Wake County Mayors Association Holiday Dinner
Monday night I joined council members Smith, Bansal, and Craig along with several staff members in attending the annual Wake County Mayors Association’s Holiday Dinner. All mayors were in attendance along with other elected officials and staff members. Since it was the first time we had been together in about a year, we made sure to take a picture. The event was planned and run by the Zebulon mayor and staff. It was held in Raleigh and catered by Catering by Design from Cary. Each municipality supplied swag baskets that were auctioned off to raise money for Meals on Wheels. There was great conversation and fellowship, and a good time was had by all.
Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board Meeting
Tuesday night I met with the board members of the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board. Topics included future meetings, sponsorship, and community events that will be held in next year’s tournament.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
To close out 2023 and for the first time, the Manager’s Office hosted a holiday open house for our department along with Directors. This is something I’ve wanted to do for some time, and I’m so appreciative of Brittany Edwards, Christie Moser, and Sarah Acker for making it a reality.
2023 has been an incredibly full year – frenetic at times – and I appreciated the opportunity to simply relax and hear about everyone’s plans for the holidays.
As we approach 2024, I’ve never been more optimistic about our future and what we’ll accomplish together. Led by you, Council, our Cary team is perfectly aligned and poised to deliver on all it will take to keep Cary Cary and at the Top of the Arc.
Expect our next Council Weekly Report on Jan. 5, 2024.
Until then, my family and I wish you the very best.
With gratitude,
Sean
Council Meeting Follow-up
South Hills Tour:The Clerk’s Office is working on dates for the Council tour of South Hills to occur prior to Feb. 22.
Cary Updates the Jordan Lake One Water Coalition on Watershed Protection
On Dec. 14, Councilmember Lori Bush and Cary staff updated the Jordan Lake One Water Coalition (JLOW) on Cary’s long-term programs for watershed protection. Updates included Cary’s successful legacy of stormwater management and watershed protection within our immediate service area, coupled with regional efforts to advance watershed protection for the wider Jordan Lake watershed. Jordan Lake, which provides Cary’s water supply, is within a broad watershed spanning 10 counties and 27 municipalities. Updates were provided on Cary’s watershed protection funding strategies, reviewed regional partnerships, and selected projects under development, including the White Oak Creek Conservation Management Plan. Additional information on Jordan Lake watershed management can be found here.
Crabtree Creek Greenway Information Session
The Crabtree Creek Greenway project, extending from Bond Park to High House Road, is designed, with construction anticipated to begin in 2024. Earlier this week, staff walked portions of the greenway route with nearby residents and answered questions about the project, which will extend over 2,500 feet from the existing trail system in Bond Park to a proposed street-side trail at High House Rd. The project will connect Bond Park to a grade-separated tunnel under Cary Parkway and the adjacent Preston soccer fields. It will be constructed entirely on Town-owned land. Cary received a federal LAPP grant for $1.32 million to help design and build this $2 million project. Click here for more information.
Cary’s Commercial Driver’s License Training Program
On Friday, Dec. 15, Public Works staff had the opportunity to showcase our Commercial Driver’s License Training Program to our neighbors at the Town of Morrisville in our first-ever Train-the-Trainer event. Morrisville contacted Cary for assistance in creating its own Commercial Driver’s License Training Program, and we were happy to help. Our program was developed in the spring of 2022 in response to the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration’s Entry-Level Driver Training Regulations. To date, 27 staff members have completed the training and obtained their Commercial Driver’s License.
VFW Post 7383 Honors Project PHOENIX
This past week, members of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7383 “conferred service citations” to the officers and leadership team of Project PHOENIX in appreciation of their continued support to our annual Winter Wonderland Holiday event. Winter Wonderland is Project PHOENIX’s capstone event where they partner with non-profit and faith-based organizations, including VFW Post 7383, to provide Christmas presents for deserving children in our community. In his remarks to the team, Gunnery Sergeant Jeff Sherman commended the group for their exemplary character and steadfast devotion to duty and service to the community, ensuring that those less fortunate families are not overlooked this holiday season. Gunnery Sergeant Sherman gave certificates to Captain Rob Carey, Sergeant Dustin Wright, and Officers Pat Fox, Matt Beale, and Jeff Morgan.
Fire Recruit Academy 27 Graduates 14 New Firefighters
Last Friday, Fire celebrated its 14 graduates of Academy 27 at a ceremony held in the Council Chambers. Among the attendees were Councilmember Michelle Craig, Deputy Town Manager Russ Overton, and Deputy Town Attorney Nick Yates. The ceremony marked the end of an intensive seven-month academy for eight recruits, all of whom earned their required fire, rescue, hazardous materials, and rescue certifications. Graduates had their badges pinned as they received their shift assignments. During the event, the class presented the Extra Effort Award to Firefighter Jamante Winston-Smith.
