said she would like to have a work session with the BOCC is the spring. Ashley Heger said the food council has hired community consultants with local expertise to perform the food assessment, which is a best practice. She said those with lived experience are at the center of the work. She said the assessment is going to document best practices and the Council will report back to the BOCC. She said the Council plans to host a community rooted economic development training for elected officials. Commissioner Bedford said one of the interesting facts in the budget was food needs for seniors increased during the pandemic. She said she thinks that hidden hunger was uncovered during the pandemic, and she asked Ashley Heger if that would be part of the study. Ashley Heger said this is not currently in the budget for the food assessment, but that if more funds were available the Council would expand the scope. She said the Council will look at the impact of county investment in food access. She said she will talk with partners that work with seniors, and would bring the topic back to the assessment team. Commissioner Bedford clarified that the scope will depend on who the Council has recruited as consultants. Ashley Heger said the focus of the assessment is building relationships with those impacted by systemic racism, with the notion that if the most oppressive situations are addressed, then other issues will be as well. Chair Price said when she worked with farmers in the deep south she found great success by having a `farmers first' approach. She said farmers received the same respect as the university level researchers. She said everyone taught each other. 11 Mike Ortosky said it is about the lived experience and making sure that relationships are built in the community. He said continually growing the commitment to inclusion is an ongoing part of this effort. He said it is challenging, but everyone is committed to it. Mike Ortosky said the BOCC has heard a lot of information this evening, and he and his colleagues are not seeking funding or policy change, but rather awareness and education. He said this is an opportunity to continue to lead and make impactful changes. Chair Price asked Mart Bumgartner if he could identify the federal funding provided to put produce in boxes. Mart Bumgartner said it is part of the Covid recovery program, and is called the ESF-11 initiative. Commissioner Fowler asked Eric Hallman if there is a limit on how long members can participate at PFPC, is the program full at this time, and how do people apply to be involved. Eric Hallman said there is no time limit for staying at PFPC, and people move on as they need more room. He said there is no residency requirement, and people come from Winston Salem to Raleigh, and all benefit Orange County. He said they currently have 65 clients. He said demand has grown during the pandemic, and they are trying to find more ways to squeeze people in. Commissioner Fowler said if they are almost full, it sounds like it might be time to grow the facility. She asked if there might be some businesses ready to transition out of the center. Eric Hallman said some of the members are in the food truck industry, and they need a commercial kitchen to operate, and PFPC serves this purpose. He said there is a need for a space for members to grow to after starting at the center. He said 100,000 square foot facility would be great with some shared space, which businesses can graduate to from PFPC. He said nothing like this exists. Commissioner Fowler asked if there are plans to apply for funding for some of these infrastructure needs. Eric Hallman said they are leading the food section of the Build Back Better grant. He said they will put together a grant proposal in the spring for $25-100 million to be used throughout the state to build out infrastructure. He said if there was money they would build a food campus. Commissioner Fowler clarified that there is no residency requirement, but asked if all members were from North Carolina. Eric Hallman said it is mostly North Carolinians, with the occasional Virginian. Commissioner McKee asked Ashley Heger about data for connecting Orange County farmers to markets. He said he is not seeing the results he expected from when the Council was created, and he is not hearing commercial farmers talk about receiving any positive impacts from the food council. Ashley Heger clarified that Commissioner McKee was looking for metrics. Commissioner McKee said he is concerned about farmers operating on a thin margin, and the work being done is at a 30,000-foot level, as opposed to directly impacting farmers and their survival. Ashley Heger said the Council provided $15,000 to fund the Black Farmers Think Thank and make it easier for them to meet. She said the Orange County Black Farmers provided training to new farmers for going to markets. Ashley Heger said the Council is working on an online platform called Fresh Fire which will allow farmers to list their produce on a website, which food retailers could access to see what is available. She said the idea would be for the county to support that platform to bring farmers and retailers together. Chair Price suggested that Ashley Heger put together a report in the spring on the impact of Fresh Fire. 12 Commissioner McKee asked James Watts if Weaver Street Market pays a