Minutes 03-11-2025-Work Session Meeting

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6 Alison Stuebe said one of their board members has been very involved and that is a group effort. She said they have been trying to figure out how to get that data from Social Services. She said they are looking to coordinate across the county. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the Board of Health has taken a position on cell phones in schools. Alison Stuebe said that they will have a retreat soon and they will discuss it. Commissioner Fowler said the behavioral health subcommittee has been looking at screen use in schools. She said that the General Assembly is proposing that schools have cell phone use policies. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she understood and was curious if there had been a local position stated. Alison Stuebe asked if it would be helpful if the Board of Health made a statement. Chair Bedford said yes. Commissioner Greene said she heard about the public health and housing intersection years ago. She said that she found a national organization called LISK. She said it is a grant for affordable housing developments that incorporate health programs. She said that the DHIC project that was mentioned is one. She said it would be a good place to make that connection and that she would send the information. Chair Bedford asked if the Board of Health would be interested in making a proclamation for Mental Health Awareness month in May regarding screen use. She said that measles will eventually come to North Carolina and Orange County should be ready to support doctors. Alison Stuebe said it is real and providing trusted information is important. She said they will be providing the information that is necessary to vaccinate and educate the public. Leon Meyers of the Board of Adjustment thanked county staff for keeping the Board of Adjustment filled and organized. He said they are a board that is quasi-judicial that hears applications for special use permits, variances of the UDO, and appeals from staff decisions. He said in the previous year they met five times and heard nine cases. He thanked the other members of the Board of Adjustment for showing up to meetings prepared to work. Lamar Proctor of the Orange County Planning Board thanked the Board for allowing the Planning Board to be part of the legislative process. He said they have a good board that shows up prepared and asks good questions. He thanked the previous board chair, Adam Beeman, for his service. He highlighted some of the accomplishments described in their annual work plan. He said that he is excited about the comprehensive land use plan process and hearing from the public. He said that Planning Board members have attended all the listening sessions. He praised staff in the Planning Department for their work. He said that in the next year, the land use plan and LIDO amendments will take most of their time. He said Perdita Holtz in the Planning Department provides training for members, so they are prepared to take up new issues for consideration. He said high speed internet access continues to be a concern across the county. He said the growth of the City of Mebane is an area that the Planning Board is paying attention to. He said they may look at clarifications to WASMPBA. He said that the preservation of water sheds and the natural environment attract people to Orange County. He said they will be looking at Rural Activity Nodes and development in the county away from water and sewer. He said they are looking at public transit issues and affordable housing. He said all these things tie into the watersheds and they want to approach the work in a responsible and intelligent way to keep Orange County wonderful. Commissioner Carter thanked the Planning Board and staff for their work. She said she still goes back to the Planning Board meeting minutes to see what was discussed. She said she is grateful for their recommendations to commissioners. Commissioner McKee said he appreciated that the Planning Board is still concerned about the need for high-speed internet access. He said he hopes they can find the revenue to finish the project to provide service to everyone in the county.