Harold's Blog

Manage One-On-One

Monday I talked with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. We mostly talked about a potential bond and what should be in it. Our goal for the quarterly meeting later in the week was to finalize whether or not to have a bond and what would be on it.

WakeMed Cary Hospital Given Grade A

New safety grades by The Leapfrog Group, which evaluates hospital performance, show that the Raleigh/Cary metro area has the seventh-highest number of hospitals with “A” grades in the country, tying with Charleston/North Charleston, SC with 62.5% of the area’s medical centers receiving top marks. WakeMed Cary Hospital was given a “A” grade.

TST Taping

Tuesday morning I did a welcome taping for the upcoming TST (The Soccer Tournament), which will be held for the second time from June 5 through June 10. TST 2024 will expand from 32 to 48 teams in a winner-take-all tournament for $1 Million. New this year to TST is an 8-team, $1 Million, winner-take-all women’s tournament. Headlined by Heather O’ Reilly’s US Women, this field is sure to be stacked with top-tier talent. The format of this 7-on-7 competition is explained this way:

“This is one of the unique, game-altering features of TST. Following the conclusion of the two 20-minute halves, the teams will enter an untimed period to determine the winner. The official winner will be determined by the first team that reaches a predetermined target score. The Target Score will be defined as one more goal than the leading team’s goal total after the two halves. ​For example: if Team A leads Team B by a score of 5-3 at the end of 40 minutes of game action, the Target Score will be set at 6. The first team to reach 6 goals wins. So, Team A would need to score just one more goal in order to win, while Team B would need to score three unanswered goals to be declared winner. If the target is not reached after 5 minutes, one outfield player from each team exits the field until only one is left, with the process continuing every 5 minutes until the winning goal is scored.”

This is extremely entertaining, and it is a must see.

Water Resources Report

The council was presented the annual water resources report on Thursday. Here are some of my takeaways:

• The North Cary Water Reclamation Facility has been operating for 40 years.
• The Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility, capable of producing 56 million gallons a day, is operating at 41% of capacity only using 23.1 million gallons a day.
• Apex is using 59% if their allotment and Morrisville is using 58% of their allotment.
• The North Cary Wastewater Facility is operating at 51% of capacity.
• The South Cary Wastewater Facility is operating at 40% of capacity.
• The Western Wake Regional Wastewater Facility is operating at 38% of capacity.
• Per person water usage has decreased since the program was established in 1995 from 72 gallons per day to 49 gallons per day.

Quarterly Report

The council was presented the 3^rd Quarter report for fiscal year 2024 (January – March) on Thursday. Here are a few of my takeaways:

• As of March 31, Cary’s General Fund shows expenditure trends outpacing revenues due to inflation, less consumer spending, and increased costs.
• Overall, the General Fund net results decreased by $6.3 million compared with Quarter 3 of last year.
• Property Tax, the largest revenue source, increased 2% from Q3 last year.
• Sales Tax, the second largest revenue source, increased modestly compared to Q3 last year where they increased by 12%.
• Permit and fee revenue decreased by 24%.
• General Fund expenditures have increased by 6% over last year.
• The Utility Fund expenditures are marginally greater than revenues with an 8% increase in expenditures.
• Cary has 537 general capital projects totaling $696.6 million and $419.2 million of utility capital projects.
• The four largest capital investments: $12.9 downtown Cary multi-modal transit facility, $8.2 million parking deck at Chatham and South Harrison, $8.7 million Winding Pine regional pump station, and $5 million new resource planning system to modernize information systems.
• The council committed $2.4 million over the next three years to establish Stable Homes Cary, increase Dorcas’s case management capacity, and support Dorcas’s administration of the existing Oasis Utility Bill and Plan it Forward programs.
• Cary issued 59 new detached residential and townhouse permits in the third quarter.
• 110 detached and townhouse certificates of occupancy were issued this quarter. This is 160 fewer than the same period last year.
• Cary did not issue any building permits for new multifamily this quarter.
• Cary issued 422 permits for alterations and additions this quarter which is a 9% increase.
• Three nonresidential projects for a total of 297,243 square feet were issued. The largest was a parking deck at Fenton.
• There were 32 rezoning cases in the process this quarter with 3 getting approved.
• Cary approved 46 development plans this quarter.
• Construction of Jordan Hall is underway with crews ready to install drywall.
• The Ivey Ellington House began renovations with expected completion in Spring of 2025.
• The freshly renovated Ed Yerha Park is now open.
• Cary’s Diavolo disk golf course at New Hope moved up in the world rankings to number 21 and was number 4 for free public courses.
• Cary Senior Center was awarded national accreditation through the National Council on Aging.
• The Chinese Lantern Festival saw 216,000 visitors and generated more than $8 million in direct economic impact.
• Cary will begin resurfacing 11 miles of streets as part of the Street Improvement Project for 2024.
• This quarter Cary upgraded four signalized intersections to improve safety for all modes of transportation and optimize traffic flow.
• The GoCary Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility has reached its final design and is expected to begin construction in the fall.
• This quarter Cary added two new electric vehicles to its fleet.
• Cary has kicked off its Greenway Safety Campaign to educate and engage the public and include a technical evaluation of Cary’s greenways. With electric-assist bicycles now allowed, Cary seeks to be proactive with a safety campaign that will emphasize key greenway rules and etiquette.
• Cary opened a second food waste drop-off site at Mills Park.
• Cary began dredging Symphony Lake to restore the environmental and water quality characteristics of the lake. Paving and other restoration are anticipated to be completed in May.

The complete Quarterly report can be found here.

Parking Update

A parking update was provided to the council on Thursday. Here are a few basic points:

• The Walnut Street Parking deck has approximately 600 spaces. 236 are for public use, 120 have been designated for Cary Regional Library, and 250 are licensed to The Walker.
• The Cedar Street Parking Deck next to the Rogers will have 300 spaces all for public use. Demolition is underway. The deck will have smart parking technology (sensors, gates, signs) and rooftop solar panels. Estimated completion is the summer of 2025.
• The Academy Street Parking Deck (Meridian West and First Baptist) will have 450 spaces. 220 will be for public use, including EV and ADA. 230 will be for Meridian West residents.

Details about these parking decks can be found here.

Town Council Quarterly Meeting

A quarterly meeting was held with staff and council for half a day on Thursday. Topics included a quarterly financial update, the FY 2025 recommended budget, the 2024 proposed bond referendum, and a capital projects update.

The financial update included a lot of comparisons from 1998 to give an idea of value change. Here are some of the points I noted from the financial update and the recommended budget:

• Cary was 40.43 square miles in 1998 and is now 61.05 square miles.
• The population was 85,000 with 89% white. Today we are at 187,000 with 57% white.
• The median household income was $104,023 in today’s dollars. Today it is $125.317.
• The total assessed value of Cary properties was $6.06 billion in 1998. Today it is $51.81 billion.
• The median price of a home in 1998 was $206,906 in today’s dollars. Today the median price is $647,748.
• The median property tax in 1998 was $1,117.20 in today’s dollars. Today it is $2,105.18 if the proposed tax rate of 32.5 cents is approved.
• There were 13 parks, 10 miles of greenways, 5 fire stations, and 302.22 miles of streets in 1998. Today there are 39 parks, 95 miles of greenways, 9 fire stations, and 510 miles of streets.
• Since 1998 we have added 26 new parks, 85 miles of greenways, 1,790 acres of Park, Recreation, and cultural resource land, 4 new fire stations, 1 relocated fire station, 208 miles of streets, and 35,153 utility customers.
• We also added C-Tran/GoCary, redeveloped town hall campus, made massive technological improvements, created the Imagine Cary Community Plan, beehives on public land, pollinator gardens, My Tree Our Tree program, Composting programs, Healthy Homes program, Stable Homes program, Adaptive Stormwater approach, Solar Initiatives and solar farms, EV charging stations, EV town vehicles and hybrid vehicles, the 311 center, leaf collection, snow removal program, pothole repair program, and much more.
• Based on projected municipal tax rates in Wake County, Cary will have the lowest tax rate once again at 32.5 cents. This is followed by Fuquay, Apex, Morrisville, and Holly Springs with tax rates under 35 cents.
• Eight properties were evaluated across town. In one example of a downtown property the property value changed 493% since 1994. The tax bill, in today’s dollars, changed 41% over that same time. In another example near Maynard, Cary Parkway, and Castalia the property changed 601% while the tax bill decreased 20% in today’s dollars. The other examples were less dramatic.
• The 32.5 cent tax rate will be part of the proposed budget on May 17^th.
• Our financial model has been based on growth. Growth has subsidized our finances for years. Those days of high growth are over, and our residential permits are declining. Cary will need to decide whether it wants to cut services or pay more to keep Cary as good as it is.

A potential bond referendum for this fall moved forward. On June 10^th the council is scheduled to adopt a resolution of intent. On June 27^th the council is scheduled to introduce bond orders and adopt a sworn statement. A public hearing would be held and the adoption of a resolution calling for a referendum would be on July 25^th. A vote on the bond would be at the November 5^th election.

On the capital projects update it was noted that Cary has not built a community center since 2001.

Trip to Roanoke

Thursday I traveled to Roanoke as part of my Government Relations job. I joined a post President of APWA (American Public Works Association) in talking about communicating with management, councils, and the public. I was also present for a Cary staff members presentation on pavement management.

Legislative Summary

The legislative summary for this week is provided by Checkmate Government Relations:

Short Session Begins

The 2024 North Carolina legislative short session convened on April 24th.  The short session takes place on even-numbered years and is typically used to address unfinished policy items and budget corrections from the long session.  Governor Cooper presented the legislature with his Budget Recommendations while House and Senate Appropriations Chairs work on their own proposal. North Carolina has a projected $1.4 billion surplus in state revenues through Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.  The surplus is expected to be used to fund the Opportunity Scholarship program, childcare shortages, and teacher pay raises. 

ICE Bill

This week, the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved a proposed committee substitute for HB10, Require Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE.  This bill requires sheriffs to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the United States Department of Homeland Security and to honor immigration detainers and administrative warrants.  The bill would require ICE to be notified when an individual, charged with certain offenses, is in custody and their legal residency or United States citizenship status is undetermined.  Judicial officers would be required to order prisoners, subject to detainers and administrative warrants, be held in custody for 48 hours, or until ICE resolves the request.  The bill passed its third reading on the Senate floor Thursday morning and will be sent to the Governor. 

School Choice Funding Bill

A proposed committee substitute for HB823, Eliminate School Choice Program Waitlists, passed on the Senate floor. The bill will return to the House for a concurrence vote before being sent to the Governor. H823 provides additional funding for the Opportunity Scholarship grant program and the North Carolina Personal Education Student Accounts for Children with Disabilities Program.  The General Assembly eliminated income requirements for the Opportunity Scholarship program last year, opening the door for a broader range of families to apply. The high demand for these state-funded vouchers created a waitlist, leaving many families in North Carolina still waiting for approval.  Senator Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) was a sponsor of this bill and a strong advocate for clearing the waitlist. The current budget bill includes $191.5 million for the voucher program for the 2024-2025 school year, and the funding will increase to $415.5 million for the 2025-2026 school year.  The Senate’s proposal would add another $215.5 million to that amount for 2025-2026 and subsequent years. 

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Several complaints about rezoning proposals 22-REZ-19 and 24-REZ-06. (Since there hasn’t been a public hearing, the council has very little information about these proposals. A decision is months away.)
• A complaint about Epic Games.
• A request for a high school internship.
• A complaint about traffic: “There is basically zero traffic enforcement.” (Sorry but that is not true)
• Questions about the Laurel Street apartments.

Next Week

Next week I will be having shoulder surgery. My initial recovery will prevent me from any activities. I will be in a sling for six weeks with a target of full recovery in 4 to 6 months. So please be patient with me if I don’t promptly respond to emails, texts, or phone calls.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, May 19^th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Council Meeting Prep

Monday I contacted council members to hear of questions or concerns about the agenda for the meeting on Thursday. Later in the day I met with staff and Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson to go over the agenda. We believed it would be a short meeting since there were no concerns or controversial issues.

Council Member Bush Meeting

Tuesday, I talked with council member Bush about representing Cary at the US Mayors Roundtable and the City Data Alliance by Bloomberg philanthropy.

The US Mayors Roundtable is all sponsored by private companies and allows mayors or their representatives to come together to share strategies to addressing issues. Ms. Bush will report back findings that could be beneficial to Cary.

Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance works with mayors and cities across the Americas to provide executive education and coaching on how to leverage data to strengthen local government operations, innovate public services, and produce better outcomes for residents including improving access to health care, reimagining waste management systems, expanding affordable housing, or combatting homelessness. The suite of support provided to cities in the City Data Alliance helps mayors and their senior teams deepen their use of data to inform decisions, transform systems, understand impact, and communicate results. 

A big thank you to council member Bush for taking on these responsibilities.

Hum Sub Meeting

Tuesday evening I joined council member Bush and representatives of Hum Sub in talking about the town’s participation in the Diwali dance later in the year. Cary should have close to a dozen elected officials and staff that are willing to participate. Our practices will begin in the second week of July.

