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1 <br /> APPROVED 1219/25 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> BUSINESS MEETING <br /> November 6, 2025 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Thursday, November <br /> 6, 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: <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT. John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen <br /> (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below). <br /> Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present. <br /> Chair Bedford read the public charge and described the process for making public <br /> comment. <br /> 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> Commissioner Fowler made a motion to add a discussion on Emergency Funding <br /> Assistance for Community Food Providers as item 4-b, and to add a closed session to the agenda <br /> under item 13 for the purpose of"consulting with an attorney employed or retained by the public <br /> body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body," <br /> pursuant to NCGS 143-318(a)(3). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Carter. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Denise Duffy thanked the board for their financial support, which made the 2025 UPROAR <br /> Festival of Public Art possible. She shared that the festival, held from August 21 to 23, 2025, <br /> across Hillsborough, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill, remains unique in North Carolina. It is designed <br /> to boost small businesses during a typically slow season, spotlight Orange County with vibrant <br /> arts experiences, and offer a free, accessible event for all visitors. Despite the challenge of <br /> measuring attendance due to the festival's free-flowing nature across three towns, data indicated <br /> clear growth over its inaugural year. She detailed the increased involvement and impact of the <br /> festival, including a 373% increase in the number of votes cast for artworks, a 52% increase in <br /> visitors to the Uproar Welcome Centers, a 121% increase in Saturday trolley riders, and nearly <br /> 5,000 people listened to the audio descriptions of each artwork. She also highlighted media <br /> coverage and the festival's positive impact on local businesses, with 69% reporting increased foot <br /> traffic, 62% noting an increase in sales, and 54% gaining new customers. She emphasized that <br /> the festival is a positive addition to the community, with 100% of local businesses affirming its <br /> value, and 92% of artists recommending participation to peers. Finally, she shared that over half <br />