Minutes 06-18-19 Regular Meeting

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2 Are Words in Sausalito, California to Symphony Space in New York City. With her partner, John Yewell, she offers Writeaways writing retreats in France, Italy, New Mexico and North Carolina. Mimi Herman read three short poems: "All of the Lost Words"; "How to Say No"; and "On the Importance of Explanatory Text". 2. Public Comments a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Kit Wienert provided a handout to the Board of County Commissioner (BOCC), and said he is here to speak about loud and repeated target practice gunfire near his home. He said noise has gone on for five years, and has been told the current County noise ordinance offers no way to intervene. He said if the ordinance cannot be altered to address target practice shooting, he would propose that a new ordinance pertaining solely to target practice gunfire on private property be created and implemented. He said such an ordinance should take into account the type of weaponry, distance from other residences (with more stringent standards in the Rural Buffer, and more lenient standards outside of it), number of allowable targets, time of day, etc. He said this is not a second amendment issue, and he would like to see a tougher ordinance in the Rural Buffer that correlates to population density. Ann Crawford said she is also speaking against gunfire/target practice in her neighborhood, and is greatly worried about her safety. She asked the Board of County Commissioners to revisit the present noise/gun ordinance, and echoed the comments of the prior speaker. Kelly Hogan spoke against the shooting range in her neighborhood. She said they live in the Rural Buffer, where density is increasing. She asked the BOCC to enact ordinances to prevent or control this. Carol Osredkan said she is against the shooting range near her home on Stoneybrook Lane, and is fearful of being hurt by a stray bullet, despite an existing firewall. She said she does not find her shooting neighbors to have concern for her safety, and has found her communication with law enforcement to be lethargic. Peggy Jennings said when the guns go off in her neighborhood, her children are frightened, and asked for the BOCC to do something about it. Brian Hogan said the rights of gun owners are trumping the safety of his family and his home. He said he has no issue with gun ownership, but is concerned that the discharge of firearms is excluded from noise ordinances. He said he can be cited for playing classical music over 60 decibels after 8:00 p.m., but the discharge of firearms is lawfully permitted until 10:00 p.m. He said rifles range from 130-170 decibels. He said his neighborhood is full of children, those who work from home, Veterans, etc., and the use of firearms is negatively affecting their quality of life. He said this deceptive firing range in his neighborhood was created without consultation of the residents, and when residents reached out to the owner, they were met with aggression. He said he does not want to hear that the hands of the BOCC are tied, but rather wants the ordinances changed. Riley Ruske said he wanted to talk about fiscal responsibility, and feels the budget this year is a burden on taxpayers. He said the budget has a spending increase of$10 million, resulting in a property tax increase of 2%. He asked the BOCC if it would reconsider its spending plans, and help citizens live within their means. Steve Hall said next week Carrboro will be considering annexing a portion of Highway 86, and he is concerned about the impact to Duke Forest. He said this area contains the Meadow Flats Natural area, and it is also the site of ongoing federal research, and this development will have impacts on all of this. He would like to see Orange County remain in the discussions on how this land is developed, and asks Carrboro to remain involved.