The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners met in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center on Tuesday, February 15, 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 16 at 9 p.m. and February 18 at 9 a.m. It also airs at various times on GOV-TV, Time-Warner Digital Cable Channel 232.

PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS.

The Board of County Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing the 95th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America and the 75th anniversary of the Cub Scouts; proclaimed February 2005 as Black History Month in Mecklenburg County; proclaimed the week of February 13 - 19 as Child Passenger Safety Week in Mecklenburg County; and recognized the County's Division of Natural Resources as the recipient of the Unit of Government Award given by the Hugh Hammond Bennett Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.

PUBLIC APPEARANCE.

Jack Stratton addressed the Board about child protective services.

APPOINTMENTS.

The Board made the following appointments: Jennifer Nash and Barbara B. Watson to the Adult Care Home Advisory Committee; Barbara Whitt to the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee: Christina Fisher and Lamar Gunter to the Waste Management Advisory Board.

LAND ACQUISITIONS.

The Board approved the following land acquisitions: a parcel on Ellington Street from James C. Cunningham and others for $20,000; a parcel at 1719 Catherine Simmons Avenue from James Taylor for $45,000; a parcel at 1625 Catherine Simmons Avenue from C.E. Fraley for $42,000.

SYGMA BUSINESS INVESTMENT GRANT.

The Board approved a business investment grant for SYGMA, a national food service distribution company.  SYGMA intends to expand its Charlotte operation by investing $4.96 million, adding 80 new jobs over the next two years to the 222 jobs already located in Mecklenburg County.  SYGMA is estimated to have a direct economic impact of $3.5 million each year to the local economy and generate $80,500 a year in additional taxes to the County.  The County grant will range from $24,150 to $31,900 a year for the next five years.

MARKER IN PEARL STREET PARK.

The Board approved placing a stone marker and plaque in Pearl Street Park to recognize this as the first African-American park in Mecklenburg County.  The marker and plaque will note its historical significant and serve as a reminder of the African-American community known as the Brooklyn Community.

DSS INTERIM DIRECTOR.

The Board appointed Brenda Jackson as Acting Social Services Director.  The current director, Jake Jacobsen, is out on health matters for an unspecified time.  Brenda Jackson, who recently was hired by Jacobsen as DSS Deputy Director, must have this official designation to carry out the duties of this position, which by state law is appointed by the Board.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP TEAM.

The Board received the annual report from the Environmental Leadership Team.  This staff team is charged with monitoring the progress the County organization makes in becoming a "green" organization.  The team reported on initiatives such as building design, air emissions in new County cars or equipment, fluorescent light bulbs, school bus retrofitting, recycled paper, and more.