Agenda 09-03-19 Item 8-a - Minutes

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19 1 Commissioner Marcoplos said this idea originated around discussions of elevating the 2 building trades to the craftsman level, and Durham Tech trades education goes on in Durham, 3 not at the Orange County campus. He said there is a need to have a building trades center in 4 Orange County, and many stakeholders at meetings were in agreement. He said this type of 5 center would be more expansive to include plumbing, electrical, drafting, etc. 6 Commissioner Bedford asked if the Skills Development center provides any of these 7 services. 8 Bonnie Hammersley said this center offers more soft skills, CNA, etc. 9 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the County needs to hire an outside consultant for this, 10 and is there not someone already on staff who could do this work. 11 Bonnie Hammersley said she could look at this, and the idea is that this would be a 12 partnership. She said she does not think County staff could do it alone. 13 Commissioner Price said the Hillsborough Chamber is working on something like this, 14 and could be a partner. 15 16 A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin 17 to approve Amendment 011. 18 19 Commissioner McKee said he would like to have a discussion with the schools, as to 20 whether this is really needed, and if students are interested. He would also like to fund it 21 through the schools and Durham Tech, rather than something that might even remotely 22 compete with them. 23 Commissioner Price echoed these comments. 24 Commissioner Marcoplos said he is aware of the Hillsborough Chamber efforts, which 25 are very low level compared to this group of people who have been meeting. He said there is a 26 huge need for tradespeople, and these skills have to be taught in classrooms unlike any that 27 currently exist in the local high schools. He said the partners around the table are willing to help 28 fundraise, donate materials and tools, etc. 29 Commissioner McKee asked if there was a failed effort by the group to obtain a grant. 30 Commissioner Marcoplos said an individual pursued this, and he would not apply the 31 label of failure. 32 Commissioner Bedford asked if Durham Tech offers trades education in Durham. 33 Commissioner Marcoplos said yes. 34 Commissioner Bedford said everything does not have to be replicated in Orange County, 35 and Orange County residents can go to Durham and take classes. 36 Commissioner Marcoplos said residents do not take the classes because they are 37 offered in Durham. 38 Commissioner Greene asked if this would be a hit on the article 46 sales tax. 39 Bonnie Hammersley said the proposal is for$20,000, which would not be a significant 40 hit, and it would be a one-time only expense. She said this is not included in her recommended 41 budget. 42 Commissioner Greene said she is impressed with the list of stakeholders around the 43 table, and it is fair to say that people will not travel to Durham to take these classes. She said 44 she hopes it will not be a duplication of efforts. 45 46 VOTE: Ayes, 5 (Chair Rich, Commissioner Dorosin, Commissioner Marcoplos, 47 Commissioner Greene, and Commissioner Bedford); Nays, 2 (Commissioner McKee and 48 Commissioner Price) 49 50 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Price to 51 adopt the following amendments: