Minutes 12-14-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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24 John Roberts said Commissioner Greene's proposal is appropriate, as it is the will of the Board. Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is a difference between reconsidering a motion and making a new motion. She said the current rules allow for a new motion to be made that can undo a previous motion. She said she wonders if Commissioner Greene's language change is really necessary. Commissioner Greene said that is a good question, but it seems more straightforward to her to revote on a motion, as the wording would stay the same, as opposed to creating an opposite motion. She said she would not put a time limit on this action either. Commissioner Hamilton said she would want a time limit. Commissioner Greene asked if there is a time limit currently. Commissioner Hamilton said no, and currently a new motion has to be made. Chair Price said she recalls the Board doing a revote, but it was done within the same meeting. She said she thought there was a certain amount of time to rethink a vote. She said it would be strange to be allowed to bring something up years later for a revote. John Roberts said a new motion having an opposite effect is similar to Commissioner Greene's proposal. He said he would ask the BOCC to consider the second paragraph is section 14 and see if it affects the Board's thinking. Commissioner Fowler said she is not opposed to rethinking items, but it would depend on the item, as some items have immediate impact or effect. Commissioner Fowler asked if there is still a bulletin board. She also referred to the requirement that all meetings be in North Carolina, unless at a conference, and asked if there are rules regarding virtual meetings, and participant's locations. Laura Jensen said the words "bulletin board" are in the general statute. She said in lieu of a bulletin board, the front doors may also be used. She said the doors of the Whitted Building are functioning as a bulletin board currently, but should she get a bulletin board later this can also be used. She said the statute also requires participants to be in the county for meetings, and the electronic meetings law section has been updated by the County Attorney in the procedures prior to tonight's discussion. Commissioner Greene read the Chapel Hill Town Council procedures that do impose some time limits are taking re-votes. Commissioner Bedford referred to page 86 of the PDF, Section IV Meetings, Rule 6(a) and questioned the need for wording about print media. She asked if print media is currently being used for noticing. She also asked if putting it in the procedures requires it to be done. She recommended removing these words. Laura Jensen said the county is not currently noticing in print media, and a rough estimate of cost would be $200-$300 per notice. John Roberts said including the wording, but not following the practice, would open the Board's decisions to potential challenge. Commissioner Greene said certain notices have to be in the newspaper, but most do not, unless newspapers or radio specifically ask for the notice. A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to approve the amended Rules of Procedure with the words "in print media and" removed from Section IV Meetings, Rule 6(a). Commissioner McKee said he will vote against this as there are still people for whom the newspaper is the only source of information. Chair Price asked when the county stopped putting the notice in the newspaper.