Minutes 02-16-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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4 Commissioner McKee said he attended the ABC board meeting this morning, and there will be upgrades to several of the stores, especially the store in northern Hillsborough. He said the store south of Hillsborough has become a destination store, and it is the newest store in the County. Commissioner Greene said she also attended the Agricultural Summit last week, and was impressed by a presentation on food access, and how farmers are getting their product to market. She said on the last day there was a presentation from a person who teaches area farmers how to grow Asian products. She said the transit policy steering committee met last week, and the committee is beginning to set priorities and will seek public comment. She said the idea of a connection between Durham and Orange Counties is still a priority. Chair Price said she missed most of the Agricultural Summit, but is glad to hear of its success. She said the Board received an email regarding a mobility-on-demand program from the Transit Department, and asked if a follow up presentation could be provided to the Board Of County Commissioners (BOCC). She said she previously requested a presentation form the pre-trial working group, which the Board will receive next month. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. Proclamation Recognizing Robert A. Marotto The Board considered voting to approve a proclamation recognizing and expressing gratitude to Robert A. (Bob) Marotto for his devotion and service to Orange County, and authorizing the Chair to sign. Chair Price introduced the item, Animal Services staff and advisory board members who wanted to recognize retiring Animal Services Director Bob Marotto. BACKGROUND: After 16 years of dedicated service to the Orange County community and animals, Bob Marotto is retiring on March 3, 2021. Bob Marotto began his career of service with Orange County in 2005 in the newly created job as the director of Orange County Animal Services (OCAS). However, his career did not begin as an animal welfare professional and advocate. Prior to that, Bob had completed his education at the University of California, Santa Cruz, earning a Ph.D in Sociology. He taught at the University of Dayton for a while but missed working in the world outside of academia, and subsequently moved to Minnesota, acquired two dogs and began training them. Bob's interest in animals grew, facilitated by CENSHARE (Center to Study Human-Animal Relationships and Environments), and he began building his animal-related skills. This included working at Petco stocking shelves. Mr. Marotto became an accomplished dog trainer teaching "reactive dog" classes and working with aggressive dogs. In 1994, Mr. Marotto joined the City of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control Program as an Animal Control Officer, then moving to Supervisor, leading him to serve as the program manager. In his 11 years there, he worked successfully with many different people and organizations as well as oversaw the multiple program developments, new shelter construction and handling and policy practices for the care, dispositioning and placement of animals. Bob served as a board member for the National Animal Control Association and worked occasionally for The Humane Society of the United States conducting animal shelter and program evaluations. After discussing with his wife the need to relocate to a warmer climate, Bob transformed from a Gopher to a Tar Heel.