Purpose of this Blog
It is my hope that this blog will provide insight not only into who I am meeting with on behalf of the Town, but also the topics we discuss. I believe strongly in open and transparent government. This blog is one of several initiatives I implemented when I became mayor in 2007 to make the governmental process more accessible to our citizens.
This blog is written with sincerity, honesty, and a commitment to accuracy so our constituents can better understand the work we do. After all, we work for them!
How Cary Government Works
Cary’s government, like most cities in North Carolina and most mid-sized cities in the U.S., uses a council–manager form of government. This system works a lot like a company, but for local government. Residents elect a council and a mayor, who set policy by passing laws, approving the budget, and guiding the town’s overall priorities. The council then hires a professional manager to run the town’s day-to-day operations.
Think of it like a company: the council acts like a board of directors, making policy and representing the public, while the city manager acts like a CEO, overseeing all departments, such as finance, public works, police, and fire, and managing town staff. The mayor leads council meetings, represents the town publicly, and has limited executive authority. While the council and mayor make policy decisions and receive regular reports, they usually see only high-level summaries rather than the detailed inner workings of each department.
In short, just as a board hires a CEO to run a company, Cary’s council hires a manager to run the town, ensuring professional management while elected officials focus on big-picture decisions and community priorities.
You can find additional information about how Cary’s government works on the town’s website here.
Cary Tennis Classic Sponsor Event
The Cary Tennis Classic Board hosted a sponsor event at Rey’s Restaurant in Cary, with support from Rey’s and the Cary Chamber of Commerce. I joined Ted Reese in speaking about the future of the tournament and the Cary Tennis Center.
Council Group Photo
On Tuesday afternoon, the council gathered in the council chambers for our official group photo, a tradition that takes place after every election. Dozens of shots were taken using two different cameras, and one will be selected and shared in the near future.
Cary Chamber Elected Officials Reception
On Tuesday evening, I joined the full council at the Cary Chamber Elected Officials Reception. About a hundred attendees, including elected officials, their representatives from all levels of government, and business leaders, were present. Along with several other speakers, I expressed gratitude to our leaders at every level for helping make Cary one of the greatest communities in America.
State of Cary at Cary MacGregor Rotary
On Wednesday, I delivered a condensed version of the State of Cary address to the Cary MacGregor Rotary, which ran for about twenty minutes. Roughly a third of my remarks focused on the former town manager. During the Q&A, I was asked why certain staff members remained despite their close association with the former manager, as well as questions about the Waverly Place rezoning.
CAMPO Executive Board
On Wednesday afternoon, I attended a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board. The agenda featured two consent items and four discussion items.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously and included the adoption of Amendment #2 to the FY 2026 Unified Planning Work Program.
All four discussion items were presented for informational purposes only. These included updates on the Triangle Transportation Choices/Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program, NC 540 (R-2829) Bonus Allocation Programming, Amendment #3 to the FY 2026–2035 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and the Wake Transit Conference Committee.
Council Work Session
The council held a work session on Thursday evening to review the meeting calendar, decide on the future of the convenience center, and talk about the delegation of authority.
Changes in the calendar will require new dates for the August and November quarterly meetings.
Cary’s Convenience Center, originally established in the 1950s along a railroad right-of-way, has long been the only municipally operated convenience center in the county; all others are county funded. When Cary requested county support for a new facility within town limits, the county declined, noting that existing sites in Apex, Holly Springs, and Morrisville could serve most Cary residents within an approximately 15-minute drive.
The railroad has now required Cary to vacate the right-of-way by the end of the year, including the removal of all structures, materials, concrete, and asphalt. In response, staff recently presented the Town Council with three options. The first option, removing only the asphalt and structures, was estimated at $175,000. All options require option one. The second option included retaining the yard waste and food waste operations on-site, at a total cost of $525,000, allowing services to continue without interruption. The third option involved relocating and rebuilding the facility at a new site, with costs starting at $5 million. There will also be a service gap of at least a year with this option. After reviewing options and discussing them for weeks, the Council unanimously selected the second option to just keep the yard and food waste on site. All other services will end on December 30.
