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Attachment 2 <br /> 1 <br /> 1 DRAFT MINUTES <br /> 2 ORANGE COUNTY <br /> 3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 4 BUSINESS MEETING <br /> 5 November 18, 2025 <br /> 6 7:00 p.m. <br /> 7 <br /> 8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, November <br /> 9 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, 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: None. <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 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> 22 A motion was made by Chair Bedford, seconded by Vice-Chair Hamilton, to remove item <br /> 23 6-a and add a closed session under item 13 to "consult with an attorney employed or retained by <br /> 24 the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the <br /> 25 public body," pursuant to NCGS 143-318(a)(3). <br /> 26 <br /> 27 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 28 <br /> 29 Chair Bedford read the public charge. She reviewed the instructions for making public <br /> 30 comment. <br /> 31 <br /> 32 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> 33 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> 34 Ashley Parker, President of the Orange County Farm Bureau, expressed concerns about <br /> 35 the noise ordinance amendments passed by the Board on September 16, 2025. She explained <br /> 36 that her family operates a century farm with various agricultural activities, including row crops, <br /> 37 beef, produce, and flowers. She stated that the new amendments to the county's noise ordinance <br /> 38 violate the state's Right to Farm Act. She argued that agritourism activities on farms should remain <br /> 39 protected, citing examples of activities now prohibited in rural Orange County per the ordinance, <br /> 40 including amplified noise of any kind, carrying a microphone during field tours, and hosting <br /> 41 weddings with music. She shared that she had spent five years saving to build a barn to share <br /> 42 her farm with the public. She emphasized that the new generation of farmers doesn't want to be <br /> 43 micromanaged and needs freedom to help their farms thrive. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> 46 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br /> 47 <br /> 48 <br />