Glenaire Ribbon Cutting

Thursday morning I joined council members Bush and Craig at the Ribbon Cutting for the Glenaire Expansion. I provided a few remarks before reading a proclamation:

Celebrating the Expansion of Glenaire in Cary

WHEREAS, since its founding in 1993, Glenaire has set a standard of excellence in person-centered care, profoundly enriching the lives of its residents and the wider Cary community.

WHEREAS, today we honor the significant expansion of Glenaire, which adds 192 apartment homes, enabling a greater number of seniors to experience an exceptional quality of life in a community tailored to their needs. This expansion brings with it a state-of-the-art wellness center, a variety of dining options, and increased opportunities for artistic expression and lifelong learning, enhancing the daily experiences of its residents; and

WHEREAS, senior housing is vital to our community’s fabric, allowing older adults to live with independence and dignity, while remaining an active part of our vibrant society. As our demographic landscape of Cary shifts towards an older population, we recognize the importance of creating a community that supports its residents in aging with grace and security.

WHEREAS, Glenaire continues to evolve under the dedicated leadership of its management and with the support of Brightspire, contributing significantly to help Cary meet the needs of our aging population;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Harold Weinbrecht, Jr., Mayor of Cary, North Carolina, on behalf of the Cary Council, do hereby proclaim today as a day of celebration in honor of the expansion of Glenaire. We extend our best wishes for their continued success as an integral part of our community, furthering our mission to provide a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment for our citizens of all ages.

PROCLAIMED this 25th day of April 2024.

Also providing remarks were the Executive Director, the President of Brightspire (parent company), and the Cary Chamber President. Congratulations to Glenaire and we look forward to many more years of collaboration.

Huntington’s Disease Proclamation

Thursday afternoon I met with the Executive Director of HD Reach to present a proclamation. Huntington’s disease is an inherited disorder that causes nerve cells in parts of the brain to gradually break down and die. The disease attacks areas of the brain that help to control intentional movement, as well as other areas. People living with Huntington’s Disease develop uncontrollable dance-like movements and abnormal body postures, as well as problems with behavior, emotion, thinking, and personality. HD Reach is working to improve the care and quality of life for those affected by Huntington’s disease. Founded as a nonprofit in 2009, they provide connections to medical providers, referrals to local services, care management, family support, education, and anonymous genetic testing. I was honored to present a proclamation to help with awareness of this terrible disease.

Council Work Session

Thursday evening the council held a work session to talk about the Center at South Hills, a potential bond referendum this fall, and how Cary will hold future elections.

The staff did a great presentation giving the history of the Center which originally included an arena. The original design presented to the council at the 2023 retreat cost in the $500 million to $600 million range. It was clear that was cost prohibitive even with $75 million from the county. Two options were presented at this work session. Both options included a community center and senior center. The options differed on basketball courts. The option with just four basketball courts would be approximately $230 million. The option with eight basketball courts would be approximately $280 million. The eight basketball courts would create a venue for competition, which was the original intent of the Center. The four basketball courts would be just for local play. It is estimated that the eight-court option would create 32-40 tournaments, 20,000 to 25,000 room nights, and $25 to $30 million in economic impact. The eight-court version would also allow the $75 million promised from the county which would more than make up the difference in the cost of the two options. The council discussed this at length and will decide at an upcoming quarterly meeting.

A potential bond was also discussed. The current list of projects on the potential bond would be in the $500 to $600 million. The council discussed dividing the projects into two separate bonds since all the bond work couldn’t be done at the same time anyway. The council will decide whether to have a bond and what will be on that bond at an upcoming quarterly meeting.

It should be noted that the property reevaluation and the future tax rate was also part of the bond discussion. The council’s decision will be whether to cut or maintain services. Cutting services would be needed to reach revenue neutral. To cut services would likely include cuts in police, fire, and public works since that makes up 85% of our cost according to the town manager. Personally, I would have an extremely difficult time cutting services to those areas. They are all vital to our community’s success.

The final work session topic was on future elections. Cary currently holds elections in odd years in October. If a candidate does not have 50% plus one vote, then there is a runoff. We are the only municipality that now does this. Which means we can’t share election costs with other municipalities. And those costs this past election were around $900,000. Other municipalities hold their elections in November with the top vote getter (plurality) being elected. Cary did that years ago, which meant that the voting majority could vote for someone other than the person elected. Because of the confusion of holding October rather than November elections, and the cost associated with holding elections in October, the council unanimously approved to go to plurality elections. The process to change will move forward in time to allow plurality in the 2025 elections.

Council Meeting

The council held its last regularly scheduled meeting of April on Thursday night. The agenda included the recognition of French culinary students from Le Touquet, four consent items, three public hearings, and a closed session.

The consent items included minutes, meeting schedule adjustments, Trinity Road Townhouses Annexation (rezoning already approved), and year in budget adjustments (put unspent money back in the General Fund).

The first public hearing was to close a portion of a road platted decades ago that never got built. A portion of this road is located under existing buildings being demolished for the new parking structure. No one spoke at the public hearing, and it was approved unanimously.

The second public hearing was to consider approval of the FY 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan and the proposed list of funding recommendations, authorizing staff to submit the Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and pursue initiative implementation. A few speakers spoke in favor of the plan, thanking the council for their support. The plan was approved unanimously.

The final public hearing was on the South Hills rezoning and development. This rezoning includes properties totaling approximately 44.35 acres along Buck Jones Road near Walnut Street. The rezoning request would allow a vertically integrated, mixed-use development with primarily structured parking. The rezoning would create a block structure and street grid for the site and three height zones, with the highest buildings being allowed closest to U.S. 1. The plan requires ground floor activation along specific pedestrian-focused areas of the site. The request also includes a District Development Standards document to govern the site development and design of the project. This project will now go to the Planning and Zoning board for their review and recommendation. It will return to the council for a vote in a few months.

Cary #1 Best Place to Live in NC

Friday morning I was notified that Cary was ranked as the #1 best place to live in North Carolina by NICHE. This ranking was based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. Here was what they said about Cary:

“Cary is a suburb of Raleigh with a population of 174,880. Cary is in Wake County and is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Living in Cary offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Cary there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families live in Cary and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Cary are highly rated.”

While I appreciate the ranking very much, Cary is NOT just a suburb of Raleigh, and our population is now over 187,000. That perception of being a suburb was invalidated years ago with more people coming to work in Cary than leaving to work elsewhere. In addition, we are consistently recognized nationally for many things independent of Raleigh and recognized more than Raleigh.  

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

The staff and I found yesterday’s work session and Council meeting to be extremely valuable, and we appreciate the thoughtful dialogue and action on several key items. The day set the perfect foundation for next week’s Quarterly Meeting. Until then, enjoy the updates that follow as well as your time at Spring Daze.
Sean

Children’s Day Festival

The Children’s Day Festival took place in Downtown Cary Park on April 20. Hosted by the American Turkish Association of NC in collaboration with Cary Sister Cities and the Town of Cary, the event was a vibrant celebration. Councilmember Sarika Bansal led the reading of the proclamation, accompanied onstage by Councilmembers Carissa Kohn-Johnson and Michelle Craig, alongside NC Senator Gale Adcock and ATA-NC presenter, Buket Aydemir. This joyous community gathering spotlighted the talents of local youth from various cultural backgrounds, embodying a truly international celebration created by and for kids!

Council Member Craig Welcomes German Students

Last Friday, Councilmember Michelle Craig welcomed a student exchange group from Oberursel, Germany, to Cary Town Hall. This visit is part of a broader exchange program with Cary Academy, during which the students explore the three levels of government, including trips to Raleigh and Washington, DC.

Walnut Street Road Diet Update

Staff across the organization continue to work on this high priority project, which will provide safety enhancements along Walnut Street between Maynard Road and Kildaire Farm Road. With surveying ongoing, next week, contractors will begin video inspections of the underground utilities, including sewer and storm systems. This work is expected to take 2 – 3 weeks as we continue to develop options for the road diet project expected to begin construction later this summer. Additional information can be found on our project website.

Walnut Street Parking Deck Maintenance

Cary will be conducting maintenance on the Walnut Street Parking Deck from April 29 to May 11. The deck will remain open, but the work will have an impact on parking and traffic flow on all levels. Traffic control staff will be on hand to assist drivers throughout the duration of the project. Drivers are asked to use extra caution in the deck during this time and plan for possible delays during busier hours. Visitors to Downtown Cary can find more parking options on our Downtown Parking Map. Cary thanks its partners at The Walker and Wake County Public Library for working collaboratively to develop this schedule.

Harrison Avenue In-Road Warning Lights Complete

Pedestrian safety enhancements were completed this week and are now fully operational at the existing crosswalk of Harrison Avenue at Hillsboro Street (Cary Depot). The combination of in-road warning lights, LED-enhanced signs and accessible (audible) pedestrian push buttons are expected to improve mobility for pedestrians crossing to and from the depot. Transportation, Public Works and Construction and Field Services staff were all on-hand to observe various stages of the installation in anticipation of this system continuing to be in Cary’s toolbox of pedestrian and traffic safety devices. A similar installation is planned for Walnut Street this summer.

Earth Day in Cary

Earth Day was celebrated this week with a variety of environmental programs and events. Cary’s March Into Earth Day campaign was recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association  for its excellence in environmental outreach and equity. Thanks to our dedicated community members, the Spruce program hosted 195 volunteers who collected more than 3,000 pounds of litter town-wide, with additional environmental events at Good Hope Farm and Hemlock Bluffs. A birding class explored urban forests in Bond Park, while the Cary Teen Council, The Cary Theatre, and Environment staff hosted an Earth Day film screening and panel discussion on youth sustainability. Throughout April, social media promoted discounted compost bins and rain barrels, and two Cary It Green pop-up booths offered resources downtown. About 30 participants joined our free online lunch-and-learn about residential solar. The week concludes with Earth Day Lane at Spring Daze.

Wastewater Collection System Smoke Testing to Begin Next Week

Beginning Monday, April 29th, Public Works staff will begin introducing non-toxic detection smoke into select sewer lines. Crews will test approximately 600 manholes and more than 20 miles of sewer lines over the next two weeks. In support of Cary’s commitment to efficient and environmentally sustainable infrastructure, we annually perform smoke testing in the sanitary sewer system to identify locations where storm water and other surface waters are entering Cary’s collection system and to also reveal sources of sewer odors. This testing helps eliminate the unnecessary cost of treating ground water by minimizing the inflow and infiltration of clean water sent on to treatment plants. All properties affected are sent a notification letter with all pertinent information and a point of contact for any questions. Testing will take place around the Oakwood Heights neighborhood near downtown, and the Vandiver.  

Staff Attends State Energy Conference at NC State

This week, staff attended this year’s State Energy Conference of North Carolina at NC State University and met with Steven Kalland, Director of the NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Attendees were updated on tools and techniques to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and learned about funding opportunities across the state.

West Point Leadership Program Graduates

On April 23, Sergeant Joel Pyland and Corporal Justin Millard graduated from the 36th cohort of the West Point Leadership Program (WPLP). Developed by Methodist University’s Center for Excellence in Justice Administration, WPLP is a 16-week leadership course aimed at inspiring leaders to adopt an informed, systematic, and dynamic approach to leadership in police organizations. Adapted from the third-year course PL300 Military Leadership at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, WPLP is designed to cultivate leadership skills. We are incredibly proud of Sergeant Pyland and Corporal Millard for their dedication and hard work throughout this program.

VFW Honors Fire and Police Personnel

Police Detective Matt Cullen and Fire Captain Allen Monds were celebrated by the Cary Franklin-Sloan VFW Post 7383 on Saturday at its annual First Responders Banquet awards ceremony. Detective Cullen, a veteran of the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, was recognized for his service as a task force officer on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. He has built successful partnerships with local, state, and federal entities toward the successful disruption and prosecution of drug trafficking organizations. Captain Monds, who is set to retire April 29 with over 28 years of service, was selected as his recruit academy’s top recruit in 1996, developed future firefighters throughout his career as a shift training officer and recruit academy instructor, commanded the department’s Honor Guard for much of his career, and more recently served on the ground floor of both the Town of Cary’s interdepartmental drone team and the Cary-Apex-Morrisville fire departments’ Pipe and Drums team. Police and Fire are incredibly proud of Detective Cullen and Captain Monds, honored by their recognition, and grateful for the continued service of the men and women of the Cary Franklin-Sloan VFW Post 7383.

Youth Leadership Cary

Last Tuesday, the Youth Leadership Cary program, sponsored by the Cary Chamber of Commerce, partnered with the Herb Young Community Center to give back to the Cary community. Local high school teens volunteered to assist those in need, working together to assemble bedroom furniture, home decor, and other items for children living in foster care.

2024 ACC Tennis Championships

The Atlantic Coast Conference Tennis Championships took place at the Cary Tennis Park from April 17 to 21. The Florida State Seminoles, seeded 6th, claimed victory in the Men’s division, upsetting NC State, Wake Forest, and the nation’s top-ranked team, Virginia. On the Women’s side, the 1st-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels defeated Virginia in the Finals. With over 3,000 spectators, this year’s event marked the highest attendance in ACC Tennis Championships history at the Cary Tennis Park.

