Author: haroldweinbrechttownofcaryorg

Council Meeting Prep

Monday I contacted council members to learn of any concerns or questions about the upcoming agenda. Since the agenda was light, there were no questions.

Town Manager One-On-One

Later in the day I met with Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson, Management, and staff to go over the agenda items. It was a brief meeting, and we believed the council meeting would be brief as well.

Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board Meeting

Monday night I met with board members of the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships. We spent time talking about marketing issues and sponsorships. Our next meeting will be on February 20^th.

Winter Storm Finn

Because of Winter Storm Finn all town activities were canceled on Tuesday evening. The forecast had potential tornados, flash flooding, and power outages. Cary faired well. No major incidents were reported.  There were approximately 20 calls for service for Public Works and 35 emergency responses including a couple of trees on houses. The Duke Energy outage map indicated approximately 7,000 residents in Cary were without power at one point during the storm.

Council Work Session

Thursday afternoon the council held a work session to review several items including historic properties, council seating, technical changes from the legislature, and actions taken by the council.

The historic Ivey-Ellington house was moved from Chatham Street to the old library site on Academy Street early last year. The initial use will be for staff offices. The staff plans to bring a $2.67 million proposal forward that will rework the land and refurbish the house. There will be 50 new trees planted using silva cells. Silva Cells enhance the natural environment below while supporting the city hardscapes above. Funds will be used from the 2019 historic preservation allocation. The project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2025. Staff also reported that one of the oldest houses in Wake County, the Nancy Jones house, has been preserved and a consultant was hired to create construction documents. That effort will be completed this year.

At our last work session in December staff noted that town ordinance allows the mayor to determine the seating order of the council. At that time, I explained that I thought it was best for the newest council members to be seated closest to the town manager. A council member requested that the council review the seating order again at this work session. After their comments there seemed to be no interest in changing the seating order.

The town’s attorney explained new legislation that allows for abstentions by council members on zoning votes. This can be problematic on a controversial vote. That is, it is possible that most of the council could refuse to vote for political reasons. I hope this does not happen to Cary and council members vote on all matters since that’s what they were elected to do.

The last topic at the work session was an explanation on the difference between a statement made by the mayor, a proclamation, and a resolution. It has been our practice not to make resolutions on national and international matters if it does not directly impact our core services.

Council Meeting

The first council meeting of the year was held Thursday night after the work session. The agenda included one consent item (minutes for approval), one public hearing, and two discussion items.

Under Public Speaks Out there were written comments and an in-person speaker complaining about speeding on Walnut Street.

The Public Hearing item was a renewal of a 2003 agreement between Cary and Holly Springs to establish a mutually agreed upon annexation boundary between the municipalities. No one spoke and the agreement was passed unanimously.

The first discussion item was to award the bid for the Crabtree Creek Greenway project and the recognition of an additional $250,000 in Federal LAPP Grant funding. This construction project is a half mile extending from the existing greenway trail system within Bond Park, north to High House Road and located entirely on existing Cary-owned property. The project will use an existing grade-separated crossing of Cary Parkway and include a street-side trail along the frontage of the Preston soccer field site. The council approved the LAPP Grant in the FY 2020 budget to offset Cary’s design and construction cost. The council unanimously approved this item.

The last discussion item was for an interlocal agreement between the City of Raleigh and Town of Cary regarding procurement, funding, maintenance, and ownership of the Computer Aided Dispatch to Computer Aided Dispatch System. Basically, it moves the data to the cloud and makes it more secure. The council also approved this unanimously.

The meeting concluded after 31 minutes.

WPTF Interview

Friday morning, I did a live interview on WPTF talk radio. The questions included our growth, what is expected in 2024, sustainability initiatives, and Fenton. It lasted about 5 minutes. To listen to the interview, go to https://rss.com/podcasts/wptf-morning-show/1298866/. In the interview you will hear me say we will have the first electric Fire Truck in the Southeast. I meant to say Garbage Truck.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

The staff and I are so appreciative of your support of and active participation in our work sessions. The two we’ve had so far have been incredibly helpful, and we believe they are a great lead up to next month’s retreat in terms of helping build our new dynamic and strengthening relationships. 
I hope you agree and welcome your feedback
Enjoy the holiday weekend – our last for several months.
Sean

Council Meeting Follow-Up

Referendums:
Yes, we can have bond referendums during Cary municipal elections. Here are the details. 

Mullingar Street:
Mullingar Street is 37-foot-wide, and, yes, we are exploring the potential to convert this to a public street. Here are the details.

2024 Wake Property Tax Reevaluation

Wake County is expected to mail notices of new property values to Cary citizens early next week. As is always the case during revaluation, many citizens may have questions as to why their tax value changed and/or want to challenge the new value. Please feel free to send citizen inquiries directly to Wake County. Citizens may also have questions about how the new value relates to Cary’s property tax rate which is explained here on our website.

Utility Relocations Starting on Carpenter Fire Station Road Widening

In preparation for the Carpenter Fire Station Road widening, on January 16, Duke Energy will begin the process of relocating their existing utilities. This work includes relocating utility poles to accommodate the widening and installing new underground facilities. Intermittent shoulder work, traffic shifts, lane closures, and flagging will occur throughout this phase. After the utility relocation phase, construction of the widening is anticipated to begin Winter 2025. Additional project details are available on the project webpage.

West Chatham Street Road Closure Planned

Beginning January 22, weather permitting, West Chatham Street will be closed between Harrison Avenue and Academy Street. The temporary road closure is expected to last one week.
As part of Cary’s Annual Water Main Replacement project, both water and sewer connections are being replaced. Due to the location of the utility mains, short-term road closure is required to safely complete this work. During the road closure, the sidewalk on the north side of Chatham Street will be closed to pedestrians, while the sidewalk on the south side will remain open. Construction in the driveway area adjacent to 122 W. Chatham St. and the alley to the rear of the building is expected to last one month.
Message boards will be placed on January 16 to alert citizens and motorists to the planned closure.

2024-2025 Cary Housing Funds Applications

Applications for 2024-2025 Cary Housing Funds open January12. Each year, Cary invites organizations working in the key areas of housing development and preservation, housing stability support services, community development, and critical need assistance to apply for grant funding. Cary supports these five key housing initiative areas to further the goals of the Imagine Cary Community Plan and Cary Housing Plan using a blend of local and federal funds. Under the Town’s 2024-2025 Cary Housing Program Grant application process, eligible entities are invited to submit applications for funding to carry out community development activities for the period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Applications will be due March 1, 2024 with awards made by Council in May 2024.

Winter PRCR Registration – RecTrac

January 10 marked Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources’ first program registration in the new registration system – RecTrac. On the first day, 3,120 program registrations occurred, with 93% completed online, an all-time high for online registrations. Registration continues throughout the week for residents, and non-resident registration will open on Wednesday, January 17. Anecdotal feedback from staff and citizens included gratitude for the transition to the new system, comments on the ease of online registration, and questions about when more programs/camps would be visible and available for registration. We’ll continue to work in the coming months to implement online reservations for rental and shelters, dog park access, and a return this spring to the printed program guide.

Yates Store Road Greenway Visibility Enhancements

New pavement markings and traffic signs were recently installed in western Cary, along Yates Store Road, to enhance the visibility of two greenway crossings. Designed and funded through Transportation’s Spot Traffic Safety Program and executed in partnership with Public Works, these improvements promote safety for users of the Morris Branch and Amberly Lake greenways by encouraging awareness of pedestrians.
Next up for the Spot Program are similar enhancements to the existing crosswalk on Ederlee Drive near Symphony Lake. Markings and signage were pre-marked and will be installed when weather conditions permit.

Long Range Water Resources Plan Kickoff

On January 8, Cary launched a Long Range Water Resource Plan (LRWRP) update in close coordination with a wide range of stakeholders and regional partners including RDU, RTP, Cary Chamber of Commerce, Morrisville, Apex, Chatham County, Wake County and of course an interdepartmental Cary team. The visioning process, which looks ahead several decades, laid the groundwork for how this LRWRP will be distinct from past planning efforts as Jordan Lake is nearing full allocation and the region continues to grow. Unique trends and adaptive strategies were brainstormed as well as sneak-peaks to the draft forecast based on the Triangle Regional Model and other regional planning efforts. We look forward to staying in close coordination with our partners as the plan is developed in 2024.

Upcoming Meetings

Accessory Dwelling Unit Virtual Community Meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 17
6:30 p.m.

Greenway Committee
Thursday, Jan. 18
6:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A question on when the Carpenter Fire Station Road Park is opening.
• A request to give the State of Cary Address at Glenaire.
• Questions from a potential developer about developing land.
• Concern from a non-profit in South Hills to be able to relocate.
• A complaint that I cut-and-pasted responses to the hundreds of emails complaining about the Cary Jaycees parade.
• A question about how to get involved in the community.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting with the 4H Club, a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association, a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board, a meeting with the retreat’s consultant, a meeting with NC Representative Cervania, a meeting about Affordable Housing, a review of State of Cary Slides, and an interview with the Triangle Business Journal.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, January 21^st, 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.

Happy New Year!

Writing Annual Address

I haven’t been involved in activities the first week of the year so there is nothing to report. I have spent the time writing the annual address. At the time of this journal posting, I am about 2/3 done and already have about 6800 words. Of course, I will need to trim it down once I have a draft. I should send it to staff for fact checking next week.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

Happy New Year! I am excited to start the work of 2024. I look forward to my meetings with all of you next week as we gear up for what appears to be a busy month after the quiet time of the holiday season.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sean

Maintenance and Gate Work Continues at the Downtown Library Parking Deck

In our continuing efforts to improve and maintain the library parking deck, you will see construction activity at the deck over the next few weeks. To start, crews working on behalf of Cary will repair the Walnut Street entrance beginning Monday, Jan. 8. This work will require closing the Walnut Street entrance for approximately two weeks to repair soil conditions and replace the current asphalt driveway with a new concrete driveway. 
Additionally, we’ll leverage the closure to install the second phase of the parking deck gates. Specifically, this includes gate arms and smart parking technology/equipment. The Walker Street entrance will remain open during this time. On or around Jan. 18, the Walnut Street entrance will reopen, and we’ll shift to the Walker Street entrance to install the same type of gate equipment. Walker Street access will be closed for approximately three days. Dedicated traffic control staff will be at each entrance during peak usage hours and signs will be in place to assist motorists with wayfinding. Notifications have been distributed to the tenants of One Walker, retail businesses, and the library. For more information about this work including when gates may be activated, please visit our website.

First Walk of 2024

On New Year’s Day, Cary Teen Council and Cary Greenways Committee collaborated to present First Walk 2024. This event highlighted the White Oak Greenway, showcasing the mural wall at the railroad crossing tunnel in Davis Drive Park. More than 80 participants joined in the walk for Cary’s first event of the new year.

Lead and Copper Rule Revisions

As part of the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) , the Environmental Protection Agency is requiring all water systems to create an inventory of every water service line in an effort to eliminate lead. Cary has approximately 75,000 service line connections and no known lead lines, but approximately 6,500 of these have unknown material. Cary will engage the citizen community to help identify the materials in those connections. On Jan. 10, a flyer will be mailed to these 6,500 properties inviting residents to request a free of charge service line inspection or to self report their service line material. The flyer includes step-by-step instructions on how to identify the service line material and residents can report their results using an online survey form. Residents can access additional information on the  Service Line Inventory webpage. Under the requirements of the LCRR, the service line inventory must be submitted in October and be made publicly available. Cary’s goal is to not only have no lead service lines, but also to eliminate all of the unknown service line materials.

Upcoming Meetings

Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, January 8
5:15 p.m.

Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, January 8
6:00 p.m.

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, January 8
6:30 p.m.

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, January 9
6:00 p.m.

Human Relations Inclusion & Diversity Task Force
Tuesday, January 9
6:00 p.m.

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, January 10
12:00 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission
Wednesday, January 10
6:30 p.m.

Council Work Session
Thursday, January 11
4:45 p.m.

Council Meeting
January 11, 6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Sadly, several emails from mentally ill residents. This usually happens this time of year and unfortunately, they are very nasty.
• A complaint about GoCary not driving to a Morrisville church.
• A complaint about crosswalks on Academy Street.
• A complaint about Parks and Rec reservation software.
• A complaint about speeding on Walnut Street.
• A complaint about reckless driving on Walnut Street.
• A request to promote a private survey (we do not have that authority).
• A complaint about lifeguarding at private pools (we do not have authority to regulate that).
• A complaint about the Chinese Lantern Festival: “This is not a time to showcase a small minority of people who are hell bent to kill, steal, and Destroy America and everything we stand for the Luciferian Kazarian mafia. Are you one of their bots? Good Day!”
  
