NorthEast Coalition of Neighborhoods

NorthEast Coalition Minutes for January 18, 2009

Minutes - for the NorthEast Coalition - January 18, 2009

The meeting was called to order by President Claire Green-Fallon at 3:00.

The president stated for the record that the NEC did not send out Christmas cards instead the organization donated money to a Non-Profit group.

The president introduced the guest speakers for the day, Harold Cogdell, newly elected Vice-Chairman Mecklenburg County Commissioner.

The main topic of discussion for Mr. Cogdell was what issues are going on within the County Commissioner's office and the short comings of the criminal justice system.

A). Commissioners OK $3 Million to fight crime

B). Crime Money

- $1.46 million to hire staff for District Attorneys Office: A business manager, 17 legal assistants, three administrative assistants, and three assistant district attorneys

- $ 250,000 to expand diversion program for mentally ill offenders

- $225,000 to buy 120 electronic monitoring devices to track chronic offenders

- $150,000 for a study of technology systems

- $91,000 to hire a senior manager for state judicial services

- $77,761 to hire information technology business analyst for court administrator's office

- $61,876 to hire new contingency for other task force ideas

C). Can't track cases (dates, time)

D). Many repeat offenders

E). Jurisdiction not set up the way it should be

F). State laws allows, but does not require, public bodies to meet in private to discuss a select set of topics, including personnel matters or to consult with their attorneys. They are required to keep written minutes of the meeting, which can be released at a later date

G). The debate over whether to tape the closed-session talks of Mecklenburg County Commissioners' meetings will continue for a few more weeks

The speaker ended at 4:15 pm.

4:20 P.M. 2^nd Meeting

Minutes from the last meeting were held in abeyance

Treasurers Report:

- None

Old Business: