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3 <br /> There was consensus amongst Commissioners to grant this extension. <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> NONE <br /> 5. Public Hearings <br /> a. Amendment to the Code of Ordinances — Minimum Housing Standards Ordinance <br /> The Board conducted a public hearing on an amendment to the Code of Ordinances to bring <br /> the Minimum Housing Standards Ordinance (the "Ordinance") into compliance with Chapter <br /> 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> In 2019 Chapter 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes was signed into law. In addition <br /> to combining the land use laws applicable to cities and counties into a single chapter, 160D <br /> modified the law as it relates to minimum housing ordinances. Soon thereafter staff with the <br /> Town of Hillsborough indicated an interest in having the Ordinance enforced within Town limits. <br /> These two things prompted a review of the Ordinance during which it was discovered to be in <br /> need of updating due to the fact it has not been updated since its original adoption in 1984. <br /> Some of the more substantive changes to the Ordinance include: <br /> • Section 20-32, adds several definitions and removes the requirement that the <br /> enforcement officer be a certified code enforcement official due to the fact that this <br /> requirement, at least for the last 15— 20 years, has not been met by the County and <br /> enforcement consisted of various staff in the Housing Department. <br /> • Section 20-34, adds structural and sanitary maintenance standards; <br /> • Section 20-36, adds minimum heating standards; <br /> • Section 20-39, adds minimum standards to basements used as living areas; <br /> • Section 20-44, clarifies the inspection authority of the public officer; <br /> • Section 20-45, clarifies the enforcement authority of public officer to order repair, <br /> vacation, and demolition of a property only upon governing board approval, authorizes <br /> liens upon property for such costs, and authorizes judicial enforcement action (for <br /> demolition and structural conditions the public officer is now required to consult with a <br /> County code enforcement official); <br /> • Section 20-48, authorizes civil citations and removes the criminal penalty for violations. <br /> The Ordinance is currently enforceable within the County's jurisdiction and the amendments will <br /> be effective upon adoption. Senior staff with the Town of Hillsborough indicate a desire to <br /> adopt the Ordinance for future enforcement within Town limits. <br /> John Roberts said the authority for minimum housing codes is found in the new Chapter <br /> 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes. He said once 160D was amended, some <br /> circumstances arose with the Town of Hillsborough asking the County to enforce its minimum <br /> housing code within the Town's jurisdiction. He said, upon review, it was obvious some <br /> changes needed to be made. He said the majority of changes come from the statute itself, <br /> which allows for additional enforcement authority than in the current code, which has not been <br /> amended since it was created in 1984. He said once changes were made, he submitted them <br /> to the Planning Department, Housing Department, and Human Rights and Relations <br /> Department for comments. He said all of the departments had comments, and the Planning <br /> Department questioned why a Certified Code Enforcement Official is listed as the only type of <br /> enforcement officer that could be appointed by the Board. He said he did not have an answer <br />