(A summary of decisions made by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners:)
PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS:
- The Board designated February 2007 as Black History Month in Mecklenburg County.
- The Board proclaimed February 7, 2007 as Cheryl Jones Day in recognition of Ms. Jones’ tireless efforts on behalf of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE. The following people addressed the Board on items not on the agenda:
- Tommy Yarborough, Rob Weizle and Liz Clasen, representing Homeless Helping Homeless, spoke about the SOAR Initiative which helps the homeless file for disability claims.
RECOGNITION. The Board recognized and thanked Dot Law for her leadership as interim Park and Recreation Director. Ms. Law is the Deputy Director of the department who oversaw its full operation until the recent hiring of Jim Garges as the new director.
McALPINE CREEK. The Board approved the Park and Recreation Commission’s recommendations for the alignment of the proposed McAlpine Creek relief sewer. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities was seeking an alignment on the south side of McAlpine Creek to satisfy the concerns of citizens, minimize the environmental damage due to the construction and long-term maintenance of the project, and be responsible in the use of public funds. The Park and Recreation Commission conducted public hearings on the matter and selected one of four site options.
HIV/AIDS GRANT. The Board approved a request by the Health Department to apply for a $2 million Ryan White grant from the federal government to enhance the County’s ability to provide care for low-income people with the HIV disease. Under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act, Mecklenburg County along with five neighboring counties (Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Union, and York, SC) now qualify as an Eligible Metropolitan Area (EMA) making this area eligible for this grant funding.
McLEOD CENTER. The Board approved a resolution declaring its intent to sell County property at 102 Lancaster Street to the McLeod Addictive Disease Foundation and return the proceeds of the sale to McLeod as a grant to continue their work providing addictive disease treatment services to the residents of Mecklenburg County.
