Harold's Blog

Town Manager One-On-One

Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our discussion included my upcoming trip to meet with consultants on a potential recreation facility. Other topics included reevaluation and a potential bond this year.

Populous in Kansas City

Tuesday through Thursday I was in Kansas City with council member Bush and staff to meet with the consultant, Populous, to discuss concept ideas for a potential future Center to go at South Hills.

This potential facility would have a senior center, a community center, a competitive space, and a 4000-seat arena. Wake County has already committed $75 million if this facility is built. It would be a one-of-a-kind facility that would transform the South Hills part of Cary very much like the Downtown Cary Park has been a catalyst for downtown redevelopment. In addition to providing a much-needed senior and community center on the southern and eastern part of Cary, it has the potential to double the economic benefit from our sports venues.

A big thanks to council member Bush for hundreds of detailed questions and comments for the consultant. As we provided comments, the consultants were able to take those comments and create AI generated images which generated additional thoughts and comments. We were also able to look at and touch samples of ideas they had. The visit was very productive, and I look forward to furthering this concept.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

This report features a variety of activities councilmembers and staff participated in this week.

Work continued this week on a potential recreation facility with a visit to Kansas City to meet with our consultant Populous.  As we further develop the concept, we will be seeking participation by other council members on a second visit, likely in March or April.  While I couldn’t attend, I do understand the trip was highly productive and informative!  Thank you to all who participated!

Retreat planning is in full swing with the directors hard at work developing their presentations. I look forward to presenting the topics for your consideration, post individual council feedback sessions, at the February 8 Council Work Session.

With January now behind us warmer weather will be here soon.  Enjoy your weekend!

Sean

Annual Regional Transportation Alliance Luncheon

Councilmembers Michelle Craig and Sarika Bansal joined staff for the annual Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) State of Mobility meeting last week. Elected officials, transportation professionals, and business partners participated in interactive discussions focused on the priorities outlined in RTA’s Accelerated Metropolitan Mobility Strategy. Priorities include an enhanced regional transit system, rapid relief freeway improvements, and support for mobility innovations.

Driving Through Innovation

Yesterday, Cary ‘s Councilmember and SAS Global Public Sector Strategic Advisor Jennifer Robinson and staff member, David Spencer, were joined by NCDOT Sarah Searcy to play host and lead a panel for a Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC) event “Cleantech Spotlight – Driving Innovation: Autonomous Transportation & Sustainability”.   Cary’s Chief Information Officer Nicole Coughlin moderated the panel focusing on lessons learned from Cary’s CASSI deployment and how government and businesses can collaborate to implement autonomous transportation projects to help reach their environmental and sustainability goals. 

Making Composting More Convenient

In support of the community’s interest and demand for growing composting opportunities, Cary opened a second food waste drop-off site at Mills Park, 425 Mills Park Dr. The expansion in service comes exactly one-year after the initial pilot drop-off became a permanent fixture at the Citizen’s Convenience Center and collected 80 tons of material from 26,000 drop-offs. In addition to reducing waste, the community’s efforts provide finished compost for Good Hope Farm equivalent to 10% of the of the weight of collected food scraps from both sites. As Cary continues to develop long-term waste management strategies, making food waste diversion convenient and accessible for citizens is a commitment that’s crucial in extending the landfill’s life and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

We’ve Got Mail

Beginning next week, Cary residents will start to receive their recycling stickers and magnets in the mail. The stickers and magnets will aid in our community effort of recycling right. Food for thought, the National average for recycling contamination is 17%, and in some areas across the nation there is up to 40% contamination. While Cary stands at 12%. Let’s continue to exhibit sustainable waste management practices.

Fenton Building Permit Update

During the month of January, some significant building permits were approved at Fenton. Building permits were approved for construction of a new 772-space parking deck and Doc B’s Restaurant.

Update on NCDOT’s Complete I540 Project

Complete 540 is being constructed in two phases, and Phase I crosses through southern Cary. Phase 1 (Sections A, B and C) extends 18 miles from NC 55 in Apex through Cary to I-40 and is currently under construction. This phase is nearing completion and expected to open Summer 2024.

Cary has partnered with NCDOT to identify where and how future Cary greenways, sidewalks and bike lanes will cross NC540. These proposed greenway/pedestrian/bike crossings were incorporated into NCDOT’s highway project. The future Camp Branch Greenway will cross under NC540 via a bridge on the highway. The Bells Lake Road interchange bridge will include the Optimist Farm Greenway which will be buffered from vehicular lanes; and a greenway tunnel will be constructed under the ramp at this interchange. These greenway and bike/pedestrian improvements are funded with Shaping Cary’s Tomorrow Bond, and staff continue to work with NCDOT as Phase 1 finishes construction.

