This was a slow week as the town prepared for Labor Day observance.
HRID Interviews
Tuesday and Wednesday I joined council member Bush, the HRID (Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity) chair, and the HRID staff liaison in interviewing three candidates for the open spot on the newly created board. We had three incredible candidates which made choosing extremely difficult.
NC Courage Taping
Thursday I taped a message for the post game ceremony celebrating the Olympians on the NC Courage. We are so proud of our players as they represented several countries. I hope we will have further opportunities to recognize them.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
As highlighted in the report below, this was another productive week filled with meaningful accomplishments in Cary. As we – most of us – prepare for the Labor Day holiday, I’m reflecting on its origins and how underappreciated workers in the 1800s must’ve felt prior to President Cleveland signing Labor Day into law. And while challenges remain in many places today, I am proud that here in Cary, we have co-created a culture that puts people first. For us, it’s not just about dignity and respect in the workplace – it’s about showing gratitude and appreciation for the collaboration and individual expertise that each employee brings to the workplace, a workplace where you are encouraged to bring your whole self to work. This culture, Council, would not be possible without your thoughtful leadership and unwavering support. To those who will be working this weekend and, on the holiday, as always, I remain grateful to you for doing your job in the very best way, which helps ensure Cary remains Cary. Sean
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon on Walnut Street at Cary High School Installed
The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) installation in front of Cary High School was completed earlier this week and became operational on Tuesday, the first day of school. Staff was on-site to ensure the device operated smoothly, assist the school with its use, and answer any questions. Staff has been monitoring the PHB’s performance and coordinating with the school’s principal to make any necessary adjustments to the beacon’s timing.
Additionally, Cary’s consultant has finished the initial engagement with students to gather ideas for the median landscape design and other features. This collaborative effort is progressing toward preliminary designs and concepts.
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – September 11
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will hold a quasi-judicial hearing in Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 to review a certificate of appropriateness (COA) application submitted by the new owners of the Guess-White-Ogle House, a local historic landmark property, to install an uncovered deck and vertical lift to the rear of the house.
The HPC agenda with the COA staff report and supporting documents will be available by close of business on Thursday, Sept. 5. Information on Cary’s twelve local historic landmarks may be viewed on the interactive map.
48th Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival
Lazy Daze 2024 was an outstanding success! With perfect weather in the 80s, we welcomed an estimated 50,000 attendees, making it one of our best festivals yet. Our green initiatives were particularly impressive: we introduced compost bins at all 60 waste and recycling stations, collecting over 4,000 pounds of compostable material and 1,400 pounds of recyclables. This effort diverted more than half of the festival’s waste from landfills, exceeding expectations and reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.
Our family-friendly activities were also a hit, featuring live music, interactive art, and the new Kid Collectors Market, where children ages 6-12 could buy their first piece of art for just $5. Logistically, our partnerships with Cary PD, emergency services, and Public Works ensured smooth operations, with flawless traffic management and public safety plans contributing to a positive experience for all.
Senior Center Hosts Coffee, Cops and Conversation
The Cary Senior Center recently hosted a successful Coffee with Cops event, bringing together senior residents and members of the Cary Police Department for a morning of conversation and connection. The seniors enjoyed discussing safety and community concerns with the officers, further strengthening the positive partnership between the Cary Police Department and our community.
Ridgecrest Road LED-Enhanced Crosswalk
New pedestrian safety enhancements have been added downtown, including push-button-activated, LED-enhanced warning signs. As part of a traffic calming project focused on intersections in the western part of downtown, high-visibility crosswalks were installed this week. Additionally, two pairs of LED-enhanced signs were placed at uncontrolled crosswalks on Ridgecrest Road at Knight Avenue and S. Dixon. These devices, which are just the first of many planned around Cary, are paired with Audible Information Devices (AID) to improve accessibility for the visually impaired.
Installation of EV Charging Pedestals
Two new electric vehicle (EV) charging pedestals were recently installed at the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility (CAWTF). With this addition, all of Cary’s water and wastewater treatment facilities now have EV charging stations, expanding the town’s fleet charging infrastructure. Each of the new pedestals features two Level 2 charging ports, allowing up to four vehicles to charge simultaneously.
Cary’s Annual Wastewater System Performance Review 2024
Cary has released its annual wastewater report, highlighting the exceptional performance of its collection and treatment system, which serves Cary, Morrisville, Wake RTP, and RDU Airport. The report includes quick facts, details about our treatment facilities, system metrics, and tips for preventing sewer spills to protect the environment. Additionally, citizens can learn about Cary’s newest pump station, Winding Pine.
Ongoing Community Outreach Part of the Greenway Safety Campaign
Community engagement continued into late summer with two pop-up events along greenways in August as well as an engagement with a youth cycling group in western Cary. Sharing key greenway rules and safety messages directly with the community fosters greater awareness and a safer experience for everyone on Cary greenways!
Wake County Clash Football Kickoff
This past weekend, Cary and the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) teamed up to host the highly anticipated second annual WCPSS Football Kickoff at WakeMed Soccer Park. The event featured teams from four local high schools—Garner Magnet, Holly Springs, Broughton, and Cary High Schools—providing these young athletes with the exceptional experience of playing in a premier stadium. The evening featured two high-energy games and drew enthusiastic crowds, celebrating local talent and strengthening community ties.
A complaint about my comments that apartments in Cary don’t have more crime than single family.
A question about address having a different city (a postal address and city is determined by the post office that is responsible for delivering your mail. The municipality of where you live can be found in your tax records on the Wake County Web site).
A question about construction of affordable housing on SE Maynard.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, the Labor Day holiday, a Cary Tennis Classic Advisory Board meeting, and an Environmental Symposium.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, September 8th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
Monday afternoon I was interviewed by a representative of auditor Cherry Bekaert as part of our annual auditing process. The interview was mostly questions about any possible wrongdoing with finances which of course there are none. The interview was very brief.
EDC Applications
Later Monday I met with Jack Smith and staff to discuss Economic Development Committee Applications to decide on who to interview. Council member Smith will be doing the interviews. Out of the dozens of applicants we will be able to only choose two.
Agenda Prep
Monday I asked council members if they had questions or concerns about the upcoming council meeting agenda. Questions were mostly on the Green Level rezoning proposal that was on the agenda for discussion. Comments included the lack of bike/ped, compliance with the Special Planning Area, and transition to neighboring homes.
Town Manager One-On-One
Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our conversation included council actions, financing capital projects, PFAS, and the Downtown Cary Park.
Cary #2 for Best Places to Live
Tuesday I was notified that Cary was ranked #2 best place to live in the nation by Livability. The ranking was done earlier in the year. Some of the compliments include:
“Cary is a growing town that is attracting residents with its central location, good schools and flourishing research and technology sector. The League of American Bicyclists recognizes Cary as a bicycle-friendly community, and residents have access to multiple parks and walking trails. More than two-thirds of adults have a college degree, and the town is less than 15 minutes from major universities like Duke, North Carolina State and the University of North Carolina. …
it’s one of the best places to live in the U.S. due to its central location and its reputation for quality public schools, safe streets, a lively arts scene, dynamic restaurants (more than 200 and growing!) and a robust job market. …
Cary is affordable, boasting the amenities of a much larger city but with a lower price tag. The charming neighborhoods are certainly a draw, as are the greenways and parks, arts venues, breweries, and exciting sporting events. Baseball fans love to watch teams at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, and professional soccer fans delight to see the North Carolina Football Club and the North Carolina Courage soccer players take the field. And speaking of visual treats, shows and festivals at the Koka Booth Amphitheater, next to Symphony Lake, are a must-do on the weekends.”
They scored Cary’s quality of life as 874 out of 1000 possible points and said Cary ranked highest for health, education and economy. You can read the entire story here.
Cary Matters Taping
Tuesday I taped an episode of Cary Matters with council member Bush. In this episode we talked about updates to the Cary Community Plan. The initial draft was posted for public review from January 23rd to March 31st. The final draft will be available for public review this fall in advance of the formal public hearing process.
CAMPO
Wednesday afternoon I attended a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board. In the meeting we approved the fiscal year 2026 program and agreed to pause any changes to the program for a year.
In a separate item it was announced that federal and state funds were shifted. This allowed an additional Cary project, the intersection at I40 and Cary Town Boulevard to be funded. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half.
Cary #3 Best Real Estate Market in US
Wednesday WalletHub named Cary as the #3 best real estate market in the nation. You can read the details here. They noted that Cary was #5 best in affordability and economic environment.
Dorcas Interview
Thursday I did an interview about Dorcas and a possible merger that would expand their services. Of course, I had nothing but positive things to say about Dorcas. We are blessed to have them in our community working to support those in need. Cary continues to partner with Dorcas in several ways including funding programs to help with utility bills and housing.
Council Work Session
Thursday evening the council held a work session on future capital projects.
Cary is moving into a more conservative mode for capital projects due to the uncertainty of inflation. Here are some of the take aways from this work session:
What are capital projects? Facilities, Vehicles, Street, Waterlines/Sewer lines, IT. Our smallest project is a restroom maintenance project. Our largest project is Water Plant Expansion. (Ready for closeout.) Our oldest project is for Sanitation Truck Replacement. Our newest project is the Walnut Street Road Diet. (Initial Phase complete.)
Projects included in the Capital Budget are typically assets a value of more than $25,000 and a useful life of over three years.
Capital projects will be put in one of five categories: research, planning, design, implementation, and completion.
In the coming months council will decide what capital projects to put on hold. Those will likely be in the research and planning phases.
There are 581 active capital projects.
There is $1.264 billion budgeted (over years) for capital projects. Actual expenditure to date is $707 million.
Construction costs have skyrocketed. For example:
Rebar: $52 per 100 pounds in 2019, $119.76 in 2024.
Ductile Iron Pipe: $32.36/foot in 2019, $36.00/foot in 2024.
Asphalt: $428.05 in 2019, $550 in 2024.
Concrete 5000 psi: $150.45 in 2019, $215.00 in 2024.
Formal bid awards for capital projects last year: 50% over projected bid estimates, 6 projects required re-bid.
Street resurfacing with milling: $12.25/sq yd in 2019, $16.85/sq yd in 2024.
Sidewalk construction: $20/linear foot in 2019, $60/linear foot in 2024.
8-inch water line pipe: $85.50/foot in 2019, $189.50/foot in 2024
8-inch sewer line pipe: $175.00/foot in 2019, $310.00/foot in 2024
Sanitation truck with side arm: $299,317 in 2019 $416,496 in 2024
Projects in planning that may be held:
Pedestrian bridge over NC Hwy 55
Pedestrian tunnel under O’Kelly Chapel
Tunnel/bridge at Maynard to Godbold Park
We will begin capital project evaluation and prioritization at our next quarterly meeting on November 7th.
Council Meeting
Thursday night the Cary Council held their last regularly scheduled meeting of the month. The agenda included a special welcome, five consent items, one public hearing, and one discussion item. The rezoning proposal for 22-REZ-06 Green Level at Mills Farm Road was pulled from the agenda by the applicant.
The meeting opened with a welcome from John Webster, our official town crier, from Markham, Canada. Mr. Webster was dressed in attire from the 1800s and announced Lazy Daze after a loud bell ringing. This was his 20th year announcing Lazy Daze. He also presented gifts from Markham mayor Frank Scarpitti.
