Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Attachment 1 <br /> 1 <br /> 1 DRAFT MINUTES <br /> 2 ORANGE COUNTY <br /> 3 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 4 BUSINESS MEETING <br /> 5 February 17, 2026 <br /> 6 7:00 p.m. <br /> 7 <br /> 8 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, February <br /> 9 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, NC. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jean Hamilton, Vice-Chair Amy Fowler, and <br /> 12 Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford, Marilyn Carter, 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, Deputy County Manager Caitlin <br /> 17 Fenhagen, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen (All other staff members will be identified <br /> 18 appropriately below.) <br /> 19 <br /> 20 Chair Hamilton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present. <br /> 21 <br /> 22 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> 23 There were no changes to the agenda. <br /> 24 <br /> 25 Chair Hamilton read the public charge and reviewed the instructions for making public <br /> 26 comment. <br /> 27 <br /> 28 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> 29 a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> 30 Vibeke Talley and Rafael Velez, delegates to the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel <br /> 31 Legislature addressed the Board and shared appreciation from senior center participants <br /> 32 regarding Orange County's senior centers. Vibeke Talley explained their monthly information <br /> 33 tables at the two senior centers and shared that participants have overwhelmingly expressed <br /> 34 gratitude for the senior center programs. <br /> 35 Rafael Velez detailed their effort to collect handwritten testimonials from senior center <br /> 36 participants about how the programs have positively impacted their quality of life. These <br /> 37 testimonials, totaling 14 new letters, will be mailed to North Carolina House and Senate <br /> 38 representatives to advocate for continued and expanded funding of senior center programs. He <br /> 39 said he will also email copies to the Board. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> 42 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br /> 43 <br /> 44 3. Announcements, Petitions, and Comments by Board Members <br /> 45 Chair Hamilton offered Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras greetings before inviting other <br /> 46 Commissioners to speak. <br /> 47 Commissioner Carter echoed the holiday greetings and added Ramadan Mubarak wishes. <br /> 48 She reported on attending a Lunar New Year celebration with Commissioner Portie-Ascott and <br /> 49 noted their upcoming trip to the National Association of Counties Annual Legislative Conference <br /> 50 in Washington DC, where they would meet with senators and Congresswoman Foushee. She <br /> 51 took a moment to acknowledge the passing of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, praising his <br />