Agenda - 03-21-2023; 8-a - Minutes

Browse Search

7 1 David Stancil, Director of Environment, Agriculture, Parks, and Recreation, said that public 2 access to the Greene Tract trails is being discussed. He said that there are areas that need to be 3 fixed and realigned on the county owned portion of the Headwaters Preserve. He said that as the 4 rest of the conversation for the Greene Tract plays out, there may be additional conversations to 5 be had. 6 Commissioner Richards asked if they are referring only to the county-owned portion of the 7 Greene Tract. 8 David Stancil said yes and that if there is a jointly held area of open space, then it would 9 make sense to look at those two things together but that would be a future conversation. 10 Vice-Chair McKee asked for clarification on the reassessment of access to Headwaters 11 Preserve. 12 David Stancil said they currently have access that takes place on a regular basis. He said 13 that years ago, the county was looking at creating an interim access area to create a way to get 14 to the Headwaters Preserve. He said that the biggest part of that is realigning the trails that have 15 been built over the years and moving them off eco-sensitive areas. 16 Vice-Chair McKee clarified that he is not hearing the limiting of public access. 17 David Stancil said that is correct and that they would actually be formalizing public access. 18 Commissioner Greene said that it sounds like volunteer trails have been created on county 19 owned land but not to any plan. 20 David Stancil said that is correct and they hope to fix that. 21 Commissioner Greene said that sounds like a problem. She asked if they were already on 22 the task of fixing those trails. 23 David Stancil said the Headwaters Preserve is already on track to be addressed and 24 reconfigured. He said that the attorney helped them develop interim access. 25 Chair Bedford said she is very interested in the tree canopy policy recommendations. She 26 suggested that the mountain bike trails be reviewed to make sure they are not degrading habitat. 27 Veronica Penn-Beattie said they received two additional applications but have not had a 28 chance to review those yet. 29 Dr. Nathalie Volkheimer presented on behalf of the Human Relations Commission. She 30 said their role is diversity and inclusion. She said they try to reduce discrimination and increase 31 equity. She said they have to be aware and outspoken when they see inequity. She said they 32 have a full board, but most members are very new. She said they look for recognition in individuals 33 and groups that support the mission of the Human Relations Commissions. She said they also 34 have community conversations and support other community events. She said that their board is 35 very diverse however, those on the board can't be useful to the community without having 36 knowledge. She said they have undergone training to assist the members to understand diversity 37 and inclusion widely. 38 Commissioner Fowler said that October is Disability Awareness Month if they want to 39 include that. She asked if they are addressing sexual orientation or identity on the Facebook page. 40 Nathalie Volkheimer said she did this on her own last year and knows many historic days 41 and months. She said if there is not a day that goes by that they have not done. She said that she 42 loves what she does. 43 Commissioner Hamilton asked if there could be a presence on the county's website for 44 the Human Relations Commission. 45 Nathalie Volkheimer said she found out about the commission by Orange County's Twitter 46 page. She said that everything they promote is available for the county to promote. She said they 47 have been in touch with the county's media staff and they know they would love the resharing. 48 49