Wendell News Outlet

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

November 7, 2008

ITEM 1. VIDEOTAPING MEETING ON MONDAY – PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONES
As previously discussed, the town plans to start a series of dry runs on videotaping meetings at the November 10th meeting. It may take a few meetings to get the kinks worked-out before we actually broadcast the taped meetings.
One concern that we have is the quality of the microphones that we currently have in the courtroom. Please try to lean forward into the microphones on Monday so that we will have a higher quality sound recording of the meeting.

ITEM 2. REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR ARCHER LODGE INCORPORATION
Item #6 on Monday’s agenda involves a request of support from the Archer Lodge Municipal Exploratory Committee in its drive for incorporation. The manager met with Carlton Vinson, the president of this organization, today (Friday, November 7th). Mr. Vinson plans to be at the meeting on Monday to say a few words about the request.

ITEM 3. TOWN HALL CLOSED ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH FOR VETERANS’ DAY
As you are aware, the town hall and other town facilities will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th for Veterans’ Day.

ITEM 4. CHAMBER BANQUET - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH
The annual Wendell Chamber of Commerce banquet will be on Tuesday, November 11th (Veterans’ Day). The event will start at 6:00 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m.

ITEM 5. PUBLIC MEETING FOR HAZARD MITIGATION UPDATE – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH at 9:00 A.M.
As you are aware, the Town of Wendell has begun the process of updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan, which is updated every five years, will be the blueprint for reducing property damage and saving lives due to disasters that may affect Wendell in the future. This plan is also required in order for the Town of Wendell to receive certain types of state and federal disaster relief funds and reimbursements.
There will be a meeting held on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 9 a.m. in the Wendell Courtroom to kick-off the public planning process for the 2008 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Elected officials are invited to attend this meeting and actively participate in the planning process as the town seeks to involve its citizens in the formulation of this plan.

ITEM 6. POSSIBLE URBAN LAND INSTITUTE PROJECT
ULI–the Urban Land Institute is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. Founded in 1936, the institute now has more than 40,000 members worldwide representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service.
As the preeminent, multidisciplinary real estate forum, ULI facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information and experience among local, national and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places.
The mission of the Urban Land Institute is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.
Planning Director Teresa Piner has been discussing a potential pro bono ULI project in Wendell with ULI member Mitch Silver (Raleigh’s Planning Director). Last Friday, Mayor Broadwell, Manager Bone and Mrs. Piner met with Mr. Sliver and other members of a technical advisory committee of the local ULI chapter to discuss the potential of a project in Wendell to examine potential strategies for tying-in Wendell Falls to the primary corporate limits.
If Wendell’s project is selected, ULI will bring a group of professionals from multiple disciplines for an intense, one-day session to review the project scenario and offer suggestions.
Staff will keep the board informed as to whether the Wendell project is selected.

ITEM 7. NCLM MEETING ABOUT JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION
Mayor Broadwell and Manager Bone attended a meeting Thursday hosted by the NC League of Municipalities discussing the upcoming Joint Legislative Study Commission on Municipal Annexation. League staff spoke about four main areas of concern involving the annexation process that may be addressed in the study commission:
(1) Improving communication to citizens,
(2) Easing financial impacts to citizens,
(3) Changing standards to qualify areas for annexation, and
(4) Incentives for municipalities to annex low income areas.
Rep. Dan Blue and David Lawrence (the “annexation guru” from the UNC School of Government) spoke at the meeting. Also at the meeting, participants discussed ideas for potential changes to the annexation regulations.

ITEM 8. BORING HOLES IN PINE STREET
A recent mystery was solved by numerous phone calls made by staff recently. Multiple holes were found in a section of Pine Street. As it turns out, the holes were drilled by PSNC staff in search of a leak in the gas line. Apparently, an odor was reported a couple of weeks ago in this area, and PSNC cored the holes in search of the alleged leak. PSNC has stated that it will take care of the repairs.

ITEM 9. OTHER:
A. A copy of the NC League of Municipalities’ publication, “100 Years of Serving and Celebrating Cities and Towns”, was received at town hall this week. Two historical pictures of Wendell are on page 73 of the book. The caption for the book quotes Ray Hinnant from the town web site. Stop by the manager’s office to review the book. Also, the NCLM has a limited number of extra copies. Let us know if you know of any organizations that may be interested in receiving a copy.
B. It looks like East Wake Soccer Association will be using Wendell Park a little less in the spring. Some of the games that have been played in Wendell will now be played on a Town of Zebulon field. This will be the first year that the association has games in Zebulon.
C. The town plans to start a series of dry runs on videotaping meetings at the November 10th meeting. It may take a few meetings to get the kinks worked-out before we actually broadcast the taped meetings.
D. The new Wendell Falls web site is up and running. Click here to check it out.
E. Staff has arranged for Mr. Jeff Walker, from the brick industry, to make a presentation on November 17th to the Wendell Planning Board. Staff would like to invite all interested parties to attend. Matt Dobson, a representative of the vinyl industry, is scheduled to make a presentation at the December 15th Planning Board meeting.
F. As part of its ongoing Local Elected Leaders Academy, the NC School of Government will offer a one-day training session entitled, “Good Growth: Chance or Choice”, on February 24, 2009 in Raleigh. For more information on this workshop, click here.

ITEM 10. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

11/10 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

11/11 (Tuesday) Veterans Day (town offices closed)

11/11 6:00 p.m. Chamber Banquet @ Wendell Community Center

11/13 9:00 a.m. Stakeholders Meeting – Hazard Mitigation Plan update @ Town Hall

11/17 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

11/24 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

11/27 – 11/28 Thanksgiving holiday (town offices closed)

12/01 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

12/08 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

12/15 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

12/22 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

12/24 – 12/26 Christmas holiday (town offices closed)

01/01 (Thursday) New Year’s Day (town offices closed)

01/05 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

01/12 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

01/19 (Monday) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (town offices closed)

01/19 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

01/26 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall