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18 <br /> Laura Jensen said this will be part of the conversation. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> move November 2 meeting to November 4; hold the November 11 work session in person at <br /> the Whitted Building; and hold the November 16 Business meeting and two business meetings <br /> in December virtually. <br /> Roll call ensued <br /> VOTE: Ayes, 6 (Commissioner Bedford, Commissioner Fowler, Commissioner Greene, <br /> Commissioner Hamilton, Commissioner Richards, Chair Price); Nays, 1 (Commissioner <br /> McKee) <br /> e. Approval of Board of Commissioners Meeting Calendar for Year 2022 <br /> The Board considered approval of the meeting schedule for the Board of <br /> Commissioners for calendar year 2022. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> In accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-318.12, a schedule of regular meetings <br /> shall be filed with the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners. The schedule must show <br /> the date, time, and place of each meeting. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he is sorry to sound like a broken record, but there is no <br /> excuse to not be in person in January, otherwise the kids should not be in school. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said she takes Commissioner McKee's point, but it would be nice <br /> to see what happens with COVID in the winter, given how the Delta variant changed things in <br /> the summer. She asked if this calendar has to be voted on tonight, or if it was approved, could <br /> it be changed. <br /> Laura Jensen said the calendar is usually approved at this time, and it is important for <br /> departments that schedule public hearings, etc. with Commissioners. She said it would be <br /> good to have the dates established for the meetings tonight, and the locations can be changed <br /> at any time. She said this is all predicated on whether or not Governor extends state of <br /> emergency past November. She said if the calendar is approved as recommended with the first <br /> three months of the year virtual, she may have to come back to the Board in early January <br /> anyway to change all locations to in person. She said it is always a possibility to change <br /> location and date so long as she can provide sufficient public notice. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she had the same question as Commissioner Fowler. She <br /> said she does not know why a decision has to be made night, and the County has never been <br /> in COVID before, and she wonders if staff can bear with Commissioners and live with <br /> uncertainty as Commissioners are doing. She said she is very supportive of the retreat being in <br /> person, but does not know why decisions have to be made tonight about January and February. <br /> Chair Price asked if the Board can just approve the dates for the time being. <br /> Commissioner Richards said she is wondering the same thing. <br /> Commissioner Greene said she thought the question was whether to be virtual or not. <br /> Chair Price said in approving the calendar, the Board is deciding the dates. <br /> Commissioner Greene asked if the dates can be approved without deciding whether <br /> they are virtual or not. <br /> Laura Jensen said state law requires the Board to fix the date, time, and location of all <br /> of its meetings. She said if the Board decides not to establish a location at this time, staff would <br /> likely bring this item back at first business meeting in December for a decision. She said either <br />