Public Speaks Out was dominated by speakers asking the town to take over funding for maintenance and improvements of a private street that would cost $1.2 million.
The public hearing was a rezoning proposal on Piney Plains at Stephens Road with a preliminary development plan (PDP) that proposed a maximum of 370 multi-family dwellings and 16 townhouses with a maximum building height of 75 feet. There were dozens of speakers with neighboring property owners adamantly against the proposal and several Habitat supporters in favor of the proposal. Council members expressed several concerns including transition and building height. This will come back to council in a few months for a vote.
The discussion item that passed an ordinance allowing plurality elections in Cary was passed unanimously. This will change Cary elections to be held in November without a runoff and the top vote getter being declared the winner instead of having to have 50% + 1 of the vote. This change was done to reduce confusion (since all other municipalities have November elections), and cost (it cost Cary approximately $1 million for our runoffs).
The council meeting lasted about two hours and forty-five minutes.
Lazy Daze
Saturday morning, I kicked off the 48th Lazy Daze with council member Michelle Craig.
After opening remarks, I awarded Jerry Miller the Mayor’s Star Medallion. He is the first person to receive this award which is Cary’s highest honor. The award was created in 2023 to recognize individuals who embody inspiration, beauty, perseverance, innovation, and courage through their contributions or achievements in Cary. Jerry Miller is an ideal recipient of the Cary Mayor’s Star Medallion due to his profound impact on the community through art and culture. As the founder of the Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, he has fostered a strong sense of community in Cary, drawing thousands to the town each year. His dedication to capturing and celebrating North Carolina’s landmarks through his artwork has not only put Cary on the map but also enriched the town’s cultural heritage. His lifelong commitment to Cary’s growth and his artistic contributions exemplify the values of inspiration, beauty, perseverance, and innovation that the Mayor’s Star Medallion honors.
Before the Cary Town Crier, John Webster from Markham, Canada officially opened Lazy Daze with a proclamation and bell ringing I recognized him with a special engraved bell commemorating his 20th year. Over the years he has truly enriched our community, bringing history and tradition to life at countless events. His presence, along with his wife Mary, has made our festivals and ceremonies more vibrant and memorable. We are deeply grateful for the strong connections he has help build between Cary and Markham, and we thank him for his outstanding service and commitment.
Lazy Daze had over 60,000 visitors on Saturday and Sunday and is our biggest event of the year. Thanks to all staff and volunteers who made it possible.
Hometown Spirit Award
Cary is seeking nominations for the Town’s Hometown Spirit Award. Given annually since 2009, the award recognizes a citizen who enhances the quality of life in Cary by preserving, promoting, and carrying out positive and quantifiable small-town community values and traits. “I have been fortunate enough to have met and worked with Cary citizens from many races, religions, political affiliations, and beliefs as I have interviewed them to document Cary’s history,” shared Peggy Van Scoyoc, 2023 Hometown Spirit Award winner. “All of our narrators have told us their stories and memories about how Cary became Cary from the very beginning. Sharing their memories, and those of their ancestors, friends and neighbors, they have contributed to preserving our past and emerging history. Then, through the explosive growth of Cary over the past five decades, with all the newcomers from around the country and the world, has come the opportunity to evolve an inclusive culture to what it is today, making Cary a unique and very special place to live.” Cary citizens can submit nominations August 23-September 20, 2024, using an official nomination form available online. Questions regarding nominations can be directed to 311. Cary citizens ages 21 and older are eligible for the award. Nominees should demonstrate leadership and integrity and be respected by their peers. In addition, nominees should exhibit some of the following traits: helps out neighbors and fellow Cary citizens; demonstrates hospitality; promotes and preserves traditional American pastimes; shows a concern for preservation and works to preserve traditions and the small-town atmosphere in the community; promotes a sense of community in their neighborhood and all of Cary; demonstrates patriotism through promotion and preservation of the country’s symbols and dedication to the U.S. military, past and present; and serves the community through business. On November 18, 2024, the three finalists will be recognized at a reception in their honor where the 2024 award recipient will be announced by Mayor Weinbrecht.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
I hope you enjoy this week’s report and the first Lazy Daze weekend without extreme heat in quite some time. Sean
Council Celebrates Housing Developers and Nonprofits
On Wednesday, Councilmember Lori Bush delivered remarks and joined Councilmembers Carissa Kohn-Johnson, Michelle Craig, and Sarika Bansal, along with staff, for breakfast at Cary Founded. The event celebrated partner nonprofits and developers working in the housing sector. Earlier this year, Cary Town Council approved housing awards totaling over $7.2 million for these organizations. These funds will support the construction of 226 new affordable housing units and the preservation of 29 existing affordable homes. Additionally, the funds will help maintain housing stability and build organizational capacity within Cary nonprofits focused on housing and community development. For a full list of awards, recipients, and projects, visit housing.carync.gov. Rooted in Partnerships and a People First approach, this investment will further the goals of the Cary Housing Plan and the Imagine Cary Community Plan, ensuring all Cary citizens can enjoy the high quality of life Cary has to offer.
2024 GRCVB Annual Meeting
On Aug. 22, Councilmember Jack Smith and Cary staff attended the 2024 Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) Annual Meeting in Downtown Raleigh. We learned that Wake County set a record last year with 18.5 million total visitors, making it a standout destination. Notably, WakeMed Soccer Park ranked as the 4th most popular spot. Several Cary events were also highlighted during the ceremony, including the NCAA men’s and women’s College Cups in December and The Soccer Tournament next summer. We’re grateful for the inspiring work the GRCVB does to promote our area to visitors.
2024 Duke School of Public Policy – International Visit
On Aug. 13, ten international officials visited Town Hall to learn about Cary’s public outreach, transparency, and financial management. Their visit was part of the Duke School of Public Policy’s program on Fiscal Decentralization and Local Government Financial Management. High-ranking officials from Africa and Asia are attending Duke’s three-week summer program, which focuses on transferring control from central governments to local officials. This marks the 20th year that Dr. Roy Kelly has brought his students to Cary. During the visit, the officials toured the Council Chambers, heard from Allison Hutchins about Cary’s government and culture, and engaged in discussions with finance leaders Kimberly Branch, Liam Brailey, intern Neal Duncan, and retired CFO Karen Mills.
Road Closures for Meridian East Chatham Construction
Starting August 26, contractors working on the Meridian East Chatham Development will begin the next phase of construction for water and sewer lines on Hunter Street, in partnership with Cary to enhance the surrounding infrastructure. This phase will include a full closure of Hunter Street between Waldo Street and East Chatham Street, as well as a daytime closure of the Hunter Street and Waldo Street intersection.
Hunter Street will be closed to traffic from August 26 to November 8. The intersection of Hunter and Waldo Streets will be closed on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., from August 26 to September 6. Detours will be in place. This construction will be coordinated with the ongoing waterline installation on East Chatham Street.
Kit Creek Watermain Connection Project Begins
Construction has begun on the Kit Creek Water Main Connection Project. Sanford Contractors, Inc. is installing 4,000 feet of 12-inch water main, including a crossing of NC 885. Located in northwest Cary, this project will enhance the water system by providing a back feed to both Biogen and nearly 800 homes in the Kitts Creek subdivision. The project aims to improve resiliency and increase capacity in the area. Construction is expected to be completed by next summer.
Celebrating 10 Years
Join us in celebrating 10 years of excellence at the Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) as we mark this significant milestone. Since its start-up on August 11, 2014, the facility has been dedicated to innovative wastewater treatment and biosolids management, supporting environmental sustainability and public health in our region. Its achievements in advanced technologies and effective nutrient removal set a high standard in the industry. The Western Wake Regional WRF also highlights a successful partnership with the Town of Apex, demonstrating the strength of our community and stakeholder relationships. Here’s to many more years of success!
A cut-and-paste email urging me to condemn violent against Bangladeshi Hindus (It has been my practice to not get involved in issues outside our core services. Making a statement on one of these international, national, state, etc. issues will open the door to getting involved in all kinds of issues that we have no authority over. In addition, it usually accomplishes very little, makes someone feel good, and makes others feel bad. The result is usually divisive. That is not the purpose of this council. So, I will not be making a statement.).
Dozens of complaints about rezoning case 19-REZ-25 at Piney Plains and Stephens Road.
A complaint about the Carpenter Village Greenway connector.
A complaint about the property tax rate.
A complaint about enforcement of Cary’s stormwater ordinance.
A thank you for the Cary Tennis Classic.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, HRID interviews, and the beginning of the Labor Day holiday.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, September 1st, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our conversation included several things but we talked mostly about historic preservation and the Nancy Jones house.
Cary Tennis Classic
The Cary Tennis Classic, formerly known as the Atlantic Tire Championship, was held this week at the Cary Tennis Park and was live streamed around the world. It was the 10th year we have hosted this professional tournament but the first time we hosted a women’s event in addition to the men’s event. Most of the players this year were international, giving Cary Classic patrons a chance to see the best in the world. The tournament started on Sunday and completed on Saturday so that the players could get to the US Open in time for qualifying and the main draw.
I had the pleasure of presenting the championship trophies to the winners of the ITF-WTT women’s doubles,
the ATP men’s singles, and the ITF-WTT women’s singles. All the finals’ matches went into a deciding tiebreaker which resulted in three long matches with the last trophy being handed out around midnight.
We were very fortunate to have this tournament in Cary. It not only provided entertaining tennis from the best in the world but gave us international exposure and created economic benefit. We look forward to hosting it again next year.
Cary #12 Least Stressed-Out City in Nation
Thursday I was notified that Cary was the 12th least stressed-out city in the nation according to LawnStarter. This is the methodology they used:
“First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Most Relaxed Cities. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 8 categories: Mental Well-Being, Mental Health Boosters, Physical Well-Being, Financial Well-Being, Work Stressors, Environmental Stressors, Social Stressors, and Recreation Options. …
For each of the 500 biggest U.S. cities, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.
Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each city to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A city’s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked “Most Relaxed” (No. 1) and the lowest “Least Relaxed” (No. 500).”
While I am pleased to be recognized as one of the least stressed, I am shocked that they ranked us 406 out of 500 for recreational options. You can judge for yourself and read detailed information here.
Business After Hours at Cary Tennis Park
Thursday evening I attended the Cary Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours held at the Cary Tennis Park during the Cary Tennis Classic. There were about 150 in attendance. I provided a few remarks before we heard from the guest speaker Andy Andrews. Andrews played at NC State and was a top tennis professional in the world during the 1980s. He currently is a developer in the Raleigh area. I loved hearing his tennis stories including legends like John McEnroe.
Anthony Blackman Court Dedication
Thursday evening between tennis matches I joined Jack Smith and others in naming the Cary Tennis Park’s stadium court after Anthony Blackman who passed away last year. Anthony contributed and supported Cary in many ways through many charitable events. One of his passions was supporting the Cary Tennis Classic as the title sponsor. While he is recognized for doing so much for so many, his biggest achievement was being a friend to everyone he met.
Part of the presentation included an announcement of the Anthony Blackman Endowment Fund to help the underprivileged and offering scholarships to Wake County area youth. If you would like to find out more about this fund and contribute go here and select “Apply My Donation” to “Anthony Blackman Scholars Endowment.”
