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.Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday Update
Board of Commissioners Friday Update
January 30, 2009
ITEM 1. BUSINESS GRAND OPENINGS
The Grand Opening for the Kila Company will be at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30th at 28 North Main Street. Additionally, a “Business After Hours” event is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. tonight, as well.
The Grand Re-Opening of the Impressions Hair Salon (3541A Wendell Boulevard) will be on Saturday, January 31st at 10:00 a.m.
El Cerro Mexican Restaurant is still hoping to open in the next couple of weeks.
ITEM 2. INFORMATIONAL MEETING ABOUT HISTORIC DISTRICT NOMINATION TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 5TH
An informational meeting regarding the nomination of a national register historic district for the Wendell Boulevard areas has been scheduled for Thursday, February 5th at 6:00 p.m. in the Wendell Courtroom. The public information meeting is meant primarily to inform people who own property (within the district boundary) what the register listing means and what it does not mean in regard to their property. However, it is open to the general public. Notice of the meeting will be sent by mail on the 23rd for those owning property inside the boundary area in addition to a general notice that will be published in the Eastern Wake News.
ITEM 3. TRIANGLE TRANSIT SURVEY / PUBLIC MEETING
Triangle Transit, together with the Towns of Wendell, Knightdale and Zebulon, is considering the introduction of bus service to eastern Wake County. A survey is available online, which will help us determine whether service is desired, and if so, what it should look like. The survey is available online at http://www.gotriangle.org/ewake/index.html and will be open until March 13, 2009.
For more information, you can also attend a transportation forum:
Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 6:00pm
Courtroom, Town of Wendell
15 East Fourth Street
Wendell, NC 27591
Triangle Transit wants to ensure that all participants can benefit fully from our programs. If anyone needs auxiliary aids or special services while attending this meeting, they may contact Triangle Transit at 919-485-PLAN at least five working days prior to the program, and Triangle Transit will be glad to make the appropriate arrangements.
ITEM 4. UPDATE ON STIMULUS PACKAGE
The House approved an $819 billion stimulus package on Wednesday along party lines. President Obama now turns his attention to the Senate, where Democrats are scheduled to begin debate on the measure on Monday, and the price tag is likely to reach $900 billion. Larger than the combined total cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan so far, the two-year stimulus plan would provide up to $1,000 per year in tax relief for most families, dramatically increase funding for alternative energy production, and direct more than $300 billion in aid to states to help rebuild schools, provide health care to the poor and reconstruct highways and bridges. For more information, click here to read a Washington Post article online.
The House voted to include $150 billion in the stimulus package for education. For more information, click here to read a New York Times article online.
ITEM 5. HANOR LANE UPDATE
A walk-through inspection was scheduled to be held today to verify substantial completion of the work and to generate a punch list of minor things for the contractor to finish. If everything works out, the flow from Marshburn Road through the new sewer line should begin on Monday.
ITEM 6. NEW MICROPHONES FOR COURTROOM / POSSIBLE STUDIO FOR EWTV
New microphones were installed this week in the courtroom at a cost of about $2,000. This was done with East Wake TV grant funds. The grant came from a $25,000 NC PEG (Public, Educational and Governmental channel) grant administered through the eNC Authority. [The eNC Authority is the state initiative to link all North Carolinians – especially those in rural areas - to the Internet.]
The remaining funds from the grant could help pay for a free-standing studio for East Wake TV behind the Knightdale Town Hall. Currently, the back of the Knightdale Council Chamber is being used as a makeshift studio. It is proposed that the building would be built for a not-to-exceed price of $123,000. The Town of Knightdale has expressed a potential willingness to provide a loan to EWTV at an interest rate of 1.75% for the construction of the building, with the idea that EWTV would pay-back Knightdale over 5 years through PEG funds.
East Wake Television channel 22 is a government and education community access channel on Time-Warner Cable. EWTV is operated by the three towns of Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon, North Carolina. The Town of Knightdale owns, staffs and operates the equipment under the supervision of the three town managers.
The operating budget for EWTV comes from PEG channel funding received by Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon and through grants. Wendell sends about $5,400 in PEG funding to EWTV on a quarterly basis. This is money that Time Warner Cable is obligated to provide to support the PEG channel, and the town is obligated to use these funds in this way. If AT&T begins television service in town, they will be obligated to provide PEG funding, as well.
The annual EWTV Budget is about $65,000.