Reclaim Water Holiday

On February 12, Cary’s annual 10-day maintenance shutdown of the reclaimed water system, “Reclaimed Water Holiday”, will begin. The scheduled shutdown provides Cary staff the opportunity to perform routine maintenance of the system while irrigation and reclaimed water demands are minimal. Cary staff mailed letters to our 937 reclaimed water customers on January 29, notifying them of the upcoming system shutdown. Citizens also have a valuable opportunity to perform essential maintenance of their own systems. Commercial customers who use reclaimed water for cooling tower operations were notified in advance via mail and by phone. Commercial users typically switch to their potable water backup feeds during the annual maintenance window. Following completion of maintenance and repair work, the system is scheduled to be restarted and back in operation by February 22. 

Cary and Lochmere HOA “Leave the Leaves”

As loose-leaf collection comes to an end, we had the privilege to partner with Megan Holler of the Lochmere HOA Landscaping Committee to give back their leaves. As the HOA is shifting a number of their landscaping practices to more sustainable ones, we felt like this was a perfect opportunity to give back to the community. The leaves were collected within the Lochmere subdivision and then given back to them to repurpose as mulch in natural areas and garden beds. The effort of repurposing leaves is one Cary has made every year to support programs within the town such as Good Hope Farm. Leaves are dumped at the farm which allows the farmers to add the leaf mulch to their gardens. Citizens can also request to have leaf mulch delivered to their home. 

GLOW with the Flow – Meet and Great GLOW Artists

More than 500 people attended the 2024 GLOW With the Flow – Artist Meet and Greet in Downtown Cary Park. There was great engagement with the VR experience led by Augmentality Labs as well as lots of people dropping in for some flow art using alcohol ink. Artists Matt McConnell and Erik Beerbower chatted with visitors while Rhett Hissam continued her installation on the Performance Pavilion stage and was able to share some of her process with onlookers. 

Getting’ Around with GoCary

Transit and PRCR Specialized Recreation and Inclusion staff partnered to provide a hands-on experience using GoCary. Participants spent time in the classroom learning about GoCary bus routes, understanding bus schedules, and using GoCaryLive.org to plan their trips and track their buses live. Then, the class traveled to the Cary Depot to talk with GoCary bus drivers and ride Route 4 to practice what they had learned.

Detective Andy Maurer Receives Distinguished Service Award

On Wednesday, Detective Andrew Maurer received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award at the 71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC. Detective Maurer has faithfully served the Cary Police Department as a Task Force Officer on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and was awarded this honorable distinction from United States Attorney General Merrick Garland for his part in disrupting and convicting a multinational suspect for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist criminal organization. Led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice, the Joint Terrorism Task Force is a locally based multi-agency partnership between various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies tasked with investigating terrorism and terrorism-related crimes.

Two Renovated Playgrounds are Now Reopened

Ed Yerha Park and Bond Park playgrounds are now open for visitors! The freshly renovated playground at Ed Yerha Park has something for everyone. A mix of different styles of play equipment, sound and sand play, added shade structures to cool down the summer months, and new soft surfacing to protect from falls are key features. While the design theme for Lazy Daze Playground was naturalistic in keeping with other Bond Park facilities like the Challenge Course. This renovated playground includes play areas and swings for different ages, spring riders, merry-go-round, sand play, and nature play with boulders. 

Upcoming Meetings

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

Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, February 5
6:00 p.m.

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, February 5
6:30 p.m.

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

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, February 7
12:00 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission
Wednesday, February 7
6:30 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Thursday, February 8
4:45 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Regular)
Thursday, February 8
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Complaints about a rezoning proposal 22-REZ-14 next to Cameron Pond.
• A complaint about a rezoning proposal 19-REZ-25 on Piney Plains Road. (This proposal, from 2019, has yet to be scheduled for a public hearing.)
• A thank you for all that I do. (THANK YOU!)
• A concern about crime in nearby municipalities that may be related to here.
• A concern about transit issues.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a State of Cary staff taping, a Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force meeting, a council work session, and a council meeting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, February 11^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

On Mondays before all regularly scheduled council meetings, I attempt to contact each council member to learn of questions and concerns about the upcoming agenda. A couple of council members had questions about the procedure for the Twyla Road closure. There were also concerns expressed about the Trinity Road rezoning proposal. Other than that, there were no questions.

Agenda Meeting

Later in the day I met with staff and Mayor Pro-Tem Robinson to go over the agenda. The meeting was short, and we anticipated a few speakers at the Wackena rezoning.

State of Cary Prep

Tuesday night I met with a couple of staff members to go over the State of Cary slides and the address text. I can’t thank them enough for their support, especially Ginny Johnson, our town clerk, who spent hours helping with the slides and getting the right people to fact check the address.

State of Cary Address

Wednesday morning, I presented the State of Cary address at the Cary Chamber’s Eye-Opening breakfast. It was a sold-out crowd and the largest one ever for my initial address.

I wrote the address over several weeks starting immediately after Christmas. It was turned over to staff for fact checking and review in the second week in January. I worked with the town clerk to produce the slides and decide which ones to use in this address. The last change was made to one slide on the morning of the presentation.

