Agenda - 03-16-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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4 1 the store south of Hillsborough has become a destination store, and it is the newest store in the 2 County. 3 Commissioner Greene said she also attended the Agricultural Summit last week, and 4 was impressed by a presentation on food access, and how farmers are getting their product to 5 market. She said on the last day there was a presentation from a person who teaches area 6 farmers how to grow Asian products. She said the transit policy steering committee met last 7 week, and the committee is beginning to set priorities and will seek public comment. She said 8 the idea of a connection between Durham and Orange Counties is still a priority. 9 Chair Price said she missed most of the Agricultural Summit, but is glad to hear of its 10 success. She said the Board received an email regarding a mobility-on-demand program from 11 the Transit Department, and asked if a follow up presentation could be provided to the Board Of 12 County Commissioners (BOCC). She said she previously requested a presentation form the 13 pre-trial working group, which the Board will receive next month. 14 15 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/Special Presentations 16 17 a. Proclamation Recognizing Robert A. Marotto 18 The Board considered voting to approve a proclamation recognizing and expressing 19 gratitude to Robert A. (Bob) Marotto for his devotion and service to Orange County, and 20 authorizing the Chair to sign. 21 Chair Price introduced the item, Animal Services staff and advisory board members who 22 wanted to recognize retiring Animal Services Director Bob Marotto. 23 24 BACKGROUND: After 16 years of dedicated service to the Orange County community and 25 animals, Bob Marotto is retiring on March 3, 2021. 26 27 Bob Marotto began his career of service with Orange County in 2005 in the newly created job as 28 the director of Orange County Animal Services (OCAS). However, his career did not begin as 29 an animal welfare professional and advocate. Prior to that, Bob had completed his education at 30 the University of California, Santa Cruz, earning a Ph.D in Sociology. He taught at the University 31 of Dayton for a while but missed working in the world outside of academia, and subsequently 32 moved to Minnesota, acquired two dogs and began training them. Bob's interest in animals 33 grew, facilitated by CENSHARE (Center to Study Human-Animal Relationships and 34 Environments), and he began building his animal-related skills. This included working at Petco 35 stocking shelves. Mr. Marotto became an accomplished dog trainer teaching "reactive dog" 36 classes and working with aggressive dogs. 37 38 In 1994, Mr. Marotto joined the City of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control Program as an 39 Animal Control Officer, then moving to Supervisor, leading him to serve as the program 40 manager. In his 11 years there, he worked successfully with many different people and 41 organizations as well as oversaw the multiple program developments, new shelter construction 42 and handling and policy practices for the care, dispositioning and placement of animals. Bob 43 served as a board member for the National Animal Control Association and worked occasionally 44 for The Humane Society of the United States conducting animal shelter and program 45 evaluations. After discussing with his wife the need to relocate to a warmer climate, Bob 46 transformed from a Gopher to a Tar Heel. 47 48 With OCAS, Bob has been involved in the creation and management of numerous programs 49 and progressive initiatives. He helped lead the major building project for the new Animal 50 Services Center, procured multiple grants to offset cost for spay and neuter programs for 51 Orange County residents' pets, increased donations to aid in the care and comfort of Orange