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Attachment 1 <br /> 1 <br /> 1 DRAFT MINUTES <br /> 2 ORANGE COUNTY <br /> 3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 4 BUSINESS MEETING <br /> 5 November 6, 2025 <br /> 6 7:00 p.m. <br /> 7 <br /> 8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Thursday, November <br /> 9 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Jean Hamilton, <br /> 12 and Commissioners Marilyn Carter, Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie- <br /> 13 Ascott <br /> 14 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: <br /> 15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT. John Roberts <br /> 16 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen <br /> 17 (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below). <br /> 18 <br /> 19 Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.All commissioners were present. <br /> 20 <br /> 21 Chair Bedford read the public charge and described the process for making public <br /> 22 comment. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 <br /> 25 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> 26 Commissioner Fowler made a motion to add a discussion on Emergency Funding <br /> 27 Assistance for Community Food Providers as item 4-b, and to add a closed session to the agenda <br /> 28 under item 13 for the purpose of"consulting with an attorney employed or retained by the public <br /> 29 body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body," <br /> 30 pursuant to NCGS 143-318(a)(3). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Carter. <br /> 31 <br /> 32 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 33 <br /> 34 <br /> 35 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> 36 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> 37 Denise Duffy thanked the board for their financial support, which made the 2025 UPROAR <br /> 38 Festival of Public Art possible. She shared that the festival, held from August 21 to 23, 2025, <br /> 39 across Hillsborough, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill, remains unique in North Carolina. It is designed <br /> 40 to boost small businesses during a typically slow season, spotlight Orange County with vibrant <br /> 41 arts experiences, and offer a free, accessible event for all visitors. Despite the challenge of <br /> 42 measuring attendance due to the festival's free-flowing nature across three towns, data indicated <br /> 43 clear growth over its inaugural year. She detailed the increased involvement and impact of the <br /> 44 festival, including a 373% increase in the number of votes cast for artworks, a 52% increase in <br /> 45 visitors to the Uproar Welcome Centers, a 121% increase in Saturday trolley riders, and nearly <br /> 46 5,000 people listened to the audio descriptions of each artwork. She also highlighted media <br /> 47 coverage and the festival's positive impact on local businesses, with 69% reporting increased foot <br /> 48 traffic, 62% noting an increase in sales, and 54% gaining new customers. She emphasized that <br /> 49 the festival is a positive addition to the community, with 100% of local businesses affirming its <br /> 50 value, and 92% of artists recommending participation to peers. Finally, she shared that over half <br />