Wendell News Outlet

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

May 1, 2009

ITEM 1. RECREATION REMINDERS

A. MAY 3^RD CONCERT – The Wendell Recreation Department will host an Outdoor Concert at the J. Ashley Wall Town Square on Sunday May 3, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Dave Youngman Band will play Jazz, Blues and Swing. The rain date is May 17, 2009.

B. MARK CARVER DAY / OPENING DAY ON MAY 4^TH – Opening Day for baseball and softball will be on Monday, May 4^th. This also will be “Mark Carver Day” in the Town of Wendell. The first pitch for the will be at 5:45.

ITEM 2. NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER – THURSDAY, MAY 7^TH AT 12:00 NOON

The National Day or Prayer will be held in the Wendell Courtroom on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 12:00 noon. The local churches will have bag lunches available for the public, and everyone is invited to attend.

ITEM 3. BOBBY LANGSTON PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

After a comprehensive assessment center process, Sgt. Bobby Langston has been chosen to be promoted to Lieutenant in the Wendell Police Department. The creation of a Lieutenant position will allow for a more direct control over daily operations. The promotion took effect today, May 1, 2009.

A copy of a press release about the promotion is at the end of the Friday Memo.

ITEM 4. RALEIGH INCREASES IN-CITY WATER RATES

On Monday, the Raleigh City Council adopted a 9% water rate increase (to be effective today) and an additional 14% increase to be adopted in December. Wendell staff is working with the City of Raleigh staff and Jeff Adkins (of McKim & Creed) to determine the effect of Raleigh water rate increase on the Wendell pro forma. For more information about the rate increases, read a News & Observer article online at http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1503926.html.

ITEM 5. FARMERS’ MARKET TO OPEN ON SATURDAY, MAY 9^TH

The Wendell Farmers’ Market will open on Saturday, May 9^th. Please support this new initiative and spread the word about it.

ITEM 6. LAST CALL FOR LAND USE TRAINING – TUESDAY, MAY 12^TH

As previously communicated with the board, the Town of Zebulon has arranged for David Owens, with the UNC School of Government, to provide training to the Board of Adjustment and Planning Board Members of the Towns of Zebulon and Wendell. The training has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 12^th at 6:30 p.m. in Zebulon’s town board chamber at the new Zebulon Town Hall. The mayors and commissioners of the two towns are also invited to attend this training.

Mr. Owens is a lawyer and has been with the School of Government for many years. He has written several books on zoning, including Introduction to Zoning, which Wendell has purchased for its BOA and Planning Board members.

If you are interested in attending the training, please call David Bergmark by May 6^th.

ITEM 7. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

The following is an update on several bills of interest to Wendell. A link to the NC Legislature web page for each bill is also attached.

A. WENDELL ETJ EXTENSION – House Bill 743 – A copy of the bill’s history is available online at http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2009&BillID=H743.

Ø Bill passed the 2^nd and 3^rd readings in the House on 4/23/09.

Ø Bill referred to Senate Finance Committee on 4/27/09.

B. ARCHER LODGE INCORPORATION – House Bill 641 – a bill to allow the incorporation of Archer Lodge. It would require a referendum of the people on November 9, 2009. A copy of the bill’s history is available at http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2009&BillID=H641.

Ø Bill passed the 1^st reading in the House on 3/18/09.

Ø Bill re-referred to House Finance Committee on 4/23/09.

C. 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 at http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2009&BillID=H193.

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 has stalled in committee.

D. ANNEXATION – House Bill 727 / Senate Bill 472 – This is the annexation reform bill favored by the NCLM. A copy of the bill’s history is available at http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2009&BillID=H727.

Ø Bill passed the 1^st reading in the House on 3/23/09.

Ø Referred to the House Judiciary II Committee on 3/30/09.

Ø Bill has stalled in committee.

ITEM 8. OTHER

A. Congratulations to Police Chief Vance Johnson, who was chosen to serve as the Co-Chair of the County Emergency Communications Organization (WECO) Policy Board. The board advises the county on 9-1-1 and other emergency communication matters.

C. The NC League of Municipalities’ Town Hall Day will be on Wednesday, May 6^th from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Mayor Broadwell, Commissioner Connolly and Manager Bone plan to attend.

D. 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.

ITEM 9. UPCOMING EVENTS:

PRESS RELEASE

FROM: Vance Johnson, Chief of Police

DATE: May 1, 2009

Re.: Bobby Langston Promoted to Lieutenant

Sergeant Bobby Langston has been promoted to Lieutenant with the Wendell Police Department. Effective today, Lieutenant Langston will assume responsibilities as Operation Commander. This is a new position within the department.

Lieutenant Langston and four other candidates completed an assessment process. All five candidates were internal applicants.

Langston is a Wendell native and has served with the Wendell Police Department since June of 1995. In January of 1997, Langston was promoted to Sergeant and soon thereafter, he received his first Employee of the Year award in 1998. Langston was also recognized in 2008 as Employee of the Year, making him the first double recipient of the award since the award started in 1988.

Police Chief Vance Johnson spoke very highly of Langston, “It was a very competitive process that identified several outstanding candidates. Lieutenant Langston is truly an outstanding employee and leader within the police department. He has been and will continue to be an asset to our agency and community”.

Sergeant Langston and his wife, Amy, are proud parents of two daughters.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT 919-365-4444.

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posted by Administrator  # 6:54 PM