Wendell News Outlet

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

May 2, 2008

ITEM 1. TIME OF POLICE CHIEF FOCUS GROUP MOVED-UP / BUDGET WORK SESSION TO BE HELD AFTER POLICE CHIEF FOCUS GROUP

In order to accommodate a rescheduling of a budget work session, the focus group with the mayor and commissioners (to get input about the desired traits, skills and abilities desired in a new police chief) has been moved up to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8^th. The focus group will take about 45 minutes, and then the board and staff will work on the budget.

ITEM 2. MEETING ABOUT LAKE MYRA PARK HELD

On Tuesday, April 29, 2008 a Lake Myra Park workshop was held in the Wendell Community Center. The Wendell community was well represented with more than 40 in attendance. Mayor Broadwell, Commissioner Baynes and Planning Director Teresa Piner attended the event. Leigh Ann Cienek with the Triangle Land Conservancy was also present.

A large contingent was on hand in support of equestrian opportunities inside the park, while others expressed more diverse interest throughout the park such as kayaking, hiking, environmental education opportunities and preservation.

The evening began with open remarks by Eric Staehle, RLA Project Manager with Wake County Facilities Design & Construction. Chris Snow, Director of Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space then gave a synopsis of the county park system and made comparisons of the future Lake Myra Park to Blue Jay Point in regard to environmental education opportunities.

Ms. Hatchell, President of Susan Hatchell and Associates informed those present about her firm and the types of projects which they have worked on in the past. She discussed the information which she and her office had gathered on the site, in regard to open areas and the existence of different tree stands on the east side of Lake Myra as well as the 90 acres which the county purchased on the west side of Lake Myra.

Ms. Hatchell informed those present that her firm intents to clear and grade as little of the property as possible. The majority of the greenways and trails will follow the sewer easements which have been cleared and graded. Cleared areas or fields will be looked at for the placement of buildings and parking. Ms. Hatchell also discussed the importance of the citizen survey brochure.

Click here for more information. This website contains Ms. Hatchell’s presentation made at the Wendell Community Center as well as a link to the citizen survey.

The next community forum (concerning programming and visioning) will be held on Thursday, June 12^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Wendell Community Center.

ITEM 3. FOCUS GROUP MEETING ABOUT NEW POLICE CHIEF HELD WITH PUBLIC

On May 1^st, the manager held a focus meeting with the public about traits, skills and abilities desired in a new police chief. There was limited attendance at the meeting, but there was good discussion and input received at the meeting.

ITEM 4. ETJ EXPANSION REQUEST PRESENTATION TO LEGISLATORS

The mayor presented the town’s ETJ extension request to the full Wake County Legislative delegation on Monday, April 28^th. Click here to view a copy of a report from WRAL about this meeting.

A lot of the discussion at the meeting concerned the method of school board election. Click here to view a WRAL video report of the discussion about this issue at the meeting.

ITEM 5. ANNEXATION MATTER

As the board is aware, The NC House Select Committee on Annexation voted on April 23^rd to recommend a moratorium on all city-initiated annexations, including all those currently pending, and all satellite annexations, including pending ones. The moratorium, if adopted by the General Assembly, would remain in place until June 30, 2009. Satellite annexations, done at the request of the property owners, also would be covered by the moratorium.

Staff is working a resolution against the moratorium for the board to consider at its May 12^th meeting.

The House Select Committee will meet again on May 14, the day after the legislative session begins, and NCLM staff members expect the actual moratorium bill to be presented at that meeting. The bill then would have to be introduced into the General Assembly and pass both the House and Senate.

Members of the House Select Committee are as follows:

· Rep.Bruce Goforth, co-chair

· Rep. Paul Luebke, co-chair

· Rep. Larry R. Brown

· Rep. Nelson Dollar

· Rep. Earl Jones

· Rep. Louis M. Pate Jr.

· Rep. Edgar V. Starnes

· Rep. Fred F. Steen II

· Rep. Russell E. Tucker

· Rep. Trudi Walend

· Douglas Aitken, Moore County

· Judith W. Wegner, Orange Co., UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law

ITEM 6. NCLM TOWN HALL DAY

Because of the annexation issue, our ETJ extension request and various other issues, commissioners may wish to attend the NC League of Municipalities Town Hall Day. Registration is due in the NCLM office by May 16^th, so staff is asking the board to let us know by the May 12^th meeting if you would like for us to register you for the event. The cost of the event is $40 per person.

The schedule for Town Hall Day has changed this year. In the past, the NCLM has had a bbq lunch for us to share with legislators. This year, there will be a reception for legislators from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Quorum Center (across from the NCLM offices). The change in the schedule was made to allow for more time with legislators. We are encouraged to meet with them for lunch or dinner or anytime in between.

The NCLM will also have two briefings about various municipal issues before the legislature. These briefings will be at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Again, please let us know by May 12^th if you would like to attend this event.

ITEM 7. DROUGHT UPDATE

Eastern and central North Carolina continued to experience relief from the drought over the past week, with conditions taking a big turn for the better in Wake County.

The weekly report by the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies Wake as being in "moderate" drought, the least intense of four categories of drought. But a map accompanying the report shows most of Wake as being only "abnormally dry," thanks to recent rainfall.

Conservation measures and recent rains have helped replenish reservoirs in the central and eastern parts of the state. But the National Weather Service also pointed out that well levels and streamflows remain low, reflecting below normal groundwater conditions.

Altogether, just over half of the state remains in drought.

Click here to read a News and Observer article. Also, you can view the US Drought Monitor map for North Carolina by clicking here.

The water level at Falls Lake is about 253.00 feet. On April 8^th, it was listed at 252.51 feet. The lake, when the water supply pool is full, is 251.5 ft MSL. Click here to get updates on the lake level.

ITEM 8. UPDATE ON HUGH YOUNG ENFORCEMENT

The Planning Department has received a letter from Hugh Young and his daughter, Kay Beazley, (dated April 26) asking for more time to remove the cars from their business located on Wendell Boulevard. Planner Stacy Griffin visited with them week before last, and they had made substantial progress in removing the cars from the back lot. Mr. Young stated that he has not been released by his doctor to work full days yet and that due to that, he is requesting more time to get the cars removed. Staff is working with them on this and will continue to check back with Mr. Young and Ms. Beazley.

ITEM 9. OTHER:

A. The UDO meeting scheduled for Monday, May 5^th has been cancelled.

B. Rep. Linda Coleman and the Eastern Regional Center (along with multiple partners, including the Town of Wendell) will hold a public health forum / health fair on Saturday, May 31^st from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Wendell Community Center and Park.

ITEM 10. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

05/08 6:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting to Give Input about Desired Traits and Skills for a New Police Chief / Budget Work Session @ Town Hall
05/12 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ 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. Board of Commissioners Committee @ Town Hall
05/31 East Wake Public Health Forum @ Wendell Community Center
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 @ Town Hall
06/12 7:00 p.m. East Wake Public Health Forum @ Wendell Community Center

posted by Administrator  # 12:17 PM