INC NEWS - DRAFT INC Minutes - October

Sun Nov 2 21:19:16 EST 2008

As to the attendance, I can recall a number of folks who are not listed.  Our 
secretary did an awesome job of collecting them as they were spoken, but  
without a sign in sheet, it's impossible. We need to return to that  practice.

I recall being there myself, seated next to Kevin Davis who shot this  video:

_http://www.bullcityrising.com/2008/10/video-procon-arguments-on-the-prepared-
foods-tax.html_ 
(http://www.bullcityrising.com/2008/10/video-procon-arguments-on-the-prepared-foods-tax.html) 

In the video, Rob Teer, Dallas Woodhouse, and Ken Gasch. A question was  
directed to Mike Woodard, yet none of them are listed as being in  attendance.

Beyond questioning the attendance, those are the finest minutes  possible.

Bill Anderson

In a message dated 11/2/2008 8:12:12 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
deanna at crc32.com writes:

InterNeighborhood Council
Tuesday, October 28,  2008
7-9pm

In Attendance
Deanna Crossman  Walltown
Amanda  Arrington  Garrett Rd
Cathy Abernathy Hope Valley
Joe Chambliss  Forest Hills
David Harris  Old Farm
Mike Shiflett  Northgate  Park
Pat Carstensen  Cross Counties
Tom Miller   WHHNA
Craigie Sanders  Grove Park
Patrick Byker  K&L  Gates
Lynwood Best NIS
Helen Youngblood  City/Co Planning
Nancy  Cox  Hope Valley Farm
Josie McNeil  Friends of West Point  Park
Ellen Reckhow  Co Commissioner
Melissa Rooney   Fairfield
Rebecca Board  Downing Creek

Welcome and  Introductions 7:10pm

Announcements

November 8th 1pm – hike  on West Point on the Eno – join the Sierra Club for 
a fun day!

Parkwood  annual Christmas parade

Landlord Training Workshop by Neighborhood  Improvement Services on Nov 13th –
 contact them for more  information.

Nov 12 – public hearing on 20-35 long range transportation  plan - 

November delegates meeting falls on Thanksgiving – reschedule  and combine 
with December's meeting – next meeting will be the second Tuesday  December 9th, 
7pm.
The next meeting will then be in January, regular time  and place.

Updates

Thanks INC for support for the  non-residential commercial building code.  If 
you know of one that is in  dire need of repair, please contact NIS.

ComNET – so far the program  has identified 279 deficiencies, of which 260 
have been resolved.  100%  of the priority 1 items have been resolved.

Minutes approved.   Motion carried.

Presentation of nominations.  Motion to approve  slate from nominating 
committee for board for next year.  Motion  carried.

West Point on the Eno Park resolution

Motion to  support resolution.

Property owner and developer submit a letter for  consideration of the INC.  
Everyone has requested they halt development  to allow for the potential for a 
conservation opportunity.  They will  honor that request through Feb 2009 if 
the INC, FOWPP, and Eno River Assoc  will support a request that the city does 
not proceed with the rezoning as  well until Feb 2009.  If we support this 
notion, they request we write a  letter as such.

Tom presented a substitute motion that we table the  resolution of support 
for FOWPP, sign the letter supporting deferral, and  write a letter asking the 
city to defer rezoning, as the developer would also  defer any site plan 
submittal.

Patrick Byker, attorney for the  property, clarifies that the property owner 
would like to see both their  letter and the resolution be adopted, as they go 
hand-in-hand.

FOWPP,  Josie, would like to also show her support for the letter and  
resolution.

Substitute motion withdrawn – the motion stands to support  the resolution.

Mike would like to change resolution to "support  preservation of Black 
Meadow Ridge" instead of "support of Friends of West  Point Park" appearing twice 
in the resolution.  Motion and  seconded.  Motion carries to amend resolution.

Planning commission  notes that this is a critical piece of property, as it 
is the only opportunity  for West Point Park to expand.

Watts Hospital neighborhood believe the  tract needs to be zoned 
appropriately to protect the park, whether or not it  is purchased by the city or state.  
The current rezoning application is  for RS-10.  They would like to amend the 
resolution to add that the city  protect the property by zoning the property 
at single family with density not  more than 4.5 units/acre and protect the 
park will generous buffers and  minimal traffic (and a development plan) or to 
rezone RS-20 if the owners  don't cooperate.  Also, if the state purchase the 
property, the West  Point on the Eno should remain in city control and not give 
up power over it  to the state.  They do not oppose transferring ownership of 
the park to  the state, as long as the city maintain management and control.  
Motion  and seconded.  Motion failed.