Communications with Elected Officials
Friday I traveled to Beaufort, North Carolina to give a talk on communicating with elected officials. The audience was mostly public works and public utility professionals. The goal of my talk was for them to be able to recognize certain behaviors of elected officials and to employ strategies to get crucial information to them.
India Independence Day Celebration
Saturday I joined several dignitaries at the India Independence Day celebration at HSNC temple in Morrisville. Also in attendance were NC Secretary of State Marshall, NC Senators Adcock and Chaudhuri, NC House members, the Wake County Sheriff, Apex mayor, Fuquay-Varina mayor, Morrisville mayor, and others. There were several hundred people in attendance. After a short parade we unveiled flags of NC, the US, and India. This was followed by other events and food in the temple fellowship hall.
Town Manager’s Report
Russ’ Message
Last night, Mayor Weinbrecht and Councilmember Jack Smith joined staff and community members for the Chamber’s Business After Hours at the Cary Tennis Classic. A special highlight of the evening was the dedication of the stadium court in honor of Anthony Blackman, who, as you know, Council, made a lasting impact on the Cary community. Continuing with the theme of events, I’m excited to attend the Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket concert at Koka Booth Amphitheatre tonight. And on Saturday, I’ll be heading to Cary Tennis Park with friends for the final day of the Cary Tennis Classic. Another significant event this weekend is college move-in! Sean, many other colleagues, and I are busy moving our kids into college, some even across the country. I hope everyone experiences a safe and smooth move-in day and transition back at home. Speaking of move-ins, beginning next week, vendors, volunteers, and staff will be setting up for our 48th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. Just a reminder, as in previous years, Town Hall campus will close at noon on Friday, August 23, to finalize preparations for the two-day festival. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Russ
NCDOT Projects in Cary
Three major NCDOT projects are currently under construction in Cary:
Complete 540 (Phase 1)
Construction is nearing completion. Phase 1 extends N.C. 540 from its current endpoint at the N.C. 55 Bypass in Apex to the I-40/U.S. 70 interchange. The effects of Hurricane Debby have delayed the opening. More information on a ribbon cutting ceremony will be released as the date approaches. Phase 2 will continue this extension to the I-540/I-87/U.S. 64/U.S. 264 interchange and effectively complete the N.C 540/I-540 loop. Phase 2 is currently under construction, with the project expected to be completed in 2028.
I-40/Airport Boulevard Interchange
This project is building a diverging diamond interchange to accommodate the heavy left-turn traffic at the interchange ramps and improve safety. The project is expected to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025.
I-440 Improvements between Walnut Street and Wade Avenue.
NCDOT is widening the current 4-lane bottleneck to match the 6 lanes currently at both ends of the segment. Construction is expected to conclude in 2025.
Additional NCDOT projects
These are in design around Cary, including the Crossroads Junction Interchange, Aviation Parkway Road Widening and Maynard Road Grade Separation, and Trinity Road Grade Separation. For more information on these upcoming projects and their schedules, please visit carync.gov/NCDOT.
New Sidewalk Connections
Sidewalk construction will begin next week, August 22, along NW Cary Parkway near the Prestonwood Tennis Courts. This new segment will connect Cary’s sidewalk system to Morrisville’s, providing pedestrians with a continuous path to neighborhoods, recreation areas, and businesses. Temporary lane closures will be in place to create a safe buffer for the contractor’s work. Once the NW Cary Parkway sidewalk is complete, the contractor will move to Summerwinds Drive during the week of September 9 to install a sidewalk from Tryon Road to the existing sidewalk near Summerview Lane. This project will incorporate crosswalk improvements at Tryon Road with a pedestrian refuge median and enhanced pavement markings.
Pedestrian Improvements
Pedestrian improvements are nearly finished on West Lake Road, Middle Creek Park Avenue, and Arthur Pierce Road. These enhancements include new sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, and updated signage. This fall, we will install enhanced LED signs and complete landscaping once the signs are available and the weather is optimal for planting.
Best of North Carolina Technology Award
On Thursday, staff from Cary’s Information Technology Department received the Best of North Carolina Technology Award for Outstanding Leadership and Innovation. The award was presented by James Weaver, Secretary and Chief Information Officer of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, at the NC Digital Government Summit 2024, held at the Raleigh Convention Center. This award recognizes the team’s groundbreaking work in deploying IoT sensors using Cary’s own LoRaWAN network at the new Downtown Cary Park.
A Sweet Treat in the Name of Community Collaboration
Last Friday, Fire Station 2 was invited to Howdy Homemade Ice Cream in downtown Cary to taste-test and name the shop’s newest flavor, a sweet but spicy ice cream available in both nut and nut-free varieties. After several spoonfuls and laughs, the Howdy staff and firefighters named the new flavor “Heat Wave.” Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, a nonprofit franchise, employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a mission to make a difference in the lives of people of all abilities in the community. Although “Heat Wave” is a seasonal flavor, the Fire Department appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Howdy any time of year.
Downtown Cary Park Screens Jurassic Park for more than 800 Visitors
Inclement weather caused Downtown Cary Park’s screening of Jurassic Park to be rescheduled from July 19 to August 2. This gave the Park staff another chance to recreate a scene from the movie in a Reel, reminding everyone of the new date. The Reel garnered over 37,000 plays, 765 likes, and 560 shares.
The anticipation for the film was high, with the Park bustling during pre-screening activities, including photos with an authentic Jurassic Park replica Jeep, an amber-making craft, and a dino-themed scavenger hunt. More than 800 visitors enjoyed the activities and the film. Although this movie debuted over 20 years ago, one thing remains true – everyone loves dinosaurs.
Dozens of cut-and-paste emails urging me to condemn violent against Bangladeshi Hindus (It has been my practice to not get involved in issues outside our core services. Making a statement on one of these international, national, state, etc. issues will open the door to getting involved in all kinds of issues that we have no authority over. In addition, it usually accomplishes very little, makes someone feel good, and makes others feel bad. The result is usually divisive. That is not the purpose of this council. So, I will not be making a statement.).
A request to have a Christmas Market at Downtown Cary Park.
A complaint about the “overselling” of the John Legend concert.
Three complaints about the property tax.
A complaint about not funding the restoration of Nancy Jones House.
Three complaints about the Holt rezoning proposal, 22-REZ-19, at Regency.
A request for the town to buy Chatham Estates.
A complaint about stormwater pipe work at Carolina Preserve.
A request to reconfigure our dog parks with more amenities.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an auditor meeting, interviews for advisory boards, a Cary Matters taping, a Cary Housing All Grantee meeting, a CAMPO meeting, a council work session, and council meeting, and Lazy Daze.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, August 25th, 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.
Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our conversation included storm preparation and recent council actions.
HRID Meeting
Tuesday I joined a meeting of the Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity committee. The committee discussed demographics for surveys and the prioritization chart of accomplishments. Afterwards there was a presentation on 311. My remarks included the Walnut Street Road Diet project, the Cary Tennis Classic, the Cary bonds new web page at https://carybonds.org, and actions taken because of tropical storm Debby.
Cary Chamber Leadership Dinner
Wednesday night I joined council members Smith, Robinson, Kohn-Johnson, and Craig and the Cary Chamber Leadership Dinner. Elected officials from all levels of government were in attendance including Congresswoman Ross, and NC Secretary of State Marshall. Remarks were provided by the Chamber President, the presenting sponsor, and me. In my remarks I thanked elected leaders, business leaders, and citizens for helping make Cary the best of the best or “top of the arc”. I encouraged all to support the bond referendum this fall which would keep Cary at the top of the arc for years to come.
Tropical Storm Debby (Quarterly Cancelled)
Due to Tropical Storm Debby the staff and council decided to cancel their quarterly meeting. That allowed key staff members to focus on preparing and responding to the storm. Cary was very lucky in this storm. Here is a summary of impacts from the fire chief:
The brunt of the storm hit Cary before noon Thursday, with peak water flow and calls for service happening Thursday morning. Crews responded to 22 downed trees, a handful of high water/flooding calls, three signal outages, and closed three street segments due to standing water, downed trees, and power lines, or both. Several greenway segments are under shallow waters, as to be expected with this much rainfall in such a short period of time. GoCary operated as expected, and all inspections scheduled for Thursday were completed. Call volume in 911 and cases into 311 have returned to at or below-typical levels for a Thursday, and one street that was initially closed has since reopened (Bowden Street).
Thanks to all our emergency personnel who kept us safe in this storm.
Mayor’s Mailbox
Three complaints about the tax rate.
A complaint about panhandlers (This is allowed on private property unless the property owner complains. On public land there are court cases where it is protected as a first amendment right).
Two emails from people struggling with mental illness.
A compliment on Downtown Cary Park from someone visiting from Maryland.
A complaint about traffic line-of-sight on Joshua Tree Court.
A complaint about GoCary door to door.
Dozens of cut-and-paste emails urging me to condemn violent against Bangladeshi Hindus (It has been my practice to not get involved in issues outside our core services. Making a statement on one of these international, national, state, etc. issues will open the door to getting involved in all kinds of issues that we have no authority over. That is not the purpose of this council. So, I will not be making a statement.).
A request to build housing for homeless veterans.
A complaint about 311 not helping with Cary Parks.
Two complaints from Friends of the Pager Walker and an additional complaint about the budget related to the Nancy Jones House.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, activities related to the Cary Tennis Classic, and an India Independence Day celebration.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, August 18th, 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.
Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our conversation included ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), the HRID (Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity) committee, council decisions on development, the upcoming quarterly, and historic preservation.
Cary Matters
Wednesday I joined council member Craig in a taping of Cary Matters. This episode is about the 48th Cary Lazy Daze festival which is coming up in a few weeks. The taping was in two takes and took about fifteen to twenty minutes.
Economic Development Committee Meeting Cancelled
Wednesday evening the Economic Development Committee meeting was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum. Here is a summary of business opportunities in the pipeline:
Active Pipeline: 46 projects | 9094 jobs | $4.4B potential investment
Site Visit from Project Boston (The Press) – med device company with Novo contract
Activity remains steady despite the cost of capital
Industry sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Life Science/med device, IT, Corporate HQ
North Carolina Metro Mayors
Friday I joined a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors. Here is a legislative summary from consultants Checkmate Government Relations:
Veto Overrides
On Wednesday, July 31st, the House convened for the reconsideration of vetoed bills. The house overrode three of Governor Roy Cooper’s vetoes.
House Bill 556, Tenancy In Common/E-Notary/Small Claims Changes, was overridden with a 74 to 40 vote. Governor Cooper vetoed this because he disapproves of giving landlords the right to deny people housing whose main form of rent comes from federal housing assistance funds.
House Bill 690, No Central Bank Digital Currency Payments To State, was overridden with a 73 to 41 vote. H690 would prohibit a state agency or the General Court of Justice from accepting a payment using central bank digital currency, or from participating in any test of central bank digital currency by any Federal Reserve branch. These bills will await a final override vote in the Senate.
Governor Cooper Withdrawal
Governor Roy Cooper removed himself from presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s shortlist for Vice President. Though the Governor has removed himself from the shortlist, he continues to support the Harris campaign. A Harris-Cooper ticket could have had down ballot implications in North Carolina. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to announce her running mate in the next week.
Upcoming Schedule
According to the Adjournment Resolution passed in July, the next date that the House and Senate can return would be Monday, September 9th. However, it is likely this will be a skeletal session that will not require members to be in town. It is likely that the next substantive session will be held in November after the election.
Town Manager’s Report
Russ’ Message
This week, the staff has been busy with meetings leading up to next week’s Quarterly Meeting. The team is excited to update you on several important topics next Thursday. There will not be a Council Weekly Report next Friday since any timely updates will be shared at the meeting.
I hope you enjoy your weekend! Russ
Walnut Street Roadwork Beginning
Beginning August 5, construction will begin on Phase 1 of the Walnut Street Road Diet Project. Preliminary utility repairs are complete, and staff worked this week to notify citizens, including hanging door-to-door notices along the project extents and posting dynamic message boards on Walnut Street and Cary Towne Boulevard. Phase 1 work combines restriping, additional signage, and signal modifications to allow for a single vehicle lane in each direction, a center turning lane, and buffered bike lanes in each direction. During construction, drivers and other road users should expect continuous work zone traffic control (orange cones) with intermittent lane closures and diversions. Upon completion, staff will continue to study the corridor to determine future phases of work. In parallel with the Phase 1 work, progress continues on the pedestrian hybrid beacon on Walnut Street, adjacent to Cary High School. Trenching and boring work along the shoulders of Walnut Street continues, with lane closures planned in August for installation of the mast arm pole in the median. All work is on schedule to finish before the start of the traditional calendar school year.
Cary Introduces Utilization Study with Surveys to Business
Cary is partnering with Keen Independent Research LLC, a national economic consulting firm, to assess its procurement from small and diverse businesses. Business owners may receive a call this summer asking about company structure, the type of work performed, and interest in partnering with Cary. Business groups and trade associations may also receive communication requesting in-depth interviews to gain insight into current market conditions. Participation is encouraged to help Cary enhance its outreach to firms.
Fenton Development Updates
Fenton is evolving into a high-density Destination Center, fostering business development through high-quality design and a connected mix of uses, with a proposed hotel as the latest addition. Mainsail Hotels has submitted a development plan for a proposed seven-story, 225-room hotel in Fenton. Active construction is underway on a new five-level, 772-space parking deck at the existing surface lot northeast of Fenton Gateway Drive and Ridgeview Walk Drive, as well as on phase two of Quinard Drive, extending from the existing roundabout in Fenton to SE Maynard Road. Both projects are expected to be completed in 2025.
Cary’s Greenway Safety Campaign
As Cary’s Greenway Safety Campaign continues, key rules and etiquette are being shared with the community in various ways. Webpage banners, trail-side signs, greenway pavement stickers, and pop-up engagement events along the greenways are spreading the word. These messages have also been converted to video and are being shared on Cary’s social media posts, paid social media, and with WRAL webpage viewers. Check out upcoming pop-up engagement dates and take the Greenways survey at www.carync.gov/greenways.
Reedy Creek Road Project Nominated for a Mobi Award
Cary’s Reedy Creek Road Complete Street Project has been nominated for the NCDOT Mobi (Mobility) Award! This project, which involved creating bicycle lanes, roundabouts, and landscaping, started in 2011 and was completed in 2023. Designed to enhance the safety and well-being of both motorists and pedestrians while protecting the environment and promoting quality of life, it has now been nominated for the 2024 NCDOT Mobi Award. Cast your vote today!
Platinum Honors for Cary’s Wastewater Facilities
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has honored each of Cary’s three wastewater treatment facilities with the Platinum Peak Performance Award. This prestigious recognition is given for over five years of 100% compliance and outstanding wastewater treatment performance.
North Cary Water Reclamation Facility – Platinum 11 Years
South Cary Water Reclamation Facility – Platinum 11 Years
Western Wake Regional WRF – Platinum 9 Years
Art House Theater Day at The Cary
On July 25, The Cary joined over 95 theaters nationwide to celebrate the vital role of art house theaters and independent films in our cultural landscape. Art House Theater Day honors the ambitious and innovative art that provokes, challenges, entertains, and inspires. To mark the occasion, The Cary hosted a free screening of the 4K restored version of James Cameron’s classic film The Terminator, celebrating its 40th anniversary. The enthusiastic audience enjoyed both the film and the newly installed seats. As a proud member of Art House Convergence, The Cary supported the fifth annual Art House Theater Day, which began in 2016 and now involves more than 150 cinemas across the country.
USA Baseball Complex Performance Center
USA Baseball has had a busy summer with events and national teams of various age groups playing at the complex and utilizing the new Performance Training Center. Staff has scheduled local to international play around USA Baseball’s activities. In July, the Canadian National Baseball team held several productive training sessions. Following this, local kids used the facility for team placements when weather closed the grass fields. The Performance Training Center is becoming an increasingly valuable asset for Cary.
A complaint about the Waverly Place rezoning proposal 23-REZ-12
Two complaints about the Regency Holt rezoning proposal 22-REZ-19
A complaint about the Piney Plains rezoning proposal 19-REZ-25
A complaint about the Imagine Cary 2.0 process
Five complaints about Cary’s budget and tax rate
A complaint about a proposed rezoning on Walker Street (Council does not have a staff report on this yet)
A complaint that we were in the top 10 for worst places to retire (Not true, we are in the top 10 for best places to retire)
A complaint about beggers
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, Human Relations Inclusion and Diversity meeting, Cary Chamber Leadership dinner, Council-Staff quarterly meeting, and activities related to the Cary Tennis Classic.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, August 11th, 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.
On July 22ndCoworkingCafe ranked Cary #2 most affordable city in the nation for remote workers. Here is what they said about Cary:
“A significant 41% of Cary’s workforce is remote, which is the highest share among the cities analyzed. What’s more, this green, suburban-like North Carolina city boasted the second-lowest unemployment rate of only 1.6%. It’s also generally known for its affordable living, which is supported by the median yearly income in this area of almost $63,000.
Here, workers benefit from one of the best broadband coverages and can also easily travel in and out of the area due to the city’s proximity to two airports. As a result, this helps support an overall healthy work/life balance and accessibility for digital nomads and business travelers.”
Cary continues to be recognized nationally being business/worker friendly.
Council Meeting Prep
Monday I attempted to contact each council member to hear of any questions or concerns about the upcoming agenda. There was a question about the Hometown Spirit Award changes, a concern about the lack of affordable housing on rezonings proposals that were having a public hearing, and rules for ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units).
Later in the day I met with staff and went over the agenda and the questions by council members.
Manager One-On-One
Monday evening, I met with the town manager and Mayor Pro-Tem for my weekly one-on-one. Topics included historic preservation, controversial rezonings, and council members’ interactions with the public.
5 West Magazine Interview
Thursday morning I interviewed with a reporter for 5 West Magazine. The interview’s focus was Cary’s downtown. I talked about the last 20+ years in downtown planning and development, and what can be expected downtown in the coming years. Our interview was about 30 minutes.
Meeting National Spelling Bee Finalist
Thursday afternoon, I joined Council Member Bansal in meeting a National Spelling Bee Finalist. Ananya Prassanna, who attends Davis Drive Middle School, finished 3rd nationally. In talking with her and her parents we found that it took her hours per day and many years of training to be at the level she was on. She previously finished in the quarterfinals. Her daily training included her mother researching words during the day while she was at school. When I asked if she would try again, she was unsure. She expressed an interest in turning her focus towards the sciences. It was an honor to meet such a remarkable young lady.
Town Council Work Session
Thursday evening, the council held a work session on the Cary Community Plan 2024 update. The update was posted on the town’s website from January 23rd to March 31st and was viewed 1900 times. Of the 115 comments received there were requests to update demographics, housing affordability, environmental impacts related to population growth, policy on native species, and preserving existing habitats and urban forest.
Here are some of my takeaways from the presentation:
Cary will remain primarily suburban
New walkable mixed-use forms in strategic locations
Maintain attractive physical setting – natural and built environment
Influx subsidy period is ending (new growth won’t be subsidizing costs)
LIVE Chapter updates:
Continue to be a community of choice by ensuring high-quality and diverse new housing development
Ensure that Cary residents can enjoy the full benefit of Cary’s high quality of life
Pursue regional partnerships to meet housing needs.
ENRICH Chapter (new):
Include environment focus moved from the SERVE chapter
Include the Urban Forest Master Plan completed in May of 2024
Cary sustainability and climate action plan
Open space plan
Should be completed by winter 2025
ENRICH Chapter (new policies to go with 7 existing policies):
Involve the Community in Environmental Stewardship Strategies for a Sustainable Future
Implement and Promote Green Building Principles
Support Soil Regeneration, Use of Native Plants, and Increased Biodiversity for Pollinators and Wildlife
SERVE Chapter (new policy to go with 5 existing policies):
Provide Equitable, Inclusive, and High-Quality Services to Support Citizens and Development
Future plans and Updates:
PRCR Master Plan
Historic preservation Plan
Bike Plan
Stormwater Master Plan
The final draft of this update will be in August, and this will be followed by a public hearing this fall. It will also be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board with adoption sometime in the beginning of next year.
Town Council Meeting
The council held its last regularly scheduled meeting of July on Thursday night. The agenda included six consent items and six public hearings. There were no items under discussion.
Approved under consent without discussion were a new policy for the Hometown Spirit Award, Opioid Litigation Proposed Settlement with Kroger, a bid award for a sewer rehabilitation project, a call for a public hearing for the annexation at 4000 Green Level West Road, a bid award for Harrison Elevated Water Tank Coating Improvements, and a call for a public hearing for the Courtyards at White Oak.
The public hearing for the Holt rezoning in Regency 22-REZ-19, had several speakers and many in attendance. Speakers complained about the density and traffic mostly. Council members also complained about density and traffic as well as a lack of vision. Council members mentioned that it was an ideal parcel to create a mix of restaurants, retail, etc., that would complement the Koka Booth Amphitheater.
A public hearing for the proposed rezoning for the Alston Yards PDP 23-REZ-01, had mostly speakers in favor with one concerned about the lack of road updates which staff explained later are starting in 2025.
Two properties on Holly Springs Road that belong to the adjacent church had a public hearing 24-REZ-01, that would make one property an office building. There was concern expressed by the size of the office building (5000 square feet for medical). The council asked questions about connectivity to the road at the adjacent townhome subdivision.
The fourth public hearing was for ADUs, Accessory Dwelling Units, in ACT 32 of the Land Development Ordinance. Council members discussed and debated at length the height and size of ADUs that would be allowed. Many places in Cary are under HOAs which will not allow ADUs.
The fifth public hearing was a proposed change for Cary’s Method of Election. This would make Cary elections plurality which means that the most votes win regardless of whether they are more than 50%. That will make Cary like all other municipalities in Wake County and eliminate runoffs. In addition, it will save money. We spent an extra $690,711 in the last Cary municipal election and runoff. The council is expected to adopt the ordinance at the August 22nd meeting.
