Minutes 04-17-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda James Ward said he is a resident of south Orange County, and is here to speak against the proposed amendment to the flag ordinance. He said he opposes this proposed amendment as it is clearly targeting confederate flags, and would likely not be on the table for flying a Black Lives Matter, Me Too, or Gay Pride flag; all of which, he feels, should be able to be flown at any size on private property. He said the confederate flag is not akin to the Nazi flag, and there was never any genocide in the South. He said he hopes Orange County is a more tolerant County, and thanked the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for its time. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members Commissioner Jacobs asked the Manager if she could ask staff to determine the impact on the County should the Supreme Court approve the sales tax on Internet sales. Commissioner Jacobs congratulated Chair Dorosin on arguing the Silver case before the NC Supreme Court, related to the Halifax County school issue. Commissioner Burroughs said, in response to the public comments, that slavery was genocide, and said she had ancestors on one side of her family tree that were slave holders, of which she is ashamed. Commissioner McKee had no comments. Commissioner Rich said two Sundays ago the Food Council presented the Racial Equity Institute (REI) groundbreaking event, and food from Syria and Burma was served. She said it was held at the Whitted Building, and she is grateful that they have a facility that can be used for these types of events. Commissioner Rich commended Katie Murray about the “Monumental Voices” event, which was a lovely. Commissioner Rich said the Emergency Services Department just spent a week celebrating Emergency Services week, and the “911 calls” celebrated 50 years. She thanked the New Hope Fire Departments for providing food. She said she brought Commissioner Jacobs a present from the Forest Rangers: a bandana with Smokey the Bear on it, and a coozie that instructs how to put out a campfire. Commissioner Price said the BOCC previously received a petition from the community about plastic straws and reducing plastic, and she wondered if large water dispensers could be installed in County facilities, to reduce the use of plastic bottles. Commissioner Price said she attended the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) State of the Schools Report, and there is a lot of good work being done by a dedicated team. She said the same is also true of Orange County Schools (OCS). Commissioner Price said Cardinal Innovations had its quarterly meeting, and is making efforts to be more accountable and responsive to the needs of its service community. Commissioner Price said the Durham/Chapel Hill/Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) met, and is continuing its study of the 54-west corridor, and will hold some community meetings in the future. Commissioner Price said Deborah King, long time Executive Director of CASA, passed away, and asked if the County could do something to commemorate her efforts for the community. She suggested planting a tree or dedicating part of a community garden in her honor.