The presentation was given at Prestonwood, but the town used its own setup which included the stage, podium, backdrop, lighting, and sound system. It was recorded and should be available for viewing in a few weeks. You can see the slides and text here.

I gave the presentation, by my estimate, in about 40 minutes. I did not perceive that I made any major screw ups. Afterwards I fielded three questions which included affordable housing and pickleball.

I will be giving the address multiple times throughout the year. The next presentation will be in early March.

Visiting with Seniors at Town Hall

Wednesday afternoon I met with a few senior citizens from a tour group headed by Katherine Loflin. The focus of the tour was Cary’s history. I provided information about more recent history and the town hall campus. The group posed for a picture in the council chambers before leaving.

Council Work Session

Thursday afternoon the council held a work session on Housing Partnerships and heard information about two initiatives in helping with affordable housing. Staff reminded us that our housing efforts were focused on people first.

The first presentation was a partnership proposal with Dorcas Ministries to help with the affordable housing crises with Chatham Estates trailer park. Dorcas already helps Cary manage its Oasis program and Pay-It-Forward program. Chatham Estates was recently sold and will likely be redeveloped displacing several Cary residents who depend on workforce housing. This new initiative will fill gaps not covered by Wake County Social services and use Dorcas to provide emergency housing assistance, case management, referrals, and displacement support. The proposal would be for the town to provide financial support to the Dorcas support program with $500K in 2024, $550K in 2025, and $600K in 2026 using funds already budgeted. The council will consider additional funding of $500K to $800K for displacement services. This will be voted on in a February council meeting. For more information contact Heather Whelehan and Dana Widmar at the Town of Cary.

The second presentation was about a potential partnership with The Carying Place. They provide transitional housing to working families with children. They own 13 duplexes which they use in this effort. Currently they are working on a partnership with Greenwood Forest Baptist church to provide 60 affordable housing units on church property. In addition, the town owns adjacent land which could potentially provide affordable units. This was information for the council so that they were aware of what is being worked on. We will hear more later.

Council Meeting

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

The consent agenda was approved unanimously and included the Ivey-Ellington House rehabilitation bid award, and technical revisions on council rules and procedures.

The first public hearing was for the Wackena Towns proposed rezoning. There were several speakers in opposition to the proposal. The complaints included the proposed density and the lack of connectivity of Highcroft Drive. This property was rezoned in 2015 to R8 which means single family on a .20 acre lots. It will go to the Planning and Zoning Board for their review and recommendation and return to council for a vote in a few months.

The second public hearing was for the Bel Canto proposed rezoning at the destination center located on Green Level West near I540. While there were no speakers the council expressed several concerns including a lack of enough commercial space to support residents, not enough EV chargers, and lack of affordable housing. This will go to the Planning and Zoning Board for their review and recommendation and return to council for a vote in a few months.

The third public hearing was for a portion of Twyla Road that was abandoned by NCDOT. There were no speakers and the council unanimously approved closing the right-of-way and returning it to adjacent property owners.

The last public hearing was for a portion of Macedonia Road that was abandoned because of road realignment.. There were no speakers and the council unanimously approved closing the right-of-way and returning it to adjacent property owners.

After the council meeting, I briefly met with two scouts who attended the council meeting. We talked about the meeting and discussed what they witnessed. They asked a few questions, and I gave some insight into council activity. Afterwards we took pictures.

Cary #1 in US for Remote Working

Thursday I was notified that a recent study by SmartAsset examined remote work trends in 344 large U.S. cities. Cary, N.C., had the highest percentage of remote workers with 41.4% of its workers working from home. You can read the entire article here.

Town Manager’s Report

Russ’s Message

It was great to start off the year on such a positive note at the Mayor’s State of Cary Address during the Chamber Eye Opener on Wednesday. I was happy to share the experience with elected officials, business leaders, and community members, all of whom share a love of Cary and everything we accomplish together. The mayor did an incredible job summarizing the past year and highlighting what to look forward to in the coming year. 
Happy Friday and have a great weekend.
Russ

2024 Biennial Citizen Satisfaction Survey

Starting Monday, Jan. 29, Cary’s ⁠Biennial Citizen Satisfaction Survey will be issued to a randomly-selected group of citizens to gauge effectiveness in its mission and measure overall confidence in the Town’s government operations. Consultants working on behalf of Cary will contact randomly selected residents by phone. As in previous surveys, topics covered will include public safety, services, communications, transportation, recreation, and the environment.

Bus Rapid Transit Update

Cary and Raleigh continue to prepare for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which will provide fast, reliable, and frequent service between downtown Cary and downtown Raleigh. The Western Corridor line will originate at Cary’s future Multi-Modal Center and travel along a 12-mile route with 20 stations, 6 of which are planned for Cary. Over the last few weeks, BRT and station area planning groups conducted meetings covering topics such as pedestrian and bicycle accommodations near transit stops, housing data and considerations, multi-jurisdictional coordination on the BRT route, and station design. This work will contribute to the FTA Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Small Starts Ratings submission, which Cary and Raleigh are actively preparing to complete by the Fall of 2024. The ratings application is a major step in the federal process required to secure federal funding. 