The last public hearing was the third step in holding a bond referendum. The council held a public hearing, adopted each of the two bond orders, and passed a resolution which establishes details of the referendum including the date of November 5, 2024. By new state law the bond will be listed on the ballot with details including interest rates. According to our estimates the interest rates listed about twice as high as the actual rates.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
This week was busy, and I enjoyed spending time with you, Council, during our one-on-ones, the work session, and last night’s Council meeting. As always, I appreciate your leadership and hope you enjoy the latest updates from the week. Have a great weekend. Sean
Public Speaks Out – Petty Farm Road
The right-of-way referenced in last night’s Council meeting is regarding a former NCDOT road located outside of Cary’s corporate limits. Staff have been in contact with the citizen over multiple years, has directed the citizen to NCDOT for assistance, and believes the citizen and NCDOT has been in discussion regarding the right-of-way. Staff will explore the buffer issue, but all other issues are NCDOT related.
Cary Public Service Academy
Twenty-four high school students formed the inaugural cohort of the Cary Public Service Academy, a pilot program inspired by Cary 101. This week-long initiative provided a behind-the-scenes view of local government operations, including hands-on activities, facility tours, and volunteering with Dorcas Ministries. The program concluded with a panel discussion led by Cary employees, encouraging participants to consider the many diverse career paths in public service. Councilmembers Lori Bush, Sarika Bansal, and Michelle Craig joined in celebrating the program’s successful completion on Friday afternoon.
Green Level West Road Renaming Community Meeting
A community meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m. for the Green Level West Road Renaming Study.
The purpose of this meeting will be to share information and gather community feedback on the proposed renaming of a portion of Green Level West Road to High House Road, from NC 55 Hwy to Green Level Church Road. Following the community meeting, staff will present the findings at a future Town Council public hearing.
In our ongoing efforts to clearly define future road extensions and infrastructure connectivity, staff have upgraded 40 street stubs as future road extensions. There are now 116 out of 150 street stubs in Cary signed as future road extensions. We are now focusing on standardizing these existing signed future road extensions. The remaining street stub locations will be reviewed for community outreach, appropriate approaches, and signage needs. Any modifications and upgrades to our street stubs will be added to our Street Connectivity GIS Dashboard.
Howland Avenue Water Main Replacement Complete
With the resurfacing of Howland Avenue, the water main replacement project is now complete. This project, which replaced 3,000 feet of water main and renewed all water services, was expedited due to frequent breaks and was finished ahead of schedule and within budget. Utilities and Transportation staff coordinated the pavement restoration as part of both the Annual Water Main Replacement Project and the 2024 Street Improvements Project. Later this year, the Annual Water Main Replacement Project will return to the Oakwood Heights neighborhood to complete additional water main replacements.
Byrum Street Sidewalk Project
The new sidewalk along Byrum Street is nearly complete. This project fills in the gaps between private developments that are currently underway. Once all the projects are finished, there will be a continuous sidewalk running from Kildaire Farm Road to Walnut Street. This new sidewalk will offer a safe pedestrian path between two major downtown thoroughfares, complete with high-visibility crosswalks.
Christmas in July
New decorations are arriving in Cary for our 2024 downtown display. This week, we received three angels and a 10-foot-tall lighted ornament. We are also finalizing locations and timelines for the display. The holidays will be here before you know it!
Manchester City & Celtic FC Open Training
Cary welcomed two of the world’s best soccer teams to WakeMed Soccer Park on Tuesday for an exclusive open training session. Manchester City and Celtic FC gave fans a unique glimpse into the training routines of elite athletes. The event, featuring the reigning Premier League Champions (Man City) and Scottish League Champions (Celtic FC), drew over 5,000 attendees, providing a memorable experience for soccer enthusiasts in Cary.
Several complaints about the Regency rezoning 22-REZ-19.
A concern about a “big project” between the church and Park Street disrupting the Farmer’s Market. Council has yet to see this proposal.
Two complaints about the new tax rate. One said, “something needs to be done to end what I see as mismanagement of the Town’s finances.”
A request for help with charges for freight (this is a civil matter).
A request to do something for the needy.
Two requests to support changes for ADUs.
A safety concern of a contractor performing a water main replacement.
A request for GoCary to provide service to the West Regional Library.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, Diwali dance practice, an Economic Development Committee meeting, and a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, August 4th, 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.
Monday afternoon I met with the town manager for about half an hour. Our topics of conversation included the Cary Chamber Leadership Conference, historic preservation, data security, and security for political visitors.
Cary Chamber Leadership Conference
On Wednesday and Thursday, I joined council members Bansal and Smith at the Cary Chamber Leadership Conference in Wrightsville Beach. There were 130 attendees including staff members, business leaders, and community leaders. The agenda included several interesting speakers over a day and a half.
I was the first speaker on Wednesday and introduced Cary’s Legacy video. The video captures the legacy of opportunities and leadership that made Cary great. After the video I called on several attendees for their impression.
Chris Chung of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina spoke of the economic environment and what is impacting it. He mentioned that the next election will likely change the economy regardless of who is elected.
Michael Landguth, CEO of RDU International Airport, talked about the recovery of the airport since the pandemic and its growth. RDU continues to expand the number of direct flights. His presentation showed future changes to the airport’s parking structures and gates. He also talked about how the big runway will need to be redone, which is expensive and complex construction since it is concrete.
Nichole Coughlin, Chief Information Officer from Cary, updated the attendees on AI (Artificial Intelligence). Her presentation focused on navigating the hype, facing the reality of AI, and preparing for the future.
North Carolina Senator Gale Adcock gave a fascinating update of legislative actions from a perspective of being on the inside. We are blessed to have our former Cary Mayor Pro-Tem looking out for our interests at the state level.
Jeff Cox, President of the North Carolina Community College System, gave an educational workforce outlook for North Carolina and the country. He emphasized what many of us know, that workforce talent is not meeting the needs of many businesses. And that community colleges are helping train in specific trades at an affordable cost. The work-school internship programs are becoming very popular, and employers usually hire those interns. He lauded Wake Tech and all that it is doing in our area.
Russ Overton, Cary’s Deputy Town Manager, gave a presentation on the proposed bond for this fall. He explained the items on the bond and talked about the cost. New law requires the bond to be listed with costs and interest rates. Sadly, those listed rates will be more of worst-case scenario than reality. Those rates will be listed as over 5.5% when, in reality, it will be closer to 3%.
Ted Abernathy, the Managing Partner of Economic Leadership, gave an economic outlook for the U.S. and North Carolina. North Carolina, and especially the Raleigh metro area, is among the leaders in the nation in many categories and should continue that success.
Dr. Melissa Furman, a professor at Augusta State University, spoke about generational differences in the work environment and how to handle burnout. We have heard her speak on similar topics before and she is very informative and entertaining.
The conference was full of great information and discussion. Being able to connect with Cary’s leaders was also very beneficial. I just wished I had the time to enjoy the beach rather than just seeing it through a window.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
This week’s annual Cary Chamber Leadership Conference not only showcased the Mayor and staff but also reinforced over and over again the strong, positive relationships the Town has with our business community and community leaders. I couldn’t be more proud.
For the first time, we showed publicly the “Legacy of Leadership” retreat video, which was a resounding success. The Mayor used it as a jumping off point to lead the 130 attendees in a discussion about the future based on Cary’s tradition of seeing – and seizing – opportunities, in whatever forms they come in.
Nicole Coughlin was a featured speaker on Artificial Intelligence. And Russ Overton, along with John Collins, Cassie Shumacher-Georgopoulos, and Heather Whelehan, reviewed the proposed 2024 Cary Community Bond Referendum.
The Chamber’s board voted unequivocally to support the bonds.
There were many new faces at this year’s meeting, and staff, Council, and I took full advantage of the networking opportunities to help establish effective relationships for the future.
I appreciate the ability to participate in these events and value the time with you, Council, as well as staff and our citizens.
On a personal note, our daughter turns 18 today – Happy Birthday, Emma!
Sean
Wake County Hospitality Alliance Visits Cary
The Wake County Hospitality Alliance (WCHA) invited representatives from the Town Manager’s Office and Police Department to speak Wednesday at The Mayton. Marketing and Creative Manager Kristy Buchanan explained Cary’s strategy to reach more audiences outside of North Carolina, while Captain Kat Christian and Lieutenant John Reeves answered questions and shared more about their community partnerships. The WCHA strives to improve our area’s quality of life by promoting and protecting travel and tourism at the local level.
The Franklin Mixed-Use Development Plans
Staff have begun an initial round of review for the proposed redevelopment of 214 S Walker Street. The project, named “The Franklin,” is a mixed-use proposal including 40 multi-family units, 2,380 square feet of non-residential, and structured parking on 0.37-acres. Based on current grade, the building would appear to be six stories tall from E. Park Street and seven stories from the north (looking south) on S Walker Street. The site is zoned Town Center – High Intensity Mixed Use District (TC-HMXD) which allows the proposed land uses. The proposed maximum building height would only be allowed if the Council approved a development agreement with the applicant. As this proposal is very early in the process, staff will continue to work with the developer on how to proceed. If you have any questions, please contact Scot Berry.
Ivey-Ellington Parking Lot Closure
Beginning next week, crews working on behalf of Cary will close the Old Library Parking Lot for asphalt resurfacing from July 22 to July 26. This work supports the Ivey-Ellington Rehabilitation Project, which has recently completed the installation of new ADA parking stalls and storm drain lines, which required sections of asphalt to be removed. Crews will now prepare these sections to receive new asphalt and will integrate the new ADA parking stalls with the rest of the parking lot.
Paramount Pump Station Update
The Paramount Pump Station, in service for over 25 years, is undergoing necessary improvements to support regional growth. Cary has contracted with J.F. Wilkerson Contracting Co. Inc. to build a new 1 MGD pump station, replacing the existing one. Construction began in early July with tree clearing and site grading, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Notifications have been sent to nearby residents and business owners, with more information available on the Town of Cary and Morrisville websites. The construction will not affect the use of the nearby greenway or the operation of the existing pump station.
Turquoise Creek Drive Water Main Replacement Begins
Starting on Monday, July 22, an extensive utility replacement project will begin on Turquoise Creek Drive in Preston. This project, expedited due to the deteriorating condition of the water main, involves replacing 1,000 feet of gravity sewer and 2,500 feet of the old water main. Once the utility work is completed, the entire road will be repaved. The project is expected to take six months to complete.
Growing the Urban Forestry Program in Cary
Implementation of Cary’s newly adopted Urban Forest Master Plan is underway. Public Works recently hired Kelly Blair as the new Urban Forestry Expeditor. He will work closely with Urban Forester Leslie Moorman to operationalize the tree care program. Kelly, previously the Assistant City Arborist/Tree Crew Supervisor for Wilmington, brings extensive experience in tree care, landscape maintenance, and grounds management. He holds several certifications from the International Society of Arboriculture, including Tree Climber Specialist, Municipal Specialist, and Board-Certified Master Arborist, and is ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. Bringing Kelly on board is a significant step toward understanding and managing our urban canopy.
Community Beehive Project
Cary is participating in Garden Supply Company’s host-a-hive program and partnering with them on programming at the Downtown Cary Park. The beehives, which were decorated by our community during a June pollinator week event at the park, have been installed at Garden Supply Company on Old Apex Road. The beehives will soon be filled with a colony of bees, and later this year, Garden Supply will harvest the honey and provide it to Park staff for use in future programs.
Downtown Cary Park Jurassic Park Reel Success
Downtown Cary Park recently posted an Instagram Reel promoting their free Jurassic Park Movie Night on July 19. Some staff members recreated one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history, and followers took notice. The Reel has more than 61,000 plays, 2,500 likes, and nearly 2,000 shares. Comments on the post praise the “actors” for their performance and highlight how these events and programs bring our community together.
Despite crazy storms and hot temperatures, the Cary 12U Baseball and 14U Softball All-Star teams participated in the 2024 SWAC Tournament. Our 12U Baseball team had a strong tournament, while our 14U Softball team went undefeated through four rounds to take the title. Congratulations to both teams!
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting – August 7
The following neighborhood meetings will be held virtually from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7:
A complaint about a proposed development on Walker Street.
Three complaints about the Waverly Place rezoning proposal. Two thank you from the Lochmere Board correcting misinformation being spread.
A complaint that I am “ruining downtown”.
A complaint about access to tennis courts.
A complaint about development, lack of affordable housing, “people are more than their wages.”
A complaint about the property tax rate.
A request for a letter of support.
A request to build a permanent farmers market facility next to the Ivey-Ellington house.
A complaint about frequent power outages.
A complaint about Google pages for town council are out of date.
A complaint that not providing documents related to stormwater is causing “severe emotional distress”.
A complaint about mosquitoes being eliminated by pesticides.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, Diwali dance practice, a council work session, and a council meeting.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, July 28th, 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.
Monday I was notified that Cary was ranked as the best place to retire in North Carolina by Motley Fool. Here is what they said about Cary:
“Cary has more than 150,000 people and boasts a remarkably low crime rate. It’s located just 11 miles from the Research Triangle and includes 20 of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles of its downtown. The only downside to Cary is that the median home sales price in October 2023 was $567,500, according to Redfin data. Still, if you’re relocating from an area with a higher cost of living to make the most of your retirement plans, choosing a smaller home in Cary may still keep you well within budget.”
Manager One-On-One
Monday afternoon I met with the town manager for about half an hour. Our topics of conversation included budgeted funds for historic preservation, the timeline of the multi-modal center, and the Waverly Place rezoning.
Cary Tennis Classic Board
Monday night I met with the Cary Tennis Classic Board. We talked mostly about activities that will be going on prior to the tournament and the week of the tournament. It will be Cary’s first professional tournament with both men’s and women’s events.
Diwali Dance Practice
Tuesday evening I joined council members and several staff members for the first practice of a Diwali dance that we will perform in October. We will be practicing weekly until that time. The Cary team will have at least 17 dancers this year.
Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force
Wednesday evening I participated in a meeting of the Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force.
The first topic was details about becoming a permanent board. The town clerk explained the process of becoming a permanent advisory board and how to apply for this board. She also explained the policies and procedures for a permanent board. An advisory board year runs from October to the following September.
The board next discussed demographics that should be included for town surveys, how it should be asked, how that information is used, and what is stored and why.
Next the board debriefed on Pride month. Overall, they thought it was a success and look forward to doing more next year.
Their final topic of discussion was a review of their priorities as a permanent advisory board.
NC Metro Mayors
Friday I attended a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors. In this meeting we heard the wrap up of the NC General Assembly’s regular business for 2024. Here is the summary from the Executive Director:
One section of this bill allows cities to continue to score development projects for the provision of water and sewage but restricts the specific things that you can measure in the scoring (not allowing architecturally related measures for example).
Requires cities to compensate owners for the removal of onsite signage. Fairly limited impact.
SB 166 passed and was vetoed by Governor Cooper. His veto cited changes to building codes “limiting options for energy efficiency and electric vehicles” and the removal of “subject matter experts,” (including local government officials) from the building code council. A veto override appears likely, timing dependent on whether the majority is able to muster their members to planned sessions this summer and fall.
The backflow provision was negotiated and now includes our negotiated language changes and three provisions we are not 100% satisfied with.
One of these provisions restricts the ability to perform annual checks on residential irrigation systems that do not have fertilizer attached to them. The provision now requires these checks to occur once every three years.
Lengthy bill (70 pages) – Other provisions of interest to our cities (Derrick’s notes):
Section 1.1: Prohibits a local government from requiring an existing customer to install a backflow preventer unless a hazard determination is made by the utility or the state.
Section 1.4: Requires local governments to perform initial residential building plan review concurrently with other state, federal, and local development review processes. This section also imposes a refund for a portion of permit application fees for building permits not initially reviewed within 20 business days, a change from the bill’s original version which imposed the refunds after 15 days.
Section 1.5: Clarifies a local government may not withhold a building permit or certificate of occupancy for development improvements not yet completed, unless determined to be a public safety issue. The section also clarifies that public safety issues do not include landscaping or street lighting.
Section 1.8: Prohibits local governments from requiring curb and gutter design standards beyond those adopted by NC DOT for subdivision roads.
Section 1.9: Prohibits cities from requiring a developer to construct sidewalks for small residential subdivisions located in municipal ETJ, unless the city accepts long-term maintenance of the pedestrian facilities.
Section 1.12: Requires local governments to conduct an inspection of improvements subject to a performance guarantee within 30 days of a request. If the local government and developer disagree whether the improvements meet local specifications, a developer may obtain a certification under an engineer’s seal attesting the improvement meets the local specifications.
Section 2.1: Prohibits a local government from adopting local fire prevention code standards beyond those required by the Residential Code.
Section 3.4: Establishes the Building Code Permit Technician Certification program for local permit techs.
Section 3.6: Clarifies that local government officials shall not make administrative decisions on the scope of work covered by architect or engineer seals of design affixed to plans.
Section 4.48: Clarifies that, for the purposes of local stormwater programs, artificial turf is not considered a built-upon area.
Section 4.9: Prohibits public water and sewer systems from imposing unauthorized conditions for residential development. Those conditions, often negotiated during the conditional rezoning process, could not be imposed through utility development agreements. Another provision restricts local governments from using unauthorized conditions as metrics for a scoring or preference system to allocate water and sewer among residential development applicants.
The CPACE bill (commercial property assessed clean energy) we discussed earlier this session was signed into law. The portion Nelson was working on relates to the financing capacity for certain qualifying upgrades of commercial properties such as new windows, wiring, lighting, insulation, and solar for resiliency purposes. U.S. Dept of Energy info – energy.gov/financing-cpace
Once a toolkit is developed by the NC Department of Commerce, local municipalities will have the option to adopt regulations that permits CPACE-financed assessments to occur in their jurisdiction. A developer looking to redevelop using CPACE must submit to the local government and must be signed off by the county as well.
This program is expected to be implemented in 4-8 months.
There has been success with this, especially with hotels that need upgrades. This can positively impact travel and tourism.
Talk to your city’s sustainability directors about this program as a possible tool for upgraded energy efficiency programs.
This bill did not move beyond one committee hearing.
While the bill did not move beyond a committee hearing, it did represent a strong indication that legislators are now starting to understand the urgency and costs associated with removing PFAS from our municipal water systems and the environment.
Given new EPA requirements and the rising costs and concerns in our municipal water systems for PFAS, it is IMPORTANT to speak with Legislators about the cost burden placed on water system ratepayers to remove PFAS from water.
The NC Secretary of Environmental Quality remains very interested in taking tours of public works facilities to learn about the costs of removing PFAS from water systems. For cities and water authorities that are currently making – or contemplating – significant investments in managing PFAS in your water system, consider reaching out to NCDEQ so they can come and learn about your strategies.
The Environmental Management Commission proposed new rules around the regulation of PFAS-related materials to be considered at their September meeting.
Suggested article:
Members of the commission charged with adopting rules to protect the state’s air and water resources voted this week to pursue health-based standards for only three PFAS materials prevalent in North Carolina drinking water sources. The Environmental Management Commission’s groundwater and waste management committee Wednesday afternoon declined to recommend to the full commission all eight per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances included in proposed rules set forth by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, or DEQ. The commission’s water quality committee also voted Wednesday to defer a motion to send the surface water rule package on all eight PFAS to the commission for action in its full meeting on Thursday. Read more at Coastal Review, https://coastalreview.org/2024/07/commission-members-balk-on-5-proposed- pfas-standards/
This study bill did not advance, but the hearing in State Government Committee indicated growing frustration with the current tier designation system. Share this with your local economic developers and prepare to discuss your perspective with legislators in the future.
Local Revenues/Local Control
REMINDER: Local bills opposed to statewide legislation, are not subject to signature or veto by the Governor. It appears that controversial local bills are a growing trend, often addressing local government policies and issues. Further evidence that time spent sharing your work and goals with local and regional state legislators is increasingly important.
Various Local Provisions III H1064 (includes Forsyth partisan municipal elections)
Passed to make ALL municipal elections partisan in Forsyth County.
Various Local Provisions I H909 (Summerfield and Kings Mountain)
This bill de-annexed a large portion of land in the town of Summerfield in Guilford County to accommodate a large development that the town had rejected.
This bill also restricted City of Kings Mountain ETJ to only one mile.
This bill began as a state-wide election changes bill, but during the last week of session, they added a provision that would have impacted cities and how elections are handled.
This bill would have restricted local election changes until a new national census is conducted. The restrictions on local governments prevent councils from making changes on a variety of representation and election issues, including:
number of council members, mode of election, partisan nature and process for selection of mayors.
This bill passed the Senate on a partisan basis but did not get a hearing in the House. It could resurface again in the future.
Not many of the bills that were passed this session specifically impacted transportation.
A section of this H198 includes removing vegetation around billboards.
The Governor vetoed this bill because of the language about removing vegetation around billboards.
His veto was overridden by the legislature.
Public Safety
Various Criminal and Election Law Changes H237 – Mask bill
Partially motivated by mask wearing protestors on college campuses, this bill passed in the Senate returned to a pre-COVID ban on wearing masks in public. After a debate regarding public health concerns, a small group of Republican members in the House refused to support it. This led to amendments that allow for the wearing of medical grade masks in public.
The bill includes enhanced penalties for committing crimes while wearing a mask.
Includes an unrelated section on campaign finance.
Governor Cooper vetoed the bill, which was subsequently overridden by the Republican majority in both chambers.
This bill modified the legislation from 2021 state support for cancer insurance for firefighters. It DOES NOT CHANGE the support for firefighters – in fact makes this program PERMANENT and shifts it from a purchased private insurance to a state supported program with third-party administrators for state insurance (previously a state purchased private policy for impacted firefighters, now funded directly by the state).
This bill was designed to provide an additional framework to speed up removing squatters from private property. While this topic is more prevalent in larger cities in other states, several NC cities report a growing trend for squatting in their jurisdictions. We suggest reviewing this with your local law enforcement, because we expect this legislation to pop up again next year.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
As shared in the June 28 Council Weekly Report, the tower crane for the new Cedar Street Parking Deck was erected on schedule this week. This 130-foot tall and 180-foot-long crane will be crucial for unloading and hoisting materials, assisting with concrete pours, and lifting steel and concrete panels. Due to the required location and size, the crane will occasionally span over surrounding areas, including E. Chatham Street and adjacent buildings. When not in use, the crane will act like a weathervane, slowly rotating to match the wind direction and minimize wind loads on the crane arm. Now that it is operational, the crane will receive deliveries from E. Chatham Street in the early morning for the next several months.
