AGENDA #10
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Ralph D. Karpinos, Town Attorney
SUBJECT: Legislative Program for 2007 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly
DATE: October 23, 2006
The purpose of this agenda item is to give the Town Council an opportunity to begin discussion of issues it may wish to include in its Legislative Agenda for the 2007 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly and the process to establish its Legislative Agenda.
BACKGROUND
The North Carolina General Assembly will convene for its 2007 Session on January 24, 2007. The General Assembly’s Sessions in odd-numbered years are denominated “Long Sessions”. Historically, the Legislature has been willing to consider local matters which may be deemed “controversial” during these sessions, while sessions of the General Assembly during even-numbered years have provided a more limited opportunity for consideration of local matters needing legislative action.
DISCUSSION
In recent conversations the Council has expressed an interest in beginning its development of a legislative program earlier than it has in past years. Historically, the Council has begun these discussions no sooner than in January or February.
The North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) earlier this month held its Annual Convention in Greensboro. Attachment 1 includes:
1. The adopted NCLM Core Municipal Principles
2. The adopted 2007-2008 NCLM Advocacy Agenda
3. The adopted 2007-2008 North Carolina League of Municipalities State and Federal Action Guidance Document
In addition, we have received an inquiry and request from the Triangle J Council of Governments asking us to share our legislative interests for their consideration this fall. Attachment 2 is a message from Dee Freeman, Executive Director of Triangle J.
Attachment 3 is a copy of the Town Council’s Resolution from March 3, 2005, establishing the Town’s Legislative Program for the 2005 Session of the N.C. General Assembly.
Attachment 4 is a copy of the Town Council’s Resolution from May 8, 2006, establishing the Town’s Legislative Program for the 2006 Session of the N.C. General Assembly.
One new potential legislative initiative we have noted is the possibility of seeking further authority to implement some of the proposals contained in the Chapel Hill Public Art Contextual Plan, presented to the Town Council June 12, 2006. One specific part of that Plan is the proposal that the Town require an art component as part of the approval of private development.
We understand that pursuit of additional state funding for municipalities providing fire protection services to state facilities, an issue identified in the Town’s 2005 Legislative Program, would be an appropriate topic to consider emphasizing again in the upcoming Session.
Tonight the Council has an opportunity to:
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that Council discuss its interest in Legislative initiatives for the upcoming session of the North Carolina General Assembly and what further steps it may wish to take to develop a legislative program for the 2007 Session of the General Assembly.
ATTACHMENTS