Memorial Day, TST, Meridian Ribbon Cutting, and Council Meetings

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!

Memorial Day Remembrance – American Legion Post 67

On Monday, I joined Council Member Huong for a Memorial Day Remembrance event that was originally planned for Hillcrest Cemetery. Due to impending rain, the ceremony was moved indoors to American Legion Post 67 on Chapel Hill Road, where the large turnout resulted in standing-room-only attendance.

I had the honor of offering the following welcoming remarks:

“Good morning, everyone. I am Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, and I am honored to join you today as we gather in remembrance of the courageous men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation.

Today, we pause not only as a community, but as grateful Americans. We remember those who answered the call to serve and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we hold dear. They were our sons and daughters, parents, spouses, friends, and neighbors whose devotion to our country continues to inspire us.

Memorial Day reminds us that freedom is never free. The opportunities we enjoy each day — even the simple moments shared with family and friends this weekend — have been made possible through the bravery and sacrifice of those we honor today. Their legacy lives on in the values they defended and in communities like Cary that they helped preserve.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to the families who carry the weight of that sacrifice every day. Your strength and resilience honor the memory of those we have lost, and we stand with you in remembrance and appreciation.

As we gather together, let us recommit ourselves to remembering these heroes not only today, but throughout the year. May we live in a way that reflects our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

Thank you for joining us this Memorial Day to honor and remember our nation’s fallen heroes.”

The featured speaker was retired USAF Colonel Dr. Joshua McConkey, who shared a deeply emotional account of his service in Afghanistan and the lasting loss he continues to carry with him today. I was blessed to be able to meet and greet several of our veterans who all have stories of their own.

Memorial Day Remembrance – Herb Young Center

Monday afternoon, I attended the Memorial Day Remembrance event that was originally scheduled to take place at Veterans Freedom Park. Due to the rain, the ceremony was moved indoors to the Herb Young Community Center.

Prior to the ceremony, the Cary Town Band performed several musical selections and returned at the conclusion of the event as well. Joining me from the Cary Town Council were Council Members Craig, Richards, and Huang. Council Member Craig delivered the welcome remarks, and I had the honor of reading the following proclamation:

DESIGNATING MAY 25, 2026, AS THE OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY IN CARY

WHEREAS, Memorial Day has been set aside as a national holiday for all Americans to remember the sacrifices made by those who have given their lives in service to the United States through military service; and

WHEREAS, we gather here today to undertake the solemn duty of remembering those brave Americans; and

WHEREAS, we honor those we have lost throughout our country’s history — the proud men and women who served in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Space Force, and National Guard — who served in wars so that future generations might live in freedom; and

WHEREAS, in Cary we are fortunate to have a place dedicated for us to gather to honor these men and women and to pay tribute to them and their families; and

WHEREAS, the National Moment of Remembrance is a voluntary observance that encourages each of us, in our own way, to pause in remembrance and respect to honor and give thanks to all those who have risked their lives so that we may enjoy our freedom;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Harold Weinbrecht Jr., Mayor of Cary, North Carolina, on behalf of the Cary Town Council, do hereby designate May 25, 2026, as “An Observance of Memorial Day in Cary,” and urge all residents to participate in honoring our country’s servicemen and servicewomen.

PROCLAIMED this 25th day of May 2026.

The featured speakers were retired USMC veteran Paul Berry and retired USAF veteran Matthew Kallio. Both shared deeply emotional stories of loss and sacrifice during their remarks. The ceremony concluded with the playing of taps, providing a moving and fitting close to the day’s remembrance.

Work Session

On Tuesday, the council held another work session on the budget. During the last fiscal year, which began July 1, 2025, the council reduced the budget by $27.8 million. Those reductions included eliminating 29 positions, postponing vehicle replacements for the second consecutive year, and eliminating both R&D and the Community Projects division.

The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, includes the permanent elimination of 32 positions, $8 million in operational cuts, and $53.3 million in capital reductions.

Staff also presented a slide outlining additional operational cuts requested by various council members, though staff recommended against making those reductions. The council spent the entire work session discussing that single slide.

One notable topic was the General Fund reserve balance. Policy requires reserves to equal 33.3% of the operating budget, while the current reserve level is approximately 44%. Several council members expressed interest in using a portion of the excess reserves for capital projects and reducing the tax rate. No decision was made, and the discussion ended due to time constraints.

