Minutes 05-14-2020 Virtual Budget Work Session

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16 approve these appointments tonight. She said there is also a question of whether the BOCC wants to change its advisory policy to allow electronic meetings. She said currently the BOCC meets electronically, but advisory boards are not meeting, unless they have a statutory requirement to do so. Commissioner Bedford said she is in favor of approving all of these appointments tonight with one motion, unless a commissioner needs more information. Commissioner Greene said she advocated for voting tonight, but would be fine with waiting until June 2na Commissioner Dorosin said since it is only two weeks until June 2nd he is happy to wait, and as long as the Board preserves the conversation he is fine. He said he is willing to be flexible and vote as needed, when needed. Commissioner Marcoplos supported voting tonight, and the desire was to be able to have conversations, which the Board has accomplished. He said voting the same night as the discussions seems efficient and speeds things up. He said he would support always doing this. Commissioner McKee said the Orange County Board of Commissioners can do what it wants to do with its own procedures. He said he is happy either way. Commissioner Price said as long as there are no controversies, she is fine to vote at a work session. She said voting at a regular meeting is only a formality. Chair Rich said the desire seems to be to leave the procedure in place for the future, so discussions can take place, but to vote on these appointments tonight. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the electronic meeting policy, and said he fully supports changing it to allow advisory boards to meet electronically. John Roberts said, at the time the policy was created, the Board was concerned that appointees would not show up, but just call in. He said this could be addressed by allowing electronic meetings to occur only during declared states of emergency. Commissioner Dorosin said it has become apparent in recent weeks that a lot can be done without face-to-face participation. He said he would encourage people to meet in person, but if not, other means should be acceptable. Chair Rich asked if this policy were to change, on whom would the responsibility fall to set up the electronic meetings. Donna baker said the staff liaison and the advisory board chair would work together. She said some standardized guidelines might help to insure that open meeting laws are being met. John Roberts said the meeting being open is the most important element. Thom Freeman said meeting electronically may broaden the pool of willing volunteers, as those who cannot physically attend meetings, may now be willing to serve. Commissioner Greene said it may also get younger people, with children, to be willing to serve. Commissioner Bedford said when the policy was created it is likely that video capabilities were not what they are now. She said these are different times, and virtual meetings allow real participation. She said the only issue may be access to stable/reliable Internet. Commissioner Dorosin said there are 2 questions: 1.) whether the entire board meets virtually during an emergency, and 2.) post crisis, does virtual attendance continue to be permissible. He said he would say yes to both questions, for the valid reasons already outlined. He said face-to-face meetings are preferred, but virtual participation is effective, and this should be maximized. Chair Rich said this sounds like two policies: one for a state of emergency, where all meetings would be virtual, with staff helping with technology needs. She said the second policy