The discussion on delegation of authority focused on granting the ability to negotiate, award, approve, and execute contracts and other instruments. This authority would extend to the manager, deputy managers, assistant town managers, along with targeted delegations to specific staff. In particular, the conversation addressed delegating the power to award contracts for the purchase of apparatus, supplies, materials, and equipment above the formal bid threshold; to lease or rent town-owned property for terms of one year or less; and to acquire real or personal property, including accepting donations.
The council reviewed comparative information from other municipalities and considered three potential options for moving forward. I emphasized that, regardless of the option selected, the policy should be revisited in one year.
A key challenge in limiting authority involves emergency situations, where calling a council meeting to appropriate funds may not be practical. Emergency meetings require six hours’ notice, which can be problematic in urgent scenarios such as water outages or sewer line failures.
The council will continue this discussion in the near future. There appeared to be general consensus around requiring reporting for expenditures over $300,000 and placing limits on spending authority for the manager, deputy manager, assistant managers, and department directors.
Council Meeting
The council held it first regularly scheduled meeting of April on Thursday night. The agenda included two presentations, one consent item, one public hearing, and two discussion items.
I received a big check from the CAP (Citizens Assisting Police) for the first presentation item. This check represented all the time and money saved by the CAP team volunteers. We are blessed to have so many people willing to help our police department and our community.
Council member Richards presented an Earth Day proclamation to members of the Environmental Advisory Board.
The Public Speaks Out portion of the meeting were speakers from two primary groups. Those supporting amending our smoke free ordinance and those who are part of OneWake. The OneWake speakers want the town to permanently dedicate one percent of our budget toward building more affordable housing.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously and included the call for a public hearing for an annexation petition on Macedonia Road. This is related to rezoning 23-REZ-06.
The public hearing was for an annexation request also on Macedonia Road related to rezoning 20-REZ-12 which allows for 226 multi-family units. Previously this was approved for 250 age restricted units. After the public hearing the request was approved unanimously.
The first discussion item was a council-initiated item on our e-bike ordinance. The council asked staff to do a comprehensive review of our e-bike ordinance and come back with suggestions.
The second discussion item was a council-initiated item to amend our smoke-free ordinance. Council agreed to ask staff to come back with information to make our ordinance more in line with neighboring municipalities.
Council Out & About
With just two months left before we finalize the FY 2027 budget, the pace has picked up. This means more meetings, more decisions, and limited time to weigh competing needs. It’s pushed me to stay focused. My top priorities haven’t changed since I ran for office in 2023.
Affordable housing remains at the top. I believe we must continue investing in solutions that expand access and stability so Cary remains a place for everyone. I also remain committed to transportation-related investments, including sidewalks and maintaining our roads.
I’m focused on community engagement and fair, inclusive policies and practices that value diversity.
For me, this week included the Davis Drive Inclusive Playground dedication, time supporting Chatham Estates residents facing displacement, and listening to all voices in a rezoning case.
I told you my priorities. Let us know your budget priorities by calling 311 or emailing 311@carync.gov. To support neighbors facing displacement, visit NeighborUp.org/ChathamEstates.
Michelle Craig
District B
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson gave remarks at the Child Abuse Prevention Month event at the Wake County Social Services Center. Also in attendance were community advocates and county staff. This event highlighted the importance of protecting children and raising awareness about abuse prevention resources in our community.
State of Cary at Searstone
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht gave remarks at the State of Cary presentation at Searstone; also in attendance was Councilmember Brittany Richards. This event provided updates on Cary’s growth, key initiatives, and future plans while engaging residents in meaningful dialogue.
Green Level High School Multicultural Festival
Councilwoman Sarika Bansal attended the Green Level High School Multicultural Festival. This event highlighted cultural diversity through performances, displays, and shared cuisine while fostering unity and raising funds for Doctors Without Borders.
Davis Drive Inclusive Playground
Councilmember Brittany Richards gave remarks at the Davis Drive Playground Celebration; also in attendance were Councilmembers Bella Huang and Michelle Craig. This event highlighted the Town’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion through the celebration of an inclusive playground, providing a welcoming space for children of all abilities to play and connect.
State of Cary at Courtyards in West Cary
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht gave remarks at the State of Cary presentation at the Courtyards at West Cary Clubhouse; also in attendance was Councilwoman Sarika Bansal. This event provided residents with updates on Town progress, priorities, and upcoming initiatives.
