The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners met in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center on Tuesday, February 1, 2005. The meeting was televised live on The Government Channel, cable 16 and rebroadcast on WTVI at Midnight. The meeting was scheduled for re-telecast on channel 16 February 2 at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and February 4 at 9 a.m. It also airs at various times on GOV-TV, Time-Warner Digital Cable Channel 232.

PUBLIC APPEARANCE.

Jack Stratton spoke on child protective services.

APPOINTMENTS.

The Board made the following appointments: Walter G. Bauer and Brett Rhinehardt to the Waste Management Advisory Board; Ralph Boral and John Lillard to the Information Services & Technology Committee; Pamela H. Hemphill and Nathaley McElrath to the Women's Commission.

LAND ACQUISITIONS.

The Board approved the following land acquisitions: two tax parcels on Irma Street for back taxes; four tax parcels off Rocky River Road West and Rockland Drive for $55,000 to be preserved for greenway/open space.

FREEDOM PARK GEESE.

The Board approved a plan to remove geese from Freedom Park.  Approximately 160 geese inhabit the park and cause problems within the park, including waste on the sidewalk, damaged grass, and occasional harassment of people.  The plan would establish an ordinance prohibiting feeding of geese and other waterfowl. It will also utilize non-lethal techniques to scare and disturb the geese into leaving the park. The plan is expected to cost $84,000 to implement, with all but approximately $15,000 coming from previously budgeted funds.  The County is already spending half of that amount power washing the sidewalk and reseeding due to the impact of the geese.