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41 <br /> <br />Youth Member 09/30/2028 Vacant since the creation of the position <br />on 05/20/2025 <br /> 1 <br />Tara May introduced the item. 2 <br /> The Board agreed by consensus to reappoint the individuals listed above. 3 <br /> 4 <br />Discussion of Closed Session Timing/Location on Board Meeting Agendas 5 <br />The Board discussed the timing/location of Closed Sessions on Board meeting agendas. 6 <br /> 7 <br />BACKGROUND: Members of the Board of Commissioners have expressed interest in where 8 <br />Closed Sessions are scheduled on Board meeting agendas. This item provides the opportunity 9 <br />for discussion by the Board. 10 <br /> 11 <br />Based on Board discussion, a potential revision to the Board’s Rules of Procedure could be 12 <br />scheduled for consideration at a future Business meeting. 13 <br /> 14 <br />Chair Bedford invited Commissioner Portie-Ascott to introduce this item. 15 <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said right now, closed sessions are scheduled for the end of 16 <br />Board meetings, making it difficult for the Board to focus on the seriousness of the information 17 <br />before them after a long meeting. She said she thinks it would be more conducive to have the 18 <br />closed session first on the agenda rather than last. She said she heard from other jurisdictions 19 <br />that schedule their closed sessions first while attending an NCACC conference, and it seems to 20 <br />work for them. She proposed starting closed sessions at 6:00 pm before the regular meeting at 21 <br />7:00 p.m. 22 <br /> Laura Jensen said the Rules of Procedure indicate that item 13 on the agenda is for closed 23 <br />sessions and can be amended. She mentioned Orange County Schools has a permanent 24 <br />placeholder for 6:00 p.m. closed sessions. 25 <br /> John Roberts said there could be a permanent placeholder for a closed session at 6:00 26 <br />pm, though he would need to look into what to do if there is no need to hold a closed session if it 27 <br />were a standing start time. 28 <br /> Chair Bedford said there are a couple of boards, like the Burlington-Graham MPO and 29 <br />Central Pines Regional Council, that commissioners serve on that could pose a time conflict, so 30 <br />those schedules would need to be considered before scheduling a closed session. 31 <br /> Commissioner McKee said he doesn’t have a preference on the timing of closed sessions 32 <br />on agendas. 33 <br /> Commissioner Greene indicated she had no preference either. 34 <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton said she remembers starting closed sessions at 6:00 p.m. and then 35 <br />reconvening after the regular meeting if needed from her school board days. She said she doesn’t 36 <br />think boards can make good decisions late at night, so she supported this change. 37 <br /> Chair Bedford said she is flexible and recalled the same from when she was on the school 38 <br />board. 39 <br /> Commissioner Fowler said she appreciated starting at 6:00 p.m. when she was on the 40 <br />school board as well. She said the only issue she has is the ability to remember when a closed 41 <br />session is scheduled, and having good reminders in place would be helpful. 42 <br /> Commissioner Carter said she supports the change. 43 <br /> Chair Bedford reiterated that John Roberts will look into options for having a standing 44 <br />closed session, and then this change would come back to the Board as an Amendment to the 45 <br />Rules of Procedure at a business meeting soon. 46 <br /> 47