AGENDA #4b

MEMORANDUM

TO: Mayor and Town Council

FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT: Transfer of State Economic Development Funds to the Triangle J Council of Governments

DATE: February 14, 2000

INTRODUCTION

The attached resolution would authorize release of $3,120.07 of State funds to the Triangle J Council of Governments for economic development activities.

DISCUSSION

As in past years, the General Assembly has appropriated funds for Councils of Governments’ economic development programs. The State will transfer the funds to a council of governments only with the approval of local governing boards. For the Triangle J Region, the State funds available under this program total $55,000. Of this amount, $3,120.07 is subject to approval by the Town Council.

If a local government does not approve release of the funds to the Council of Governments, that share of funds would revert to the State’s General Fund. These State funds are not available to city and county governments under the appropriations legislation.

Attached is the Council of Governments’ summary of accomplishments for 1998-1999, which includes:

· Promoted regional cooperation among chambers and local governments and among other key groups involved in the Triangle Region’s community and economic development.

· Continued to provide staff support for the Greater Triangle Regional Council in their pursuit to create a vision and assist in setting the direction for the Region’s future.

· Supported greater involvement of the region in international trade through support of the Research Triangle World Trade Center.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing release of $3,120.07 of State funds to the Triangle J Council of Governments.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Letter from Charles Krautler, President, Triangle J Council of Governments (p. 4)

2. Triangle J Summary of 1998-1999 Accomplishments (p. 5)

3. Triangle J Work Plan for 1999-2000 (p. 8)

4. Council of Governments Funds (HB 168) (p. 10)

5. Region J Population and Dollar Amounts (p. 11)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL REQUESTING RELEASE OF STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDS TO THE TRIANGLE J COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (2000-02-14/R-3)

WHEREAS, in North Carolina the Lead Regional Organizations, as voluntary organizations serving municipal and county governments, have established productive working relationships with the cities and counties across the State; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly continued to recognize this need through the appropriation of $990,000 to help the Lead Regional Organizations assist local governments with grant applications, economic development, community development, and to support local industrial development activities and other activities as deemed by the member governments; and

WHEREAS, these funds are not intended to be used for payment of members’ dues or assessments to Lead Regional Organization or to supplant funds appropriated by the member governments; and

WHEREAS, in the event that a request is not made by a unit of government for release of these funds to our Regional Council, the available funds will revert to the State’s General Fund; and

WHEREAS, in Region J funds in the amount of $55,000 will be used to carry out the economic development plan approved by the COG Board of Delegates and especially to improve the economy of the counties and towns of the Region by strengthening ties to, and consequently, the benefits of the Research Triangle Park;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council requests the release of its $3,120.07 share of these funds to the Triangle J Council of Governments at the earliest possible time in accordance with the provisions of Section 16.27 of House Bill 168, the 1999 ratified budget bill.

This the 14^th day of February, 2000.

_______________________________________
Rosemary I. Waldorf, Mayor

SEAL

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Joyce A. Smith, Town Clerk