Upcoming Meetings

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, May 1
12:00 p.m.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
Wednesday, May 1
6:30 p.m.

Council Quarterly Meeting
Thursday, May 2
1:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A complaint about sidewalks in Taylor Pond.
• Invitations to several events.
• A request to not have a median on Walnut Street.
• Thank you for our commitment to affordable housing.
• A request for a job in town government.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a welcome taping for TST (The Soccer Tournament), and a council quarterly meeting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, May 5^th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Wake County Mayors Association

Monday evening the Wake County Mayors Association met in Cary. In attendance were mayors from Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon. The meeting started with a presentation from the Homebuilders Association on the economic impacts of residential housing construction in the triangle. Here are a few of my takeaways from that presentation:

• The gap between the number of housing starts versus the population is growing.
• Single family starts are expected to decline this year but will trend higher in coming years.
• Wake County population grew faster than national and state rates.
• The typical new home size is trending lower and is currently just over 2200 square feet.
• The Raleigh MSA (Metropolitan Service Area’s) home price grew by 53% since COVID. The nation grew by 43%.
• Across the nation insufficient resale inventory is supporting demand for new construction.
• 64% of Raleigh MSA can’t afford a median price house.

The remainder of the meeting was spent talking mostly about municipal budgets. Based on the comments, no municipality in Wake County is planning on revenue neutral. Of course, we are all just beginning our budget process.

Town Manager One-On-One

Tuesday I talked briefly with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our conversation was about the budget. Staff will make their first presentation at a council work session on April 25^th.

Sister Cities Student Reception

Tuesday night I joined council members Smith, Bansal, Craig, and the Sister Cities Commission to welcome culinary students from Le Touquet, France. I spent time talking with the eight students who were all visiting the United States for the first time. The relationship with Le Touquet has been going on for decades. My wife and I hosted students for years in the early 2000s and still stay in contact with some of them. What a great program for Cary.

Condensed Video Version of State of Cary

An updated condensed video of the State of Cary was posted on Tuesday. You can watch it here. It is a little under 11 minutes whereas the full version is over 30 minutes.

Economic Development Committee Meeting

The Economic Development Committee met Wednesday evening and discussed four items.

The committee provided feedback on the Kildaire Farm Road Corridor Concept Plan. The committee agreed on the option to add bike lanes and 10-foot sidewalks with medians. Members stated that the initial focus should be from Maynard to downtown. The concept also calls for connecting businesses along Kildaire so that trips between businesses can be done without getting on and off Kildaire. Once the corridor is close to completion the committee recommended a trolley or shuttle bus to connect to downtown. These ideas and more will be brought to the council in a work session sometime in the winter of next year.

A development update for Quarter 3 (January through March) was provided by the Director of Development. There are currently 32 rezoning cases in process and 3 were approved in Q3. Only 59 detached unit permits were issued in the quarter as these continue to decline. There are 43 development plans under review.

In the town manager’s remarks, he noted that sales revenues have dropped dramatically. Expenses have also risen significantly above revenues, which is not sustainable. The council will have to choose between cutting services or not being revenue neutral. The first budget work session with the council will be on April 25^th.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce presented a summary of Economic Development. Here are some of the notable items:

• 33 active projects with a potential of 7169 jobs and $3.43 billion in investment.
• The park overlook development plan of 162,000 square feet has been approved.
• Vacancy rates for R&D are about 8.2% and for Manufacturing about 17%.
• Deutsche Bank is getting ready to hire about 200.
• Hybrid trends look to be permanent with an average of 2 days in the office.
• Baker Roofing purchased 3500 Regency Parkway and is moving 300 employees to Cary.

The meeting ended after a few remarks from its members. The next scheduled meeting is July 31.

Cary Matters Taping

Thursday afternoon I joined council member Jack Smith for a taping of a Cary Matters episode. This episode was about a food waste program.

In Cary 27% of our residential waste is food waste. If compostables are included that number jumps to 44%. Cary held a pilot program for drop off food waste at Dixon Avenue last year. Over 200,000 pounds of food waste was collected. 20,000 pounds of compost created from the waste was used at Good Hope Farm, an urban farm that supports the local food system through events, workshops, farm-grown produce, and resources for new farmers. Cary has a new food waste recycling drop-off at Mills Park.

Elected Officials Reception

I joined council members Smith, Bush, Kohn-Johnson, Bansal, and Craig at the Cary Chamber’s Elected Officials Reception. The title sponsor provided remarks and then I provided remarks on behalf of the town. In my remarks I thanked the local, state, and federal elected officials for all they have done and will do to keep Cary the best of the best, or as we say, the Top of the Arc.

Town Manager’s Report

Dan’s Message

Spring has sprung and once again great things are happening in Cary. I’m so proud to work with such an amazing council and staff as we move important initiatives forward.
On a personal note; I’ve spent most of this week moving. It’s a humbling activity that made me grateful for the support of friends and colleagues who together make something that is hard as easy as possible.
Have a great weekend, I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Happy Friday!
Dan

Grand Opening of USA Baseball Training Center

On April 13, Cary and USA Baseball announced the grand opening of the Training Center and USA Baseball’s Executive Offices at the National Training Complex at Thomas Brooks Park. Mayor Weinbrecht, Councilmember Sarika Bansal, PRCR Director John Collins, USA Baseball’s President John Gall, and CEO Paul Seiler spoke at the ceremony. The grand opening coincides with a 20-year agreement that was signed by Cary and USA Baseball, solidifying Cary, North Carolina, as the permanent governing body for baseball in the United States. To cap the weekend’s event, Mayor Weinbrecht threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the National High School Invitational alongside USA Baseball President John Gall. A special thank you to the Cary Council for their support of this addition to the already amazing National Training Complex.

Cary’s French Connection

Eight culinary students are visiting from Cary’s Sister City, Le Touquet, France as part of a cultural and culinary exchange with Cary Sister Cities and Wake Tech, where they will spend five weeks working and learning at Heron’s, Peck & Plume, and Maximillian’s. Mayor Weinbrecht and Councilmembers Smith, Bansal, and Craig enjoyed a reception hosted by Cary Sister Cities on Tuesday evening at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center to welcome the students.
Councilmember Smith also introduced the students at last night’s Elected Officials reception at the Umstead Hotel and Spa where he was joined by Mayor Weinbrecht and Councilmembers Craig, Bush, and Kohn-Johnson. The students will also be recognized at next week’s Council meeting.  

In-Road Warning Light System Installed

In-road warning lights were installed and successfully tested this week on Harrison Avenue at the Hillsboro Street crosswalk. These fourteen LED light “pucks” supplement the poles and equipment installed last week and will be paired with LED-enhanced warning signs to complete this first-in-Cary pedestrian warning device, which is expected to be fully operational by the end of next week.

This same system is planned to also be installed this summer on Walnut Street at the existing crosswalk near R.S. Dunham Park. An educational video showing this system is available on Cary’s website.

Staff Attends 2024 SDITE Conference

Sammy Wood presented at the 2024 Southern District Institute of Transportation Engineers (SDITE) conference in Wilmington, NC. Sammy shared how the Reedy Creek Road project connected with our citizens by promoting safety, health, and welfare, protecting the environment, and promoting quality of life. Luana Deans and Rob Myers attended the conference as well and enjoyed collaborating and learning about trends in the transportation industry from NC and several other states in the surrounding southeast region.

NCDOT QMS Asphalt Program

Cary staff members John Holland, Shane Atkins, Pat Goldman, and Bruce Clark earned their Quality Management Systems (QMS) Asphalt Roadway Technician Certification at the Spring 2024 NCDOT QMS Asphalt Training in Charlotte. This accreditation developed by NCDOT is designed to support technicians, engineers, and project managers who wish to enhance their skill set in roadway and street asphalt paving practices.

Sergeant Dusting Wright Graduates AOMP

Cary Police Sergeant Dustin Wright graduated from the 98th Session of the Administrative Officer’s Management Program (AOMP) on Thursday, April 11. Hosted by North Carolina State University’s School of Public and International Affairs, AOMP is a unique educational course of study for public safety professionals seeking career advancement. AOMP convenes a class of 25 students from agencies across the nation who embark on an intensive 12-week academic program during which they earn 15 undergraduate and graduate-level college credits and a certificate of completion. Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Wright on achieving this milestone in his leadership journey.

Police and Sheriff’s Attorney Conference

Deputy Town Attorney Nick Yates presented on the topic of law enforcement agency interactions with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Department of Labor at the North Carolina Association of Police and Sheriffs’ Attorneys Conference in Wilmington, NC. Nick is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association.

Upcoming Meetings

Cultural Arts Committee
Wednesday, April 24
5:00 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Thursday, April 25
4:45 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Regular)
Thursday, April 25
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Complaints about the tax rate for the next current fiscal year (The council has not begun to review the budget. Our choice will be to cut or maintain services. The latter will mean we will not be revenue neutral).
• A complaint about pro-Hamas demonstrations in Cary.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, private meetings with council members, a ribbon cutting at Glenaire, a council-staff work session, and a council meeting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 28^th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Council Meeting Prep

Monday I attempted to contact all council members to hear of any questions or concerns they may have had about the agenda for the regular meeting later in the week. More than one council member expressed a concern with the rezoning proposal for the Carpenter Fire Station at Highcroft PDD. Later in the day I met with Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson and staff to go over the agenda. Our meeting lasted about fifteen minutes.

Town Manager One-On-One

After the council prep meeting I had my weekly one-on-one with the town manager. Topics included council relationships, the PPA tournament the previous week, the budget, and the future South Hills project.

Cary Tennis Classic Board Meeting

Monday night I joined the meeting of the Cary Tennis Classic Board (formerly the Atlantic Tire Championships). Our topics included feedback from a recent event, an Anthony Blackman Scholars update, a review of the PPA event at the Cary Tennis Park, sponsors and donations, future Cary Tennis Park events, and future board meeting dates.

Council Work Session Cancelled

Tuesday morning the council was notified that the work session scheduled for Thursday was cancelled. Staff had hope to present additional information about the Center at South Hills but was not ready. Here are the work sessions and quarterly meetings scheduled through June and their planned topics:

April 25: The Center, Bond Referendum, and Elections follow-up

May 2: Quarterly Meeting, Initial presentation of proposed budget

May 23: Budget

June 10: Budget

June 27: Town Hall Redevelopment with RFQ plans, budget

Council Meeting

Thursday night the council held its first regular scheduled meeting of April. The agenda included recognition of scouts, two consent items, one public hearing, and one discussion item.

The public hearing was for an Amendment to the Fenton Development Agreement. In October 2018, Cary entered into a development agreement with the Master Developer of the Fenton development that provides reimbursement to the developer for construction of public infrastructure based on achievement of certain development milestones. The agreement was amended in August 2020 to accommodate additional financial partners and changes due to construction financing. The developer has subsequently constructed the first phase of the development and completed public improvements associated with this phase of the development agreement. However, due to an anchor tenant (Wegmans) declining to build, the development agreement does not permit the developer to be reimbursed for any of the public infrastructure they have constructed. The proposed amendment recognizes that significant private development has occurred, and key elements of the desired public infrastructure have been constructed. This change allows for reimbursement for these improvements while retaining the spirit and intent of the agreement for future phases of the development. After the public hearing the council approved this amendment unanimously.

The discussion item was for a rezoning 22-REZ-14 Carpenter Fire Station at Highcroft PDD. The proposed rezoning of 19.53 acres. Conditions and standards for the proposed rezoning as detailed in the PDD and include: limiting uses to a maximum of 325 multifamily dwellings, 25 townhouses, and 3,000 to 5,000 square feet of commercial uses; providing 15,000 square feet of community gathering area; constructing a pool and clubhouse; reserving 10% of the multifamily units for renters at or below 80% of Area Median Income; preserving three champion trees; providing 10 electric vehicle charging stations; increasing the buffer and the multifamily building setback on the western property line; and completing recommended transportation improvements. The applicant asked that this item be removed to give them more time. It will likely be on the June 10^th agenda.

East Cary Career Day

Friday morning I was a special guest at East Cary Middle School for their career day. I gave welcoming remarks to three different groups of students. I was also at a table answering their questions. My visit lasted one and a half hours.

USA Baseball Training Facility Opening

Saturday I joined five council members, NC Senator Adcock, NC House Representative Cervania, Wake County Commissioner Adamson, USA Baseball President Gall, USA Baseball CEO Seiler, and about one hundred guests at the opening of the indoor facility at USA Baseball National Training Complex. The new facility is a training center with a 150 X 150-foot field, meeting rooms, staff offices, and executive offices. I was the emcee for the event. The following is a segment of my opening remarks:

“… I would like to take a moment to reflect on the history of this remarkable facility. Since its inception in 2007, the National Training Complex has been a beacon of excellence, hosting over 300 major events between USA Baseball and the Town of Cary. Each year, more than 100,000 people visit this site. They are drawn here by our reputation as one of the world’s premier baseball facilities—a status recognized locally, nationally, and even internationally. One notable highlight was in 2015 when we hosted an international tournament which brought together talent and spectators from all over the world. …

Our achievements here are a testament to the power of partnership. Over the past 18 years, our alliance with USA Baseball has been foundational and I am looking forward to our continued collaboration in the coming years.

