Orange County NC Website
(page 4) under"disclosure", she suggested the language, "unless appropriately, authorized in <br /> writing." <br /> Commissioner Jacobs made reference to Article 2, section 2, second paragraph, the <br /> second sentence, he suggested starting the sentence with, "however, if..." <br /> John Roberts will be coming back to the Board with a revised version of this policy in <br /> the future to put on a regular agenda. <br /> 2. Discussion on the Process for the Public to Place an Item on a Reqular Board <br /> Meetinq Aqenda <br /> Chair Pelissier said that several times individuals have petitioned the Board to put an <br /> item on the regular agenda. The Board needs to discuss how to respond to the public about <br /> these types of requests. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz agreed that there needs to be a process. He suggested having <br /> a standard policy with a subcommittee of this Board to evaluate these proposals. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that this came up on the school board, and there were <br /> guidelines that a board member would have to champion the item and there would have to be <br /> a majority vote to pursue the item. She thinks that the subcommittee would require a lot of <br /> staff time. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he appreciated Commissioner Yuhasz's attempt to <br /> organize this. He tends to support all public requests just because they are asking, except for <br /> Confederate Memorial Day. He said that he would be willing to have a process to refer it to <br /> staff and the Chair and Vice-Chair to discuss at agenda review, and report back whether there <br /> is sufficient information to move forward or decline. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he feels like one of the reasons the County Commissioners <br /> are here is that the public can bring these items to the Board. He supported Commissioner <br /> Hemminger's suggestion to refer to staff by a vote at a meeting. If the Board chose not to <br /> refer it to staff, then so be it. <br /> Frank Clifton said that one of the difficulties they find with this issue is that whoever <br /> brings the Board of County Commissioners an item has already made up their mind about <br /> something, or the information is erroneous and out of context. To verify or do the research <br /> does take some time in these cases. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that currently there is a subcommittee of the Chair, Vice- <br /> Chair, and Manager. She suggested that items be voted to refer to this subcommittee to work <br /> through the process. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that these citizens need a response back from the Board in some <br /> way or another. She would like to include a way to communicate back to the individual. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that this is what she likes about taking the vote to refer <br /> it to the staff because the public hears a response. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz agreed with having a clear process. He does not think that <br /> there necessarily needs to be a motion and a second to refer to staff. His concern is that <br /> some of the motions that the Board has made has included a motion to study the issue and <br /> bring it back to the Board at a specific date. He does not necessarily want this. Some <br /> responses can be made in a letter. He would rather have a specific process. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he personally agreed with Commissioner McKee about <br /> the importance of listening to the citizens. He said that Matters Not on the Printed Agenda is <br /> one of the few places that are unstructured and he likes this. He recognizes the need for <br /> order. He said that almost always the Chair refers these items to staff with the understanding <br /> that it will come back to the Board with a recommendation on how to proceed. He said that <br />