Minutes 02-16-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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46 Respectfully, Justin Tillett Chair McKee said typically the BOCC remains silent during public comment, but this evening it is likely appropriate for the Board to speak. He said he would address the question of from where this ordinance came. He said there have been many complaints over the years related to irresponsible shooting, and Orange County has no ordinances to address the complaints. He said the procedure began with a public hearing in September 2015, and then returned to the Board in January, as a part of a recreational land use text amendment. He said the Board and the Attorney agreed to pull it out of that text amendment. He said if the Board was seeking to pass this in secret, it could have done so that evening, but rather it was pulled out and made into a general ordinance for review this evening. Chair McKee said he takes responsibility for his role in the lack of sufficient communication to the public about the issue. He said the Board must air the arguments for both sides of the debate. He said one complainant has a store in the northern part of Orange County, but lives in the southern part of the County. He said this citizen has a neighbor that shoots until somewhere between 10:00 p.m. and midnight. He said the shooting keeps him awake. Chair McKee said he has a neighbor that has some type of weapon that either is, or sounds like, an automatic weapon. He said this does not bother him, as he is used to hearing gunfire. Chair McKee said this is how the issue came before the BOCC, and while it may not be perfect, this is what they have to work with now. Commissioner Rich said she is interested in hearing ways to communicate more effectively with the public about these meetings and notifications, especially those without Internet access. She said she is the Commission liaison to the communications team, and it is important to her. Roger Moore said to put posters up on phone poles or in local stores, notices in newspapers, or on television or radio stations. Commissioner Rich said the original notice always goes in the newspaper. She asked if those with email would be willing to share their email, to sign up on the County subscription services. Roger Moore said he could do this, but many people simply cannot afford the expense of the Internet. Jack Hunnell asked if citizens could sign up for specific "target words" and only receive notices about those meetings. He asked if this issue was primarily a noise issue, how did all the other elements of the ordinance come to pass. Chair McKee said the original complaint involved gunfire. Commissioner Jacobs said communicating with residents in rural Orange County has been a chronic problem. He said Rockingham County won an award for addressing the issue by doing the very thing that Mr. Moore suggested of taking posters to prominent community locations. He said the BOCC often focuses on doing things efficiently and in a cost effective manner, and using manpower to go around the County and post signs is not the cheapest method. He added that the community is not being informed, and that is unacceptable. Sheriff Blackwood said the Sheriff's deputies would be glad to take posters and notices around to all areas of the County. Don O'Leary said notification could be sent in tax bills or vehicle registration mailings. Alan Mauer said he appreciated the Board's desire to improve communication, but that is not the topic of tonight's discussion.