Orange County NC Website
17 <br /> 1 Laura Jensen said the overflow space is in the hallway outside of the meeting room, <br /> 2 consistent with chairs set up for a vaccine clinic held at Whitted. She said the audio of the <br /> 3 meeting will play in this area so any overflow attendees can keep up with the meeting. <br /> 4 Chair Price said she can vouch for the sound system. <br /> 5 Commissioner Bedford said the Clerk should also check where the Sheriff's Deputies <br /> 6 would like to be positioned. <br /> 7 Laura Jensen said she will follow up on this. She said she has never done in person <br /> 8 meetings here, but will make sure the deputies are accounted for. <br /> 9 Commissioner Hamilton asked if there will be protocol for people who do not comply with <br /> 10 wearing masks. <br /> 11 Laura Jensen said, per John Roberts, public health and safety measures can be set for <br /> 12 meeting, including mandatory mask wearing. She said she will have masks available for <br /> 13 anyone who needs one. She said if people do not comply a Sheriff's Deputy will escort them <br /> 14 from meeting room. <br /> 15 Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is a plan in place if more than one person refuses <br /> 16 to wear a mask. <br /> 17 Laura Jensen said she will develop a plan with the Sheriff's Office, and if this is <br /> 18 approved tonight, her next call will be to the Sheriff's Office. <br /> 19 Chair Price said she can also recess the meeting until folks are in compliance. <br /> 20 Commissioner McKee said the Chair does have the ability to stop meeting until decorum <br /> 21 is established and request deputies remove anyone who does not comply with guidelines. He <br /> 22 said there are additional side rooms off of the main room that could also accommodate any <br /> 23 need for overflow. He said the Chair can also ask people to rotate out of the room after <br /> 24 speaking to accommodate those in overflow. <br /> 25 Commissioner Richards asked if any requirements would be published with notice of the <br /> 26 meeting, so anyone attending would have full knowledge of rules of operating. <br /> 27 Chair Price said yes. <br /> 28 Commissioner McKee said there should be a public announcement on television and <br /> 29 radio, so that everyone can know the rules. <br /> 30 Chair Price asked if the Public Health Director is recommending masks be kept on while <br /> 31 speaking as well. <br /> 32 Laura Jensen said the recommendation is to wear masks throughout the meeting, since <br /> 33 the virus spreads during speech. <br /> 34 Commissioner Richards asked for a reminder of the Clerk's email about the Governor's <br /> 35 declaration of State of Emergency. <br /> 36 Laura Jensen said the BOCC can meet virtually due to Governor's state of emergency <br /> 37 declaration, which has been extended through the end of November. She said if it is not <br /> 38 extended again, the Board will have to move back to in person business meetings. She said <br /> 39 one advantage to moving to in person work sessions, earlier than required, is it enables staff to <br /> 40 work out any issues before being required to return in person for business meetings, which are <br /> 41 more heavily attended. <br /> 42 Commissioner Richards reiterated the reason the Board can meet virtually is because of <br /> 43 the declaration, but the Board is not prohibited from meeting in person. <br /> 44 Laura Jensen said yes, and some surrounding communities are already meeting in <br /> 45 person. <br /> 46 Commissioner Hamilton reminded the Board that the mask mandate is based on local <br /> 47 Orange County rules, and the Board decides when that is lifted. She suggested that staff speak <br /> 48 with school superintendents, to get an idea of what their experience has been meeting in person <br /> 49 and help get better prepared. <br /> 50 Laura Jensen said this will be part of the conversation. <br /> 51 <br />