We are also extremely grateful to Wake County for their significant contribution of $3.25 million through hotel occupancy funding, allowing us to build this impressive expansion. Thanks to their support, the National Training Complex now has a 150×150’ artificial turf field, enhanced staff office and meeting spaces, and the sleek new executive offices for USA Baseball. These upgrades will provide our athletes, our staff, and our visitors with top-tier facilities, and solidify our status as the hub for baseball excellence. …”

Other speakers included Cary Council District D Bansal, Cary Parks Director Collins, USA Baseball President Gall, and USA Baseball CEO Seiler.

After the speeches the council and USA Baseball executives lined up and cut the ribbon with the audience behind us.

Next I joined USA Baseball President Gall, a former player, to throw out the first pitch at the championship game for the National High School Invitational.

The USA Baseball facility is an incredible venue that provides competition from all over the world, top tier entertainment, and an annual economic benefit of over a million dollars.

Town Manager’s Report

Russ’ Message

It looks like the weather’s shaping up nicely for a weekend packed with fun things to do in Cary. Downtown will be bustling tomorrow with people attending the Pimento Cheese Festival. With its new location in the Downtown Cary Park, visitors will enjoy more activities and a larger event footprint, allowing for more vendors. This means more pimento cheese for everyone to enjoy!

Also on Saturday, just further west of downtown, we’re celebrating the grand opening of the training center and executive offices at the USA Baseball National Training Complex with the championship game of the 11th National High School Invitational. I hope to see you there!
Have a great weekend.
Russ

Celebrating Trees and Forests

Cary celebrated trees and forests on Saturday with our My Tree, Our Tree distribution and a community Arbor Day event. The event was focused on engaging guests with important topics relating to proper tree care, soil health, composting, native plants, wildlife, and more. My Tree, Our Tree participants received 1,000 native trees to help increase our urban forest canopy. Councilmember Michelle Craig helped kick off the special occasion with the reading of our Arbor Day proclamation, followed by our 41st Tree City USA designation ceremony with the NC Forest Service. Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson then joined in to honor Hometown Spirit Award winner Peggy Van Scoyoc with her commemorative Arbor Day Tree Plaque, which will be installed with ‘her’ river birch at McDonald Woods Park. Guests of all ages enjoyed chatting with environmental experts, exploring nature-themed play areas, and learning more about how they can play a vital role in Cary’s commitment to sustainability.

Honoring National Child Abuse Prevention Month

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson presented a proclamation at the Western Health & Human Services Center’s Pinwheel Planting Ceremony. She spoke about the significance of the month and ways to get involved during last night’s ceremonial opening. The month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. The public is invited to attend a Pinwheel Planting Ceremony with the Cary Police Department, scheduled to be held in the Downtown Cary Park. More details will be announced in the Town’s calendar.

Presenting to HOA Presidents and Board Members

Councilmember Sarika Bansal welcomed and presented to a group of HOA presidents and board members at Fire Station 8. She, along with Planning Director Scot Berry, discussed developments and transportation projects in the area near Carpenter Fire Station Road and Morrisville Parkway. Click here to view the slides that were presented.

Upcoming Neighborhood Public Safety Meeting

Due to the recent break-ins in the areas of Districts D & A, the Cary Police Department will be available on Monday, April 15, at the Northwest YMCA at 7 p.m. to meet with citizens and answer any questions. Chief Terry Sult, Councilmember Sarika Bansal, Councilmember Jennifer Bryson Robinson, and other police representatives will be in attendance.

Walnut Creek Greenway/Stormwater Project

We are excited to share that thanks to Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Congressman Wiley Nickel, Cary has been awarded $1,919,504 in federal funds to benefit the Walnut Creek Greenway/Stormwater Management Project. These funds will assist with stormwater and flooding management in the areas where the future greenway will be located. This summer there will be an official presentation of these funds with our elected officials. More information will be shared as it is available.  

New Drinking Water Regulations for PFAs Announced

The EPA announced a new PFAS regulation for drinking water on April 10. Overall, the new regulation is nearly identical to the draft regulation announced in 2023 however, there is an important update in these regulations. Beginning in 2027, water utilities throughout the nation will be required to provide regular monitoring and reporting of PFAS in their  Consumer Confidence Reports. In Cary, we’ve already been providing this information to our citizens for several years. The quality of our drinking water is excellent, and we’re already in compliance with the new regulations. We’re also continuing to study and test the newest innovative technologies for even more enhanced water treatment systems in the future. Cary’s  web pages and fact sheets have been updated to provide the most recent information to our citizens.

2024 Cary 101

On Wednesday April 10, a group of 22 citizens met for the first session of this year’s Cary 101 program. This annual program serves as an opportunity for citizens to connect with Cary in a meaningful and educational way. Participants will spend the next several weeks engaging in an array of presentations, hands-on activities, and facility tours so they can gain insight into Cary’s structure, operations, and services.

GoCary App Now Available

The GoCary app has officially launched in the App Store and on Google Play. Now, users are able to track their bus in real-time, as well as access several other features helpful for riders. Users can customize their riding experience by creating favorite routes and stops for quick reference or by utilizing the trip planning feature. The GoCary app is free to download and free to use.

Portions of Black Creek Greenway Temporarily Closed

On Wednesday, April 17, a production crew with PUMA, the athletic shoe company, will be filming a commercial at Old Reedy Creek Trailhead. The commercial will feature several Olympic marathon runners who train locally. To accommodate filming, portions of Black Greek Greenway, Old Reedy Creek Road, and the trailhead parking lot will be closed intermittently throughout the day. Cary is excited and honored to have been selected as the location for this international promotion for PUMA.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting – May 1

The following Neighborhood Meetings will be held virtually on Webex from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 1:

Upcoming Meetings

• 24-REZ-06 Regency Multifamily
• 24-REZ-07 Greenwood Forest Baptist Church 

Athletic Committee
Monday, April 15
6:00 p.m.

Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, April 15
6:30 p.m.

Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday
April 17, 5:00 p.m.

Economic Development Committee
Wednesday
April 17, 5:15 p.m.

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

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A request to meet about a private investment.
• A complaint about pedestrian safety downtown.
• A complaint about noise: “Be a leader. Do the job people expect…Your police have done nothing for a year.”
• A request for a tobacco free community.
• A thank you for opening the season for the Farmers Market.
• A complaint about Sharon Harris sirens.
• A complaint that a perfectly good house is being torn down (it is in a flood plain and the foundation floods which makes it unsafe).
• A complaint about Duke Energy issues: “Flex your leadership and influence with the project to bring Duke… to settle our damages”.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Wake County Mayors Association meeting, a reception for visiting Sister Cities French students, a CAMPO Executive Board meeting, an Economic Development meeting, and an Elected Officials Reception.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 21^st, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Town Manager One-On-One

Monday afternoon I held my weekly one-on-one with the town manager. Our topics included a Human Resource issue, the South Hills development, the Downtown Cary Park, and speaking with the media.

Pickleball Interview

Tuesday morning, I did a welcome interview at the Cary Tennis Park for the PPA professional pickleball tournament. This event is the only North Carolina stop on the PPA Tour this year. Interesting note, the owner of the PPA is Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. The recorded interview was with the PPA’s media team and to welcome everyone to the Cary Tennis Park and share what makes Cary special. They shared my message on their Instagram to their 100,000 followers. My understanding is that my statements will be included in the post-event news release touting the event’s inaugural success here.

HRID Meeting

Tuesday night I joined in a meeting of the Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Advisory Board meeting. This was their first meeting since the council voted to make them a permanent advisory board. The agenda included a presentation by former Cary Council member Marla Dorrel on the accessibility of Kids Together Park, information on becoming an advisory board, Spring Daze preparation, and Pride Month planning.

There was a great deal of discussion on how to handle potential confrontation at Spring Daze.

State of Cary at Cary MacGregor Rotary

Wednesday I was honored to present my State of Cary address to the Cary MacGregor Rotary. It was a 30-minute, updated version of the one I presented earlier this year. There were about three dozen in attendance.

Raleigh-Cary Top 30 Most Dynamic Metropolitans

On Thursday I was notified that fFor the fifth year in a row, Raleigh-Cary, NC has been named one of the top 30 Most Dynamic Metropolitans by Heartland Forward in their annual rankings. You can find the full report here.

Cary Founded Ribbon Cutting

Friday afternoon I joined council members Bush and Kohn-Johnson at the ribbon cutting for Cary Founded. This is a coworking community located in downtown Cary in the Rogers building. The owners also have a Founded Community in Raleigh. I joined the Cary Chamber President in making a few remarks which was followed by remarks from one of the owners. Then the owners and the building owner did the honor of cutting the ribbon.

Cary Visitor Center Ribbon Cutting

Friday evening, I joined council members Bush and Kohn-Johnson at the ribbon cutting for the Cary Visitors Center which is run by The City Doctor Productions. It is located in the front part of the Douglas Reality Group building next to the old Ashworth’s Drugs. Inside you will find many artifacts from Cary’s past and present including some memorabilia from Ashworth’s Drugs.

Programming for the Visitors Center will include downtown walking tours, programs, events, history displays, a small research library, and free resources for visitors.

Farmers Market Grand Opening for Summer Season

Saturday morning, I joined council members Bryson-Robinson, Bush, Kohn-Johnson, and Craig at the seasonal opening of the Cary Farmers Market at Downtown Cary Park. I read a proclamation celebrating the opening, the 30-year anniversary, and the permanent location of the market which has been moved several times over the years. The market is along Park Street and opens at 8 AM. It is a great place to find fresh produce and goods supporting small family farms.

Founder’s Event

Saturday around 11:30 I was part of a celebration of Cary’s founding date (April 3, 1871). I dressed as Frank Page in a skit where I announced the incorporation of the Town of Cary. I was joined by several others in costume. It was a lot of fun and a great way to bring awareness of our founding date to the public.

Pickleball Champions

Sunday I attended the PPA pickleball championships at the Cary Tennis Park. This was our first professional pickleball championship and I am sure it won’t be the last. Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters both won their doubles, singles, and mixed doubles together solidifying their status as #1 in the world. I had the honor of presenting the North Carolina Cup for the men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. It was a milestone day for #1 ranked Waters who won her 98^th, 99^th, and 100^th titles. She said “I’m just super happy that I could get my 100^th title here in Cary. This is where I grew up. This is where it all started.” We are glad she won her 100^th here in Cary also.

It was a great week for pickleball, and the talent was incredible. What a great event for Cary!

NC Senator Adcock Event

Sunday afternoon I attended a fundraiser for NC Senator Gale Adcock who was a former Mayor Pro-Tem on the Cary council. Since she is unopposed, she used the opportunity to have Rachel Hunt, who is running for Lt. Governor to speak. Her message focused on teachers, education, and funding of education especially in the poorer counties.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

This week, staff, along with the consultants retained by South Hills, were hard at work developing a new option for The Centre, borne out of discussions at the Council/Staff Retreat. The image above captures the creative thinking of the team that developed the new option, which will be presented to the Council at the April 25 work session.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sean

Cary Hosts PPA North Carolina Cup

Mayor Weinbrecht joins Collin Shick, a pro pickleball player and former Wolfpack tennis star, at the PPA North Carolina Cup (Professional Pickleball Tournament), which is currently being hosted at the Cary Tennis Park. Both the top-ranked female player, Anna Leigh Waters, and the top-ranked male player, Ben Johns, are participating. The Semi-Finals will take place this Saturday, April 6, and the Finals on Sunday, April 7. Check out the tournament website for more details.

Council Member Bansal Visits UNC

Councilmember Sarika Bansal spoke at an UNC Chapel Hill event centered around South Asians in Politics: Impacts and Challenges. She addressed a diverse audience alongside esteemed elected officials and advocates. 

Cary’s New Program Manager for Seniors & Aging

Michelle Barrett started her role in mid-March and has hit the ground running. Just this week, she visited Dorcas Ministries and met with CEO André Anthony, the Associate State Director of the AARP, and participated in her first meeting with the Senior Advisory Board. She looks forward to continuing her work with the board to ensure seniors’ concerns remain at the forefront of Cary’s focus.

Academy Street Parking Deck

Construction continues on the Academy Street Parking Deck, located between Academy Street and S. Harrison Avenue, as part of the Meridian Cary development. Vertical construction has begun with the installation of precast concrete panels. The parking deck will include 478 spaces (225 public, 253 private for the multi-family building), smart parking technology, gates, and EV charging stations. The parking deck is expected to open to the public in 2026 as part of the overall development. 

Cedar Street Parking Deck

Construction on the Cedar Street Parking Deck will begin next week. The parking deck, located between Cedar Street and Chatham Street and across from the Cary Theater, will include 297 parking spaces and retail space fronting Chatham Street. The parking deck will be open to the public and include smart parking technology, gates, EV Charging, and roof top PV/solar. This project is expected to be complete in Fall 2025.

