INC NEWS - Revised Draft Minutes - October

[Deanna Crossman]

Hi everyone - below are the revised minutes for October.

It has been a pleasure serving the INC for the past year.  Your new
secretary is Leslie Page (leslie at westdurhamrealty.com).

Thanks -
Deanna


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
Mike Woodard
Rob Teer
Dallas Woodhouse
Rosemarie Kitchin
Ken Gasch
Kevin Davis
Scott Carter  Woodcroft
Wendy Jacobs  Solterra/Erwin Area Neighborhood


Welcome and Introductions 7:10pm


Announcements

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

Theory of Action for Change

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 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.

Wendy (on the planning commission, but not speaking for it) 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.


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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