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APPROVED 10/1/02 MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> REGULAR MEETING <br /> June 4, 2002 <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 4, 2002 at 7:30 <br /> p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, North Carolina. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Barry Jacobs and Commissioners Margaret W. Brown, <br /> Moses Carey, Jr., Alice M. Gordon and Stephen Halkiotis <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill and S. Sean Borhanian <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser <br /> and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) <br /> NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA <br /> FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. <br /> 1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA <br /> The Commissioners added item 8-r, "A Change in the BOCC Regular Meeting Calendar'; item 8-s, <br /> "Confirmation of Plans to Purchase Replacement Initial Response Vehicles"; and item 9-m, "Discussion of the <br /> Comprehensive Plan Land Use Committee". The Commissioners accepted a change to item 9-f, changes to <br /> the minutes for February 18`h and April 2"' as submitted by Commissioner Gordon; and changes to item 8-q <br /> as submitted by Commissioner Gordon. Also, item 10-b was moved to item 9-a1 because there were a <br /> number of people signed up to speak to this item. <br /> PUBLIC CHARGE <br /> Chair Jacobs dispensed with the reading of the public charge. <br /> 2. CITIZEN & AUDIENCE COMMENTS <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Bessie Wiggins said that she has 15 people with her tonight to advocate for a park at the Northern <br /> Center in Cedar Grove. She said that they have organized a coalition to advocate for the construction of the <br /> park. She presented a petition with over 600 signatures in support of the park. They would like this park very <br /> soon. They would like the County Commissioners to start implementation of the design. She said that parks <br /> are beneficial to any community. There is only one ball field, which is used all the time. There needs to be <br /> someplace where children can go and feel safe and have fun. The coalition has two phases that they would <br /> like to have addressed. Phase One is nature trails, a walking track, more ball fields, basketball courts, tennis <br /> courts, playground equipment, picnic shelters, picnic tables, sports fields for miscellaneous activities such as <br /> soccer and volleyball, and adequate parking and lighting. Phase Two includes cosmetic improvements to the <br /> Northern Human Services Center, renovations to the gymnasium and kitchen area, and septic tank <br /> improvements. She said that phase one is really important to them. She pointed out that Cedar Grove <br /> makes up an important percentage of the voting citizens, and they strongly believe that having a park would <br /> upgrade their community. They would like to have a park in their community without having to go to <br /> Hillsborough. <br /> Chair Jacobs told Ms. Wiggins that she would be pleased when she sees what the County <br /> Commissioners are planning to do. The County Commissioners would be happy to look at the proposal. The <br /> process has been initiated and the next step is to start working with the community. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that he and Commissioner Brown have been working with the group <br /> currently utilizing facilities at the Cedar Grove Recreation Center for about two years. They have been <br /> addressing the issues of appropriate interactive play areas outside and increasing the number of ball fields. <br /> They have made several land purchases to expand opportunities. <br />