Teen Council Bike Workshop

The Cary Bike Plan is currently being updated. Recommendations received will guide decisions and shape the future of safe and comfortable bicycling across Cary. On Tuesday night, staff and the project consultant, Toole Design, met with the Cary Teen Council for a bike workshop to share the goals of the plan and solicit input. Topics discussed include bicycling in Cary today, national best practices, making connections, and the greenway network.

2024 Performances at the Page

The Performances at the Page 2024 Indoor Series kicked off on Sunday with Erik Dyke & Friends. Nearly 70 guests enjoyed music from the Great American Songbook. The ‘friends’ this year included Nikita Pace, Brad Hunnicutt, Corinne Crowley, Tatiana Zibrova, Anne Dyke, Anna Black, Nancy Pitkin, and James Long. This special concert was presented by the Friends of Page-Walker as the Carol J. Wright Memorial Concert. 

Cary Hosts Academy of Engineering Students

Cary staff hosted Wake County Public School System Academy of Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing students this week. Students job-shadowed Cary engineering staff to explore the field of civil engineering, learn about public sector service, and gain hands-on experience in the field. Highlights of the day included a tour of the Traffic Management Center, the Carpenter Fire Station Rd. bridge project, and several neighborhood traffic calming projects. 

Upcoming Meetings

No Upcoming Meetings

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Dozens of complaints about rezoning proposal 22-REZ-14 next to Cameron Pond.
• Concerns about new property values because of reevaluation (These are set by Wake County and not Cary. Cary will set the tax rate in our next budget that takes effect on July 1^st.)
• Kudos for my State of Cary Address at the Chamber breakfast.
• A question about why we don’t require builders to provide more electricity than the house consumes “like Florida does” (Municipalities in NC get their authority from the NC legislature. We do not have the authority to require this.)
• A complaint about the rezoning proposal 22-REZ-23 Wackena Towns.
• A complaint about sidewalk obstruction near Jenks Carpenter that ended with “… the worst US State to live and work in for 2023. Cary and North Carolina are seemingly vying for that title in an obscure race to the bottom.” (Wow! Sorry we are not moving fast enough.)
• A complaint about the lack of pickleball courts.
• A complaint about loud cars downtown.
• A complaint about e-bikes on Cary greenways.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, and a trip to Kansas City.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, February 4^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.

4H Club

Monday morning I had the opportunity to visit with a 4H club who were working on restoring the community garden off Dry Avenue across from Bliss Reality. It was abandoned in 2015 and was totally overgrown. They have cleared out most of the brush and are now working on removing small tree trunks in the raised beds. It is my understanding that they meet every Monday morning to work on the community garden if you want to lend a hand.

Mental Health

Monday Wake County Commissioner Stallings shared the following:

“… I am excited to share this mental health training opportunity for adults who work with our youth that has developed over the past several months (planning started in August 2023). It was an idea brought to Andi Curtis at Wake Med from Raleigh City Councilwoman Christina Jones and area DBT psychologist Dr. Melanie McCabe. Dr. McCabe uses DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) in her mental health practice and she wants to offer training to adults who work with Wake County youth to help adults teach DBT skills to youth. DBT therapy is skills based, and aims to help youth learn behavioral and emotional regulation skills, social problem solving skills, and conflict resolution skills. A detailed DBT training manual has been developed for adults who work with youth in communities, and Dr. McCabe and her colleagues are willing to offer 2 separate training days free of charge to community members interested in receiving the training (parents, civic club leaders, parks and recreation mentors, camp counselors, faith leaders, coaches, 4-H leaders, etc) – March 7, 2024 and April 23, 2024.

A person interested in the training only needs to attend 1 day of training (8:30 am – 4:30 pm). There likely will be opportunities for consultation circles to develop for those who receive the training.

A number of community, education, and behavioral health stakeholders have been involved in the planning and organization of this work (including me).

The City of Raleigh and Alliance Health will be paying for the training manuals/materials and the lunches for the 2 training days. Efforts to collect data will also be included so we can track progress and success, which will help us determine the need for follow-up training or additional training opportunities if we end up having a wait list of people who want to receive the training.

I wanted you to know about this exciting opportunity, and to give you the opportunity to share with your Council colleagues and community networks so people can begin registering for the training …”

Wake County Mayors Association

Ten of the twelve Wake County Mayors met Monday night for the first of our monthly meetings in 2024. Absent were the mayors of Apex and Raleigh. Our discussions focused on the 2024 calendar, community accomplishments, and the upcoming property reevaluations. Most of the mayors believed they would not be able to do revenue neutral because of inflation and increasing costs. Our meeting lasted about two and a half hours.

CAMPO

Wednesday afternoon I attended a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board (CAMPO). We are responsible for carrying out an annual work program which includes updating the Transportation Improvement Program (a seven-year project programming schedule) and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (a minimum twenty-year forecast of projects and programs). The agenda for this meeting had two consent items, one public hearing, and eight discussion items.

