Contact:  Denise Turner
Phone:  336-373-3880

         
       City Council Members Announce Top Priorities for 2009

GREENSBORO, NC -- January 20, 2009 -- On Friday, January 16, Greensboro City Council members Mike Barber and Trudy Wade held a press conference to roll out their top priorities for 2009. Council member Zack Matheny was also in attendance and responded to questions at the end of the session.

Council Member Mike Barber began the roughly 50 minute media conference by identifying the following items to be addressed in 2009:

    1. Opposing Jordan Lake Rules (dubbed “the $800 million mistake” by Council Member Barber, due to the belief of many that much less expensive solutions to this problem exist)

• Barber encouraged residents to contact Council members with their concerns.
• He indicated that residents' input submitted to Council would be promptly forwarded to the Legislature.

    2. Creation of a Civil Service Board

• The board would oversee the Police and possibly Fire departments and would be modeled after Charlotte’s board.
• It would be made up of interested, qualified citizens.
• Such a board would require authorization by the Legislature and is on the proposed Legislative Agenda which will be considered by Council at this Wednesday’s meeting.

    3. Increased collaboration with the County

• Barber and Wade proposed greater emphasis on consolidating efforts of Greensboro, Guilford County and towns within the county.

    4. Citizens Review Board

• The two Council members proposed enhancing the Citizen Review Board operated by the Human Relations Commission to give it subpoena powers and more access to personnel records.

    5. 2009 Budget

• Wade and Barber supported the Mayor’s announcement that Council hold the tax rate at its present rate.
• Proposed setting aside two cents of the City’s budget in anticipation of a state budget shortfall. Barber and Wade also recommended returning any of the unused revenue from the two cents to City residents.
• Barber and Wade wished to pursue other savings opportunities to ensure that public safety needs are met without a tax increase.

    6. North Carolina Marathon

• The two members proposed a resolution offering to sponsor the event in 2010, similar to A&T Homecoming and Wyndham Championship, in order to bring it back to Greensboro from High Point.

    7. Customer Service Program

• Wade and Barber proposed utilizing private sector and university support to enhance customer service within the City organization.

    8. Legal Matters

• The Legislative Agenda should be approved with the request to authorize the City Attorney to report to the City Council.
• There were approximately 60 active lawsuits against the City as of yesterday at 5 pm.
• Decisions must be made as to which of these lawsuits are settled and which are litigated.
  

    9. Protest Petition

• Both Wade and Barber wish to hear public comment before committing themselves to a vote, including the protest petition in the legislative agenda.

      10. More creative ways of communicating

• Barber said the City should use more creative ways to communicate with residents, including developing customized water bill inserts featuring district members and activities.

Watch the full video of this media conference online.

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The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued.  As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect.  The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body.  For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.