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b. Matters on the Printed Agenda {These matters were considered as the Board addressed <br />the items on the agenda below.) <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Gordon noted that she was in the Southern Human Services one day at lunchtime <br />and realized that there is not any healthful food in any of the vending machines. This was referred to the <br />staff. <br />Commissioner Gordon reported that the Metropolitan Planning Organization {MPO) of which she is <br />a member approved the Transportation Improvement Plan {TIP}. The TIP follows atwo-year cycle. After <br />Orange County submits a list of projects for the MPO, the MPO develops a regional priority list and the <br />state develops a regional priority list and the state develops a list. For local roads, the MPO relies heavily <br />on the preferences stated by local jurisdictions in which the roads are located. The list that Chapel Hill <br />forwarded included Estes Drive, which was higher on the regional priority list than Elizabeth Brady Road, <br />which is in Hillsborough's jurisdiction. The state increased the priority of Elizabeth Brady Road to be <br />higher than Estes Drive. This was discussed at the MPO meeting and it was negotiated with the state. <br />In the end, the NCDOT authorities said that it was important to keep Elizabeth Brady Road where it was. <br />The TIP was approved, but the MPO asked that the work done by the stakeholders group would be <br />included. The Town of Chapel Hill inserted a clause that if any additional funds were available, it would <br />be given to the Estes Drive extension and that the extension would receive favorable treatment in future <br />TIPs. She said that she and Chair Halkiotis were going to ask the staff to try to get a regular one-page <br />update of significant items that come out of the Transportation Advisory Committee and distribute it to <br />the Commissioners. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked Beverly A. Blythe to get together the number of meetings the <br />Commissioners have had this year. The number of meetings on the approved calendar is 50, with total <br />added meetings of 11. She pointed out that the County Commissioners are working hard. She also <br />noted that we have a policy of having an automatic adjournment time of 10:30 p.m. and only by the <br />unanimous consent of the Commissioners can that be changed. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that at the EDD work group, they talked about transportation planning <br />and noted that the way that DOT does thoroughfare plans is to leave counties out of the loop. He said <br />that having mare of a planning approach would be more appropriate. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that, regarding adjournment time, he feels like he is always willing to <br />stay later and keep working. <br />Commissioner Jacobs noted that each County Commissioner has received a copy of the <br />preliminary report of the Library Services Task Force, which has been a very active group. If this is not <br />addressed tonight, it is on the agenda for the 25t". <br />Commissioner Jacobs also pointed out that this is a week of remembrance for the Holocaust. He is <br />pleased that the County proclaims Armenian Martyrs day each year. He said that this also stands for <br />many of the other people in various places and times who have experienced similar kinds of prejudice. <br />Chair Halkiotis made reference to the comments about Elizabeth Brady Road, and said that at a <br />future work session there should be a discussion about whether the County should begin taking a <br />position for all of the jurisdictions. <br />Chair Halkiotis said that gas has increased by 25 cents in the last two weeks and that it is <br />supposed to be $2.00 per gallon by July. He would like to do a letter to the legislative delegation to ask <br />someone at the state level to look at this situation. <br />4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT <br />John Link recognized Bobbie Underwood and Linda Strickland from the Department of Revenue for <br />achieving the certificate as assistant tax collectors. <br />5. RESOLUTIONSIPROCLAMATIONS <br />a. Proclamation for Armenian Martyr's Day <br />The Board considered proclaiming April 24t" as Armenian Martyrs Day. <br />Chair Halkiotis suggested broadening this proclamation in future years to include Holocaust <br />victims and other victims. <br />