South Hills Mall Redevelopment
Monday afternoon I met with a representative for the South Hills Mall redevelopment. He presented some preliminary plans which, if built as suggested, will make this site very pedestrian friendly. The preliminary plans included The Center along with residential, retail, and office. According to our conversation, development will likely be done in phases and be spread over several years. I hope to see their submittal in the next few months.
Weekly One-On-One
Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Before our meeting I attended the tail end of council member Johnson’s meeting with all the Department Directors and heard her speak of her passions and expectations. She is a great addition to the council, and I am excited about what she will accomplish.
In my meeting with the town manager, we talked about several topics including the Tennis Center, the South Hills Mall redevelopment, future bicycle trails, and an unhappy citizen that is in a dispute with his neighbor.
Wake County Mayors Association
Monday night I attended a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association. Attending were mayors from Apex, Cary, Fuquay Varina, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, and Zebulon. In our roundtable discussion we talked about several things including issues related to growth, social districting, future bond projects. Our meeting lasted a little over two hours.
CAMPO Executive Board
Wednesday afternoon I participated in a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board. The agenda included four consent items, one public hearing, and two discussion items. In the board’s only decision, the Wake Transit Community Engagement Policy was approved unanimously. One of the most interesting items on the meeting agenda was the presentation of all the I-40 projects from Raleigh eastward. Unfortunately, it appears there is a long way to go construction especially with bridges and intersections.
Cary Chamber Membership Appreciation
Wednesday night the Cary Chamber held their annual membership appreciation reception. I was a great time to visit and connect with various business leaders in Cary. I spent a couple of hours mingling, talking, and hearing about business issues.
Mooresville Retreat Welcome
Friday morning I provided welcome remarks to the Mooresville mayor, council members, and staff who were in Cary holding their annual retreat at the Mayton Inn. Some of the topics I covered in my remarks included facts about Cary, development, and political decisions over the last couple of decades. They chose Cary specifically to look at Boutique hotels. Other topics of interest in their retreat included arts centers, baseball stadiums, coworking stations, greenways, libraries, smart connected communities, transportation and mobility, and sustainability and stormwater management. It was great to get to meet Mayor Atkins and I hope their retreat was a success.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
On Wednesday, I held a quarterly All Hands with staff. This is always a very special time for me to connect with our employees, highlight their excellent work, and re-emphasize the vision for the organization. This session was unique because it was the first All Hands where we featured our new logo and tagline “Live Inspired.” This set the tone for the meeting, where we covered several important topics such as the Laurel Street Project and The Center . Director of Community Projects Doug McRainey joined us for the latter half of the discussion to share his passion and expertise when it comes to the development of the new community center. Doug is a wonderful example of Cary using our employee’s strengths to their fullest potential.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sean
Native Tree Planting for Affordable Homes in Cary
On Saturday, Cary partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Wake County to bring the My Tree, Our Tree program to the affordable homes built on Trimble Avenue. Council Member Lori Bush and Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar joined in the planting of native trees along with homeowners, staff, and resident volunteers. This blend of housing and environmental programming is the first of many for Cary. Special thanks to Marie Cefalo and Morgan Mansa for coordinating this partnership and event.
2022 SAS Golf Championship
Last week, many of us enjoyed activities surrounding the SAS Golf Tournament and we have Ted Boyd, Director of Economic Development, to thank for it. We are glad that SAS week is Ted’s favorite week of the year because he ensures it is one of ours as well. Through the week of activities, $250,000 was raised for the YMCA of the Triangle’s We Build People program.
Gale Adcock Visits Fire Station 9
On Wednesday, Fire Station 9 hosted Representative Gale Adcock and Assistant Town Manager Shelley Curran for an educational tour. The morning visit consisted of an overview of the station and trucks, lunch prepared by Firefighter Megan Prato – who is a trained chef, and even an opportunity to go on a call. It was a great morning to showcase the fantastic fire staff, assets and their commitment to the Cary community.
