Orange County NC Website
5 <br /> 1 Commissioner Pelissier clarified that she thought this task force was for the rural areas <br /> 2 and not for the towns. She asked if this assumption is correct, and, if so, the focus should be <br /> 3 on businesses associated with the Hillsborough Chamber. <br /> 4 Bonnie Hammersley said the focus has been on rural areas but the bicycle safety <br /> 5 campaign would be countywide, so diversity could be valuable. <br /> 6 Commissioner Price said she was only decreasing the number of residents to keep at <br /> 7 15 members and that both chambers should be included. <br /> 8 Chair McKee asked if the two chambers were represented, would the total still be 15. <br /> 9 Abigaile Pittman said correct. <br /> 10 Chair McKee agreed with Commissioner Rich to have six residents on the membership. <br /> 11 Chair McKee asked if there is an application form to be created and a process to insure <br /> 12 diversity. <br /> 13 Abigaile Pittman said this will all be discussed in detail. <br /> 14 Chair McKee said the State is toying with some legislation and asked if it will interact <br /> 15 with this task force. <br /> 16 John Roberts said he has not been following this and is not knowledgeable. <br /> 17 Chair McKee said he does not want the County to do anything that is contradictory to <br /> 18 the State. <br /> 19 John Roberts said he would gather more information. <br /> 20 Commissioner Price said there was a breakfast meeting attended by the North Carolina <br /> 21 Secretary of Transportation, where he admitted to taking a bicycle ride, which he greatly <br /> 22 enjoyed. <br /> 23 Commissioner Jacobs said as the Department of Transportation (DOT) is being included <br /> 24 as a stakeholder perhaps the DOT could make a presentation at the first meeting, regarding <br /> 25 any pertinent regulations or legislation. <br /> 26 Abigaile Pittman said the focus of this group is about safety and education and should <br /> 27 not interfere with any legislation. <br /> 28 Sheriff Blackwood referred to the study completed by the committee established under <br /> 29 HB 232 and said the main issues are: whether bicycles must ride on the right side of the road, <br /> 30 and, if not, where must bicycles ride; and are packs of more than 30 riders required to register <br /> 31 with a governmental entity. He said the committee did not resolve these main issues. He said <br /> 32 this is a safety issue, and there are existing laws that address every aspect of what is being <br /> 33 discussed tonight. He said when the Board establishes this committee, the expectations should <br /> 34 be very clear, as they do not want to create an ordinance that duplicates, or is contrary to, laws <br /> 35 which already exists. <br /> 36 Commissioner Dorosin asked the Sheriff if he had a pamphlet or summary of existing <br /> 37 rules and regulations. <br /> 38 Sheriff said it is on the DOT website as well as various organizations' websites. He said <br /> 39 it is important to focus on what happens with bikes in Orange County but it ultimately boils down <br /> 40 to respect between cyclists and motorists. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Rich to: <br /> 43 1. Approve the attached Resolution (Attachment 2) authorizing the creation of a Bicycle Safety <br /> 44 Task Force and Future Appointment of Members to Serve on the Task Force; and <br /> 45 2. Request the OUTBoard to return to the BOCC in May with a recommended list of individuals <br /> 46 to be appointed to the Task Force. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 Commissioner Price said she wanted to make a friendly amendment to add <br /> 49 representatives from both chambers. <br /> 50 Commissioner Pelissier agreed. <br />