Wendell News Outlet

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

Friday, June 5, 2009

ITEM 1. TRIANGLE TRANSIT EAST WAKE EXPRESS SERVICE ROUTE SURVEY – COMMENTS BEING ACCEPTED THROUGH JUNE 12^TH

Triangle Transit, along with its partners in Raleigh, Knightdale, Wendell, and Zebulon is requesting final feedback on draft schedules, routings, and stop locations for two new proposed express bus routes to eastern Wake County. One of the routes will be between Knightdale and downtown Raleigh; the other between Zebulon, Wendell, and downtown Raleigh. Both of these routes are tentatively scheduled for implementation in September 2009.

The Zebulon/Wendell-Raleigh Express would have three trips in the morning peak (6-9am) and three trips in the afternoon peak (4-7pm) between downtown Raleigh and up to three Park-and-Ride lots in Wendell and Zebulon. Potential Park-and-Ride lots could be located at Five-County Stadium, the old Winn-Dixie in Zebulon, and 4th Ave. in downtown Wendell. The route would also serve WakeMed Hospital on New Bern Ave. and the State Government complex in Raleigh.

To date, Triangle Transit and its partners have received more than 625 surveys about the proposed new service and had 53 participants attend a series of transportation forums earlier this spring.

To see detailed information about the proposed routes and provide your feedback by Friday, June 12th, click here. Those without internet access can view printed informational materials at the Town Hall in Knightdale, Wendell, or Zebulon or at the Eastern Regional Center and can leave a message for Triangle Transit’s service planners at 919-485-7526.

A tentative route map for the planned Triangle Transit East Wake Express Bus Service (serving Wendell and Zebulon to points in Raleigh) is available here.

ITEM 2. UPDATE ON THE FARMERS’ MARKET

Chamber President Bruce Lynch reports the Farmers’ Market continues to be a HUGE success. The market had an increase to four vendors on Saturday, and one or two additional vendors are expected this Saturday. Please continue to support this wonderful initiative.

ITEM 3. UPDATE ON URBAN LAND INSTITUTE (ULI) PROJECT

Because of criteria set by the Urban Land Institute, the June 19^th workshop will not be a ULI sponsored event. However, volunteers in the area of land use and transportation are still planning to be in attendance to offer their expertise for the workshop, as planned.

As previously mentioned, the group hopes to assist Wendell in evaluating and making land use recommendations for the Poole Road corridor. Much of the area under consideration falls within the jurisdiction of Wake County, and Wake County’s input will be sought during this process. This planning opportunity, at no cost to the town, will assist in the town’s efforts to show the County and State that preparations are being made to serve and plan for growth in this Short Range Service Area. This analysis and report will serve to bridge the area between the town’s primary corporate limits and its satellite to the west. The idea is to prepare a foundation for joining “the two Wendell’s” together as one community.

The panel will return with a report and presentation about 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

ITEM 4. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The NC League of Municipalities reports that it expects the House Judiciary II Committee to take up the annexation issue next week. The NCLM supports HB 727/SB 472 – Annexation Changes, which would enact 20 changes to address legitimate concerns of citizens while retaining fairness of annexation for in-town residents and annexation as tool for managing growth.
The Senate Finance Committee has appointed an Annexation Subcommittee to deal with annexation bills, and that subcommittee is also likely to discuss the issue next week.

ITEM 5. REQUEST OF CAMPO SUPPORT FROM DOT SECRETARY CONTI

NC Department of Transportation Gene Conti has requested the support of all Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations in obtaining funding for the widening of Interstate 85 and the replacement of the Yadkin River Bridge in Davidson and Rowan counties.

Ina recent memo, Mr. Conti stated,

I-85 is the most direct and heavily traveled route between Richmond and Atlanta, and it plays a critical role in regional, statewide and interstate mobility. The 54-year-old bridge has exceeded its design lifespan and is classified as structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. If the bridge is not replaced in the near future, a multi-million dollar rehabilitation would be required to keep it open to traffic. Closing the bridge would impact vehicle mobility, disrupt interstate commerce and inhibit regional economic development.

Despite its importance, NCDOT has not been able to fund this $300 million project due to budget and equity formula distribution constraints. It remains a top priority, and we need your help as we continue to seek a viable funding alternative.

This matter will placed on the agenda of CAMPO’s Technical Advisory Committee’s June 17, 2009 meeting for discussion and action.

ITEM 6. OTHER

1. Mayor Broadwell reports the Triangle J Council of Governments Anniversary Event (which had been planned for Wednesday, September 23^rd) is being delayed. The TJCOG plans to consider rescheduling the event to another date in the fiscal year.

2. At the Triangle J's Board of Delegates meeting on May 27^th, the FY2009-2010 budget was adopted. As a part of the budget, and to assist with the economic situation, the board approved a one-time dues reduction of 5% for the FY2010 fiscal year.

3. How’s your throwing arm? Mayor Broadwell, Manager Bone and Planning Director Teresa Piner will be assisting in a fundraiser at Wendell Baptist Church on Saturday, June 6^th. Each has agreed to be in the dunking booth. Manager Bone will be in the dunking booth from 12:00 to 12:30, and Mayor Broadwell will be in the booth from 12:30 to 1:00. Planning Director Teresa Piner will be in the dunking booth from 1:00 to 1:30.

ITEM 7. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

06/08 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

06/15 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

06/22 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

07/03 Town facilities closed for July 4th holiday

07/04 Wendell Historical Society July 4th Event @ downtown Wendell

07/06 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

07/13 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

07/20 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

07/27 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

08/03 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

08/10 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

08/17 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

08/24 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

09/07 Town facilities closed for Labor Day holiday