Minutes 04-22-2021 Virtual Work Session

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28 Tara May introduced the item. Commissioner Dorosin suggested Quinton Harper, instead of Jody Eimers, to increase the diversity on the OWASA board. He said he has served on the OWASA board before, and believes he would be a good candidate. Commissioner Greene asked if there is a reason why he was not approved before. Chair Price the other applicant had more experience. Commissioner Greene said she is torn, and wants to increase diversity, but also feels uneasy about removing someone from a second term without reason. Commissioner Dorosin said there is a reason: there is a better candidate. Commissioner McKee said it all depends on how one defines "better," and he thinks it sets a bad precedent to remove someone who has served well. Commissioner Dorosin said Quentin Harper was a better candidate. Chair Price said she does not follow Commissioner Dorosin's logic, as he just voted to proceed with an appointment to the HPC, when she wanted to wait in order to seek greater diversity. Commissioner Dorosin there was no other candidate, in the case of the HPC. Chair Price said the BOCC could have waited for another applicant for the Historic Preservation Commission. Commissioner Dorosin said the same argument could be made for Harper on the OWASA board. Chair Price said she supported Quentin Harper's appointment last time. Commissioner Hamilton reviewed the other board members and said there are not many women on the board, and reappointing Jody Eimers would keep a woman on the board. Commissioner Hamilton asked about the vacant Chapel Hill Township's seat, and if Quentin could fill it. Commissioner Bedford said Quentin Harper lives in Carrboro. Commissioner Greene asked if the number of County seats on the OWASA board could be identified. Tara May said there are 2 seats. Commissioner Greene asked if the number of Chapel Hill seats could be identified. Commissioner Hamilton said there are 5. Commissioner Greene said when she served on the Chapel Hill Town Council, it took the OWASA seats very seriously. She said appointees on the OWASA board should represent the BOCC's values, and there are policy interests in the people who are appointed. She said diversity is always a goal as well. Chair Price said she and Commissioner Bedford met with the OWASA appointees, who voiced a desire to have people without the expertise and degrees on the board. Commissioner Greene asked if the BOCC wants its OWASA appointees to make policy recommendations that are in line with the BOCC's values. Chair Price said all BOCC members might have different policy goals. She said this has not been required of previous appointments, and rather the BOCC looked at backgrounds and credentials. Commissioner Greene asked if others support her opinion. Commissioner Dorosin said he thought the question should be on a work session agenda. Commissioner McKee said he does not think every appointment should walk in lock step with the BOCC; rather, he wants to appoint people who think and have ability and ethics to vote for best path forward. He said he supports Eimers reappointment, due to her experience on the board, and that she brings gender diversity to the board.