BC 2003 11 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

November 17, 2003 Page 282 (E) OLD BUSINESS (E-i) Justice Center Pro~ect Monthly Progress Report Mr. Jonathan Marshall, Commerce Director, reported that staff is working with the architectural firm for the Jail/Justice Center project to collect data on the existing courthouse and information on potential new jail sites. Meetings will be scheduled with such groups as Historic Cabarrus, Concord Downtown Development Corporation, Cabarrus Bar Association and others to obtain input on the project. Mr. Day stated Sheriff Brad Riley could not be present to present the monthly jail population numbers. He asked if the Board wished to continue to have monthly updates at its meetings or if members preferred a written report as a part of the Agenda. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carruth, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter and unanimously carried, the Board moved for future monthly updates on the Justice Center Project to be included as a written report in the Agenda. (E-2) Resolution increasing the Hotel Occupancy Tax from Five Percent to Six Percent Since the meeting on October 20 when the Board deferred consideration of the proposed increase in the occupancy tax, the City of Concord has announced that it has reached an agreement with John Q. Hammons for the construction of a hotel and an adjacent, publicly owned convention center. The agreement calls for a $500,000.00 one-time grant and an annual $100,000.00 contribution for ten years from the Cabarrus County Tourism Authority to the City of Concord. The agreement also anticipates a grant of $1 million from the Economic Development Administration. In addition, the City will use property tax revenue generated from the Hammons-owned hotel, estimated to be about $200,000.00 per year, to pay the debt service on the convention center. John Q. Hammons will pay the difference between that and the actual amount of debt service. In a Memorandum included in the Agenda, Mr. Day wrote "the occupancy tax does not necessarily need to be raised to make the annual $100,000.00 contribution requested by the City of Concord." UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Vice Chairman Suggs with Commissioners Privette and Carruth, Vice Chairman Suggs and Chairman Freeman voting for and Commissioner Carpenter voting against, the Board voted to postpone indefinitely the proposed resolution increasing the hotel occupancy tax from five percent to six percent. Mr. Day reported he had talked with Mr. Glenn Petty, retired Manager of the James B. Hunt Horse Complex, about providing assistance in planning improvements to make the Arena and Events Center more conducive to hosting horse shows and related events. He invited Board members to a lunch at 12:00 noon on November 24 at the Arena to meet with Mr. Petty for a tour of the facility and discussion of possible improvements. Also, Mr. Day reported that a trip tentatively planned on November 26 to visit the horse complex in Fletcher, North Carolina, would be rescheduled to a more convenient time for all Board members. Commissioner Carpenter requested clarification of the motion to postpone "indefinitely" consideration of increasing the occupancy tax. She asked if the matter could be brought back up for consideration if the Board determines the additional occupancy tax revenue is needed to make necessary improvements for hosting horse shows at the Arena. Mr. Hartsell explained that the motion would allow the issue to be brought back up for consideration at any time the Board chooses to do so. Commissioner Carpenter asked that she be permitted to change her vote on Commissioner Privette's motion. The Board by consensus agreed that the prior motion would be recorded as follows: UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Vice Chairman Suggs and unanimously carried, the Board voted to postpone indefinitely the proposed resolution increasing the hotel occupancy tax from five percent to six percent. (F) CONSENT AGENDA (F-l) Cooperative Extension - Budget Amendment (4-H School Age Care Programs) UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Vice Chairman Suggs and unanimously carried, the Board adopted the following budget amendment for Cooperative Extension.