The Davidson Town Board will vote Tuesday on whether to take the first step toward adopting 4-year staggered terms for commissioners. At its monthly meeting, the board also is scheduled to approve two nominees to the MI-Connection Communications System board, to vote on proposed changes to allow fences in the old part of town, and to consider an agreement with the owners of the Davidson East site off NC 73 that would delay any rezoning there until at least September.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St.

FOUR YEAR TERMS

Davidson commissioners last fall began discussing extending and staggering their terms. Town Manager Leamon Brice gave a presentation on the idea at the board’s October 2010 quarterly “mini-retreat,” and the board discussed the idea its November work session.

The rationale for the proposal would be “to accommodate the length of time needed to accomplish the board’s goals and to recognize the difficulty of turning the ship mid-stream,” Mr. Brice told the board at the October retreat.

Longer terms would create “more stability,” give commissioners more time to learn the issues, and boost the experience and effectiveness of an elected body, Mr. Brice said. Meanwhile, some potential candidates may shy from public service because of the cost and energy required to run every two years. Four-year terms could reduce that barrier, he said.

Davidson’s population is now 10,000. Mr. Brice said a majority of North Carolina towns with at least 10,000 people use 4-year staggered terms for their elected officials.

Adjusting commissioners’ terms does not require a referendum, but it would require an amendment to the town charter – something the board can do by itself.

To begin the process, the board on Tuesday will consider approving “a resolution of intent to consider an ordinance amending the charter.” If adopted that resolution (download a PDF copy here) would schedule a public hearing at the board meeting on Tuesday, May 10, at 6 p.m. The board then would consider passing the change at its June meeting, on Tuesday, June 14, at 6 p.m.

That timeline would ensure that the new rules are passed in time for this fall’s mayor and Town board Elections. Candidates must file for the November election between July 1–15.

If the charter change goes through, two commissioners and the mayor would be sworn in this December for 4-year terms and three others would take oaths for 2-year terms. After this election cycle, all board seats would be four-year terms, with commissioners being elected alternately every two years.

Town officials said Monday that the two highest vote-getters in this fall’s election would get 4-year terms, and the remaining winners would get 2-year terms.

OTHER ITEMS

• The board will vote on a proposed letter of agreement with Community One Bank, which owns the failed Davidson East project off N.C. 73 east of Davidson, that would formally delay any rezoning of the property until at least September while the town develops a new site plan. (Download a copy of the agreement letter (PDF), CLICK HERE » ) (Also, Monday night’s special meeting of the Planning Board on this issue has been canceled. See related story in Real Estate & Home, “Board to vote on fene rules, NC 73 zoning delay.”
• The board will vote on whether to adopt new planning rules that would allow fences in the Village Infill planning area, in the old part of town. The board in 2008 banned such fences after complaints about one home on Concord Road. Tuesday’s vote would allow fences again in the old part of town, but they would have to adhere to new size and appearance guidelines. The board held a public hearing on the rules in March. (See our coverage of that meeting, March 9, 2011, “Board OKs MI-Connection moves, adds business fee.”) (Download a copy of the proposed ordinance changes (PDF), CLICK HERE »
• Police Chief Jeanne Miller will give the board a presentation about her department’s current accreditation process with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA). The agency offers determines how well police department’s are adhering best practices for law enforcement. Town officials say her presentation comes in advance of an on-site assessment by CALEA on May 2.
• The Woodlands at Davidson, off N.C. 73 and Mayes Road, is being certified as a Wildlife Friendly Development by NC Wildlife Resources Commission, NC Wildlife Federation, and NC chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Local real estate and town officials say the certification is the first of its kind in the country.
• The board also is scheduled to hold a closed session at the end of the meeting on an unspecified personnel matter.

FULL AGENDA

Download the full agenda, with links to documents on the town website (PDF), CLICK HERE »

Here’s the agenda:

DAVIDSON TOWN BOARD, APRIL 12, 2011
6 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St.

I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
III. CITIZEN COMMENT
IV. CHANGES TO AGENDA
V. PRESENTATION

(a) Award presentation to Woodlands at Davidson (Mayor Woods) –

(b) CALEA (Chief Miller)

VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS

VII. CONSENT AGENDA

(a) Approve meeting minutes from March 8, 22, 29
(b) Approve 2011 Election Filing Fees for Mecklenburg County Board of Elections Exhibit VII (b) (
(c) Approval of redirecting anonymous donation to St. Alban’s Church
(d) Approve budget amendment for interdepartmental transfers from contingency Exhibit VII (d)
(e) Accept street maintenance for Cotton Gin Alley Exhibit VII (e)
(f) Adopt resolution of support for the Mecklenburg County Joint Master Capital Plan Exhibit VII (f)
(g) Approve Mecklenburg County tax refund of $3.19 and $3.95 Exhibit VII (g)

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

(a) Consider approval of a resolution of intent to consider an ordinance amending the Charter Exhibit VIII (a) (Editor’s note: This is the proposal to extend and stagger town board terms.)
(b) Consider approval of Planning Ordinance amendments regarding Fences Section 9.1.2.3 Exhibit VIII (b)
(c) Consider approval of the appointment of MI-Connection board members Exhibit VIII (c)
(d) Consider approval of a letter agreement on Davidson East property Exhibit VIII (d)

IX. CLOSED SESSION

(a) Personnel matter

X. ADJOURN

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