While this project continues to make progress here in Cary, I look forward to attending and seeing several of you at the Chamber’s Leadership Conference next week.
Have a great weekend.
Sean
Independence Day Celebrations
Koka Booth Amphitheatre once again served as the hub for Cary’s July 4th celebrations. Mayor Weinbrecht kicked off the festivities and the fireworks display. One of the day’s highlights was a US Veterans Corps rescue demonstration. This thrilling display captivated attendees as they watched demonstrators jump from a helicopter and parachute from a plane into Symphony Lake, followed by an impressive rescue operation using motorized rubber rafts. Additional celebrations for the holiday took place around Cary on the 3rd and 4th. The Cary Town Band’s performance at the Cary Arts Center delighted attendees with classic tunes. Meanwhile, across the street, Downtown Cary Park’s patriotic celebration featured a showing of National Treasure and a variety of other red, white, and blue activities. On the morning of the 4th, the fishing tournament at Bond Park once again drew many families in search of the smallest and largest catch of the day. Overall, Cary’s Independence Day events showcased the community’s unity, providing joy, excitement, and memorable experiences for all.
Walnut Street Road Diet Update
As part of our ongoing efforts to design and plan for the upcoming Walnut Street Road Diet project, surveys have identified some routine maintenance needed on underperforming sections of the sewer and stormwater systems. In preparation for the road diet restriping activities, Public Works crews will begin upgrading these sections starting next week. This work is expected to last 2-3 weeks. During this period, at least one travel lane will remain open in each direction. The road diet project is expected to begin construction later this summer. Additional information can be found on our project website.
Fitch Affirmed Cary’s “AAA” Rating, Stable Outlook
On July 1, Fitch affirmed Cary’s ‘AAA’ rating on Cary’s outstanding General Obligation bonds with a stable outlook. Fitch identified numerous credit strengths including Cary’s financial resilience with ‘high’ revenue and expenditure control resulting in ‘ample’ budgetary flexibility. Fitch also underscored Cary’s strong demographic characteristics highlighting the strength of Cary’s economic level indicators (unemployment rate, education attainment, median household income), strong local commercial and economic bases, as well as proximity to Research Triangle Park and local colleges and universities. Cary maintains ‘AAA’ ratings from all three leading rating agencies: the best possible rating for a local government.
FirstHealth Begins EMS Service in Cary Chatham County
Starting at noon on Monday, Chatham County began providing primary EMS coverage for the Cary area within Chatham. This service is provided by the county’s contracted agency, FirstHealth EMS. The ambulance, housed at Station 8, also referred to as Chatham EMS Station 6, is staffed by two-person medical crew 24 hours a day. So far, the call volume has been very low, with Cary 911 reporting no operational impacts.
North Cary Water Reclamation Facility Marks 40 Years
On July 1, 1984, the North Cary Water Reclamation Facility (NCWRF) opened its doors, marking a significant milestone in Cary’s journey towards utility independence and environmental sustainability. Originally rated for 4 million gallons per day (MGD), the NCWRF quickly became essential to Cary’s future. The facility was upgraded to 10 MGD in 1995 and then to 12 MGD in 2005, ensuring we could support our growing population. One of the facility’s proudest achievements came in 2001 when we became North Carolina’s first permitted reclaimed water distribution system. This achievement was a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative water management practices. As we celebrate 40 years of service, we reflect on the dedication and hard work that has made the NCWRF a model of excellence and a trusted steward of our community’s resources.
Howland Avenue Repaving
Next week, weather dependent, crews will repave Howland Avenue and Magnolia Drive. Work is expected to be complete by July 19. Crews will return to the area in the coming weeks following initial work to repave other streets in the same vicinity. This work is done as part of our larger Street Improvements Project. For more information, including all repaving locations, visit our website.
2024 Standard Specifications and Details Update
Cary’s Standard Specifications and Details Manual was amended on July 1, 2024. The Manual is a valuable resource throughout the organization and the development community. Developers, designers, contractors and vendors routinely depend on our specifications and details to plan and complete their work. The updates fall into three general categories: (1) administrative (renaming and renumbering details and specifications, clarifying requirements, etc.), (2) those required to remain consistent with an outside organization (a change in a law, provision or policy within Cary or from an outside agency), and (3) desired changes to keep Cary great (adding pedestrian crossing requirements, new signalized intersection requirements, soil cell specifications, etc.). The updates and changes will allow all parties to work together more effectively and achieve better results with future developments. The updated Manual is available for reference on Cary’s website at carync.gov/specs.
Wake County JIS Steering Committee Kicks Off in Cary
Communicating accurate and timely information to the public in an emergency is a staff priority. Earlier this year, Wake County Emergency Management approached agencies within the county about the concept of building a virtual Joint Information System (JIS). Garnering support from public safety leaders and city/town managers, Wake County has assembled a steering committee with communications staff from Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Raleigh, Raleigh PD, Wake County, Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Wendell and Zebulon. The first meeting was held in June at Downtown Cary Park, where the group set goals for its planning and implementation. Several small group meetings are scheduled for the coming weeks and the larger group will reconvene later this summer. The first iteration of a virtual JIS is expected to pilot this fall in support of election season.
Maynard Tank Class of 2025
Having closed the books on another successful graduation season, the Maynard Road water storage tank now stands ready to welcome the senior class of 2025. On July 5, contractors climbed 138 feet to the catwalk and completed the 2025 update. Cary celebrates the hopes, dreams, and achievements of Cary’s high school seniors through this much-loved tradition.
A complaint about rezoning proposal 21-REZ-16 off Old Apex Road.
A complaint about rezoning proposal 24-REZ-06 in the Regency Park area.
A complaint about panhandling.
Praise for our animal control officers.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an interview about Cary’s evolution, Diwali dance practice, the Cary Chamber Leadership Conference, and a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, July 21st, 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.
Thursday afternoon I attended the July 4th celebrations at Koka Booth Amphitheater along with several friends. The entire day was emceed and included games, including ice cream eating contests, parachuters into Symphony Lake, the amazing Cary Town Band.
After the Cary Town Band performance, representatives from Craft Public House presented a check for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Shortly after that I provided welcome remarks and was followed by the North Carolina Symphony.
The symphony was followed by 25 minutes of fireworks. Other than the heat (indices around 100), I think it was the best celebration we have had at Booth Amphitheater.
Olympic Swimmers Train in Cary
Friday evening, I joined several dozen people in a reception to watch Olympic swimmers practicing. After talking with several VIPs, I sat poolside and watched the amazing athletes. These are the best swimmers in the world and made the swim drills look almost effortless. They were joined by coaches and staff. From my understanding there are four coaches for every swim stroke, personal coaches, and trainers. I wish them the best.
Mayor’s Mailbox
A complaint about a Waverly Place rezoning proposal 23-REZ-12.
3 complaints about the budget that was approved on June 27th.
A complaint about the DMV office (a state-run agency not Cary).
A complaint about speed humps and roundabouts.
A complaint about 311.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Cary Tennis Classic Board meeting, Diwali Dance practice, and a HRID committee meeting.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, July 14th, 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.
Monday, I attempted to contact all council members to hear of any questions or concerns about the council meeting agenda. It appeared on Monday that the Carpenter Fire Station rezoning would be a split vote and the vote would be close based on feedback I received from council members.
Later in the day I met with staff and went over the agenda items. We expected speakers for the Carpenter Fire Station rezoning and for the Waverly Place rezoning public hearing. We anticipated it would be a long meeting.
Weekly Meeting with Staff
Usually, I meet weekly with the town Manager on Mondays. However, he was traveling so I met with the Chief Strategy Officer, the Town Attorney, and the Town Clerk. Our meeting lasted less than 30 minutes.
Council Work Session
The council held a work session to talk about the Centre at South Hills on Thursday evening. This is scheduled to be part of the bond referendum in the fall. Staff presented a set of concept drawings showing what the Centre could look like. If the bond is approved there will be a Master Plan followed by a Design Plan.
The Centre is planned to have a Community Center, a Senior Center, and competitive space. Wake County has committed $75 million for the competitive space. The competitive space was originally planned for 10 sports courts that could be for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, etc. The concept now has it scaled down to eight courts.
The location of the Centre will be at the corner of Buck Jones Road and the extension of Nottingham Drive on a little over six acres.
The size of the community center/senior center portion of the Centre is planned to be larger than any existing community center in Cary and at least double the size of Herb Young. The plan includes an active living lounge, a teaching/catering kitchen, multipurpose rooms, an exterior patio, classrooms, esports/tech suite, group exercise, indoor/outdoor fitness, a running track, child watch, locker rooms, and more. The community center’s track will be a quarter mile with four elevation changes.
The competitive space will have multi-use athletic courts, one of which will be a glass court with LED lighting. That will allow that court to quickly be configured into just about anything. The competitive space also includes a grandstand, outdoor fitness, concessions, ticketing office, merchandise store, tournament operations, and locker rooms. The competitive space can be converted from 8 basketball courts to 15 volleyball courts, 21 pickleball courts, and others including a mixture of each.
No additional work will be done on the Centre unless there is a positive vote on the bond. If the bond passes the Master Plan and additional steps will involve public input.
Council Meeting
The last regularly scheduled council meeting of the fiscal year was held Thursday night. There was a full auditorium with 2/3 of the audience in attendance for the Waverly Place rezoning public hearing, and the last 1/3 in attendance for the vote on the Carpenter Fire Station at Highcroft PDD rezoning proposal.
The agenda included 5 consent items, 1 public hearing, and 4 discussion items.
The consent agenda included the 23-REZ-06 Woodfield-Walnut Multifamily PDP. This was the second time this property was presented for redevelopment. The proposal from a few years ago was withdrawn since it received such negative feedback.
The only public hearing was on 23-REZ-12 Waverly Place Rezoning. Unfortunately, a lot of misinformation about the proposal, the process, the council, and the staff were spread to a large portion of Lochmere. Some speakers felt the need to character assassinate the council and staff with comments like “the developers have you in their back pockets”, “you are on the take”, “this is a done deal because you won’t listen to us”, and more. In addition, they repeatedly ignored requests to behave in a respectful manner during the hearing. Having been an elected official for over 20 years I can tell you that Cary has one of the best staff in the nation. In fact, they were voted #1 in the country last year. Council members are some of the best people I have met. All sacrifice time from their families because they simply want to help people. I am extremely disappointed in a few of the speakers. That is not a reflection of the Cary I know and love and certainly is not a representation of the many people I know in Lochmere who are informed, kind, and respectful. The Waverly Place rezoning will now go to the Planning and Zoning board for their review and recommendation on whether or not it fits the Cary Community Plan. It will return to the council in a few months (not next month as reported by a local TV station) for a vote.
The first discussion item was on the Carpenter Fire Station at Highcroft PDD rezoning proposal. This was a controversial item because it proposed townhomes and multi-family next to a single-family neighborhood. The Planning and Zoning board and staff both recommended approval because they believed it met the intention of the Cary Community Plan. The council voted 4-3 to approve. The minority vote believed there was not enough transition. While I would have preferred all townhomes adjacent to the single-family, I was OK with mostly townhomes and apartments with over 150-foot set back. I believe any future proposal would have been denser with no townhomes.
