Orange County public meetings in 2022
25 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Housing Authority Board
The meeting was held without a quorum, meaning no official votes or decisions were made. The board discussed updates to the Admin Plan and potential changes to waitlist issuing practices.
Board of County Commissioners
The Board unanimously voted not to renew the Memorandum of Understanding for the Orange County Food Council, citing a lack of tangible results. The Board also approved several budget amendments and appointed new members to the Schools Safety Task Force and ABC Board.
- Denied renewal of Orange County Food Council MOU (Unanimous)
- Approved resolution commending Commissioner Renée Price (Unanimous)
- Approved Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Amendment #4 (Unanimous)
- Appointed Ari Schein and Cassie Rice to Schools Safety Task Force (5-1)
- Appointed Kate O’Boyle and Richard Bradford to Schools Safety Task Force (5-1)
- Appointed Melvin Green to the ABC Board (Unanimous)
- Approved 18-month extension for Building Reuse Grant for Industrial Connections & Solutions/ABB Inc. (Unanimous)
- Approved license agreement with North State Communications Advanced Services, LLC (Unanimous)
Human Relations Commission
The Human Relations Commission approved a request to assist the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition with programming for the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter. The commission also decided that all regular meetings will be held virtually, with one exception in June 2023. Members appointed a Vice Chair and designated committee leadership.
- Approved support for OCCRC's 'Letter from a Birmingham Jail' anniversary efforts
- Approved appointment of Commissioner Sykes as Vice Chair
- Decided all regular meetings will be virtual except for June 27, 2023
- Changed November meeting date to November 14, 2023, and December date to December 12, 2023
- Tabled review of four HRC applications until the January meeting
- Appointed Commissioner Volkheimer as chair of the Communications Committee
- Appointed Commissioner Garcia-Turner as co-chair of the Pauli Murray Awards Committee
- Approved minutes from November 29, 2022
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding Neighborhood Information Meetings and efficiency units. The Board also recommended removing school district signature blocks from final subdivision plats. A request for staff to investigate expanding notification ranges for neighborhood meetings was approved.
- Approved UDO text amendment for Neighborhood Information Meetings (Unanimous)
- Approved requirement for planning staff to attend NIM meetings (7-2)
- Approved request for staff to investigate expanding NIM notification range and report back in 120 days (Unanimous)
- Recommended approval of UDO amendment to remove school district signature blocks from final subdivision plats (8-1)
- Denied motion to remove mobile homes from efficiency unit amendments (7-2)
- Approved UDO text amendment for efficiency units/ADUs (6-3)
- Approved Annual Report and Work Plan form (Unanimous)
- Approved September 7, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes (Unanimous)
Parks & Recreation Council
The Council re-elected its Chair and Vice-Chair and voted to support Orange County joining the Great Trails State Coalition. Members also approved a letter for a second youth delegate and adjusted the 2023 meeting calendar to include more Chapel Hill locations.
- Re-elected Gina Reyman as Chair (8-0)
- Re-elected Mikki Fleming as Vice-Chair (8-0)
- Approved sending a message of support for Orange County to join the Great Trails State Coalition (unanimous)
- Approved letter for a second youth delegate (unanimous)
- Approved moving February 1 and September 6 meetings to Chapel Hill (unanimous)
- Accepted November 2 meeting summary
Board of Elections
The Board of Elections approved the minutes from November 17 and November 18, 2022. Director Raper presented reports on the budget and voter registration statistics.
- Approved November 17 and November 18, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
Board of County Commissioners
The Board authorized a professional services contract for the advance planning of a Behavioral Health Crisis Diversion Facility. The Board also elected new leadership and established the process for filling an upcoming commissioner vacancy.
- Approved $172,325 contract with CPL Architects and RHA Health for crisis facility planning (Unanimous)
- Elected Jamezetta Bedford as Chair (7-0)
- Elected Earl McKee as Vice Chair (4-3)
- Approved using the 2021 process to fill Commissioner Renee Price's vacancy (Unanimous)
- Appointed Commissioner Greene as NCACC voting delegate (Unanimous)
- Appointed Commissioner Richards as NACo voting delegate (Unanimous)
- Approved sale of County-owned property at 129 East King Street, Hillsborough (Unanimous)
- Approved salary increase for Sheriff Charles Blackwood (Unanimous)
Human Relations Commission
The Commission approved four new member applications and a $500 donation for the 2023 Mildred Council Community Dinner. The body also elected its Chair and Vice-Chair and approved the October 25, 2022, meeting minutes.
