Wendell News Outlet

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

Friday, May 15, 2009

ITEM 1. REPORTS ON THE FARMERS’ MARKET INAUGERAL WEEKEND HAVE BEEN POSITIVE; WILL BE OPEN AGAIN TOMORROW

Reports about the opening day of the Wendell Farmers’ Market last Saturday (May 9^th) have been positive. Staff has been told that the strawberry vendor had to return to the farm twice to get more strawberries. The farmers’ market will, again, be open on Saturday, May 16^th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

ITEM 2. JAZZ CONCERT AT J. ASHLEY WALL TOWN SQUARE ON SUNDAY, MAY 17^TH FROM 3 TO 5:00 P.M.

As part of the program of the Wendell Recreation Department, the Dave Youngman Band will play Jazz, Blues and Swing on Sunday, May 17, 2009 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at J. Ashley Wall Town Square. This event was rescheduled from May 3^rd, due to anticipated rain. If rain comes on Sunday, the event will be held in the gym of the Wendell Community Center.

ITEM 3. JOINT MEETING WITH THE GREATER RALEIGH CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU / CHAMBER BOARD – WEDNESDAY, MAY 20^TH AT 3:30 P.M.

You should have received a letter in the mail this week from the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB). The GRCVB has requested a joint meeting with the Wendell Board of Commissioners and the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20^th at 3:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting will be to exchange information and should last about 1 hour or so. The GRCVB is asking for an update us on what has been happening in Wendell and what is going to be happening in the next 2-3 years. The GRCVB staff will then update us on what is happening in the visitor industry in Wake County and Wendell. Denny Edwards our (President and CEO of the GRCVB) is scheduled to be present.

ITEM 4. USED CARS PURCHASES AUTHORIZED ON MONDAY PURCHASED THROUGH INFORMAL BID PROCESS

Three used vehicles were purchased this week using the informal bid process. Three late model Impalas were purchased from two vendors.

ITEM 5. LAND USE TRAINING HELD, RECORDED

Planning Director Teresa Piner reported the land use training workshop (facilitated by David Owens with the UNC School of Government) for the Board of Adjustment and Planning Board Members of the Towns of Zebulon and Wendell went well on Tuesday, May 12^th. The training session was recorded, and a copy of the recorded session will be made available for those who were not able to attend the session. If you are interested in borrowing a copy of the video once it is received, please contact Planner David Bergmark.

ITEM 6. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The General Assembly’s crossover deadline – the date by which all non-finance, non-budget bills must pass either the House or the Senate – resulted in action on hundreds of bills this week. With the crossover deadline behind it, the House will now begin the difficult work of developing its version of the State budget. Lower than expected revenue figures mean that the House must pare around $1.5 billion from the budget passed by the Senate last month. The House leadership intends to have its version of the budget completed by the first week of June. Because of the significant differences that will necessarily exist between the House and Senate versions of the budget, the process of developing a House-Senate budget agreement could be lengthy and may not be completed until after July 1.

The following is an update on one particular bill of interest to Wendell:

· ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION OF PUBLIC NOTICES – House Bill 193 – a bill to allow all municipalities and counties to provide public notice of public hearings electronically. A copy of the bill’s history is available here.

Ø Bill passed the 1^st reading in the House on 2/18/09.

Ø Re-referred to House Judiciary I Committee on 3/4/09.

Ø Bill stalled in committee.

Ø UPDATE: Bill now just applies to the Town of Clayton. Originally, the bill would have allowed cities and towns to provide public hearing notices on the Internet rather than publish ads in newspapers. The legislation ran into opposition from the Press Association and was amended to apply to a small number of cities and towns and then only to Clayton.

ITEM 7. OTHER

A. Wendell town facilities will be closed on Monday, May 25^th for Memorial Day. The Board of Commissioners meeting regularly-scheduled for Monday, May 25^th instead will be held on Tuesday, May 26^th at 7:00 p.m.

B. The Town of Wendell is currently seeking bids for resurfacing several town roads. Bids are due at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28^th at 3:00 p.m. The bids are scheduled to be considered by the board at the June 8^th meeting.

C. The Town of Wendell is currently seeking part-time, temporary employees to work as Public Works Specialists. For more information, check-out the announcement here.

D. The draft FY 2009-10 Budget Ordinance, Budget Message and PowerPoint presentation from Monday’s meeting is available here.

ITEM 8. UPCOMING EVENTS:

posted by Administrator  # 10:26 PM