ITEM 7. CLOSURE OF WENDELL LIBRARY UNDER CONSIDERATION
Wake County leaders have asked their libraries to come up with $1.84 million in potential budget cuts. Library officials said their proposal includes closing branches at Duraleigh, Southgate, Wendell and Athens Drive High, as well as shutting down the Electronic Information Center in downtown Raleigh and a book mobile. Officials say the list is only recommendations for reductions, and there are no immediate indication the cuts will be made. Click here for more information.
ITEM 8. PROGRESS REPORT ON TRAIL WORK DONE AT WENDELL PARK
During the weekend of January 17th and 18th, Parks and Recreation Department staff and over 30 Boy Scouts from Troop 515 and some parents met at 11:00am and worked until dark installing 96 trail marker posts and 8 trail sign posts. Community Center Supervisor Phillip Smith has provided coordination and leadership on this project for the town. Tim Sherrill custom-built a kiosk that will contain information on trail use and safety concerns while visiting Wendell Park. While working along the trail, the decision was made to clear some underbrush and vines to develop more natural trails in the wooded areas (so that less of the trail would be routed along the cleared perimeter of the park.
Plans are for Phillip Smith and Troop 515 to meet on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8:00am to complete as much of the trail improvements as possible.
Troop 515 has proven to be an excellent choice for partnering with on this grant and trail improvements. They have shown the ability to take on the project and do quality work. The Town of Wendell could not have done these improvements at this level of quality and could not have met the February 15, 2009 deadline without them.
ITEM 9. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH
A Board of Adjustment meeting will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the Wendell Courtroom to consider two variance requests:
A variance request submitted by Quality Equipment, LLC for property located at 901 Three Sisters Road involving §154.103 as it relates to maximum allowed signage per parcel and §154.109 as it relates to maximum signage height requirements.
A variance request submitted by Gloria D. Crews for property located at 20 Hall Street involving §154.125 as it relates to expansion of nonconforming structures and §154.33 as it relates to setbacks.
ITEM 10. OTHER:
A fully-executed copy of the Lake Myra Joint Use Agreement was received this week.
Following-up on the comments made at Monday’s board meeting about the debris left at the NORCOM property northwest of Food Lion, Planning Director Teresa Piner called NORCOM. A company representative stated that they had a contractor to clean-up the debris, but they have had some health issues. They are searching for a new contractor to take care of the work.
The Wendell Parks and Recreation is very excited to be hosting its first ever Wiffleball Tournament. Right now, the tournament is scheduled as a 2-day event (March 28-29, 2009 at Wendell Park); however, this could be adjusted, depending on the number of teams that sign-up. The deadline to enter is March 24, and the entry fee is $60.00 per team. Teams may be co-ed, all female or all male (aged 13 and up). Call 366-2266 for more information.
The Eastern Wake Education Foundation “Stars in the East” event is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19th at East Wake High School.
The Raleigh City Council will have an initial review of a tiered water rate structure at its meeting on Tuesday, February 3rd. The Raleigh Council is expected to receive the presentation as information only and to refer it to a Committee, possibly a “committee of the whole Council” or to one of their standing committees. The Raleigh staff hopes Council will take final action on setting the tiered water rate structure (which is only being recommended for the Raleigh and Garner service areas but could be in Wendell’s future) no later than at their March 3rd meeting. The use of a tiered rate structure was one of the recommendations that resulted from the 2007-08 drought.
The Wendell Parks and Recreation Department deadline for Baseball / Softball / T-ball registration is February 5th.
Eastern Wake CrimeStoppers is offering a reward for information about the recent break-ins in Wendell churches and businesses. People with information can call 366-CRIME (366-2746).
ITEM 11. UPCOMING EVENTS:
DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION
02/02 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall
02/05 6:00 p.m. Informational Meeting about Historic District Nomination @ Town Hall
02/09 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
02/12 6:00 p.m. Board of Adjustment Meeting @ Town Hall
02/16 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
02/17 Board of Commissioners Retreat @ Former Council Chamber, Zebulon
02/23 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
03/02 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall
03/05 7:00 p.m. Triangle Transit Meeting about Possible Express Bus Service in Eastern Wake County @ Town Hall
03/09 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
03/16 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
03/19 6:00 p.m. Stars in the East event @ East Wake H. S.
