NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1963 SESSION

CHAPTER 590

SENATE BILL 452

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY.

WHEREAS, the last complete review and revision of the Charter of the City of Charlotte was made in 1939, and

WHEREAS, it is now deemed necessary and desirable that a comprehensive, impartial, and objective review of the city Charter be made to determine what revision thereof may be required to enable the city government to deal effectively with the complex problems of rapid urban growth in the metropolitan area: Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1. There is hereby created the Charter Review Commission of the City of Charlotte, hereinafter called "the Commission". The commission shall be comprised of nine members to be appointed by the Mayor of Charlotte from persons nominated by the members of the city council. Such appointments shall be made not later than August 15,1963. Nominees shall be qualified voters of the City of Charlotte who are responsible, public-spirited citizens with a record of achievement in their respective fields of endeavor.

Sec. 2. On or before September 1, 1963, the Mayor of Charlotte shall call a meeting of the Charter Review Commission for the purpose of organization and orientation. The commission shall elect from among its members a chairman and such other officers as it may deem necessary, and may adopt such rules for the operation of the commission as may be required for the effective discharge of its duties. The commission shall hold regular meetings at such times and places as it may determine and such other meetings as may be called by the chairman. Vacancies on the commission may be filled by appointment by the mayor.

Sec. 3. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, and any costs of operation of the commission shall be paid by the city, from available funds not otherwise appropriated, upon the approval of the city council. The city manager shall provide the commission with such assistance as may be requested by the commission, including necessary information, personnel, supplies, equipment and materials.

Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the commission to review the city Charter to determine what revisions thereof should be made in order to enable the city government to meet in an effective and timely manner the problems arising from the rapid urban growth of the Charlotte metropolitan area. The commission shall prepare a report of its findings together with recommendations for such revisions of the city Charter as may be found necessary and desirable. Such report shall be submitted to the city council not later than December 31, 1964, and, as approved by the city council, shall be submitted to the Mecklenburg County legislative delegation for action by the 1965 General Assembly.

Sec. 5. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 6. This Act shall become effective upon its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 28th day of May, 1963.