NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1975 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 458

SENATE BILL 659

 

AN ACT TO CREATE THE NEW BERN ACADEMY HISTORICAL COMMISSION.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1. Creation and purposes.  There is hereby created the New Bern Academy Historical Commission.  The New Bern Academy Historical Commission shall have the following powers:

(a)       To acquire and dispose of title to and interests in the historic property in Craven County known as the New Bern Academy and to repair, restore, and otherwise improve and maintain such property;

(b)       To accept gifts of property whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, on such terms as the members of the New Bern Academy Historical Commission may deem just and appropriate;

(c)       To carry out other programs reasonably related to these purposes.

Sec. 2. The Board of Education of the New Bern City Schools is hereby authorized and empowered to enter into an agreement for the transfer of the title to and interests in the New Bern Academy and such other of the surrounding real property as they may deem appropriate to the New Bern Academy Historical Commission, under such terms and conditions as they may deem just and proper.  Such transfer is hereby declared to be for a public purpose and may be made without compensation to the Board of Education of the New Bern City Schools.

Sec. 3. Membership. The New Bern Academy Historical Commission shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the Craven County Board of Commissioners.  Five members of the commission shall be appointed for terms of two years, commencing on August 1, 1975, or until their successors have been appointed, and four members shall be appointed for terms of four years, commencing on August 1, 1975, or until their successors have been appointed.  Thereafter all terms shall be for four years.  Upon a vacancy in the office of any commissioner his successor shall be appointed by the Craven County Board of Commissioners to fill the unexpired term.

Sec. 4. Compensation. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation.

Sec. 5. Organization. At its first meeting the commission shall elect from among its members a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer, and such other officers as the commission may determine, all of whom shall serve at the will of the commission. Vacancies in any office elected under this section shall be filled by the commission from among its members.

For the purpose of carrying out its duties, the commission shall have the authority to appoint such special committees, with such membership as it desires.

The commission is empowered to adopt rules of procedure with respect to the conduct of its affairs as it may deem appropriate, and shall determine its requirements for a quorum.

Sec. 6. Meetings. The commission shall hold regular meetings at places and dates to be determined by the commission.  Special meetings may be called by the chairman upon his own initiative and must be called by him if requested by three or more members of the commission.  The chairman shall notify in writing all commission members of any special meeting at least three days prior to any such meeting.  Meetings may be held inside or outside Craven County, and shall be open to the public.

Sec. 7. Financing. (a)  The commission shall prepare an annual report of its activities, holdings, and finances, including an audit of its accounts by a certified public accountant, for the Craven County Board of Commissioners.  The commission is also authorized to accept gifts from any person, firm, or corporation, upon terms acceptable to the commission.  Appropriations to the commission from any government body are hereby declared to be for a public purpose.

(b)       The commission may contract with Craven County or private persons or firms for provision of accounting services. Generally accepted accounting principles shall be followed.

Sec. 8. This act shall become effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 3rd day of June, 1975.