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2 <br /> Arts Moment— No Arts Moment was available for this meeting. <br /> 2. Public Comments <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Chair Price asked if the Board of Country Commissioners (BOCC) should vote to allow <br /> further public comment on Efland Station. <br /> John Roberts said the public hearing for Efland Station is closed, and although the <br /> Board's rules allow for public comment on items not on the printed agenda, if the Board allows <br /> additional comments on Efland Station, any future decision could be jeopardized by questions <br /> of fairness to the Applicant and public participants with legal standing, and whether they <br /> received an adequate follow-up opportunity. <br /> Chair Price reviewed the list of names, and felt that most of them had spoken before on <br /> Efland Station. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he feels there is little difference between making a comment <br /> at the meeting this evening, and people writing emails or calling the Commissioners. <br /> John Roberts said there is not a substantial difference. His recommendation is that <br /> when the Board makes its decision, it should not consider any comments received after the <br /> deadline for comments on the Efland Station application, whether they are phone calls, written <br /> comments, or verbal ones this evening. He said the deadline for written public comments was <br /> 24 hours after the closure of the public hearing. <br /> Commissioner Greene said it sounds like the Board could hear the comments, as long <br /> as it does not consider them. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if there are risks are for allowing people to speak, even if <br /> the Board does not consider the comments. <br /> John Roberts said the risk is minimal and the Board could affirmatively state that it <br /> would allow comments but not consider them. He said the Board has never restricted <br /> comment, to his knowledge. He said it is not a quasi-judicial hearing, but rather a legislative <br /> one, so therefore the risk for is low. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Dorosin for <br /> the Board not to receive the comments about Efland Station. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he is concerned about not hearing the comments, because <br /> he has received emails and phone calls, and does not want to restrict comments. He cannot <br /> think of a time when the Board has restricted comments. He said he believes the public has a <br /> right to speak, and the Board should consider the application on its merits, not public comment. <br /> He said he would vote against the motion. <br /> Chair Price said she is concerned that the Board has told the public that the public <br /> comment period was over. <br /> Commissioner McKee said it is important to let people make a comment, and he has <br /> allowed anyone who wanted to talk to him about the issue do so, without making comments <br /> back. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said he is concerned about being fair to those who did not sign <br /> up to speak at this meeting, because they felt the public hearing was over. He suggested for <br /> future public hearings that after the hearing is over, have a specific mailbox for comments on <br /> that issue be available. He said telling the public they can speak this evening, but the <br /> comments will not be considered, feels specious. He said letting individuals speak on Efland <br /> Station tonight makes it seem like the hearing never ends. He said it feels like it sets the wrong <br />