TITLE: Title
A Presentation Regarding the Orange County Food Council
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to receive a presentation and a draft Memorandum of Understanding to govern the Orange County Food Council.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
CONTACT INFORMATION: Jon Hartman-Brown; JHartman-Brown@CarrboroNC.gov; 919-918-7319
INFORMATION: The Town Council originally approved a joint Memorandum of Understanding in April of 2019 between Orange County, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough which created and governed the Orange County Food Council. The original MOU was to remain in effect for two years and could be renewed for up to five additional two-year terms. The purpose of the Food Council was to provide advice and recommendations to the jurisdictions on “issues related to the county community food system and also facilitate communication between community groups, committees, commissions, and other boards whose work supports a thriving local farm economy, access to healthy food, food related economic development, strong communities, sustainable ecosystems, and healthy people.” The County serves as the administrative and fiscal agent for the Food Council.
There have recently been some concerns with the existing MOU as it is written, and some jurisdictions have requested that it be revised. This item will provide a presentation by Ashley Heger of the new MOU and the differences between the two. Hillsborough has already provided comments on the MOU while Chapel Hill and Orange County have yet to schedule comments on the MOU. Comments provided will be incorporated into a new MOU to be approved by all jurisdictions.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Staff impact includes attendance at 1.5-hour meetings approximately every-other month. The Town currently provides 15% of the Food Council’s budget which (as of last year) came to $10,650.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommend Council provide feedback on any changes they wish to see in the new MOU and accept the presentation. Staff would also recommend that the MOU include a clause stating that the County will serve as the administrative and fiscal agent of the Food Council, that an annual report be required to be provided to all jurisdictions, and that a line item budget be submitted to the Town with the annual report.