Minutes 02-19-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Jacobs said he hoped the school would lobby to name the new science wing, if approved, in honor of Commissioner Gordon, who has worked tirelessly on this effort. Don O'Leary offered an opportunity for the Board to meet with him and six of his friends to discuss ICLEI and to work out the issues. Chair Jacobs told Mr. O'Leary that they would discuss his petition at Agenda Review. Steve Dear introduced himself as a long time resident of Orange County, and the Executive Director of People of Faith, a non-profit group seeking to repeal the death penalty. He asked the board to consider a resolution he presented, to repeal the death penalty. He said over 1000 businesses, churches and community groups have passed a resolution like this, including Chapel Hill, Carrboro and City of Durham. He said Orange County would be the first county in N.C. to pass this, if they chose to do so. He requested a future public hearing for community input. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda below.) 3. Petitions by Board Members (Three Minute Limit per Commissioner) Commissioner Pelissier pointed out that she had attended the Environmental Steering Committee meeting of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners last Friday. She said the new Secretary of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources encouraged people to send to him a letter regarding any concerns about the rules of Jordan and Falls Lake. She noted that the Board has a work session with this item on it in March and petitioned for the Board discuss it there and compile a letter. Commissioner Pelissier re-petitioned the board about an item she asked about in the fall of 2011 regarding agricultural support enterprises. She said she would like the Board to look at zoning and ordinances that pertain to agriculture as well as to the arts and agri- tourism. She would like to have different advisory boards be involved and she would like to have a listening session with the public with all of these advisory boards. She said she would also like for the Cooperative Extension to be involved, since there is a related effort happening at the state level. She would like to have staff to come forward with a process and a timeline as relates to this. Chair Jacobs said that there was a thorough letter produced two years ago by Dave Stancil based on the direction of the board in reference to Falls and Jordan Lake. He said this can be brought back to the Board for discussion about making any needed additions or changes. Chair Jacobs said he recalled that the Board did ask staff to move forward on agricultural enterprises. He said he will refer this item and the other items to agenda review. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. Resolution Acknowledging February 26, 2013 as Spay Neuter Day in Orange County and Community Spay and Neuter Program Presentation The Board considered a resolution officially acknowledging February 26, 2013 as "Spay Neuter Day" in Orange County and to receive an update about the County's Community Spay and Neuter Program and authorize the Chair to sign.