Wendell News Outlet

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

Have a nice Memorial Day Weekend.

May 23, 2008

ITEM 1. TOWN OFFICES CLOSED ON MONDAY FOR MEMORIAL DAY

All town facilities will be closed on Monday, May 26^th for Memorial Day.

ITEM 2. PROPOSED BUDGET PRESENTATION

As you are aware, the proposed budget will be presented at the meeting on Tuesday, May 27^th.

On the same day that the budget is presented to the governing body, the budget officer shall file a copy of it in the office of the clerk for public inspection and schedule a public hearing.

The public hearing was originally scheduled for the board of commissioners work session on Tuesday, May 27, 2008; however, due to the fact that the manager’s budget presentation was delayed to the May 27^th meeting, the manager is asking for the board to establish a public hearing on the budget on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. This is being requested so that the public will have time to review the proposed budget prior to the public hearing.

NCGS 159-13 specifies that not earlier than 10 days after the budget is presented to the governing body and not later than July 1^st, the governing body shall adopt a budget ordinance. The board may consider adoption of the budget after the public hearing of the June 9^th meeting.

The Proposed Budget will be passed-out at the May 27^th meeting but has not substantially changed from the draft discussed at the May 14^th budget work session.

ITEM 2. UTILITY FRANCHISE AUDIT RESULTS

As was previously communicated with the board, the manager and finance director met on Wednesday with the Bob Segal about the town’s Utility Franchise audit, and we received some great news! The town should net an additional $55,000 in additional revenue next year as a result of the utility franchise audit. We should then receive about another $11,800 in year 2, $11,800 in year 3, and $23,600 each year thereafter. We should receive the first installment of additional revenue (net of about $43,000) in September. The auditors found a net increase of 501 customers accounts for which the town was not previously receiving credit for.

ITEM 3. POLICE CHIEF ADVERTISEMENT POSTED

In compliance with Article IV, Section 3 of the town’s personnel policy, the upcoming Police Chief vacancy has been publicized through the town’s normal means for advertising positions. Applications are due by June 20^th to ensure consideration.

ITEM 4. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

· STATUS OF ANNEXATION MORATORIUM – The House Select Committee approved the moratorium concept on Monday, May 19^th. Mayor Harold Broadwell attended the meeting. The proposal will now be considered by the House Finance Committee. If given a favorable report by that committee, it will be sent to House Judiciary II Committee.

House and Senate GOP leaders held a news conference on Tuesday, May 20^th to promote the moratorium idea.

· GANG LEGISLATION – With a coalition of mayors and police chiefs urging action on gangs, the state Senate on Wednesday, May 21^st overwhelmingly approved two bills to provide tougher penalties for gang activity and money for prevention and intervention programs. The two votes, both 47-0, moved North Carolina closer to joining a majority of states that have laws dealing specifically with gangs. Senators made no mention of the potential effect the legislation would have on an overcrowded prison system. Anti-gang legislation has become a big issue this year, largely because of two high-profile killings that so far have not been confirmed as gang-related. Eve Carson, UNC-Chapel Hill's student body president, and Abhijit Mahato, a Duke University graduate student, were shot in separate incidents. Click here to read the N&O story.

· BILL WITH POSSIBLE NEGATIVE EFFECT ON FUNDING FOR EWTV – House Bill 2342 could be a problem for EWTV. An identical Senate bill was also introduced. Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon all claim 3 PEG channels each based on our cable franchise, which allows three channels each. The money can now be spent on any one of the three we claim. If HB 2342 passes, the money has to be spent equally on the channels we claim. Since we claim EWTV, Raleigh channel 10 and 18, two-thirds of the money would go to Raleigh. The thought is we, and everyone else, will only claim the number actually operated, lowering the total number of shares. EWTV would claim 3 (instead of 9). Since there would be fewer shares to split the state pot of funds, the revenue per share should go up. But we are unsure the effect of the reduction of shares would have on the overall PEG channel revenue that the towns receive.

ITEM 5. OTHER:

A. McDonald’s is now planning to close on June 22^nd. They have some plan additions and revisions to do before they get ready to close.

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. A copy of a flyer for this event is attached.

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

D. The portion of Martin Pond Road that closed on April 14^th for the Wendell Falls construction is scheduled to re-open around the middle of August.

ITEM 6. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

05/27 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Committee Meeting @ Town Hall
(Special Called Meeting will also be held to make advisory board appointments and to present the proposed budget)

05/31 10am - 2pm 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
(including, potentially, public hearing and adoption of the FY 2008-09 Budget)

06/12 7:00 p.m. Community Forum about Lake Myra County Park @ Wendell Community Center

06/16 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

06/23 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

07/04 (Wed.) July 4th holiday – Town offices closed

07/07 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

07/13 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

posted by Administrator  # 7:45 PM