Minutes 05-17-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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16 Commissioner Jacobs requested information about what this board is doing, as well as the minutes for this advisory board. Commissioner Pelissier said she also had petitioned for minutes to appear for all boards and commissions on a department's website. Bonnie Hammersley said staff if putting together a chart for the BOCC with all of the advisory boards' websites and minutes. c. Orange County Parks and Recreation Council —Appointment The Board considered making an appointment to the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council. A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Pelissier to appoint the following to the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council: • Appointment to a first full term (Position #5) "At-Large" representative for Robert Smith expiring 03/31/2019. 12. Board Comments Commissioner Rich said she recently received a letter from a Chair of one of the BOCC's committees and also had a good in-person conversation with her. She said her take away from the conversation was that the Commissioners needed to do a better job of knowing who is being appointed, as some applicants are not viable. Commissioner Rich said she also spoke with an applicant to the Chapel Hill Planning Board, and it was an enlightening conversation. She learned that some applicants are highly qualified, and others do not even know about the board to which they are applying. She said the BOCC should talk about this process going forward, in order to know who is being appointed. She said it is important to not pick randomly. Commissioner Price said even though she has been hesitant to take recommendations from staff, it does provide some degree of vetting. Commissioner Price said she attended another Habitat home dedication, which was a lovely community event. Commissioner Jacobs said on the issue of appointments, there was discussion years ago regarding for which boards recommendations should be accepted. He said the current attitude is that an applicant's capabilities do not seem to be as important as their socio- economic position or demographic characteristics. He said these latter factors are certainly valid, but it is important to have people who are knowledgeable and interested in serving. He said he would like to resume a more conscious appointment process. Commissioner Jacobs said he wanted to clarify that no one has ever petitioned the Board to name the Cedar Grove Community Center. Commissioner Jacobs said he received an email with comments regarding how the BOCC will divide up affordable housing funds. He said no decisions have been made, and he wants that to be clear. Commissioner Pelissier said she really appreciated these comments regarding appointments. She said some additional questions have been added to certain board applications. She said she is sometimes uncomfortable with appointments, and noted that greater effort will be required in order to do things more thoroughly. She said this all warrants further discussion. Chair McKee said four of the five Commissioners present this evening have expressed discomfort with the appointment process, which he would consider a petition on the topic. He