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PUBLIC CHARGE <br /> The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge. <br /> 2. Public Comments <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Aqenda <br /> Margaret Cannell, Director of the Hillsborough-Orange County Chamber of Commerce, <br /> thanked the Board for their support of Hog Day that will take place May 18th and 19th. She <br /> thanked Solid Waste, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation <br /> (DEAPR), the Visitor's Bureau, and the Sheriff's Department. <br /> Commissioner McKee arrived at 7:04 PM. <br /> Hank Elkins distributed a handout on the Ban the Box, A Petition for Open Employment <br /> Opportunities for those with Criminal Convictions by The Orange County Partnership to End <br /> Homelessness. He said that this is a petition to delay the question on prior criminal convictions <br /> from the initial stage of an employment application to a later stage. He said that this is a win- <br /> win-win petition. He said that it is a win for Orange County government because it could <br /> receive more applications from energetic applicants. He said that in most organizations and <br /> businesses, a prior conviction is a detriment to getting a job. It is also a win in terms of helping <br /> minorities. The third win is giving people a chance of making a living and staying out of prison, <br /> which is a win for the taxpayers. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz supported this addition and some of the Board members <br /> agreed. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that she feels very strongly that this is an important step for the <br /> County to take. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Aqenda <br /> (These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda <br /> below.) <br /> 3. Petitions by Board Members <br /> Commissioner Jacobs made the following petitions: <br /> (1) The Board to direct the Attorney to work on the legal means by which the County <br /> can continue to extend domestic partner benefits to employees, regardless of the interpretation <br /> of the amendment. <br /> (2) He said that in February the Board got a presentation about joining the 10% local <br /> food campaign and it was referred to staff to come back with a resolution for adoption. He <br /> said that he brought a copy of the resolution from TJCOG that was passed. He asked staff to <br /> model a resolution after this one. <br /> (3) He said that one of the voting machines where he voted malfunctioned and he just <br /> wanted to get a report about how early voting went and if there was any confusion on the <br /> district races. <br />