Specialized Recreation Monster Mash Dance Returns
Last Saturday, Specialized Recreation’s very popular Monster Mash Dance returned to the Herbert C. Young Community Center. Our Specialized Recreation participants, family members and friends were beyond excited to get together again for a night of showing off awesome costumes, favorite dance moves, and just being together once again for a night of dancing fun. Eighty people were in attendance consisting of 45 Specialized Recreation participants and 35 staff, volunteers, and family members. A special thank you to the fourteen Teen Council members who did a phenomenal job helping staff with decorating and serving as dance partners/assistants with participants throughout the dance. Everyone had a wonderful time.
Clean Water Act and Neuse River Recognition
October 18 marked the 50-year anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. The CWA was the first comprehensive legislation for improving water quality in the United States. The CWA established federal protections and paved the way for rules, policies, and funding for clean water and environmental protection. As we recognize this momentous CWA anniversary and its achievements, we also celebrate this week’s recognition of the Neuse River as American Rivers – River of the Year 2022 . This accolade is bestowed upon a river each year when environmental stewardship at local, state, and federal levels made notable improvement in the overall health of the river system. Cary takes great pride in our clean water programs, including wastewater collection and treatment and stormwater management. As a community within the Neuse River basin, we are very proud to support clean water programs that protect and enhance our environment.
Fire Investigative Approaches Training
Fire Captain Dennis Jacot received the NC Fire Investigator of the Year award at the International Association of Arson Investigators Fire Investigative Approaches seminar held this week in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Fire sent five members of its fire investigation team to this annual training, hosted by the North Carolina and South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. The week-long conference featured a number of classes and breakout-session opportunities for team members to enhance their fire investigation knowledge and experience.
All Hazards Event Class
As part of our ongoing emergency management efforts, staff members participated in the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service’s (TEEX) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Operations and Planning for All-Hazards Events Course. Over two days, staff were trained in the skills necessary to effectively plan for and manage a large-scale incident by applying and implementing an all-hazards, multi-disciplinary, management team approach, with specific emphasis on the planning, resource management, and information management processes. The course concluded with a practical application, simulation-supported exercise designed to provide practical experience with the emergency management and decision-making skills necessary to effectively manage an EOC. This course develops and reinforces emergency management, planning, situational awareness, information management, resource management, and decision-making skills for participants.
Engaging Local Government Leaders Conference
Financial Strategy Analyst Alice Mahood was part of the national planning committee for the Engaging Local Government Leader’s 2022 conference in Phoenix, AZ. The three-day conference brought together 200 local government leaders from across the nation to learn about innovation, leading from all levels in government, and inspiring others. During the conference, Alice led a roundtable discussion on what small and large changes an organization can take to foster collaboration and breakdown silos.
On the Forefront of Food Waste Reduction
Cary is part of ongoing conversation and efforts to reduce food waste in our state. Staff joined nearly 100 representatives from the US Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina (NC) Dept. Of Agriculture, local government, universities, the compost industry, and non-profits at the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Food Waste Stakeholder meeting. It was also the launch of the Use the Food NC campaign, with Elizabeth Biser, Secretary of the NC DEQ, emphasizing the state’s commitment to support the growing need for innovation and action that prevents food loss, increases food rescue, and composting. Cary’s composting initiatives are part of the local efforts highlighted in DEQ’s new online food waste/rescue map and continue to be in line with the key words of the meeting – partnerships and collaboration.
Citizens Take a Bough
Now in its third year, Saturday’s My Tree, Our Tree event provided more than 600 native trees to registered participants. The community has continued to embrace this campaign that beautifies landscapes and supports Cary’s tree canopy.
Upcoming Meetings
Athletic Committee
Monday
October 24
6:00 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Board
Monday
October 24
6:30 p.m.
Cultural Arts Committee
Wednesday
October 26
6:00 p.m.
Council Meeting
Thursday
October 27
6:30 p.m.
Mayor’s Mailbox
- Complaint about a neighbor’s outdoor fire container
- Complaints about a proposed rezoning in Regency (council has yet to receive information about this proposal)
- A request to help with community needs
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a visit to Kingswood Elementary, an inauguration ceremony at the SV Temple, a Dorcas Ministry tour, a Cary-RTP Rapid Bus Extension Stakeholders Oversight meeting, and the only regularly scheduled council meeting of October.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, October 30th. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communications with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
Harold's Blog 