premium for local products. James Watts said yes, and Weaver Street Market has done this since they opened in 1988. He said it is in recognition of the needs of local farmers to thrive, which is also important to the market. He gave an example of an egg producer, which Weaver Street Market pays 140% of market rate. He said it is important for the market to build relationships to help farmers get the resources they need to be successful. Commissioner McKee said that type of relationship with stores is important to farmers. He said it is important to connect the producer to the buyer. Chair Price said she thinks Ashley Heger and James Watts are doing this. James Watts said the key to this is building vibrancy and capacity for a farmer to build institutional sales components to their farming. He said he wants to see a more diverse economy available to a wider and more diverse group of farmers. He said mistakes will be made, but they keep at it. Commissioner McKee said the same is true for farmers. Commissioner Richards said she did not hear specifics on whose job it is to address the reimagining of the system. She asked if anyone is doing that work. She said she was expecting to hear that connected to the economic development area. Mike Ortosky said a number of people are focused on these issues. He said the struggle is the cost of food being too high and wanting to pay farmers more. He said farm fresh food is very expensive, and the system incentivizes buying from large grocery stores. He said former Commissioner Jacobs led an effort to bring Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification to Orange County. He said the idea was that anyone selling to an institution (schools, etc.) had to be GAP certified. He said he thought there would be a lot of demand, but there are almost no GAP certified farmers in Orange County. He said direct sales farmers do not to be GAP certified to sell at local farmers markets or to larger producers. He said many years ago, farmers could make a living on farms about 50-100 acres, but that is not true anymore. He said it is easier to sell at Weaver Street Market than it is at the school system. He said there is not a lot of farming in the middle. He said making a living in farming is very difficult, and this comes partly from an adjustment of cultural values. He said he hopes this can change through the building of regional infrastructure and development of relationships with local institutions to become buyers of the food. Commissioner Richards said she wanted to know if there is a plan is to address the problems and who is working on that. Ashley Heger said part of reimagining is having those with lived expertise to make these plans. She said the Council is collecting data and hopes to share this information in the spring. She said she could provide more information that other food groups in the state have prepared on the needs and the costs of addressing needs. Mike Ortosky said that it is his job, it is Ashley Heger's job, and economic development's job to create the plan. He said it might be time to create a regional community and economic development plan, primarily crafted by people who actually do the work everyday. He said very specific action items are needed. Commissioner Hamilton thanked the group for giving an overview of the complexity of the problem. She said the board has to prioritize the use of limited resources. She said she will prioritize based on values, the provision of services to the most vulnerable and economic development. She said she wants to meet the needs of the most hungry, and know the statistics and barriers involved. She sad she wants to build resiliency in the food system, and the pandemic has highlighted issues here. She said she wants to address systemic racism, and the lack of black farmers in the community. She said she wants to consider how to build relationships, and support existing farmers. She said there is also the question of the role of 13 the food system in economic development at large. She said these are all different areas that require data for intervention and to track success and failures. She said the data needs to be specific, and she hopes to get closer to this in the next presentation. Mike Ortosky said the discussion tonight was to frame the topic, and he would like to come back with more information and data and a larger plan. Commissioner Greene thanked the group for the presentation. She said this is the first time the board has had a work session focused on the agriculture and food economy. She said the group feels like the different spokes of a wheel, and the board would like to see the wheel that uses a holistic approach to move the topic forward. She said agricultural tourism is another important topic to consider. Mike Ortosky said agri-tourism is very popular. He thanked the presenters and said they really wanted to hear the questions from the BOCC so they could fill in the gaps with answers and data. Chair Price thanked the group for the presentation, and said the BOCC is committed to being leader partners. She said it would be good to hear from the group in the spring. She said she was glad to hear them mention community economic development. She said Orange County used to be a dairy community and to get new farmers in is a struggle. She said she is glad to see everyone working together. Chair Price asked for a motion to recess for the purposes of a break. Recess A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to recess the meeting for 2 minutes. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS Reconvene the Meeting Chair Price asked for a motion to reconvene the meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to reconvene at 9:12 p.m. Roll call ensued. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 2. Chapel Hill Library Advisory Board —Appointment Discussion The board discussed an appointment to the Chapel Hill Library Advisory Board. BACKGROUND: The Chapel Hill Public Library Advisory Board is responsible for recommending long-term plans, policies, and programs of library service throughout the community. It advises the Chapel Hill Mayor and Council on library matters, develops plans for library facilities, and recommends operating policies of the library. 14 The Board of County Commissioners appoints one member to this board. The following applicant is recommended by the Chapel Hill Town Council for Board consideration: NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Alison Smith BOCC Appointee First Full Term 06/30/2024 If the individual listed above is appointed, no vacancies remain. Tara May highlighted changes made to the appointment materials in the agenda packet. She said there is additional information on the advisory boards. She said the board does not have to appoint those who have been recommended. She said representation and diversity that each applicant can bring to the board has been highlighted in the packet. She said she also included the traditional board roster, but no attendance records. She said she would like to get feedback on the additional process. Commissioner Bedford said she liked the new excel file. The board expressed appreciation to Tara May for her work. Tara May introduced item 2. Commissioner Bedford said she asked Tara May for information about the resolution to accept recommendations from the Chapel Hill Town Council. She asked the Chapel Hill Mayor who is doing the vetting, but she did not know. Commissioner Greene said the Town Council does vote on the recommended person, but the county does not have to take the recommendation. Commissioner Bedford asked if the Town Council does interviews or reviews the applications. Commissioner Greene said they reviewed applicants just as the county does. Chair Price said there are a few other boards that do the same thing. Commissioner Bedford said she thought it was odd to have Chapel Hill to vote on the recommended appointee by Orange County. She said it is the Orange County representative to the Chapel Hill library board. She said she would have made a different choice than the Town Council, and she has no basis for why the town recommended Alison Smith. She said there were other seemingly more qualified applicants. Commissioner Hamilton said Alison Smith is listed as living in the Hillsborough Township, but has a Chapel Hill address. She said this is puzzling. Tara May said she would have to research that. Commissioner Hamilton said the county's representative should perhaps live in the county to represent voices outside of the Town limits. Chair Price said since this is the Chapel Hill library, she would expect the appointee to live in Chapel Hill, but the board can appoint someone else. Tara May said it was an error on the application, and the applicant lives in Chapel Hill. Commissioner Greene said she was not sure what she wanted to do. Commissioner Hamilton asked if the board needed more information. Commissioner Bedford said the board is free to nominate whomever it wished, and the applicant only has to live in Orange County. Chair Price said she would like to get more information on who is supposed to be on the advisory board. 15 Commissioner Greene said she thought the process is not clear about why the Town of Chapel Hill makes a recommendation. Chair Price said the process does not make sense to her. The board agreed by consensus to delay the discussion until it received further information. 3. Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau —Appointments Discussion The board discussed appointments to the Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau. BACKGROUND: The Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau is charged with developing and coordinating visitor services in Orange County. It also implements marketing programs that will enhance the economic activity and quality of life in the community. The Board of County Commissioners appoints all 17 members, with representation from specific entities and fields. The following applicants are recommended for board consideration: NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Pam Chapel Hill Town Second Full Term 12/31/2024 Hemminger Council Representative Tanya Moore UNC Chapel Hill Second Full Term 12/31/2024 Representative Lili Engelhardt At-Large First Full Term 12/31/2024 Heidi Werner OC Lodging First Full Term 12/31/2024 Dawson Association Representative If the individuals listed above are appointed, no vacancies remain. Tara May introduced the item. She said Ms. Dawson does not reside in Orange County, but the board has appointed people in the past who do not reside in Orange County. She said the board will also consider an amendment to the Visitor's Bureau Advisory Board policy to allow people to be appointed who do not live in Orange County at a future business meeting. Commissioner Bedford recommended that the board appoint the four listed recommended applicants. Commissioner McKee seconded. The board agreed by consensus on the recommended applicants. 