Fearing future action by the General Assembly could prevent Kinston from annexing land northwest of the city, council members declined to sign on to a request by fellow member Alice Tingle to delay annexation plans until state legislators’ plans become more transparent.

Tingle asked the council to rescind its resolution of intent to annex the property. She said she was not requesting a moratorium – only a delay in action. Her suggestion failed to gain traction after members Joe Tyson, Jimmy Cousins, Robbie Swinson and Will Barker voted no.

Tingle said a delay would give the council a “better feeling” about the state Legislature’s plans.

The city might forfeit its right to annex if the Legislature decides to allow only cities with approved resolutions of intent to proceed, but bans future annexations for cities that have not approved such resolutions, City Manager Scott Stevens said.

Council members can delay the process later, if it becomes desirable, he said. Stevens seemed to recommend the city proceed with a scheduled informational meeting on April 8 and public hearing on May 4.

“You could just lengthen the process by delaying (action) after the public informational meeting,” he said.

The council and the board of commissioners will meet together at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Public Safety Training Room at City Hall. Annexation is one of the topics to be discussed, as well as the possibility of shared services.

The council will hold its annual retreat in the same location at 4 p.m., March 9.

Both meetings are open to the public.

Other topics of note:

Electricities representative Estherine Davis sent a memo stating that it is "unlikely that Electricities could make a credible case" for TARP funds.  She also stated that with the $789 Billion stimulus package "none of the programs authorized or funded would be applicable to an effort to seek federal relief for the existing debt."

www.nclm.org/stimulus.htm

      RESOLUTION TO RESCIND

to consider abeyance of procedures on the question of annexation

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Kinston, did, on September 17, 2007, adopt a Resolution identifying potential areas under consideration for annexation; and

WHEREAS, each area under consideration for potential annexation has been carefully evaluated to determine whether it meets the statutory eligibility qualifications as set forth in Chapter 160A, Article 48 of the General Statutes of North Carolina;

WHEREAS, the Resolution of Consideration adopted on September 17, 2007, identifying potential areas under consideration for annexation is still in affect with an expiration date of September 16, 2009;

WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina in its current session is likely to consider changes to existing laws related to involuntary annexation;

WHEREAS, the Kinston City Council desires to hold in abeyance its intentions related to annexation set forth in the Resolution of Intent adopted on February 16, 2009, pending an indication of action to be taken by the General Assembly in its current session.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Kinston that:

Section 1: the Resolution of Intent adopted on February 16, 2009, identifying potential areas under intention for annexation is hereby rescinded.  

Adopted this 2nd day of March, 2009.

O. A. Ritch, Jr, Mayor