Wendell News Outlet

Informational News of interest for the citizens in and around Wendell, North Carolina. Postings on this site are the property of Glenn Harris and cannot be copied without express written permission. Archives are listed at the bottom of the home page.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

 

Friday Update

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

July 23, 2008

ITEM 1. WRAListiens TOUR

The WRAListens community forum about issues of Northeastern Wake County (which was taped on June 18th) is scheduled to air on July 26th at 7:30 p.m. (WRAListens is a 30-minute public affairs program that allows viewers to hear about issues facing local communities.)

ITEM 2. MEETING ABOUT LAKE MYRA PARK – JULY 31ST

The next community forum about the Lake Myra Park will be on Thursday, July 31st at 7:00 p.m. at the Wendell Community Center. Following the July 31st meeting, the next meetings are scheduled for September 9th (when a draft master plan will be discussed) and October 21st (when a final master plan will be available).

ITEM 3. NCLM CONFERENCE – OCTOBER 12-14, CHARLOTTE

Mark your calendars now for the NC League of Municipalities annual conference, which will be October 12th – 14th in Charlotte. This will be the “Centennial Conference” in which the NCLM celebrates its 100-year anniversary.

The date of the NCLM conference conflicts with the October 13th Board of Commissioners meeting. Does the board want to postpone the October 13th meeting to avoid this conflict?

ITEM 4. WEB SITE FOR DR. CLAYTON

Dr. Clayton has activated a preliminary website for Wendell citizens to access concerning his practice. It will be expanded in the near future. http://www.actsmedicalclinic.com/

ITEM 5. OTHER:

A. The manager will be out of town July 23rd – 26th attending Cub Scout camp with his son.

B. The Board of Adjustment will hold a meeting on Tuesday, July 29h at 6:00 p.m. The BOA will hear a variance request by McDonald’s for additional signs.

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


ITEM 6. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

07/26 7:30 p.m. WRAListens Series focus on Northeast Wake County

07/28 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

07/29 6:00 p.m. Board of Adjustment Meeting @ Town Hall

07/31 7:00 p.m. Community Forum #3 about Lake Myra County Park @ Wendell Community Center

08/04 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

08/11 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

08/18 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

08/25 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

09/01 (Mon.) Labor Day holiday – Town offices closed


Saturday, July 19, 2008

 

WakeUp Wake County Update

Remember how the NC Association of Realtors threatened the General Asembly pledging to spend $10 million to defeat the transfer tax? Guess how they're raising the funds...by hitting all realtors with a MANDATORY $50 fee! Looks like many realtors are revolting against this required fee, and the internet is burning up with angry emails. One realtor calls this blackmail because if they don't pay, they can't access the real estate directory. Perhaps this heavy-handed lobby may have met their match -- their own members. Here's a blog just launched: http//ncarnow.info.

Meanwhile, your emails and phone calls to the General Assemly opposing the repeal of the transfer tax local option made a difference! While SB 1591, legislation to repeal the transfer tax option that permits counties to ask voters if they want a 0.4% transfer tax to help pay for infrastructure needs, passed the Senate, it never came up for consideration in the House. So the General Assembly adjourns keeping the transfer tax law. The next goal is to convince Wake's County Commissioners to put this on on the ballot here to help pay for schools.

Transit alliance forming to support regional transit


Our community transit forum generated such great energy, WakeUP is following up on this momentum. We're inviting community organizations, business and civic leaders to create an alliance to support of regional transit. Given the high price of gas and increasing public support for transit, now is the time to approve a comprehemsive transit plan that includes expanded bus service, rail and other connectors. This alliance will work to make this vision a reality. We need your help in educating your friends and neighbors why transit is crucial to ensuring a hgih quality of life for all of us. Can you contribute $25 to help WakeUP build this alliance for action? When our population doubles we need to make sure we can get to work, home and play efficiently and affordably. Please donate here.

Drought bill approved by legislature!