Motion to support resolution.   Motion carried. 

Regarding letter from the developer to delay any  decisions until Feb 2009.  
Motion to accept and sign.  Motion  carried. (full letter at the end of the 
minutes)

Prepared Food  Tax

1% tax on all prepared foods.  80% for civic and cultural  amenities. 10% 
marketing, 5% work force development.  On the ballot this  election (vote by 
November 4th)

Robb Teer FOR – will support so many  cultural amenities, environmental 
education/trail/park facilities.   Workforce training and development is an 
ancillary benefit (Durham Tech, NCCU  culinary arts and hospitality management, as 
well as apprenticeships and  training programs).  Community cleanup (signs and 
more siginificant  resources). 

40% of the tax will be paid by non-Durham residents.   100,000 people per day 
come into Durham for work or pleasure.  Sometimes  referred to as a visitor 
tax.  Average family would spend an extra $1.70  per month.

This tax will take pressure off the property taxes (same  amount of money 
would be the equivalent of a 2 cent increase in property  tax).

All the surrounding counties have this tax, and they have been in  place for 
10-15 years.

The 10% used in marketing Durham is predicted to  bring in another $35 
million in additional revenue per year (and  increasing).

The programs that will be supported by this tax will free  up money from the 
general fund to support basic, critical services.   Also, the money given to 
non-profits will also come from the tax, and no  longer out of the general fund.

Other than the Haiti Heritage Center  and Baseball Museum, all the other 
targets for funds from the tax already come  out of the city and county general 
fund.

Dallas Woodhouse AGAINST –  this tax is regressive.  Poor people shouldn't be 
taxed to fund a  baseball museum that they are unlikely to go see.  Poor 
people shouldn't  be taxed on a necessity to fund optional programs (not school, 
fire, police,  EMS).

There have been a lot of job cuts and businesses are making tough  choices.  
The restaurant association claims the number of Durham visitors  each day is 
closer to 20%.

There is no imminent property tax  increase.  Sales tax on food will increase 
from 6.75% to 7.75%.

He  believes that the most appropriate tax is the property tax and increasing 
 those.  

Question: how would you fund a history museum?   Answer:  a lot of museums 
are funded by private  funds.

Question:  if Americans for Prosperity supports a flat  income tax that is 
more regressive, why oppose a food tax that (they claim) is  regressive?  
Answer: his affiliation with Americans for Prosperity is  separate from his role in 
the Durham citizens against the food  tax.

Questions: In Charlotte and Raleigh, the tax was imposed without a  
referendum.  Has there been a poll to see if the residents are  unhappy?  Was there a 
groundswell to try to repeal when it was  passed?  Answer:  Don't know.  Were 
passed 15 years  ago.

Question:  You argue that tax increases happen little by  little and slowly, 
but projects are delayed little by little and then years  have passed and 
needed projects practically fall through the cracks.  No  answer.

Motion to ratify the executive committee action and support the  prepared 
food tax.  Motion and seconded.  Motion  carries.

Motion to adjourn.  Motion carried.

Adjourn at  8:35pm.

Letter from owner and developer of Black Meadow Ridge  property
Re:  Suspension of any development applications for Black  Meadow Ridge 
Property

You have asked us to suspend any progress on the  submittal of any site plans 
or other entitlement applications to the Durham  City-County planning 
department until all of us have had the opportunity to  finalize the negotiations 
between the city of Durham and State of NC regarding  the property known as Black 
Meadow Ridge, which is next to West Point on the  Eno.  In consideration of 
your efforts to preserve Black Meadow Ridge, we  agree that we will not proceed 
with the submittal of any site plan or other  entitlement applications until 
after February 1, 2009.  This should give  all of us sufficient time to work 
through this process between the city and  state.  In return, by signing herein 
below, you agree to support a  deferral of the consideration of the rezoning 
of Black Meadow Ridge by the  Planning Commission or City Council until after 
the 1st of February  2009.  Sincerely, Mildred Ray (owner) and Keith Brown 
(developer).  

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