CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN: The Board of County Commissioners elected Parks Helms as chairman and Wilhelmenia Rembert as vice chairman. Both will serve one-year terms expiring December 4, 2006. The Board elects its chairman and vice chairman each year in December.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE: The following people addressed the Board:
- Dave Cable of the Catawba Lands Conservancy presented a plaque and thanked the Board for its support and leadership in conservation efforts.
- Billy Maddaton and Brennon Graham on "The Relatives."
HYBRID VEHICLES: The Board approved the establishment of a unit price contract for a hybrid vehicle sedan with Hendrick Honda at $19,550. The contract is for one year with options to renew for two one-year terms. A guiding principle of Mecklenburg County's environmental leadership policy, which was approved by the Board in 2004, is that the County will purchase the purchase the lowest-emission vehicles practical to meet County needs.
MEETING SCHEDULE: The Board approved the meeting schedule for 2006. Regular, televised meetings will be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m., except for July and August when there is only one meeting, held on the second Tuesday. The Board also will hold monthly workshops at 3 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. These meetings are not televised. There are some exceptions to the Tuesday calendar when Monday is a holiday. The meeting schedule can be found at www.4citizenhelp.com.
FOCUS ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: The Board adopted a resolution supporting immigration reform at the federal level, requesting Mecklenburg's congressional delegation members to seek this reform. The resolution also directs the Sheriff and County staff to support the work of the Mayor's Immigration Study Commission and return with practical and legal policy recommendations with regards to providing services to illegal immigrants in Mecklenburg County.
LAND ACQUISITIONS: The Board approved the following land acquisitions:
- The purchase of 5.523 acres at Brookshire Blvd. and Interstate 485 from Griffin Bros. Acquisitions for $225,000. The property will be used for a district park at Long Creek.
- The purchase of 0.7 acre at 1120 Hudson Place from Michael and Teresa Sharp for $165,000, and the lease of the property to the Town of Davidson for future park development.
- The purchase of 40.86 acres on Oliver Hager Road from Doris V. Pennington for $1,034,724, and the lease of the property to the Town of Huntersville for future park development.
