'It starts with grilled cheese': Carrboro Board of Aldermen discuss corruption, walking conversations at Tuesday's meeting

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen passed an anti-corruption resolution and discussed walking conversations at Tuesday night's meeting. Staff writer Samantha Scott live-tweeted the meeting. 

We will be live tweeting the Carrboro Board of Aldermen meeting tonight. Stay tuned for more information on Earth Day plans and more! #CBOA

— DTH City (@DTHCity) April 18, 2017

The meeting is gaveled in by Mayor Lydia Lavelle, and the meeting begins with a poetry reading of "To the Fig Tree on 9th and Christian"

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Mayor Lydia Lavelle starts the meeting with a proclamation of Earth Day, April 22nd, calling residents to take action against climate change

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Your Bottles Mean Jobs Day, April 22nd, is also proclaimed by Mayor Lydia Lavelle for the town of Carrboro #CBOA

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The campaign's goal is to limit the amount of plastic bottles thrown away in the town and asking people to recycle plastic bottles #CBOA

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Water bottles recycled create approximately 3500 jobs around the state. Fabric and socks are among things to come from recycled bottles!

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Damon Seils reminds residents "A March For Science" will occur this Saturday on Earth Day in Carrboro and Raleigh #CBOA

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Represent Triangle presents an Anti-Corruption Resolution, hoping to insure politicians are for the people and not outside interests #CBOA

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Carrboro would be the first town to progress with the Anti-Corruption Act in the state if they choose to do so #CBOA

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Represent Triangle amends #CBOA for their constant motions towards progressive movements pic.twitter.com/yTWorJ1nhq

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Jacquelyn Gist asks residents to hold higher levels of government to the same standards of being for the people and not big money #CBOA

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"It starts with grilled cheese," says Jacquelyn Gist. #AntiCorruption #CBOA

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The Board approves the Anti-Corruption Resolution and will work towards limiting "big government" throughout the state of NC #CBOA

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The Board moves all 5 items on the consent agenda, including a request to set a public hearing on Land Use Ordinance Amendments #CBOA

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A presentation begins on Walking Conversations, an urbanist movement involving three walks, with themes such as "Inclusivity in Carrboro"

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These walks are not a guided tour, but have a leader with guided discussion of the town and its progress in the theme

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These walks occurred in downtown Carrboro in October 2016, with residents walking across town and suggesting improvements. #CBOA

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Damon Seils says he hopes the Planning Board will continue to plan walks with new themes this year #CBOA

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Sammy Slade said he hoped the Board will also consider spending more funds on walks, creating an even more engaged community in development

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Michelle Johnson asks the Board to remember the African American community as their development ideas from walks haven't been discussed

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Bethany Chaney agrees that it is important for these public spaces to be viewed from all perspectives, such as the disabled #CBOA

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"The walks should include places where some may not usually find themselves, so that our public spaces are safe for all,"Bethany Chaney said

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Jacquelyn Gist says it is important to acknowledge that when rezoning to bring business, it may be taking lower income families out of town

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The Board approves the motion for further Walking Conversations, and moves on to revisit a Human Services funding priorities report #CBOA

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The report on Human Services Funding and resolution follows a study completed by the UNC School of Government for the town of Chapel Hill

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Jacquelyn Gist reminds the Board that the Food Council has come to the Board several times for funding

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She states that the Human Services department respects their work, but prefers that the department use the funding for direct services

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Jacquelyn Gist requests that the money for the Food Counsel be directly in the budget for the Board #CBOA

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Sammy Slade states that it is necessary for the Human Services to rethink including money for the Food Council #CBOA

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Sammy Slade states he is concerned that food projects are built around fitting the funding instead of the original idea and problem #CBOA

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Michelle Johnson asks the Board to consider what qualifies as progress for Human Services Funding in facing racism and oppression #CBOA

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Jacquelyn Gist and Sammy Slade motion to separate funding for the Food Council from Human Services but Damon Seils will not accept #CBOA

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Jacquelyn Gist then motions for the Food Council to be considered for the proposed 2017-18 budget, which passes unanimously #CBOA

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The Board approves a motion to rewrite an ordinance on Human Services Funding, and will discuss wording on direct and indirect funding after

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The Board moves on to the final agenda item to request a public hearing conditional rezoning for 110 West Main Street #FoodFirst #CBOA

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The application for the rezoning was submitted in December 2016 and is currently on a quarter of an acre separated by two different zones

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The rezoning would allow a social service provider with dining #FoodFirst

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The project overview includes demolishing the existing building, creating a food pantry, parking area, loading dock, and shelter space #CBOA

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The location is also currently across the street from a public transit stop for the J Bus to meet all social service provider requirements

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The potential public hearing on the conditional rezoning would occur on May 23, 2017 #CBOA #FoodFirst

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Members of @IFC_Carrboro are in attendance at the #CBOA meeting with carrot buttons to support #FoodFirst

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Randee Haven O'Donell thanks the staff for considering including Sunday service for the J Bus from the Chapel Hill Transit #CBOA

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Damon Seils motions to approve the public hearing on the #FoodFirst Conditional Rezoning and the Board unanimously agrees #CBOA

— DTH City (@DTHCity) April 19, 2017

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen moves into a closed session. Thanks for following the live tweeting tonight! - @sam_scott138 #CBOA

— DTH City (@DTHCity) April 19, 2017

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