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1 <br /> APPROVED 11/19/24 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> BUSINESS MEETING <br /> October 15, 2024 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, October <br /> 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, NC. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Sally Greene and <br /> Commissioners Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee, Phyllis Portie-Ascott, and Anna <br /> Richards <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Interim Deputy County Manager <br /> Caitlin Fenhagen, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified <br /> appropriately below) <br /> Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present. <br /> Chair Bedford invited Steve Brantley, Economic Development Director, forward to <br /> introduce representatives from Morinaga who presented Orange County with a gift of <br /> appreciation. <br /> Noriyuki Nishikawa, President and CEO of Morinaga America Foods, Inc. thanked the <br /> Board for approving the incentive for Morinaga to open a second factory in Orange County last <br /> month. He said on behalf of Mr. Ota, he presented a decorative plate that features Mt. Fuji in <br /> Japan and said that it is a special commemorative gift to Orange County and is a reminder of their <br /> appreciation and commitment in partnership. <br /> Chair Bedford thanked Morinaga America Foods for their expansion and investment in <br /> Orange County. She said it provides quality jobs in the county. <br /> 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> None. <br /> 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Chair Bedford reminded those in attendance of the procedures for making public <br /> comments. <br /> Heidi Perry, with Orange Unified Transportation Board member, said they discussed the <br /> updated Safe Routes to School Plan at their last meeting. She said that almost all students ride <br /> in a car or bus to school because Orange County has not provided safe walkways to schools. She <br /> said that walking and biking to school used to be how a majority of students got to school. She <br /> said that there are many benefits to children that walk or bike to school. She said the report lists <br /> several recommendations for each school. She said that at a speed of 20 miles per hour, the risk <br /> of death is reduced to 10% and that she thinks all school zones should be 20 miles per hour. She <br /> said that the county needs to make health and safety of their future leaders a priority now and to <br /> take seriously the needs identified in the report. <br />