Minutes 12-02-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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When a closed session item is on an agenda, the appropriate staff will provide the Commissioners with a summary description of the topics to be discussed. This information will be provided as part of the agenda packet if possible, but at least before the meeting is held. Commissioner Price said she would like to petition the Board to ask staff to work with Cooperative Extension, inclusive of 4-H, to continue to support these entities. Chair Jacobs said Cooperative Extension's budget has recently been cut significantly. He said the County still depends on 4-H and Cooperative Extension. He said these entities do more than the community realizes. He hopes that future budget discussions will include ideas to better support those efforts. Commissioner Price said she would like to petition the Board to look at affordable rentals in Orange County. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. Declaration of Tenants' Rights and Obligations The Board considered endorsement of the Declaration of Tenants' Rights and Obligations drafted by the Human Relations Commission, Orange County Justice United, EmPOWERment, and the UNC School of Law's Legal Assistance Clinic. James Davis said this document was collaboratively drafted by Orange County Justice United, Empowerment, the UNC Legal Assistance Clinic and the Orange County Human Relations Commission (HRC). He said the purpose is to provide tenants with concise information regarding rights and responsibilities as a renter, and to provide a list of resources and agencies to navigate these rights and responsibilities. Tish Galu, from Justice United, said the background on the declaration is included in the agenda packets. She said the most important thing to note is that this started with tenants. She said there were serious issues being faced by the tenants in the County. She said this situation was rectified, and the action teams began discussions about preventing this from happening again. She said the team wanted to look at the most important issues facing tenants. She recognized members of HRC, Orange County Justice United, and the UNC Civil Legal Assistance Clinic who assisted with researching and drafting the document. Tish Galu said every item in the document is an issue that has been faced by tenant. She said the document does not provide legal advice, but it does provide tenants and landlords a way to understand the steps necessary to rectify a situation. She said the resource list is also crucial in resolving a situation. A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Rich to endorse the Declaration of Tenants' Rights and Obligations drafted by the Human Relations Commission, Orange County Justice United, EmPOWERment Inc. and the UNC School of Law's Legal Assistance Clinic. Commissioner Price asked who pays for lock changes in the case of domestic violence protection. Tish Galu said the landlord would absorb this cost. Commissioner Rich asked who people are to get in touch with in the event of problems. She also asked about the distribution of this document. Tish Galu said tenants are contacting Justice United, Empowerment, UNC's legal clinic and other people on the resource listing. She said distribution is the largest challenge right now. She said this has been given out by mail or email to those who request it, but there is no specific distribution channel yet. Commissioner Rich said the Board can put it on the website, but many people may not have access to the internet. She said it might be a good idea to put it at places of worship. Tish Galu said Justice United has partnered with 22 congregations who are helping with distribution. She said Justice United is also part of a new coalition on affordable housing, so there is another channel of possibility there. She said endorsement from County government will also help with this effort. Commissioner McKee expressed thanks for the efforts to bring this forward. VOTE: UNANIMOUS