Minutes 10-05-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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3 Commissioner Greene said she also attended the Eno River Mill event and found it delightful. She said it is wonderful that there is a lot of space for studio artists now, something that has been needed in the county for a long time. She said October is also National Arts Month, celebrated by Americans for the Arts, as well as National Endowment for the Arts. She said the latter founded it in 1985, as a way to celebrate the ways arts bring value to our lives. Commissioner Fowler said she attended the Chamber of Commerce's State of the Community report on September 30 and found it very interesting. She said Orange County has grown by 11% over the past 10 years, which is above the state average of 9%, but below neighboring counties. She said she also attended the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) meeting on October 1, and there is an unallocated balance of$36,000 that will be given out again to current organizations and programs, as funds not allocated by the end of December will return to the state. She said the group heard updates from various organizations like the Dispute Settlement Center, Exchange Club, Volunteers for Youth, and Wren House and all are providing services to slightly fewer clients than they had estimated, but increased compared to prior six months of COVID. She said there is a new DPS area consultant, Tasheena Wiggins and she reported that the State bill 207 was passed and signed by the Governor, which raised the age for violent crimes for children by a few years. She said bill 615 also passed, which requires all juveniles with suspected mental health issues to have a comprehensive clinical assessment. She said another ongoing bill would raise age of dropping out of school from 16 to 18. She said she also attended the Eno arts event and is glad there is additional space for arts and classes. Commissioner Bedford petitioned the County Manager to determine next steps to review the three county community centers facility needs, particularly an expansion to Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association (RENA). She petitioned the county to develop an Orange County Climate Plan that is integrated across all departments. She said the commission for the environment says it is beyond its capacity and a third party consultant may be needed. She said Carrboro and Chapel Hill have a plan, and Hillsborough is about to finalize its plan. She petitioned the Manager to bring next steps and possible processes to develop a county climate plan. She said she has attended three Climate Council meetings, and petitioned that the group be reviewed and restructured. She said it could be done like the review of the climate tax, when three commissioners met after the first year to do work or some other arrangement. Commissioner McKee said he had no comments. Commissioner Richards said she also attended the Eno River Mill event and looks forward to spending more time there. She echoed the petition made by Commissioner Bedford for the Orange County Climate Plan. Chair Price said she was at the Eno River Mill grand opening and gave kudos to Katie Murray, Arts Commission Director, and the Arts Commission for putting the event together. She said she has been meeting with Mayors Hemminger and Lavelle and staff about the Greene Tract. She said conversations are moving along and a community meeting should be possible soon for awareness and feedback. She said she attended the Durham Technical Community College Board of Trustees meeting today and one of the things they are looking at is affordable housing near campus for students and other residents. She said this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and she highlighted the Health Department's newsletter discussing the topic. She said Monday is Indigenous Peoples Day, and local indigenous tribes asked that this observance continue. Chair Price said the Board retreat happens every year in January, and she has asked Commissioner Bedford, Commissioner Hamilton, and Commissioner Fowler to work on the retreat and they have all agreed. She said Commissioner Bedford has done this before, and she will take the lead. She encouraged the Board to contact Commissioner Bedford with any ideas.