  

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting of the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships board, a Western Wake Town Hall, a Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity task force meeting, a council work session, and the first regularly scheduled council meeting of the year.

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

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 35^th 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 7^th, 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.

Council Meeting Prep

As part of the preparation for a regularly scheduled council meeting, I contacted each council member to hear of any concerns or questions about the upcoming agenda. There was a request from two council members to remove the Old Apex Road rezoning 21-REZ-16 from the consent agenda to the discussion portion of the agenda. Later in the day I met with Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson Robinson and staff to go over the agenda. Our meeting lasted about twenty minutes.

Manager One-On-One

Next, I met with the town manager and town attorney. We spent about half an hour talking about the annual Jaycee’s Christmas Parade and the controversy caused by the drag queen float they allowed. We also talked about the upcoming work session and the council.

Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force

Monday night I joined a meeting of the Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Task Force. They heard and discussed presentations on the Biennial Survey, Business Inclusion, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Grievance Procedure. A subcommittee was also formed to do a deep dive into ADA issues. The meeting lasted two hours.

Bel Canto Meeting

Tuesday afternoon I met with representatives of the Bel Canto proposal next to the future Duke hospital. While I normally don’t meet with developers and their representatives before a Public Hearing, I thought it was important that they understand the difficulties of bringing a multi-family project forward without affordable housing.

NC Senator Gale Adcock

Tuesday I had the pleasure of meeting with NC Senator Gale Adcock for a couple of hours. While we talked about the legislature and the council, we mostly spent time talking as friends. I am so glad she represents Cary.

Menorah Lighting

Wednesday night I joined council members Bush, Kohn-Johnson, Craig, and Bansal at the Menorah Lighting held on the old library site. Speakers included council member Bush, Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh Brodsky, Rabbi Edery of Beth Shalom, and Rabbi Cotlar. Council member Bush included comments about Chanukah and its history. Her message was about hope and unity. Here is an excerpt from that message:

“…And I am here tonight, as many Jews may be, because it is an acknowledgement of so much – it is not just a celebration, it’s not just a way for us to share our faiths and learn about each other, it’s a response to a collective yearning we’ve heard from our community to come together.  

It is an acknowledgement of the importance of standing up to bigotry, hate – and bringing light, to the darkness.  

As the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, it is important for me to be the flame that burns brightly to light this menorah, and to do it publicly. No matter what.

Here in Cary – we celebrate our diversity, we embrace it.  And we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of all ethnicities, cultures, and faiths.  So, I ask you ALL to do that with us.  Being here is JUST one way.  There are others, as well…. making sure that when you DO see antisemitism, you call it out.  You support us online, on social media – calling out hate and bigotry when you see it.  You check in on your Jewish friends.   

Help us take the lights that we will see here, and use it to bring light, hope and gladness to others.  The message of Hanukkah is a message of light over darkness, triumph over darkness. 

THANK YOU – and Happy Hanukkah to all of you and may this holiday season bring joy and happiness to you and your loved ones.”

Other speakers’ messages focused on the heightened fear among the Jewish people and growing antisemitism. And while that is a message that must be given it came across as doom and gloom instead of a triumph of light over darkness. After comments, seven of the eight cancels of the Menorah were lit by council member Bush and Rabbi Cotlar. There were about a hundred in attendance.

Council Work Session

The council and staff held a work session before the regularly scheduled council meeting on Thursday to discuss four topics.

A South Hills update was the first topic and staff let the council know that the applicants, Loden and Northpond, were close to submitting. In addition to this mixed-use proposal, this site will also be the location of “The Centre” if the council agrees to move forward with the project via a bond. The council agreed to take a minibus tour of the site to see their vision.

Pre-work for the annual council-staff retreat was the second topic. Consultants will call council members in the upcoming days to hear about each council member’s priorities in preparation for a work session prior to the retreat. The retreat will focus on top priorities.

The third topic, Legal Foundations, was presented by the town’s attorney. The session included a review of open meetings law, what is allowed in closed sessions, the definition of public records, ethics, and gifts &favors. We learned that legislative laws changed in the last few years to allow council members to abstain from any zoning vote without reason. Before this change, abstentions meant a yes vote for the motion. Personally, I think every council member should vote on every zoning. This change allows council members to not have to make decisions on controversial votes.

The last topic of the work session was on council policies, procedures, and practices:

• Council seating is determined by the mayor according to Town Code 2-32.
• Council initiated topics for a meeting’s agenda, formerly called “pink slip”, is one council member’s idea presented for discussion with a second from another council member.
• No individual council member should speak for the council or staff unless authorized by the council.
• The council will try and accommodate other council members that may be out of town. That means, if possible, delay important votes until the entire council is present.
• The staff will try to accommodate council members at events. That is, make sure council members are invited to participate in events that are in their district or events they may be interested in.
• The process of Board, Commission, and task force appointments is being reviewed by staff and will be presented soon.

There was little discussion of these items, and none of the items were changed. The work session lasted about an hour and a half.

Council Meeting

Thursday night the council held its last regularly scheduled meeting of the year. The agenda included six consent items, one public hearing, and one discussion item.

Council member Smith spoke about consent item 21-REZ-16 which is the Old Apex Road rezoning. The proposal previously had a public hearing and had a recommendation for denial by the Planning and Zoning Board. The proposal had yet to make it to the council for a vote. The applicant, promising additional changes, wanted it reviewed by the board again before coming to council before a vote. Council member Smith pointed out that we do not know what the changes are at this point.

The public hearing was on the rezoning 23-REZ-11 on Piney Plains Road. It would allow up to nine dwellings on 2 ½ acres that would be detached homes and/or townhouses. The only speaker was a representative from the adjacent townhomes which had a list of concerns. This proposal will next go to the Planning and Zoning board for a recommendation and return to council in a few months.

The discussion item was to fund the Symphony Lake dredging that has never been dredged and has islands forming. This was approved unanimously. The work will begin in January just after the Chinese Lantern Festival season closes and will continue until the Koka Booth Amphitheatre season begins in April. While maintaining the lake water elevation, the dredge material will be removed, dried on site, hauled off via a portion of the Symphony Lake greenway trail, and taken to the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF) where it will be used to close a lagoon that is no longer in use. Once the dredging is complete, the site will be restored, and the greenway trail repaved.

After a closed session the council meeting concluded after about two and a half hours.

Wreaths Across America

Saturday I attended and provided remarks for the Wreaths Across America ceremony held in Hillcrest Cemetery. The following was what I spoke from:

“Good afternoon, It is an honor to stand before you today as we participate in the Wreaths Across America program—a tradition that unites us in honoring and remembering our nation’s heroes.

Today, we come together as a community bound by gratitude, respect, and a deep appreciation for the freedoms we hold dear.

All of us understand the importance of community and the value of remembrance. As we lay these wreaths on the graves of those who gave their all, we are not only acknowledging their sacrifice but also ensuring that their memories endure. The spirit of Wreaths Across America is a reminder that the cost of freedom is never forgotten, and it is our duty to carry the torch of remembrance forward.

As we lay each wreath, let us also renew our commitment to supporting those who continue to serve and protect our nation. May the solemn beauty of this ceremony inspire us to uphold the values that define us as a community—one that recognizes the importance of service, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of those who have worn the uniform.

Thank you for being here today and inviting me to be part of a special ceremony for our community.”

May we never forget all the men and women who have sacrificed and are still sacrificing for our freedom today. Thank you for your service and God Bless You!

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

This was a busy week, and I appreciate all the time, Council, you were able to give to us – from our one-on-ones, board meetings, and special events to yesterday’s work session and the Council meeting. Sometimes it’s a lot, and it’s never lost on me, nor on the staff, that you’re having to prioritize Cary over friends and family.
We wrapped the week up this morning by having new Councilmembers Sarika Bansal and Michelle Craig share breakfast with the Directors. We listened to each other’s personal stories on how and why we chose to serve Cary. To a person, both Council and staff, each was authentic, grateful, optimistic, and vulnerable. And as is often the case in our group gatherings, there was so much laughter, which I find incredibly important in building strong relationships and lasting memories.
I, too, am grateful to be Cary’s Manager, and today was another reminder for me of just how fortunate I am.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sean

Voting on Zoning Matters

At last night’s work session, we discussed state law regarding voting on zoning matters. The legislature amended the law in 2015 to permit abstention votes on zoning ordinances (rezonings and Land Development Ordinance text amendments), and Council adopted changes to Policy Statement 143, Rules of Procedure for the Cary Town Council, to reflect those changes in December 2015. Please contact Lisa Glover if you have additional questions.

2023 Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

For the seventh night of Hanukkah, Councilmember Lori Bush lit the ‘shamash’ for the menorah at the Old Library Site. Also in attendance were Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Councilmembers Carissa Kohn-Johnson, Sarika Bansal, Michelle Craig, North Carolina Representative Maria Cervania, and 150 community members. The annual event represents a partnership between Cary, the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh, Beth Shalom, and Chabad of Cary.

South Hills Rezoning

Cary received the second-round preliminary development plan for the redevelopment of the South Hills District. The application seeks to rezone 11 properties, consisting of approximately 44 acres along Buck Jones Road (the location of the South Hills Mall site), near the intersection of Walnut Street, north of US Hwy 1, and west of I-40. The neighborhood meeting was held on June 7, 2023. Staff is currently working on scheduling a visit for Council to tour the existing South Hills site.

Captain Kat Christian Graduates Leader for Results as 2023 Civic Fellow

Captain Katherine Christian has completed the Leading for Results course at the University of North Carolina School of Government at Chapel Hill. Kat was chosen to participate as a 2023 Civic Fellow. Fellows were selected through a competitive process from more than 170 applicants from across the State, and selection was based on identifying emerging leaders in local government. The Leading for Results program focuses on organizational leadership. Fellows gained insight into their leadership styles and strengths, practiced critical leadership behaviors, and worked with individual coaches to increase their effectiveness within their organizations.

Cary Meets with SAS Environmental Team

On Wednesday, Cary’s IT and Environment team members met with SAS Chief Environmental Officer Jerry Williams on sustainability data analytic tools and solutions. This meeting provided insight into opportunities to manage solar production and energy consumption by learning from partners to support Cary’s environmental sustainability efforts.

Trip to Iowa for Electrifying News

On Nov. 15, Fleet Manager Brandon Pasinski and Solid Waste Manager Jesse Troublefield visited New Way Truck’s manufacturing facility and its engineers in Scranton, Iowa, to view the progress of our fully electric solid waste truck. Cary partnered with New Way Trucks and Mack in 2021 as part of a Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant to replace an existing diesel-powered truck.

Thoroughfare Street Lighting Program

This Saturday, Duke Energy will install streetlights on Green Level Church Road near O’Kelly Chapel Road. This work is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will require detouring traffic heading southbound on Green Level Church Road to O’Kelly Chapel Road. Street lighting is an integral component of Cary’s transportation system that improves public safety and is required for new development. Staff routinely works with developers, NCDOT, and Duke Energy to install streetlights in Cary’s jurisdiction. 

NCDOT S-Line $1.09 Billion Grant Awarded

Assistant Town Manager Shelley Curran and Director of Transit Kelly Blazey attended a press event where NCDOT, USDOT, and other state and federal representatives announced the award of a $1.09 billion grant. The funding includes two railroad grade separations at Trinity Road and NE Maynard Road, as well as NCDOT’s S-Line project. The S-Line Project extends from Raleigh to Richmond and impacts Cary and the rail lines in town. NCDOT will use the $1.09 billion grant for design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction costs for the first section of the S-Line, which runs from Raleigh to Wake Forest. This section will establish a high-performance passenger rail line while maintaining the existing freight service.
Additionally, the grant will fund the construction of highway and rail bridges, including two safety projects in Cary along the Southeast Corridor. These projects consist of the Trinity Road railroad grade separation, slated for construction in 2029, and the NE Maynard Road railroad grade separation, for which the construction date has yet to be determined. Staff regularly coordinates with NCDOT on both projects and will provide updates as the state evaluates design alternatives.

Howland Avenue Water Main Replacement Construction

As 2024 begins, so will the water main replacement project on Howland Avenue. The existing water main has not been reliable as it approaches the end of its service life. Therefore, the water main design and procurement were expedited this past year. Pipeline Utilities, Inc. was awarded the construction contract on October 26 and will begin work on January 2. Notifications have been sent to the neighborhood, and during the week of December 18, door hangers will be distributed to residents, notifying them again of the upcoming project. Construction will start at the intersection of Old Apex Road and Howland Avenue. The project will replace approximately 3,000 feet of 6-inch PVC water main with a new 8-inch ductile iron water main. The project ends at the point where Howland Avenue becomes Bayoak Drive, and the construction is expected to last eight months.

Celebrating Cary’s Service Milestone Employees

As 2023 winds down this month, Cary recognized 199 employees representing over 2,680 years of career service throughout December. To celebrate their ongoing dedication and commitment to each other, our organization, and our Cary community, employees who reached 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service this year were honored with commemorative plaques, recognition in their departments, and featured individually on virtual slideshows streaming on monitors throughout Cary facilities all month. Cary staff is committed to their careers, and we congratulate them on reaching these milestones while sending thanks for their service.

Cary Teen Council’s 2023 Highlights

In 2023, the Cary Teen Council demonstrated exceptional commitment to community service by completing 17,596 volunteer service hours through active participation in many engagement opportunities. Noteworthy initiatives include an ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurities in our local community by packaging meals at local food banks and running a highly successful campaign collecting a substantial quantity of food for Dorcas Ministries. The teens also regularly participated in the Adopt A Highway and Cary Litter Sweep programs, showcasing their dedication to fostering a cleaner and more sustainable local environment.

Upcoming Meetings

Athletic Committee
Monday, December 18 
6:00 p.m.

Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, December 18
6:30 p.m.

Greenway ​​​​​​​Committee
Tuesday, December 19
6:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Numerous complaints from Cary and all over the state about the Pride float in our parade (The Jaycees, not Cary decides who is in the parade. I had no decision about who was in the parade. Private entities, such as the Jaycees can include or exclude who they would like. Public entities like Cary cannot. Some of the names I have been called, that I can mention: Satanic, Evil, Anti-Christian).
• A few compliments for the Pride float in the Cary parade (Again, I had no role in the decision).
• A complaint about noise created by Waste Management.
• A complaint about the proposed rezoning on Old Apex Road.
• A concern about water quality (Cary exceeds state and federal standards).
  
  

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, the Wake County Mayors Association Annual Banquet, and the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships board meeting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 24^th, 2023. 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.

TST Coming Back to Cary

Monday it was announced that TST (The Soccer Tournament) was not only coming back to Cary but was expanding. Here is the press release:

Boston, Mass. (December 4, 2023) – The Soccer Tournament (TST), the 7v7 event with a $1 million winner-take-all prize, today announced its plans for an expanded 2024 event, featuring the addition of an eight-team women’s tournament for a separate $1 million prize. With the launch of the women’s tournament and an equal seven-figure prize, TST immediately becomes the highest stakes women’s professional soccer event in the world.

The expansion adds to TST’s momentum coming off of a sold-out inaugural event, where more than 35,000 fans attended the 32-team tournament in June. The women’s tournament will run concurrently to TST’s expanded 48-team event at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina from June 5-10. TST 2024 will culminate in a championship game doubleheader on June 10, where a total of $2 million in prize money will be awarded.

“We are thrilled to add a third event to our portfolio and to have it be our highest stakes competition ever,” said Jon Mugar, founder and CEO of The Tournament. “This instantly becomes one of the highest stakes events in all of women’s sports, with the only thing standing between teams and one million dollars being four exceptional hours of soccer. This will attract some of the most talented players and clubs from around the world.”

US Women, a team organized by former U.S. Women’s National Team star Heather O’Reilly, will headline TST’s eight-team field. The women’s event, which kicks off June 7, will feature two groups with four teams in each. Two teams from each group will emerge to compete in the semifinals on June 9. TST will crown its first ever $1 million women’s champion on June 10.

“I’m incredibly excited to be a part of TST’s inaugural women’s tournament,” said former U.S. Women’s National Team star Heather O’Reilly “Their commitment to a $1 million prize for both men’s and women’s players is incredibly important in our ongoing fight for equal pay. This event will be a great addition to the women’s sports landscape, and I can’t wait to take part in it with some of my former national team teammates.”

TST’s original event will see an increase from 32 to 48 teams this summer, with teams competing in 12 groups of four June 5-6. Thirty-two teams will emerge from the group stage games to the knockout rounds on June 7. TST’s round of 16 and quarterfinals will take place on June 8, and the two semifinal matches will be played June 9. TST’s winner-take-all championship game will follow the conclusion of the women’s championship on June 10.

The inaugural TST included globally renowned clubs such as Wrexham AFC, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham, Wolverhampton, and sports stars like Clint Dempsey, Steve Nash, Cesc Fabregas, and Chad Johnson, among others. More than 25 players with U.S. National Team experience and a combined 1,444 caps on both the men’s and women’s side competed in the event, including Heather O’Reilly, Kirstine Lilly, Jermaine Jones, Eddie Johnson, Geoff Cameron, Jimmy Conrad, Chris Wondolowski, Brek Shea, and more.

TST, which is an open-entry event, received nearly 400 applicants for its 2023 tournament. Spots are still open for both 2024 events, and interested teams can apply by emailing TST@thetournament.com.

Fans can now purchase all-sessions passes for TST 2024, or sign up for the single-session waitlist at https://thetournament.com/tst/tickets.

I am looking forward to the TST next year. If you missed it last year it is a must see for 2024.

Town Manager One-On-One

Monday I met with the town manager and town clerk for my weekly one-on-one. We talked about the organizational meeting and the upcoming work session on policies and procedures.

Council Organizational meeting

Thursday the council said so long to two council members, swore in two new council members, and swore in a returning at-large council member and me.

In the afternoon those being sworn in did walk through and signed documents with those in the ceremony. I was joined by NC Senator Gale Adcock, my wife Belinda, my daughter Cara, my son-in-law Brandon, and my almost two-year-old grandson Brady. Afterwards I had pictures taken of my grandson in the mayor’s chair with my gavel. That is a picture I will never forget!

Following a reception for all in the town hall lobby, everyone gathered in the council chambers for the organizational meeting. The meeting began with comments from long time council member Don Frantz followed by comments from council member Ryan Eades who was appointed in January. Then council members provided their praise before a short recess.

The meeting resumed with NC Senator Gale Adcock swearing me in as mayor and Lori Bush as a council member, NC Representative Maria Cervania swearing Michelle Craig as a council member, and me swearing in Sarika Bansal as a council member.

Next the council unanimously elected Jennifer Bryson-Robinson as Mayor Pro-Tem. We then adopted the 2024 meeting schedule. The final action was me reading my appointments:

Town of Cary – Special Committees

• Economic Development Committee: Weinbrecht, Smith, and Robinson
• Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility Advisory Committee: Weinbrecht
• Cary/Chatham County Joint Issues Committee: Robinson and Bush
• Cary/Morrisville Joint Issues Committee: Weinbrecht, Robinson, Bush
• Western Wake Partners Policy Advisory Committee: Weinbrecht
• Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Task Force: Weinbrecht

Town of Cary – Boards/Commissions

• Environmental Advisory Board: Smith
• Historic Preservation Commission: Craig
• Information Services Advisory Board: Bush
• Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board: Bansal
• Planning and Zoning Board: Robinson
• Public Art Advisory Board: Kohn-Johnson
• Senior Advisory Board: Kohn-Johnson
• Zoning Board of Adjustment: Bansal

The organization meeting concluded after about two hours.

First Responders Breakfast

Wednesday morning I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson, and Council members Kohn-Johnson, Bush, Craig, and Bansal at the Cary Chamber’s First Responders breakfast to honor the Cary Police Department, Cary Fire Department, Wake County EMS, Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Cary American Legion Post 67, Duke Raleigh Hospital, UNC Health, and WakeMed Cary Hospital. The key speaker was Scott “Intake” Kartvedt who is a Blue Angels pilot. He was a phenomenal speaker with a motivational message for all. His non-profit, The Blue Angels Foundation, is “Committed to supporting critical services for our nation’s wounded warriors and their families
including transitional housing assistance and post-traumatic stress treatment.” Cary businesses raised over $24,000 for this event and presented the check to him.

After the event I had the privilege to have my picture taken with all the first responder heroes. We are so blessed to have all of them.

Economic Development Committee

Wednesday evening I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Robinson, council member Smith, and several leaders from our business community in a meeting of the Economic Development Committee.

A Summary of Economic Development Activity was presented to the committee by Ms. Roth, head of the Cary Chamber’s Economic Development. Some of the things I noted from the report:

• Kellogg is expanding.
• Suburban office parks are no longer as popular. Several significant leases are expiring which could result in the loss of some companies due to “flight of equality”. Those companies desire office environments in mixed use like Fenton and Downtown Cary.
• LaunchCary is being launched by the Cary Chamber in January.
• Coworking space is available in the new Rogers building.
• Momentum is increasing for downtown businesses.

In Town Manager Stegall’s report, he noted the new council and potential new shifts in direction. He also talked about the strength of our intergovernmental relationships. One of the most eye-opening parts of his presentation was about the lack of available electricity from Duke to provide for future expansion of towns in the region. New transmission lines will be needed, especially in Morrisville.

Ted Boyd, Cary’s Economic Development Director, said that the South Hills rezoning should start next year. He also talked about the RFQ for town hall campus and the Kildaire Farm Road visioning project. He handed out draft documents to committee members for their feedback on the visioning. The committee will meet at a workshop in January to provide their feedback.

The meeting concluded after a couple of hours.

Cary Matters Taping

Thursday evening I had the pleasure of taping two Cary Matters episodes. One with new council member Sarika Bansal, and one with new council member Michelle Craig. I asked the following of each:

• Tell us about yourself.
• What most excites you about being a council member?
• What do you look forward to in the new year?

Rapid Fire Questions:

• Go-To Food/Meal?
• Favorite Park in Cary and Why?
• What was the last show you binged and loved?
• Tell us about a concert you’ll never forget.
• One word that describes your personality.

Make sure to watch Cary Matters to see their answers.

Sister Cities Holiday Event

Thursday night I attended an event sponsored by the Cary Sister Cities. Joining me were council members Kohn-Johnson, Craig, and Smith. After saying a few words, I introduced NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall who provided comments.

Cary Christmas Parade

Saturday the Cary Jaycees held its annual Christmas parade. While I was unable to attend this year due to a brief illness, I was able to watch the parade via WRAL streaming video.

Unfortunately, this year’s parade was controversial because of a float from Cary Pride.

(see the float and participants at time stamp 1:24:50 of WRAL’s stream at https://www.wral.com/story/cary-christmas-parade-delivers-holiday-cheer/21188256/ ).

I received hundreds of emails criticizing me (to put it very politely) for something where I, the council, and the management staff were not part of the decision-making process.

Most of the emails objected to the mocking of priests and nuns. Another significant portion of the emails objected to having drag queens on floats. And others objected to the gay community being allowed to have a float in the parade. Here is the statement I issued in response:

Let me begin by thanking you for contacting me.  I am deeply saddened that the annual Jaycees Christmas parade has become controversial as Christmas is a time for unity. Unfortunately, the Town of Cary was not in a decision-making position regarding the parade.

The Jaycees Christmas Parade is an annual event put on by the Cary Jaycees not the Town of Cary. The Jaycee’s board decides who can be in the parade not the mayor, council, or management staff. According to the town manager and town attorney: “we do not and cannot ask them to remove the float – absent a clear and direct threat to public safety – as this matter is protected free speech.” In other words, there was no authority to allow the mayor, council, or staff to prevent this from being in the parade.

The ones that made this decision are Jaycee board members who are reachable at board@caryjaycees.org and parade@caryjacees.org .

Thank you again for contacting me.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

The Jaycees issued a statement as follows:

The Cary Jaycees is aware of some concerns regarding participants in this year’s Cary Christmas Parade. As you may know, The Cary Jaycees, a subsidiary of JCI USA, is a non-profit organization that has no political or religious affiliation, therefore the events we host, and plan also run along those guidelines. Because the parade is a community event, we invite all those who would like to participate the opportunity to do so. We do not endorse or condone any political candidates who may be participating in our parade. Anyone who purchased a spot in the parade are all required to adhere to the rules and regulations of being streamed on the internet, and the laws that govern public decency and lewdness. Furthermore, the town of Cary Police Department will be on hand to ensure that the parade is safe for everyone including our diverse community members and any little one’s present. We hope you have a wonderful time at the parade and enjoy a showcase of the diverse community of Cary.

