Questions surrounding $1,500 dinner not on Charlotte City Council retreat agenda

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There is new controversy surround the Charlotte City Council’s $42,000 retreat. The main eye-catchers are the thousands spent on fine dining.

[PAST COVERAGE: Charlotte City Council retreat costs taxpayers about $42,000]

North Carolina state Rep. Scott Stone was the only member of the Mecklenburg County delegation who did not attend the first night of the retreat's dinner at Sullivans Steakhouse. Gov. Roy Cooper attended but did not eat.

North Carolina state Sens. Joel Ford and Dan Bishop were the only two people who decided to pay their own tabs.

"I just wanted to make sure I was being a good steward with taxpayer money," Ford said.

But less is known about the city's dinner at Mia Francesca during the second night of the retreat. It wasn't listed on the agenda. Receipts show 30 meals were purchased at a cost of nearly $1,500 from taxpayers.

The city said it was an impromptu dinner featuring staff and elected officials

It raises questions of transparency. The unlisted dinner was the same day the city said the Major League Soccer funding would not be discussed. It also came after the fatal officer-involved shooting in east Charlotte.

It's unclear if either was discussed without the public's knowledge. A city spokesperson did not provide Channel 9 with a copy of members in attendance at the dinner. It's unclear if council had a quorum and if city business was discussed.

Republican Councilmember Kenny Smith is in charge of planning the retreat. He said he lobbied to have it in Charlotte but was overruled-- he refused to say whether it was worth the high price tag but said the retreat was successful.

"I think we ended up with a very productive retreat," Smith said.

This is the second most expensive retreat in 10 years. The most expensive retreat was in Pinehurst in 2012, when council members spent $49,000.

The City of Charlotte released the following statement Thursday:

"Charlotte City Council members found great value in holding their annual retreat in Raleigh,” city officials said. “Traveling to the state capital provided city leaders and elected officials the opportunity to strengthen relationships as well as to share information and discuss Charlotte's future."

Cox Media Group