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APPROVED 9/19/2012 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> WORK SESSION <br /> June 14, 2012 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Work Session on Thursday, <br /> June 14, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Link Government Services Center, in Hillsborough, North <br /> Carolina. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Bernadette Pelissier and Commissioners <br /> Valerie P. Foushee, Alice Gordon, Pam Hemminger, Barry Jacobs, Earl McKee, and Steve <br /> Yuhasz <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Valerie Foushee (out of town) <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Frank Clifton, Assistant County Managers <br /> Gwen Harvey and Michael Talbert, and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff <br /> members will be identified appropriately below) <br /> 1. Proposed Oranqe County Mass Gatherinq Ordinance — Review and Discussion <br /> Annette Moore said that a lot of departments worked on this ordinance proposal. She <br /> reviewed the high points. She said that this ordinance provides for minimum standards and <br /> guidance for mass gatherings of people between 500-5,000. There are State guidelines for <br /> mass gatherings of over 5,000 people. This ordinance would provide one-stop shopping for <br /> those who want to apply for a mass gathering event. She said that this only applies to open <br /> space gatherings and not churches, stadiums, athletic fields, arenas, etc. The permit would be <br /> issued by the Emergency Services Director. It would require insurance, a performance bond, <br /> and a fee to be determined by the County Commissioners, etc. She said that this ordinance <br /> provides for administrative rules issued by the County Manager, which will address specific <br /> issues. There is an appeal process and an enforcement portion. <br /> Emergency Services Director Frank Montes de Oca said that one example he would use <br /> would be the biker rally which caught them by surprise a couple of years ago. The promoter <br /> was advertising it as 5,000 per day, alcohol served, overnight camping, outdoor cooking, etc. <br /> If there had been a mishap then it could have been catastrophic. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that if she had to do all of these requirements she would <br /> not do an event. She is having trouble with the numbers and not necessarily the ordinance. <br /> She would like to know the fee structure. <br /> Annette Moore said that they are anticipating an application process that would <br /> eliminate some groups from having to go through the entire process. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that it is wise to have more control over events that have <br /> mass people, but he thinks that the figure of 500 people is too low. He said that the fee is too <br /> much for a small number of only 500 people. <br /> Frank Montes de Oca said that this is not to prohibit the large weddings or events but <br /> those cultural events that become a nuisance to the community. <br /> Annette Moore said that there is a difference between 500 and 5,000 and this is why <br /> there are some proposed rules. She said that there can be further delineation. <br />