Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
B. PROPOSED LEASE OF 112 NORTH CHURTON STREET <br />Director of Purchasing and Central Services Pam Jones presented information on leasing a <br />building at 112 N. Churton Street to be used as expansion space for offices of the Courts. <br />Clerk of Court Joan Terry and Judge Joe Buckner spoke in favor of the proposed lease. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to <br />authorize staff to negotiate a lease with the Hillsborough Savings Bank for a building located at 112 N. <br />Churton Street to be used as office space for the Clerk of Court offices. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />C. A LIVING WAGE FOR ORANGE COUNTY <br />This item was presented so that the County Commissioners could consider the appropriate <br />nature, scope and wording of a possible living wage ordinance for Orange County which would include <br />the pros and cons of various living wage definitions. <br />Dan Coleman summarized this proposal as included in the agenda. He noted that if someone <br />is working full-time, they should not be still at the poverty level. This ordinance is meant to address this <br />issue. The ordinance would require the county to pay those that they are doing business with at least <br />the amount determined to be the living wage. <br />Carrboro Board of Aldermen Alex Zaffron spoke about how this proposal is relevant to <br />Orange County. He said that the southern part of this county is the most expensive place to live. Many <br />of the people at the lower end of the scale have found this to be a very hostile community economically. <br />This ordinance presents an opportunity to recognize the value and worth of those who live in this <br />community. This is a very good first step in articulating what our corporate citizens need to be doing to <br />make this a good place to live. He encourages the Board to find a way to operationalize these <br />definitions. <br />Marti Pryor-Cook, Director of the Social Services Department, voiced her support for the <br />Greens request to direct staff to study this issue and to develop the pros and cons of a living wage <br />ordinance. Studying the benefits of a living wage ordinance is an appropriate next step. There are <br />many who already work but who do not make a wage to take care of themselves and their family. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Brown to <br />receive the report and instruct the Manager and EDC Director to proceed with an analysis to consider the <br />appropriate nature, scope and wording of a possible living wage ordinance for Orange County; to include <br />the pros and cons of various living wage definitions. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />D. VOTER REGISTRATION GUIDELINES <br />The Board received information presented by Bobbie Strickland, Director, Board of Elections, <br />on voter registration policies and procedures and the State Board of Elections summary of North <br />Carolina Mail-In Voter Registration. <br />EXTENSION OF MEETING TIME <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to extend the <br />meeting for 15 minutes. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />11. APPOINTMENTS <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to reappoint <br />Karen Barrows to the Orange County Planning Board for a second term. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS