Tuesday evening the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners and the mayor heard about the progress on three programs or initiatives and learned that Rolesville and Wake Forest have agreed on an annexation agreement.
First up during the work session was Nik Davis, a principal with Houseal Lavigne Associates of Chicago, which is working on the Community Plan update. He presented the draft vision statement and goals, saying the difficult work will come this fall and winter when he and others assess all the information from surveys and workshops. It is expected the plan will be presented to the board early in 2022. Davis said 1,316 town residents responded or participated.
The commissioners have allocated $50,000 for a housing rehabilitation program in the Northeast area. Assistant Town Manager Allison Snyder said a committee selected Rebuilding Together of the Triangle as the most qualified consultant. The firm will provide homeowners in the area with repairs and correct hazardous structural conditions to assure safe housing and prevent and eliminate blight. Rebuilding Together of the Triangle has hired the Northeast Community Coalition to help with community engagement and education.
The project manager is Long Range Planning Manager Brad West.
There will be a community information session at the end of September, Snyder said, and the kick-off meeting will be in October with a Make a Difference Day when there will be minor home repairs and painting.
“Given the interest in the program, staff will submit the $50,000 as a reoccurring line item in next year’s budget as well which will be subject to board approval. The contract is contingent on funding available so the program will continue until funds run out each year,” Snyder wrote in an email after the meeting.
Environment Engineering Manager Cerrie Mitchell said the town has hired Freese and Nichols for a fee of $269,966 to make a comprehensive study of the health of the town’s existing stormwater infrastructure and assess date to prioritize the risks, costs and overall value to the town. (The stormwater infrastructure in town is separate from the sanitary sewer system with its own inlets at stormwater drains in town streets, pipes and outfalls into local streams. The storm water is not treated.)
The study will identify problem areas for flooding and solutions.
Mitchell said the consulting firm will also recommend a new fee structure – currently the engineering department uses general funds. Commissioner Jim Dyer wanted to know how much the fee would look like. “$2?”
Mitchell said it would be more like $5 to $15 per month.
The town commissioners are expected to vote on the new Rolesville-Wake Forest 10-year annexation agreement at their regular meeting on September 21.
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