Minutes 06-07-2022 Business Meeting

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2 Todd McGee, Community Relations Director, recognized the residents who participated in the Orange County Government Academy. He reviewed the topics they covered in the classes and invited participants to have their picture taken with the Board of Commissioners. He said the class will be offered again next spring for anyone who is interested. Chair Price asked all of participants to introduce themselves to the Board. Todd McGee said this is the third "graduating" class of the County Government Academy, and one class was cancelled due to the pandemic. Commissioner Bedford invited residents to apply for the County's advisory boards. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members Commissioner Fowler said she attended the Alliance Board meeting last week and passed the budget. She said she also attended the JCPC meeting and received updates from each organization. She said that compared to COVID, their numbers are going up. She said that the Juvenile Justice staff commented they are low on staff and working hard. Commissioner Richards said she attended the Commemoration of Gun Violence Prevention the previous Friday. She said that with the recent gun violence events, it seemed particularly meaningful. She said it was Pride Month and that she went to some events over the weekend. She said she attended the Justice Advisory Council, and the Journey of Reconciliation event is coming up on June 17th at the courthouse and there will be a court proceeding. Commissioner Bedford congratulated all graduating high schoolers and wished them well. She thanked teachers and staff who got through the year. Commissioner McKee said that there is an increasing need for more athletic facilities. He said it started out with baseball but now they need field hockey and lacrosse fields. He said that the Soccer.com facility is a perfect example of what it can be. He said that he is petitioning the Board for staff to bring back a report and a plan of action for moving forward for the purchase or property and athletic facilities because they will be dealing with potential loss of athletic fields in Hillsborough due to the train station. Commissioner Hamilton had no announcements. Commissioner Greene said she attended the Northside Neighborhood Initiative walk- around. She said that it was good to have historic and distinctive homes pointed out and thanked George Barrett. She said that they ended the walk on Cobb Street in Carrboro and there are two new Habitat for Humanity homes, for which Orange County contributed funding. She said that she sat in on meetings of the Eno-New Hope group that is working on a connectivity collaboration strategic action plan. She said they are working on ideas to help preserve wildlife corridors throughout the county. Chair Price brought the Board's attention to a handout from Orange County Library about Juneteenth. She said that on June 17th there will be a special court session and program for a motion for appropriate relief regarding the four gentlemen that were arrested in 1947. She said that there will be another Juneteenth program Saturday at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church in conjunction with the Orange County NAACP and the Orange County Historical Museum with a "Say Their Names" program and a tribute to Ms. Dorothy Shankland. She said there is a "Walking in our Liberation" event on Monday at 4:00 pm, starting at the Margaret Lane Cemetery. She echoed Commissioner Bedford's congratulations to graduates. She said there are a number of summer programs available at Parks and Recreation, various churches and organizations, and at Cooperative Extension.