Thursday, February 5, 2004          
10:30 a.m.
Town of Chapel Hill/Orange County
Friday Center

President Jim Hipp opened the Business Meeting, welcoming those in attendance and recognizing first-time attendees.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the June 28, 2003 Business Meeting were presented by Secretary/Treasurer Charles Penny. There were no corrections.  A motion was made by Steve Raper, seconded by Ralph Clark, and carried to approve the minutes as presented.

Nominating Committee Report

Jerry Ayscue, Immediate Past President and Chair of the Nominating Committee presented the following slate of officers that was passed out during the opening session on February 4, 2004.  The slate of officers for 2004-05 include:  President—J. Edward Kitchen, Immediate Past President—James H. Hipp, First Vice President—Neil Emory, Second Vice President—Charles Penny, Secretary/Treasurer—Calvin Peck.  Directors with terms expiring 2005:  Joe Durham, Carolyn Titus, Michael Morgan.  Directors with terms expiring 2006:  Mike Dula, Loria Williams, Lane Bailey.  A motion was made, seconded and approved by the membership to accept the Nominating Committee Report as presented.

2003 ICMA Conference Report

Doug Bean stated that the ICMA Conference in Charlotte in September 2003 was a success.  Three things made that happen:  money, hospitality, and quality.  Mr. Bean stated over $200,000 was raised and the conference came in under budget with the help of 220 volunteers, a very successful conference with a warm reception in North Carolina was provided.  Hopefully, if it is the desire of the Association, we would submit a proposal to bid on the 2014 ICMA Conference in Charlotte.  No action was taken.

Following Doug Bean’s presentation, Jim Hipp, member of the ICMA Program Committee for 2004 showed a video of San Diego, stated the starting date of the conference would be October 24, 2004 in San Diego, California.

ICMA Financing Task Force

Report presented by Tom Lundy, a copy of which is attached.

Standing Committee Reports

Advocate for Excellence in Local Government.  Dee Freeman, Chair, presented a report and indicated the Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee’s Jim Perry had been working on models of best practices, regional cooperation, and relationships with other associations, and building relationships and how to maintain them.  The Council/Manager Plan Subcommittee’s John Day was working on developing better ties and contacts with ICMA to make use of our own access such as government TV channels, and standard employment agreements.

Civic Education Subcommittee Report.  Mr. Freeman took this opportunity to present President Jim Hipp with a copy of the North Carolina Civics Today textbook which was edited by NCCCMA, and includes a chapter that was written by Gordon Whitaker on local government in North Carolina.

Build and Sustain an Active Membership.  Pete Connet, Chair stated the Membership Support Subcommittee was very busy with 11 MITs at this time, and encouraged any members who wanted to volunteer to assist the committee with MITs to please contact him or Mike Dula, Chair of the Membership Support Subcommittee.  Mr. Connet stated that the Constitution Subcommittee had not met because there were no constitutional issues to be addressed at this time.  The Communications Subcommittee is working on a new website, and an electronic version of The Administrator will be available in March 2004.

Strengthening Partnerships.  A handout was provided by Committee Chair Tom Lundy.  Copy is attached.

Retirement Subcommittee.  Ralph Clark, Chair, made a brief presentation that three meetings had been held.  There are insufficient funds to provide any enhancements to the retirement benefits during 2004.  A motion was made by Ralph Clark, seconded by Dave Treme, to accept the Retirement Subcommittee Report as presented.  Motion passed.

Program Committee Report.  Lee Galloway stated a reception will be held that evening to have an opportunity to tour the new facilities at the IOG and to honor the past presidents of the Association.  He encouraged everyone to complete and submit the evaluation forms so the Program Committee would have useful feedback in planning future conferences.  Mr. Galloway also stated that at today’s luncheon we will be honoring sponsors that have provided $23,000 in funding for this conference, and that all members need to express their appreciation to the sponsors for their support of the Association.

At this time, Mr. Galloway recognized Tony Wilder, Chair of the Sponsorship Subcommittee and presented him with a gift in appreciation for his hard work with the sponsors.

Range Rider Report

Cy Brooks reported that there were four Range Riders working in geographically designated areas across the state, and encouraged anyone who needs help, or knew of someone that needed help to contact him or one of the other three Range Riders.  Mr. Brooks also stated that ICMA was considering changing the name of Range Riders, and will update that on a later date.  He also stated that he had ICMA membership applications with him and if anyone was interested to please see him following the meeting.

Other Business

President Hipp recognized Kelly O’Brian with the Civic Education Consortium at the IOG.  Ms. O’Brian presented informational feedback from the eight forums that were held across the state to present the civic index, and encouraged other areas to have forums across the state to get meaningful input and to plan for youth civic engagement.  She also encourage if anyone needed assistance in planning these to contact the Civic Education Consortium at the IOG.

President Hipp recognized Bill Rivenbark from the IOG to go over the logistics of the reception to be held at the IOG that evening.

There being no other business before the body, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50am.