Frequently asked mayor & council questions [email protected] Q. When does the Town Council meet? Pam Hemminger, Mayor A. The Mayor and Council hold meetings normally 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514 at 7 p.m. on scheduled Wednesdays. The Council 919-824-5197 [email protected] normally does not meet in July and August. See @TOCHMayor Office www.townofchapelhill.org/calendar for more. Jessica Anderson, Council Member mayor Q. What are the terms of our Council Members? 919-391-0118 [email protected] A. Town Council Members are elected to four-year Twitter: @Jess4Council & town terms. Elections for these seats are staggered so that four members are elected at each biennial Allen Buansi, Council Member election in odd-numbered years. 919-275-2711 council [email protected] Twitter: @AllenBuansi Q. Do Council Members represent certain districts within the city? Hongbin Gu, Council Member 919-923-7912 A. No. Council Members are elected at-large and [email protected] represent the entire Town. @hongbin4council

Q. How is the Mayor selected? Tai Huynh, Council Member 727-458-3073 A. Voters elect a Mayor every two years for a two- [email protected] year term. Twitter: @thuynh77

Q. Do Council candidates run for office as Michael Parker, Council Member members of specific political parties? 919-883-2063 [email protected] A. No. Town Council elections are non-partisan. Twitter: @MichaelParker1 the duties and Amy Ryan, Council Member goals of your Q. What constitutes a quorum of the Council? 919-590-5772 A. A majority of the Members of the Council (five [email protected] elected officials members) constitutes a quorum to do business. Twitter: @amy4chapelhill Karen Stegman, Council Member Q. Do Council Members get paid? 919-824-5197 A. Yes. The Mayor’s annual salary is $26,748, and a [email protected] Twitter: @Stegman4CH Council Member’s $16,495 per year. In addition, facebook.com/chapelhillgov www.townofchapelhill.org elected officials receive health insurance. @chapelhillgov PUBLISHED IN MARCH 2021 BY: Town of Chapel Hill Chapel Hill e-News - Subscribe at Communications and Public Affairs [email protected] (919) 968-2743 or [email protected] Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle. MAYOR strategic goals and objectives The Mayor presides at all meetings of the Town Council and votes on all issues before the Council. The The following goals were developed by the Town Council for 2020-22 fiscal years. The goals are used to develop the Town’s Mayor is recognized as the official head of the Town budget and allocate resources and staff time. They are displayed in every department throughout the Town organization to by the courts and has the power to administer oaths. inform employees and residents. Learn more at www.townofchapelhill.org/councilgoals. The mayor is the principal representative of the Coun- cil in relationships with the federal, state and other Environmental Stewardship Connected Community local governments. The Mayor’s position has no veto To mitigate effects of climate changes through To create a highly connected community where over Council actions and no executive authority. management of Town resources, partnerships, and bicycling, walking, and transit are convenient, natural environment everyday choices for our neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces • Reduce carbon footprint mayor pro tem • Improve local waterways and conserve biological • Improve management of traffic flow during peak times of day and at problem intersections During the disability of the Mayor or while the ecosystems • Increase connectivity between walking, bicycling, and Mayor is absent from the Town, the functions of the • Invest in green infrastructure and build community multi-modal networks to reduce amount of driving office are carried out by the Mayor Pro Tem. The resiliency needed to get around Chapel Hill mayor pro tem presides at all meetings of the Town Economic and Financial Stewardship Council in the absence of the mayor. A member of Vibrant & Inclusive Community To steward public assets and support a vibrant the Council serving as mayor pro tem votes on all economy where there is opportunity for jobs and To enrich the lives of those who live, work, and visit matters, and is considered a member of the Coun- entrepreneurship that position Chapel Hill for the Chapel Hill by building community and creating a cil for all purposes (including the determination of future place for everyone whether a quorum is present.) • Attract and retrain companies that create jobs in Chapel • Create diverse opportunities for community to engage Hill with the arts council members • Make Downtown Chapel Hill a destination with diverse • Improve connections and partnerships with historically options for work, live, and play disengaged and marginalized populations The primary mission of the Mayor and Council as the • Adopt a budget strategy that aligns Town revenues and • Preserve the history of Chapel Hill and embrace the governing body of the Town is to adopt and provide expenses future needs of the community for the execution of ordinances, rules and regulations as Affordable Housing Safe Community may be necessary or appropriate to protect health, life or property, or to promote the comfort, convenience, secu- To increase access to housing for individuals across To preserve and protect life and property through the rity, good order, better government, or the general welfare a range of incomes, and to constantly strive for fair and effective delivery of Town services of the Town and its citizens. Council duties include: more equitable outcomes and opportunities for • Invest in facilities and infrastructure that support public historically underserved populations • Setting the property tax rate and all fees, fines and safety penalties. • Adopt a plan for financial sustainability for public transit • Maintain community safety using equitable policing • Establishing the budget for Town operations and in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill, Carrboro, GoTriangle practices capital improvements. and Orange County • Deliver Town services fairly and effectively • Appointing members to advisory boards, • Conduct a town-wide comprehensive traffic analysis Collaborative & Innovative Organization commissions, task forces and committees. • Develop a holistic mobility plan To continue to build a Town workforce that leads • Determining long range goals and objectives of the with collaboration and innovation to build a Town as embodied in the Comprehensive Plan. community where people thrive • Appointing the Town Manager and Town Attorney. • Increase collaboration, innovation, and learning • Attract and retain diverse and talented employees • Increase public transparency and information sharing