TST

On Wednesday, I attended the opening day of the TST tournament at WakeMed Soccer Park. TST, which stands for The Soccer Tournament, is an annual high-stakes, 7-on-7 global soccer competition founded in 2023 by the creators of The Basketball Tournament (TBT). The event is known for its unique rules and its $1 million winner-take-all prize in the men’s, women’s, and coed divisions.

One of the tournament’s most distinctive features is its ending format. Rather than using a traditional game clock in the final minutes, TST implements “Target Score Time.” At the end of regulation, a target score is set at one goal higher than the leading team’s total. The game clock is then turned off, and play continues until one team reaches the target score and wins.

To discourage stalling and promote aggressive play, one player from each team is removed from the field every three minutes during Target Score Time until a winning goal is scored.

The tournament features a wide variety of teams, including professional club academies such as Wrexham AFC and Borussia Dortmund, celebrity-backed squads, college alumni teams, and fan-organized clubs.

Cary is fortunate to host three world-class sports venues and a number of premier sporting events. This tournament ranks among the very best and is one of the highlights of the year.

Meridian Cary Ribbon Cutting

Wednesday afternoon, I was joined by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and several staff members for the ribbon cutting ceremony for Meridian Cary, a luxury mixed-use apartment community located in the heart of Downtown Cary.

The development features 195 residential units with high-end finishes and offers residents convenient access to Cary’s vibrant dining, shopping, and entertainment destinations. Amenities include a saltwater pool courtyard, fitness and yoga studio, gaming and billiards room, and an outdoor rooftop terrace.

The property manager, Chamber president, and I each provided remarks during the event.

TST Event

Thursday morning, I attended a TST brunch where I provided remarks to club owners and general managers participating in the tournament. Among those in attendance were TST founder Jon Mugar, co-founder Dan Friel, and NBA star Chris Paul. Following the remarks, Chris Paul and others participated in a panel discussion.

Council Work Session

Thursday afternoon, the council held a work session to receive an update on the Alston Yards development, continued budget discussions, and a staff living wage.

The Alston Yards development plan is currently under review, and the framework for the development agreement is ready for council consideration. Staff presented details of phase one of the project and gathered feedback from council members.

The Alston Yards development encompasses a 46.3-acre site, including 29.8 acres owned by Alston Yards and 16.5 acres owned by the Town of Cary. Through a partnership and land swap with the town, the project will include a 40,000-square-foot passive park located east of a future regional park. The passive park will feature benches and seating areas and will be maintained by the developer.

Phase one of the development is proposed to include 164,819 square feet of office space, 55,482 square feet of retail space, and 615 multifamily residential units. The project is expected to have a significant annual economic impact, generating an estimated $239 million in goods and services, creating 705 jobs, and producing approximately $1.87 million in annual property tax revenue.

Over a 12-year period, the development is projected to generate an estimated $45.7 million in new tax revenue and other revenues for Cary. A public hearing on the proposal is expected to take place this summer.

As part of the budget discussion, staff presented several options for increasing revenues. Potential non-residential fee adjustments include increases to inspection and permit fees, planning and development fees, transportation impact fees, and water and sewer development fees. Proposed residential fee increases could affect Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources programs, Public Works and Utilities services, and town-wide public information fees.

Staff also outlined several cost-recovery opportunities for council consideration. Near-term revenue options include:

• $265,000 from fees for electric vehicle (EV) charging
• $200,000 from an additional 2% increase in Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources (PRCR) fees
• $62,000 from an additional 2% increase in building permit fees

Potential long-term revenue sources include:

• Sale of surplus real estate
• Credit card processing fees
• A stormwater utility fee
• Parking fees for public parking decks
• Venue parking fees
• Revenue generated through a Business Improvement District

Council will continue evaluating these options as part of the ongoing budget development process.

During the living wage presentation, staff noted that the town has traditionally led the local market in establishing a living wage since fiscal year 2019. For fiscal year 2027, staff recommended continuing that leadership position by setting Cary’s living wage above the local market rate and publishing the figure in the annual budget document.

A living wage is defined as the minimum hourly wage a full-time worker must earn to afford basic necessities, such as housing, food, transportation, and healthcare.

Council Meeting

On Thursday night, the council held its final regularly scheduled meeting of May. At more than five hours, it was the longest council meeting in years.

The agenda included three presentations, six consent items, two public hearings, three discussion items, and a closed session. The three presentations consisted of proclamations and lasted approximately 30 minutes.

The consent agenda included approval of meeting minutes, the conveyance of surplus IT equipment, disposal of surplus property, and a call for a public hearing regarding an annexation request on Jacobs Lane.

