Informational News of interest for the citizens in and around Wendell, North Carolina.
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Board of Commissioners Friday Update
Friday, April 23, 2010
ITEM 1. T-BALL GAMES START SATURDAY, APRIL 24TH
The first day for T-ball games will be on Saturday, April 24th. The opening day for baseball and softball will be Monday, May 3rd.
ITEM 2. CHAMBER PLANNING CONCERT SERIES AT J. ASHLEY WALL TOWN SQUARE STARTS NEXT WEEK – FRIDAY, APRIL 30TH
The first of the Wendell Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Concert Series will be next Friday – April 30th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. “The 3rd Stage” will play Traditional, Bluegrass and Folk music at J. Ashley Wall Town Square.
The other events scheduled are as follows:
ITEM 3. ARRA PROJECTS
# 5100-EA – Crosswalks on Third Street and Main Street – The brick pavers (at the wheelchair ramps) and the striping for the Main Street crosswalk were installed last week. The seal coat (shine) was done Monday, and the caulking work was performed on Tuesday. The strength test on the Main Street crosswalk passed on Wednesday, and the street was re-opened. A final project walk-thru is still needed, which will result in a final project punch-list (clean-up items to be addressed).
# 5100-EB – Buffalo and Third Streets – A survey crew staked out the location for sidewalk along Buffalo Street. Turner Asphalt plans to be on site next week to start the shoulder and sidewalk construction work. Work will start along Buffalo Street.
ITEM 4. MEETINGS THE MANAGER ATTENDED THIS WEEK
DAY DATE EVENT
Mon. 4/19 Triangle J COG Regional Focus Group – Knightdale
Tues. 4/20 NCLM Regional Meeting – Smithfield
Wed. 4/21 Retirement Reception for Knightdale Town Manager Gary McConkey
The Triangle J COG Regional Focus Group meeting in Knightdale was the 15th of 20 such discussions in preparation for the May 20th TJCOG Forum. The group consisted of elected officials and managers. The group was asked to discuss what “regionalism” and other such terms mean, as well as what issues should be addressed on a regional level.
Handouts from the NCLM Regional Meeting were included the Reading Material section of the April 26th Board of Commissioners meeting agenda packet. At this meeting, NCLM staff urged everyone to call Senator Hagan and Senator Burr’s office to ask them to not vote for Senate Bill S.3194, which would grant every police officer, firefighter and emergency medical technician at the state or local level the right to form and join a labor union; direct local governments to recognize the employees' labor union; and (among other things) require cities and towns to collectively bargain over hours, wages, and the terms and conditions of employment other than pensions. Assuming that you would not be able to speak to the Senator, it would be preferable to talk to the Legislative Director.
Contacts for Senators Hagan and Burr are as follows:
202-224-6342 voice
202-228-2563 fax
Mike Harney
Legislative Director
202- 224-3154 voice
202- 228-2981 fax
Natasha Moore Hickman
Legislative Director
ITEM 5. UPDATE ON ADVISORY BOARD APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
According to Town Clerk Jonnie Driver, the following applications have been turned-in so far:
Planning Board – Sally Phipps (out-of town); also, applications from Charles Cannon (in-town), Chris Smith (in-town) and James Parham (in-town) were held-over from January [one out-of-town and two in-town positions to fill]
Recreation Advisory Board – Jason Shirley (youth rep.), Jenny Potter, Dolly Cannon, Pam Sykes (senior rep.) [need to fill youth rep., senior rep., and three in-town rep. positions]
Board of Adjustments – none to date [one in-town position to fill]
Tree Board – none to date [one position available]
The advisory board application deadline is next Friday – April 30th.
ITEM 6. COMMITTEE NOTES
The following is an update of committee assignments, information and action:
UDO Ad Hoc Sub-Committee
The UDO Ad Hoc Sub-Committee continues to meet on Mondays at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Wendell Community Center.
The sub-committee will NOT meet on Monday, April 26th.
Downtown Sub-Committee
At the April 14, 2010 Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Gray reported the committee decided to apply to the Main Street Program next summer rather than the Small Main Street Program this year. She said the Downtown Revitalization Group would be forming some by-laws, forming a 501(c)(3), seating a Board of Directors and getting started.