Higgins Greenway – Phase III Construction

Starting April 9, contractors will begin construction of Higgins Greenway – Phase III. The existing greenway will be extended approximately 0.86 miles from its current terminus at Union Street and continue eastward to Kildaire Farm Road. This work will fill a gap in the greenway network and increase connectivity between downtown Cary and the surrounding neighborhoods. The project is anticipated to continue through Summer 2025.

Harrison Avenue In-Road Warning Light System

Cary’s first in-road warning light system is scheduled to begin installation next week. Located at the existing crosswalk of Harrison Avenue at Hillsboro Street, the system pairs LED-enhanced roadside signs with in-road “pucks” to increase the visibility of pedestrians using the crosswalk. The entire system will be pedestrian-activated using accessible push buttons. Installation of signs and other roadside equipment is scheduled for next week, and the in-road installation is scheduled for the week of April 15.

Neighborhood Traffic Calming Construction

A new traffic calming project will bring a series of speed humps to both Olde Weatherstone Way, adjacent to the Glenkirk community, and Preston Village Way between Morrisville Parkway and Circle on the Green. Additionally, this project includes a single speed hump requested by the Whitford Place community, off of Green Level Church Road in western Cary. Work will begin in mid-April, weather permitting, and flagger operations will be in place during construction activities. The work hours for this project have been adjusted to avoid the drop-off and pick-up times for Olde Weatherstone Elementary School.

Ederlee Drive Sidewalk Complete

Final touches are being completed on the new sidewalk along Ederlee Drive. This project installed over 1,200 ft of sidewalk which include ADA compliant curb ramps between Richelieu Drive and Avenue of the Estates. Cary’s sidewalk network is now complete along Ederlee Drive between Penny Road and Regency Parkway. Conduit was also installed along the project to accommodate future expansion of Cary’s signal infrastructure. The final clean-up is expected to be complete next week.

NCWRF Completes Project

The North Cary Water Reclamation Facility (NCWRF) has successfully completed a $1.2 million capital project to replace two band screens, compactor equipment, and flow control gates at the facility’s headworks. These units play a vital role in removing small debris from the flow stream at the front of the facility, ensuring downstream treatment processes can be performed without clogging. This project is just one example of the ongoing effort to replace aging equipment to maintain a high level of nutrient removal and overall facility efficiency.

Cary Teen Council Committee

Last week, the Cary Teen Council hosted their monthly meeting at the Cary Senior Center. The teen leaders planned and hosted an event including several exhibits designed to educate their peers about the significant role that teenagers play in various town committees. The young representatives put together engaging and informative presentations for their booths, offering valuable insights into teen representation. The meeting was a resounding success, with around 200 teens attending and leaving feeling enthusiastic about the upcoming leadership application period for the 2024-2025 Cary Teen Council. 

Upcoming Meetings

PRCR Advisory Board
Monday, April 8
5:15 p.m.

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

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

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

Historic Preservation Commission
April 10, 6:30 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Thursday, April 11
4:45 p.m.

Council Meeting
Thursday, April 11
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• An email campaign of complaints about the quarry next to Umstead Park (The Cary Council is not a decision maker).
• A request to extend bus route #5.
• A thank you to Cary Animal Services.
• A complaint about a missed recycling pickup (it was resolved before they woke the next morning).
• A concern about gun control.
• A concern about affordable housing at the Grove at Cary Park.
• A concern about the abandoned hotel next to Lifetime Fitness.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, the Cary Tennis Class board meeting, a Cary Chamber event, a council work session, the first council meeting of April, and the opening of USA Baseball Training facility.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 14^th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

VIPs Visit Downtown Park

Monday afternoon I joined the town manager and staff to give a tour of the Downtown Cary Park to visitors from across the nation who are part of the group developing Disney’s Asteria community in the Pittsboro area. I gave a welcome and provided background information on the creation of the park.

Council Meeting Prep

Monday I contacted council members to hear of questions or concerns of the agenda for Thursday’s regular council meeting. One council member wanted the Traffic Calming item on the consent agenda pulled for discussion and another council member wanted the more information on the GoCary Wake Bus Plan.

Later in the day I met with Mayor Pro-Tem Bryon-Robinson and staff to go over the agenda. We anticipated the meeting would be relatively short.

Town Manager One-On-One

My final meeting Monday was with the Town Manager and Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson. Some of the items we discussed included the potential bond later this year, the tax rate related to revenue neutral, Artificial Intelligence, and the Ivey-Ellington House.

Cary Tennis Classic Community Event

Tuesday night I attended the rebranding event for sponsors of the Cary Tennis Classic formerly known as the Atlantic Tire Championships. I along with other board members provided them with information about the tournament and the future Cary Tennis Park expansion. This tournament has been successful for ten years and is one of the reasons why Cary receives over $29 million dollars of economic benefit from our venues each year.

NC Senator Adcock Meeting

Thursday afternoon I met with NC Senator Gale Adcock about the application process for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for a Cary resident. At a minimum, the individual must have provided community service for at least 30 years. The process takes several months to complete.

Council Work Session

Thursday evening, I joined the council and staff for a work session that focused mainly on transit in Cary. Here are some of the points I noted in the transit presentation and discussion:

• The cost per rider for fixed routes is $18.44 with Cary paying $2.95.
• The cost per rider for door-to-door is $95.43 with Cary paying $43.08.
• Ridership increased 40.34% in FY23 and 27.79% in FY24. Ridership has more than doubled since FY18.
• GoCary is fully staffed and has the highest starting pay in North Carolina.
• Riders rate Cary 70% as excellent or good. Only 1% rated it as negative.
• A Microtransit study is being conducted to look at filling in gaps, node-based travel, and the addition of the Morrisville Smart Shuttle.
• There are 213 bus stops with 24 shelters and 12 benches.
• 95% have sidewalk connectivity and 78% are ADA compliant. Of course, the goal is to retrofit all to be 100%.
• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will be running from the downtown Cary depot to downtown Raleigh by 2029. BRT routes will have over 50% dedicated lanes.
• A Rapid Bus Extension (less than 50% dedicated lanes) will go from the Cary depot to RTP.
• The Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility has received funding and will be built on Towerview court.
• A Downtown Cary Multimodal Center will be built between the railroad tracks and Harrison Avenue and North West Street. It will be in phase one of town hall campus redevelopment.
• The Downtown Cary Multimodal Center will accommodate local and regional bus service, Bus Rapid Transit, Intercity Passenger Rail, Commuter Rail, Ride Share, and Bike Share.

In the only action taken at the work session, the town council unanimously agreed to move the first meeting in June from June 6^th to Monday, June 10^th.

Council Meeting

Thursday night the town council held its last meeting of March. The agenda included four consent items, two public hearings, and one discussion item.

The Traffic Calming Policy Revision was pulled from the consent agenda so that the public could be made aware of current and future traffic calming measures.

A public hearing for the annexation of land for the Bel Canto development on Green Level West was held and will come back for a vote when council votes on the rezoning.

A public hearing was also held for the GoCary Service Changes. The council unanimously approved these changes.

The discussion item was to make the Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity task force a permanent Cary Advisory Board. This was also unanimously approved.

The council also held a closed session which lasted about half an hour.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• An email campaign of complaints about the quarry next to Umstead Park (The Cary Council is not a decision maker and at the time of this writing I have received 2625 emails asking the Cary council to stop mining).
• A question about our food waste program.
• A complaint about noise from a “nature killing subdivision because of Cary’s greed” (All property owners have the right to develop their land and no municipality has the authority to prevent them, nor should they).
• A complaint about the upkeep of the Grove at Cary Park.
• A complaint about the future Cary Multimodal Center.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a HRID meeting, a State of Cary Presentation, a ribbon cutting, the Farmers Market Opening, a Founders event, and an event for NC Senator Adcock.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 7^th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Town Manager One-On-One

Monday the town manager and I held our weekly meeting. Our topics of discussion included the Cary Tennis Classic, a VIP tour of the Downtown Cary Park with interested parties from out of town, the potential bond this fall, affordable housing, and road diets on Walnut Street and other areas of Cary.

Youth Leadership Cary

Tuesday morning I spoke to around 40 high school juniors from various Cary high schools about local government, community leadership, and potential career paths. I answered several questions before taking a picture with them.

State of Cary Glenaire

I had the opportunity to present the State of Cary address to Glenaire on Wednesday afternoon. This was the second time I have gave this address and included a few updates since the January presentation. I estimate that there were between one hundred and one hundred fifty in attendance. It was very well received and there were about a dozen questions afterwards.

CAMPO

Wednesday I participated in a meeting of the CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organizations) Executive Board. The agenda included two consent items, one public hearing, and six discussion items.

Under consent the committee unanimously approved minutes and an Apex Rail Switching Operations Relocation Study with an Interlocal Agreement and authorized the CAMPO Executive Director to execute the agreement.

After the Public Hearing the board unanimously approved Amendment #3 to FY2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Under the discussion the board unanimously approved US 401 Corridor Study recommendations and the interlocal agreement for the US 1 North Toll Study and

authorizing the CAMPO Executive Director to execute the agreement.

The board also received information on the Triangle Transportation Choices/Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program, the draft FY 2025 Wake Transit Work Plan, an update on the NC 540 Bonus Allocation, and amendments and updates to the Executive Board Bylaws recognizing new members.

State of Cary Templeton

Thursday morning I presented the State of Cary address to about three dozens residents of the Templeton Senior community. This was my third presentation of the year. They were very interested in my remarks and followed up with great questions. This is my fourth time giving my address to them.

State of Cary Abbreviated Version Taped

Friday morning I did a taping of an abbreviated version of the State of Cary Address. We spent about an hour and a half taping various segments at the Downtown Cary Park. Hopefully, this will be short enough to use online.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

There will not be a Weekly Report next Friday. As a reminder, most staffed facilities, including Town Hall, will be closed on Friday, in observance of the holiday. Have a great weekend and enjoy this week’s edition of the Weekly Report.
Sean

Mayor Presents State of Cary

This week, Mayor Weinbrecht provided an updated State of Cary presentation to residents at the Templeton of Cary and Glenaire. After the presentations, he greeted many of the residents and answered questions they had about Cary.

Youth Leadership Cary

On Tuesday, 40 area high school juniors participating in the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Cary program spent the day with Cary staff to learn about local government and potential career paths. The day began with a welcome from Mayor Weinbrecht, then an information session on the council-manager form of government, visits to 311, 911, and Cary’s traffic center, and a tour of the Downtown Cary Park were among the opportunities the participants experienced. 

Visit at Duke with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math athletes

On Tuesday evening, Councilmember Lori Bush and Chief Information Officer Nicole Coughlin engaged with women Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) athletes at Duke University, highlighting the concerning statistic that about 50% of women in STEM majors switch to other fields after their sophomore year. To tackle this challenge, Duke alum Sue Hartnett founded ReWriting the Code, an initiative that Cary actively supports through its summer internship and mentorship programs.

Draft Housing Annual Action Plan Open for Public Comment

Every year Cary invites organizations working in high impact housing initiative areas to apply for funding. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with Cary Housing goals and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) national objectives. As required by HUD, staff prepares a draft Annual Action Plan for public comment then brings it forward to Council for action. The public comment period for the 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan begins today and closes on April 23. Staff anticipates bringing the draft plan forward for a public hearing and Council action at the April 25 Council meeting. This year, Cary received a record number of funding applications from partner organizations and developers committed to furthering work across the housing continuum. The draft plan, which can be viewed on the Housing webpage, recommends awards totaling over $7.2 million.

Three Federal Grant Awards

Cary was awarded three federal grants totaling $5,520,709 to improve pedestrian, bicycling and transit infrastructure in our community. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Executive Board approved the LAPP (Locally Administered Projects Program) grants last week. The three projects include Optimist Farm Greenway,  which will improve bike and pedestrian connectivity in south Cary, GoCary Communications Equipment upgrades on vehicles which will enhance communication efficiency and safety, and GoCary’s Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility project. These grants represent not only a financial boon but also a vote of confidence in Cary’s transportation vision and sustainability. 

Ashworth Drug Store – Gone But Not Forgotten

The Page-Walker History Archives is the proud recipient of some wonderful Ashworth’s memorabilia donated by Mr. Ralph Ashworth. The items which include many photos, apothecary bottles, pharmacy items and even the first prescription Ralph ever filled will be on public display at the Page-Walker to commemorate the beloved business in the coming months.

Model Train Show

Last Saturday, the North Raleigh Model Railway Club showcased their N-Scale model trains at the Herb Young Community Center. People of all ages gathered to watch these trains wind through miniature cities and countryside landscapes. Visitors even had the opportunity to become Junior Engineers by operating the tracks and driving the trains. Operation Lifesaver provided valuable railroad safety tips, and club members hosted small workshops on scenery building. Throughout the day, over 1,000 visitors enjoyed the train show.

North Carolina Information Technology Leadership Forum 2024

Government Technology’s annual Information Technology Leadership Forum took place in Raleigh on Wednesday. The event provides a space for leaders to collaborate while addressing the most important policy, management and leadership issues surrounding the future of digital government. Chief Information Officer Nicole Coughlin participated in the panel ‘Smart Collaboration in the Triangle and Beyond’ and shared her perspective on the importance of working collaboratively. 

Signalized Pedestrian Crossing Now Operational

After resolving several unforeseen challenges, a crosswalk at the NC 55 and O’Kelly Chapel Road intersection now has a pedestrian crossing signal. Staff are happy to report that contractors have completed an upgrade project at this intersection to not only provide pedestrian traffic signals, but also add high-visibility crosswalks and pedestrian warning signs. This work was expedited by our design consultant, NCDOT, and our construction contractor.

Animal Services Visits Girl Scout Troop 619

Juniors in Girl Scout Troop 619 are working towards a bronze award by making a difference in the community. The team is working to raise awareness on responsible pet ownership and the value of rescues. This week, Animal Services Officers Haggist and Wilson took time to educate the scouts about their roles and facilitated a discussion with the girls on potential ideas to contribute to the upcoming Dog Daze and Pet Expo.

Black Creek Greenway Plant Rescues

On Saturday, volunteers from NC Native Plant Society along with Cary staff gathered at North Cary Park and hiked down to the Black Creek Greenway. The group rescued plants located within the clearing limits of the upcoming Black Creek Greenway Renovations Project that was awarded by Council at the March 14 meeting.

2024 Tobacco Road Marathon

On Sunday, the Tobacco Road Marathon once again electrified the streets of Cary, North Carolina, as runners from all over the country gathered to test their mettle against the clock and the American Tobacco Trail (ATT). On this mild March morning, 3,034 eager participants embarked on a 13.1 or 26.2-mile journey through Thomas Brooks Park and the scenic ATT.  In a stunning display of athleticism, the fastest full marathoner of the day, Alex Ekesa crossed the finish line in an astonishing time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 37 seconds.

Upcoming Meetings

Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, March 25
6:30 p.m.

Council Work Session
Thursday, March 28
4:45 p.m.

Council Meeting
Thursday, March 28
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• An email campaign of complaints about the quarry next to Umstead Park (The Cary Council is not a decision maker and at the time of this writing I have received 2606 emails asking the Cary council to stop mining).
• A complaint about the Downtown Cary Park TV commercials.
• A request for Cary to enact a guaranteed income program.
• A complaint about a future rezoning proposal on Piney Plains.
• Multiple complaints from a citizen on e-bikes on greenways (they are allowed but everyone must adhere to the 15-mph speed limit).

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a VIP park tour, a Cary Tennis Classic event, a meeting with NC Senator Adcock, a council work session, and the last regularly scheduled meeting of the council.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 31^st, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

World University Games

Monday afternoon I met with local representatives for the World University Games which will be held in the area in July of 2029. These games are an international multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

Cary will be part of the games hosting at all sports facilities including WakeMed Soccer complex, Cary Tennis Park, and USA Baseball. The Center at South Hills will also host if built in time. Other host cities include Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Greensboro.

The organizers expressed an interest in starting a 5-year countdown clock somewhere in Cary with a celebration this July.

Council Meeting Prep

Later Monday afternoon I met with key staff members to go over the agenda for Thursday’s council meeting. We talked about the expected crowd for the Public Speaks Out portion of the meeting that would request changes for Walnut Street. Since the town is already planning on doing more than what they have been proposing on social media, the manager planned to talk about it in his report prior to Public Speaks Out. We hoped that would reduce the need for a few of them to speak. The rest of the agenda seemed straightforward.

Cary Tennis Classic

Monday night I met with the board for the Cary Tennis Classic, formerly known as the Atlantic Tire Championships. We talked about the rebranding kickoff with key donors scheduled for March 26^th. I updated them on the potential bond this fall that would include the Cary Tennis Park upgrades.

Human Relations, Inclusion & Diversity Task Force

Tuesday evening, I attended a meeting of the Human Relations, Inclusion & Diversity Task Force. In my remarks to the group, I let them know that we are moving forward to making them a permanent board. The task force topics included Sunshine Week, the update of the Cary Community Plan, the Downtown Park, and the DEI Education Form.

Wynston Ridge Homeowners Association

Tuesday night I gave remarks at the end of the annual homeowner’s association meeting for Wynston Ridge. This is a community of about 100 homes built in the late 1980s and early 1990s located near the intersection of Holly Springs Road and Cary Parkway. In my remarks I talked about the potential bond this fall, the potential tax rate, and our downtown area. I am always happy to join homeowner association meetings if my calendar allows.

Town Council Work Session

The council met Thursday evening for a work session to discuss several items but mostly stormwater. The following are some of my takeaways on stormwater:

• Cary is well perceived in handling stormwater issues.
• The first floodplain map was issued in 1992.
• The first water quality rules were made in 1993.
• Up until 2001 residential lots were allowed in floodplains.
• In 2008 Cary required developers to mitigate flooding.
• Cary started the Walnut corridor pilot several years ago to model stormwater and monitor stream sensors. The outcome was policy amendments to require developers to mitigate to a 100-year storm event which is 7 ½ inches in 24 hours.
• Cary maintains 15 miles of culverts and 190 miles of storm pipes. There are 626 miles of total pipes with most on private property.
• Cary maintains 15,442 inlets out of 34,570.
• Cary maintains 91 stormwater control measures out of 1,436.
• Cary maintains 7 lakes and ponds out of 1169.
• Cary has no natural lakes or ponds. All were created by humans over the years.
• Cary receives over 870 stormwater related requests for help every year.
• Redeveloped lots must abide by today’s rules. So, if a lot is in the floodplain and the house is torn down, it will not be allowed to be rebuilt.
• Cary staff helps citizens with flooding issues even if it is not a town issue. They work with them on how to mitigate problems. Other municipalities don’t do this.
• Cary collects data from stormwater monitoring to validate models, create stormwater models for other agencies, and impact analysis.
• Cary had a 1000-year storm in the Swift Creek area in 2016. That is 5 inches of rain in 4 hours, which would have equated to 30 inches in 24 hours.
• The footprint of a 1000-year storm flood and a 100-year storm flood are similar.
• Cary monitors insurance claims for flooding. This helps create our actions which reduce insurance rates.
• The Downtown Cary Park’s water feature was designed to help reduce peak flows.
• Cary is a Stormwater Phase II community which is based on population. This will be changed to a Phase I community. This determines what we have to do with engagement, engineering, construction, and post construction. The Phase I designation will require additional data collection, program development, stream quality monitoring, and industrial monitoring.
• Cary spent $6.6 million on operating and capital costs for stormwater in 2023.
• Cary will spend $14.8 million in 2024 which will include the Symphony Lake dredging.
• Cary will be required to spend at least $9.8 million in 2025.
• Cary’s costs include preemptive work which saves money in the long run.
• Cary is the only community out of the top 23 communities that doesn’t use a stormwater Utility fund. We have legislative authority to do this. Currently, we pay from the General fund for stormwater costs.
• Cary will begin to study moving to a Utility fund which will include a stormwater master plan. This process will take several years.

Our work session concluded after about 1 ½ hours.

Town Council Meeting

Thursday night the council held its first regularly scheduled meeting of March. The agenda included 9 consent items, 2 public hearings, and 3 discussion items. The council chambers were full, and some were waiting in the lobby. The crowd were from two groups: the Walnut Street improvements and the Healthy Homes initiative.

In the manager’s report before Public Speaks Out the manager explained that the town was moving forward in the design and implementation of improvements to Walnut Street to add a median, bike lanes, and reduce the lanes from four to two. In the Public Speaks Out potion of the meeting most of the people spoke about improvements to Walnut Street.

The first public hearing was for the annexation of a property located at 0 Aviation Pkwy (at the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Aviation Pkwy and Liberty Hill Pass). With the annexation they would be able to connect to Cary utilities and develop the lot for a single detached dwelling unit. There were no speakers, and this was approved unanimously.

The second public hearing was to rezone approximately 9.19 acres directly south of Macedonia Road from General Commercial (GC) and Residential-40 (R-40) to Mixed-Use District (MXD) with a Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) to facilitate the development of up to 330 residential dwellings, with conditions to provide a minimum of 12,000 square feet of community gathering space, locate at least 60% of parking in a parking structure, and provide at least 25 electric vehicle charging stations. Five of the seven council members expressed the need for affordable housing with this project and the willingness to discuss potential partnerships. This rezoning proposal will now go to the Planning and Zoning Board for their review and recommendation.

In the first discussion item the council unanimously approved the Stable Homes Cary Program in partnership with Dorcas Ministries as the lead nonprofit organization. Stable Homes Cary will allow Dorcas to scale up its current program model to serve more community members in need, while creating capacity and expertise to provide support to residents who may be displaced due to specific large-scale property redevelopments, such as Chatham Estates. Dorcas will work in partnership with other nonprofits and government agencies, such as A Doorway to Hope, Passage Home, ONE Wake, Wake County Public Schools, Wake County Health and Human Services, NC Works, Wake Tech, and others to identify potential paths and to connect low- and moderate-income residents with resources.

In the second discussion item the council approved a rezoning located between Trinity Road and Old Trinity Circle, from Residential-12 (R-12) and Transitional Residential (TR) to Transitional Residential Conditional Use (TR-CU) with zoning conditions that limit uses to detached dwellings, townhomes, and accessory uses, provide two-car garages with wiring for future EV charging for all units, provide 2,000 square feet of community gathering space, and commit to 20-foot-wide streetscapes on local streets. The approval was 6 to 1 with one council member believing it was not a good transition to neighboring communities.
In the last discussion item the council unanimously approved the bid for construction of the FY 2024 Street Improvements Project.

The council meeting concluded after about two hours.\

Sustainable Development

Friday, I met with council member Bush, the Chief Information Officer, the Chief Development Officer, the Cary Chamber President, and a representative of local developers to talk about Sustainable Development specifically geothermal development. What is Geothermal Development? Basically, it is homes that are heated and cooled by water that is circulated about 40 feet below the surface since that stays at a constant temperature. Adding solar almost eliminates the need for any power outside the community. You can see a better explanation on YouTube here. We discussed Whisper Valley outside Austin, Texas where thousands of homes will eventually be built and self-sustaining. The key concern from local developers will be upfront costs. We all agreed that we need more information on those costs. I hope to see a sustainable development in Cary soon!

NC Courage Proclamation for Ring of Honor

Saturday, I attended the NC Courage match and presented a proclamation recognizing the 1^st inductee to the Ring of Honor. The wording was as follows:

RECOGNIZING SAM MEWIS AS THE INAUGURAL RING OF HONOR INDUCTEE

Whereas, the North Carolina Courage has proudly represented and called Cary, NC home since its inception in 2017, captivating audiences with unparalleled skill, dedication, and sportsmanship; and

Whereas, on February 14, 2024, the North Carolina Courage announced Sam Mewis as the inaugural inductee into the newly formed Courage ‘Ring of Honor,’ recognizing her exceptional contributions to the club during her tenure from 2017 through 2021; and

Whereas Sam Mewis’s illustrious career with the Courage has left an indelible mark on the organization, marked by numerous accolades including three NWSL Shields, two NWSL Championships, and the inaugural Women’s International Champions Cup; and

Whereas Mewis’s leadership, commitment, and passion for the game have not only propelled the Courage to unprecedented success but have also served as an inspiration to countless aspiring athletes across our community and beyond; and

Now, therefore, I, Harold Weinbrecht, Jr, Mayor of Cary, on behalf of the Cary Councilmembers and citizens who call Cary home, extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sam Mewis on her induction into the Courage ‘Ring of Honor,’ a testament to her enduring legacy and profound impact on our community; and invite all residents of Cary to join us in commemorating this momentous occasion, celebrating Sam Mewis’s remarkable career and her enduring contributions to the sport of soccer;

PROCLAIMED this 1^st day of February 2022.

To make it more fun for the crowd I had them yell out all the Whereas. The game was a blowout with the Courage winning 5 to 1. It was a good crowd, and everyone seemed to have a great time.

Spa by Jing Ribbon Cutting

Sunday afternoon I attended a ribbon cutting for the expansion of Space by Jing & Li Aesthetics at Waverly Place. Their business has done so well over the last 5 years that they have expanded to the second floor of their building. We were blessed to be given a tour and I had a facial analysis done which showed that the virtual age of my left side was 65 while by right side was 68. I will be 68 in early June.

I am so impressed by Jing and other Asian entrepreneurs in Cary and wish them continued success.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

Dear Mayor Weinbrecht and Members of Town Council:

In addition to our weekly roundup of stories, I am going to begin sharing, from time to time, some of the things that I have read this week that I found informative and thought you might as well. If you have trouble opening any of the stories, please let me know.

Researchers propose fourth traffic signal light for hypothetical self-driving car future

I hope the automakers are going to pay for all those potentially new traffic signals.

The Only Force Stronger Than Polarization? Rising Home Prices

This piece highlights the unique coalition behind affordable housing movements.

3 Types of Overthinking — and How to Overcome Them

Something most of us could use a little help with, at least now and then.

Please enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend.
Sean

Celebrating 311 Day All Week

Cary joined in the national celebration that is 3/11 Day, marking its fourth year in operations. Online educational campaigns for citizens spanned the week and captured thousands of views and positive engagement. Citizen advocates were treated to lunch and treats throughout the week, a team building event at Graffiti in downtown Cary, and participated in meditation sessions. With work volume growing to an average of 180,000 cases handled annually, it’s important to celebrate and recognize the team with intentionality and appreciation.

2024 Black History Month

This year, Cary expanded its programming for Black History Month to include a variety of activities and events throughout February. This expansive recognition and celebration of Black History & African American Appreciation Month warranted Cary’s Cultural Resources Division to be recognized in a National Parks & Recreation publication.

The 2024 theme was ‘Acknowledging the Past While STREAMing Into the Future.’ The month consisted of related films, adult and children’s art classes, concerts, art exhibitions, a poetic exhibition, book signings, culinary samplings, STEM programs, and a STREAM Symposium. Events were held in various venues across the town including, the Cary Arts Center, The Cary, Page-Walker Arts & History Center, and the Downtown Cary Park. A photo album recapping the month’s events is available for all to enjoy.

Association of IT Professionals Celebrates Women’s History Month

Chief Information Officer Nicole Coughlin shared her journey as a mom of boys in information technology leadership at last night’s Association of IT Professionals (AITP) – RTP Chapter event celebrating Women’s History Month. The event was held at North Carolina University Club and included a panel which shared experiences in the technology field. Nicole left the event feeling encouraged to see the potential in how the gender gap may close as the new generation starts to enter the IT workforce.

2024 Summer Camp Registration on RecTrac

Summer Camp registration, usually the largest registration day of the year, kicked-off on Wednesday.  Online registration opened at 7 a.m. to accommodate working parents and within 30 minutes almost 4,400 registrations had been successfully completed. By the end of the first day, 5,569 program registrations occurred and camp registrations were at approximately 70% capacity. Additionally, 99.5% of those registrations were completed online, setting another all-time high. Registration continues for Cary residents and non-resident registration will open on Wednesday, March 27. 

Regional Collaboration on the Future of Water Resources

On Wednesday, staff from Cary and Wake County met with Research Triangle Foundation (RTF) Planners to discuss the future of Wake County’s portion of Research Triangle Park (RTP) and its connection to Long Range Water Resource Planning (LRWRP). As the Cary LRWRP is currently being updated, this interagency coordination is critical for improving water demand forecasts and ensuring excellent, safe, and reliable water supply for future generations. Cary’s water supply is Jordan Lake, and our utility service area includes Cary, Morrisville, the RDU airport, and the Wake County portion of RTP.

Signal Upgrades

Earlier this week, staff from Public Works, Police, and Transportation worked together to complete signal upgrades at the intersection of Walnut Street and Kildaire Farm Road. These upgrades make the intersection safer for all pedestrians to cross, including the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) devices that communicate crossing information through audible messages.

Repair Café

This year’s Repair Café event helped keep many items ticking and out of the landfill. Items brought in for repair by 75 citizens included chairs, turntables, toys, and an electric lawnmower. Local ‘fix-it coaches’ volunteered their time and skills to provide repair services and tips to help owners keep things in working condition. The event achieved a 69% repair rate.

InsideCary Civics Kicks Off 2024 Year of Staff Learning Opportunities

This week, employees gathered at the Academy Pavilion at Downtown Cary Park for the first InsideCary learning session of 2024, which focused on civics. The group learned about Cary’s council-manager form of government, what it means for North Carolina local governments to derive their authority from the state, and the importance of public records retention. Similar to Cary 101, InsideCary provides an opportunity for all employees to learn about Cary’s history, government, decision-making, culture, and the people and facilities that serve our citizens every day.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meetings on April 3^rd

Two rezoning meetings, 24-REZ-03 Wellington PDD Amendment and 24-REZ-05 Westley Manor, will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. 

Upcoming Meetings

Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday, March 20
6:15 p.m.

Greenway Committee
Thursday, March 21
6:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A complaint about cars racing on Highway 55.
• A concern about an abandoned hotel at 1500 Regency Parkway.
• A complaint about a Cary police officer.
• Thanks to police officers who helped someone’s daughter after an accident.
• Support for the Stable Homes Cary program.
• A complaint about Walnut Street saying the council doesn’t take action until someone dies (Hurtful, not true, and from a previous candidate for town council).
• A complaint about a potential tax increase.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, Youth Leadership Cary, State of Cary at Glenaire, State of Cary at Templeton, CAMPO, and a taping of a condensed State of Cary.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 24^th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Cary #1 for Renters

Monday the Triangle Business Journal ran a story to report that USA today had named Cary is the #1 municipality in the nation for renters:

“People looking to rent in Wake County should set their sights on Cary, a new study says.

A USA Todayreport on the best cities to rent in the U.S. ranks 315 cities — and Cary comes out as No. 1. Cary received the ranking due to financial accessibility, low crime and good schools.

Cary hit the top five in each of the categories that USA Today researched. It was named the best city for renting families, second best for pet owners who rent, and it ranked fourth for single renters.

The median rent in Cary is $1,719, while annual renter income is $73,872, according to data from Zillow and the U.S. Census Bureau. To determine affordability, USA Today looked at the percentage of rent-burdened residents — those spending more than 30 percent of income on rent — alongside typical rent prices.

Interestingly, the study found that 42.3 percent of renters in Cary are rent-burdened. Yes, that seems high. But four other cities in the top 10 had a higher percentage. The lowest figure in the top 10 is 36.9 percent for Santa Clara, California.

Cary’s growth in population — an increase of more than 80 percent over 20 years — has brought about more apartments and more commercial offerings. New apartments keep opening up, while even more are proposed in the town.

Retail offerings like Crawford Brothers Steakhouse, Life Time Fitness and Brewery Bhavana are coming to Cary. And the popularity of the downtown area is pushing plans for a large parking deck.

Cary was rated the best city for renting families due to the high quality of its schools, low crime and family-friendly attractions such as the new Downtown Cary Park.

Raleigh was ranked 11th on the USA Today list while Wilmington was 37th and Charlotte was 107th.”

Cary #8 South’s Best Cities on The Rise 2024

This week Southern Living ranked Cary as #8 city in the nation for “The South’s Best Cities on The Rise 2024”. Here is what they said about Cary:

“The Research Triangle’s innovative energy has rubbed off on this once-small suburb. A thriving arts and culture scene, excellent restaurants, and ever-growing downtown make Cary a worthy standalone destination. The long-awaited and recently opened 7-acre Downtown Cary Park now provides a centralized gathering space, further adding to the reasons the city landed on Livability’s 2023 Best Places to Live list.” 

If you click the link above, you will see the 17 best things to do in Cary according to Southern Living. We are proud to once again be recognized nationally.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

Has it been a week already since we were together at the Council/Staff Retreat? I’m already looking forward to next year’s event. We are hard at work, diligently following up on the discussions from the retreat. Enjoy this week’s stories and have a great weekend.
Sean

Council Meeting Follow-up

From the recent Housing and Community Partnerships presentation, staff mentioned a map that tracks children’s outcomes in adulthood. This map is available here: https://www.opportunityatlas.org/

Construction to Begin on Cary’s Historic Ivey-Ellington House

Crews will begin rehabilitation work at the Ivey-Ellington House on March 11. This work will renovate the interior of the house, transforming it into office space for downtown park staff while preserving the home’s historical integrity. The exterior of the Ivey-Ellington House is being rehabilitated with improvements that are consistent with its historical character. The site will also feature new landscaping, incorporating ADA parking and walkways, a bio-retention rain garden, and an era-appropriate garden.
Visitors will still enter and exit at existing points and use the old library lot during construction even though fencing around the house is expanding. The rehabilitation work is anticipated to continue through Spring 2025.

Visiting East Austin’s Zero Energy Capable Community

Councilmember Lori Bush and Chief Information Officer Nicole Coughlin visited a 2000+ acre mixed-use community known as East Austin’s Zero Energy capable community to learn and understand its direction.

Their community-wide geothermal exchange infrastructure, or GeoGrid, uses the earth’s natural energy to heat and cool all of the Whisper Valley Homes, reducing home energy consumption by up to 70%. All homes also have Solar PV to generate electricity. Homeowners can use EcoSmart technology to monitor their energy usage in real time and learn better energy behavior. With a target of 7,500 homes, including single-family, affordable homes, multi-family, and tiny homes, along with 3 million square feet of commercial space, schools, and parks, they are creating a community with sustainability at its core. 

Cary Participates in Raleigh Chamber Sustainability Conference

Cary joined regional business executives, elected officials, and community leaders at the Raleigh Chamber Sustainability Conference this week. Panel discussion topics included regional water partnerships, Net Zero emission actions, zero waste opportunities, and global environmental challenges. Utilities Director Jamie Revels served as a panelist in the regional water discussion highlighting community engagement and business community partnerships that have fostered Cary’s actions in water resource management, solar energy production, emissions inventory development, reclaimed water service, and biosolids beneficial reuse. Jamie served alongside panelists Wake County Water Resource Manager Nancy Daly and Trophy Brewing Chief Brewing Officer Les Stewart, further emphasizing the benefits of regional partnership approaches.

Cary Senior Center Awarded with National Accreditation

On Wednesday, Brett Moraes, Operations & Program Supervisor, attended the Senior Advisory Board and shared the news that Cary’s Senior Center has been awarded national accreditation through the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Over a 12-month period, a self-assessment committee consisting of Cary staff, program instructors, participants, and other community partners worked together to complete the application.  Accreditation through the NCOA is considered to be the “Gold Standard” in senior center operations and has only been achieved by 3% of senior centers nationwide. This accreditation serves as evidence Cary is on the leading edge of providing the best-in-class programs and activities for seniors in our community. The award will be presented in May at NCOA’s annual conference in Alexandria, VA.

Enhancing Public Lands Through Invasive Plant Awareness

The Cary community gathered to enhance our natural lands in support of Invasive Plant Awareness Week. Through the efforts of 119 volunteers working a collective 256 hours, large volumes of non-native species were removed. Work took place town-wide including key watershed areas such as the Black Creek Greenway, Annie Jones Greenway, Carpenter Park, Dunham Park, Godbold Park, Bond Park, and Hemlock Bluffs. An additional 100 participants benefited from three outreach events, learning about common invasive plants in our area and how to support ecosystem health by planting native species.

Holly Springs Road & Ederlee Drive Sidewalk Projects

Construction of a new sidewalk along Holly Springs Road, near Jones Franklin Road, has been completed to close a short sidewalk gap. Pedestrians are now able to walk continuously along the north bound lanes of Holly Springs Road to reach shopping centers and other destinations. Guardrails will be installed in the coming weeks to address pre-existing roadway conditions. Crews have moved to Ederlee Drive to begin the second phase of the work, from Richelieu Drive to Avenue of the Estates. This sidewalk will close the remaining gap along Ederlee Drive, enhancing pedestrian accessibility to greenways, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, and increasing neighborhood connectivity. Along with the 5-ft sidewalk, conduit will be installed for the future expansion of our traffic signal facilities. Construction is expected to wrap up later this spring.

2023 Annual Biosolids Report

Cary utilizes thermal drying at both the South Cary and Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facilities (WRF) for managing and treating biosolids, a nutrient rich byproduct of wastewater treatment. Cary produces EPA-Certified, Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids by recovering valuable nutrients from the wastewater for beneficial reuse in a natural fertilizer and soil amendment product. In 2023, the North Cary and South Cary WRF together produced 3,817 dry tons and the Western Wake Regional WRF produced 3,184 dry tons of biosolids. Cary’s high-quality dried biosolids, known as Enviro-Gems are marketed to a vendor for use in the agribusiness industry. Read the entire 2023 Annual Biosolids Report  here. 

Crabtree Greenway Project to Begin Construction

Cary’s Crabtree Greenway Project from Bond Park to High House has reached a major milestone. Cary has issued the Notice to Proceed, and construction is set to begin for the greenway that increases access to Bond Park and connects the Preston soccer fields to the park facilities. This project received a $1,570,000 Federal LAPP Grant to offset Cary’s design and construction cost. Construction is beginning this month, with a targeted completion date of winter 2025. Lanier Construction Company has been hired to complete the project. The project begins at the existing trail system in Bond Park and will head north to an existing tunnel under Cary Parkway, then past the Preston soccer fields, and finally connect to High House Road and a proposed street-side trail. This project will complete an important gap in the Crabtree Creek Greenway corridor and provides another bike and pedestrian connection into Bond Park, the hub of the greenway system.

March into Earth Day

Cary’s annual spring environmental outreach campaign launched on March 1 with dozens of programs, celebrations, and resources for going green! Through a robust communications plan, the public is invited to join us in building a more resilient future with exciting opportunities in our six sustainability focus areas of Community, Energy, Natural Resources, Solid Waste, Transportation & Mobility, and Water Infrastructure.  

