Minutes 09-01-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Rich asked if there is an update regarding her repeated petition to make the Board's emails available to the public. Bonnie Hammersley said staff had not been directed to make this change, but can make it happen. Chair McKee asked Commissioner Rich if it is her request to provide emails in a similar way to Chapel Hill. Commissioner Rich said yes, as well as other counties across the country. She said it would apply to the "All Board of County Commissioners, Manager Clerk, and Attorney" email address as OCBOCC. Chair McKee asked the staff to proceed with making emails available. Commissioner Rich said retired Commissioner Gordon had requested several times to break down the links on the agenda, and she is also petitioning to move forward on this, especially since this is a part of the County's communications. Commissioner Rich said the Board was invited to the Orange County Schools' (OCS) opening, and introduction to the new superintendent. She reported that it was a great event, full of enthusiasm. She referenced a handout about OCS's outlook through 2020, which she provided to the Clerk. Commissioner Rich said Commissioner Jacobs had asked about the status of the mobile home park inventory, and how many mobile homes are in parks vs scattered around the County. She said she would also like to know the status of this. Bonnie Hammersley said there is an internal committee working on this inventory and a response to the Board, and she expected it within the next few weeks. Commissioner Rich said when her son got his non-restricted license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), he was told that he could register to vote at the same time; but then he received a letter from the Board of Elections (BOE) saying that this was not valid and he had to come to the BOE to get registered. She said the process could be confusing for many teens. She said the County needs to be more progressive to enable more teens to register to vote. Commissioner Burroughs said she had no petitions. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the bond discussions will include any opportunity for Public comment. Chair McKee said Public comment would be permitted at the October 6th meeting. Commissioner Dorosin said he has received requests from the public to give comment on this issue, and asked if the only opportunity to do so would be at the September 15th regular meeting during the time allotted to "matters not on the agenda". Chair McKee said yes. Commissioner Dorosin referred to Senate Bill 491, an Anti Consumer Protection Bill, which is designed to negate the current bill affecting manufactured housing. He said he would like the Board to voice their opposition to this legislation, and he would be willing to draft a resolution to this affect. Commissioner Pelissier said the Durham-Orange Light Rail Project (DLRP) has a 45- day comment period required by the federal Department of Transportation, and if the public wanted to make comments they need to make them directly to Go Triangle by mail, email and two public information sessions, or two public hearings. She said the information sessions will be held on Tuesday, September 15, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Friday Center, and on Saturday, September 19, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Durham Station. She said the two public hearings will be held on Tuesday, September 29, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Friday Center, and Thursday, October 1, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Durham County Commission Chamber. Commissioner Jacobs thanked the Manager and Assistant Manager Travis Myren, for incorporating social justice goals in the Board's agendas.