A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL’S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2006-05-08/R-12)

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL’S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2006-05-08/R-12)

WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill held a public forum on January 25, 2006, and a public hearing on April 10, 2006, to consider and receive public comment on proposed items for inclusion in the Town’s legislative program for the 2006 Short Session of the North Carolina General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the Council conducted a meeting with the Local Legislative Delegation on April 24, 2006, to discuss potential legislative issues of interest to the Town;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby establishes the following policy positions as its Legislative Program for consideration by the General Assembly in the upcoming Short Session and respectfully requests that the members of the Town’s Local Legislative Delegation take positions consistent therewith:

A. Statewide Legislation:

1. The Town opposes proposed legislation that would substantially diminish or eliminate local franchising authority over provision of cable television services.

2. The Town supports legislation to authorize a statewide bond referendum to fund the purchase of land for conservation.

3. The Town supports additional funding for improved communications systems for emergency responders.

4. The Town supports proposed legislation to raise the state minimum wage.

5. The Town supports a study of the method of distributing the sales taxes and consideration of changes to the method of distribution those taxes.

6. The Town supports an increase in funding for substance-abuse treatment facilities and for the hiring of Alcohol Law Enforcement Officers.

B. Local Legislation:

1. The Town requests introduction of a local bill to authorize the Town to accept payments offered by developers to be used to support public transit system capital projects, in lieu of construction by the developers of improvements to the transportation infrastructure.

2. The Town requests introduction of a local bill to annex a small portion of right of way along the Durham-Chapel Hill annexation boundary.

3. The Town requests introduction of a local bill to repeal the second sentence of Sec. 2.1 (c ) of the Town Charter, eliminating the current provision limiting to four the number of successive two-year terms for persons holding the office of mayor.

This the 8^th day of May, 2006.