Dear Chamber member,

I want to encourage you to attend our third annual State Legislative Briefing on Monday, August 11. The entire state delegation for Chapel Hill and Carrboro has been invited and the briefing will be an excellent chance to hear about key legislative priorities for the long session. Tickets for the briefing are $30 for members and includes breakfast. Reserve your spot now by clicking here.

I also want to point out that there are a number of vacancies on important Town and County boards that you can view here. One of the aims of the Chamber’s government relations work is to get more members on municipal and county boards. Please review the vacancies and consider serving.

Government Matters is a monthly newsletter that highlights government issues affecting Chamber members and the greater business community.  If you want to learn more about our governmental advocacy work and stay informed about upcoming projects, contact me directly or consider attending a government relations committee meeting. The next meeting is on August 7 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. and will be held at the Chamber.

Sincerely,

Adam Klein
Vice President, Economic Development and Government Relations
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
aklein@carolinachamber.org
(919) 967-7075 x.30 

State Legislative Breakfast—August 11, 8-9:30 a.m. Carolina Inn
The Chamber will host its 3rd Annual State Legislative Briefing on Monday, August 11 from 8:00am to 9:30am at The Carolina Inn. The event will provide an opportunity for members to hear from our State House and Senate Leadership about key legislative priorities and ask questions of the elected officials. Invited speakers include: Speaker of the House Joe Hackney (Orange/Chatham), Representative Verla Insko (Orange), Representative Bill Faison (Orange/Caswell), Representative Larry Hall (Durham), Senator Bob Atwater (Chatham/Durham), and Senator Ellie Kinnaird (Orange/Person).

Reserve your spot now by clicking here. Seats are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Breakfast is included. A special thank you to our sponsors: Time Warner Cable, AT&T, Greater Chapel Hill Association of REALTORS, and PSNC Energy.

Federal Issues Forum—August 4, 1:30-3 p.m. RDU Authority
In conjunction with other Triangle Chambers, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber invites you to join members of the Triangle’s Congressional Delegation for a briefing on issues Congress is currently tackling. Come learn how Congress is addressing the issues facing your business. Cost is $15, to register, click here.

County Passes 4.8 Cent Property Tax Increase
The Orange County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a 4.8 cent property tax increase at their June 24 meeting, bringing the tax rate to 99.8 cents per $100 valuation. The County budget came in at $183 million and included a few last minute tweaks such as the county sheriff’s office going from adding four to six new deputies and forgoing $121,000 to purchase new vehicles. For the full story, click here.

Carolina North Fiscal Impact Study Released
Tischler-Bise, a consulting firm hired to estimate the fiscal impacts of UNC’s Carolina North campus, unveiled a draft report before local elected officials at a June 26 meeting. The draft report looks at the direct and indirect impacts of the project on Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County. Looking at just the direct impacts for Chapel Hill, the consultants say the town will take on an additional $35 million in costs over the next 20 years to provide schools, fire protection and garbage pickup and gain $18 million through the estimated 8,600 new jobs created at the campus. For Orange County and Carrboro, the direct benefits are estimated at a net $26 million and $3.5 million, respectively. If the indirect impacts are included, Chapel Hill receives another $19 million in net benefits. Many of the elected officials present were skeptical of the figures saying they did not agree with the model and assumptions or that more new jobs—and housing associated with those jobs—would be a benefit. For the full story, click here.

Glen Lennox Project on Hold
Grubb Properties, owners of Glen Lennox Apartments, apologized at the final Chapel Hill Council meeting in June stating their initial plan was not sensitive to the history of Glen Lennox. The plan initially called for 908 new homes as well as retail, office and restaurant space. Clay Grubb of Grubb Properties said the plan did not “preserve the unique character that makes up Glen Lennox’s heart and soul.” The Town Council voted to accept the Glen Lennox area neighborhood petition and initiate phase one of the neighborhood conservation district (NCD) process. Going forward, Grubb Properties and the neighborhoods will begin discussing elements of the NCD. For the full story, click here.