The Downtown Sub-Committee will meet on Monday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in Activity Room “A” at the community center.
A Budget Work Session was held on Friday, April 9th at 9:00 a.m. at the Community Center.
The next Fiscal / H.R. Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 27th at 4:30 p.m.
The next committee meeting (originally scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.) has been re-scheduled to Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. Andrew Meyer, with Wake Co. 4-H, will talk at this meeting about some no- to low-cost community programs (mentoring, activity and leadership programs) that could be brought to Wendell.
The East Wake Gang Forum will have a special community meeting on May 27th at 6:00 p.m. at Wake Chapel Baptist Church in Zebulon.
ITEM 7. REMAINING UDO SCHEDULE
The remaining UDO review / adoption schedule (as adopted on March 29th) is as follows:
April 26 Break – Requested by Staff
May 3 Chapter 7 and outstanding issues
May 17 Planning Board Meeting - Present Draft Document
May 24 Town Board – Present Draft Document
May 31 Memorial Day
June 21 Planning Board vote
June 28 Public Hearing – Town Board
(Brief Town Board on Planning Board Recommendations. Accept direction from Town Board on changes to be made prior to printing complete document for adoption.)
July 12 Adoption
ITEM 8. MEETINGS THE MANAGER PLANS TO ATTEND NEXT WEEK
No significant meetings are scheduled besides the Board of Commissioners meeting, Fiscal / H.R. Committee meeting and various regular, internal meetings.
ITEM 9. DOT SPOT SAFETY PROJECT UPDATE
Concerning the DOT’s Spot Safety project (Hwy. 97 / Battle Bridge Road and 64 Bus. / Wendell Boulevard intersection), Joey Hopkins (Asst. Division Engineer) recently said DOT is waiting for a signal plan for the intersection. He said DOT hoped to have the project ready for letting (bid opening) this summer.
ITEM 10. TRIANGLE J COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
Triangle J's 50th Anniversary Forum (with keynote speaker Michael Rogers, The Practical Futurist) will be on Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center in Durham.
As an author, technology pioneer and futurist, Michael Rogers applies his experience from MSNBC, The New York Times and The Washington Post and asks people to think about the future in ways that are both useful and actionable. Seating is Limited! Triangle J Member Government members can attend for $40 per person. Registration for the event is through the Triangle J COG.
ITEM 11. OTHER
May is National Stroke Prevention Month. A Life Line Screening representative will be conducting a free informational session (for the public) on health and wellness on Thursday, May 13th at 9:00 a.m. at the Wendell Community Center. The risk factors and warning signs for strokes will be the focus of the informational session.
Wake County will have a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Wake County Justice Center (200 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh) on Monday, May 10th at 1:00 p.m.
The City of Raleigh will dedicate the Dempsey Benton Water Treatment Plant (2315 Benson Road, Garner) at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12th.
ITEM 11. UPCOMING EVENTS:
DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION
4/26 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
4/27 4:30 p.m. Fiscal / H.R. Committee Meeting @ Town Hall
4/30 6:30 p.m. - Chamber of Commerce Spring Concert Series – The 3rd Stage (Traditional, Bluegrass and Folk) @ J. Ashley Wall Town Square
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5/01 Wendell Farmers Market set to open
5/01 Opening Day for T-ball
5/03 9:15 a.m. UDO Ad Hoc Committee @ Community Center Conference Room
50/3 6:30 p.m. Rec. Advisory Board Meeting @ Community Center Conference Room
5/03 7:00 p.m. Downtown Committee Meeting @ Community Center Activity Room A
5/03 Opening Day for Baseball / Softball
5/04 7:00 p.m. Appearance Committee Meeting @ Community Center Conference Room
5/05 4:30 p.m. Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee Meeting @ Town Hall (Courtroom)
5/08 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 2nd Annual Public Safety Day Downtown
5/10 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
5/11 5:00 p.m. Tree Board Meeting @ Community Center Conference Room
5/12 Wendell Chamber Golf Tournament @ Wendell CC
5/17 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
5/20 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Triangle J COG 50th Anniversary Forum with keynote speaker Michael Rogers @ Sheraton Imperial, Durham
5/21 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Spring Concert Series – NC Revelers Orchestra (Big Band Swing- Jazz Orchestra) @ J. Ashley Wall Town Square
5/24 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
5/27 6:00 p.m. East Wake Gang Forum Community Meeting @ Wake Chapel Baptist Church, Zebulon
5/31 Town facilities closed – Memorial Day
6/07 6:30 p.m. Rec. Advisory Board Meeting @ Community Center Conference Room
6/08 5:00 p.m. Tree Board Meeting @ Community Center Conference Room
6/14 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
6/16 (Wed.) NCLM Town Hall Day NC Legislature
6/21 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
6/25 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Spring Concert Series – Driven Praise Band @ J. Ashley Wall Town Square
6/28 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
Board of Commissioners Friday Update
Thursday, April 15, 2010
ITEM 1. PERENNIAL GARDEN CLUB WILL HAVE ITS ANNUAL PLANT SALE
The Perennial Garden Club will have its annual plant sale on Saturday in the Town Square from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
ITEM 2. ARRA PROJECTS
# 5100-EA – Crosswalks on Third Street and Main Street – The Main Street crosswalk was poured Wednesday and Thursday of this week. It will take seven days to cure, and then caulking must be done, and brick pavers installed at the wheelchair ramps.