03/23 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
04/06 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall
04/13 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
04/14 7:00 p.m. Budget Work Session @ Town Hall
04/20 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
04/27 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
January 30, 2009
ITEM 1. BUSINESS GRAND OPENINGS
The Grand Opening for the Kila Company will be at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30th at 28 North Main Street. Additionally, a “Business After Hours” event is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. tonight, as well.
The Grand Re-Opening of the Impressions Hair Salon (3541A Wendell Boulevard) will be on Saturday, January 31st at 10:00 a.m.
El Cerro Mexican Restaurant is still hoping to open in the next couple of weeks.
ITEM 2. INFORMATIONAL MEETING ABOUT HISTORIC DISTRICT NOMINATION TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 5TH
An informational meeting regarding the nomination of a national register historic district for the Wendell Boulevard areas has been scheduled for Thursday, February 5th at 6:00 p.m. in the Wendell Courtroom. The public information meeting is meant primarily to inform people who own property (within the district boundary) what the register listing means and what it does not mean in regard to their property. However, it is open to the general public. Notice of the meeting will be sent by mail on the 23rd for those owning property inside the boundary area in addition to a general notice that will be published in the Eastern Wake News.
ITEM 3. TRIANGLE TRANSIT SURVEY / PUBLIC MEETING
Triangle Transit, together with the Towns of Wendell, Knightdale and Zebulon, is considering the introduction of bus service to eastern Wake County. A survey is available online, which will help us determine whether service is desired, and if so, what it should look like. The survey is available online at http://www.gotriangle.org/ewake/index.html and will be open until March 13, 2009.
For more information, you can also attend a transportation forum:
Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 6:00pm
Courtroom, Town of Wendell
15 East Fourth Street
Wendell, NC 27591
Triangle Transit wants to ensure that all participants can benefit fully from our programs. If anyone needs auxiliary aids or special services while attending this meeting, they may contact Triangle Transit at 919-485-PLAN at least five working days prior to the program, and Triangle Transit will be glad to make the appropriate arrangements.
ITEM 4. UPDATE ON STIMULUS PACKAGE
The House approved an $819 billion stimulus package on Wednesday along party lines. President Obama now turns his attention to the Senate, where Democrats are scheduled to begin debate on the measure on Monday, and the price tag is likely to reach $900 billion. Larger than the combined total cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan so far, the two-year stimulus plan would provide up to $1,000 per year in tax relief for most families, dramatically increase funding for alternative energy production, and direct more than $300 billion in aid to states to help rebuild schools, provide health care to the poor and reconstruct highways and bridges. For more information, click here to read a Washington Post article online.
The House voted to include $150 billion in the stimulus package for education. For more information, click here to read a New York Times article online.
ITEM 5. HANOR LANE UPDATE
A walk-through inspection was scheduled to be held today to verify substantial completion of the work and to generate a punch list of minor things for the contractor to finish. If everything works out, the flow from Marshburn Road through the new sewer line should begin on Monday.
ITEM 6. NEW MICROPHONES FOR COURTROOM / POSSIBLE STUDIO FOR EWTV
New microphones were installed this week in the courtroom at a cost of about $2,000. This was done with East Wake TV grant funds. The grant came from a $25,000 NC PEG (Public, Educational and Governmental channel) grant administered through the eNC Authority. [The eNC Authority is the state initiative to link all North Carolinians – especially those in rural areas - to the Internet.]
The remaining funds from the grant could help pay for a free-standing studio for East Wake TV behind the Knightdale Town Hall. Currently, the back of the Knightdale Council Chamber is being used as a makeshift studio. It is proposed that the building would be built for a not-to-exceed price of $123,000. The Town of Knightdale has expressed a potential willingness to provide a loan to EWTV at an interest rate of 1.75% for the construction of the building, with the idea that EWTV would pay-back Knightdale over 5 years through PEG funds.
East Wake Television channel 22 is a government and education community access channel on Time-Warner Cable. EWTV is operated by the three towns of Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon, North Carolina. The Town of Knightdale owns, staffs and operates the equipment under the supervision of the three town managers.
The operating budget for EWTV comes from PEG channel funding received by Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon and through grants. Wendell sends about $5,400 in PEG funding to EWTV on a quarterly basis. This is money that Time Warner Cable is obligated to provide to support the PEG channel, and the town is obligated to use these funds in this way. If AT&T begins television service in town, they will be obligated to provide PEG funding, as well.
The annual EWTV Budget is about $65,000.