Since I have no authority to decide who or what is in the parade, I would ASK that all future participants be respectful and kind. Being controversial or extreme doesn’t help anyone’s cause. A Christmas parade is a time when the community should join as one. I hope our future parades will be a time of joy rather than a time of controversy.

Palestinian Protest

Saturday night there was a small protest in downtown Cary supporting Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war. The protestors did a walk through the park and there were no incidents.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

It was great seeing each of you on Tuesday, and I look forward to our meetings together on Thursday.
Have a great weekend.
Sean

Tree Lighting Video Available

Cary’s Annual Tree Lighting took place at its new location at Downtown Cary Park on Sunday, December 3. The event was live-streamed for the first time and will re-air on Cary TV through Christmas. You can also watch the full video online.

Chamber Hosts Annual First Responders Appreciation Breakfast

On Wednesday, the Cary Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual First Responders Breakfast at Prestonwood Country Club. Keynote speaker Scott Kartvedt, a former Blue Angels pilot who served 20 years in the Navy and was featured in the movie “Top Gun: Maverick,” shared inspirational stories about his personal journey with the audience, which included members of the Cary Police and Fire Departments, Wake County EMS, the Wake County Sheriff’s Department, and the military, as well as Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Councilmembers Lori Bush, Carissa Kohn-Johnson, Jennifer Robinson, Michelle Craig, and Sarika Bansal.

Victorian Christmas at the Page Walker

On Saturday, more than 400 guests enjoyed an old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere at the Page-Walker. There were cookies with cider, Victorian carolers, a cute craft for kids, holiday stories, and a special guest from the North Pole. Councilmember Michelle Craig took part in the festivities. 

Heart of the Holidays Competition Underway

Two cherished Heart of the Holidays competitions kicked off last Saturday. Cary’s 12th Annual Gifting Tree Project has transformed South Academy Street and the Downtown Cary Park into a dazzling display of 120 Christmas trees. Local schools, organizations, and families have decorated their trees for a chance to win a donation to the nonprofit group of their choice. Voting will remain open through December 17. Additionally, community members can cast their votes in Cary’s 13th Annual Gingerbread House Competition, hosted by 15 businesses throughout downtown. On display are 24 houses built by gingerbread pros, hobbyists, families, and kids. Apart from winners chosen by judges in adult and kids categories, one People’s Choice winner will be decided by community vote. Voting for this competition will be open through December 9.

Police & Fire Hosts Heroes & Helpers Event

On Saturday, Cary Police and Fire Departments hosted their annual holiday event, Heroes & Helpers! This event is more commonly known as Shop With A Cop, but Heroes & Helpers stands out by also featuring our firefighters. This is just another example of the strong departmental collaborations and partnerships we have here in Cary. Special thanks to the Target Walnut Street location for being the host retailer this year.

Environmental Education for Climate Action

In support of climate action, Cary hosted two free engagement opportunities this week, connecting citizens to sustainable solutions for their homes. A tree health class with our Urban Forester Leslie Moorman showcased steps for proper pruning techniques while over 30 citizens learned the essentials of residential solar with our Energy Manager Sara Caliendo.

Collaborating on Cary’s Tree Canopy

Growing a resilient urban forest requires the collaboration of both experts and dedicated community members, as demonstrated during the public comment period for the draft Urban Forest Master Plan. Between November 6 and December 6, over 9,000 citizens were introduced to Cary’s long-range vision for enhancing and maintaining our community trees. Given that 83% of Cary’s tree canopy exists on privately owned land, this public comment period presented an opportunity for citizens to contribute their voices to the protection and conservation of this important natural resource. The next steps involve summarizing the gathered input and collaborating with stakeholders to finalize the future strategy for trees in Cary.

Staff Visits CASSI in Charlotte

As a follow up to Cary’s CASSI pilot, Cary staff made a trip to the UNC Charlotte campus to visit the final pilot for the autonomous shuttle. Representatives from the University, as well as NCDOT, shared their experiences during this phase of testing with particular focus on how the lessons learned during the Cary pilot led to improvements in their program. Of note, UNC Charlotte researchers will be working with Cary data scientists to integrate data and share delivery methods for the benefit of the NCDOT researchers and CASSI users.

The trip was capped off with a ride on CASSI along its new route on the UNC Charlotte campus. The new route was noted as more complex due to the increased presence of pedestrians in a college campus environment, four connected traffic signals, and multiple left-turn movements that required decision making from the shuttle. This final pilot for the CASSI program will end on December 22.

Sergeant Alexander Awarded Public Information Officer Designation

Sergeant Kenric Alexander has been awarded the Public Information Officer (PIO) designation by the Commission on Professional Credentialing through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. This designation recognizes the critical role public information officers play in both emergency and daily operations by effectively communicating valuable information to the public. To achieve this credentialing, Sergeant Alexander demonstrated the equivalency of five years of continuous education, training, and experience as a Public Information Officer, including his recent achievement of being awarded Master PIO by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. Sergeant Alexander is one of only 34 Public Information Officers internationally to receive professional credentialing from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

2023 NCAA Women’s College Cup

This past week, Cary, in partnership with the University of North Carolina, Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, and NCFC Youth, hosted the 2023 NCAA Women’s College Cup at WakeMed Soccer Park. Staff across multiple departments worked together for several months to prepare for this championship. A total of 14,907 fans from all over the country visited Cary to watch as the Florida State Seminoles defended their spotless record and claimed their fourth national championship. 

Upcoming Meetings

Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Task Force
Monday, December 11
6:00 p.m.

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, December 12

6:00 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission
Wednesday, December 13
6:30 p.m.

Council Work Session
Thursday, December 14
4:30 p.m.

Council Meeting
Thursday, December 14
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A gazillion complaints (actually over two hundred) about float 83 in the Christmas parade.
• A thank you for getting a plaque on a bench at Booth Amphitheater.
• A question about presenting at a council meeting.
• A complaint about comments made at the Downtown Park Ribbon cutting.
• Comments on the Draft Urban Forest Master Plan.
• A complaint about a missed recycling pickup (it was picked up shortly after the email).
• A complaint that money was wasted in the Cary runoff and that we should have weighted voting.
  
  

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Task Force meeting, a meeting with NC Senator Gale Adcock, a Menorah Lighting, a council work session, the last regularly scheduled council meeting of the year, and a Wreaths Across America event.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 17^th, 2023. 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.

Manager One-On-One

Monday afternoon I sat down with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one meeting. We talked about the park opening, a potential upcoming bond, and the new council. Our conversation lasted about half an hour.

Special Meeting for Staff Reviews

Monday night the council met in closed session to review the performance of our three employees: Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Town Clerk. We heard from each of them as well as reviewed their information presented to us at an earlier date. I believe we have three of the best in their fields. Cary is very blessed that they give their time and talents for the benefit of our citizens.

CAP Appreciation Dinner

Wednesday night Council member Jack Smith and I attended an appreciation dinner for the CAP (Citizens Assisting Police) held by the Cary Police Department. Comments were made by Sgt. Dustin Wright, Chief Terry Sult, and me. In my remarks I recognized the contributions of Al Slonim with a Proclamation noting his years of service to the CAP team and being a leader of the Cary Police Department’s Winter Wonderland.

CAMPO and DCHC MPO Regional Rail Subcommittee Meeting

A subcommittee for the Metropolitan Planning Organizations of the Capital Region and the Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro Region met to discuss the future of regional rail. Most of the discussion focused on which entities would do visioning, planning, and implementation of regional rail. Getting funding for regional rail in our area is still a major hurdle. The subcommittee made no decisions and agreed to meet again early next year.

Cary Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Cary had its first annual tree lighting at Downtown Cary Park on Saturday night. The entire town council along with NC Representative Dahle were in attendance. Since the weather was rainy with storms predicted most events of the day were cancelled and the tree lighting ceremony occurred indoors in the Academy Street Pavilion. However, at the time of the event the weather was just a little drizzle which allowed a large crowd to gather outside around the tree. Speakers were placed outside so that everyone could hear.

The ceremony was hosted by longtime WRAL anchor and Cary High School alumni Debra Morgan. I was blessed to be given the honor of lighting the first Downtown Cary Park tree. It was even more special to me because I was joined by my 23-month-old grandson. What a special treat!

Cary’s downtown is alive with decorations and lights with over 250 lighted displays. I encourage everyone to visit.

Cary #8 for Work Life Balance

A study for work life balance looked at the top 170 largest cities in America, drawing data points from the US Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023’s County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, and the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The study, conducted by HowToStartAnLLC.org, examined three broad categories that serve as indicators of positive work culture: work intensity, health and wellness, and income and economic stability. According to a new analysis, Cary ranks 8^th in the nation for work life balance. You can find the full data here.

Cary #9 Best College Town

According to WalletHub Cary ranked as the 9^th best college town in the nation for mid-sized cities which is a surprise. Wake Technical Community College’s Western Wake Campus on Kildaire Farm Road gave Cary enough criteria to be considered in the report.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

With a significant rain being forecast and after hearing concerns from several vendors, we have decided to scale back plans for tomorrow’s tree lighting.
Council, you are invited to meet in Academy Street Pavilion at 5:30 p.m. to participate in a modified lighting ceremony, and citizens will be welcomed into the space to join you. For those who understandably may not want to come out in the rain, the tree lighting will be available via live stream at 6 p.m. on Cary’s Facebook Page. 
I appreciate all the work that’s been done to keep our tree-lighting tradition alive in its new location at the downtown park and will let you know if anything changes.
We do believe that many of the activities planned for Saturday will be able to be rescheduled to future dates, and we will promote them as information becomes available.
Sean

Council Meeting Follow-Up

Energy Efficiency at North Cary Water Reclamation Facility: In 2022, Cary Utilities conducted an energy audit and emissions study for water facilities, focusing on creating inventories and a web tool for annual updates. Notable improvements came from the 2022 North Cary Water Reclamation Facility Aeration project, yielding a 5% energy efficiency boost and saving around $25,000 annually. The web tool will be updated annually, with 2023 data added in early 2024 for informed decision-making.

Accessory Dwelling Units Community Meeting – January 17^th

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are small secondary dwellings accessory to a main house and can come in many forms, including detached cottages, spaces over garages, and separate space attached to the main dwelling. Cary is proposing a Town ordinance amendment to broaden the locations where ADUs can be constructed. To engage the community, staff will host a virtual meeting on January 17 for residents to provide input. This initiative aligns with the 2021 Cary Housing Plan, aiming to enhance housing options and meet diverse resident needs. To participate in the virtual meeting and gather more information, citizens can sign up at  carync.gov/adu.

Citizens Assisting Police Appreciation Reception

On Wednesday, Cary Police hosted the annual Citizens Assisting Police (CAP) Team Appreciation Reception at the Carolina Preserve Clubhouse. This event provided an opportunity for the Police and staff to express gratitude for the invaluable contributions made by these volunteers throughout the year. CAP team board members also had the opportunity to highlight their volunteer work and recognize their “Volunteer of the Year”. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Councilmember Jack Smith, Deputy Town Manager Russ Overton, and Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar were in attendance. Chief Terry Sult and his command staff served the food and drinks during the event. Thank you to the CAP Team for your passion, dedication, and service to the Town of Cary!

Higgins Greenway – Phase IV Public Meeting

On Wednesday, Cary hosted a public meeting at the Cary Arts Center to unveil plans for extending Higgins Greenway into downtown. The meeting was well attended with more than 50 citizens in attendance, including Councilmember-elect Michelle Craig. The project generated considerable enthusiasm, as the majority of comments received were overwhelmingly positive. Staff and consultants are reviewing comments and updating design plans. Right-of-way acquisition is planned to begin in Winter 2024, with construction scheduled to begin in 2025.

Visit to Dorcas Ministries

Deputy Town Manager Russ Overton and Director of Housing and Community Partnerships Heather Whelehan visited Dorcas Ministries to meet with the Executive Director, Andre Anthony. Andre shared a tour of the facility, including the store, food bank, and community flex space, where they provide services to over 2,000 families a year. Cary partners with Dorcas to provide counseling and emergency assistance to residents experiencing housing instability or facing displacement.

Recreation Made Easy

Cary’s new recreation registration system, RecTrac, is now live! This user-friendly system enables citizens and visitors to easily sign up for classes and programs. To participate, Cary residents and visitors need to create an account. Based on valuable insights from the past two years, we’ve enhanced the citizen experience, ensuring a higher level of service. Program registrations begin on January 10, with classes starting on January 22. Prepare for registration day by creating your RecTrac account now. Explore programs in late December, register on January 10, and join classes starting January 22.

