Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
1 <br /> APPROVED 417126 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> BUSINESS MEETING <br /> March 17, 2026 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday, March 17, <br /> 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, NC. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jean Hamilton, Vice-Chair Amy Fowler, and <br /> Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford, Marilyn Carter, 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 Hamilton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present. <br /> 1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda <br /> Chair Hamilton read the public charge. <br /> 2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour) <br /> a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br /> Makeda Ma'at read the following statement: <br /> 1 would like to respectfully raise serious concerns about the treatment of residents by several <br /> county departments and the management company at the Landings at Winmore. These issues <br /> impact vulnerable people who depend on these services for basic needs, housing stability and <br /> fair treatment. In the Department of Social Services, residents have encountered hostility, <br /> unprofessional attitudes, lack of compassion, and frequent denial of benefits without adequate <br /> explanation. The Orange County Housing Authority staff, some of them have shown similar, <br /> unprofessional conduct, pure attitudes, and apparent bias in handling of resident affairs or <br /> inquiries. The Human Relations Commission staff has removed a participant from the meeting on <br /> February 24th, silencing an important voice on rights and inclusion issues. The county's eviction <br /> diversion program has provided no meaningful assistance in some cases despite its goal of <br /> preventing unnecessary evictions and helping to resolve landlord tenant disputes. In my own <br /> situation, for example, for years my bank has mailed my rental check two to three weeks early. <br /> Yet, the management company at the Landings at Winmore sometimes claim they never get it <br /> and issue a late notice anyway. This is a known mail delivery delay affecting residents in our <br /> complex and the broader issue of the USPS service. The management office at the Lands has <br /> created a toxic environment overall with unprofessional interactions that make resolving even <br /> basic issues feel hostile and unproductive. These patterns point to systematic problems. I urge <br /> you the board to conduct or independent reviews of these departments and the programs. I've <br /> already been to one meeting, and I was trying to go to the other one to the board. Strengthening <br /> oversight complaint processes, accountability and outreach for housing related services ensure <br /> that fair housing laws are actively enforced, including better support for tenants facing unfair <br /> landlord practices or disputes no matter who the landlord is, even if it's Community Home Trust, <br /> they have to be held accountable. It's not fair to the residents. Many residents feel unheard and <br /> unsupported by systems designed to help them addressing these issues would better align." <br />