§ 160A-475. Specific powers of council.
§ 160A‑475. Specificpowers of council.
The charter may confer on theregional council any of the following powers:
(1) To apply for,accept, receive, and dispense funds and grants made available to it by theState of North Carolina or any agency thereof, the United States of America orany agency thereof, any unit of local government (whether or not a member ofthe council), and any private or civic agency.
(2) To employ personnel.
(3) To contract withconsultants.
(4) To contract with theState of North Carolina, any other state, the United States of America, or anyagency thereof, for services.
(5) To study regionalgovernmental problems, including matters affecting health, safety, welfare,education, recreation, economic conditions, regional planning, and regionaldevelopment.
(6) To promotecooperative arrangements and coordinated action among its member governments.
(7) To makerecommendations for review and action to its member governments and otherpublic agencies which perform functions within the region in which its membergovernments are located.
(7a) For the purpose ofmeeting the regional council's office space and program needs, to acquire realproperty by purchase, gift, or otherwise, and to improve that property. Theregional council may pledge real property as security for indebtedness used tofinance acquisition of that property or for improvements to that real property,subject to approval by the Local Government Commission as required under G.S.159‑153. A regional council may not exercise the power of eminent domain.
(8) Any other powersthat are exercised or capable of exercise by its member governments anddesirable for dealing with problems of mutual concern to the extent such powersare specifically delegated to it from time to time by resolution of thegoverning board of each of its member governments which are affected thereby,provided, that no regional council of governments shall have the authority toconstruct or purchase buildings, or acquire title to real property, except forthe purposes permitted under subdivision (7a) of this section or in order toexercise the authority granted by Chapter 260 of the Session Laws of 1979. (1971, c. 698, s. 1; 1975, c.517, ss. 1, 2; 1979, c. 902; 2005‑290, s. 1; 2006‑211, s. 1.)