The first public hearing was for 24-REZ-02, the Searstone PDD Amendment. The council chambers were filled with a bus load of attendees, literally, arriving to speak on the matter. Approximately a dozen residents spoke in opposition to the proposal, with most concerns centered on the proposed change in use from senior housing. This hearing alone lasted well over an hour.

The second public hearing was the first hearing on the proposed budget. Speakers expressed a range of views, including opposition to the proposed tax increase and support for the increase if it would maintain current service levels.

The first discussion item was 24-REZ-14, the Weston PDD Amendment. Council spent considerable time deliberating the proposal before ultimately approving it by a 6–1 vote. I cast the sole dissenting vote.

The second and third discussion items were council-initiated requests seeking additional information from staff before any future action is taken. The second item involved exploring a potential partnership with the school board to pilot school zone safety improvements. The third item concerned a possible moratorium on new data centers. Staff will research both topics and return with recommendations for council consideration at a future meeting.

Manager’s Report

Council,

It’s a great weekend for sports in Cary with TST at WakeMed Soccer Park and the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship underway at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. The economic impact is significant, but so is the opportunity to showcase our community to people who may be experiencing Cary for the first time. One other fun note, Fire Chief Mike Cooper will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. game, which is pretty cool. I hope you’ll have a chance to get out and enjoy one of the events. Have a great weekend.

311 Snapshot

311 processed 2,248 new cases this week.

Volume by Contact Method

• Phone: 1,391
• Email: 339
• Web: 297
• Internal: 89
• Walk-In: 49
• Text: 71

Social Media:

52.18% of cases fell into these top five categories:

• Utility Billing & Services: 561
• Inspection Scheduling & Status: 248
• Permitting Inquiries & Payments: 160
• Garbage Inquiries & Pickup: 110
• Parks & Recreation Programming Inquiries & Registration: 93

Utilities and Stormwater Drought Update

Recent rainfall provided welcome relief from the extreme heat and dry conditions across the region. Portions of southwestern Wake County have improved from Level 3 (Extreme Drought) to Level 2 (Severe Drought). Cary’s water supply has remained in a strong position. Jordan Lake is currently about one foot below normal pool elevation, with more than seven months of water supply available. No water use restrictions are anticipated at this time.

While the rainfall was beneficial for water supply, it also served as a reminder of the importance of a well-maintained stormwater system. Over the past week, rainfall totals varied across Cary, with the heaviest rainfall occurring on May 25. The East Park rain gauge recorded 0.88 inches of rain during the event, while the highest rainfall intensity was measured at the Tryon Lake gauge at 2.88 inches per hour. Over the five-day period May 22-26, the Town Hall rain gauge recorded a total of 1.07 inches of rainfall.

Cary’s stormwater infrastructure and Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) performed as intended, helping manage runoff and support community resilience. Residents can learn more about Cary’s drought readiness efforts at carync.gov/drought and stormwater management initiatives at carync.gov/stormwater.

Academy Street Sidewalk Closure Next Week

Beginning June 1, a temporary sidewalk closure will be in place along the east side of Academy Street between Cedar Street and E. Chatham Street through June 26, weather permitting. The closure will accommodate construction of streetscape improvements associated with the redevelopment of 107 E. Chatham Street into Lloyd’s Full Service. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized crosswalk at Academy Street and E. Chatham Street and the midblock crossing north of the railroad tracks. Access to downtown businesses will remain available throughout construction.

McCrimmon Parkway Crosswalk Installation Complete

This week, contractors working on behalf of Cary installed crosswalk markings and signs at the intersection of McCrimmon Parkway and Bluff Oak Drive. Funded through Cary’s Spot Traffic Safety Program, the project added high-visibility crosswalk markings on three approaches, pedestrian-activated LED-enhanced warning signs at the McCrimmon Parkway crosswalk, and advance warning signs and markings to improve awareness.

SCWRF Maintenance Facility Construction Complete

Construction of the new 7,900-square-foot maintenance facility at the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF) is complete, enhancing maintenance and operational support for both the SCWRF and the Utility Systems Maintenance (USM) division. The facility includes 180 rooftop solar panels expected to generate approximately 145,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, enough to power about 14 homes, supporting Cary’s sustainability goals. This project represents a strategic investment in Cary’s utility infrastructure and workforce, advancing operational efficiency and long-term resiliency across wastewater treatment and collection systems.

Important Dates

Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, June 1
6:00 p.m.

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, June 1
6:30 p.m.

Human Relations, Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board
Tuesday, June 2
6:00 p.m.

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, June 3
12:00 p.m.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
Wednesday, June 3
6:30 p.m.

Council Out and About

As we reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country and hold their families in our thoughts with gratitude.

At the same time, this season brings joyful hallmarks of love across Cary. From preschool advancements to high school and college graduations, we celebrate the hard work and bright futures of our students and their families. We are so proud to have you as part of our community. Keep an eye out for details on when the Downtown Cary Park fountain and Cary Arts Center will light up in school colors and come take a photo and celebrate your friends’ and families’ accomplishments with your school colors!

Thanks for being part of Cary.

Lori Bush

Mayor Pro-Tem

Kiwanis of Cary

Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson and Bella Huang attended the Kiwanis of Greater Cary Charter Night, celebrating the formation of a new Kiwanis club dedicated to serving children in the Cary community through literacy, nutrition, resource access, and partnerships with schools and community organization.

Cary Chamber Excellence Awards

Mayor Harold Weinbrecht spoke at the Cary Excellence Awards, which recognize businesses and nonprofit leaders for their innovation, growth, and positive community impact. Councilmember Brittany Richards also attended the event.

Housing Olympiad

Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush, Councilmembers Michelle Craig, and Bella Huang attended the Housing Olympiad: Bridging the Gaps that Keep People Out. The collaborative workshop focused on identifying and developing housing solutions that promote dignity, wellness, and greater access to housing within the community.

Cary 101 Panel

Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush, Councilmembers Michelle Craig, Bella Huang, and Brittany Richards participated in a panel discussion on volunteer involvement during the Cary 101 program. Following the panel, the Mayor and Councilmembers participated in a graduation ceremony for the participants.

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.

Temporary moratorium on Data Centers

This proposal was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush, and I provided the second. It has been scheduled for the May 28^th Council meeting.

Data centers are centralized facilities that house IT equipment for storing, processing, and distributing massive amounts of data. While they are the vital backbone of the modern internet and AI, they also pose notable environmental and community challenges by requiring massive amounts of electricity and millions of gallons of water. This proposal would direct staff to put a moratorium on data center approvals.

PROS:

• They generate significant long-term property and sales tax revenue for local municipalities, often offsetting the need to raise taxes on residents.
• They provide the essential computing power required to run the cloud, stream media, and train heavy AI models.
• Modern facilities offer unparalleled uptime, physical security, and disaster recovery protections for critical business information.
• Unlike large manufacturing plants or warehouses, operational data centers generate minimal daily traffic and produce very little localized air pollution.

CONS:

• We may not have authority to permanently prohibit them.
• They demand immense amounts of electricity and millions of gallons of water for cooling, which can strain local utility grids and drive-up energy costs for surrounding communities.
• Unless heavily offset by renewable energy sources, heavy reliance on power can prolong the use of fossil fuel plants and contribute to electronic waste.
• The constant operation of high-powered cooling fans and backup generators can create significant, round-the-clock noise disturbances for nearby residents.
• While construction creates many temporary jobs, fully operational data centers typically require very few on-site staff, delivering fewer permanent local jobs than other large-scale developments.

Partnering with the school board to pilot school zone safety improvements

This proposal was submitted by Council Member Bansal, and I provided the second. It has been scheduled for the May 28^th Council meeting

Several schools in Cary, particularly middle schools and high schools, are experiencing transportation safety concerns on and around school property. While the schools are responsible for transportation operations on campus and NCDOT oversees roadway infrastructure decisions, progress on improvements has been slow and resident complaints have continued to increase. This proposal would direct staff to work collaboratively with the schools on programs and strategies to help address these concerns.

PROS:

• Allows the Town to take a more proactive role, even when we are not the primary decision-maker.
• Responds to growing community concerns regarding school transportation safety.

CONS:

• The Town is currently understaffed, so this effort could require shifting staff resources away from other projects.
• Potential solutions could result in additional costs to taxpayers if Cary contributes funding toward implementation.

E-Bike Safety

This proposal was submitted by Council Members Bansal and Richards and presented at the April 16^th meeting. It will come back to council with recommendations for 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 was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and Council Member Craig and presented at the April 16^th meeting. It will come back at a future council meeting with recommendations.

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.

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.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Complaints on the budget.
• A request to meet a foreign dignitary.
• A complaint about a buffer.
• Thanks for a crosswalk in Amberly Village.
• A request for policies limiting growth (we have been growing at less than 1% for the last two years).

Next Week

Next week I will be on vacation. I will not be participating in meetings or town business. I will return to town duties Sunday, June 7^th.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, June 14^th, 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.