Wendell News Outlet

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

November 21, 2008

ITEM 1. AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 24TH
The Audit Committee (made-up of Mayor Broadwell, Commissioner Thompson and Attorney Cauley) will meet at 6:30 p.m. on MONDAY, November 24th in the conference room in town hall. This meeting is a precursor to the Audit presentation, which will be a part of the November 24th Board of Commissioners meeting.

ITEM 2. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH
A Board of Adjustment meeting was held on Thursday, November 20th. The purpose of the hearing was to consider a variance request submitted by Sadie Elizabeth (Betsy) Rountree for property located at 3032 Bufftree Lane for §154.125 as it relates to expansion of nonconforming structures and §154.33 as it relates to setbacks.
The Wendell Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to approve Ms. Rountree’s variance request. Ms. Rountree plans to add a bedroom to her existing home, however due to the location of the existing home, the addition would extend into the rear yard setback. The property is located outside the corporate limits but within the town’s ETJ.

ITEM 3. MEETING WITH TRIANGLE TRANSIT HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH
Town Manager Bone and Planning Director Teresa Piner met with representatives of Triangle Transit, Knightdale and Zebulon on Tuesday to continue discussions about a potential East Wake Express Bus Service. The board of commissioners endorsed this concept with a resolution adopted July 14, 2008.
If started, this bus service would run in the mornings and afternoons and would stop in each of the three towns before stopping in downtown Raleigh. A stop at WakeMed has also been discussed. The idea for this potential service is to give commuters who work in Raleigh a public transportation alternative.
Staff will keep the board aware as this prospect continues to develop.

ITEM 4. PRESENTATION FROM BRICK INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE HEARD AT NOVEMBER 17TH PLANNING BOARD MEETING

Mr. Patrick Burns, of the Brick Industry made a presentation to the Wendell Planning Board on Monday November 18, 2008. Mr. Burns covered “Why Masonry Ordinances Are a Growing Trend”, a study conducted by the University of Michigan on the benefits of brick to a community and case studies of four towns in the southeast which have adopted masonry ordinances. A synopsis of Mr. Burn’ presentation is as follows:

1. Why Are Masonry ordinances a Growing Trend?
• Brick Homes Have a higher Resale Value
• Brick Commercial Buildings have a Higher Profit Margin
• Increase in Tax Base
• Brick is a Sustainable, Green Material
• Brick Produces a Safer, Fire Resistant Community

2. University of Michigan Case Study
• Discussed Michigan University Study of Four Chicago Area Municipalities, tow of which did not have brick or masonry ordinances and two that did have brick and masonry ordinances and the impacts on those communities.

3. Reviewed Masonry Ordinances of four Southeast Communities
• Slidell LA, Gallatin TN, Gardendale AL, and Coweta County GA

Mr. Burns’ presentation is attached to the Friday Memo email.

ITEM 5. FREE SOD FOR T-BALL FIELDS
This week, the Recreation Department staff and volunteers placed about 60 pallets of sod on the new area on the left side of Wendell Park for T-ball. The sod was taken from the Carolina Mudcats stadium for free. The Mudcats field and drainage system is being rebuilt, and the existing sod was not going to be reused. Parks and Recreation Director Brinkley Wagstaff worked-out a deal to get the sod for free, and the town just had to pay for the sod to be harvested and transported.

ITEM 6. INAUGURAL WENDELL CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS TOUR
The inaugural Wendell Candlelight Christmas Tour is being held on Saturday, December 13th from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. The tour is being sponsored by the Wendell Historical Society with the assistance of the Wendell Chamber of Commerce. Live music and refreshments will be provided at various locations. Maps will be provided with directions to each home. Tickets are available at Wits End and the Chamber office. A flyer advertising this event is attached to the email distributing this memo.

ITEM 7. OTHER:
A. The Wendell Women’s Club held its annual Town Employee Appreciation Lunch on Wednesday. The food was great and was greatly appreciated by the employees. The town staff looks forward to the event every year. Town Manager David Bone spoke to the club members during their meeting after the lunch.
B. The town offices and facilities will be closed on November 27th and 28th for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
C. The Town of Wendell is in the process of requesting proposals for banking services to be contracted for a period of three years, beginning January 1, 2009. Proposals for the provision of banking services for the town are due by 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2008. A recommendation on this matter is scheduled for the December 8th Board of Commissioners meeting.
D. The Chamber’s "Charms of Wendell" art exhibition will be displayed in the Wendell Woman's Club building on Cypress Street from Friday, January 23 - Sunday, January 25, 2009. This exhibit will showcase original fine art pieces that depict our people, landscapes, town views, unique buildings in Wendell.
E. 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. Click here for more information on this workshop. Commissioner Baynes has already expressed a desire to attend this workshop.

ITEM 8. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

11/24 6:30 p.m. Audit Committee 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

12/12 10:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Town of Wendell / Wendell Falls / Universal Chevrolet Christmas Party @ Wendell Community Center

12/13 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wendell Historical Society Candlelight Tour @ Historical Homes

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)

01/20 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

01/23 – 01/25 Wendell C of C “Charms of Wendell” Art Exhibit @ Wendell Women’s Club

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