ITEM 7. CLOSURE OF WENDELL LIBRARY UNDER CONSIDERATION
Wake County leaders have asked their libraries to come up with $1.84 million in potential budget cuts. Library officials said their proposal includes closing branches at Duraleigh, Southgate, Wendell and Athens Drive High, as well as shutting down the Electronic Information Center in downtown Raleigh and a book mobile. Officials say the list is only recommendations for reductions, and there are no immediate indication the cuts will be made. Click here for more information.
ITEM 8. PROGRESS REPORT ON TRAIL WORK DONE AT WENDELL PARK
During the weekend of January 17th and 18th, Parks and Recreation Department staff and over 30 Boy Scouts from Troop 515 and some parents met at 11:00am and worked until dark installing 96 trail marker posts and 8 trail sign posts. Community Center Supervisor Phillip Smith has provided coordination and leadership on this project for the town. Tim Sherrill custom-built a kiosk that will contain information on trail use and safety concerns while visiting Wendell Park. While working along the trail, the decision was made to clear some underbrush and vines to develop more natural trails in the wooded areas (so that less of the trail would be routed along the cleared perimeter of the park.
Plans are for Phillip Smith and Troop 515 to meet on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8:00am to complete as much of the trail improvements as possible.
Troop 515 has proven to be an excellent choice for partnering with on this grant and trail improvements. They have shown the ability to take on the project and do quality work. The Town of Wendell could not have done these improvements at this level of quality and could not have met the February 15, 2009 deadline without them.
ITEM 9. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH
A Board of Adjustment meeting will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the Wendell Courtroom to consider two variance requests:
A variance request submitted by Quality Equipment, LLC for property located at 901 Three Sisters Road involving §154.103 as it relates to maximum allowed signage per parcel and §154.109 as it relates to maximum signage height requirements.
A variance request submitted by Gloria D. Crews for property located at 20 Hall Street involving §154.125 as it relates to expansion of nonconforming structures and §154.33 as it relates to setbacks.
ITEM 10. OTHER:
A fully-executed copy of the Lake Myra Joint Use Agreement was received this week.
Following-up on the comments made at Monday’s board meeting about the debris left at the NORCOM property northwest of Food Lion, Planning Director Teresa Piner called NORCOM. A company representative stated that they had a contractor to clean-up the debris, but they have had some health issues. They are searching for a new contractor to take care of the work.
The Wendell Parks and Recreation is very excited to be hosting its first ever Wiffleball Tournament. Right now, the tournament is scheduled as a 2-day event (March 28-29, 2009 at Wendell Park); however, this could be adjusted, depending on the number of teams that sign-up. The deadline to enter is March 24, and the entry fee is $60.00 per team. Teams may be co-ed, all female or all male (aged 13 and up). Call 366-2266 for more information.
The Eastern Wake Education Foundation “Stars in the East” event is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19th at East Wake High School.
The Raleigh City Council will have an initial review of a tiered water rate structure at its meeting on Tuesday, February 3rd. The Raleigh Council is expected to receive the presentation as information only and to refer it to a Committee, possibly a “committee of the whole Council” or to one of their standing committees. The Raleigh staff hopes Council will take final action on setting the tiered water rate structure (which is only being recommended for the Raleigh and Garner service areas but could be in Wendell’s future) no later than at their March 3rd meeting. The use of a tiered rate structure was one of the recommendations that resulted from the 2007-08 drought.
The Wendell Parks and Recreation Department deadline for Baseball / Softball / T-ball registration is February 5th.
Eastern Wake CrimeStoppers is offering a reward for information about the recent break-ins in Wendell churches and businesses. People with information can call 366-CRIME (366-2746).
ITEM 11. UPCOMING EVENTS:
DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION
02/02 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall
02/05 6:00 p.m. Informational Meeting about Historic District Nomination @ Town Hall
02/09 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
02/12 6:00 p.m. Board of Adjustment Meeting @ Town Hall
02/16 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
02/17 Board of Commissioners Retreat @ Former Council Chamber, Zebulon
02/23 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
03/02 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall
03/05 7:00 p.m. Triangle Transit Meeting about Possible Express Bus Service in Eastern Wake County @ Town Hall
03/09 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
03/16 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
03/19 6:00 p.m. Stars in the East event @ East Wake H. S.
03/23 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
04/06 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall
04/13 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
04/14 7:00 p.m. Budget Work Session @ Town Hall
04/20 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
04/27 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
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