Boards & Commissions

High Point's Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body, made up of five regular members plus several alternate members. The five regular members and all alternate city members are appointed by the City Council from the City at large. One regular member is appointed from the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners upon recommendation by the City Council. A full term appointment is three years in length. A member is limited to serving two consecutive full terms, not counting any time served filling the unexpired term of a previous member. Regular meetings of the Board of Adjustment are held on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

In 1937, an Alcoholic Beverage Control bill was enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly that created the foundation for the system of control we operate under today. This Act allowed voters in each county to determine whether or not spirituous liquor should be sold at retail. If approved by the local voters, the Act provided for the establishment of a local ABC board that has the authority and duty to operate one retail ABC store. If disapproved at the county level, local towns or municipalities could then vote on the issue. The Act also provided for the establishment of a State ABC Commission to have oversight authority with respect to each local ABC Board. Today, there are 168 local ABC systems in the State that operate 415 retail stores. Fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, the retail and mixed beverage sales totaled approximately $720 Million. County and municipal ABC Boards in North Carolina are local independent political subdivisions of the State. They operate as separate entities establishing their own policies and procedures. Each local ABC Board consists of a Chairman and two to six (depending on the Board size) board members appointed by their city, town or county governing authority. They retain authority to set policy and adopt rules in conformity with ABC Laws and Commission Rules.

The Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) was established in April 1974 to function as the primary citizen participation mechanism for projects planned and implemented with HUD funds. Each member of City Council nominates one representative from his or her ward or at-large to the Citizens Advisory Council, with City Council’s approval of the appointment. CAC members serve two-year terms and are eligible for reappointment for an additional two-year term. The Community Development and Housing Department (CD&H) is responsible for providing administrative and technical support to the CAC. The Citizens Advisory Council reviews applications from community organizations for “public service” grants to conduct activities that primarily benefit citizens with low-to-moderate incomes. The CAC reviews the annual action plan for the use of HUD funds prior to City Council’s review/approval and submission to HUD. They also conduct public hearings on community development activities as needed.

The High Point Historic Preservation Commission is a nine-member body appointed by the City Council. Not more than one member may be appointed from each of the City's two existing Historic Districts, Johnson Street and Sherrod Park. The remaining members are appointed from throughout the City. A full term appointment is three years in length. Historic Districts are established in order to help maintain and preserve areas of the City that have significant historic or architectural value. Regulations are applied through the use of an overlay zoning district, which sets forth rules that require review of all building activity affecting the exterior of structures. Regular meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Provide responsible leadership; Create sound policies and set goals for the agency; Comply with federal law and program regulations; Comply with state and local law; Fulfill financial and fiduciary responsibilities; Monitor accomplishments and evaluate performance of the agency; Support the Executive Director and provide oversight of the Executive Director’s activities and performance.

The Human Relations Commission is responsible for encouraging understanding and goodwill, working toward the elimination of discriminatory practices, and promoting mutual respect among all citizens. The commission has 13 voting adult members who live or work in the City of High Point. AT least seven (7) of the voting members will be residents of High Point. In addition, the commission may appoint student representatives from the community high schools and liaisons from various city departments and the community as deemed appropriate who shall be non-voting members. All appointments will be made by the City Council who will endeavor to appoint members from each of the following designated groups and/or categories: at least one (1) from the bar association, the board of realtors, ecumenical community, and educational system. Four (4) appointments will be for special interest groups; five (5) will be at- large; and at least three (3) non-voting liaisons). Each January, the Human Relations Commission sponsors the city’s Martin Luther King Community Celebration and names a recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year Award. Awards are also given to three public school students who exemplify the spirit of human relations. The Commission plans activities to celebrate Human Relations Month, Black History Month, and Brother/Sisterhood Week in February. Activities are also sponsored to commemorate Women’s History Month in March and Fair Housing Month in April.

The Library Board of Trustees of the High Point Public Library is an eight-member advisory board of High Point residents appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The specific duties are set forth by state statute and by city ordinance. Its major responsibilities are in the areas of library materials, library facilities, and relations with the City Council and City Manager. Library Materials. The Library Board implements regulations governing the use of library materials, such as the establishment of fines and charges and periods of use. The board devises standards for the selection of all library materials, provides for their withdrawal or disposition, and assumes the final authority for the quality and character of such material. Library Facilities. The board develops rules governing who may use the library. Upon request, the board makes recommendations to the High Point City Council about expansion and/or improvements to the physical facilities. Relations with the City Council and City Manager. The Library Board participates in the preparation of an annual report on the operations of the library to High Point City Council and to the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. Upon request of the City Manager, the library board advises about the hiring, evaluation, or termination of the Library Director. Otherwise, the library board advises High Point City Council on library matters.

The Parks & Recreation Commission is an advisory body comprised of nine members appointed by the High Point City Council. Appointments to the Parks & Recreation Commission are ward specific. Members are appointed to three-year terms and are eligible for reappointment to an additional three-year term. Members serve as representatives of the community and as advocates for various program facilities and staff for recreation-related services. Members also review budgets and recommend funding levels for the operation of the Parks & Recreation Department.

High Point's Planning & Zoning Commission is an advisory body made up of nine (9) members appointed by the City Council. It is the general intent of Council to appoint one member from each of the six (6) City Council wards. Two (2) of the remaining three members are appointed from the City at large, and one (1) member is appointed from the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners upon recommendation by the City Council. A full term appointment is three years in length. A member is limited to serving two consecutive full terms, not counting any time served filling the un-expired term of a previous member. Regular meetings of the Planning and Zoning Commission are held at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Meetings of the City Council are scheduled for the first and third Monday of the month. Cases do not automatically proceed to the next City Council meeting following the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Planning staff will inform the applicant of their City Council Public Hearing date.

The High Point Theatre Advisory Commission consists of nine members appointed by the High Point City Council to advise the Council and the Theatre staff on cultural and entertainment needs and concerns. Specifically, the Commission recommends the Theatre’s budget, programming, capital outlay, fees, building usage policies, gallery usage, rentals, and programming. The Commission also approves the Theatre’s co-sponsorship of programs with community organizations and helps plan for future programming and facility needs. Each Commissioner is expected to be an active Theatre advocate and to subscribe to the Theatre’s in- house series, as well as attend Theatre events regularly. The City Council also appoints a Council member liaison to the Commission. This member has voting privileges, but is excluded from holding office on the Commission. The Friends of the High Point Theatre, Inc. appoints one member of its board to serve on the Commission. This member has voting privileges, but is excluded from holding office.