4. Commission for the Environment—Appointments Discussion The board discussed appointments to the Commission for the Environment. BACKGROUND: The Commission for the Environment advises the Board of Commissioners on matters affecting the environment with particular emphasis on protection. It educates public and local officials on environmental issues and performs special studies and projects. It also recommends 16 environmental initiatives and study changes in environmental science and local and federal regulations. The Board of County Commissioners appoints all 15 members, including 10 At-Large members and 5 members with expertise in specific fields. The following members and applicants are recommended for board consideration: NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Elizabeth At-Large First Full Term 12/31/2024 McWhorter Eric Scheier At-Large First Full Term 12/31/2024 James Eichel At-Large Second Full Term 12/31/2024 Jessie L. At-Large First Full Term 12/31/2024 Birckhead Jane Harris At-Large First Full Term 12/31/2024 If the individuals listed above are appointed, no vacancies remain. Tara May introduced the item. Commissioner Greene said there may be an error on the grid, as two appointees should be for a second full term. Tara May clarified these two appointees are currently serving partial terms, and reappointment would be for a first full term. Commissioner Bedford said she supported all of the recommendations. Commissioner Greene also agreed. The board agreed by consensus on the recommended applicants. 5. Orange County Housing Authority—Appointments Discussion The board discussed appointments to the Orange County Housing Authority. BACKGROUND: The goal of the Orange County Housing Authority board is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for the low and moderate-income families in the County. All seven At-Large members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The following applicants are recommended for board consideration: NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Dennis At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2024 Carmody Valerie Sauer At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2024 If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancy remains: 17 POSITION EXPIRATION VACANCY INFORMATION DESIGNATION DATE At-Large 06/30/2022 Vacant since 05/25/2021 Tara May introduced the item. Commissioner Bedford said Mr. Carmody will bring an important lens to the board. She said Ms. Sauer's work also brings relevant experience from her work at the Compass Center. Commissioner Greene said she thought Alice Mahood would do well on the vacancy. Commissioner Bedford said she also serves on the ABC Board. Chair Price said she thought Saru Salvi would be a good nominee. Commissioner Hamilton said Saru Salvi is also on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and asked if that is a conflict. Chair Price said it would likely be complimentary, and not a conflict. The board agreed by consensus on the recommended applicants. Commissioner Greene recommended Alice Mahood for the vacant position, and Commissioner Bedford agreed. Chair Price said she wanted to recommend Saru Salvi. The board agreed to nominate Alice Mahood to the vacant position. 6. Orange County Parks and Recreation Council —Appointment Discussion The board discussed an appointment to the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Parks and Recreation Council consults with and advises the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, and the Board of County Commissioners on matters affecting parks planning, development and operation; recreation facilities, policies and programs; and public trails and open space. The Board of County Commissioners appoints all 12 members with representatives from each of the county's townships plus its municipalities. The following member is recommended for re-appointment for board consideration: NAME POSITION DESCRIPTION TYPE OF EXPIRATION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Gina Re man Eno Township Second Full Term 12/31/2024 If the individual listed above is appointed, no vacancies remain. Tara May introduced the item. The board agreed by consensus to appoint the recommended applicant. A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to go into closed session at 9:31 p.m. for the purposes listed below: "To consult with an attorney retained by the board in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the board" NCGS § 143-318.11(a)(3), and to approve closed session minutes. 18 Roll call ensued. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Reconvene the Meeting A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, to reconvene into regular session at 10:04 p.m. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANMIOUS Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Bedford, to adjourn the meeting at 10:04 p.m. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANMIOUS Renee Price, Chair Laura Jensen Clerk to the Board Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board.