- Approved four HRC membership applications (5-1)
- Approved $500 donation for 2023 Mildred Council Community Dinner (unanimous)
- Approved October 25, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Elected Commissioner Mahaley as HRC Chair (unanimous)
- Elected Commissioner Seese as HRC Vice-Chair (unanimous)
Orange Unified Transportation Board
The board approved the transit plan update presented by Tom Alteri. Members also approved the meeting minutes from August and September.
- Approved August and September minutes (unanimous)
- Approved transit plan update (unanimous)
Board of Elections
The Board reviewed canvass reports and certified the results of the November 8, 2022 General Election. Members signed official abstracts for filing with the State Board of Elections, the Clerk of Court, and the county board.
- Approved canvass reports as submitted by the director
- Certified the results of the November 8, 2022 General Election
- Signed official abstracts for filing with state and local authorities
Board of Elections
The Board of Elections voted to approve specific counts of civilian, overseas, and military supplemental absentee ballots. The Board also accepted staff recommendations regarding the approval status of 357 provisional ballots. Additionally, the Board completed sample audit counts for two precincts.
- Approved November 7 and 8, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
- Denied 63 civilian supplemental absentee ballots (unanimous)
- Approved 653 civilian supplemental absentee ballots (unanimous)
- Approved 118 overseas supplemental absentee ballots (unanimous)
- Approved 9 military supplemental absentee ballots (unanimous)
- Approved 50 provisional ballots fully and 6 partially; denied 301 (unanimous)
- Certified and signed supplemental absentee abstracts for the State Board of Elections
Housing Authority Board
The board approved the June and August 2022 meeting minutes. A proposal to limit annual rent increases to 10% of current rent or a maximum of 40% of tenant income was tabled for the December meeting. The board also agreed to continue meeting virtually.
- Approved June 2022 and August 2022 minutes (All in favor)
- Tabled motion to limit rent increases to 10% of current rent or 40% of tenant income
- Agreed to continue meeting virtually
- Initiated recruitment for three board vacancies to include at least two voucher holders
Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
The Board of Directors approved the minutes from the October 19, 2022 meeting. The remainder of the session consisted of staff updates on tourism trends, marketing campaigns, and local development projects.
- Approved October 19, 2022 minutes
Board of County Commissioners
The Board approved Option 2 for the Emergency Housing Assistance program for 2022-23, maintaining support for households at or below 30% Area Median Income. Commissioners also established a Schools Safety Task Force and approved funding for a facilitator. Several administrative items, including a cybersecurity contract and a room renaming, were passed via the consent agenda.
- Approved Option 2 for Emergency Housing Assistance program for 2022-23 (5-2)
- Approved charge, composition, and timeline for Schools Safety Task Force (Unanimous)
- Authorized up to $10,000 for a Schools Safety Task Force facilitator (Unanimous)
- Appointed Commissioners McKee and Hamilton to the Schools Safety Task Force (Unanimous)
- Approved $112,965 contract with CDW and CrowdStrike for endpoint protection (Unanimous)
- Approved renaming Whitted Meeting Room to Donna S. Baker Meeting Room (Unanimous)
- Approved $1,030 excise tax refund to Love Law Firm (Unanimous)
- Approved $25,000 federal grant for Sheriff's Office traffic safety project (Unanimous)
Affordable Housing Advisory Board
The board heard presentations from Pee Wee Homes and Hope Renovations regarding tiny homes and workforce development. County staff provided updates on homelessness trends, voucher programs, and emergency housing assistance. No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded.
- Tabled approval of October 10, 2022 minutes until December
Board of County Commissioners
The Board reached consensus on several appointments for the Affordable Housing, Agricultural Preservation, Environment, and Parks and Recreation boards. The Board reviewed the Advisory Board Policy and discussed a food access assessment report, though no vote was taken on the Food Council MOU renewal.
- Consensus to re-appoint Ehmu Ra Ho and Holly Meschko to Affordable Housing Advisory Board
- Consensus to appoint Mariela Hernandez, Olivia Fisher, and Kela Kexel to Affordable Housing Advisory Board
- Consensus to move Kim Woods to a partial term for Caldwell Voluntary Agricultural District
- Consensus to appoint Nancy Petry, Michael Wagger, and James Fickle to Agricultural Preservation Board
- Consensus to extend Dr. Jane Saiers' appointment for New Hope/Hillsborough Voluntary Agricultural District by one year
- Consensus to re-appoint Erle Smith to Carrboro Board of Adjustment
- Consensus to re-appoint Geneva Gray, Mark Randall, and Taylor (Read) Oakley to Commission for the Environment
- Consensus to appoint Sophia Fratta as Youth Member to Parks and Recreation Council
Board of Elections
The Board approved 36 civilian absentee ballots and tabulated them into the DS200 tabulator. Members certified and signed absentee abstracts for submission to the State Board of Elections. The Board also discussed precinct observations to improve Election Day operations.