OWASA Passes Rate Increase
On June 26, the OWASA Board of Directors adopted FY 2008 and 2009 operating and capital budgets and approved a combined increase of 17 percent in monthly water and sewer rates. The increase comes as a result of decreasing water consumption due to conservation efforts and will affect business and residential consumers alike; revenue from new development connection fees is also expected to drop. As part of the increase, business will also be faced with a water rate surcharge that will occur during Stage 1 and 2 water restrictions. There will be a 15 percent increase in water rates during Stage 1 and a 25 percent increase during Stage 2. The Chamber actively advocated for the business community, and along with other citizens, persuaded the Board to lower the initially proposed 24 percent increase to 17. For more information, click here.

Real Change from Spare Change Update
Real Change from Spare Change is seeking business involvement in a number of ways. The program is a community-wide initiative designed to raise funds for street outreach work and to educate the community on issues of homelessness and panhandling by encouraging individual action. The program was launched by the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership earlier this year and is endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce. Below are a few examples of ways you can be involved:

1) Formally endorse the initiative; your business name will be linked on the web site and listed in educational & promotional materials.

2) Display a poster in your store window and display postcards on your counter top.

3) Display a donation can; which gives customers an immediate opportunity to drop their spare change in to support the street outreach team and not give directly to panhandling individuals.

4) Host a Charity Day! With a certain percentage of sales from an item given to Real Change from Spare Change; CHDP will do the promotions. Contributions are tax deductible!

Contact the Downtown Partnership at 967-9440 or email for more information or to have a Real Change Business Kit delivered to you.

Orange Education Leaders Welcomed
The Orange County Board of Education welcomed three new members at their most recent meeting.  Two of those newcomers, former County Commissioner Stephen Halkiotis and Tony McKnight, were elected chairman and vice chairman, respectively.  Eddie Eubanks also joined the Board. The three new members received the highest percentages of votes in a six-candidate race for the three open slots during a May 6 election. For the full story, click here.

Town Recognized for Climate Protection
The Town of Chapel Hill and Mayor Kevin Foy were awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award during the 2008 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards Program sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.  The Awards recognize mayors for practices that increase energy efficiency and efforts to help stop global warming.

Chapel Hill garnered recognition for the creation of a fare free transit system.  Chapel Hill Transit has since become the second largest transit system in the state. Other small cities to receive the award were Columbia, MO, Highland Park, IL, and Orland Park, IL.
From Chapel Hill eNews

Yuhasz Wins County Commissioner Seat
Steve Yuhasz earned a seat on the Board of Orange County Commissioners, defeating Leo Allison of Efland in a runoff primary election. Yuyasz won with 55.7 percent of the vote to Allison’s 44.3 percent. Yuhasz will represent Northern Orange County in his District 2 seat. Yuhasz will join an expanded 7-member board as two seats will be added this year.  The new board will include three representatives from Chapel Hill and Carrboro, two representatives from District 2 (the remainder of Orange County) and two at-large seats. For the full story, click here.

UNC and Town Announce Major Downtown Acquisition
In a press conference held on Friday, Chancellor James Moeser and Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy announced that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Foundation will purchase the University Square-Granville Towers complex in downtown Chapel Hill. The Foundation is purchasing the 12-acre property for $45.75 million. One of the best parts of the deal is that the property will remain on the Town’s tax rolls since the Foundation, not the University, is purchasing the property. Last year, the total tax bill for the property was $868,279. Chancellor Moeser said the Foundation will honor the leases of businesses in University Square and utilize community input to develop a master plan for the long-term use of the property.
From Joint Press Release by Town and University

UNC to Host Job Fair, Local Businesses Invited to Participate
UNC-Chapel Hill is planning to host a part-time job fair on August 20 from 1-4:30 pm at the Franklin Porter Graham Student Union in the Great Hall. The University welcomes participation from local businesses in the fair. If you are interested in participating, contact University Career Services at 962-6507 or Emily Strader at estrader@email.unc.edu for more information.

