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Health Director Rosemary Summers summarized the report. She noted that the Board of <br />Health's Animal Control and Environmental Health Committee has considered this matter for the last <br />seven months. There are two ordinances and both of them speak to protecting the health and safety <br />of the citizens of Orange County. The first ordinance prohibits the display of wild and exotic animals <br />specifically for the purposes of entertainment or amusement. It does not prohibit the exhibition of <br />animals for educational purposes by non-profit groups. There is an exemption for the University of <br />North Carolina for their research activities. The second ordinance is a revision of the ordinance that <br />was originally passed in 1983 by the Board, which prohibits the keeping of wild animals dangerous to <br />person and property within Orange County. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis pointed out that this was not a public hearing, but only a report for <br />informational purposes. There will be a public hearing on this at a later time. <br />It was the consensus of the Board to continue the meeting for 15 minutes to deal with this <br />item and item "c" below. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about snakes and reptiles and said that it was a broad <br />definition. He also made reference to the exemption far the University of North Carolina. He feels <br />that this is an issue for other schools in the County that might have these types of animals. <br />Commissioner Brown wants to be sure about the definition of exotic and dangerous. <br />Public Comment <br />Henry Hampton said that he has been in the exotic animals business for 35 years. He <br />supplies animals for zoos and circuses. He emphasized the safety record of some of the exotic <br />animals. He also made reference to the number of people that have been killed by domestic animals. <br />Darry Conner spoke on behalf of iguanas. She presented a booklet with pictures. She <br />would like to make sure that iguanas are not banned as pets. She was representing Triangle Iguana <br />Rescue. She asked that the Commissioners reconsider the proposition to ban iguanas. She also <br />spoke about how exotic animals were given away as prizes and she is against this. <br />Patti Catron, from Triangle Iguana Rescue, said that she was concerned about the iguanas <br />that were won at fairs. These iguanas can grow to six feet in length. There are no care instructions <br />with the prizes and this concerns her. <br />Charles Koehler spoke an behalf of the circus department and the Outdaar Amusement <br />Business Association. He asked where the evidence of abuse was in this area in North Carolina. He <br />also asked where the evidence was that the public of Orange County was endangered by wild <br />animals. He said that the County Commissioners were duplicating what the State Department of <br />Agriculture already regulates. He said that the proponents of this ordinance want to send these <br />elephants back to their original habitat, but there are poachers and hunters in these areas now. <br />Melissa Lozott said that the USDA does do periodic checks, and Ringling Brothers has <br />been cited many times and continues to abuse the animals. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to <br />receive the information and proposed ordinances. The ordinances will be scheduled for public <br />hearing at a future meeting and considered for adoption. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />c. Smith Middle School Use and Lease Agreement <br />The Board discussed issues related to proposed interlocal agreements governing the <br />ownership, use and funding at the new Smith Elementary School. <br />John Link pointed out that for some period of time now the staff of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro <br />City School System, Orange County, and Carrboro have been working on an agreement for the use of <br />athletic fields at the new R. D. and Euzelle Smith Middle School. One of the focal points would be the <br />designation of field 3B as a field that could be used far recreational needs by the County and the <br />Town of Carrboro, specifically for soccer. The soccer programming in Orange County at this time is <br />arranged by private, not-for-profit soccer associations. Carrboro will coordinate the programming <br />