Re: [RCAC] Fwd: Zoning code update advisory group--finalizing CAC leader part...

Hi folks, Several comments . We are, as elected chairs of the RCAC/CAC representing our constituents, to provide council to the City Council- and that should be our guiding principle in all of activities. With that in mind I have several thoughts as to philosophy & process of these kind of issues . I would suggest that the bigger picture is whether we make our own decisions and send to City Council or delegate those selections to other bodies. While it may be unclear whether we have the power to appoint our own folks from the RCAC to various bodies, if we don't exercise that choice we will have decided we do not have that authority and that would be a shame. HERE we are told we have 3 reps (and 3 is very generous) and we should make those recommendations - perhaps one day we will be a part of the decision process where we suggest what our level of participation should be. Over the past several years we have had a lot of discussion about appointing folks to key city committees. We have even entertained recommending to Council a proposal that the RCAC be given a recommendation 'slot' on all the major committees where we make our recommendation to Council for appointment. One of the key reasons for this idea was to have folks at our RCAC table that were directly involved in the key City committees and it would serve both as expertise for us as individual chairs but also provide leadership for the RCAC as we make key recommendations back to City Council. In all honesty we don't participate in those appointments but if you want to empower the RCAC/CAC this might be a exciting way to reach that goal. In the UDO we are to have 3 'representatives from the RCAC' - it is an opportunity to take an assertive step and make those recommendations. How these recommendations come about speaks volumes about the empowerment of the CACs - so this provides a real opportunity to understand how the process works and if we don't like it, work with the City/Council to change it. As the RCAC/CACs are autonomous bodies, to not tap our expertise to appoint folks to this committee misses an opportunity to have folks on that committee serve that we know represent our values. I am not a proponent for letting someone else tell the RCAC who should represent us since it will lead us to act individually with the 'powers that be' to get the appointments we want'; this would discourage working together collectively and shift accountability to the appointing body when it should be the RCAC/CAC. This UDP Advisory Group will require a lot of time . and thus I would expect anyone representing the RCAC be committed to having not only this additional time for the UDO but also 1) the time to commit to the CAC chairs so that they will be able to have both input and 2) help lead the RCAC to make council to the City on key issues that cross all CAC boundaries. In short this means coming to the RCAC meetings and being involved in our activities. So can we assume from each of the 6 volunteers that they are willing to commit not only the time to the UDO but also to the RCAC & CAC chairs to carry their issues and bring back to the RCAC the knowledge and recommendation where we can collaborate to press key issues within our communities? By the way just because we have three official appointees, it does not preclude that others can't be very involved and also attend these public meetings. Were others interested in doing this I would expect our 'official reps' to make sure their concerns and suggestions were part of the discussion. We need a process for times like this . for now we can leave it to the executive committee (that is why we elected them); call for a vote over email or by phone; or call a special meeting of the RCAC if this issues is critical enough. In January I think we need to have this discussion at our January meeting because these issues continue to come up several times a year and we need a process with which we are all comfortable. Thanks for reading my ramblings! Regards, Bill From: rcac-bounces(a)eastraleigh.org [mailto:rcac-bounces@eastraleigh.org] On Behalf Of Ana Duncan Pardo Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 9:12 AM To: RCAC Subject: Re: [RCAC] Fwd: Zoning code update advisory group--finalizing CAC leader part... Hi folks, We now have a total of six chairs who have expressed interest in participating on the UDO Advisory Group. After discussing it with Alan Wiggs, we think the best thing to do is to simply send the list of the six nominees to Council and Planning. The only firm recommendation is for Paul Brant, as he volunteered and was accepted by the RCAC at the November meeting. The other nominees will be listed in the order in which they were nominated, as follows: Phil Poe Mark Turner Danny Coleman Justin Fischer Elizabeth Byrd Sound OK? Unless anyone objects to doing it this way, I'll send the letter to the appropriate folks at the end of the day today. Ana On Dec 2, 2009, at 1:30 AM, Southralcap(a)aol.com wrote: Nothing personal, Danny, but Phil, Mark and Paul know more about concerns of the various CAC's. I agree with Lonnette's choices. Mary Belle In a message dated 11/30/2009 3:28:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, acpardo(a)gmail.com writes: Please see Lonnette Williams' message below. ADP ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Frances Williams <flonnettewms(a)bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 3:24 PM Subject: Re: [RCAC] Zoning code update advisory group--finalizing CAC leader participants To: Ana Duncan Pardo <acpardo(a)gmail.com> Hi, My choices are Phil Poe, Mark Turner and Paul Brant to represent the RCAC on this task force. I had not seen Danny's when I first responded; it remains the first three who volunteered . Lonnette --- On Mon, 11/30/09, Ana Duncan Pardo <acpardo(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Ana Duncan Pardo <acpardo(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [RCAC] Zoning code update advisory group--finalizing CAC leader participants To: "Frances Williams" <flonnettewms(a)bellsouth.net> Date: Monday, November 30, 2009, 3:15 PM Lonnette, Thanks for weighing in. Which three? Can you post your preference to the group? Ana On Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 3:10 PM, Frances Williams <flonnettewms(a)bellsouth.net> wrote: Hi, I am good with those three representing the RCAC. Lonnette --- On Mon, 11/30/09, Ana Duncan Pardo <acpardo(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Ana Duncan Pardo <acpardo(a)gmail.com> Subject: [RCAC] Zoning code update advisory group--finalizing CAC leader participants To: "RCAC" <rcac(a)eastraleigh.org> Date: Monday, November 30, 2009, 12:06 PM Hi folks, Per our discussion at the November RCAC meeting, I'm writing to follow up about our participation in the Unified Development Ordinance advisory group. This group will be made up of different types of stakeholders in the development process, and will give input on the re-working of the city's zoning codes. There are three seats available for CAC leaders. So far Paul Brant, Phil Poe and Mark Turner have expressed an interest in participating. We need to confirm our representatives and then I'll send a message to Planning and Council to let them know who will be representing us. Paul, Phil and Mark - can you confirm that you are willing to participate on behalf of the RCAC? Is anyone else interested in participating? It's up to us to agree on who we want to act as our representatives, and anyone can step up. You don't need to be an expert, either--the city will be providing in-depth training to the advisory group members so that everyone will be on the same page. If you're already expressed an interest in representing the RCAC in this group, please confirm. If you're newly interested, please let me know by responding to this e-mail. As soon as we've confirmed our picks, I'll notify the appropriate folks in city government. Thanks, Ana Duncan Pardo Chair, Hillsborough and Raleigh CAC (919) 818-5933 _______________________________________________ RCAC mailing list RCAC(a)eastraleigh.org http://www.eastraleigh.org/mailman/listinfo/rcac _______________________________________________ RCAC mailing list RCAC(a)eastraleigh.org http://www.eastraleigh.org/mailman/listinfo/rcac