Minutes-02-21-2023-Business Meeting

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2 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members Commissioner Hamilton said she had no announcements. She welcomed Commissioner Portie-Ascott to the meeting and said that she looks forward to working with her. Commissioner Fowler echoed Commissioner Hamilton's remarks. She said she went to a TARPO meeting and the Towns of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen along with three other towns now have adequate density to require an MPO and that will be developed over the course of the next year, and they will get pulled out of TARPO. TARPO also approved the county's submission for a CMAC grant for $180,000 that will require a small match and if approved, the funds will be used to purchase mobility vans with a preference for EV. She said that she learned that the IIJA Federal Act includes funding for bike and ped projects so it will be worth a look into that. She said that she attended the ABC board meeting and they have increased staffing with the opening of a new store and implemented wage increases for staff. She said the ABC Board will report to the commissioners in March. Commissioner Richards said she attended the Justice Advisory Council meeting. She said she hoped to share information from that meeting at a future meeting. She said the NC Department of Public Safety presented information about youth outcomes that were disturbing especially with Orange County statistics compared to the rest of NC. She said she hopes they can discuss this at work session in the future. She said she went to the Agricultural Summit and it was great to be there in person. Chair Bedford said she went to the MMC meeting, DSS meeting, and the Partnership to End Homelessness meeting. She said they will make the committee assignments later tonight but those will change. She said the MMC meeting minutes have been forwarded to the commissioners. Vice-Chair McKee said he attended the Durham Tech Board retreat that day. He said there is a plan to place roadway markers for a civil rights historical trail. He petitioned staff to research this plan and bring back information to the Board. Commissioner Portie-Ascott thanked Commissioners Fowler and Hamilton for their comments. She said she began working with staff to schedule meetings with department heads to learn more about them. Commissioner Greene said she attended the Agricultural Summit. She said soon they will see an update to the lands legacy action plan and will prioritize wildlife and natural corridor trails. She said that the NC Natural Heritage Association has been working to create the maps. She said the climate action plan consultant led an interactive workshop with farmers to determine what they need. She said that they are trying to work to preserve farmland and prevent encroachment. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. Black History Month Proclamation The Board approved a proclamation declaring February 2023 as Black History Month. BACKGROUND: Carter G. Woodson and three others started Black History Month, proclaimed by every president since 1976. These Black Americans formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLF), which started the idea of Black History Month in 1915, at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation in Washington, DC. The ASNLF, an organization whose mission was to research and promote the achievements of Black Americans and other people of African descent. The first celebration was during the week in February that encompassed Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas's birthdays. In 1976, President Gerald Ford expanded the celebration to the month of February. President Ford urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." The month of February was selected to commemorate the birthdays of Lincoln and Douglas and to recognize the history of Black Americans and the historical significance they represent in the history of the United States.