Minutes 09-06-2022 Business Meeting

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2 comes back from the west, he feels very upset and sad because on Highway 70, there is an enormous symbol of intimidation that is displayed on private land. He said that he wanted to go stand on public land and display a countersign but there is too much of a police presence there to allow someone to stand. He suggested that a sign be placed on county property at North Campus welcoming all people into the community and speaks to who the county is. He said that people could submit suggestions and there could be a contest to see what could be displayed there. Jennifer Bremer said that she is an Orange County voter. She said electing county commissioners should be constitutional and said the current method does not hit that bar. She questioned if the current process complies with the state's constitutional requirement for equal voting power. She said as a Chapel Hill voter, she gets to vote for five out of the seven commissioners, while Hillsborough residents only vote on four out of the seven and that this does not comply with the equal voting power. She said that this also violates the equal protection clause of state constitution. She said she cannot think of a purpose to justify this and that almost all counties across the state use a different method. She said Orange County and Carteret are the only counties that use this method. She said that residents have a right to vote in a way that complies with the one person one vote principle. 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 Greene said she was ready to get back to work after the break and was glad to see everyone. Commissioner Fowler said she attended three Alliance board meetings, and they continue to go live for their tailored plan that will start in December. She said that means that both mental and physical health will be administered via Alliance for Orange County residents with Medicaid or Innovation Waivers. Shes said that because of her current employer having a contract with Alliance, she will no longer be able to serve as a liaison to the Alliance Board after December due to conflict of interest. She said that JCPC met on August 5t" and of note is that the number of individuals being referred have continued to increase as things have opened up. She said that the TARPO agenda is online. She said that she also attended ABC meetings. She said that the Southern Village store will open in late September and the new Mebane store early in 2023. She said that the June 2022 sales were slightly down compared to June 2021. She said that the Behavioral Health Task Force heard a presentation from the HEART team in Durham. She said this diverts 911 calls away from law enforcement to the HEART team. She said Orange County should be working towards this. She said the Library Task Force will be meeting the following Monday. Commissioner Bedford had no comments. Commissioner Richards said she was glad to be back and that she celebrated one year on the Board on September 3rd Commissioner McKee said he has long advocated for additional recreation facilities. He said there is a deficit for field sports like baseball, field hockey, and lacrosse. He formally petitioned the board to direct asset management to work with the Recreation Department and the assistant manager to identify a developed parcel of property in central Orange County and adjacent to Hillsborough, which has the potential for water connection and is in proximity to public transportation, to develop an athletic facility for field sports for Orange County youth. He said that he would provide this to the Chair in writing.