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She said it would be good to see where Orange County stands with this issue, as well <br /> as the private sector. <br /> Chair Jacobs noted the blue sheets provided from a meeting in 2010 when the <br /> commission for women was disbanded. He noted that this was done over the objections of <br /> members of the Commission for Women, as well as some of the Commissioners. He said it is <br /> good that this issue has come back. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said she would like to hear from the Economic Development <br /> Director to see how this would fit in. <br /> Chair Jacobs said this was discussed and the decision was not to put the economic <br /> development director on the spot. He said the interim manager would speak to this. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked how often this committee would meet and if there would be <br /> enough work to facilitate creation of a separate committee. <br /> Michael Talbert said he talked to Steve Brantley about this. He said Steve Brantley said <br /> economic development's primary goal is the recruitment and retention of industry. He gave the <br /> example of Hi-chew. He said this partnership has tremendous potential for this community, <br /> and he would not like to take away from that effort. <br /> Michael Talbert noted that much of the existing industry in Orange County is <br /> government, University and non-profit. He said the County does not yet have the private <br /> sector presence that it hopes to have in the future. <br /> He said the initial resolution seems more like a policy statement than a work plan. He <br /> does not believe that this proposed commission belongs in the Economic Development <br /> Department. He feels the best fit at this time is in the housing and human relations area. <br /> He said if the board wants to go forward with this and provide funding, it should be <br /> considered for next year's budget process. He said the Board would need to determine who <br /> will be on the commission and what the charge will be. He said once these things are <br /> determined, staff can figure out how to make it work and how to proceed. <br /> Commissioner Rich said that she does not know how effective this board will be, but she <br /> has not thought it through yet. <br /> Michael Talbert said he does not know yet either. He said the Board needs to define the <br /> expected outcomes. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said he thinks the proposed charge is too narrow. He said a <br /> commission on women ought to deal with all critical issues of gender discrimination. He said <br /> this seems like a time limited charge, and it needs to be broader. <br /> Commissioner Price said she was trying to be more realistic because she realizes the <br /> limited time that staff has to give. She said this could go beyond income and could look at <br /> what happens in the workplace. She felt that it would be more realistic to start narrower and <br /> then get broader. <br /> She asked Commissioner Rich for clarification on her concern with the charge. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she didn't understand where it goes, as it looks more like a <br /> study. <br /> Commissioner Price said this would start out more like a study. <br /> She noted that when the Board went on a tour of one of the schools, there were no girls <br /> in the technology class. She noted the implications of this in the future workplace. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said there is a need for a women's commission and one reason <br /> to start with the business side is because women are not represented well, and there is not <br /> equal pay for equal work. <br /> She said other things would be important, but equal pay is the key. She suggested that <br /> the Board could endorse this concept, but then she would like to see the concept fleshed out. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that staff needs to work on the charge, the budget, and <br /> which department this best fits. <br />