Minutes 06-18-19 Regular Meeting

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3 Seamus O'Neill said he has been trying to engage the Human Relations Commission (HRC) on its Linda Sarsour event, and the process that lead to her selection, and the evaluation done post-speech. He said there appears to be no process or vehicle for engaging with staff or the HRC, and while members were willing to listen to his feedback, there is no way for it to be processed thereafter. He provided the Board with written comments, and asked if there could be public engagement in the processes of the HRC, and possibly other commissions. Mark Sommerville said he is here to talk about the gun shooting in his neighborhood. He said the way weapons are not being handled carefully, but rather in a joking and unsafe way. He provided an audio of the gunfire he has heard from his property. Lynn Gischwind said she supports all of the comments about the gun shooting/target range, and added that the impact on animals should not go unnoticed. She said she had gutter repairs done on her home, and the gutter company found a .22 bullet in their roof, which was incredibly disturbing. Chair Rich said the topic of gunfire will be referred to staff, and it will be a discussion item at the beginning of the 2019-20 session. 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 Marcoplos attend the Sold Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) meeting last night, where there was a presentation from a textile recycling company recycling, as well as an ongoing discussion about composting. Commissioner Marcoplos petitioned the County to research the issue of providing childcare at the Board of County Commissioners meetings. He also petitioned staff to look into the cost and implications of going fare-free with Orange County buses. Commissioner Marcoplos said the budget amendment process has been the same for the past 2-3 years. He said amendments were proposed to the Manager, some of which were controversial. He said several amendments drew attention, especially schools, and he suggested having a work session in the fall about the budget amendment process, and how it may be improved. Commissioner Bedford thanked all who mentored her as a new Commissioner. Commissioner McKee endorsed Commissioner Marcoplos call for a work session in the fall to discuss the budget amendment process. He said the process this year almost became dysfunctional, with several amendments coming in after the public hearings. He said the public must have ample opportunity to speak on these proposed budget amendments. Commissioner Price echoed Commissioner Marcoplos and Commissioner McKee's comments. She congratulated all students for completing another year, and those who are moving on. Commissioner Price said tomorrow is Juneteenth, commemorating the day that word of the emancipation proclamation reached the last state in the Union, and an overall celebration of freedoms hard won by the African American community. Commissioner Price said on July 4th the Town of Carrboro will be holding its annual reading of"The Meaning of July 4th for the Negro" by Frederick Douglass. Commissioner Dorosin said he previously made a petition about banning the use of Round Up and glycophate on County properties. He said he received the following email from Department of the Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) staff about this: "Good afternoon. One more petition response. This is in reply to the petition of June 4 that the County make efforts to no longer use the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup.