Manager One-On-One
Monday, I met with the town manager briefly. Topics included the HRID committee, and a special project that may be coming to Cary. Afterwards I joined the town manager in a brief discussion with a representative of the Waverly Place rezoning.
HRID meeting
Tuesday night I joined a meeting of HRID (Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Advisory Board. They were given a presentation on sustainability and climate action strategy from staff, discussed their goals from their work plan, and talked about ways to participate in spring community engagement events. After these items I gave an update on the council and town activities.
First Responders Breakfast
Wednesday morning I joined most of the council and several hundred people at the Cary Chamber’s First Responders Breakfast.
The keynote speaker was Lewis Merietti, the retired Director of Secret Service, and a Green Baret Vietnam Veteran. His hour-long talk included his training and service in Vietnam, and his various roles in the Secret Service including protecting the first family. His decision-making skills prevented an assassination attempt on President Clinton. One interesting comment he made at the beginning and end of his talk was that the Secret Service is currently broken.
The breakfast was attended by citizens, community leaders, and our first responders. It was our chance to thank those who “rush towards danger rather than from it”. They put their lives at risk every day so that we are safe. God bless all our first responders!
The Carying Place Housewarming Event
Wednesday I toured the newest transition home owned by The Carying Place for homeless working families. The Carying Place offers a variety of services to help these families and own fourteen homes to help them transition to a more permanent housing solution. Their very high success rate with families is heartwarming. The Town of Cary has been supporting their mission for years. If you feel so inclined, I urge you to visit their website at https://www.thecaryingplace.org/ and find out how you can help.
Citizens Assisting Police Appreciation Dinner
Wednesday night I joined council member Smith in an appreciation dinner for CAP (Citizens Assisting Police) team members. This is an annual event hosted by the Cary Police Department to show gratitude for all the volunteers. These volunteers provide services annually that equate to over $150,000 in savings. Like me, they believe the Cary Police Department is the best of the best and have no problem spending countless hours helping. We are a better community because of them. Thank you CAP Team!
Farmington Woods Elementary Magnet Tour
Thursday morning, I joined council member Craig on a tour of Farmington Woods Elementary which is an IB/PYP (International Baccalaureate/ Primary Years Programme) Magnet school. According to the website:
“PYP is an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding. It is a student-centered approach to education for children aged 3-12. It reflects the best of educational research, thought leadership and experience derived from IB World Schools.
PYP has evolved to become a world leader in future-focused education. PYP is an example of the best educational practice globally, responding to the challenges and opportunities facing young students in our rapidly changing world.”
We were able to see firsthand the approach. It was very impressive and something all parents with school-aged students should consider. A big thank you for the PTA and administration for hosting us.
Joint MPO Rail Subcommittee Meeting Real Visioning Committee Meeting
Friday, I spent half a day with several elected officials and transportation experts as part of a visioning exercise for future rail in the region. Our focus was on Passenger Rail as opposed to Commuter Rail and Light Rail. Here are some of my main takeaways:
- Passenger Rail is an intercity service with stations every 7 to 20 miles. It uses existing tracks and is funded by the FRA (Federal Rail Administration).
- Commuter Rail is a downtown area focused on peak service with stations every 2 to 5 miles. It can also use existing tracks but is funded by the FTA (Federal Transit Administration).
- Light Rail is an urban service with its own set of tracks that do not accommodate any other type of rail. This is funded by the FTA.
- The FRA has monies which will help build infrastructure such as separated grade crossings.
- Currently we would not be very competitive getting FTA dollars.
- Infrastructure is needed for Commuter Rail. Using FRA and Passenger Rail is an incremental step to getting to Commuter Rail.
In summary there is very little chance of getting federal dollars for Commuter Rail, but we could get dollars for Passenger Rail which will help us prepare for Commuter Rail.
Victorian Christmas at the Page-Walker
Saturday afternoon I visited the Page-Walker which was hosting a Victorian Christmas. On the first floor were refreshments and a quartet singing Christmas Carols a cappella. On the second floor I met, and had my picture made, with Father Christmas. On the third-floor crafts, ornaments, and other Christmas items were made. This was a big hit for the children. It was a great time to experience some Christmas joy.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday night I joined council members Smith, Kohn-Johnson, Craig, Bansal, and thousands of attendees for the annual Christmas tree lighting. Everyone who attended was offered a necklace of blinking lights. The emcee of the event was WRAL’s Debra Morgan who also emceed last year’s. After a few words she introduced me, I made a few comments about holiday activities, and then we did a countdown from 10. During the ceremony all necklaces were synchronized. At the end of the countdown the council pressed the magic button and the tree was lit. This was the first year a button was used. In the past it was a lever. The event was live streamed, and you can view a recap here. What a great event. I hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas tree lighting event and has a happy holiday season.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
The annual Tree Lighting Celebration is about to take place in our beautiful Downtown Park. I’m deeply grateful to our staff for their hard work in making this event such a success for our community. It’s wonderful to see so many people downtown enjoying our wide array of holiday decorations.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sean
Work Session Follow up from November 14th
At the Council’s work session on November 14, 2024, Councilmembers expressed interest in better understanding what the buildings at Alston Yards could look like from N.C. 55. In response to this inquiry, the applicant has provided information to help illustrate the spatial relationship of the building facades to the edge of the street, as well as the likely appearance and visibility of such buildings with a planted streetscape. Please note, other important considerations such as the mix of building heights are still being addressed by staff. If you have any questions, please contact Rob Wilson.
Correspondence Follow Up
Duke Health– Information concerning primary contact
Epic Games– Withdrawal of rezoning request 21-REZ-10
First Responders Breakfast and CAP Dinner
On Wednesday morning, The Cary Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual First Responders Breakfast. Mayor Weinbrecht, along with Councilmembers Jack Smith, Michelle Craig, and Sarika Bansal, joined Fire Chief Mike Cooper and Police Chief Terry Sult to honor the individuals who dedicate their lives to keeping our community safe.
Later that evening, the Mayor, Councilmember Smith, and Chief Sult attended the Citizens Assisting Police (CAP) Holiday Dinner. This event celebrated the dedication of volunteers who support the Cary Police Department throughout the year. Volunteers were recognized for their invaluable contributions, emphasizing their essential role in promoting community safety and collaboration.
The Carying Place Holiday Housewarming
On Wednesday, Cary staff joined Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Councilmember Lori Bush at a housewarming for The Carying Place’s recent addition to their transitional housing portfolio. The Carying Place, a Cary-based nonprofit, provides housing, financial literacy, and counseling to families experiencing housing instability and homelessness. Cary has supported the purchase and renovation of 14 scattered site units throughout the community, in part, with federal Community Development Block Grant funds.
WakeUp Wake County Annual Reception
On Thursday, Councilmember Lori Bush attended the WakeUp Wake County and RaleighForward Annual Reception, themed Raising the Roof: Housing Choices in Wake County. The event featured a keynote address by Vicki Been, Faculty Director of NYU’s Furman Center and former NYC Deputy Mayor, who shared valuable insights on creating diverse and affordable housing options. Executive Directors Bert Fox and Eric Braun also spoke, outlining their organizations’ 2025 priorities for education and advocacy. The evening highlighted a shared vision for fostering a sustainable and equitable region.
Cary Partner Organizations Celebrate the Holidays
Two of our beloved nonprofits celebrated the holidays this week among their volunteers, highlighting the community spirit and cultural connections they help foster year-round.
On December 4, The Friends of the Page-Walker hosted their annual holiday potluck dinner at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center. The Friends and their guests gathered for an old-fashioned pitch-in dinner, followed by a traditional music performance provided by the Triangle Folk Music Society. Councilmember Michelle Craig, who serves as the group’s liaison, joined the celebration.
The following evening, Cary Sister Cities hosted a festive holiday meet-up to celebrate Cary’s international Sister Cities program. The event brought together a mix of participants, including State Senator Gale Adcock, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and Councilmember Jack Smith, who serves as the group’s liaison. Councilmembers Michelle Craig and Sarika Bansal also joined, fostering cultural connections and spreading holiday cheer among attendees.
Marketing Hosts Central Pines Regional Council
On Tuesday, Cary’s Marketing team hosted staff from Central Pines Regional Council to discuss the potential for future collaboration between the two. The Marketing team shared several examples of recently produced videos and provided a tour of Council Chambers, demonstrating the technology involved in producing Council meetings and CaryTV. The visit proved to be a wonderful opportunity to build new connections between the two organizations. Currently, Cary’s IT department provides technological support for Central Pines.
Quinard Drive Extension Utility Work
Beginning December 6, contractors working on behalf of Fenton Development will implement temporary traffic modifications on SE Maynard Road through December 7 to support water tie-in work related to the Quinard Drive extension project. Weather permitting, traffic will be reduced to a two-lane, two-way pattern in both northbound and southbound directions along SE Maynard Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternative routes.
New Neighborhood Improvement Grant Project Completed
Nestled between SE Cary Parkway and Kildaire Farm Road, the Hanover Place neighborhood features charming single-family patio homes with nearby greenway trails, shopping centers, and public transit stops. To improve connectivity between these nearby amenities, residents proposed a plan to pave a private path from the neighborhood to High Meadow Drive. The Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program supported the project with funding to construct the path and beautify the area with new landscaping.
Traffic Management Center Tour for Girl Scouts
A few months ago, Girl Scouts from troop 4081 came to Public Speaks Out and began their efforts to obtain their Silver Award, focusing their project on safety improvements at an intersection near their neighborhood. Last week, we gave the Scouts and their families a tour of the Traffic Management Center (TMC). Cary staff took the opportunity to share with them how engineers evaluate our Traffic Signal System and make safety improvements. The Scouts said the event was “amazing” and are already looking for additional tours around Cary to learn more about how their government serves them. We’re happy to report that they’ve successfully obtained their Silver Award.
WWRWRF Welcomes City of Canton Georgia
On November 6 the Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility hosted Utilities staff from the City of Canton, Georgia to showcase Cary’s biosolids drying operation. Canton is constructing a biosolids drying facility that will begin operations in 2025. Their team arrived eager to discuss the best operational practices Cary has learned over our 10 years of drying experience. The visitors took a comprehensive tour of the facility to get a firsthand look at our drying processes and solutions. The group also discussed the final product produced by our dryer—a Class A Exceptional Quality biosolid—and its beneficial reuse and marketing potential.
Utility of the Future Award
Cary’s Utilities Department was recognized by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) for the fourth consecutive year as a Utility of the Future Award recipient in the category of Partnership and Engagement at the Annual WEFTEC Conference in Chicago. Cary’s submission focused on the service delivery and outreach efforts related to three major programs – Sewer Main Rehabilitation, Lead and Copper Rule Engagement, and Water Main Replacement. While each program required significantly different partnering approaches, key goals included ensuring citizen involvement and creating project awareness. A significant success factor for each of these programs involved an internal partnership with Cary’s 311 citizen advocates who provided critical information to our citizens while ensuring consistency in our messaging.
Upcoming Meetings
Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, December 10
6:00 p.m.
Historic Preservation Commission
Wednesday, December 11
6:30 p.m.
Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Thursday, December 12
4:45 p.m.
Town Council Meeting (Regular)
Thursday, December 12
6:30 p.m.
Bonds & Taxes Questions
There has been a lot of confusion (and misinformation) about three separate issues that were linked together by time and taxes. Those were 2024 property reevaluations by Wake County, the fiscal year 2025 tax rate which started on July 1st, and the 2024 Cary parks bond. In addition, there is now misinformation about the 2019 remaining bond projects. I will attempt to address these below with my thoughts and understanding. These include my opinions which may not necessarily represent the town’s position.
Property Reevaluation
Property revaluation occurs every four years and is set by Wake County. Revaluations used to occur every eight years, but Wake County changed because property values were increasing very rapidly. I have heard that the county is now considering revaluation every two years, but I don’t know that for a fact. I believe that if the next revaluation isn’t for four years we will have another significant increase in property values.
It is important to understand why property values are increasing rapidly. The Raleigh Metro Area, which includes Cary, is one of the most desirable places to live, work, and play in the nation which drives up demand. When something is in high demand people are willing to pay more and that in turn drives up costs. I believe Cary is the most desirable out of all the municipalities in the Raleigh Metro Area. That means the demand is even higher in Cary. And if the demand is high and housing is in short supply, which is true for Cary, then the costs go up even more. That is why I believe there was a significant increase in property values in Cary. My property value went up by 63% in the last four years. BTW, high property value increases were true with all municipalities across Wake County.
Tax Rate for FY 2025 that started on July 1st
As of July 1st, the Cary Tax Rate moved to 32.5 cents per $100 of value from 34.5 cents. However, the revenue neutral rate would have been 24.5 cents. A revenue neutral rate is the rate where the municipality takes in the same amount of revenue as the previous year.
So why 8 cents above revenue neutral? 3 cents due to inflation, 2 cents to program expansion (parks and environment), 2 cents to debt service, and 1 cent due to General Fund replenishment. Also, in past years we have been able to subsidize taxes with growth. We are now a mature community, and that kind of growth is basically over.
What are some examples of inflation? Project bids are coming in about 50% above estimates, some with one bid, or sometimes we get no bids. Materials have skyrocketed. For example, sidewalk costs have doubled in the last four years and asphalt has increased by 40% in the same amount of time.
What are some examples of Parks and environment? Downtown Cary Park was one of the biggest additions to operating costs. Also, the McCrimmon Park and the Carpenter Fire Station Park. Miles of greenways were also added. Some environmental initiatives included electric vehicles such as one of the first electric fire trucks in the nation, one of the first electric garbage trucks in the nation. These initiatives have capital and operational costs. The good news is that these are investments.
Downtown Cary Park has been the catalyst for downtown development generating millions of dollars in economic benefit. That is, new businesses and residents generate more tax base which keeps your taxes lower. The electric vehicles save money on fuel costs and after two or three years the additional costs have been recovered. I believe these are good investments in addition to fulfilling a need.
Why did debt service increase? The biggest reason is the sale of a portion of the 2019 GO (General Obligation) bonds. GO bonds, which are voter approved, are debt at the lowest interest rate possible. This is possible because we have the highest rating of all bond rating agencies. A good portion of the 2019 bonds have not been sold yet so that debt has not occurred. The future sales of the remaining portion of the bonds will also increase debt service.
Why was money from the general fund spent? It was a strategic move to use extra reserves rather than debt. It should be noted that our General Fund balance is well above requirements, and we want to keep it that way because it helps keep our highest rating with the bond rating agencies. So, we need to replenish the General Fund.
What is the issue with sales tax revenue? Since Covid, sales tax revenue has been increasing by 8% to 9% annually. Last year, however, the increase was less than 1%. This is significant since sales tax is the second largest revenue source at 21.1%. Our biggest source of revenue is property tax at 59%.
2024 Parks Bond
The 2024 parks bond was about funding parks for the next ten to fifteen years. Since the bond was close to property revaluation and the new tax rate, a lot of people viewed this as a funding question for now. I believe that is one of the main reasons the bond failed.
It is important to understand that the council and the staff heard everyone loud and clear about the bonds. We have stopped all bond projects due to lack of funding. While I can’t predict what future council will do, I believe some of them, like the center at South Hills, will never happen. What does this mean? The following is my best guestimate:
The Center
The community center, senior center, and competitive space will not be built. The $75 million promised by Wake County will be rescinded. The $30 million annual increase in economic benefit, which would help keep our taxes low, will not happen.
Mills Park Community Center
This community center and senior center project has also been stopped. We have been planning on having a community center and senior center at this location for about a decade. IMHO, it would be almost another decade IF it was ever built. Why? Historically bonds are at least five years apart. With large projects taking two years of planning/design and two years of construction that is another four years added to the five years IF everything is on schedule.
It is important to understand that we will now need to spend significant resources to maintain our existing community and senior centers, which are all over twenty years old. IMHO, expanding programs will be difficult due to lack of space. A future bond to build a center would be a question for a future council.
Tennis and Pickleball Expansion
I don’t believe the pickleball courts will be built at the tennis center. That expansion would have allowed more recreational opportunities for sports in high demand and more professional tennis and pickleball tournaments. This is a loss of millions of dollars in economic benefit, which again keeps our taxes low. The NC Tennis Hall of Fame will probably not be located here.
Walnut Street Greenway
The Walnut Creek Greenway from downtown to Fenton, to WakeMed Soccer Park, Triangle Aquatic Center, and the new South Hills redevelopment has been stopped. If future councils decide to do this, it might have to be funded with another bond. Again, I think that is years away. Not connecting all these destinations is a huge, missed opportunity not only for recreation but for quality of life.
Nature Park Master Plan
Cary has 217 acres of farmland that it is maintaining. Unfortunately, there are no trails, restrooms, or parking. It will be up to a council in the future to decide what to do with this property. For now, nothing will happen.
Asian Garden Master Plan
This idea of a one-to-two-acre Asian garden is stopped. I doubt it will ever be considered again.
What was this bond vote significant? Even if you don’t use a facility, it creates value for you. Like the 911 center, fire, and police, you may not ever use it. Hopefully, you won’t. But having the best of the best in services enhances the quality of life for everyone in our community. Great municipal services make your property in Cary more valuable.
2019 Bond Projects
Cary has moved into “maintenance mode” in this current period of the fiscal year 2025 budget (which began on July 1, 2024) for the following reasons:
- Unprecedented Construction Cost Climate
- Downward Pressure on Sales Tax Receipts
- A desire by the Town Council to minimize any potential fiscal year 2026 Budget Property Tax Increase
This is causing a pause on the 2019 bond projects. The pause on these projects is not because of the 2024 bond vote. Here is a list of remaining projects:
- Carpenter Fire Station Road Widening
- Louis Stephens Drive
- Veterans Freedom Park
- Tryon Road Park
- Walnut Creek Greenway
- Dutchman’s Branch Greenway
- Green Level Church Road Widening
- NC 55 Pedestrian Grade Separation
- O’Kelly Chapel Road Widening
- Action Sports Park
The length of time for the “maintenance period” is currently unknown. Staff are currently re-estimating projects for council reprioritization at our annual meeting in February.
Current Capital Projects
The following is a memo from the town manager about current capital projects:
“To clarify the discussion from last week’s Council Quarterly meeting, all capital projects that are not yet under construction are paused while staff updates cost estimates to reflect escalating construction costs. This pause allows time for the Council to prioritize projects based on current and projected construction costs over the next year.
As mentioned during the meeting, construction cost inflation has outpaced budgets, with costs reaching record highs, including in some cases an escalation of over 200% in the last few years. Staff will re-estimate all active capital projects based on recent construction prices and will apply best estimates of additional potential escalation over the next few years. This information will be prepared for Council evaluation, including a prioritization exercise at the February annual meeting. A similar exercise was done with the Council in 2009 when budgetary pressures and cost escalations were also high.
There are currently 377 active general capital projects within the Downtown, Fire, General Government, PRCR, and Transportation categories. A total of $768 million has been budgeted for these projects. Their current available balance is $265 million.
On the utility side, there are 222 active water and sewer projects with a total budget of $462 million and a combined available balance of $128 million.
Between February and June as part of the annual budget process, our focus will be on refining the capital improvements program to align with the current economic climate while remaining flexible to accommodate future financial and priority changes. Below are examples of projects that have been paused in preparation for the February discussion. These were shared during last week’s Quarterly meeting.