The public hearing was for an amendment to FY2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). These amendments had no significant impact on Cary were approved unanimously.

Under discussion items, the Chair, Mayor Jones, and vice-chair, Commissioner Lawter, were reelected.

CAMPO staff presented the LAPP (Locally Administered Projects Program) projects. Three Cary projects were part of the LAPP report:

• Crabtree Creek Greenway Connector (Weston Parkway Grade Separation) – Final plans have been submitted for approval. One remaining easement is needed. Construction authorization is planned in the next two to three months.
• Carpenter Fire Station Road Widening – Utility relocation which includes burying power lines on the east portion of the project began this month and is expected to take approximately a year. Construction authorization will be issued after this phase is completed.
• Old Apex Road Sidewalk Gap – Staff continues to coordinate with the railroad which is a lengthy process to obtain design and permit approval. Construction authorization is planned in the next two to three months.

Information was also presented on GoTriangle, the Unified Workplan for next fiscal year, a regional rail committee update, and the US 1 North project. The executive board unanimously approved a study for tolling US 1 North of I540 since that is not scheduled for freeway changes until the late 2030s.

The meeting concluded after about two and a half hours before going into closed session to discuss merit increases for the Executive Director.

Foutainworks and Retreat Prep

Thursday I met with a representative for Fountainworks, who will be facilitating our annual council-staff retreat at the end of February. We went over a few dozen topics, and I was asked to rate them as least to most important for the retreat. The Fountainworks representative will do this with each council member to decide what to cover at the retreat. Remaining topics will be covered and discussed at quarterly meetings or work sessions.

NC Representative Cervania meeting

Thursday afternoon I met with NC Representative Maria Cervania who represents parts of Cary. We talked about ways she could help Cary in her role as legislator. My main point was do no harm. So many times, legislation is introduced to fix an issue with one municipality by making a bill for all municipalities. That type of legislation can prove very harmful to some municipalities.

Private Citizen Meeting

Later Thursday I joined council member Smith, and Housing Director Whelehan to meet with two citizens about affordable housing. Based on their questions and comments they were mostly curious about our commitment to affordable housing and how they can help. I explained that one of the most impactful ways we can address affordable housing is through partnerships. Currently, Cary is exploring several partnerships including several churches.

State of Cary Slides Overview

Thursday evening, I met with town staff to go over the first set of slides for the State of Cary address. We narrowed down the slides to 36 and cleaned them up. I will give the address multiple times throughout the year and speak from these slides.

Interview with TBJ

Friday afternoon I did a taped interview with Jason Christie, the President, and Publisher of the Triangle Business Journal. Cary will be receiving an award on February 15^th for one of its “spaces”. It was fun for me to talk about a place in Cary that is so special.

State of Cary Slides Final Overview

Friday evening, I joined two staff members for one more review of the State of Cary slides. They will be finalized by Monday, and I will practice from that version.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

I recently met with the managers of Wake County, Morrisville, and RDU to update each other on current issues and shared interests along our jurisdictional boundaries. This was a very positive meeting and important in helping ensure our relationships stay strong by maintaining open and effective communications for potential future collaborations. I have a great deal of respect for these colleagues and always find our time together to be incredibly valuable.

Have a good weekend.

Sean

Walnut Street Community Meeting

Last night, Police held a community meeting for neighbors along the Walnut Street corridor. Councilmembers Carissa Kohn-Johnson and Michelle Craig joined Chief Sult, Police staff, and Deputy Manager Russ Overton, to listen to citizens and answer questions regarding pedestrian and vehicular concerns along this corridor. There were good comments by citizens and discussion of many short-, middle-, and longer-term solutions. Staff told citizens that Cary would be bringing back plans for a “road diet” that included a median and narrower lanes including more bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Chief Sult reiterated that there will be more opportunities for citizen dialogue and discussion moving forward, and the focus is on education, engineering, and enforcement. Police has enhanced enforcement in the area while working to collect and analyze traffic information for continued problem-solving efforts with Town staff and the community.

2024 MLK Dreamfest Weekend

During the long weekend, Cary honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a diverse range of programs which invited citizens to reflect on social justice issues championed by Dr. King. The weekend included a live comedy show, a “Tellebration” storytelling for kids, and a “Dreamfest Celebration” multi-performer showcase production at the Cary Arts Center on Saturday evening. Sunday featured an Interfaith Service at Christ the King Lutheran Church and a Village Gathering at Cary First United Methodist for a community meal and discussion. Citizens were invited to conclude the Dreamfest weekend with a Day of Service at Good Hope Farm.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Community Meeting

Cary is proposing an ordinance amendment to broaden the locations where accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can be constructed. Over 90 citizens joined a virtual meeting on January 17 to provide input. This initiative aligns with the 2021 Cary Housing Plan, aiming to enhance housing options and meet diverse resident needs. Citizens are encouraged to send comments and questions about the proposed amendment to 311@carync.gov . Next steps will include a review of public input into draft language for an ordinance amendment and then presenting the draft findings to Cary’s Town Council for a public hearing in the coming months.

