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

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13 1 experience in landlord/tenant litigation in North Carolina, having represented residential and 2 commercial landlords, residential and commercial tenants, and also spending two years 3 deciding eviction cases as a magistrate in Orange County. She said this experience gives her 4 a unique background to fill the needs of her community members facing evictions in these 5 unprecedented circumstances. She said Tenants Rights, Inc. is uniquely prepared to represent 6 ALL Orange County tenants, regardless of immigration status, income level, or other 7 circumstances. She said Tenants Rights, Inc. also offers grassroots organizing and lobbying 8 along with legal representation. 9 Jamie Paulen said Tenant Rights, Inc. is requesting BOCC funding from the social 10 justice fund in the amount of$40,000 to fund this organization, which is dedicated to Orange 11 County residents first. She said while organizing and lobbying will benefit those beyond 12 Orange County, Tenant Rights will only commit to tenant representation in Orange County, if 13 this proposal was granted. 14 Bonnie Hammersley said the money being requested is from the social justice fund from 15 FY 2019-20. 16 Riley Ruske read the following statement: 17 Trust between the citizens and the government that is supposed to represent them is a very 18 fragile thing. The foundation of that trust is the citizens' belief that their government officials will 19 act in accordance with the laws of the nation and state. In fact, our Commissioners take an 20 oath of office `that I will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, 21 and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith'. 22 23 When this program proposal entered the public record at the May 19 board meeting it included 24 language that indicated an intent to use this funding in violation of federal laws. One sentence 25 in the first paragraph and an entire second paragraph made this intent clear. Several members 26 of Orange County government are listed as being involved in this proposal and the County 27 Manager recommended approval of it. This raises the issue of whether Orange County 28 government can be trusted to comply with federal laws. The County Manager did remove this 29 proposal from the May 19 agenda after the meeting had started. 30 31 In tonight's proposal, the entire second paragraph has been removed but the sentence in the 32 first paragraph remains. Due to the original expressed intent there is a question as to whether 33 the program will be executed in accordance with federal laws. 34 35 To restore the broken trust created by the original proposal, I recommend adding a new second 36 paragraph as follows: 37 38 "The County Manager, County Chief Financial Officer and the Chair of the Board of Orange 39 County Commissioners shall personally and officially accept responsibility to make certain that 40 no funds in this program are used by any person or entity in violation of federal laws. In the 41 event of any such violations, these officials shall, in their official capacity, request the U.S. 42 Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina to prosecute the individuals or entities involved 43 in such violations." 44 45 Hopefully, this would begin to restore the broken trust. 46 Thank you. 47 48 Commissioner Dorosin said he is encouraged that this project is coordinated within so 49 many County departments, and with the Towns. He said this is a financially reasonable 50 request.