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1 <br /> APPROVED 415/22 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> BUSINESS MEETING <br /> March 1, 2022 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, March <br /> 1, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Renee Price, Vice Chair Jamezetta Bedford, <br /> and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Anna <br /> Richards <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager <br /> Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified <br /> appropriately below) <br /> Chair Price called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. <br /> Chair Price welcomed everyone to the first in-person business meeting held by the <br /> county in two years due to the pandemic. She also noted that it is Women's History Month and <br /> it is the first time that six women have served on the Board of Commissioners. <br /> Chair Price announced that the Emergency Management partners met this morning, and <br /> then immediately leaders met with the Orange County Health Director. She said that some of <br /> the mask mandates will be modified on March 7th at 5:00 pm. She said that a press release will <br /> go out tomorrow morning detailing all of the modifications. She said that they will recommend, <br /> rather than mandate masks. She said that masking will still be mandated in public transit, <br /> medical facilities, and congregate living spaces. She said that the press release will specify the <br /> measurements used going forward and that they will reserve right to return to mandate. <br /> 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> Chair Price dispensed with reading the public charge. <br /> 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Jean Ranc said she wrote a letter to the commissioners on February 19th and is now <br /> glad to hear that there will be changes to the mandate. She said she is a retired psychologist <br /> from the UNC Department of Psychiatry, and also a background in medicine. She said she was <br /> an Orange County resident since 1982 but moved to Chatham County during the past year. <br /> She said she looks forward to reading the press release that will go out tomorrow regarding <br /> changes to the mandates. She said she is not affiliated with any political party, and scientific <br /> research has shown that paper, plastic, and cloth masks don't protect anyone from respiratory <br /> diseases, including COVID. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br />