May 11. By Dave Vieser. Although COVID-19 is on top of the agenda in Raleigh right now, canceling the I77 toll lane contract is still a priority for the Cornelius Town Board.
The Town adopts a legislative agenda every year to identify legislative priorities. Elected officials and staff use them to communicate with our state representatives and other stakeholder entities “on matters that have a significant and tangible impact on the Cornelius community,” said Town Manager Andrew Grant.
The I-77 toll lane contract is at the top of the priorities list, which also includes such items as a local sales tax and retaining town control of vacation home rentals.
NC Rep. Christy Clark and NC Sen. Natasha Marcus represent Cornelius in the state legislature.
Marcus said during a Zoom meeting to discuss the agenda it became clear that the sudden drop in sales and hotel occupancy taxes due to the coronavirus pandemic is a top priority as well.
MARCUS
“We have already passed legislation to appropriate some relief, but more will be needed. Funding for local governments will be a major concern as we move forward,” Marcus said.
Clark said she fully supports the town’s entire legislative agenda.
“In particular, I intend to continue to advocate for a magistrate for North Mecklenburg and prioritization of NCDOT projects that were delayed as a result of cash flow issues,” she said.
Specific Cornelius priorities:
1. Cancellation of the I-77 Toll contract outside the STI (Strategic Transportation Investments) process. During cancellation process, open dialogue between NCDOT and impacted communities to determine best transportation solution moving forward.
CLARK
2. Retain existing statewide Sales Tax distribution, where Sales Tax is returned to specific county where it originated from.
3. Retain recently approved legislation that provides educational options to the citizens of our municipalities and preserves municipal funding options for education.
4. Study legislation – Weighted Voting Structure for regional planning authorities like MPO/RPO
5. Support a future Westmoreland Interstate Interchange (Exit 27) for regional economic development.
6. Funding for regional community arts center located in north Mecklenburg (currently being planned for in Cornelius); $100,000 capital project funding (for construction) and $25,000 for program offerings (educational outreach classes to schools).
7. Enact a local bill that provides for a Cornelius-specific sales tax (up to a 1⁄2 cent), subject to a voter-approved referendum to fund road construction and maintenance. Tax would have a seven year sunset, and can be renewed by voter-approved referendum only.
8. Support legislation that provides authority to create additional Magistrate positions in the north Mecklenburg area, and support State funding of these positions.
9. Funding ($200,000) for a comprehensive Cornelius Redevelopment Plan that will define strategies to increase the stock of affordable and work force housing, in addition to facilitating improved access to funds and partnerships to achieve these goals.
10. Support Atrium Certificate of Need application pursuant to the need identified in the State Medical Facilities Plan for the development of Atrium Health Lake Norman.
11. Accelerate NCDOT roadway projects that were delayed by recent cash flow shortage, including West Catawba and US 21 widening and NC115/Hickory Sreet improvements.
12. Transient Occupancy: Retain and support extension of state law to allow Cornelius to continue to have authority to regulate vacation rental housing. Additionally, support study of impacts and need for potential regulation of transient occupancy for all local governments.
13. Support continued research and funding in response to the unusual frequency of cancers in the Lake Norman Region.
14. Funding in the amount of $50,000 for community redevelopment in low to moderate income neighborhoods.