A major drought prevention bill passed the NC House of Repreentatives on the last day of the General Assembly. It goes on to the Governor for signature, and it marks a big step forward in planning and coping with drought across North Carolina. The state will now be able to tell local communities to implement water conservation measures when the state is experiencing drought. Local communities will also need to create water conservation plans. WakeUP Wake County volunteers worked in conjuction with the Watershed Alliance and advocated for the passage of this bill. Thanks to WakeUP's John Shaw for his tireless efforts!

 

Friday Update

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

July 18, 2008

ITEM 1. WENDELL PARKS AND RECREATION NIGHT AT CHICK-FIL-A – MONDAY, JULY 21ST

Chick-Fil-A will have a “Wendell Parks and Recreation Night” on Monday, July 21st from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Chick-Fil-A in Knightdale. 10% of sales to Parks and Recreation supporters will go towards the Wendell Parks and Recreation Capital Campaign. Also, there will be games for the kids to play during dinner. These games will cost $1 each; however, all of these proceeds will go back to the Wendell Parks and Recreation Capital Campaign.

ITEM 2. ANNEXATION MORATORIUM BILL UPDATE

The House-passed annexation moratorium bill, HB 2367 – Involuntary Annexation Moratorium, remains in the Senate Rules Committee as the end of the session approaches. However, the proposed studies bill, HB 2431, includes an annexation study commission. The NC League of Municipalities has stated that they will send towns a more detailed update after adjournment on the status of this issue.

ITEM 3. BUFFALO CREEK SEWER PROJECT CLOSE-OUT

Town Finance Officer Butch Kay has been working with Town Engineer Chris Windley and the Department of Water Quality (DWQ) concerning the close-out of the Buffalo Creek project. There were some legal and engineering fees that the town asked DWQ to include within the project (for which the town has already paid). It appears that DWQ is going to accept the request. If this request is honored, this will amount to about $144,000 of additional reimbursement to the town.

$426,121 is expected as the final payment amount. The $426,121 amount is made up of:

$74,307 Administrative / Legal,

$69,100 allowed for Engineering (Admin. / Inspections) &

+ $282,714 remaining owed to Ralph Hodge Construction

$426,121

The loan will be reduced by $269,417. A revised promissory note for $6,110,168 will be requested, and a new amortization schedule will be drawn up.

ITEM 4. ADDITIONAL RECREATION NEWS

The Boys 7-8 Coach Pitch team won its district tournament in Zebulon this week. They move on to the state tournament in Princeton, which starts on July 31st.

The Boys 11-12 District 6 tournament was held this past weekend in Wendell at Carver Field. Congratulations to the Rocky Mount Nationals, the tournament winners. The Wendell Blue was the runner-up, and both teams will get to play in the state tournament, which will begin in Shelby on Thursday, August 7.

ITEM 5. NCLM CONFERENCE – OCTOBER 12-14, CHARLOTTE

Mark your calendars now for the NC League of Municipalities annual conference, which will be October 12th – 14th in Charlotte. This will be the “Centennial Conference” in which the NCLM celebrates its 100-year anniversary.

The date of the NCLM conference conflicts with the October 13th Board of Commissioners meeting. Does the board want to postpone the October 13th meeting to avoid this conflict?

ITEM 6. TOWN WELLNESS PROGRAM

The town staff held its annual wellness screening this week. With this program, which is funded by a grant, employees are encouraged to fill-out a wellness survey and participate (confidentially) in cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar tests. Several employees have improved their health over the last few years, and the wellness program is a big part of that. As evidence to the success of this program, the town did not receive an increase in health insurance rates this year. Thanks to Phillip Smith of the Recreation Department for organizing this effort.

ITEM 7. OTHER:

A. The Wake County Growth Issues Task Force (GITF) will hold its second meeting on Thursday, July 17, 2008, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., in the ground-floor conference center of the Wake County Office Building, 337 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh.

B. The manager will be out of town from Wednesday, July 23rd to Friday, July 26th attending Cub Scout camp with his son.

C. The Board of Adjustment will hold a meeting on Tuesday, July 29h at 6:00 p.m. The BOA will hear a variance request by McDonald’s for additional signs.

D. The repair work on the municipal building roof is almost complete. A few minor things still need to be done.

E. The WRAListens community forum about issues of Northeastern Wake County (which was taped on June 18th) is scheduled to air on July 26th at 7:30 p.m. (WRAListens is a 30-minute public affairs program that allows viewers to hear about issues facing local communities.)

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

ITEM 8. UPCOMING EVENTS

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

07/21 5pm - 7pm “Wendell Parks & Rec. Night” @ Chick-Fil-A, Knightdale

07/21 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

07/24 6:00 p.m. Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Annual Partners Dinner

07/26 7:30 p.m. WRAListens Series focus on Northeast Wake County

07/28 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

07/29 6:00 p.m. Board of Adjustment Meeting @ Town Hall

07/31 7:00 p.m. Community Forum #3 about Lake Myra County Park @ Wendell Community Center

08/04 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

08/11 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

08/18 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

08/25 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

09/01 (Mon.) Labor Day holiday – Town offices closed


Saturday, July 12, 2008

 

Friday Update

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

July 11, 2008

ITEM 1. DROUGHT CONCERNS

Recent rains have allowed the NC Drought Management Advisory Council to downgrade Wake County from “Severe Drought” to the “Moderate Drought” category. Click here to view the drought map for North Carolina.

A July 7th News & Observer article makes an interesting point: our area is in a drought even though we have had above average rainfall for the year. Click here to read the article.

ITEM 2. ANNEXATION MORATORIUM BILL UPDATE

HB 2367 – Involuntary Annexation Moratorium, which passed the House last week, has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

ITEM 3. COUNTY COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENTS OF ETJ REPRESENTATIVES OF WENDELL’S PLANNING BOARD AND BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

It was reported that the recommendations that Wendell made for ETJ representatives on the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment were approved by the Wake County Commissioners at their July 7th meeting.

ITEM 4. EWTV FUNDING

Senate Bill S1716 passed both the House and the Senate. This bill is expected to cut the funding for East Wake TV in half (to about $35,000). This will have a big effect on what EWTV can do. Because of this change, the three towns may want to consider budgeting some funds for EWTV in future years.

ITEM 5. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING – TUESDAY, JULY 29TH

The Board of Adjustment will hold a meeting on Tuesday, July 29h at 6:00 p.m. The BOA will hear a variance request by McDonald’s for additional signs.

ITEM 6. OTHER:

A. The Planning Board participated in a training workshop facilitated by town staff on Wednesday, July 9th.

B. Triangle Transit announced Monday that bus ridership in June hit an all-time high with 97,172 people getting on board, an increase of 30 percent over June 2007.

C. Todd Hill Drive was paved this week.

D. Repair work on the municipal building roof continued this week, but little progress was made, due to the rain. Hopefully, the roof replacement will be completed next week.

E. The WRAListens community forum about issues of Northeastern Wake County (which was taped on June 18th) is scheduled to air on July 26th at 7:30 p.m. (WRAListens is a 30-minute public affairs program that allows viewers to hear about issues facing local communities.)

F. The Triangle Business Journal will host a continental breakfast / symposium about “The State of Eastern Wake” on Friday, July 18th from 7:15 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Knightdale. The cost is $15. Click here to RSVP or call Becky at 327-1004.

G. Chic-Fil-A will have a “Wendell Parks and Recreation Night” on Monday, July 21st from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Chick-Fil-A in Knightdale. 10% of sales to Parks and Recreation supporters will go towards the Wendell Parks and Recreation Capital Campaign. Also, there will be games for the kids to play during dinner. These games will cost $1 each; however, all of these proceeds will go back to the Wendell Parks and Recreation Capital Campaign.

H. The Board of Commissioners has been invited to the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce annual Partners Dinner. The dinner will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24th. Space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP by July 13th to Kathryn Write at 664-7090 or at kwright@raleighchamber.org.

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

ITEM 7. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

07/14 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

07/18 7:15 a.m. Triangle Business Journal “State of Eastern Wake” breakfast @ Faith Baptist Church, Knightdale

07/21 5pm - 7pm “Wendell Parks & Rec. Night” @ Chick-Fil-A, Knightdale

07/21 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

07/24 6:00 p.m. Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Annual Partners Dinner

07/26 7:30 p.m. WRAListens Series focus on Northeast Wake County

07/28 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

07/29 6:00 p.m. Board of Adjustment Meeting @ Town Hall

07/31 7:00 p.m. Community Forum #3 about Lake Myra County {ark @ Wendell Community Center

08/04 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

08/11 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

08/18 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

08/25 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

09/01 (Mon.) Labor Day holiday – Town offices closed


Sunday, July 6, 2008

 

Friday Update

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

Happy 4th of July!

July 3, 2008


ITEM 1. DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT MARKER DEDICATION / JULY 4TH PARADE

The Wendell Historical Society has festivities planned for July 4th. An unveiling ceremony for the downtown historic district marker is planned for 4:00 p.m. at the corner of Depot St. and Main St., and then there will be a “bicycle and stroller parade” to J. Ashley Wall Park, where lemonade and cookies will be served. The society hopes that this will be the beginning of an annual 4th of July celebration for Wendell.

An announcement about the parade is online at the town web site.

ITEM 2. DROUGHT CONCERNS

This week, all of Wake County has been upgraded to the “Severe Drought” category. To view the drought map for North Carolina, click here.

According to Raleigh Public Utilities Director Dale Crisp, the lake level as of 6 A.M. on Tuesday, July 1st was 251.19 feet MSL, which is 0.31 feet (approximately 4 inches) below the level of the lake when the water supply pool is 100% full (251.5 feet MSL). Falls Lake level is approximately 11 inches above the level on this same date in 2007. As you recall, the lake reached a new all-time record low level of 241.52 feet MSL on Christmas Day in 2007 as a result of the exceptional drought.

The current rolling 30 day pumpage demand average from Raleigh customers for the EMJWTP is 54.4 MGD, which is an increase of 15.6 MGD from the lowest value recorded during the Stage 2 restrictions. With the current lake level at 251.19 feet MSL, the COE estimate of the water supply pool storage remaining in Falls Lake is 96%, which equals 14.1 billion gallons of water available for use. The water supply days projection using the current 30 day pumpage average indicates the City has 259 days of water supply pool currently in storage at Falls Lake (assumes worst case scenario of no rain during this period). Using the predicted total water supply days remaining then projects to March 17, 2009, the current 30 day pumpage average is significantly below the pumpage average for this same 30 day period of time in 2007 (61.6 MGD), equal to a 12% reduction.

Since implementing the Revised Stage 1 water use restrictions on May 21st, the EMJWTP pumpage average has been 51.7 MGD, which is a 10.5 MGD or 25% increase when compared to the pumpage average during the Stage 1 restriction period. However, during this period the Triangle area experienced four (4) consecutive days of temperatures 100 degrees or greater, setting record high temperatures for these dates in June. Typically, water demand increases significantly on 100 degree days in Raleigh.

ITEM 3. ANNEXATION MORATORIUM BILL UPDATE

By a vote of 98 to 18, the House gave final approval to HB 2367 – Involuntary Annexation Moratorium yesterday. The bill imposes a broad nine-month moratorium on city-initiated annexations. It would prohibit municipalities from adopting resolutions of consideration, resolutions of intent or annexation ordinances between Aug. 31, 2008 and May 31, 2009. City-initiated annexations that have already started (resolutions of intent or consideration) also would be affected. The bill does not affect citizen-requested annexations by petition, including satellite annexations. The bill now moves to the Senate. You may want to contact Senator Vernon Malone.

ITEM 4. NEW PLANNER

David Burgmark has been hired as the new Planner for the town. David recently finished his master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill. David will start work on July 7th.

ITEM 5. WAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO VOTE ON LITTLE RIVER RESERVOIR

The Wake County Board of Commissioners will consider the recommendations of the Little River workgroup, including the interlocal agreement and planning implementation strategies at their July 7th, 2008 meeting. The meeting begins at 2pm in the Wake County Courthouse, 7th floor, Room 700. Originally, this had been slated for their second meeting in June, but it was rescheduled to July 7th. All workgroup participants are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

ITEM 6. RECREATION UPDATE

In an effort to create additional recreation programming with existing facilities, the Recreation Department tried to start a new dodge ball league. Interest in such a program around the country grew from the dodge ball movie from a couple of years ago. It also builds upon a retro movement based on boomers and Gen X’ers reliving their youth. Another example of this is Knightdale’s kick ball league.

The registration deadline for dodge ball was extended until the end of June, but the Recreation staff still did not have enough interested teams to make a league. Tim Kay is trying to get in touch with some of the churches and the youth to see if they are interested in playing pick-up games in the evenings in order to stimulate interest for a future league.

ITEM 7. ALL-STAR TOURNAMENTS

Beginning on Monday, July 7th, Wendell’s all-star teams will be in District Tournaments. The 9 & 10 Blue Team plays on July 7th at 6:15 at Wilders Grove. The 9 & 10 White Team plays on July 7th at 8:00 at Wilders Grove.

Beginning on Wednesday at the Carver Fields, Wendell Parks and Recreation will be hosting the 11 & 12 Little League District Tournament. The tournament will run through Sunday, July 13th. Wendell Blue plays on July 9th at 6:00 at Carver #2, and the Wendell White team plays on July 10th at 6:00 on Carver #1.

The 7 & 8 Coach pitch teams will be in Zebulon beginning on Friday, July 11th. Both teams play at 6:30. Wendell White vs. Rolesville on the upper field, and Wendell Blue plays on the lower field.

The 13 & 14 All Star team plays at Wilders Grove on Friday July 11th at 6:00 on Field #4.

The girls’ softball teams will be in Smithfield later in July.

ITEM 8. OTHER:

A. Town offices will be closed next Friday for the July 4th holiday.

B. The UDO Meeting scheduled for July 7th has been cancelled.

C. Todd Hill Drive is prepped for paving. If you recall, this work is being done as a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project. Hopefully, the paving will take place next week.

D. Repair work on the municipal building roof began this week.

E. The posting for the Public Works Director position is on the town’s web site and several others, including the NC League of Municipalities and NC Association of County Commissioners web sites.

F. The WRAListens community forum about issues of Northeastern Wake County (which was taped on June 18th) is scheduled to air on July 26th at 7:30 p.m. (WRAListens is a 30-minute public affairs program that allows viewers to hear about issues facing local communities.)

G. The Triangle Business Journal will host a continental breakfast / symposium about “The State of Eastern Wake” on Friday, July 18th from 7:15 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Knightdale. The cost is $15. Click here to RSVP or call Becky at 327-1004.

H. Chic-Fil-A will have a “Wendell Parks and Recreation Night” on Monday, July 21st from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Chick-Fil-A in Knightdale. 10% of sales to Parks and Recreation supporters will go towards the Wendell Parks and Recreation Capital Campaign. Also, there will be games for the kids to play during dinner. These games will cost $1 each; however, all of these proceeds will go back to the Wendell Parks and Recreation Capital Campaign.

I. The Board of Commissioners has been invited to the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce annual Partners Dinner. The dinner will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24th. Space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP by July 13th to Kathryn Write at 664-7090 or at kwright@raleighchamber.org.

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


ITEM 8. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

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

07/04 4:00 p.m. Wendell Historical Society July 4th Festivities @ downtown

07/14 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

07/18 7:15 a.m. Triangle Business Journal “State of Eastern Wake” breakfast @ Faith Baptist Church, Knightdale

07/21 5pm - 7pm “Wendell Parks & Rec. Night” @ Chick-Fil-A, Knightdale

07/21 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

07/24 6:00 p.m. Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Annual Partners Dinner

07/26 7:30 p.m. WRAListens Series focus on Northeast Wake County

07/28 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

07/31 7:00 p.m. Community Forum #3 about Lake Myra County Park @ Wendell Community Center

08/04 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

08/11 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

08/18 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

08/25 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

09/01 (Mon.) Labor Day holiday – Town offices closed


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