Judge Sides with Aldermen in Harris Teeter Case
Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour ruled at the end of May in favor of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen in its dispute with developer Northwest Properties. Northwest proposed a 77,000 square foot shopping center along Jones Ferry Road that would include a Harris Teeter among other retail stores. The Alderman approved the project with a number of conditions, one of which was that there be only one entrance/exit. According to Northwest, that condition would not be amenable to Harris Teeter and so the group took the town to court. Baddour ruled that “the decision the aldermen made was supported by competent, material and substantial evidence in the whole record, and the conditions the board attached to the permit were reasonable and appropriate.”  He also ruled that the controversial condition remain a part of the conditional use permit for the project. For the full story, click here.

The Triangle Region

Chatham Commissioners Vote to Extend Development Moratorium
In a June 2 meeting, Chatham County Commissioners voted to extend a year long development moratorium another six months. The ban is on developments with 26 or more residential lots, not commercial real estate, and does not apply to the county’s two incorporated municipalities Pittsboro and Siler City. In statements made by commissioner chair George Lucier, the moratorium was meant to revisit county rules governing growth and that county staff have found that those revisions are more complicated than originally thought. For the full story, click here.

Chatham Passes 3.6 Cent Property Tax Increase
In June, Chatham County Commissioners passed a 3.6 cent property tax increase bringing the County tax rate to 65.3 cents per $100 valuation. Originally, the county manager proposed a 5.5 cent increase. The increase means the owner of a $200,000 house will pay $72 more per year. Chatham’s approved budget included cutting funding to a new Community Development Department by $186,207. Chatham leaders also reached an agreement with Durham to buy water from that county, saving Chatham $722,266, money that has been transferred to a water capital reserve. For the full story, click here.

House Sends Durham Meals Tax Bill to Senate
A bill that would give Durham County voters the chance to vote on a proposed one percent tax on prepared food and drinks passed the state House by a narrow vote of 60-59 Tuesday.  The bill, if passed by the Senate, will authorize a referendum during the November 4 General Election. Eighty percent of the tax’s proceeds would fund the renovation of many of Durham’s attractions: the Carolina Theater, the Durham Civic Center, and the Museum of Life and Science. The remaining 20 percent would fund marketing, workforce training, and community cleanup.

State representative Wil Neumann, R-Gaston, ignited controversy by announcing he had meant to vote against the bill when he had voted for it.  Because a vote change would have affected the outcome of the overall vote, however, parliamentary procedure did not allow for Rep. Neumann to re-vote. For the full story, click here.

State Government News

State Awards First Round of Green Business Funds
The Green Business Fund, founded last year by the General Assembly with a $1 million allocation, made its first round of grants at the end of June. Thirteen companies received funding in all, seven of which are Triangle companies. Four recipient companies were located in Raleigh and one each in Durham, Wilson and Pittsboro. No Orange County companies received funding. The funds are meant to help small businesses develop eco-friendly technology. For the full story, click here.

Federal Government News

Green Building Council to Modify LEED Standards
The U.S. Green Building Council is changing its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, the certification process for green buildings. A 30 day online public comment period ended last month. New changes will be rolled out as LEED 2009 in January.

The LEED 2009 changes will tackle criticism that it is too rigid and costly, and for awarding a single point to both additions that are cheap and easy as well as to serious time and money investments (you earn one point for having a bike rack, and one point for installing a costly new efficient HVAC system, for example). Ashley Katz, USGBC spokesperson says that LEED 2009 will be “simpler and more elegant and committed to continuous improvement.” For the full story, click here.

SBA Information about Economic Stimulus Package and Businesses
The 2008 Stimulus Package, recently signed by the President, has special benefits for businesses you may be able to take advantage of. The Small Business Administration has a portion of its web site that describes the particular benefits to business. You can view that page by clicking here.

Links to Local Government Agendas

Chapel Hill Town Council Agenda

Advisory Boards and Commissions

Chapel Hill

Carrboro

Orange County