Minutes 05-10-2022 Budget Public Hearing and Work Session

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32 John Roberts said if it is on a state-maintained highway, the permit would not be applicable here. Commissioner Greene she understands where it is not applicable and asked what streets are left. John Roberts said the county does not control roads in the county's jurisdiction. He said he did not see any that would apply, currently. He said if the county is temporarily in control of the road, he really is not sure. He said that the ordinance does not allow the impediment of traffic as it is written and does not apply to vehicular roadways. Commissioner McKee asked if including parade language is a solution looking for a problem. John Roberts said it is and he is not going to recommend the Board adopt parade language. Commissioner McKee asked what authority or justification there is for five hundred feet. John Roberts said that is for the Board's discussion and five hundred feet is just a number at this point. He said that he understood there was concern that people were too close to school property, students, and staff, so the number is up for Board consideration. Commissioner McKee asked if the protestors were actually on school property during the incident in question. John Roberts said he does not know what incident gave rise to this. Commissioner McKee said it was a Board of Education meeting. Chair Price said there was a football game at Orange High and there were board members and parents who were concerned. She said it was hard to determine where they were. Commissioner McKee asked of if they were on public or private property. Chair Price said she understood that they were in the road. Commissioner McKee said that football stadium is maybe 1,000 feet from the roadway. He said that there are people on the street in Hillsborough and he does not see the difference. He said he wants to make sure they get this right. He said that it is the same with parades. He said he wants to make sure he knows why they are picking 500 feet. He said that with restricting the public right of way or private property he is concerned about how this affects free speech. Chair Price said if someone wants to have a parade who currently issues a permit. John Roberts said currently there is no permit issued, but the Clerk would do it going forward. Chair Price asked if Churton Street is a state road. John Roberts said Churton Street is a state road but is within the Town's jurisdiction. Chair Price asked about Orange High School Road. John Roberts said it is a state road. Chair Price said the Town of Hillsborough authorizes parades on Churton Street even though it is a state road. Commissioner Richards asked if there is a way to say, "...during school activities." John Roberts said it could be limited to school hours, school activities, or anywhere a property is holding a school athletic event. Commissioner Hamilton said she made this petition as an attempt to protect children. She said that children can be harmed with speech and if they feel unsafe in school then they will not learn. She asked if the activity chairperson is relevant to picketing and parades. John Roberts said yes. Commissioner Hamilton asked if county owned property includes schools. John Roberts said some schools are owned by the county and would apply to them.