Minutes 10-05-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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33 that house residents, but to not act on this tonight. She said she would like to invite nonprofits to come to the Board to discuss how they currently handle grievances and help craft a reasonable way forward. Commissioner Hamilton said she is concerned about making a decision too hastily and echoed Commissioner Greene's idea to get input from the nonprofits about how it would impact their service to residents. She said she also thinks it is a good thing for the public to come to BOCC with these issues so it hears about how things are going and can hold agencies accountable. She said she is not ready to vote on this petition. Commissioner Fowler said she also needs more information before a vote. She said she wants to know if there is currently an opportunity for any public comment, what are grievance procedures, how the policy would affect them if there are none already in place, etc. She said she wants to know if such a process would be helpful. Chair Price said this petition came as a result of a nonprofit that did not have a mechanism in place for public comment. Commissioner Bedford said the issue with exempting groups with sensitive topics is that sensitivity fluctuates, so it would not be consistent and difficult to put in writing. She said considering agencies that have direct recipients and looking at existing grievance procedure would be helpful. She said there is a Sheriff present at BOCC meetings, which provides a layer of safety. She said this petition could create a safety and logistical burden on these non-profits, but also understands the logic behind receiving county funding should equate to ensuring the opportunity for public comment. She said this type of issue has not often been raised, and wonders if creating a policy over one instance is going to be a burden to other funded agencies. She said perhaps the Board should suggest this one organization that is having issues go to mediation, or create a grievance process. She said it is definitely worth talking to this agency. Commissioner Richards said she has a couple of concerns. She said when contracting with nonprofits, the county is empowering them to act on its behalf and expects them to deliver service with same values as the county, including honoring people and communication. She said she struggled with the idea that people do not have the right to come and speak to a nonprofit, because that does not reflect the county's values and practices. She said this all speaks to the county's expectation of the agencies it funds, and how those agencies act with residents of Orange County. Commissioner McKee said he will not make a huge fuss over this issue, but he is dedicated to the notion that any entity that is spending tax money, they are obligated to hear public input. He said this circumstance is not a one-off. He said has attempted to address this issue without making it a public issue, and even tried to attend a meeting himself and was told he could not speak. He said this is important enough to him that he will not let it loose. Chair Price said she has been a part of non-profits, and some are very open to allowing guests to speak while others are more closed. She said the idea that non-profits would need to have a Sheriff's deputy there, etc. is going beyond the issue of this proposal. She said she doubts there would be issues of public safety, but she could be wrong. She said she sees the value in looking at a sampling of organizations to see how they handle the public, if at all. She said if this petition is not approved tonight, maybe there is another way the Board can hold organizations accountable when receiving public money. She said something needs to be done. Commissioner Bedford said some of these boards could have very controversial members of the public show up to make a point. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to direct the County Attorney to bring to a future work session, the wording of a possible provision in performance agreements requiring that non-profit organizations receiving funds through the