AGENDA #5g

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            Ralph D. Karpinos, Town Attorney

 

SUBJECT:       Potential Legislative Initiatives

 

DATE:             February 9, 2004

 

 

The purpose of this memorandum is list potential legislative issues that have been mentioned by Council members or raised at recent Council meetings.

 

On February 20, 2004, the Council will meet with local legislators to discuss the upcoming session of the General Assembly.  The General Assembly will convene on May 10, 2004.  Under the usual short-session rules, local bills are generally not considered unless they are determined to be non-controversial.  The deadline for introduction of local bills is expected to be set on a date close to the beginning of the session.

 

The breakfast meeting with the legislative delegation has traditionally provided an opportunity to raise potential legislative proposals and hear comments from our delegation members on these proposals.  Following this meeting, the Council will have an opportunity to consider adopting a legislative program for the upcoming session of the General Assembly.

 

Potential issues for a legislative program that have been mentioned by citizens and Council members over the last few months that the Council may wish to discuss with the delegation include:

 

  1. A bill to authorize a local public campaign financing program.

 

  1. A bill to authorize the expenditure of open space bond funds outside of the Town’s extra-territorial jurisdiction.

 

  1. A bill to authorize transfer of development rights into the Town’s urban area in association with conservation easements purchased in rural areas of Orange County. 

 

  1. A bill to allow the Town to enact zoning regulations pertaining to the ratio of bedrooms to bathrooms in residential development.

 

  1. A bill to extend the time period, established by local act last year that a special use permit development can be delayed if the property has been identified as a potential school site. 

 

  1. An adjustment to the State-wide standard Homestead Exemption to ad valorem property taxes.

 

  1. Proposed legislation dealing with regional transportation and funding.

 

The Council held a public forum on February 2, 2004.  At that forum no additional legislative initiatives were presented. 

 

Council members may wish to identify other potential legislative matters this evening prior to the upcoming meeting with legislative representatives.