Orange County NC Website
2 <br /> The BOCC asks that all electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and computers should <br /> please be turned off or set to silent/vibrate. Please be kind to everyone. <br /> 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br /> 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members <br /> Commissioner Richards said she has attended a couple community events over the past <br /> few weeks. She noted the 25th Anniversary of EmPOWERment and said it was a great <br /> celebration for a community organization that the Commissioners work closely with and the <br /> county supports. She said EmPOWERment does great work. She also shared that she traveled <br /> this week and was able to celebrate her mom's 95th birthday yesterday in Pennsylvania. She <br /> said she is glad to be back and looking forward to upcoming work, as November is a busy <br /> month. <br /> Commissioner Greene congratulated winners in local elections and thanked those who <br /> ran for putting themselves out there. She said she appreciates everyone who ran and is looking <br /> forward to working with new colleagues. <br /> Commissioner McKee congratulated Commissioner Richards's mother on her birthday. <br /> He said Orange County Schools were meeting in public session at schools where other <br /> activities were going on, and due to a number of people attending the meetings and chances of <br /> interactions between students and other groups, the school board decided to go back to virtual <br /> meetings. He said he was contacted about the use of the Whitted meeting room. He said he <br /> believed that when the room was built it wasn't intended for sole use by the Board of County <br /> Commissioners, but was available for other elected boards and other community events. He <br /> said his issue is with the charge for audio/video services, which he said seems high. He <br /> petitioned staff to bring the Board the cost on a per meeting basis and notify other elected <br /> boards in the county that they are able to use the Whitted meeting room and provide what the <br /> audio/video price should be, as they will have to contract independently with vendors. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked Bonnie Hammersley to share the general cost per <br /> meeting. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said she had a conversation with Dr. Felder, superintendent of <br /> Orange County Schools, the prior day. She clarified that any entity that uses the meeting room <br /> would contract with vendors separately. During their conversation, Dr. Felder shared the school <br /> system was quoted $1200-$1500 per meeting and felt that was reasonable. Bonnie <br /> Hammersley said staff will ask the vendors what they will charge for other entities who use the <br /> meeting room, and noted that Laura Jensen would know what the cost is per meeting for the <br /> Board of County Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner McKee said the numbers he was given were significantly higher than that <br /> so that is why he would like the clarification. He reiterated he would like staff to contact other <br /> elected bodies to notify them the Whitted meeting room is available for their use and has <br /> always been available for their use. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton congratulated all of the candidates who won local elections and <br /> thanked those who ran for public office for their public service. She attended the Board of <br /> Health meeting in the prior week, and things are going a little better with COVID. She said the <br /> health department is still doing testing and the vaccine clinic, and is also working on a customer <br />