2023 Downtown Urban Open Tournament

Town Hall campus was transformed over Thanksgiving weekend into the 2023 Downtown Urban Open (DUO) disc golf tournament. The tournament, hosted in partnership with the Capital Area Disc League (CADL), had great weather and was well attended by spectators and players, both local and from around the state. The DUO is a charity tournament that benefits the Cary’s Play it Forward Scholarship Fund. This year, the tournament and CADL will be donating over $5,500 to the fund, which has raised over $33,000 since the tournament inception.

La Farm Sidewalk Update

In October, a traffic accident occurred that damaged the awning in front of 220 West Chatham Street, where La Farm bakery is located. The damage has impacted the sidewalk in front of the store. Typically, this would be something Cary could quickly address; however, this particular sidewalk is located on private property owned by La Farm and not the Town of Cary. Staff have been working closely with the La Farm property owners to ensure a detour was posted, and we have learned this week that they have selected a contractor to do the repair. We will work with them to expedite any permits that are needed to complete this work.

Upcoming Meetings

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, December 4
4:30 p.m.

Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, December 4
6:00 p.m.

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, December 4
6:30 p.m.

Council Meeting (Organizational Meeting)
Tuesday, December 5
6:30 p.m.

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, December 6
2:00 p.m.

Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, December 6
5:15 p.m.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning
Wednesday, December 6
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A complaint about the relocation of a skateboard ramp.
• Complaints about the Bond Park to High House Greenway extension.
• A complaint about graffiti on the Bond Park Greenway (it has been removed).
• A complaint about safety at the intersection of Mahal Drive and Petty Farm Road.
• A complaint about a developer.
• A concern about informing daycares about potential shooters.
• A complaint about a park bench not being memorialized.
• A complaint about a staff referencing a religion at the Downtown Cary Park ribbon cutting.
• A request for evaluation of buffers on Fairview Park and Commons Ford.
  
  

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, the organizational council meeting, the Cary Chamber’s First Responders Breakfast, an Economic Development meeting, a Sister Cities event, and the Jaycees Christmas parade.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 10^th, 2023. 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.

Due to the holiday week this posting will be very short.

Wake County Mayors Association

Monday night I attended a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association which was held at Rush Hour Karting in Morrisville. Attending were mayors from Apex, Cary, Fuquay Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, and Zebulon. Also attending was Buddy Gupton who is Mayor-Elect in Garner. The mayors had a little fun and fellowship with a cart race before our meeting. My fastest time did not put me close to the top and I finished fifth. In our meeting we discussed our elections and the impacts on our boards. We also elected a new President, Glenn York of Zebulon. With the fun and fellowship included our meeting time was about three and a half hours.

Thanksgiving

I spent most of this week visiting one of my daughters as the entire family gathered for Thanksgiving. I am blessed in so many ways and am so thankful to be part of something that I think is extraordinary. I hope your Thanksgiving was also rewarding and restful. Next week I begin the mad rush for the next holiday break.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Several thank you messages about the opening of the downtown park.
• A criticism of the proposed greenway extension linking Bond Park to High House.
• A concern about the closing of a Thrift Store with the redevelopment of South Hills Mall.
• A request for an internship with the council.
• A request for information about the new council.
  
  

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, staff annual reviews, a CAP (Citizens Assisting Police) Appreciation dinner, a CAMPO and DCHC MPO Regional Rail Subcommittee meeting, a OneWake meeting, a private party honoring a former council member, and the Cary Christmas Tree Lighting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 3^rd, 2023. 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.

Council Meeting Prep

Monday I contacted council members and the council member elect to hear of any questions or concerns related to the upcoming agenda. There was a clarification question about Jordan Hall, comments about the parking deck agreement with the Rogers development, a question about the street renaming public hearing, and a financing question about Higgins Greenway Phase III.

Later in the day I met with management and staff to go over the questions and the agenda. The meeting took about 20 minutes.

Town Manager One-On-One

My final meeting Monday was my weekly one-on-one with the town manager. We discussed the election, the runoff, and future council relationships. Other topics included the potential future bond and the potential town hall campus redevelopment.

Downtown Cary Park Documentary

Tuesday morning, I did an interview as part of a documentary on the creation of The Downtown Cary Park. We talked about initial ideas for the park from 20 years ago and the impact of the park. There were about a dozen questions and the taping lasted about twenty minutes.

Flying Biscuit Ribbon Cutting

Later Tuesday morning I was part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Flying Biscuit at Parkside Town Commons. Instead of a ribbon cutting they decided to have a photo op buttering the biscuits, which was a first for me. I wish them great success at this new location.

Chinese Lantern Festival Flip the Switch Event

Tuesday night I joined council members, county commissioners, representatives, advisory board members, staff, and others for the “flip the switch” event for the Chinese Lantern Festival at Booth Amphitheater.

I made a few remarks, and we did a count down before flipping the switch, and after a few seconds of delay, all the lighted fixtures were illuminated. It took 40 tractor-trailers to deliver the lanterns to Cary after they had arrived on cargo ships from China. Each lantern is created by hand on silk fabric stretched over steel frames and then lit with upwards of hundreds of LED.

Most lanterns were made in Zigong in the Sichuan Province of China which is the lantern capital of China. The spectacular Chinese Dragon floating on Symphony Lake is longer than three school buses at more than 200 feet. It stands 21 feet high and weighs 18,000 pounds. Its head was installed by crane with a 15-person crew!

It is a must see for everyone and is open until mid-January.

CAMPO

On Wednesday I attended a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board. The agenda had four consent items and three discussion items. The consent included minutes, a Wake Transit Plan Update with a contract award, LAPP (Locally Administered Projects Program) additional funding, and Amendment 2 to the FY2024-2033 TIP (Transportation Improvement Program). Items on consent were approved unanimously.

The first discussion item was a FY2024 2^nd quarter Wake Transit Work Plan amendment which was approved unanimously. The other two discussion items were informational and included Safety Performance Measure Targets for 2024 and a Draft 2055 MTP Goals, Objectives, and Performance Measures.

The next meeting of the CAMPO Executive Board will be in January.

Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force

Wednesday night I joined a meeting of the Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force. They discussed events for a task force booth, reviewed their 2024 meeting schedule, talked about their downtown park visit, and discussed a public awareness event for communications. Afterwards I provided an update on council and town activities. The meeting lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes.

Hometown Spirit Award Reception

Thursday afternoon a reception was held to introduce the three finalists for the Hometown Spirit Award. The three finalists were Kara Daniels Hand, Peggy Van Scoyoc, and Frank Yarborough. I was the emcee for the reception which was attended by council members Jack Smith, Ryan Eades, and Carissa Johnson. Here is what I said about each one of the finalists:

Kara Daniels Hand

Kara, your nominators shared that you are a lifelong Cary citizen and are dedicated to your community, promoting hospitality, and preserving traditions that inspire all who know you. Your nominators shared that you are an active member of the First United Methodist Church where you initiated a project in 2022 of selling ham biscuits to the community with the goal of raising money for the Food Bank and local food pantries while continuing the tradition of church members making food together. Kara’s community support, church involvement, and dedication to preserving its historical significance enrich downtown Cary culturally, ensuring traditions thrive and history remains integral.

Your nominators shared that you have had a decade-long commitment to Cary Elementary as the Teacher Appreciation Chair, where you have fostered connections in our community.

Kara’s nominators shared that you are a lifetime Girl Scout who earned the prestigious Gold Award in high school at Cary High School, and you have mentored future leaders through your troop leadership, emphasizing the importance of community service.

Kara’s commitment to service also extends to her work life. Kara is a small business owner with her law practice, which supports individuals and contributes to the community.

Peggy Van Scoyoc

Peggy, your nominators shared that you are a Cary treasure and that you are among Cary’s top historians, showing concern for preservation and working to preserve traditions in our community. For over two decades, Peggy has been compiling oral histories of prominent people in Cary’s history, recently completing her 100th oral history!

Your nominators shared that you demonstrate hospitality to new and established citizens of Cary. As a member of the Friends of the Page‐Walker’s Speakers Bureau, Peggy has spoken to women’s clubs, church groups, senior groups, newcomers’ groups and others about Cary’s history, helping everyone establish a sense of community.

Peggy, your nominators shared that you are a long‐time board member and multiple‐term past president of the Friends of the Page‐Walker and engage in many community outreach events to promote the sense of community. Peggy wrote a popular recurring column about Cary’s history for the Cary Citizen until 2022 when the publication ended its circulation, but she continues to share Cary’s rich history through blog posts, social media, and the Friends’ newsletter.

Frank Yarborough

Frank, your nominators shared that whenever a fellow Caryite is in need, you are always there to offer help or hospitality, saying that a person hardly has to mention a problem and you are already planning how you can help solve it. Your nominators said you are the ultimate host and have never met a stranger, welcoming people into your home and life with laughter and putting everyone at ease. Frank gives joyfully of his resources, time, and talents to his neighbors, friends, and church family without expecting anything other than knowing he made someone’s day better.

Your nominators shared that you coached your son’s special needs baseball team for the Miracle League of the Triangle, where you have been a volunteer for over 25 seasons. Frank is one of the few Hall of Fame coaches for the Miracle League of the Triangle.

Frank, your nominators shared you are proud of your Cary heritage and have worked hard to restore your grandfather’s historic house on South Academy Street. Frank loves connecting with people in Downtown and enjoys talking about his ancestors’ history in Cary.

Frank’s company, AVCON, has provided employment opportunities and exceptional services to companies within and beyond the Triangle area since 1997.

Council Meeting

Thursday night the council held its last regularly scheduled meeting of November. The meeting included the Hometown Spirit Award winner presentation, the manager’s update, speakers at Public Speaks Out, two public hearings, two discussion items, and a closed session.

In the recognition portion of the meeting, I called on 2022 Hometown Spirit Award winner Bob Moncsko, who opened the envelope and announced that Peggy Van Scoyoc was the Hometown Spirit Award winner for 2023. I presented her with a plaque, and she provided a few words of thanks. While we were very blessed to have three amazing nominees, I was excited for Peggy and her nominees.

The town manager’s report noted that the fences were coming down at the Downtown Cary Park as he spoke and that it would be open to the public starting Friday, November 17^th. The ribbon cutting for the park was on the 19^th.

During the Public Speaks Out portion of the meeting several residents spoke against a proposed rezoning for the Middleton Townhomes because of a required street cut through.

The consent agenda portion of the meeting unanimously approved several items without discussion which included the Viridis apartments at Green Level across from the proposed Duke Hospital, Jordan Hall renovations for the new fire administration building, and an agreement to build a parking deck next to the Rogers Development.

The first public hearing was for a proposed rezoning for Wheatsbury Drive to remove a fence that was part of a deed restriction when the properties were built. Residents in favor of the rezoning stated that they were fenced off from 40 feet of their property that they were required to pay taxes on. Residents against the proposal listed security concerns and protection of wildlife. A lawyer also spoke for the residents against the proposal. The proposal will go to the Planning and Zoning Board and come back to council for a vote in a few months.

The second public hearing was for a renaming of roads related to the realignment of a portion of Morrisville Carpenter Road. The motion passed unanimously. An additional motion from Ms. Robinson was made to have staff study renaming other streets in the area for naming consistency along each road.

The two discussion items, Higgins Greenway Phase III, and the Sidewalk Request Program for FY2024 were passed unanimously with little discussion.

The council meeting concluded after about two and a half hours.

Interview with Triangle Business Journal

Friday afternoon I was interviewed by TBJ (Triangle Business Journal) about George Jordan and Jordan Gussenhoven (his nephew) who have developed or are developing several projects in downtown Cary including Midtown Square, Chatham Square, Meridian, Williams House, and the Rogers. I told TBJ that George and Jordan took risks and invested in downtown Cary before others.

Sarika Bansal Declared Winner of District D Race

Friday the Wake County Board of Elections certified that Sarika Bansal was the winner of the District D runoff. She received 2760 votes while challenger Rachael Jordan received 2700 votes. Congratulations Sarika and welcome to the council family!

Waverly Place Tree Lighting

Friday night I had the honor of joining Santa and Mrs. Clause in lighting the Christmas tree at Waverly Place. Before and after the ceremony we were entertained by Craig Woodard and the Embers. The ceremony began with Christmas music from the Athens High School Marching Band. I provided a few remarks and introduced Santa and Mrs. Clause. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas, counted down from ten, and threw magic dust on the Christmas tree as it lit. It was a fun time and a great way to begin the holiday season.