Imagine Cary Community Plan Interim Update

Starting next week, staff will present the draft Imagine Cary Community Plan Interim Update to Cary’s Boards and Commissions. They will provide an overview, answer initial questions, and follow up with each board and commission in their March meetings to gather feedback and comments on the draft. The initial draft will be available for public review and feedback from January 23 to March 31.

Fire Hosts Civil Unrest Class

Fire partnered with Wake Tech Community College to host a Civil Unrest and Planning for Public Safety Agencies class on January 18 in the Council Chambers. About 100 attendees, including members of Cary Fire and Police, as well as other regional public safety partner agencies, learned about current and emerging threats. They also gained insights into the requirements for planning and safely responding to riots or violent protests in their community.

Fire Hosts GiGi’s Playhouse Friends

Crews from Fire Station 2 had already established a relationship with GiGi’s Playhouse, located in their district. They further strengthened this connection on Wednesday when some GiGi’s friends visited the firehouse, bringing food for a great bonding experience over lunch and a station tour.

Transportation Staff Visits Reedy Creek Middle School

Transportation staff, David Spencer and Anthony Campbell, visited with tech savvy students at Reedy Creek Middle School to talk tech in Cary. The discussions with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders focused on the innovative Smart Cities applications occurring in Cary which incorporates Big Data, video analytics, predictive algorithms, and drones.

GLOW Kicks off with Under the Silver Moon Lantern Parade

On Saturday night, more than a thousand spectators and participants gathered in Cary’s Downtown Park for a community parade and celebration of light with handmade lanterns, music, and entertainment. Academy Street Artwork Projects and internationally renowned visual teaching artist Gowri Savoor, led a series of lantern-making workshops in preparation for the Under the Silver Moon Lantern parade as a part of the GLOW 2024 outdoor exhibition. Brian Magee took some amazing photos of the event. 

West Chatham Street Closure Planned

As a reminder, beginning Monday January 22, West Chatham Street will be closed between Harrison Avenue to Academy Street. The temporary road closure is expected to last one week.

Upcoming Meetings

Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, January 22
6:30 p.m.

Cultural Arts Committee
Wednesday, January 24
6:00 p.m.

Council Work Session
Thursday, January 25
4:45 p.m.

Council Meeting
Thursday, January 25
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Dozens of complaints about rezoning proposal 22-REZ-14 next to Cameron Pond.
• A request to give State of Cary Address.
• Interest from a business to get involved in Cary.
• A complaint from a non-profit about being relocated from South Hills because it was sold.
• Complaints about property reevaluation. (These are done by Wake County and the average increase in Cary is 56%. Some will be more, and some will be less. Mine was 64%.)
• A complaint that there aren’t enough parking garages in downtown Cary. (We have the Walker parking deck. Under construction soon the Meridian Cary deck at Harrison and Chatham, the Rogers deck across from the Cary theater, the Meridian East deck at Chatham and Hunter, and the Number 5 deck at the roundabout of Chatham and Old Apex.)
• A complaint about the rezoning that will connect Middleton Avenue.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, preparations for the first State of Cary address, State of Cary address for the Cary Chamber, meeting Seniors at town hall, a council work session, the second regularly scheduled council meeting of January, and a tour of the proposed South Hills development.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, January 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 contacted council members to learn of any concerns or questions about the upcoming agenda. Since the agenda was light, there were no questions.

Town Manager One-On-One

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

Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board Meeting

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

Winter Storm Finn

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

Council Work Session

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

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

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

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

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

Council Meeting

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

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

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

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

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

The meeting concluded after 31 minutes.

WPTF Interview

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

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

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

Council Meeting Follow-Up

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

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

2024 Wake Property Tax Reevaluation

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

Utility Relocations Starting on Carpenter Fire Station Road Widening

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

West Chatham Street Road Closure Planned

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

2024-2025 Cary Housing Funds Applications

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

Winter PRCR Registration – RecTrac

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

Yates Store Road Greenway Visibility Enhancements

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

Long Range Water Resources Plan Kickoff

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

Upcoming Meetings

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

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

Mayor’s Mailbox

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

Next Week

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

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

Happy New Year!

Writing Annual Address

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

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

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

Maintenance and Gate Work Continues at the Downtown Library Parking Deck

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

First Walk of 2024

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

Lead and Copper Rule Revisions

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

Upcoming Meetings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mayor’s Mailbox

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

Next Week

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

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

Wake County Mayors Association Holiday Dinner

Monday night I joined council members Smith, Bansal, and Craig along with several staff members in attending the annual Wake County Mayors Association’s Holiday Dinner. All mayors were in attendance along with other elected officials and staff members. Since it was the first time we had been together in about a year, we made sure to take a picture. The event was planned and run by the Zebulon mayor and staff. It was held in Raleigh and catered by Catering by Design from Cary. Each municipality supplied swag baskets that were auctioned off to raise money for Meals on Wheels. There was great conversation and fellowship, and a good time was had by all.

Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board Meeting

Tuesday night I met with the board members of the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board. Topics included future meetings, sponsorship, and community events that will be held in next year’s tournament.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

To close out 2023 and for the first time, the Manager’s Office hosted a holiday open house for our department along with Directors. This is something I’ve wanted to do for some time, and I’m so appreciative of Brittany Edwards, Christie Moser, and Sarah Acker for making it a reality. 
2023 has been an incredibly full year – frenetic at times – and I appreciated the opportunity to simply relax and hear about everyone’s plans for the holidays.
As we approach 2024, I’ve never been more optimistic about our future and what we’ll accomplish together. Led by you, Council, our Cary team is perfectly aligned and poised to deliver on all it will take to keep Cary Cary and at the Top of the Arc.
Expect our next Council Weekly Report on Jan. 5, 2024.

Until then, my family and I wish you the very best.
With gratitude, 
Sean

Council Meeting Follow-up

South Hills Tour:The Clerk’s Office is working on dates for the Council tour of South Hills to occur prior to Feb. 22.

Cary Updates the Jordan Lake One Water Coalition on Watershed Protection

On Dec. 14, Councilmember Lori Bush and Cary staff updated the Jordan Lake One Water Coalition (JLOW) on Cary’s long-term programs for watershed protection. Updates included Cary’s successful legacy of stormwater management and watershed protection within our immediate service area, coupled with regional efforts to advance watershed protection for the wider Jordan Lake watershed. Jordan Lake, which provides Cary’s water supply, is within a broad watershed spanning 10 counties and 27 municipalities. Updates were provided on Cary’s watershed protection funding strategies, reviewed regional partnerships, and selected projects under development, including the White Oak Creek Conservation Management Plan. Additional information on Jordan Lake watershed management can be found here.

Crabtree Creek Greenway Information Session

The Crabtree Creek Greenway project, extending from Bond Park to High House Road, is designed, with construction anticipated to begin in 2024. Earlier this week, staff walked portions of the greenway route with nearby residents and answered questions about the project, which will extend over 2,500 feet from the existing trail system in Bond Park to a proposed street-side trail at High House Rd. The project will connect Bond Park to a grade-separated tunnel under Cary Parkway and the adjacent Preston soccer fields. It will be constructed entirely on Town-owned land. Cary received a federal LAPP grant for $1.32 million to help design and build this $2 million project. Click here for more information.

Cary’s Commercial Driver’s License Training Program

On Friday, Dec. 15, Public Works staff had the opportunity to showcase our Commercial Driver’s License Training Program to our neighbors at the Town of Morrisville in our first-ever Train-the-Trainer event. Morrisville contacted Cary for assistance in creating its own Commercial Driver’s License Training Program, and we were happy to help. Our program was developed in the spring of 2022 in response to the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration’s Entry-Level Driver Training Regulations. To date, 27 staff members have completed the training and obtained their Commercial Driver’s License.

VFW Post 7383 Honors Project PHOENIX

This past week, members of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7383 “conferred service citations” to the officers and leadership team of Project PHOENIX in appreciation of their continued support to our annual Winter Wonderland Holiday event. Winter Wonderland is Project PHOENIX’s capstone event where they partner with non-profit and faith-based organizations, including VFW Post 7383, to provide Christmas presents for deserving children in our community. In his remarks to the team, Gunnery Sergeant Jeff Sherman commended the group for their exemplary character and steadfast devotion to duty and service to the community, ensuring that those less fortunate families are not overlooked this holiday season. Gunnery Sergeant Sherman gave certificates to Captain Rob Carey, Sergeant Dustin Wright, and Officers Pat Fox, Matt Beale, and Jeff Morgan.

Fire Recruit Academy 27 Graduates 14 New Firefighters

Last Friday, Fire celebrated its 14 graduates of Academy 27 at a ceremony held in the Council Chambers. Among the attendees were Councilmember Michelle Craig, Deputy Town Manager Russ Overton, and Deputy Town Attorney Nick Yates. The ceremony marked the end of an intensive seven-month academy for eight recruits, all of whom earned their required fire, rescue, hazardous materials, and rescue certifications. Graduates had their badges pinned as they received their shift assignments. During the event, the class presented the Extra Effort Award to Firefighter Jamante Winston-Smith.

Davis Drive School Zone Expansion

Pavement markings and signage for the expansion of the school speed zone adjacent to Davis Drive Elementary School are scheduled to be completed on Jan. 3, weather permitting. This work supports Council’s recent decision to extend the school speed zone north on Davis Drive through the Waldo Rood intersection. The project involves the installation of new school zone pavement markings and high-visibility crosswalks at the intersection, funded through the Spot Traffic Safety Improvement Program.

