Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS -None <br />7. PUBLIC HEARINGS <br />a. Orange County 2001 Legislative Agenda <br />This item was presented far the purpose of holding a public hearing on potential items to <br />be included in Orange County's legislative agenda package for the 2001 legislative session and to <br />consider approval of draft resolutions and proposed bills for presentation to Orange County's <br />legislative delegation. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill reviewed the potential resolutions and legislative matters as listed in the <br />revised agenda abstract. <br />Cammissioner Gordon asked several questions, which were adequately answered by <br />Geoffrey Gledhill or Commissioner Jacobs. <br />Cammissioner Jacobs made three changes, which were sa noted by Assistant to the <br />Manager Greg Wilder. <br />Commissioner Jacobs commented that he thinks that there may be some opportunities for <br />collaboration with some of the neighboring jurisdictions, such as Chapel Hill with inclusionary zoning, <br />that could make Orange County a little more formidable in their lobbying efforts in the legislature. <br />Chair Halkiotis thanked Commissioner Jacobs, Commissioner Carey, and the staff for all of <br />the hard work that was done on these legislative matters. <br />Commissioner Gordon thanked the Legislative Issues Task Force and the staff for their <br />hard work. <br />PUBLIC HEARING <br />Ann McPherson said that the County Commissioners received a mama from the Human <br />Relations Commission, which is incorporated herein by reference and stated as follows: <br />"The Orange County Human Relations Commission recommends to the Board of County <br />Commissioners that it include in its legislative packet the proposed bill authorizing cities and counties <br />in North Carolina with populations of 100,000 to enact ordinances prohibiting discrimination in <br />employment, housing, and public accommodations. <br />"In 1987, the Orange County Board of Commissioners created the Human Relations <br />Commission (the HRC}, and charged it to, among other things, 'promote harmonious relations within <br />the county through hearings and due process of law.' In 1989, the HRC held a series of public <br />hearings on issues including homophobia, racism, employment discrimination, and discrimination <br />against women and children. These public hearings proved to be a major catalyst in beginning the <br />drive toward adopting a county wide Civil Rights Ordinance, which culminated on June 6, 1995, when <br />the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance was enacted. <br />"The Ordinance provided an avenue for traditionally disenfranchised Orange County residents - <br />those who are discriminated against because of their race, color, national origin, age, gender, ar <br />disability - to complain about discriminatory treatment and, in the majority of cases, to reach a <br />satisfactory resolution of their complaints. Thus, the people of Orange County had local legislation to <br />safeguard the things that are essential to most Americans: their homes and their jobs. <br />"The recent court decision declaring unconstitutional the employment provisions of the Orange <br />County Civil Rights Ordinance has seriously compromised the Ordinance's integrity, and has <br />compromised the HRC's ability to fulfill its charge to promote harmonious relations through hearings <br />and due process of law. The majority of discrimination complaints received by the Orange County <br />Human Rights and Relations Department are employment-related. Because of the court order, the <br />Department is now prohibited from providing assistance to the majority of those who call for help: <br />Orange County residents, and those who work in Orange County, who have employment <br />discrimination complaints. <br />