Wendell News Outlet

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

April 18, 2008

ITEM 1. BUDGET WORK SESSION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 22^ND AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE COURTROOM

The board will hold its budget work session with the manager and staff at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22^nd in the courtroom. In addition to the budget, the draft 2009-13 Capital Improvement Plan will also be discussed.

ITEM 2. PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT MASTER PLAN FOR LAKE MYRA PARK – TUESDAY, APRIL 29^TH AT 7:00 P.M. AT WENDELL COMMUNITY CENTER

Wake County will hold a public meeting about plans for Lake Myra Park on Tuesday, April 29^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Wendell Community Center. Citizens in Eastern Wake County are invited to attend the forum to learn about and participate in the planning process for the new Lake Myra County Park.

Additionally, the county is asking for feedback in the history and personal memories of the site. Anyone with photographs or memorabilia they wish to share is encouraged to bring them to the meeting.

ITEM 3. PLANS FOR POLICE CHIEF HIRING

The plan to have focus groups to get input about the knowledge, skills and abilities desired in a new police chief is moving forward. Please remember that the board established the following dates at the manager’s request:

· Thursday, May 1^st at 7:00 p.m. – meeting to receive input from the public about the knowledge, skills and abilities desired in a new police chief.

· Thursday May 8^th at 7:00 p.m. – meeting to receive input from the mayor and commissioners.

Even though the board did not want to accept the cost of the MAPS Group for facilitation and logistical support in this recruitment / selection process, the manager still finds value in using an assessment center as a way to help evaluate candidates. To this end, the manager plans to organize an assessment center internally without paying a consultant.

ITEM 4. MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS

The mayor and manager, along with the mayors and managers of Knightdale and Zebulon, met with Sen. Vernon Malone and Rep. Linda Coleman on Thursday, April 17^th. The upcoming legislative session was discussed, including the town’s ETJ extension request.

The mayor will present the town’s ETJ extension request to the full Wake County Legislative delegation at a 3:00 p.m. meeting on Monday, April 28^th. Anyone interesting in attending this meeting should contact the manager.

ITEM 5. WENDELL FALLS UPDATE

The section of Martin Pond Road around Richardson Road is now closed and will be closed until about August 15^th, due to construction for Wendell Falls.

Wendell Falls is working with NCSU on an evaluation of “best management practices” for sedimentation control.

Click here to view the blog and latest information about Wendell Falls. On the blog, Greg Ferguson states that the tax base of Wendell Falls at build-out will likely be between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion in today’s dollars. He also states that the 4,000 homes should have an average value of $300,000 each.

It is also stated on the blog that the first lots will be available this fall, and the first homes will be available at the beginning of 2009. Developers expect the pricing to be close to the following:

· The first price point (in this first delivery) will be $325,000-$450,000.

· The middle price point will be $275,000 to $350,000.

· The third price point will be $240,000 to $280,000.

ITEM 6. UPDATE ON PROPOSED COUNTYWIDE ANIMAL TAX

At its meeting on April 14^th, the County Commissioners discussed a proposed countywide licensing fee on dogs and cats but made no final decision. They talked about how to revamp and consolidate the way the county and its various cities and towns handle unwanted animals. As part of that effort, a standard, countywide fee has been proposed to raise revenue for improvements at the Wake animal shelter. Though the commissioners appeared to agree that more money for the shelter is needed, they questioned whether a countywide pet fee is a fair and reliable way to pay for it, especially if only a minority of pet owners pay, and there is no effective means of taking action against those who don't.

It is expected that county staff to revisit the proposal and return to the board with more ideas on how to pay for improvements at the shelter. The commissioners are expected to approve a budget in June for spending in the next fiscal year. Click here to read the N&O article.

ITEM 7. TENTATIVE PLANS FOR CONVERSION OF MEETING SCHEDULE TO TWO MEETINGS PER MONTH

At the March 19^th retreat, the Board of Commissioners discussed changing the meeting schedule from one meeting and one work session per month to two meetings per month. A draft ordinance change to officially make this request will be on the April 28^th work session agenda and is tentatively set for the May 12^th meeting. The manager and attorney suggest that if the board wants to make this change in the meeting schedule, the new schedule should start in July (with the new fiscal year). This would give the staff and attorney time to prepare for the change.

ITEM 8. OTHER:

A. There will be a ribbon-cutting for the new Snappy Lube at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19^th. Mayor Pro Tem Bill Connolly will represent the town and cut the ribbon. Feel free to join him at the event.

B. According to Finance Director Butch Kay, the revenue neutral rate for the fire district is about 7.35 cents. There is some hope that there may be some adjustment from the current fire district tax of ten cents.

C. The Council of Churches will hold its annual National Day of Prayer observation in the Wendell courtroom on Thursday, May 1^st from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m.

ITEM 9. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT

04/21 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
04/22 10:00 a.m. Board of Commissioners Budget Work Session @ Town Hall
04/28 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Committee Meeting @ Town Hall
05/01 12:00 p.m. Council of Churches National Day of Prayer Observation @ Town Hall
05/01 7:00 p.m. Public Meeting to Receive Input about Desired Traits and Skills for a New Police Chief @ Town Hall
05/05 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall
05/08 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting to Give Input about Desired Traits and Skills for a New Police Chief @ Town Hall
05/12 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting (including presentation of the Manager’s FY 2008-09 Proposed Budget) @ Town Hall
05/14 1:00 p.m. Wendell Chamber Golf Tournament @ Wendell Country Club
05/19 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
05/26 Memorial Day – Town offices closed
05/27 7:00 p.m. (RE-SCHEDULED DUE TO HOLIDAY) Board of Commissioners Committee Town Hall Meeting (including the public hearing on the budget) @ Town Hall
05/31 East Wake Public Health Forum @ Community Ctr.
06/02 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall
06/04 NCLM Town Hall Day @ NC Legislature
06/09 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting (including, potentially, adoption of the FY 2008-09 Budget) @ Town Hall