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APPROVED 11/17/99 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting March 3, 1999 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, March 3, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom located at 106 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, N.C. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Alice M. Gordon and Commissioners Margaret W. Brown, Moses Carey, Jr., Stephen H. Halkiotis and Barry Jacobs COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Managers Rod Visser and Albert Kittrell and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. ALL RECORDINGS OF THE MEETING WILL BE KEPT FOR 5 YEARS. 1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA The Board discussed and decided to move item 10a upon the agenda for consideration before item 9c. 2. CITIZEN & AUDIENCE COMMENTS a. Matters on the Printed Agenda Chair Gordon asked that citizens who wish to speak to items on the printed agenda to please sign the clipboard at the back of the room so they will not be overlooked. b. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Craig Lloyd, Director of the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that they are hosting a team for the Special Olympics which will take place in Orange County June 21-25, 1999. He asked that the County Commissioners consider making a contribution or an in-kind contribution like transportation. He will submit his request in writing. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Gordon dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Halkiotis gave an update on the Campos situation. He mentioned that he received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service indicating that they cannot share information because of the privacy act. He will follow up with a letter. Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the FEMA money that came to the County to be used for cleaning the river after Hurricane Fran. He noted and showed some pictures of trees across a creek. He asked for an update on how much money was received, how it was spent and what was accomplished. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to a newspaper article in the N&O about Shearon Harris and CP&L's negative comments about Orange County. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the agricultural summit. Three County Commissioners attended. There were about 100 people. Comments were very positive and progress was made in sharing ideas. He looks forward to working with the County Commissioners and the Extension Service to do another summit in the fall to address some of the concerns expressed by the farmers. They circulated a survey which he hopes will help the County Commissioners set goals for the agricultural areas of the County. Commissioner Carey made reference to the agricultural summit and their need for capital to finance alternatives to tobacco farming. He will share some information he got from the Legislative Conference about some program ideas which he feels can benefit Orange County. Commissioner Brown made reference to the ABC Board and the retirement issue and said that she attended an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) meeting with Personnel Director Elaine Holmes and John Link. They are waiting for a response from the ABC Board on what they plan to do about this issue. It was the consensus of the Board that