Duke University Graduate Students Tour South Cary Water Reclamation Facility

South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF) hosted a group of graduate students from Duke University this week. The Urban Forestry and Greenspace Management class is being taught by former Cary employee, Katie Rose Levin. The class was on hand to learn about how Cary is incorporating greenspace management into urban and industrial type sites.

Upcoming Meetings

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, March 12
6:00 p.m.

Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Task Force
Tuesday, March 12
6:00 p.m.

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

Council Meeting Work Session
Thursday, March 14
4:45 p.m.

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

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A complaint about GoCary services.
• A complaint about missing trees in a buffer.
• A thank you for considering moving to the November elections.
• A thank you for planting flowers in a median downtown.
• A request for information about the Crabtree Greenway.
• A request for the Cary Parkway railroad crossing (this is a CAMPO decision).
• A request from Girl Scouts to place bat houses in Bond Park (staff is working with them).
• Congratulations on being one of the Best Cities on the Rise in the South.
• A complaint about private property damage due to the Maynard Road project.
• A complaint with obscene language about an event at the Indian Temple on highway 54.
• A complaint about Wake County School bus transportation (I provided Wake County School Transportation information)

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting of the Cary Tennis Classic board, a Human Relations Inclusion & Diversity board meeting, a Wynston Ridge Homeowners meeting, a town council work session, a town council meeting, and a ribbon cutting for Spa by Jing.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 17^th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Town Manager One-On-One

I had a brief meeting with the town manager Monday evening. Our discussion included the upcoming retreat, a potential bond, and the Harrison Avenue extension.

Council-Staff Retreat

Friday and Saturday the entire council and about thirty staff members spend all day working on important town issues.

Council Dinner

Thursday night the council met for dinner, which was advertised as a public meeting. This is something that we do every year. We do not talk about town business and instead spend the time getting to know each other since we don’t have that opportunity as a group. I loved learning about our newest council members Sarika Bansal and Michelle Craig.

Ice Breaker

Friday morning the council and staff started with an ice breaker of “three truths and a lie” about each attendee. Other members were to guess the lie. It was a fun exercise that allowed us to learn interesting facts about each other. For example, one of my truths was that I was a foreman in a cookie factory.

Dr. Furman Presentation

Next, we had a leadership talk from Dr. Melissa Furman, who happened to speak at the annual Cary Chamber conference last summer. One of her interesting points is how different generations communicate and interact with others. She explained that this is based on events that shaped their lives. For example, being a baby boomer, I was shaped by the Cold War, the Vietnam War, Woodstock, Rock-N-Roll, the assassinations of MLK and JFK. These events influenced the goals I have in life and how I communicated with others. Of course, I am leaving out a lot of details. To find out more you can go here.

Meeting Wilmington Council

At lunch on Friday the council was scheduled to meet with three Wilmington Council members. Unfortunately, only one, Salette Andrews, was able to make it. It was interesting to share issues that each municipality was dealing with. We found out that council member Andrews was also a previously elected official in Arizona and how state authority there differed from North Carolina.

Capital Projects Update

After lunch future capital projects were presented to the council with the latest information. These are potential projects that the council has been discussing since last year’s retreat and could be on a bond this fall. After the presentation the council did an exercise to reprioritize major capital projects since there are two new council members. The ranking showed tennis and pickleball was first, four projects tied for second, and the Earnest Jones Property was a close third. Here is the order of the ranking with the estimated cost:

Cary Tennis Park Pickleball and Expansion Project: $60 million

• 30 pickleball courts for play and tournaments
• Clubhouse expansion including NC Tennis Hall of FameFlexible courts that can be converted into a 3000-seat stadium to hold higher professional tournaments. This will significantly increase economic benefit.
• Structured Parking

Cary Community Sports and Recreation Center: $560 million with $75 million from Wake County

• Community Center
• Senior Center
  • Flexible Competitive Space for multiple sports options
  • A 4000-seat arena
  • Structured parking
  • This has the potential to have an economic impact equal to or greater than all our sports venues combined. It will help transform the South Hills area.

Mills Park Community Center: $150 million

   

• Community Center
• Senior Center
• Structure parking.

Walnut Creek Greenway: $30 million

• Downtown Cary to Fenton and to South Hills

Asian Garden: $10 million

• Rock gardens, water elements, winding paths, bridges, meditation areas, shelter, restroom, parking

Earnest Jones Property of 217 acres: $10 million

• Phase I – foot trails, restroom, parking, & restoration of historic structure

The council then spent the rest of the day discussing financing such a large amount of money. While financially Cary and its citizens could afford such a large bond, council was not comfortable with that amount especially when re-evaluation of properties will have an impact on citizens. End the end the council agreed that a $560 million Cary Community Sports and Recreation Center would have to be phased with the first phase not including the arena portion. And that the cost would have to be under $200 million which would result in a smaller design but keep all the features of the community center and senior center portion in tack. It is important to note that the bonds would be spread over ten years and the earliest sale would be 2027.

Saturday Recap of Friday

Saturday began with a group picture of all attendees and a recap of Friday. The council confirmed that a potential bond would not include an arena at South Hills.

Financial

Saturday’s first topic was a financial update. There were a lot of interesting facts on property values:

• Residential property value change in Cary averaged a 56% increase while Wake County averaged 53%.
• Commercial property value change in Cary averaged a 39% increase while Wake County averaged 45%.
• Cary’s assessed value was 34.4 billion in 2023 and now is 49.7 billion which is a 44.4% increase in one year.
• Our tax base was 70% residential and 30% commercial in 2020 and is now 68% residential and 32% commercial.
• Average residential property value was $415,951 in 2020 and is now $647,748.

There was also interesting information on individual property values. The staff presented six random properties in Cary showing the value of the property and taxes over time based on today’s dollars. All properties showed a significant increase in value but four out of the six showed a decrease in taxes (today’s dollars).

One of the examples was a house near Maynard, Cary Parkway, and Castalia Drive.

It was first built in 1982 with a value of $63,500 (today’s dollars) but today is worth $445,018 which is an increase of 601%. At the same time the original taxes in 1982 were $1,786 (today’s dollars) and today is $1,536.

A lot is attributed to the increase in property values. Some of the contributing factors noted since 1998:

• 81 miles of greenway
• 20 new parks (including Downtown Cary Park, USA Baseball, Cary Tennis Center)
• 4 new fire stations
• 215 street miles

Cary’s current tax rate is 34.5 cents per $100 of value which is the lowest in Wake County by 4.5 cents. Our revenue neutral rate would be 24.5 cents per $100 of value. Other points noted from the financial report included:

• A penny on the tax rate was $3.5 million last year and is $5.1 this year.
• To maintain levels of service staff recommends 32.5 cents per $100 of value.
• Services would have to be cut to move to a revenue neutral tax rate. Many factors such as inflation, additional expenses, supply chain, etc. are causing the increase.

The council will decide the tax rate at the beginning of the fiscal year 2025 which begins on July 1^st.

Council Elections

The rest of Saturday morning was spent talking about council elections. Currently council elections are held on odd years in October. If a candidate does not get 50% + 1 then there is a runoff in November. The cost of elections is shared with other entities holding elections during that time. For years Raleigh and Wake County shared the cost of October elections. Now Cary, by itself, is paying all the cost. In 2023 Cary paid $690,711 for the election and $133,796 for the runoff. The council agreed that Cary should consider moving to November for elections. But to do that Cary would have to give up the runoff and 50%+ 1. This could mean a council race with multiple candidates could result in the winner getting something like 30% of the vote which means that 70% voted for someone else. The council will discuss this further in the future.

The discussion on council elections also included a segment where two council members expressed the desire to consider even year elections to save money and have better voter participation. Staff pointed out that even year elections would cost the same as odd year elections in November. In addition, changing to even year elections would require legislative approval from a unanimous council, and since one council member stated that they would never agree to that, it became a moot point.

In my opinion, even-year elections would be very harmful to Cary. Citizens that vote in odd-year elections, in general, vote because they are engaged and care about local issues. In even year elections the ballots are very long with races on all levels of government. Council elections would be at the bottom. My biggest fear is that uninformed voters would marginalize informed voters and that partisan politics would play a bigger role in electing council members. Political parties hand out slate cards at the polls. It is amazing how many people take them. Voting for someone because they are a Democrat or Republican is not good for local government. It doesn’t matter if it is a Democrat or Republican that keeps you safe, puts out fires, provides water/sewer, runs parks, etc. If councils turn partisan, then they are more likely to engage in partisan issues such as passing resolutions for or against Israel or Humas. This has absolutely nothing to do with the core services we are sworn to provide. Cary, unlike most municipalities, has become one of the greatest places in the nation partly because we remain apolitical. Should we change? I think not!

Development

The presentation on development covered a lot of areas. The following are some of the points I noted:

• Cary’s office vacancy rate is under 13% while the Triangle, North Carolina, and the US are above 17%.
• Office vacancy rates are expected to grow in Cary to 16% by the end of 2025. By that time the Triangle, North Carolina, and the US will be around 20%.
• Interest rates have not significantly slowed development in Cary.
• 41% of Cary is working from home which is one of the highest in the nation.
• Fenton had a parking deck approved in January with 5 levels and 722 spaces. It should be completed in a little over a year.
• Fenton’s Crawford Steakhouse is scheduled to open this fall.
• The South Hills project is moving forward and will have a Public Hearing this spring.
• Alston Yards near Parkside Commons will have 850 multi-family units, 400,000 square feet of office space, 55,000 square feet of commercial space, 200 room hotel, and a landing for a pedestrian bridge across Highway 55. They should have a Public Hearing this spring.
• The Weston office park is being visioned for lakefront development. The council will have a work session on this during the fall.
• Weston Parkway is being studied to add bike-ped trails on each side as part of the visioning process.
• The town hall campus issued an RFQ in May of 2023. Eighteen applications were submitted. The council has not seen these and is expected to review them before the end of June. The council’s process is only to select a developer before the public gets involved to help decide what should go on the town hall campus.

Environmental Video

The council watched a short video on Cary’s numerous environmental initiatives. I noted that Cary has 161 EV charging stations, will be the 5^th community in the nation with an electric firetruck, and will be the 1^st in the nation with an electric garbage truck.

Housing

Staff presented over 30 slides covering our housing initiatives. Here are some of my notes:

• Cary has been making an impact and investing in housing initiatives for over a decade.
• Major initiatives are in progress, including development of Town-owned land and more housing options for seniors.
• As we evolve, we will continue using high-impact, proactive strategies to further Cary Housing Plan goals.
• Cary has 474 affordable units in progress which will be added to our 790 existing units.
• Rose Park Manor will have 80 affordable units and should be completed next year.
• The White Oak Foundation is building 15 affordable townhome units along with a daycare, and a resource center. They should be completed this year. They are working on an additional project for senior housing.
• Greenwood Forest Baptists Church is partnering with Cary owned land to build 60 to 68 units with daycare. This is in the beginning stages of the rezoning process.
• The Stable Homes Cary will supply housing stability support scaling up the current Dorcas model. There will be a council vote on March 14.
• Cary is working on changes to allow ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units). There will be a public hearing this spring.
• There is a Housing & Community Partnerships Website which will have resources for residents, project profiles, and an impact dashboard.
• Some of the things in progress or being considered for new housing opportunities include grants for housing, identifying land for housing, acquiring land for housing, changing to LDO to allow ADUs and other types of housing, transit-oriented housing zones, senior housing, entitlement incentives, and homebuyer down payment assistance.
• Some of the things in progress or being considered for existing housing rehab include Healthy Homes Cary, grants for housing rehabilitation, partnerships with rehabilitation partners, a landlord rental rehab program, and an affordable market housing inventory reinvestment strategy.
• Some of the things in progress or being considered for housing stability and affordable living support include Stable Homes Cary, workforce development, community programming, the Play it Forward program, Oasis Utility Bill fund, and the Digital Access Equity program.
• Some of the things in progress or being considered for nonprofit capacity building include strengthening partnerships with faith based and nonprofits, building capacity of nonprofits, participating in regional housing groups, facilitating partnerships with developers and lenders, and expanding support for nonprofit executive leadership growth.
• The Staff is proposing an 84% increase in the housing budget which would be $9.65 million.

Summary

We covered a lot of ground in two days but did not cover all we had planned. Some topics were cut short and will be covered in upcoming work sessions. Other topics were omitted such as a Stormwater discussion which is now scheduled for the March 14^th work session. A discussion about Cary events, such as the Cary Christmas parade, will also be held at a future work session. All in all, it was a great retreat, and I am proud and honored to work with a great council and the best staff in the nation.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A concern of a social media post that said, “I think some Molotov cocktails through the windows of some developers’ offices is what it will realistically take for meaningful change.”
• Invitations to several events.
• A complaint that someone in a van with Florida tags parks at Barnes and Noble at night and we are doing nothing about it (From what I understand the private property owners must complain about trespassing otherwise it is OK).
• A complaint about panhandling at Waverly (Again, if the private property owner is OK with it, there isn’t much we can do. Trespassing is up to the private property owner).

Next Week

Next week’s activities include private meetings.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 10^th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.