# 5100-EB – Buffalo and Third Streets – This week, the contractor repositioned a headwall at the stream crossing on Third Street between Martin Street and Buffalo Street. They completed installation of the storm drainage pipe and catch basins along Third Street and Buffalo Street. Time Warner Cable worked this week to relocate utilities (cable and fiber optic) to the newly-installed poles along Third Street. AT&T is expected to be on-site next week to begin relocation of phone utilities to the new poles. Turner Asphalt is expected to begin shoulder and sidewalk work along Buffalo Street next week or the following week.
ITEM 3. MEETINGS THE MANAGER ATTENDED THIS WEEK
DAY DATE EVENT
Tues. 4/13 Mtg. with Wake Co., Resources for Seniors,
Knightdale and Zebulon concerning East
Wake Senior Center
Wed. 4/14 Mtg. with Wake Co. to review Haz-Mat
Budget item
East Wake Senior Center meeting – We discussed the town’s costs associated with the East Wake Senior Center building. David Cottengim (Executive Director of Resources for Seniors) agreed to accept the water and sewer charges for the building. This will save the town about $3,000 annually.
Haz-Mat meeting – Staff met with Ray Echevarria (Wake County Department of Fire and Emergency Management) about the Haz-Mat charge that is included as an expense in the town’s annual budget. Staff is asking for some consideration of this expense, since the town’s citizens pay the fire district tax. This request is being reviewed by Wake County.
ITEM 4. WEB SITE UPDATE
Bill Hunter, of the Wilmington Design Company, stated he hoped to have the web site ready for initial review by the end of the month. He said there would be a good amount of content that would need to be added before the site could go live. Also, we will need to coordinate a time to review the site administration requirements with town staff.
ITEM 5. TREE CITY USA AWARD PRESS RELEASE
Attached is a press release about Wendell being named as a Tree City USA community for the 27th year.
ITEM 6. COMMITTEE NOTES
The following is an update of committee assignments, information and action:
UDO Ad Hoc Sub-Committee
The UDO Ad Hoc Sub-Committee continues to meet on Mondays at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Wendell Community Center.
The sub-committee will NOT meet on Monday, April 26th.
A Budget Work Session was held on Friday, April 9th at 9:00 a.m. at the Community Center.
The next Fiscal / H.R. Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 27th at 4:30 p.m.
The East Wake Gang Forum will have a special community meeting on May 27th at 6:00 p.m. at Wake Chapel Baptist Church in Zebulon.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of Town Hall.
ITEM 7. REMAINING UDO SCHEDULE
The remaining UDO review / adoption schedule (as adopted on March 29th) is as follows:
April 19 Chapter 12
April 26 Break – Requested by Staff
May 3 Chapter 7 and outstanding issues
May 17 Planning Board Meeting - Present Draft Document
May 24 Town Board – Present Draft Document
May 31 Memorial Day
June 21 Planning Board vote
June 28 Public Hearing – Town Board
(Brief Town Board on Planning Board Recommendations. Accept direction from Town Board on changes to be made prior to printing complete document for adoption.)
