BC 2005 01 21 RETREAT - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 21, 2005 (Retreat) Page 54 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session in the Helms Dining Hall at Camp_To N. Spencer Park, 3155 Rimer Road, Concord, North Carolina, on Friday, January 21, 2005, at 12:00 noon. Present - Chairman: Carolyn B. Carpenter Vice Chairman: Robert W. Carruth Commissioners: Robert M. Freeman Joni D. Juba Coy C. Privette Also present were John D. Day, County Manager, and Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. Reporters Ronnie Glassberg of THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (Cabarrus Neighbors) and Michael Roessler of THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE also attended the meeting. The Board enjoyed a lunch prepared by Deputy County Managers Mike Downs and Pam Dubois, Human Resources Director Don Cummings, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Little and Deputy Clerk Kay Honeycutt. Following lunch, Chairman Carpenter called the meeting to order at 12:55 p.m. Commissioner Freeman gave the invocation. Chairman Carpenter turned the meeting over to Philip Boyle and Donna Warner of Leading and Governing Associates who served as facilitators for the retreat. Mr. Boyle and Ms. Warner led the Board through a number of exercises to illustrate the importance of talking with each other, collectively working together and using various resources to solve problems. There was discussion of issues and events leading to the retreat, the purpose and goals of the retreat, building and rebuilding trust, how to work together as a group of individuals and how to function as a board. Board members discussed their expecta~ions for the retreat as well as their concerns about the outcome of the retreat. Mr. Boyle asked the Board to share ideas as to what Cabarrus County looks like today, what happened to make Cabarrus County look this way and what Cabarrus County will look like in the future. The Board addressed such issues as growth and development, change in community character and economy, increased demand for services and the need to preserve rural space and identity. Also, Board members shared the following ideas about their vision of Cabarrus County for the future : commerce center filled with diverse jobs and people from many cultures; safe, walk-able communities with schools, parks, etc.; infrastructure that will provide an integrated utility system and improved transportation system; and a desire to maintain the county's heritage and continue to be different from Charlotte. The Board had dinner at 6:00 p.m. Discussions resumed at 6:45 p.m. Mr. Boyle discussed public problems and the balance of values and choices in resolving those problems. As an example, the Board and Mr. Day mapped their position on the recent moratorium (land use planning) based on the American public values of liberty (access), equality (equal treatment), prosperity (cost) and community (protect and preserve the environment). There was discussion regarding the various perspectives and values concerning an issue and how understanding the perspectives and values of others assists in the decision-making process. It was generally agreed that it. was important for the Board to have the opportunity to fully discuss and understand a problem prior to being asked to vote on it. By consensus, the Board agreed to begin having regular. agenda work sessions to discuss items before the item is placed on the agenda for a regular meeting. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Commissioner Freeman and unanimously carried, the Board recessed the meeting at 9:05 p.m. until 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 22,2005, at Camp T. N. Spencer Park. j!l.tMJ?~ ,). &JJ Clerk to the Board