Minutes 09-15-2020 Virtual Business Meeting

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6 Commissioners (BOCC) meeting(s) to amend land use restrictions imposed by water supply watershed protection rules for the affected areas within Orange County. g. Appointment of Interim Clerk The Board appointed an Interim Clerk to the Board of Commissioners during the search for a permanent Clerk and authorized the Chair to sign. h. Citizen Participation Plan for Federal Housing/Community Development Funds The Board approved the Citizen Participation Plan for use in the implementation of Federal housing programs and funds and authorized the Chair to sign. 5. Public Hearings Chair Rich asked if John Roberts could help the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) determine the best course of action for the large public hearing. John Roberts said the Board can establish reasonable rules, and holding the public hearing over multiple evenings is permissible. He said there is a new law in place pertaining to remote meetings, and there is argument on both sides as to whether a vote can be taken on the same night as a meeting. He recommended the Board conduct the public hearing, and vote at a subsequent meeting, as the new law does require a 24-hour written comment period after any remote public hearing. He said he would favor holding the entire public hearing on the same night. Commissioner Dorosin said the Board wants to hear all comments, and his goal is to making the public hearing most effective and efficient as possible. He said a 5 or 6 hour meeting is not effective or efficient. He said not everyone has that much time to wait. He said the most accommodating and most transparent method would be to break the hearing into 2 or 3 sessions. He said allowing for written comments is good, and he wants to have the most meaningful opportunity for all. He recommended breaking up the public hearing into 2 or 3 nights, and revisit the remaining agenda and vote to delay items to another meeting. Commissioner McKee agreed with Commissioner Dorosin. He said the Board will not be fresh and attentive after 5 hours. Commissioner McKee asked the County Attorney if a 2 week notice would still be required if the Board were to spread the public hearing over 2 evenings. John Roberts said the Board can continue to the public hearing to a date certain, and does not have to give further public notice. Commissioner McKee recommended continuing the public hearing to Thursday or next Tuesday evening, so that it remains fresh on everyone's minds and allows everyone the chance to speak. Chair Rich said the BOCC does not currently have a meeting scheduled for 9/17 or 9/22, and asked if continuing the public hearing would require a special meeting. John Roberts said it would be a continued public hearing, and the announcement this evening would satisfy the notice requirement. Commissioner Price asked if the second half of the meeting must be held immediately or if it could wait until the next business meeting. Chair Rich said the next business meeting was 3 weeks away. John Roberts said the Board could continue the meeting until the next business meeting on 10/6. Commissioner Price asked if staff could identify easily how to break up the public speakers into two groups now, so that people are not waiting to speak. Chair Rich said yes, the names are on a list, and she can identify the last speaker. Commissioner Marcoplos suggested continuing the public hearing to the October 6"' business meeting and voting at the October 20t" meeting. Commissioner Greene agreed with splitting the meeting up, and said she is not available this Thursday, due to speaking at other forums.