Orange County NC Website
1 <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />7 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />47 <br />48 <br />49 <br />50 <br />said they have heard from other counties that a treatment center could possibly be built and <br />shared among counties, as an example. <br />Commissioner Jacobs clarified that experts would be brought in to assess the damage <br />in our specific county. <br />Amy Quezon said yes, there are some epidemiologists on board, who would come to do <br />the assessments. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a time frame for this process. <br />Amy Quezon said it is moving at a fast pace now, and it is hard to give an exact time <br />frame now, but they are looking at an early resolution. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a time line for when Orange County could expect <br />to have information back from the experts regarding Orange County. <br />Chair Dorosin clarified that experts would not be brought in unless Orange County <br />agreed to sign on the litigation. <br />Amy Quezon said that is correct, and it would be at least a couple of months out. <br />Commissioner McKee said he expects this would be a long drawn out event, and asked <br />if there are any timeframes at all. <br />Amy Quezon said not at this time, but the Federal Judge assigned to this multidistrict <br />litigation (MDL) has asked all clients represented by counsel, and all of the Attorney Generals, <br />who intend to file, to be present within the next month. She said the Judge is looking towards a <br />quick resolution, but this is not certain. <br />Chair Dorosin asked if the litigation has been filed, and, if so, where has it been filed. <br />Amy Quezon said over 200 cases have been filed, and have been consolidated in Ohio, <br />as an MDL. She said an MDL is like a class suit, but each individual's damages are different. <br />Chair Dorosin clarified that, if Orange County proceeds, it would be joining a lawsuit that <br />already in process. <br />Paul Coates said this is not a class action suit, but rather Orange County's lawsuit. He <br />said the suit will be consolidated in Ohio for discovery purposes only. He said if the damages <br />case is tried, it will come back to the federal court in North Carolina and have a jury trial. He <br />said Orange County would be in charge of the lawsuit. <br />Commissioner Rich asked if the process of working with the Attorney General could be <br />clarified, given that individual counties would be filing lawsuits. <br />Amy Quezon said Orange County has been affected differently than the state, and the <br />damages are separate for each. <br />Commissioner Rich asked if local and state damages could be awarded. <br />Amy Quezon said yes, but that is up to the Attorney General. <br />Mr. Daniels (father) said state monies have to go through the legislature and it <br />determines where funds go, but local damages would come to Orange County, and the BOCC <br />would determine their use. <br />Chair Dorosin said the Board will consult with its attorney after the meeting, as to what it <br />would like to do. <br />MOVED ITEM: <br />Item 8 -e: Property Tax Refund Request — 107 Boulder Lane, Chapel Hill <br />The Board considered a refund request for the property owned by Ms. Doris Tippens at <br />107 Boulder Lane, Chapel Hill. <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br />Tom ODwyer read the following comments: <br />Dear Commissioners: <br />