September 10, 2010
Center City 2020 Vision Plan Update
During its March 2, 2010 regular meeting, the Board received an update on the Center City 2020 Vision Plan. You may recall that this is a community-driven planning effort that will culminate in recommendations to guide the growth and development of Charlotte-Mecklenburg's urban core over the next decade. As part of this process, Community Workshop 2 was held on March 31, 2010 to receive input from interested residents. Since that time, the lead consultant, MIG Inc, has been working on refining recommendations, completing a narrative for the Draft Plan, and preparing supporting maps and graphics. The local Project Team, including staff from County Real Estate Services, City/County Planning, and Charlotte Center City Partners, has been reviewing and commenting on the initial drafts of the plan.
A presentation of the Draft Plan during Community Workshop 3 is scheduled for Thursday, November 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This workshop will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center. On Friday, November 19, MIG Inc will present the Draft Plan and public feedback from Workshop 3 to the Steering Committee.
Following MIG’s visit to Charlotte, the local Project Team will work with the consultant team to modify the Plan based on Steering Committee and community input. The Project Team anticipates scheduling a workshop with the Board of County Commissioners in late January to receive further input on the plan. After January, 2011 the Board and Charlotte City Council will be asked to consider endorsing and/or adopting of the final plan.
Board members with questions should contact Real Estate Services Director Mark Hahn via email or call 704-336-5483.
Budget Retreat Scheduling
During its May 18, 2010 regular meeting, Board members expressed interest in scheduling a local Board retreat in late summer or early fall of this year to discuss and consider changes in the current model of budget adoption, capital planning and debt service.
Clerk to the Board Janice Paige has polled all Board members to determine a date for the retreat, exploring possible dates ranging from mid-September to mid-October on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Based on the response from the Board, no single date during this time is currently open for every member of the Board. Saturday October 2 seems the most promising date, although it is possible that some Board members may not be able to attend without changing their schedule. While I agree with the Board that this is an important activity that needs to take place, our inability to find a date convenient for everyone has been a challenge. Therefore, we are moving forward and scheduling Saturday, October 2 as the date for the Budget retreat.
I envision that this meeting would start at 8 a.m. and end by mid-afternoon, consistent with previous all-day meetings of the Board. Board members will receive the details (i.e., location, times, etc.) in the near future.
Chairman Roberts Appointed As NCACC District Director
On August 28, 2010, Chairman Jennifer Roberts was elected to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ (NCACC) Board of Directors. Commissioners from the 18 districts caucus to select their representatives for two-year terms on the NCACC Board of Directors. North Carolina County representatives in even-numbered districts caucused during NCACC’s 103rd annual conference to choose new representatives.
Chairman Roberts was chosen to represent District12, which comprises Cabarrus, Gaston, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union counties. The Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, both composed of elected county officials, make policy decisions to guide the NCACC and its staff through the year.
Nonprofits Tax Exempt Status Confirmed
Recently, the IRS released a list of nonprofit organizations in jeopardy of losing their tax exempt status due to insufficient financial reporting and missing documentation. Staff in the Office of Strategic Organizational Improvement confirmed the federal 501(c) 3 status of all nonprofit organizations funded through the Board’s community service grants process. All organizations funded for FY11 are in good standing according to the Guidestar IRS 990 reports. In addition, staff maintains hard and electronic copies of IRS letters confirming the nonprofit status of each organization.
Board members with questions about the federal nonprofit status of any organization funded through the community service grants funding process should contact SOI Management Analyst Faith Leach via email or call 704-432-3062.
- Harry Jones, County Manager
CALENDAR REMINDER
Tuesday, September 14