Orange County NC Website
3 <br /> 1 Commissioner Marcoplos said while watching the hurricane last week, he wondered <br /> 2 about the Board's ability to really impact climate change, and he read a comment from the <br /> 3 United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Gutierrez: "If we do not change course by 2020, we <br /> 4 risk missing the point where we can avoid runaway climate change. Climate change is the <br /> 5 defining issue of our time, and we're at a defining moment. Scientists have been telling us for <br /> 6 decades, over and over again, far too many leaders have refused to listen." <br /> 7 Commissioner Marcoplos said this is a moment in time to challenge themselves as <br /> 8 elected officials. He said Orange County does a lot in regards to sustainability and climate <br /> 9 change, but the County needs to push the envelope a bit, and this issue is greater than cost <br /> 10 benefit. He said Orange County has the potential to be a leader in the state, and this is a <br /> 11 crucial time in history. <br /> 12 Commissioner Jacobs asked if staff could include a summary of which places were <br /> 13 flooded during the hurricane, and those that have been flooded before, when staff gives a <br /> 14 report on the damage. He said the County needs to see what is repeatedly being built in flood <br /> 15 plains, and perhaps considering discontinuing construction in areas that are known to flood. <br /> 16 Commissioner McKee said he spoke with Nancy Coston, DSS Director, yesterday, and <br /> 17 there are some local residents in shelters in Orange County. He said in talking about these <br /> 18 housing units, which keep getting flooded, he asked the Manager to research funding from past <br /> 19 storms that may have been available to buy out some of these flooded affordable housing units. <br /> 20 He said Orange County dodged a bullet with Hurricane Florence. <br /> 21 Commissioner Price said in response to Commissioner Jacobs' comments about the <br /> 22 areas of flooding, there is no longer any building there, but the residents have no other place to <br /> 23 go. <br /> 24 Commissioner Price said more affordable housing units are needed. <br /> 25 Commissioner Jacobs said there was some FEMA money through Congressman David <br /> 26 Price for Heritage Hills, and it has been done, but it has been sporadic. He said people cannot <br /> 27 continue to be put in the same dilemma. <br /> 28 Commissioner Rich said staff is working on some of these requests, and will bring back <br /> 29 information on October 161" <br /> 30 Commissioner Rich thanked the deputies in the room that went down east to help. <br /> 31 Commissioner Rich said a committee has been created to come back with some <br /> 32 elections options, and a Commissioner needs to be added to that committee. She said she <br /> 33 would like to nominate Commissioner Marcoplos. <br /> 34 Commissioner Rich said tonight's meeting is occurring on a Thursday evening, since <br /> 35 this past Tuesday was Yom Kippur. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> 38 <br /> 39 11 b-Arts Commission appointment <br /> 40 b. Arts Commission —Appointments <br /> 41 The Board considered making appointments to the Arts Commission. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Burroughs to <br /> 44 appoint the following to the Arts Commission. <br /> 45 <br /> 46 Position 3 for Evan Linnet At-Large (UNC Student Representative for a Partial Term <br /> 47 ending 03/31/2020. <br /> 48 <br /> 49 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 50 <br />