Davis Drive School Zone Expansion
Pavement markings and signage for the expansion of the school speed zone adjacent to Davis Drive Elementary School are scheduled to be completed on Jan. 3, weather permitting. This work supports Council’s recent decision to extend the school speed zone north on Davis Drive through the Waldo Rood intersection. The project involves the installation of new school zone pavement markings and high-visibility crosswalks at the intersection, funded through the Spot Traffic Safety Improvement Program.
Annual Meter Replacement Project Kicks Off in 2024
Select property owners in Cary, Morrisville, and Wake County’s portion of RTP will begin receiving flyers next week, alerting them to the upcoming Meter Replacement Project, which will kick off field installations in the New Year. This proactive replacement project will replace approximately 1,500 of the system’s oldest and largest commercial meters. The replacements will only be take place at larger commercial and multifamily meter locations. Typical residential meter replacements are not covered under this contract. However, staff will continue replacing smaller meters as part of ongoing routine maintenance.
Renaissance at Regency Cottages
Last week, staff received final documentation for the acceptance of the existing private streets in the Renaissance at Regency Cottages neighborhood to Cary’s public street maintenance system. This was the cumulation of years-long collaboration between a multi-departmental team and the Renaissance Homeowners Association. Staff provided technical assistance and guidance to the HOA, which invested in making street, stormwater, and ADA repairs to reduce long-term costs for citizens in the community. The HOA assisted staff in analyzing our private street acceptance program as we seek to evolve the process. The accepted streets include Angelica Circle, Regency Cottage Place, Heathermoor Drive, English Cottage Lane, Bramante Place, and Medici Court. Staff is updating our GIS to prepare these streets for inclusion in next year’s Powell Bill.
Environmental Defense Fund Transportation Electrification Panel Discussion
The Environmental Defense Fund Cities Initiative invited Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar as a panelist in the Transportation Electrification Panel discussion earlier this month, alongside representatives from other North Carolina municipalities. Widmar highlighted Cary’s adaptive approach to fleet electric vehicle (EV) implementation through planning, operational phasing, and piloting vehicles. In addition to Cary’s 13 existing electric fleet vehicles, the delivery of a new electric recycling truck is anticipated in Spring 2024.
South Cary Water Reclamation Facility 35th Anniversary
On Dec. 21, 1988, the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility embarked on a service excellence journey for Cary’s southern wastewater collection and treatment systems. This year marked South Cary’s 35th anniversary, and South Cary continues to provide a wide range of forward-thinking strategies that ensure quality services to our citizens. Highly recognized and innovative programs such as reclaimed water, solar energy generation, and beneficial biosolids reuse continue to address Cary’s core values of service and stewardship. The facility has grown from its initial capacity of 6.4 million gallons per day (MGD) to the current rated capacity of 12.8 MGD. Join us in celebrating this milestone as we continue the mission for future success.
Heart of the Holidays Competition Wraps Up
Cary’s 12th Annual Gifting Tree Project featured a record 120 Christmas trees lining S. Academy Street and Downtown Cary Park. Local schools, organizations, and families decorated these trees, competing for a chance to win a donation to the nonprofit group of their choice. You can find the list of winners here.
Additionally, Cary’s 13th Annual Gingerbread House Competition attracted hundreds of visitors to 15 downtown businesses to vote on their favorite of 24 entries. Check out the winning creations here.
2023 Holiday Films at The Cary
Nearly 2,000 patrons visited The Cary over the course of eight days to enjoy our 2023 holiday film program. We’re proud to announce that 10% of holiday ticket sales will be donated to Dorcas Ministries. Alongside the fantastic holiday films, patrons enjoyed pre-show trivia games, ugly sweater contests, and an enthusiastic snowball fight! We hosted four sold-out shows and provided attendees with a free holiday photo keepsake.
Holiday Quick Reference
To put this important information at your fingertips, please see our list of holiday closings here, which include food and beverage services at the Downtown Cary Park.
For a full list of things to do over the holidays, click here.
Upcoming Meetings
No Meetings
Mayor’s Mailbox
- A thanks from the Haw River keepers thanking us for our partnership.
- Complaint about protests in the downtown park that are against Israel.
- Complaint about car exhaust and “unreasonably loud exhaust noise” from cars.
- Complaint about side street parking near the Downtown Cary Park.
Next Week
Next week I will be enjoying the holidays, spending time with my family, and writing my State of Cary address.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, January 7th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
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