NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1969 SESSION

CHAPTER 483

SENATE BILL 465

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF DURHAM TO APPROPRIATE AND EXPEND NON-TAX REVENUES FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC PURPOSES.

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1.  In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted to municipalities under the general laws of the State of North Carolina and under special, local charter provisions, the Governing Body of the City of Durham shall have and is hereby granted the following expressed powers:

(a)       To appropriate funds, in the discretion of the Governing Body, to aid any non-profit association or other entity in the City in defraying the expenses arising in the operation and maintenance of a museum, arts and drama, or other enterprise by whatever name called wherein and in connection with which is maintained and operated one or more of the following: Natural, historical, scientific, or literary curiosities, works of art, paintings, sculptures, dramatic undertakings, historical collections, and other exhibits and works for the education, cultural advancement and enjoyment of the general public including children and young people; the provision and maintenance of a park, zoo, aviary, aquarium, or other facility in which are kept animals, birds, or fish; the cultivation, maintenance, and exhibition of botanical gardens; the organization and conduct of nature classes and programs of scientific, cultural and educational interests which may tend to encourage individuals, especially children and young people, to take an interest in natural, scientific and cultural works; the purpose of advertising the advantages of the City or promoting the public interest and general welfare of the City; and such other projects and endeavors as are not inconsistent with the general purposes and scope of activities herein described.

(b)       No such appropriation shall be made unless the said museum, garden, or other facilities and enterprise are open to the general public.

(c)       No funds shall be appropriated by the Governing Body for any of such purposes except those which may be available from sources other than taxes, unless and until authority to appropriate funds derived from taxes is granted in accordance with the constitutional and statutory requirements.

(d)       The Governing Body is authorized and empowered, as a condition precedent to the making of any such appropriation of public funds for any of the purposes herein above described, to require written reports to be submitted to it by such association or enterprise as often and in as much detail as it may prescribe; to have the right to examine and audit the books and records of such association or enterprise at such times as it may deem advisable; and to establish such rules, regulations, and policies as it may deem in the public interest, to which such association or enterprise shall conform.

(e)       The activities, enterprises, and purposes described in this Act are hereby declared to be public purposes.

Sec. 2. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Sec. 3. This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 13th day of May, 1969.