Minutes 02-09-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Commissioner Pelissier said part of the problem may be the timing of the notification between the Register of Deeds office and the tax office. Commissioner Jacobs said inserts could be placed in tax bills, or during the revaluation, to remind the owners of these requirements. Peter Sandbeck said some members talked about direct sales to consumers plateauing and suggested perhaps a committee could look at this issue. Commissioner Rich said the report referred to the Orange County Agriculture Heritage project, which takes oral histories, and asked if there is a plan for where this will be kept. Peter Sandbeck said this is an ongoing conversation, with interest from the APB and the Historic Preservation Commission. He said the project has started by looking at archived recordings, but has run into the technology divide with old equipment. He said it is expected that this problem will be overcome. He said key people within the community are being identified and approached to see if they are willing to be recorded. He said the public library is interested in hosting this information. Peter Sandbeck said there has been discussion about a possible Heritage Center and possibly a web site to host this information in the future. Commissioner Jacobs said the Food Council has requested to come before the BOCC and have a Commissioner volunteer to be a member of the Council, along with a member from each government in the County. Chair McKee said it may be wise to have Mike Ortosky, Orange County Agriculture Economic Developer, take a look at this issue as well. Commissioner Jacobs said the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing (PFAP) Center is under new management, and wants to be more proactive in reaching out to the agricultural community. He said it may be wise for the APB to take a tour of PFAP. Commissioner Price said asked if the lawsuits mentioned in the report are serious. Peter Sandbeck said yes there are complaints, but many are situational and Board members hear about these issues from their friends. He said he is not sure that they have been serious, full-blown suits. • Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB): Warren Porter, Chair Warren Porter said the ASAB has three main tasks: act as a sounding board for residents on all animal related issues in the County; perform the role of the potentially dangerous dog appeal board hearings; and work with Animal Services staff on policies, strategies to improve animal welfare in the County, etc. He said some ways that the ASAB achieves the last task is by seeking partnerships throughout the County, such as working on the UDO, creating a long-term plan to address pet overpopulation and managing free roaming cats. He said future plans include investigating options for animals of the homeless and victims of domestic violence. • Arts Commission: Tim Hoke, Chair Tim Hoke said in calendar year 2015, the Arts Commission celebrated its 30th anniversary, and awarded 11 grants to schools, 28 grants to nonprofit organizations, and 5 grants to local artists. He said artwork was commissioned and purchased (30th Anniversary Poster Design, NC Emergency Operations Center) from 2 additional local artists. He said the Commission continues to promote, remind and train artists and arts organizations on our online arts calendar (www.ExploreChapelHillARTS.com) embedded in our new WordPress website. He said community outreach is a large goal, and the Commission is starting a new initiative of mini-grants. He said there will be additional funds dedicated to advertising as well.