I.

Introduction of Members:

Members present: Kelly Commiskey, Michelle Hillison Jamie Cuticchia, Robert Keely, Dean Smith, and John Fitzpatrick. Members absent: Jo Rathgeber, Eugene Murray, Dana Ellington, and Fred Woolard.  

Council Member Julie Robison was present. Staff members Susan Moran, Karen Gray, and Roger May were present.

II.

Approval of Minutes:

The board unanimously approved the minutes of the September 2, 2004 meeting.

III.

Citizen Comments:

There were no citizen comments.

IV.

Old/New Business:

1. How ISAB interacts with Council and types of projects they want to be involved with (i.e. Celebrate Cary, Focus on Cary, Envision Cary).  

Ms. Moran gave the Board a historical overview of interactions between Council and boards/ commissions. Ms. Moran noted that the level of interaction varies depending on a wide variety of factors. Deputy Town Clerk Karen Gray addressed the Board and providing more specific examples of Council’s interaction with other Town boards and commissions. Ms. Gray specifically noted the three boards and commissions charged with reporting to Council per the Town’s ordinances: Zoning Board of Adjustment, Planning and Zoning Board, and the Town Center Review Commission.  

Following is a list of questions Mr. Keely emailed Board members prior to the meeting to help prepare their comments and discussion for the meeting:  

- How does our mission compare with what Council asks us to do versus what we decide to do?

- How should the board’s agenda/work be set/generated—that is, should the board only be looking at issues sent to them by the Council, or should the board be generating independent ideas and sending them to Council without Council’s asking, or should it be some combination of the two?

- Given everything that’s been done, is the board still necessary?

- Does it make sense from a cost-benefit standpoint for the board to continue exactly as it is?

- Should the board meet more or less often, in the same or a different way?

- Should the board be more like Board of Adjustment and Town Center Review, which meet only when an item is sent to them from the Council? For example, the board spent quite a bit of energy on Wi-Fi without Council asking for this.  On the other hand, the board spent time on the Mega Forum, which the Council specifically requested input on.  

Mr. Keely synopsized the thoughts of Mr. Murray, who though absent, provided comments via email.  Mr. Murray conveyed that he felt the ISAB fulfills its mission by advising offering input and guidance; however he felt that the Board's agenda should generally be more reactive to Council/staff requests than proactively setting its own direction.  

Mr. Smith voiced his concerns about the lack of clear and structured direction from Council regarding the ISAB’s mission. Ms. Hillison stated that she strongly favored the Board assuming a proactive approach to issues rather than a reactive approach. She also stated that the ISAB has worked very hard over the last eight months on several important issues and that she felt the Board’s existence was absolutely justified.  

Mr. Keely stated that the drive of the conversation was to inspire conversation about the Board’s mission and the delineation between Council-directed initiatives and Board-driven discussions.  

Council Member Robison addressed the Board and conveyed her thoughts on the issue. She noted that she has been a member of the Economic Development Commission since its inception and that its mission and focus is an ever-changing one due to the economy, political climates, and personalities. She also noted her involvement with the Sister Cities Commission, pointing out that most of their activities are self-directed rather than Council-directed. She stated that perhaps a small group of Council members should meet to discuss the ISAB’s mission and evaluate its direction. She commended the Board for its initiative at the January 2004 planning meeting and their important work with Susan Moran. She reminded the Board that the Town of Cary operates in a Council-Manager form of government and that overall everything done by the Town is a team effort. She conveyed her appreciation for the Board’s technical opinions, talents, and interests. She also suggested looking into developing a routine feedback process and routine direction from Council.  

Ms. Commiskey suggested that rather than setting the Board’s goals a year in advance, that they consider setting them for four or five month blocks to keep the goals and objectives more aligned with changing technologies and information.  

Acting Chair Keely suggested to the Board that this issue be tabled until the next meeting in order to provide absent members the opportunity to provide their comments. The Board unanimously agreed and as a result, this issue will be moved to the Old/New Business section of the November 4, 2004 agenda.

V.

Member Comments:

John Fitzpatrick stated his concerns with the GIS test site and its lack of cooperation with Web browsers other than Internet Explorer. He also mentioned issues with rendering and changes to the toolbar. He noted that he emailed his concerns to staff but hadn’t yet received a reply.  

Jamie Cuticchia also stated his concerns with the GIS test site, specifically regarding the ease of perceivably sensitive information on residents. He stated that he thought it was too easily accessible.  

Robert Keely stated the he felt that testing the GIS site was an excellent project for the Board to advise and offer feedback on.  

Council Member Julie Robison stated that she had trouble using the Town’s search engine and could use some training on this function.  

Kelly Commiskey asked Ms. Moran is if it were possible to add sample video footage from the Safelight Cary program (specifically a vehicle running a red light) to the Web site to give citizens more information. Ms. Moran noted that she would research this issue and follow up with her.

VI.

Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.

VII.

Next ISAB Meeting:

The next ISAB meeting will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2004 at 5:30 p.m. in the Temporary Council Chambers at the Herb Young Community Center , 101 Wilkinson Avenue , Cary .