Fenton Tree Lighting

Saturday night I was part of the 2^nd annual Christmas Tree Lighting event at Fenton. The ceremony started with an Acapulco group of ladies from NC State singing carols. This was followed by 5 ladies from “Elevate” who did a Rockette style dancing to “All I Want for Christmas”. I made remarks along with Fenton Manager Rob Canepa. Then we introduced Santa Clause and Elizabeth Gardner from WRAL. We all did the countdown and lit the tree. There was a great crowd, and everyone seemed to be having a blast.

Downtown Cary Park Opening

The official opening of the Downtown Cary Park was Sunday, November 19^th.

The park had events all day long, but my first event was a reception in the Academy Street Pavilion at 2 PM. This was attended by elected officials, former elected officials, and other VIPs.

We then proceeded to the stage of the great lawn for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Remarks were made by the town manager, and the special parks manager, who introduced the Cary Children’s choir for the national anthem. This was followed by a flyover from the Bandit Flight Team.  

Afterwards there were remarks from the park manager, and a partner from OJB who designed the park.

I followed them with remarks and introduced our attending VIPs:

Former council member Ed Yerha, former Mayor Glen Lang, former council member Ken George, former council member John Duncan, former council member Marla Dorrel, Congresswoman Deborah Ross, NC Senator and former Mayor Pro-Tem Gale Adcock, NC Senator Jay Chaudhuri, NC Senator Sydney Batch, NC Representative Maria Cervania, NC Representative Allison Dahl, NC Representative Ya Liu, Wake County Commissioner and Vice-Chair Susan Evans, Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings, Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley, Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert, former Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchinson, and a delegation from our sister city in County Meath Ireland.

Next I introduced Mayor Pro-Tem Don Frantz who was the main speaker.

Following Don Frantz’s remarks, I gathered all on stage for the ribbon cutting with each of us using giant scissors.

A trumpet and tambourine then led us to the fountain and main square for the Frantz Square dedication.

I had the honor of making remarks dedicating the square. Then Don followed with a few remarks and did the countdown which fully activated the fountain for the first time in two years and eight months.

Words cannot express how happy I am that this park is open. Not only is it an iconic park but it will be a place for creating memories for generations to come. I hope you visit the park soon to make your memories.

Town Manager Update

Sean’s Message

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I’m planning to take next week off to spend time with my family. And as is our practice on holiday Fridays, there will be no weekly report.
See you Sunday at the ribbon cutting.
Sean

Council Meeting Follow-Up

Senior Program Guide:  Exceeding the expectations of Cary seniors is incredibly important to us, particularly when it comes to participating in Cary’s parks programming. As such, we will reinstate the printed Senior Program Guide this winter in time for spring registration.
 

Police Incident: I’m incredibly grateful to Chief Sult and our Police Department for the work they did helping keep the community safe from the threatening active shooter situation a few weeks ago. Based on comments at last night’s meeting, we will continue our after-action analysis and explore how we can do even better in the future.
 

Middleton Rezoning: The earliest this case could come before Planning and Zoning would be January. Currently, the developer is examining project layout and feasibility, and I anticipate the earliest it will return to Council will be spring 2024.
 

Road Renaming: Staff will begin developing a framework for the study regarding road name changes along Morrisville Carpenter, Carpenter Fire Station and Good Hope Church. I will update you on the next steps once the framework for the study is developed.   

Chinese Lantern Festival Preview

On Tuesday evening, at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Mayor Weinbrecht and Councilmembers Robinson, Smith, Kohn-Johnson, and Eades ceremoniously “flipped the switch,” to  kick off Cary’s 8th annual North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival. The festival opens to the public today, November 17, and runs nightly through January 14, which is a week longer than years past. 

Waste To Wonder

This week, Councilmember Jennifer Robinson and staff attended the NC State Waste to Advanced Resources conference. Councilmember Robinson represented Cary and SAS on a panel discussing the possibilities of effective technologies to support waste characterizations, data, and government. Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar provided welcoming remarks to the 200 stakeholders from government, industry, and academia, and Srijana Guilford, Waste Strategy and Community Impact Consultant, co-led a focus group regarding sourcing and handling materials to gather feedback for research projects.  

Recognizing and Remembering Our Veterans

Last week, Cary citizens gathered at Veterans Freedom Park to observe Veterans Day and honor military veterans. Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson read the Proclamation and remarks were given by Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Councilmember Jack Smith, who also emceed the event. Helen Nelson, State Commander for North Carolina Veterans of Foreign Wars, gave the primary address. 

Then on Friday, November 3, Cary honored the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces at its Annual Veterans Luncheon event. Over 300 veterans and their families were welcomed to Prestonwood Country Club and treated to a patriotic program and lunch, along with entertainment.  Councilmember Jack Smith served as the Master of Ceremonies. Keynote Speaker George Wade Carmichael Jr. followed with a personal and emotional speech about his service. Special guests also included Councilmember Jennifer Robinson, Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, and Fallon Strickland, Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Wiley Nickel.

International Visitors Learn About Cary Sister Cities Program

On Monday, a delegation from Timor-Leste met at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center with Micheàl Lynch, Chair of Cary Sister Cities, and staff member Kris Carmichael to learn about Cary’s Sister City program. International Focus hosted the group of eight visitors as part of a three-week long International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchange – U.S. Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific – sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

RecTrac PRCR Registration System Implemented

The first step of implementing Cary’s new parks registration system, the account creation communication plan, was presented to the Senior Advisory Board, Information Services Advisory Board and PRCR Advisory Board in early November. The presentations were well received, the members were pleased to hear about the registration system transition, and there was good interaction with the members of each board. Citizen account creation in the new system, RecTrac, is anticipated to begin in early December with more details being shared with citizens in the coming weeks.

2023 Holiday Decorations are Coming

As the brisk breeze ushers in the holiday season, it’s clear that Cary is preparing to adorn the town. The elves have commenced the transformation, and it will be concluded by November 30.  We look forward to seeing you explore and relish the enchanting wonderland. Feel free to share your pictures on social media. An interactive map of the decorations can be found on the webpage Downtown Cary Decorations.

2023 ACC Soccer Championships

In the past two weeks, WakeMed Soccer Park hosted four soccer matches as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships! Over 5,000 spectators traveled from all over the East Coast to experience Cary and one of the nation’s top soccer landmarks. Florida State (Women’s) and Clemson (Men’s) were crowned victorious.

Citizen’s Police Academy Graduation

On November 8, the Police Department graduated 14 students from its Citizens Police Academy (CPA). The CPA is a 10-week free program offered to Cary residents and affords attendees a close-up view of the Police Department.  The course is a prerequisite for citizens interested in becoming members of the police department’s Citizens Assisting Police (CAP) team. 

Sargent Travis Gresham Graduates from Southern Police Institute

On November 10th, Sergeant Travis Gresham graduated from the Southern Police Institute’s 150th Administrative Officers Course through the University of Louisville at Kentucky. During his cohort in Louisville, Travis had the distinction of holding the office of Class Vice President, an honor he was elected to hold by his classmates. Please join us as we extend hearty congratulations to Travis on achieving this milestone in his career.

National Pill Takeback Day

On Saturday, October 28, Cary Police hosted the bi-annual National Pill Takeback event at two locations: Town Hall campus in front of the PD and Wegmans on Davis Dr. A total of 120 lbs. of medication was collected and disposed of with the assistance of the State Bureau Investigations (SBI). A huge thank you to Officer Tim Vibert and Officer Ed Ross for their assistance with this program and also to Sergeant Matthew Pearson and Detective Rebecca Platz for their planning efforts and continued commitment to this program. 

Weighing in on Compost Carts

Cary is one of the first municipalities in North Carolina to demo Compost Now’s prototype for an access-controlled drop-off receptacle and service app. Given the community’s growing interest in composting, Cary is proud to have been invited to provide insight on design and use, showcasing how this system can enhance municipal solid wastes services. 

Apex Friendship Students Visit Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility

Damon Forney, Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WWRWRF) Manager, led science students during a recent site tour from Apex Friendship High School. Damon and the students had a great time discussing the WWRWRF’s role in serving the community while providing advanced wastewater treatment that supports our natural environment. 

Cary Police Awarded Tenth CALEA Reaccreditation

Cary Police Department was awarded its tenth CALEA advanced law enforcement accreditation during the 2023 Fall CALEA Conference in Bellevue, Washington. Chief Terry Sult, Accreditation Manager Lieutenant Frank Schelah, and Deputy Chief Shawn Anderson represented the department for the Mid-Atlantic commission hearing and review. 

NCDOT Meeting for Trinity Road Railroad Grade Separation Project on Monday, November 20

On Monday, NCDOT will conduct a public meeting at Herb Young Community Center to discuss the Trinity Road Railroad Grade Separation project. The project will close the at-grade (i.e. driving over the tracks) railroad crossing on Trinity Road and construct a vehicular bridge over the North Carolina Railroad. It is located at the intersection of Trinity Road and E. Chatham Street.  NCDOT staff will be available to review the project and answer questions. Cary staff will also be in attendance. The Trinity Road Rail Improvement Project Page  contains maps, plans, project contact information, and the option to leave comments if you cannot attend the in-person open house between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Monday. 

Draft Urban Forest Master Plan Open for Public Comment

Proactive in our commitment to trees, Cary has drafted long-term strategies to guide urban forest management and conservation efforts in the form of an Urban Forest Master Plan. Valuing citizen input, staff have invited the public to learn more about our community’s canopy and review the draft plan with the option to provide comments from November 6 until December 6. 

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting on December 6

A rezoning meeting for Sterling West subdivision will take place virtually on December 6 at 6:00 p.m.

Upcoming Meetings

Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, November 27
6:30 p.m.

Cultural Arts Committee
Wednesday, November, 29
6:00 p.m. 

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Concerns about a rezoning proposal for Wheatsbury Drive
• Invitations to several events
• Complaints about a rezoning proposal for Middleton Avenue townhomes
  
  

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association, and the Thanksgiving holiday. I have so many blessings and too many to thank in this post, but I do want to thank the great citizens of Cary who have helped shape this community to be one of the best in the nation. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, November 26^th, 2023. 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.

State of Cary Prep

Monday I met with the town clerk to go over what information I will need from staff to write next year’s State of Cary address. I will probably start writing that address in late December.

Manager One-On-One

Later Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. We talked mostly about the upcoming work session and the potential bond items.

NC Senator Adcock Meeting

Tuesday evening, I met with NC Senator Adcock who was formerly Mayor Pro-Tem in Cary. We are good friends so most of the meeting was playing catch up. We also talked about upcoming challenges and Cary’s future.

Election Day Runoff for District D

Tuesday was the runoff for Cary Council District D. With 100% of the votes Sarika Bansal had a 67-vote lead over Rachael Jordan. There were 112 absentee ballots left to be counted which made the race too close to call. The Board of Elections is scheduled to count the remaining votes and declare a winner on November 17^th.

Consultants Meeting

Wednesday night I met with a consultant who will be helping in the marketing of Cary. This is important as Cary continues to attract key businesses from all over the world.

Council Staff Quarterly Meeting

Thursday, I joined council members Frantz, Smith, Robinson, Eades, and Johnson along with about 30 members of staff for the Fiscal Year 2024 Quarter One meeting. The meeting lasted about four and a half hours. Here are a few of the takeaways presented by  staff:

Financial Update and Inclusive Procurement

• Cary is in excellent financial condition.
• Cary has opportunities for growth and maturity in financial management.
• Establishing an inclusive procurement process positively impacts Cary’s community and the economic growth of minority businesses.

Environment Update

• Cary is well positioned from an environmental stance.
  • Cary is formulating a collective strategy.
  • Solar and vehicle electrification are high impact environmental strategies.

Loose Leaf Collection

• Cary created a loose-leaf collection boutique service that has been popular among citizens.
  • The more trees we plant the higher the leaf volume will be, and there were 20,000,000 pounds of leaves collected last year and turned into compost.
  • The Public Works operational approach allows for operational and environmental flexibility.

Capital and Community Projects

• Staff provided an update on the 2019 Shaping Cary’s Tomorrow Bond Projects that were planned between 2020 to 2024. Annie Jones Courts Replacement, Dunham Park Tennis Courts Replacement, Open Space Land Acquisition, and Penny Road School Park Refurbishment are complete. In addition, Downtown Cary Park, and Neighborhood Parks at Carpenter Fire Station Road and McCrimmon Parkway are nearing completion.
  • Staff shared highlights from capital and community projects with progress during the last quarter.

