INC NEWS - DRAFT INC Minutes - October

Colin Crossman crc128 at gmail.com
Sun Nov 2 21:37:14 EST 2008


Bill,

There has been an attendance list at the door at every meeting this 
entire year, as there was one at this meeting.  As you know, we depend 
on people signing themselves in. Apparently this time, not all the names 
made it on the list.

-Colin

TheOcean1 at aol.com wrote:
> 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
>  
> 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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>  
>
>
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