Agenda - 09-01-20; 8-a - Minutes

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29 1 Commissioner Bedford said some information that is in the public is grossly inaccurate, 2 and the Board should be able to address such mistakes. She said Commissioners Dorosin and 3 Marcoplos should take this on as the resolution was their idea. 4 Commissioner Greene agreed with the community having a forum to talk, and said the 5 panel should not be considered to have all the answers, but should be able to correct 6 inaccurate factual information. 7 Commissioner McKee concurred with Chair Rich's suggestion about a listening session, 8 and Commissioner Bedford's comment to correct any blatant misinformation. He said the 9 Board's primary goals in past community forums have been to listen. 10 Commissioner Price called her previous listening sessions "Village Circle", and there 11 was not a time limit on the speakers. She said some problems were solved at these sessions, 12 and everyone sat at the same level, on equal ground. 13 Commissioner Price said she has heard this referred to as a forum, a public hearing, an 14 information session. She said she has heard most of the community talking about what will be 15 done moving forward, as opposed to what is being done currently. She asked if the main goal 16 of the forum could be identified. 17 Commissioner Marcoplos said he sees the opportunity as a way to provide clear 18 information, for people to express their perspective, and ask questions. He said he thinks some 19 brief presentations in the beginning would be helpful so that the conversation can start from a 20 more informed perspective. 21 Commissioner Price said those who are affected by racism and inequity want to hear 22 what is going to be done about it, not to have accurate information about what is being done 23 currently. 24 Chair Rich asked if the Board could move towards next steps. 25 Commissioner Dorosin said he wants to hear what residents want the Board to do. 26 Chair Rich said 30 days is way too long to wait. 27 Bonnie Hammersley said the forum could be held after July 4t", and she can look for a 28 facilitator. She said staff is happy to help in any way, and can set up the zoom component. 29 Commissioner Marcoplos suggested coming up with a draft list of people who will be on 30 the panel, and he and Commissioner Dorosin can poll the BOCC as to who needs to be 31 involved. 32 Commissioner Dorosin said he is reluctant to take any leadership on this. He said the 33 Orange County Board of Commissioners is listening, and it is the public's opportunity to speak 34 to the Board's listening ear. 35 Commissioner Marcoplos said the public needs to speak to someone, and asked if it 36 should just be the BOCC, or should others be included. 37 Commissioner Greene asked if this forum has a name. She asked if Town Hall would 38 be appropriate. She said she does not want to call it a public hearing. 39 Chair Rich said she recently participated in a Town Hall, and she is not sure that is the 40 right name. She said people have a lot of feelings and thoughts right now, and want to be 41 heard. 42 Commissioner Greene suggested calling it a listening session. 43 Donna Baker asked if people will have to sign up in order to participate. 44 Chair Rich said in her recent experience there were two rooms on zoom, with the 45 speakers in one room and the listeners in the other. She said a facilitator served as a go 46 between. She said people need to be allowed to speak, and there should be some time limit on 47 the speakers. 48 Commissioner McKee said community forum indicates that the community is the driver, 49 and there should be no time limit on the speakers. He said if people have something to say,