Orange County NC Website
2 <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> NONE <br /> 5. Public Hearings <br /> NONE <br /> 6. Regular Agenda <br /> ADDED ITEM: <br /> Travis Myren said on March 13th the N.C. Governor declared a state of emergency, and <br /> the County has been communicating via website to the public, along with social media and a <br /> myriad of other avenues and resources. <br /> Travis Myren said in terms of County operations, these are mostly done now via online, <br /> phone or by appointment, and most are functioning as usual. He said this information is on the <br /> homepage. <br /> Travis Myren said starting tomorrow people entering buildings for essential operations <br /> will be given a health screening. He said staff and the public will be answering health and travel <br /> related questions and having temperatures taken. <br /> Travis Myren has asked for an update on Food distribution and will share with the Board <br /> later tonight in addition to the normal food distributions. <br /> Travis Myren said there are some communities that have declared their own stay at <br /> home policies, and those conversations have been occurring at the Mayors and Chair level. <br /> Commissioner McKee said as they speak about this potential shelter in place for Orange <br /> County, he requested that the Board be made aware of that. <br /> Chair Rich said they have been trying to push out follow-ups from their various <br /> emergency policy meetings. She said there is not yet any information about sheltering in place. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he would be interested if any exceptions are in place, if the <br /> County does a proclamation of sheltering in place. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said the Board does not need to micro-manage staff that has <br /> the authority to make decisions in emergency situations. <br /> Chair Rich said since they are in a state of emergency, and they are just starting this <br /> process, and this would be an amendment to any declaration. <br /> John Roberts said state statute and the declaration gives the Chair authority to agree to <br /> this type of declaration, and it can be applicable in their jurisdictions. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he is not asking for micromanagement but just asking that <br /> Board members be informed before any information goes out to the public. <br /> Chair Rich said of course. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if, based on conversations with Mayors and the call with <br /> the Governor, there is any indication about which way things are leaning. <br /> Chair Rich said the conversation with the Mayors is that the overall feeling is that the <br /> Governor is not ready to declare a shelter in place for the whole state at this point. She said <br /> she had been in touch with other counties, and Durham has a press conference tomorrow <br /> morning and that their Mayor is going to declare a state of emergency. Her feeling from the <br /> Mayors is that they want to look at any draft language first, and she is talking to them tomorrow, <br /> and looping in UNC. <br /> Commissioner Greene said that the City of Beaufort has approved a shelter to place. <br /> Chair Rich said that Orange County went from 6 cases to 11 cases overnight. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if they do not go all the way to a stay at home declaration, <br /> have any other modifications to the declaration been considered. <br />