It is our pleasure to introduce you to the City's Boards, Commissions, and Committees, which consist of volunteers from the community who give of their time and ideas to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Newton.
There are 10 boards, commissions, or committees, with most members appointed by the City Council. The terms of office of all members of any board, commission, or committee end on the 31st day of March in any given calendar year and the new term shall begin on April 1 in any given calendar year. No member or alternate of any board, commission, or committee shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms, plus any unexpired term to which any such member or alternate might be appointed to complete. The Planning Commission is an exception, whose members may serve four consecutive terms plus any unexpired term to which they are appointed, unless otherwise specifically provided for in the City Code or other authority creating such board, commission or committee.
The boards, committee, and commissions are as follows:
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
The Newton Appearance Commission is an eight-member volunteer commission, appointed by the Mayor and City Council for a three-year term. All members must reside in the City of Newton. The commission meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Zander's Coffee House. The Appearance Commission shall make careful study of the visual problems and needs of the City and the area comprising the extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction, and shall make any plans and carry out any programs that will enhance and improve the visual quality and aesthetic characteristics of the City and surrounding area.
The Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial board (court-like in nature) which hears appeals and reviews any decision, order, or requirement made which involves administration of the city's zoning ordinance. Members are appointed by the City Council. Members representing the extraterritorial planning area are appointed by the Catawba County Commissioners. The board has no regular meeting schedule.
DOWNTOWN NEWTON DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
The Downtown Newton Development Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to facilitate and promote economic development in the City's Central Business District. Although not a City appointed board, the City is represented by the presence of a member of the City Council and the Planning Director/Assistant City Manager who serve as ex-officio members and in a support role. The DNDA meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the second floor conference room at City Hall.
FESTIVAL AND EVENTS COMMITTEE
The Festival & Events Committee is a nine-member committee, appointed by the Mayor and City Council for a three-year term. All members of the committee shall be residents of the City of Newton. The committee meets the second Monday of each month at Zander's Coffee House at 7:00 p.m. The Festival & Events Committee is dedicated to promoting citizen involvement and interaction in developing, coordinating, and implementing a variety of activities and events for the entire community.
HUMAN RELATIONS COUNCIL
The Human Relations Council strives to promote racial, ethnic, and social unity through a variety of culturally-diverse activities. The council plans the City's annual Unity Day Celebration. The council meets as needed at 5:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at City Hall.
The Off-Street Parking Committee advises the City with respect to lot fees, revitalization, parking control and similar matters affecting the downtown off-street parking lots. Members are appointed by the City Council.
The Parks & Recreation Commission is a seven-member advisory commission appointed by the Mayor and City Council for a three-year term. All members of the commission must be residents of the City of Newton. The commission meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Newton Recreation Center at 7:00 p.m. The Parks & Recreation Commission is only an advisory board to the governing body, manager, and administrator. Though the commission has no legal authority, it may serve important functions in the interpretation of the programs, facilities, services, and in making studies which help advance Parks & Recreation services. The commission is an important liaison for improving the leisure opportunities of the community.
The Planning Commission for the City of Newton and its Extraterritorial Planning Jurisdiction (ETJ) was created pursuant to Section 160A-146, 160A-361, and 160A-387 of the General Statutes of North Carolina and its amendments and supplements thereto. (Ord. No. 91.55, 1, 12-10-91)
The Planning Commission consists of seven (7) members, who are persons of recognized experience and qualifications, and who hold no other official position. Five (5) members are residents of the City of Newton, and two (2) members are residents of the ETJ. The terms of office of the members are for three (3) years, except that no member may serve more than four (4) consecutive three-year terms. Current Planning Commission members are: Chairman Ken Simmons, Vice-Chairman Stan Gabriel, Donny Setzer, Jim Smith, Mark Stalnaker, and Jimmy Newsome, Jr.
The Planning Commission is responsible for making, adopting, and keeping current a zoning plan for the control of the height, area, bulk, location and use of buildings and premises in the City of Newton.
Scheduled Meetings: 4th Tuesday of every month, 7:00 p.m., City Hall.
The Subdivision Review Board is established by the Subdivision Regulations as adopted by the Newton City Council and consists of the City Manager, Planning Director, Director of Parks and Recreation, Director of Public Works, Fire Chief, and Police Chief. The SRB reviews and approves all subdivision plats. The board meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The Tree Board is a seven-member board appointed by the Mayor and City Council for a three-year term. All members shall be residents of the City of Newton. The board meets the second Tuesday of each month in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at Newton City Hall at 11:00 a.m. The board's responsibility is to study, investigate, counsel, and develop written plans for the care, preservation, trimming, planting, re-planting, removal, or disposition of trees and shrubs in public areas. The Tree Board shall submit an annual report of its activities and recommendations to the City Council.
If you would like to serve on one of these boards, committees, or commissions, please fill out the form below. KNOW YOUR CITY, BE INVOLVED!!