Development Update

• Development patterns remain consistent with the Imagine Cary Community Plan.
• Projects are clustered as primarily large developments or small developments.
• Staff discussed plans for more parking in downtown Cary.

Here are some additional points I noted in presentations and discussions:

Development

• Rezoning cases approved have been trending downward the last few years.
• This quarter 21 rezoning requests were made to staff resulting in 3 submittals. That is consistent with the roughly 90% of requests never making it to the council.
• Quarter one had 66 apartments/condos, 62 detached, and 4600 square feet of commercial approved.
• The parking deck by the Rogers is moving forward.
• The Massey project on Byrum has cleared ground for development.
• The Meridian project on East Chatham has cleared ground for development.
• The two breweries and a patio on West Chatham are open.

Capital and Community Projects

• South Harrison Improvements and nearby roads are nearing completion.
• USA Baseball Indoor training facility is over 90% complete.
• Northwest Maynard Road Water Main and Sidewalk project from High House to Old Apex is underway. Service will not be disrupted.
• Higgins greenway Phase III from existing end to Kildaire begins construction soon.
• The Old Apex Road Water Line from Cary Parkway to Maynard will begin construction in summer of 2024. It will include 1000 feet of sidewalk.
• The PRCR Master Plan and Open Space Plan will be our guide for open space, parks, greenways, and programs for the next 10 years.
• An assessment of open space, programming, parks, assets, greenways, and trails will be part of master plans. It will include surveys, community events, and focus groups. Public input will begin in the spring.
• The town only has three existing community centers: Bond Park, Herb Young, and Middle Creek. None constructed in twenty years.
• The town has conceptualized two new centers: Mills Park and The Centre at South Hills. Thousands of people have participated in online surveys, workshops, or as part of a board or commission.
• A proposed base program for community centers would include office-lobby-support space, senior center, fitness area, weight training and group exercise, flexible courts, locker rooms, multipurpose rooms, classrooms, catering/teaching kitchen, wellness bar, adventure walking track, child watch, indoor play areas, and outdoor amenities.
• The Centre, which would be located on the South Hills mall site, would have a Community Center, Sports Center, and an Arena. Wake County has committed $75 million for this project. If approved by voters, it would be one of a kind. One of the nation’s top consultants said: “No other comparable facilities combine a sports center, community center, arena, and structured parking on multiple levels. What Cary is doing in INNOVATIVE and ICONIC.”
• The council will have a work session on the Mills Park center and The Centre in the spring of 2024. A potential bond referendum would be in the fall of 2024 but has yet to be decided by the council.
• The tennis center expansion would have 30 pickleball courts, a new clubhouse with the NC Tennis Hall of Fame, and facility improvements to allow high professional tournaments.

Environment Update

• Our environmental initiatives come from consultants Kim Lungren and Associates, staff, advisory board members, and citizens.
• The town hired a new Energy Manager, Sara Caliendo.
• The Count Me In Cary program had 3 meetings with 50-75 stakeholder; a meeting with 6 climate ambassadors and a coordinator; 25 community events; 15 presentations; 2 focus groups for renters and seniors; 2 workshops with police, fire, and public works; and 3553 completed surveys.
• 67% of citizens would be willing to install solar but have barriers such as financing and vetted contractors.
• 64% of citizens would be willing to purchase or lease an electric vehicle but have cost barriers.
• Cary’s energy programs today reduce energy and maximize efficiency in buildings community wide. Our goal is to require no new fossil fuel buildings and systems throughout Cary.
• We are currently creating our climate action strategy. Our high impact strategies include solar energy, building efficiency, and vehicle electrification.
• 80 town buildings have been studied for solar and half are solar ready. We will begin a phased installation over the coming years.
• The solar on USA baseball indoor facility will save enough power to provide electricity for up to 25 homes a year which is equivalent to 169 acres of forest.
• Residential solar installations continue to increase.
• Currently Cary has 7 electric police vehicles, 5 electric town vehicles, 1 electric cargo van, and 72 hybrid vehicles.
• If Cary’s fleet were totally electric today, we wouldn’t be able to get enough electricity from Duke to charge the vehicles.
• The town is retrofitting several vehicles with propane fuel tanks.
• Cary will have the first electric recycling truck in the southeast. It will arrive in the spring of 2024.
• Cary will have an electric fire truck in 2024/2025. Only four other communities in the US have electric fire trucks.

Loose Leaf Collection

• A mature, healthy tree can have between 100,000 and 200,000 leaves.
• One leaf weigh approximately .01 pounds. Last season Cary collected 20,000,000 pounds of leaves.
• The amount of leaves Cary collected would have covered the Eifel Tower.
• Cary is one of the few communities in the region that still collects leaves.
• Collections in the last ten years have shown an increase of approximately 500,000 pounds of leaves per year.
• Leaf trucks are also used for storm response such as snow. If it snows during leaf collection, then leaf collection will be suspended. Workers could also be pulled from leaf collection for other emergencies such as water main breaks.
• Cary leaves are turned into compost.

Frantz Square

At the end of the quarterly I took a few moments to recognize outgoing council member Don Frantz who has served District B the last 16 years. In my comments I noted that he has had an incredible impact on downtown and was the biggest advocate for the downtown park. Who knows what downtown Cary would be like if he had not served on council. One thing for sure, it wouldn’t be nearly as good as it is today. Once I finished my comments, I made a motion to name the downtown square around the fountain Frantz Square. It was seconded by Council member Robinson and passed unanimously. I look forward to dedicating Frantz Square during the park opening on November 19^th.

Council Member Elect Meeting

Friday afternoon I had the pleasure of talking with council member elect Michelle Craig. We spent an hour getting to know each other better. I found that she has a PhD in Chemistry and will soon be teaching full time in the Wake County School system. Her passions fit with top Cary priorities: affordable housing, energy sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Parkside Commons Christmas Tree Lighting Event

Saturday night I visited Parkside Commons in Cary for the annual tree lighting event which was from 4 – 7 pm. There were trolley rides, face painting, holiday vendors, Santa Clause, and more. It was a great time to kick off the holiday season. I talked and had pictures taken with several citizens while I was there including Dave Brudy the CEO of the group that owns Parkside Commons. At dusk I invited all the kids up to help me count down and flip the big switch to light the Christmas tree.

It was great fun and the first of four tree lightings I will do this year. I will also be doing Menorah lighting in December.

Upcoming Meetings

Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force

Wednesday, November 15, 6 p.m.

Council Meeting

Thursday, November 16, 6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Concerns about the potential shooter that was arrested by the Cary police.
• A complaint about downtown development removing older buildings and pushing out smaller businesses.
• A thanks to one of the Detective Young in our police department.
• A complaint about recycling bin location after pickup.
• A request to meet with seniors at town hall one evening.
• A request for help with a building permit.
• A complaint about plans to remove the Park West movie theater (that is in Morrisville and not in Cary).
• A request to send a document to Tim Sweeney of Epic Games.
• A request to support a rezoning on Whatsbury Drive.
• A thank you to officer Melissa May for going beyond the call of duty.
• A request to protect our health and environment.
  
  

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a downtown park documentary taping, a ribbon cutting, the Chinese Lantern Festival Preview event, a CAMPO meeting, a Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force meeting, a meeting about affordable housing, a council meeting, the Waverly Christmas tree lighting event, and the Christmas tree lighting at Fenton, and the Downtown Cary Park Ribbon Cutting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, November 19^th, 2023. 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.

Town Manager One-On-One

Monday afternoon I held my weekly meeting with the town manager. The topics of discussion included council, the runoff election, affordable housing, and upcoming work sessions.

Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board Meeting

Monday evening I attended a board meeting of the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships. We discussed sponsors, future sponsors, and the vision for the tennis center and championships.

Meeting with Candidate

Tuesday I was asked to meet with a council candidate. In the meeting I heard of unfortunate things that were being done to the candidate and her supporters. The meeting only lasted about 15 minutes.

Final CASSI Report

Tuesday I was notified of the final report for Connected Autonomous Shuttle Supporting Innovation (CASSI) pilot in bond park. Here is an excerpt from the press release:

“Cary, NC – The final report, datasets, and a curated data story with findings from the CASSI’s 13-week pilot period is now available and accessible through Cary’s Open Data Portal and on the NCDOT website. The all-electric, wheelchair-accessible, low-speed automated shuttle navigated a four-stop route within Bond Park, operating on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. between March 6 and June 2.
The data provided in Cary’s Open Data Portal were captured by the shuttle’s attendant and computer system and shared by Beep, Inc. (Beep) in weekly reports. To supplement this data, NCDOT created and administered an online rider survey that was accessible through URL and QR codes at the shuttle stops and inside the shuttle during the pilot period. NCDOT, Cary, and Beep also held an in-person engagement event at Bond Park, inviting community members with disabilities and their caregivers to share their feedback about the accessibility of the shuttle and service. These data paint a picture of how automated vehicle technologies might reshape the future of mobility in public spaces and exemplify interagency collaboration and transparency around emerging technologies.
Transparency was a top priority for Cary, NCDOT, and Beep throughout the pilot, not only to support data sharing, but also to incorporate the community into the process and decision making. “CASSI’s success demonstrates Cary’s commitment to inspiring innovation and fostering new ideas for solving challenges for the changing needs of our community,” said Cary’s Chief Innovation Officer Nicole Coughlin. “That means not only collecting data to gather insights but doing it in a way that is transparent and lets our community know the what, why and how we’re doing it, keeping them in mind every step of the way.” In addition to the number of riders, trips, and other operations data provided by Beep, Cary and NCDOT collected metrics on travel patterns, rider experience, perception of safety, trip purpose, and demographics, all factors to consider when evaluating the emerging technology as a public transportation option.
On days when the shuttle was in operation, CASSI carried an average of 3.5 passengers per trip, totaling 1,718 passengers throughout the pilot period. The highest ridership occurred during the week coinciding with Wake County Public Schools’ spring break period, notably on Friday, March 31, when 80 passengers were served – the most on any given day. Findings from the rider survey reflected the community’s strong interest in autonomous transportation and satisfaction with the pilot. 78% of respondents visited Bond Park to ride the shuttle, 92% reported a positive experience with the shuttle, and 97% expressed satisfaction with the shuttle’s attendant. Respondents’ acceptance of driverless vehicles was seen in their willingness to ride the shuttle again (81%) and to see autonomous shuttles in other places in the community (88%).
Through their collaborative efforts on the pilot, Cary and NCDOT showcased the strength of their interagency partnership and advanced their understanding of how autonomous vehicles can be used for public transportation. “The outcomes from this pilot highlight the value of teamwork and data to evaluate how well automated vehicle technology is performing now as transit and inform recommendations on how the technology could be improved to best serve the public,” said NCDOT’s Senior Advisor for Innovation Sarah Searcy. The insights from the final report, datasets, and data story will inform NCDOT and Cary’s future pilots and projects. The findings also provide a snapshot to the public of the current challenges and successes of automated vehicle technology and where it may advance in the future.
To read the report and learn more about the project’s findings, visit Cary’s Open Data Portal. NCDOT’s CASSI project details and history can be found on their CASSI webpage.”

I believe autonomous vehicles will be commonplace within the next couple of decades if not sooner.

