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1 <br /> APPROVED 11/6/25 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> BUSINESS MEETING <br /> October 7, 2025 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, October <br /> 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Jean Hamilton <br /> and Commissioners Marilyn Carter, Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie- <br /> Ascott <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager Caitlin <br /> 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 /> 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> A motion was made by Chair Bedford and seconded by Commissioner McKee to remove <br /> item 8-d from the agenda. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Commissioner McKee noted that one applicant for item 11 was not included in the <br /> agenda packet and asked that the Board take time to review the application before making a <br /> decision. <br /> Chair Bedford read the public charge. She reviewed the instructions for making public <br /> comment. <br /> 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Sara Stephens from Duke Energy said she is the new district manager with Duke <br /> Energy, and she will be the county's representative. <br /> An individual named Gurley said he wanted to speak on a possible bridge at Ayr Mount <br /> and asked for more information. <br /> Chair Bedford said that would probably be a topic for the Town of Hillsborough or the <br /> non-profit. <br /> Laura Streitfeld requested that a discussion on the Strategic Communications Work <br /> Group be put on a future agenda. She suggested changes to improve communications with the <br /> public. She asked that Board of County Commissioners meetings be included in the weekly <br /> Orange County newsletter and on social media posts, not just a separate link to events. She <br /> said Planning Department project pages do not include outcomes of meetings. She asked the <br /> Board to consider how they might engage the public more effectively in important decisions that <br /> are taking place. She said it's important to have a big public turnout to influence decisions about <br /> land use and other issues, but posted signs for planning and zoning meetings are small and <br /> illegible to passing drivers. She said neighborhood meetings are run by developers who cannot <br />