Sidewalks:
Chatham Street 
Small Segments
Old Apex Rd west of W Chatham Roundabout (Bid Rejected 11/14/2024)
Old Apex Road north of Young Landing Ct
Louis Stephens Drive
Green Level Church Rd Streetside Trail
Jenks Carpenter Rd Streetside Trail
Roberts Road
Norwell Blvd
Johnson St east of Harrison Ave
Johnson St (E) north of Chapel Hill
Sorrell Street
Nottingham Drive
Cary Pkwy (NW) at Sheldon Dr
Highfield Avenue
Maynard Rd north of Chapel Hill
Laura Duncan Road
Cary Parkway (NW) at Norwell
Chatham Street
Lake Pine Drive (Phase 1)
Ryan Road
Lake Pine Drive (Phase 2)
2019 Bond Projects:
Carpenter Fire Station Road Widening
Louis Stephens Drive
Veterans Freedom Park
Tryon Road Park
Walnut Creek Greenway
Dutchman’s Branch Greenway
Green Level Church Rd Widening
NC55 Pedestrian Grade Separation
O’Kelly Chapel Road Widening
Action Sports Park
Examples of Other Budgeted Capital Projects:
Street Improvements FY25
Optimist Farm Greenway
Lake Grove Dam Maintenance
Cary Tennis Park Improvements
Western Cary Community Facility
Parking Deck Technology
Highcroft Drive Extension
South Hills Community Center
Sidewalks FY25
Downtown Ped Improvements
Mobility Study
Cary Tennis Park Clubhouse Design
We remain focused on preparing for the February Annual Meeting and the FY 2026 budget and will provide you with timely updates as we move forward with our work.”
Mayor’s Mailbox
- A complaint about the rezoning on Old Apex Road 21-REZ-16.
- A complaint about parking tickets on West Park Street.
- A question about my comments on the bonds.
- A complaint about lack of benches at bus stops.
Bus Stop Benches
I was asked why there are benches at all Cary bus stops. I thought I would share the answer since it was surprising to me:
“…Thank you for your question! Since we receive federal money for transit we are required to have a Title VI Program that outlines when we install amenities at bus stops. This is based on ridership to ensure fair distribution throughout the system. When a stop reaches an average daily boarding of 10 passengers it is eligible for a bench and when it reaches an average of 20 boardings per day it is eligible for a shelter. The same parameters are outlined in the Wake Transit Plan and are tied to the funding we receive. We are not limited in the work we do to bring stops into ADA compliance, but in order to receive funding for other amenities we need to reach those standards.
There are some instances where we can install amenities before ridership information is available or has reached the required standard and that is tied to projected density of new development. We review every development plan and include requirements for bus stops or future stops if there isn’t currently a route in place. We also track requests for amenities – if a stop is close to the average ridership needed and we have received a number of requests for upgrades at that particular location, we can make an exception.
I should also note that the Town’s Standard Specifications, as referenced in the LDO, state that a “basic” bus landing pad should be 20 feet long by 8 feet wide, however, in cases where this is not possible special accommodations may be considered but cannot be less than 8 feet by 5 feet. In most cases we can’t just install a small pad to accommodate a bench.
As further information, construction of a bus stop with all amenities, including a 20×8 foot pad, shelter, bench, trash can, bicycle rack and lighting is roughly $30,000, without extensive sidewalk work. That same set-up without the shelter and just a bench is around $20,000. These estimates are based on our last phase of bus stop improvements, which was two years ago. It is likely that number is higher now. We currently have 217 bus stops in our GoCary network and 44 of them have seating. It would take a minimum of $4M to upgrade every bus stop with a bench, and more if it includes a shelter. We are looking into smaller seating options but at this point we have not found anything that would meet NCDOT requirements for installation. …”
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting of The Cary Tennis Classic board, a council work session, a council meeting, the Cary Jaycees Christmas parade, and the 50th anniversary of Christ the King Lutheran Church.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 15th, 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
Harold's Blog 