Battle of the Badges Softball Tournament in Holly Springs
Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson threw out the first pitch at the Battle of the Badges softball tournament at Ting Stadium. Also in attendance were public safety teams from across Wake County and community members. This event highlighted community spirit and friendly competition among first responders while raising funds to benefit Make-A-Wish.
Founders Day Tour
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht participated the Founders Day Tour. This event highlighted Cary’s rich history and provided an opportunity to celebrate the Cary’s heritage.
Interim Town Manager’s Update
Russ’s Message
Council,
This week, the North Carolina General Assembly House Committee on Property Tax approved a recommendation to pursue legislation that would limit property tax levy increases by cities and counties. Property tax is our primary revenue source, and a cap like this could make it more difficult to deliver the services our community relies on. You may have seen this in the news, and we’ve shared a bit about it before. We’re keeping an eye on it as it moves through the general assembly and will keep you updated as things develop.
On a lighter note, this week, Margaret Moore from the budget team and I visited the Rotary Club to share much of the same information from the Budget Open House. It was good to get out and continue that conversation with residents.
I hope y’all have a great weekend and stay cool as this stretch of heat sticks around.
Russ Overton
Interim Town Manager
311 Snapshot
311 processed 2,483 new cases this week.
Volume by Contact Method
- Phone: 1,566
- Email: 361
- Web: 285
- Internal: 182
- Walk-In: 28
- Text: 40
- Social Media: 21
55.58% of cases fell into these top five categories:
- Utility Billing & Services: 511
- Inspection Scheduling & Status: 307
- Permitting Inquiries & Payments: 205
- Water Meter Service & Requests: 205
- Garbage Inquiries & Pickup: 149
Water Supply Update
Cary is actively monitoring developing drought conditions across the region. Jordan Lake, Cary’s primary water source, remains a reliable supply and is currently above its normal operating level.
Cary has long prioritized water conservation, with per capita water demand steadily decreasing over the past three decades. The existing year-round conservation approach remains in place, including alternate-day watering, and no additional restrictions are anticipated at this time.
More information about water conservation practices, and current drought and water supply status is available on Cary’s website, along with a history of conservation trends on the Open Data Portal.
Kildaire Farm Road Repaving
Beginning Monday, the outside lanes of Kildaire Farm Road will be resurfaced between Byrum Street and Shirley Drive. A lane closure will be in place with two-way traffic maintained by a flagging operation. This work will take approximately two days, weather dependent. Dowell Drive will be closed at Kildaire Farm Road, with a detour in place via Meadow Drive. Shirley Drive should not be used as an alternate route during this time, as sewer main replacement work is ongoing.
The center lane of Kildaire Farm Road was paved in spring 2025 following completion of the water main project, while the remaining lanes were deferred to accommodate curb and stormwater installation associated with the Soca 56 development.
Annual Street Project Improvement Begins
The construction bid award for the 2026 Street Improvements Project was approved on March 26. Beginning next week, construction crews will focus on upgrading curb ramps to meet ADA standards. Milling and paving activities are anticipated to begin in June and continue into the fall. This annual project includes maintenance patching, curb and gutter repair, pavement marking restoration, and asphalt resurfacing in priority areas, helping maintain the condition of Cary’s roadway network. For more information on the locations of these improvements, visit the project webpage.
Walnut Street Gravel Parking Lot Improvements Begin
Improvements to the Walnut Street gravel parking lot are now complete. The project included the addition of two new ADA-compliant parking pads, a connecting sidewalk to Walnut Street, and additional stone to better support parking needs. Retaining walls and regraded areas help stabilize the lot and reduce stormwater runoff, while new plants and shrubs provide additional screening and an improved appearance.
Hemlock Trees Treated for HWA
Cary continues proactive management of the eastern hemlock population at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, where staff monitor the presence of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Through an ongoing partnership with NC State and the NC Forest Service, staff track HWA activity and utilize a five-year cycle to protect the trees with insecticide treatments.
Recently, a small population of hemlocks located on steep, difficult-to-access sections of the bluffs required treatment. Staff arborists Kelly Blair and Joe Morgan worked with Hemlock Bluffs staff to rappel the bluff face and treat these trees, helping maintain this sensitive and defining natural area.
Health and Wellness Fair at the Senior Center
On Friday, the Senior Center hosted a newly redesigned Health & Wellness Fair focused on practical resources that support healthy aging. A WakeMed dietician shared helpful guidance on how dietary needs change over time, offering simple strategies for staying energized and well. Community partners provided information on fitness and mobility programs, social engagement opportunities, and mental health resources. The event gave attendees valuable tools and connections to help them continue living active and fulfilling lives.
Davis Drive Inclusive Playground Opening
Cary celebrated the opening of the Davis Drive Inclusive Playground last Saturday, welcoming more than 300 attendees for fun, food, and entertainment. The playground was thoughtfully designed to create opportunities for children of all abilities to play, explore, and connect, adding an accessible space to the community.
Pimento Cheese Festival
Cheese lovers gathered in Cary last Saturday for the Pimento Cheese Festival, with more than 20,000 attendees marking the event’s largest turnout in its eight-year history. The festival featured more than 35 food trucks, nine breweries, and 16 vendors in the Pimento Cheese Marketplace, with more than 10,000 pounds of pimento cheese being served. The Embers performed throughout the day, and The Soccer Tournament (TST) kicked off the festivities with the Puppy Cup.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meetings – May 6
The following neighborhood meetings will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, please visit the Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting page.
Important Dates
Cultural Arts Committee
Wednesday, April 22, 6:00 p.m.
Greenway Committee
Thursday, April 23, 6:00 p.m.
Council Initiated Items
The council has a process that allows members to introduce items for discussion at meetings, often leading to further action. Given the recent increase in these requests, I will begin sharing them here along with my perspective on their pros and cons.
E-Bike Safety
This proposal, submitted by Council Members Bansal and Richards, This was presented at the April 16th meeting and will come back with recommendations at a future meeting.
The council initially launched a pilot program in June 2022 to allow e-bikes. After a one-year trial period, the program was made permanent, with a posted speed limit of 15 mph on greenways. Recently, however, there have been complaints that e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices are traveling at excessive speeds and creating potentially hazardous conditions.
PROS:
- We are listening to our citizens’ complaints.
- Preventing e-bikes and scooters will possibly make greenways safer.
CONS:
- There is basically no way to enforce an ordinance that has e-bikes or not.
- Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.
- We are revisiting a decision that was made after a one-year trial and review of data.
Smoke Free Ordinance
This proposal, submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and Council Member Craig. This was presented at the April 16th meeting and will come back with recommendations at a future meeting.
PROS:
- Eliminates toxic secondhand smoke.
- Current ordinance does not match state law and Raleigh/Wake ordinance.
CONS:
- Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.
Affordable Housing on Old Library Site
This proposal, submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Bush and Council Member Bansal, would place a podium-style parking deck with affordable housing on the former library site. This has yet to be scheduled for a meeting agenda.
PROS:
- Adds parking across from Downtown Cary Park.
- Create affordable housing units in the downtown area.
CONS:
- May underutilize one of the municipality’s most valuable properties. Downtown Cary Park generates approximately $16 million annually in economic impact, and this site could represent an opportunity for a more transformative use.
- The town has already invested millions in renovating the Ivey-Ellington House, positioning this area as a premier destination.
Mayor’s Mailbox
- A request to sign the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge (we do it every year).
- A complaint about airplane noise (unfortunately that authority is with RDU airport authority).
- A complaint that the Speight Branch greenway does not connect to Tryon Village.
- A complaint about a recycling pickup issue.
- A complaint that my State of Cary was “a blame-shifting attempt at deflection and obfuscation”.
- A request to help design future fire stations.
- A complaint that our interim manager does not live in Cary (Cary ordinances does not require this).
- A complaint that Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and council member Bansal are considering Affordable Housing on the old library site.
- Kudos for cleanup after the Pimento Cheese Festival.
- A request to use Apex’s budgeting tool.
- A request to do more for sustainability.
- An email stating e-bikes are not an issue on the greenways for most.
- A request to match the smoke-free ordinance of other municipalities.
- Blaming me for the Durham incident where children were taking by ICE: “sticking your head in the sand”, “Are you sleeping at night?” (BTW, not a Cary resident).
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Searstone tour, a Wake County Mayors Association meeting, a Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau meeting, a tour of Waste Management’s Material Recovery Facility, a taping of Cary Matters, a State of Cary presentation at Heritage Pines, and a Walk to Defeat Dementia.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 26th, 2026. 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 