Minutes-09-19-2023-Business Meeting

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4 talked with the DSS Director and staff at the reception to get a better understanding of traditional Medicaid vs. the Medicaid waiver program. She attended a special presentation on housing from the former Wake County planning director. She said it was interesting to see how they streamlined their permitting process for residents. Commissioner Greene agreed that the presentation Commissioner Portie-Ascott mentioned was very well done. She said her takeaway was the importance of combining land use with transportation planning. Commissioner Greene took a moment to recognize a couple of events that took place over the summer that the Board forgot to mention at their last meeting. She said the UPROAR festival was a tremendous success and hopes the Board and staff will support Katie Murray in planning another event. She said there was also a groundbreaking for the Lumos project, which will bring broadband to over 20,000 households in Orange County. She said because the Board used$10,000,000 directly from the federal government,this process is moving more quickly than some other counties using other funding sources. Commissioner Greene also encouraged everyone to get their vaccines this season. Commissioner Hamilton thanked Commissioner Greene for bringing attention to UPROAR and updates on Lumos. She said she attended the Alliance Health board meeting earlier this month. She said for those who don't know, Alliance Health is the Manage Care Organization for the county, which provides mental health services for residents with Medicaid and uninsured residents. She said Alliance Health is working hard to improve services to residents, get ready for Medicaid expansion, and have a plan to coordinate physical and mental health. Commissioner Hamilton said the Capital Needs Work Group is meeting tomorrow morning and will receive a report from a consultant regarding the capital needs of schools. She said this presentation will likely also take place at the joint meeting with the school boards on September 26`h Chair Bedford said two volunteers from the Board are needed to serve on the Naming Committee for the 203 Project. Commissioner Greene and Commissioner Richards volunteered to serve. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/Special Presentations a. Presentation of the Schools Safety Task Force Final Report The Board received a presentation on the Schools Safety Task Force Final Report. BACKGROUND: The Charge and composition of the Schools Safety Task Force were established at the Board's November 15, 2022 Business Meeting. With a subsequent amendment to the Charge approved at the Board of Commissioners' April 18, 2023 Business meeting, the Task Force was charged to: 1) Discuss ways in which the Orange County government, schools, law enforcement, and community can enhance the safety of the school environment to protect from external threats and promote the education of Orange County K-12 public school students; and 2) Recommend to the Board of County Commissioners new or amended policies, ordinances, and/or practices that will address those external threats and provide a safer school environment for our students, teachers and staff. Task Force members were appointed in December 2022 and January/February 2023. Commissioner Jean Hamilton and Commissioner Earl McKee served as Co-Chairs for the Task Force, and Retired District Court Judge Jay Bryan served as the facilitator. The Task Force met six times between February and June 2023 and explored the primary topic areas of: • Protest/demonstrations • Active Assailants, and • Public Access to School Property During School Hours.