July 12 Adoption
ITEM 8. MEETINGS THE MANAGER PLANS TO ATTEND NEXT WEEK
DAY DATE EVENT
Mon. 4/19 Triangle J COG Regional Forum – Knightdale
Tues. 4/20 NCLM Regional Meeting – Smithfield
Wed. 4/21 Retirement Reception for Knightdale Town
Manager Gary McConkey
ITEM 9. CENSUS RESULTS THUS FAR
You can check on the 2010 Census response rate online by clicking on the following link: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/. (You will need to click on “View Participation Rates” and then enter the town’s zip code. You will need to “Zoom In” a few times.) The current collection rate for Wendell (as of Friday) is 70%. The 2010 Census State average for NC is 69%, and the average for the US is 67%. ITEM 10. OTHER
The first day for T-ball games will be on Saturday, April 24th. The opening day for baseball and softball will be Monday, May 3rd.
May is National Stroke Prevention Month. A Life Line Screening representative will be conducting a free informational session (for the public) on health and wellness on Thursday, May 13th at 9:00 a.m. at the Wendell Community Center. The risk factors and warning signs for strokes will be the focus of the informational session.
Knightdale has filled the part-time Asst. I/T Administrator position that serves Wendell. Tamah Hughes started this week.
The Triangle J Council of Governments will hold a Regional Focus Group Discussion series as part of its 50th anniversary observation. The closest focus group to Wendell will be on Monday, April 19th at the Knightdale Town Hall. The meeting is scheduled to last from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 11. UPCOMING EVENTS:
DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION
4/19 9:15 a.m. UDO Ad Hoc Committee @ Community Center
4/19 4:30 p.m. - Triangle J Council of Govt. Knightdale
6:00 p.m. Regional Focus Group Discussion Town Hall
4/19 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
4/20 4:00 p.m. NCLM Legislative Regional Meeting @ Smithfield
4/21 4:00 p.m. NCLM Legislative Regional Meeting @ Rocky Mount
4/22 7:00 p.m. Public Works, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee Meeting @ Town Hall
4/24 First Day for T-ball games
4/26 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
4/27 4:30 p.m. Fiscal / H.R. Committee Meeting @ Town Hall
4/30 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Spring Concert Series – The 3rd Stage (Traditional, Bluegrass and Folk) @ J. Ashley Wall Town Square
5/01 Wendell Farmers Market set to open
5/01 Opening Day for T-ball
5/3 9:15 a.m. UDO Ad Hoc Committee @ Community Center
5/3 6:30 p.m. Rec. Advisory Board Meeting @ Community Center
5/03 Opening Day for Baseball / Softball
5/08 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 2nd Annual Public Safety Day Downtown
5/10 9:15 a.m. UDO Ad Hoc Committee @ Community Center
5/10 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
5/11 5:00 p.m. Tree Board Meeting @ Community Center
5/12 Wendell Chamber Golf Tournament @ Wendell CC
5/17 9:15 a.m. UDO Ad Hoc Committee @ Community Center
5/17 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall
5/21 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Spring Concert Series - NC Revelers Orchestra (Big Band Swing-Jazz Orchestra @ J. Ashley Town Square
5/24 9:15 a.m. UDO Ad Hoc Committee @ Community Center
5/24 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall
5/27 6:00 p.m. East Wake Gang Forum Community Meeting @ Wake Chapel Baptist Church, Zebulon
5/31 Town facilities closed – Memorial Day
PRESS RELEASE
From: David B. Bone
Date: April 15, 2010
Re: Arbor Day Foundation Names Wendell Tree City USA Community
The Town of Wendell was recently recognized by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the twenty-seventh (27th) year Wendell has earned this national designation.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental and education organization with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.
Wendell has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Wendell recently held Arbor Day Festivities at Wendell Elementary, Carver Elementary and Lake Myra Elementary School.
“We commend Wendell’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”
Trees benefit the community by:
Promoting healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe.
Moderating climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife.
Reducing the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings.
Increasing property values, reducing energy use and adding beauty.
Wendell was also recently recognized by the Capital Tree Award Program for a Swamp Chestnut and a grove of pecan trees located in Wendell Park.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT TIM KAY AT 366-2266
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