Minutes 10-15-2024 - Business Meeting

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2 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members Commissioner Fowler said she attended the groundbreaking at Morinaga and the Freedom House Celebration. She said that she attended Inclusive Diverse Engaging Affordable and Lifelong (IDEAL) the next day. She said that their goal is to increase inclusive and affordable housing. She said they are at the resident recruitment phase and that is where there is a barrier. She said that Alliance does not maintain a list of individuals inquiring about housing. She said that she attended the Celebrate Orange event and was very impressed by the artistic talent. She said that she attended the DCHC Safety Summit that was focused on decreasing serious and fatal traffic accidents. She said they announced a Safe Streets for All bill, and she is hoping that the transportation department will apply for those grants if they become available. Commissioner Hamilton said she also attended the Morinaga opening and the Freedom House, as well as an Alliance Health Board meeting. She said early voting starts Thursday. She reiterated that individuals with disabilities can call 888-WEVOTE2 for assistance with voting. She said she co-chaired the School Bond Education Committee with Commissioner Portie-Ascott and they met last week and will meet again this week. She encouraged people to visit the bond education website, orangecountyschool bond.com, for more information about the school bond referendum. Commissioner McKee expressed appreciation to staff and others in the county that have gone to help in Western NC following the destruction from Hurricane Helene. He said that the recovery effort is going to be a long process especially with roadways and bridges destroyed. Chair Bedford said there is a job fair at Orange Works in Hillsborough on October 16. She said she spoke with the Mayor of Mebane, and they have agreed to a joint meeting. She said that the Mayor of Carrboro also wants to meet and the clerks are working on a date. She announced the times for each day for early voting and said that a picture ID is required and anyone that does not have one can get one made at the Orange County Board of Elections during operating hours. Vice-Chair Greene said she attended the Affordable Housing Data Walk on 10/7. She said it was another reminder of how high rents are in Orange County. She said Sunday-Thursday she will be in Philadelphia on behalf of GoTriangle. She said because it is Arts & Humanities Month, she wanted to draw attention to Orange County resident, and her neighbor, Bill Leuchtenberg. She said that he has recently released a new book "Patriot Presidents from George Washington to John Quincy Adams" and he is 102 years old neighbor Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she also attended the Morinaga ribbon cutting and the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee meeting. She said there continues to be consistent challenge for participants showing up to and that is related to a transportation issue. She said that she recently spoke on the role of a county commissioner and the importance of voting. She said that she attended the Central Pines Rural Planning Organization and that they endorsed the Safe Routes to School and the Short-Range Transit Plans. Commissioner Richards said she attended the Morinaga groundbreaking. She said that she also attended the Burlington-Graham MPO and they also approved the SRTP and US-70 Corridor Study. She said she learned that there is some infrastructure required beyond what the county can do for bike plans. 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations a. Recognition of Graduates of the 2024 Orange County Youth Preparedness Camp The Board recognized Chase Harris, Kai Stanford, and Nicholas Welch for fulfilling all of the requirements to graduate from the 2024 Orange County Youth Preparedness Camp, including