Minutes-02-07-2023-Business Meeting

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2 Commissioner Hamilton said she attend the Board of Health meeting on January 2511, where she learned of the Health Department's successful accreditation. She congratulated Quintana Stewart, Health Director, and the entire Health Department for their effort. On January 31 st she chaired the Solid Waste Advisory Group meeting and received a presentation on the community survey that was conducted as the Solid Waste Department prepares for its new strategic plan. She also said she attended the Strategic Communications Committee meeting on February 3rd and she has some ideas for enhancing communication between the county and residents. She said the Capital Needs Work Group will meet February 151" and will pick up the work started last year. She announced the Schools Safety Task Force is starting up this month as well. Commissioner Richards shared that February is American Heart Month, and she is wearing red today for awareness. She said heart disease kills women at a higher rate than all cancers combined. She said there are a number of campaigns this month at CVS and other drug stores for a free evaluation. Commissioner Richards shared that she was wearing African print at the meeting in honor of Black History Month. She said the Seymour Center had an opening for an art exhibit on February 3rd by an artist called Black Butterfly. She said the work was done in crayon and will be there for February and March. She also went to The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill Carrboro's annual meeting on February 3rd, and also the ribbon-cutting for Perry Place. She said it is a beautiful low-income housing option with 24 units in Chapel Hill and 24 in Carrboro. She said she also had the opportunity to attend the OWASA Solar dedication at Cane Reservoir. Lastly, she attended Orange County Partnership for Young Children, and their program numbers are down due to lack of staff and transportation. She also shared that the Economic Development Department is introducing a new online system for small businesses called Size Up. It includes information about the market, competition, what to do to build and grow a business, etc. She said it will be a great resource. Chair Bedford said she was also at the ribbon cutting for Perry Place on Friday with Commissioners Greene and Richards. She said a young man she knew as a seventh grader years ago was awarded an apartment. She said these are CASA apartments and a portion will be reserved for people with disabilities. She said she also attended the SWAG meeting with Commissioner Hamilton, and was also at the OWASA Solar dedication with Commissioner Richards. She said this was for an acre of solar arrays to pump water from Cane Creek Reservoir, up to Jones Ferry Rd. where it is processed. Vice Chair McKee said he attended the White Cross Fire Department Board of Directors meeting this past Thursday night for the purpose of passing a resolution for the purchase of additional personal protective equipment. He said this type of loan has to go through a specific state-designated process that requires a county commissioner that serves as a link to the fire departments to be in attendance. He said the department will come to the Board in the spring for a budget request to move forward with the purchase. He shared that he spoke to the Extension and Community Association of Orange County on Saturday. Vice Chair McKee said this group has evolved over the past 100 years and may have been referred to as the Home Demonstration Club by their grandmothers, and the Home Economics Club by their mothers. He said they have a long engaged history in the community of bringing new ideas to the rural part of the county, and the urban parts to some extent. He said the theme of the day was Remember, Reconnect, and Rekindle, and it was an enjoyable event. Commissioner Fowler said she attended the Alliance Health Quality Management Committee, the Alliance Health County Commissioner meeting, and the Alliance Board of Directors meeting on February 2nd. She said they are continuing to work towards their tailored plan implementation which will go live in April. She also said that all of the LMEs across the state are trying to contract with hospitals, which has been the major sticking point. Leadership at the County Commissioner meeting announced that their main push with the North Carolina General Assembly is to work on Medicaid expansion. Commissioner Fowler said she also attended the