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2 <br /> PUBLIC CHARGE <br /> Chair Rich acknowledged the public charge. <br /> Arts Moment <br /> Orange County Arts Commission board member Linda Williamson introduced Claire <br /> Hermann: <br /> Claire Hermann's work has been selected as a finalist for the North Carolina Poet <br /> Laureate's Award and as a Split This Rock Poem of the Week. Her poems have appeared in <br /> such publications as Borderlands: Texas Poetry Journal, Lines + Stars, Southern Women's <br /> Poetry Review, and Prime Number. She has a weakness for cats, farmers markets, foggy <br /> mornings, and justice. Visit her website at ironclaywriters.com. <br /> Claire Hermann read two short poems: "Property Record" and "Runaway". <br /> Chair Rich said Commissioner Price would not be able to attend tonight. <br /> 2. Public Comments <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Carol Edmonds said she would like the alternate route into this building to be <br /> better marked while the current elevator is out of order. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda <br /> below.) <br /> 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members <br /> Commissioner McKee said given the damage that happened two weeks ago in the <br /> tornado, and the many homeowners with a lot of debris, he is concerned about fees. He said <br /> the waste disposal fees have not been waived, and once a landowner can confirm damage from <br /> that storm, he would ask that a permit be given to waive the fees. He said the County needs a <br /> process going forward to address these issues for future storms. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said he attended a GoTriangle meeting last week, and the <br /> commuter rail project is being analyzed. He said given that light rail is done, it has been <br /> determined that it might be wise to include Hillsborough and Burlington, along with Johnston <br /> County, in the first phase. He said there will likely be a request for funding in the near future for <br /> a study; somewhere around $80-85,000. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and <br /> particularly Mental Health Awareness for Children's Day. She said many schools will be <br /> participating to reduce stigma. <br /> Commissioner Greene said there is a new essay collection out called Mothers and <br /> Strangers, in which she has an essay. She said there will be a reading on Wednesday, May 8 <br /> at the Orange County Public Library. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she attended the TJCOG meeting last week, where climate <br /> related emergencies were discussed. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she attended the Sequential Intercept Model meeting last <br /> week, which was organized by Cait Fenhagen, Criminal Justice Resource Director, and brought <br /> together all stakeholders in the criminal justice system to discuss ways to divert people out of <br /> the criminal justice system due to mental health/substance abuse needs. <br /> Commissioner Greene said the Board has her Climate Reality Project report, and she <br /> highlighted the conclusion and petitioned the staff to look at the feasibility of including carbon <br /> offsets when making long distance travel. <br />