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~~® MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 24, 1986 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in special session on June 24, 1936, 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Don Willhoit and Commissioners Shirley Marshall, Moses Carey, Ben Lloyd and Norman Walker. ATTORNEY PRESENT• Geoffrey Gledhill. STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Kenneth R. Thompson, Assistant County Managers Albert Kittrell and William T. Laws, Director of Finance Gordan Baker, Recreation and Parks Director Mary Anne Black, Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe, Director of Finance Pam Jones, Budget Analyst Donna Wagner and Director of Personnel Beverly Whitehead. A. ITEMS FOR DECISION 1. POLICY REGARDING ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION 2. GAY AND LESBIAN PROCLAMATION Chair Don Willhot presented for consideration a olio whereby the authority to issue proclamations can be clarifiedP Thisupolicy question was prompted because of an Anti-discrimination proclamation that:, was signed by the Chair. He emphasized the proclamation was not issued on behalf of the Board but issued as an individual. He further stated that:; i. although he neither condones or condemns the gay lifestyle, he is committed°` to opposing discrimination of people on the basis of sexuality. Commissioner Walker spoke in opposition -of the proclamation and the signing of the proclamation by the Chairman. Commissioners Marshall and Carey indicated they were informed by the Chair of the proclamation and although they were not asked to sign they endorsed the concept of anti-discrimination on any basis. Attorney Geoffrey Gledhill stated that a proclamation is more ceremonial which does not have the effect of law or describe the duties of the Board of County Commissioners. A proclamation such as this is not law and does not have the affect of law and imposes no legal obligations on County government. This act does not represent a legal function of the Board. Commissioner Lloyd questioned the authority of the Chair to issue the proclamation on behalf of the Board. Chair willhoit clarified he did not issue the proclamation on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Walker stated his opposition against the lifestyle of homosexual and lesbian practices and cited statistics associated with AIDS. A motian was made by Commissioner Walker, seconded by Commissioner Lloyd to disapprove the Anti- VOTE: AYES, 2; NOESlsc31m(ChairnWillhoitaandn~Commissioners Marsha Carey) 11 and A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Marshall to table the issue of adopting a policy on the issuance of proclamations until the new board is seated in December. VOTE: AYES, 3; NOES, 2 (Commissioners Lloyd and Walker).