Durham INC

INC Meeting Minutes

June 23, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:07pm by President Craigie Sanders and introductions were made.  Attending the meeting were:

Bill Anderson  Duke Park

Pat Carstensen Cross Country

Rosemarie Kitchin Falconbridge

BJ Council  Durham Police Department

Mike Brooks  Parkwood

Susan Blackmon YO Durham

Nancy Cox  Hope Valley Farms

Mike Shiflett  Northgate Park

Rev. Melvin Whitley YE Smith

Helen Youngblood Durham City/County Planning

David Harris  Old Farm

Jeff Brewer

Scott Carter  Woodcroft

Mike Woodard The World (aka Watts Hillandale)

Melissa Rooney Fairfield

Jim McDonald  Hope Valley

Myers Sugg  Tuscaloosa Lakewood

Leslie Page  Watts Hillandale

Craigie Sanders Grove Park

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Craigie Sanders made a summary of the 2008/2009 Hero Awards Ceremony.  Approximately 150 people attended the ceremony, which was held in Rigsbee Hall.  Craigie recognized Rosemarie Kitchen and Bill Anderson for their hard work in making this year’s ceremony a great success.  Unfortunately, one Hero, Ms. Beulah Hill, was left out of the awards.  Craigie planned to visit Ms. Hill and personally award her plaque.

Pat Carstensen announced a workshop on UDO issues that will be held Thursday, July 30, 2009 on upcoming changes to the UDO related to downtown redevelopment.  The public is invited to attend this meeting.  For more info on the changes, please visit http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning/udo_environmental_enhancements.cfm

Rev. Melvin Whitley updated the delegates on the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act, which passed the house and senate and is on the governor’s desk awaiting her signature.  He urged all delegates to contact the governor’s office to sign this bill into law as quickly as possible.  As many remember, this bill originated in Durham 3 years ago when INC voted to ban the sale of glass stems (rose in a vial) in convenience stores.

An update on proposed bylaw amendments was postponed until the July meeting.  Tom Miller and Colin Crossman will speak on this topic.

PRESENTATIONS

Our first presentation was by Susan Blackmon, executive director of YO Durham.    This year long program was based on a summer program developed in Boston.  YO Durham teaches high school students business skills and prepares them for work after high school.  The program operates out of the NC Mutual Insurance building in donated space.  This is a wonderful program and you can learn more about it here: http://www.YODurham.org YO Durham is currently looking for Steering Committee members.  They meet 1 hour per month.  If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Ms. Blackmon.

Our second presentation was by Jeff Brewer and Helen Youngblood on the Mountains to Sea Trail and its route through Durham County.  The trail was started in the 70s; in 2009, there are over 500 miles on the ground.  For more information on the MST, please visit http://www.ncmst.org.  For info on the Durham sections, please visit http://www.DurhamOST.org.

OLD BUSINESS

(Myers, please insert Treasurer’s report)

May 2009 minutes were approved with 1 correction.  April minutes will be available for approval at the July Delegate meeting.

A motion to vote on the Copper Theft Resolution at the July Delegate meeting was approved.  For text of the resolution, please see http://www.durham-inc.org/Table/Pending/

Scott Carter was appointed to fill a vacancy on the INC executive committee.  His appointment is temporary until it can be voted on at the July Delegate meeting.

There was some discussion on the University Apartments remodeling.  No action was taken.

There was discussion about the recent condemnation of the former dry cleaners located in W. Club across from Northgate Mall.  It was most recently occupied by a church, which was relocated after high levels of toxic chemicals were discovered at the site.  The dry cleaning industry has introduced legislation to limit the length of time for notification and public comment on dry cleaning solvent contamination.  Mike Woodard was looking into possibly scheduling a meeting with John Powell, Superfund and DNR.  More information will be presented at the July Delegate meeting.