The Newcastle Community Activities Commission spent part of its Dec. 10 meeting reviewing its annual work plan and preparing to present the document to the City Council.

Vice Chair Ed Flash explained the commission produces a work plan each year to set priorities and that the commission will present its plan to the council at a joint special meeting on Jan. 20. "It is typically a special session... and it is, with the council we present, as a group, the plan," Flash said.

Commissioners discussed the plan's three strategic directions and suggested wording edits. One commissioner asked for clarification on "third spaces," which staff described as gathering places such as parks, libraries and meeting rooms. Commissioners suggested tightening a foundational sentence to remove redundancy; the group agreed to circulate edits and to review the presentation at the commission's Jan. 14 meeting so staff can prepare materials for the Jan. 20 council session.

Staff also noted the plan already includes language on historical and cultural preservation, which could support America250 activities in 2026 without requiring large budget items. The commission did not take a final, formal vote on the work plan at the meeting and agreed to finalize the document with Chair Nathan Sticks present at the next meeting.

Next steps: commissioners will provide suggested edits, staff will circulate last year’s presentation for reference, and the commission will present the finalized work plan to the City Council on Jan. 20.