The second discussion item was to change how Cary elections are held. Cary has been holding October elections with runoffs in November. That is, if a race doesn’t get 50% plus one there will be a runoff. We are the only municipality in Wake County that does this. Not only is it confusing, but it also costs Cary about an extra $1 million to hold elections on our own. So, the council unanimously approved a resolution of intent to move our elections to plurality (the most votes win). The only problem with plurality is that you can have a winner that didn’t get 50% of the vote if there were multiple candidates.
Our third discussion item was another step in the process of having a bond on this November’s ballot. The council unanimously approved an “Introduction of Bond Orders” and called for a public hearing which will be held on July 25th.
Our last discussion item was to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 budget which takes effect on July 1st. In my 20+ years of being an elected official doing budgets, this was the toughest. The council and staff spent hours and hours going through details of the budget over the last couple of months. Staff have been working on the budget since last year and will start on the next one soon. A huge thank you to all those who worked so hard to create this budget. It will keep Cary on “top of the arc” and continues to allow us to have the lowest tax rate in Wake County. If you would like to see the details of the budget, please read my previous posts.
Our meeting concluded after four hours.
North Carolina Metro Mayors
I participated in a meeting of the NC Metro Mayors on Friday to hear a summary of legislative actions. Here is a summary provided by Checkmate Government Relations:
General Update
The General Assembly wrapped up their work for the 2024 Legislative Short Session this week. The House and Senate left town without a budget compromise but managed to pass two standalone bills that would provide $67.5M in funding for childcare facilities across the state and authorize the enacted teacher pay raises from last year’s budget. There is not expected to be a budget agreement this year.
The House and Senate both passed an adjournment resolution on Thursday. The resolution sets dates for both chambers to reconvene once a month until the end of the year. The majority of these sessions are expected to be skeletal. The adjournment resolution allows for the most legislative work when they reconvene on November 19. The legislature will stand adjourned sine die following the last scheduled meeting on Friday, December 13th.
Veto Overrides
The General Assembly overrode three vetoes from Governor Roy Cooper. The bills are detailed below:
H198, DOT Legislative Changes- This bill makes various changes to transportation laws as recommended by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. You can find Governor Cooper’s veto statement here. The House voted to override his veto on June 26th by a vote of 74-42. The Senate voted to override the veto on Thursday afternoon.
H834, Juvenile Justice Modifications- This bill modifies the definition in statute of “delinquent juvenile” and modifies the transfer process for juvenile cases from juvenile to superior court, among other changes. You can find Governor Cooper’s veto statement here. The House voted to override his veto on June 26th by a vote of 70-46. The Senate voted to override the veto on Thursday afternoon.
H237, Various Criminal and Election Law Changes- This bill enhances the criminal punishment if the defendant wears a mask to conceal their identity during the commission of another crime and modifies the health and safety exemption from certain laws prohibiting wearing face coverings in public. The bill also makes various election law changes. You can find Governor Cooper’s veto statement here. The House voted to override his veto on June 26th by a vote of 70-46. The Senate voted to override the veto on Thursday afternoon.
ABC Bill
On Wednesday, the House approved S527, ABC Omnibus 2023-24. This bill would make several changes to state ABC laws. The bill would allow to-go and delivery sales of mixed beverages and wine by the glass, which was temporarily permitted during the Coronavirus pandemic from December 2020 to June 2021. The bill would also give local ABC boards more flexibility to operate on holidays. The bill was approved by the House by a vote of 105-4 on Wednesday night. The Senate voted to concur with the House changes on Thursday afternoon. The bill will be sent to Governor Cooper for consideration.
Regulatory Reform Bill
S607, Regulatory Reform Act of 2024, the annual regulatory reform bill passed this week. The bill would amend state laws related to occupational licensing, rulemaking, state and local government, and other miscellaneous regulations. The bill contained an important workforce development piece for our heavy hauling truck companies in North Carolina. The bill would allow third parties to train and certify escort vehicle drivers. S607 would also increase the punishment for property crimes against critical infrastructure, including public water supplies and wastewater treatment facilities. The bill has been sent to the Governor for signature.
Summerfield Deannexation
The House voted to concur with the Senate changes to H909, Various Local Provisions I, on Thursday. This bill started as a simple local bill that would de-annex a parcel of land in Fuquay-Varina. The Senate made changes to the bill that would also de-annex 1,000 acres from the town of Summerfield in Guilford County. The bill drew a long debate on the House floor, but no amendments could be added because it was a conference report. The House approved the measure by a final concurrence vote of 72-39. The bill paves the way for a local developer to build a proposed mixed-use retail and housing development on the land. Local bills are not subject to signature by the Governor, and the bill will become law.
Doug McRainey Retires
Doug McRainey, PRCR Director for many years took a great department and made it one of the best in the nation (best in the nation in 2016). We have seen many amazing changes in the decades he has been in charge, with the last one being the Downtown Cary Park. I had the pleasure to get to know Doug on several trips including acceptance of the #1 tennis park in the nation in 2019. Not only was he a great leader but he is a great guy. Like many at town hall, Doug is our friend. We will miss having him around but look forward to seeing him in whatever he decides to do next. A huge thanks to Doug for all the years of service!
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
As Town Manager, I have the opportunity to work side by side with amazing colleagues. Because our culture encourages closeness, our relationships produce the highest “highs” and weather the lowest “lows.” One of the inevitable “lows” is when we have to say goodbye, like we’re doing today to Doug McRainey. Doug’s contributions to our organization, this community, and to me personally are uniquely Doug and far too numerous to list. His impact has been tremendous. His fingerprints are and will remain all over Cary and on so many of our hearts. We’re going to miss you, Dougie! From the Adaptive to the Technical, a reminder: there will be no Weekly Report next Friday because of July 4th, and I’m planning to spend the week at the beach for our annual family vacation. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday. Sean
Follow-Up from the June 27th Work Session
This economic impact slide for the 8-court South Hills facility was presented to Town Council at the April 25 Work Session and discussed again at last night’s Work Session. Our consultant is currently updating the 10-court with arena economic impact report, to reflect our current 8-court concept plan and that report will be shared with Council once available.
Chatham EMS Community Meeting
Councilmembers Sarika Bansal and Lori Bush, along with staff from the Town Manager’s Office, Fire, and Police, joined about 80 citizens at Fire Station 8 on Wednesday. The meeting, organized by staff from Chatham County and FirstHealth Regional, was held to provide information on the upcoming EMS service change for citizens living in the Chatham County portion of Cary. Following a presentation, staff fielded questions from citizens and offered an up-close look at FirstHealth Regional’s ambulance, which will be stationed at Fire Station 8 around the clock. Chatham County staff are on schedule for the EMS service shift, expected to occur at noon on July 8. A list of frequently asked questions and a view of the service area can be found here.
Senior Center Accreditation Celebration
On Wednesday, Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson, Program Manager for Seniors and Aging Michelle Barrett, members of the Senior Advisory Board, and older adults attended an event at the Cary Senior Center to celebrate its national accreditation from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). This accreditation, awarded this year, followed a thorough examination of the center’s operations, programming, and services. Senior Center Director Brett Moraes played a key role in achieving this designation by recruiting and engaging a Self-Assessment Committee. This committee, composed of participants, town staff, instructors, and other community partners, including members of the Senior Advisory Board, worked over a 1.5-year period to obtain this designation.
The Cary Senior Center was also recognized at the NCOA Age+Action Conference in Arlington, VA, in May.
Lane Closures for Cedar Street Parking Deck Project
Starting on July 11, contractors working on the Cedar Street Parking Deck will be erecting a tower crane required for construction. This work will require the closure of the westbound lane of E. Chatham Street for approximately two days. Flaggers will be on-site to maintain two-way traffic. During the 12-month construction process, material deliveries to the site may occasionally require lane closures on E. Chatham Street. These deliveries will be limited to morning hours before peak traffic time and will use flaggers to ensure two-way traffic is maintained.
Propane Introduced into Cary’s Fleet
This week, contractors from Precise Alternative Fuel Solutions completed the installation of propane fuel kits on 20 police vehicles. These bi-fuel kits allow for seamless switching between gasoline and renewable propane during daily operations. Propane is a safe and reliable alternative fuel that helps reduce our carbon footprint while enhancing operational flexibility.
Stormwater and Watershed Protection Master Plan RFQ
In early July, a request for qualification will be issued for the Stormwater and Watershed Protection Master Plan project. Cary is seeking qualified firms to contract with for development of a plan that reaffirms our vision for the future of stormwater. The master plan will be the foundation for a subsequent study to potentially develop and implement a stormwater utility. This solicitation will be advertised on the North Carolina Electronic Vendor Portal, accessible through Cary’s website.
Community Engagement for Optimist Farm Greenway
Approximately 100 people from the West Lake area of Cary attended a drop-in event at the Middle Creek Community Center to learn about the design and construction of Optimist Farm Greenway. Neighbors provided input on the design concepts, which are about 30% complete. Staff plans to reengage with citizens and affected landowners as the design is finalized. Additional information can be found here.
Quinard Drive Extension
Starting July 1, construction of Phase 2 Quinard Drive will begin between SE Maynard Road and Ridgeview Walk Drive as part of the Fenton Mixed-Use Development. On July 8, the existing portion of Quinard Drive, including the driveway to Maynard Summit Way, will close to traffic and remain closed until fall 2025 for construction. The project will involve lane closures on SE Maynard Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The outside lanes of SE Maynard Road will be restored each evening.
This project will connect SE Maynard Road and Trinity Road, improving east-west access and circulation for both Fenton and the greater Eastern Cary Gateway Special Planning Area. The new street will include two travel lanes, a landscaped median, bike lanes, and sidewalks on each side.
US Archery Outdoor States at Mills Park
This past weekend, Cary Archery hosted the USA Archery North Carolina Outdoor State Championship at Mills Park. The event drew 138 participants from across the state, ranging in age from 8 to 75, and welcomed 9 out-of-state guests. Cary Archery had 19 athletes compete, winning 15 medals and 10 state championships! The event also raised money for Gx4 Adaptive Archery, a local charity run by Paralympian, reigning Pan American champion, and current world record holder Wendy Gardner. This organization provides custom-built equipment and training for adaptive athletes in and around North Carolina.
Upcoming Meetings
No Meetings Scheduled
Mayor’s Mailbox
Four complaints about a Waverly Place rezoning proposal 23-REZ-12.
One comment in favor of the Waverly Place rezoning proposal 23-REZ-12.
A complaint about the Old Apex rezoning proposal 21-REZ-16.
A complaint about the Carpenter Fire Station rezoning proposal 22-REZ-14.
A complaint about the Walnut Street rezoning proposal 23-REZ-06.
A complaint about the lack of cul-de-sac resurfacing.
A complaint about lack of streetlights in Willow Oak.
A complaint about the FirstHealth EMS change by the county.
Two complaints about the property tax rate.
Several broadcast emails to tell state lawmakers NO on Senate Bill 630.
A complaint that tall buildings may impact helipads at Wake Med Cary Hospital.
A complaint about a water leak.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, the Forth of July celebration, and a visit from the 2024 Olympic Swim Team.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, July 7th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
Harold's Blog 