- Approved 36 civilian absentee ballots (unanimous)
- Certified and signed absentee abstracts for the State Board of Elections
Advisory Board on Aging
The Board unanimously recommended Ann Bradford to the Board of Commissioners for the Carrboro representative vacancy. Members also received progress reports on the 2022-27 Master Aging Plan workgroups and staff updates regarding senior center security.
- Approved October 11, 2022 minutes
- Unanimously recommended Ann Bradford for Carrboro representative vacancy
Board of Elections
The Board of Elections reviewed absentee ballots for the November 8, 2022 General Election. Members voted to approve civilian, overseas, and military ballots while disapproving a small number of civilian ballots. Approved ballots were inserted into the DS200 tabulator.
- Approved October 25 and November 1, 2022 minutes (Unanimous)
- Disapproved 23 civilian absentee ballots (Unanimous)
- Approved 1,056 civilian absentee ballots (Unanimous)
- Approved 106 overseas absentee ballots (Unanimous)
- Approved 11 military absentee ballots (Unanimous)
Planning Board
The Planning Board conducted a virtual training session regarding plans and agreements that affect planning in Orange County. No substantive decisions were made during this session.
Board of County Commissioners
The Board adopted the 2022 Orange County Transit Plan Update and a new governance Interlocal Agreement for transit planning. They also held public hearings on the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and the 2021 HOME Program performance report. Several proclamations and committee appointments were approved.
- Approved 2022 Orange County Transit Plan Update (Unanimous)
- Approved Transit Plan Governance Interlocal Agreement (Unanimous)
- Appointed Fowler, Bedford, and Richards to Strategic Plan Selection Panel (Unanimous)
- Approved proclamation for Dean Mike Smith and Native American Heritage Month (Unanimous)
- Approved contract with White Cross Volunteer Fire Department for emergency radios (Unanimous)
- Approved sale of 0.27 acre property PIN 9885833971 in Hillsborough (Unanimous)
- Appointed seven members to the Opioid Advisory Committee (Unanimous)
- Denied appointment of Gayane Chambless to Opioid Advisory Committee (2-5)
Board of Elections
The Board of Elections reviewed and voted on civilian, overseas, and military absentee ballots. A total of 848 ballots were approved for tabulation, while 13 civilian ballots were disapproved.
- Approved October 18, 2022 minutes (unanimous, 1 abstention)
- Disapproved 13 absentee ballots (unanimous)
- Approved 731 civilian absentee ballots (unanimous)
- Approved 114 overseas absentee ballots (unanimous)
- Approved 3 military absentee ballots (unanimous)
Human Relations Commission
The Human Relations Commission evaluated the social justice and racial equity components of several grant applications. The commission also approved meeting minutes from May and August 2022.
- Approved May 24, 2022, and August 23, 2022, minutes
- Scored Habitat for Humanity application at 5.8
- Scored Rebuilding Together of the Triangle application at 5.3
- Scored Eno River and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools applications at 4.8
- Scored Town of Chapel Hill application at 2.5
- Scored Town of Carrboro application at 2.3
- Scored both Arts Center applications at 1.3
- Tabled $500 donation request for 2023 Mildred Council Annual Community Dinner to November 29, 2022
Board of County Commissioners
The Board received updates on fire service challenges during Hurricane Ian, ISO ratings, and emergency preparedness. The Board also reached consensus on several appointments to county advisory boards and committees.
- Approved appointments to Opioid Advisory Committee: Jeffradrian Stafford, Jesse Miller, Evan Ashkin, Chris Ringwalt, Natalie Blackburn, and Elisabeth Johnson
- Approved adding a County Manager designee from the Department on Aging to the Opioid Advisory Committee
- Approved appointments to Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee: Shade Little and Karen Green-McElveen
- Approved appointment to Advisory Board on Aging: Saru Salvi
- Approved appointment to Animal Services Advisory Board: Michael Delafield
- Approved appointment to Board of Health: Dr. Rachel Royce
- Approved appointment to Carrboro Northern Transition Area Advisory Committee: Jennifer Conrad (first full term)
- Approved appointments to Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board: Grace Holtkamp and Karen Dehart
Board of Elections
The Board reviewed and voted on absentee ballot recommendations. They approved civilian, overseas, and military ballots while disapproving 10 civilian ballots. Approval of the October 18, 2022, minutes was tabled.
- Disapproved 10 civilian absentee ballots (Unanimous)
- Approved 560 civilian absentee ballots (Unanimous)
- Approved 56 overseas absentee ballots (Unanimous)
- Approved 3 military absentee ballots (Unanimous)
- Tabled approval of October 18, 2022 minutes