Ted Abernathy Presentation on the Economy

Wednesday morning, I joined several hundred people in attending an economic summary presented by Ted Abernathy. Out of all the amazing facts here are some that I noted:

• The nation is currently renormalizing.
• Over 22 million jobs have been recovered since the beginning of the pandemic until now.
• The Feds have raised the fund rate 16 times in the past 16 months.
• North Carolina has seen a 7% increase in jobs since the beginning of the pandemic. North Carolina was 6^th in growth.
• North Carolina has seen significant job gains in tech, finance, education, and health. We have seen job losses in manufacturing.
• The Raleigh metro area has also seen significant job gains in construction and manufacturing.
• The Raleigh metro area percentage of job gain since the beginning of the pandemic is 11.4%.
• North Carolina metro areas have seen a job gain of over 34%.
• Cary employment continues to be on a steady increase during the last 10 years.
• The unemployment rate in Cary is at 2.9%, which is the lowest in the area.
• In the last three years NC per capita income has increased 17.8%.
• NC is 5^th in the nation for per capita GDP and income growth.
• The savings created during the pandemic have almost all been spent.
• US household debt has decreased from over 100% of GDP to 76.1%.
• The personal savings rate is now at 3.9%.
• US household net work increase from $141,100 in 2022 to $193,000.
• Internet sales are now 15-20% of all retail.
• US food services and bars have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels.
• Manufacturing has seen a significant increase in output resulting in fewer workers.
• US business investment in factories has doubled in the last couple of years.
• Manufacturing job announcements have risen from 100,487 in 2019 to 364,904 in 2022.
• NC has seen a 9.2% increase in manufacturing jobs in the last 10 years.
• NC is #1 for business climate.
• Inflation has decreased to 3.7%.
• Price increases remain high for motor vehicle insurance at 18.9%.
• The availability of skilled labor is still the number one issue.
• The US labor force continues to grow and is at 165,311,000.
• The employment participation rate for 25–54-year-olds is 83.5%, 16–24-year-olds is 56.1%, and over 55 years old is 38.8%.
• More women in the workforce than any time in history at 57.2%.
• The US population growth rate has declined from 3.7 children per family in 1960 to 1.6 children by 2020.
• Birthrate per 1000 is 11.1 in US and 11.4 in NC.
• NC continues to be in the top third of states gaining population.
• NC is predicted to grow population by less than 5% in the next ten years.
• In NC metro areas are growing by over10% while rural areas are losing population.
• The Raleigh-Cary area is projected to grow by 18.3% in the next ten years.
• Cost of living, housing availability, and housing costs are the biggest reasons for relocation.
• People are moving away from urban cores to emerging suburbs and exurbs.
• Single family permits in the Raleigh metro area are declining while apartments in the highest in the state.
• NC ranked #9 for Business Tax Climate.
• The average home price in Raleigh metro area was $298,181 in 2020 and is $435,447 now.
• The annual income needed to afford a median priced house in the US is $115,000.
• Cary permit value has decreased from at high of $409 million in 2016 to $290 million.
• Cary residential permit value is at its lowest point in 10 years at $92 million.
• Cary residential permits in 2023 through July are 163 as compared to Raleigh at 1114. This is the lowest in the last 15 years.
• Cary, through July, has the second lowest rate of new permits of all municipalities in Wake County.
• Properties sold in Cary average $620,252 compared to $392,541 in 2019.
• Cary has the highest single family residential value in the county at $414,899.
• US office vacancy rate is now over 18%.
• The 30-year mortgage rate is now 7.9%.
• The percentage of men with college degrees in the 25 to 29 age group is 33% while women are 43%.
• Life expectancy with a bachelor’s degree is 83.3 years as opposed to 74.8 years without a bachelor’s degree.
• Predicted for 2024: end of excess savings, higher interest rates for home building, OPEC – rising energy costs, and tightening of bank lending.

State of County Message Taping

Thursday afternoon I taped a message as part of Wake County’s State of the County address. The taping took about five minutes. One message was me saying: “We are better together”. The other message was introducing myself and inviting everyone to the opening of the downtown park.

Veterans Luncheon

Friday I attended the Veterans Luncheon with council members Jack Smith and Jennifer Robinson. The speaker, Wade Carmichael told an incredible story about PTSD. Here are the remarks he spoke from:

““Why Am I Here?’

These were the first words spoken by my father after sitting in his darkened office, crying for hours.

My mother called me, not knowing what to do. I came as soon as I could. He was still sobbing in the dark.

I entered the room and sat on the floor next to him, waiting for him to speak in his time. It is a hard thing to witness a parent crying, and harder still to sit feeling helpless by their side.

When tears and sobs slowed to silence, my father finally spoke. “Why am I here? So many men, greater than me, died. But I’m still here. Why?

“Dad,” I said, “how old were these men, greater than you? How old were you?”

“I don’t know,” he sniffed, “22 maybe 23.”

“And you,” I asked.

“19, 20, why?” he replied.

“Dad, you were all boys still,” I turned to face him in the dim light, “none of you had lived long enough to be great men.”

It was the 50^th anniversary of VJ Day, and that PTSD that he had begrudged my generation of whining about, because his generation never did that. “We just sucked it up and kept going.” His crisis struck on that day, 50 years after his war.

“But they…” my father then revealed the dark stories of his service as a Marine in the South Pacific. Tales of being one of three in a company able to walk out of a battle. And I, in that exchange opened some of my dark memories of Vietnam. He had counseled me to test out for a non-combat specialty when my turn came. I did and became a Personnel Accounting Specialist. But we are speaking about the military, and when the feces hit the atmospheric oscillator, I found myself deep in that war.

As we shared, our relationship changed from father and son to one of Brothers-at-Arms. We talked until the words ran out with our energy.

After a long pause my father said, “So, what am I supposed to do? I’m still here and they are all gone. Why?”

It was my turn to think about that question. Why was I still here? In the quiet of that small dark room, an answer came. “Dad, I think, no I believe, our duty, our obligation, is to live the life for which they gave theirs. To live a life worthy of their sacrifice.”

My message here today, for all of us, is to look forward and to live our lives, enjoy our freedoms, in a manner that makes their sacrifice worth the weight of their blood.

Thank you.”

What a very powerful and inspiring message. He is right! Our challenge IS to live our lives in a manner that makes their sacrifices worth the weight of their blood!

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

Earlier today I had the privilege – and pleasure – of discussing Cary with High Point University President Dr. Nido Qubein for his show, “Side by Side”, that airs statewide on PBSNC. Dr. Qubein is quite a fan of Cary, and we spent our time together exploring some of the elements that have made Cary so successful over the decades.
I’m so proud to be Cary’s Manager and appreciate the opportunity to help change the face of and feelings about local governments by sharing Cary’s story with a wide audience. I will pass along the air date once it’s set.

I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday at the Quarterly Meeting. There will not be a Council Weekly Report next Friday because you will be updated on anything timely at the meeting. 
Enjoy your weekend.
Sean

Cary Supports Key Non-Profit Partners

This week, staff joined Councilmembers at events to support two key non-profit organizations doing critical work in Cary. On Saturday, Councilmember Lori Bush, Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson, and Councilmember-Elect Michelle Craig supported The Carying Place at the 30^th Anniversary Masquerade Ball. The Carying Place is Cary’s partner in providing housing and supportive services for working families experiencing housing instability.

On Thursday, Councilmember Jennifer Robinson, Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson, and Councilmember Ryan Eades attended the Dorcas Ministries Day of Thanksgiving Breakfast to celebrate the organization’s impact on Cary and our region. The event honored the legacy of the late Howard Manning, Dorcas founder, and raised funds to grow their capacity to service residents.

North Walker Street Update

Contractors will be repaving and repairing North Walker Street from Cedar Street to East Chatham Street. North Walker Street will be closed starting Wednesday, November 8, at 9:00 p.m. and reopened on Friday, November 10, at 5:00 p.m. Drivers are encouraged to use South Academy Street to bypass the work area. Businesses will remain open and can be accessed by driveways on Cedar Street and East Chatham Street.

Preparing the Downtown Park

This week, the Downtown Cary Park hosted four, 2-hour sessions where around 70 Cary employees and neighbors of all ages were invited to test out the Park and provide feedback on their individual experience. The testers were given a checklist of specific items they had to complete while onsite to ensure the park is ready to receive visitors later this month. Testers provided an evaluation at the end of their session, and staff will assess and use this feedback to further ready the Park for opening.

Spooky Events

Last Wednesday, Mummies and sons wore their best Halloween costumes and participated in the Mummy & Son Ball. Over 100 ghosts, goblins, LEGO characters, and every spooky character in between enjoyed a night of Halloween fun! This spooktacular night included Halloween games, a costume contest, the Monster Mash Dance, and ended with roasting a yummy marshmallow ghost treat!
Then, on Friday and Saturday, Cary Teen Council and the Outdoor Recreation led a pop-up haunted forest event which served as a community service project and fundraiser for Cary Teen Council. The forest featured 10 interactive spooky scenes spread through the teambuilding course. Over the two nights, several hundred people participated and raised over $2,500 for Cary Teen Council.  The teens also hit their food donation goal by filling a wooden coffin with donations for Dorcas. 

Also, on Friday, the unique Pumpkin Flotilla returned to Bond Lake! Citizens bring their carved pumpkins to the Boathouse, where they are attached to platforms to float on the lake. Once dusk hits the pumpkins are illuminated and paddled around the lake shore for spectators to see. Around 2,000 people attended the event. 

2023 NC One Water Awards

Cary received a number of accolades this week at the 2023 NC One Water Conference. Cary was recognized as Water Distribution System of the Year for the sixth consecutive year, and as Wastewater Collection System of the Year for the fifth consecutive year. Other awards included 2nd place in the Best Tasting Water Contest and the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility’s recognition for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations and Maintenance Excellence Award. Individual recognitions were made to Betsy Drake for the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) Arthur Sidney Bedell Award for extraordinary personal service to NC One Water, and to Jason Parker for the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF), Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award. 

Making Energy Work Conference

Energy Manager, Sara Caliendo, represented Cary at the NC Sustainable Energy Association’s Making Energy Work conference this week. Stakeholders from across the country engaged in thought-provoking discussions on state and federal policies and regulatory updates to outline potential carbon reduction pathways for electricity, transportation, and building sectors. Most notably, Governor Roy Cooper’s keynote speech gave an inspiring call to action for North Carolina’s clean energy economy and industry, including mentioning new green companies coming to the region. 

Maintenance Work Continues at the Downtown Library Parking Deck

As part of the continuing maintenance work at the library parking deck, crews will be working in and around the deck daily beginning on Monday. Crews will continue to refurbish parking levels throughout with additional caulk, epoxy, and seal joints. Appropriate signage will be placed around the deck to let visitors know of closure patterns, and staff has and will continue to meet with surrounding tenants/users as maintenance continues on this and other levels in advance of the Downtown Cary Park opening.
And on Monday, contractors will begin the first phase of access gate installation for the Library Parking Deck. This phase is only for the installation of the gate infrastructure, which includes concrete medians, detection loops, and conduit. This work will require intermittent closure of each access but at least one entrance will remain open at all times. Dedicated traffic control staff will be at each entrance and signs will be in place to assist motorists with wayfinding during closures. Notifications have been distributed to the tenants of One Walker and the library.  Work will take place each day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  For more information about this work including when gates may be activated please visit our website.

Fire Prevention Month Events

Fire wrapped up Fire Prevention Month with a smoke alarm drive Saturday in selected neighborhoods in Fire Station 9’s district. Fire crews and Cary CERT volunteers visited 453 homes and installed 192 smoke alarms. Combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms were provided for this event through a federal grant. On Sunday, all nine fire stations opened their doors for open houses to let the public meet the firefighters, see the stations where they live and work for 24 hours at a time, and check out the top-notch equipment used to keep Cary safe.

October was Cyber Security Awareness Month

October has been a month of heightened cybersecurity awareness as Cary recognized Cyber Security Awareness Month with a comprehensive campaign aimed at educating and equipping town staff against various digital threats. Throughout the month, employees were treated to a series of informative emails and short videos, delving into four critical cybersecurity topics of data protection, ransomware, social media and AI, and phishing. In addition two webinars were held. Topics for the webinars included insights into cyberattacks and vulnerabilities, and responsible AI and security.

Keeping Our Colleagues and Community Safe and Informed

Cary continues to promote a safe and healthy community by hosting flu shot clinics at multiple Cary locations with our partners at WakeMed. More than 207 employees received this annual vaccination through the clinic. Earlier in October, HR conducted fit testing and training for 81 Public Safety and Utilities employees under our Respiratory Protection program and audiograms for 240 Public Works Department employees enrolled in Cary’s Hearing Conversation program. These safety initiatives help ensure protection for employees that encounter airborne contaminants or noise exposure in their jobs. Lastly, HR also hosted a multitude of virtual financial wellness seminars throughout September, attended by 125 employees who gained new insights and practical tips on a variety of essential fiscal topics including Social Security 101 with the SSA; Retirement Planning with VOYA and Pre-Retirement Planning with LGERS; Navigating Medicare with HUB; and Financial Wellness 101 Training Series with Civic Federal Credit Union.

Upcoming Meetings

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, November 6 5:15 p.m.

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

Historic Preservation Commission
Wednesday, November 8 6:30 p.m.

Quarterly Council Meeting
Thursday, November 9 1:00 p.m.

Greenway Committee
Thursday, November 9 6:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A concern about the safety at synagogues, mosques, and houses of worship because of the war in Israel.
• A complaint about a rezoning request at O’Kelly Chapel Road and Highway 55.
• Thank you for doing a good job. (You’re welcome!)
• Several complaints about the potential shooter near a daycare.
• A complaint about safety with Cary Elementary crosswalks.
  
  

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting with a NC Senator, a meeting with a marketing consultant, and the council’s last quarterly meeting of the year.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, November 12^th, 2023. 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.