Annual Meter Replacement Project Kicks Off in 2024

Select property owners in Cary, Morrisville, and Wake County’s portion of RTP will begin receiving flyers next week, alerting them to the upcoming Meter Replacement Project, which will kick off field installations in the New Year. This proactive replacement project will replace approximately 1,500 of the system’s oldest and largest commercial meters. The replacements will only be take place at larger commercial and multifamily meter locations. Typical residential meter replacements are not covered under this contract. However, staff will continue replacing smaller meters as part of ongoing routine maintenance. 

Renaissance at Regency Cottages

Last week, staff received final documentation for the acceptance of the existing private streets in the Renaissance at Regency Cottages neighborhood to Cary’s public street maintenance system. This was the cumulation of years-long collaboration between a multi-departmental team and the Renaissance Homeowners Association. Staff provided technical assistance and guidance to the HOA, which invested in making street, stormwater, and ADA repairs to reduce long-term costs for citizens in the community. The HOA assisted staff in analyzing our private street acceptance program as we seek to evolve the process. The accepted streets include Angelica Circle, Regency Cottage Place, Heathermoor Drive, English Cottage Lane, Bramante Place, and Medici Court. Staff is updating our GIS to prepare these streets for inclusion in next year’s Powell Bill.

Environmental Defense Fund Transportation Electrification Panel Discussion

The Environmental Defense Fund Cities Initiative invited Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar as a panelist in the Transportation Electrification Panel discussion earlier this month, alongside representatives from other North Carolina municipalities. Widmar highlighted Cary’s adaptive approach to fleet electric vehicle (EV) implementation through planning, operational phasing, and piloting vehicles. In addition to Cary’s 13 existing electric fleet vehicles, the delivery of a new electric recycling truck is anticipated in Spring 2024. 

South Cary Water Reclamation Facility 35^th Anniversary

On Dec. 21, 1988, the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility embarked on a service excellence journey for Cary’s southern wastewater collection and treatment systems. This year marked South Cary’s 35th anniversary, and South Cary continues to provide a wide range of forward-thinking strategies that ensure quality services to our citizens. Highly recognized and innovative programs such as reclaimed water, solar energy generation, and beneficial biosolids reuse continue to address Cary’s core values of service and stewardship. The facility has grown from its initial capacity of 6.4 million gallons per day (MGD) to the current rated capacity of 12.8 MGD. Join us in celebrating this milestone as we continue the mission for future success.

Heart of the Holidays Competition Wraps Up

Cary’s 12th Annual Gifting Tree Project featured a record 120 Christmas trees lining S. Academy Street and Downtown Cary Park. Local schools, organizations, and families decorated these trees, competing for a chance to win a donation to the nonprofit group of their choice. You can find the list of winners here.
Additionally, Cary’s 13th Annual Gingerbread House Competition attracted hundreds of visitors to 15 downtown businesses to vote on their favorite of 24 entries. Check out the winning creations here.

2023 Holiday Films at The Cary

Nearly 2,000 patrons visited The Cary over the course of eight days to enjoy our 2023 holiday film program. We’re proud to announce that 10% of holiday ticket sales will be donated to Dorcas Ministries. Alongside the fantastic holiday films, patrons enjoyed pre-show trivia games, ugly sweater contests, and an enthusiastic snowball fight! We hosted four sold-out shows and provided attendees with a free holiday photo keepsake.

Holiday Quick Reference

To put this important information at your fingertips, please see our list of holiday closings here, which include food and beverage services at the Downtown Cary Park.
For a full list of things to do over the holidays, click here.

Upcoming Meetings

No Meetings

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A thanks from the Haw River keepers thanking us for our partnership.
• Complaint about protests in the downtown park that are against Israel.
• Complaint about car exhaust and “unreasonably loud exhaust noise” from cars.
• Complaint about side street parking near the Downtown Cary Park.
  
  

Next Week

Next week I will be enjoying the holidays, spending time with my family, and writing my State of Cary address.

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

Council Meeting Prep

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

Manager One-On-One

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

Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force

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

Bel Canto Meeting

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

NC Senator Gale Adcock

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

Menorah Lighting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Council Work Session

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Council Meeting

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

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

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

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

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

Wreaths Across America

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

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

Voting on Zoning Matters

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

2023 Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

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

South Hills Rezoning

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

Captain Kat Christian Graduates Leader for Results as 2023 Civic Fellow

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

Cary Meets with SAS Environmental Team

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

Trip to Iowa for Electrifying News

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

Thoroughfare Street Lighting Program

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

NCDOT S-Line $1.09 Billion Grant Awarded

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

Howland Avenue Water Main Replacement Construction

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

Celebrating Cary’s Service Milestone Employees

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

Cary Teen Council’s 2023 Highlights

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

Upcoming Meetings

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

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

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

Mayor’s Mailbox

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

Next Week

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

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 24^th, 2023. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

TST Coming Back to Cary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Town Manager One-On-One

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

Council Organizational meeting

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

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

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

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

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

Town of Cary – Special Committees

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

Town of Cary – Boards/Commissions

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

The organization meeting concluded after about two hours.

First Responders Breakfast

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

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

Economic Development Committee

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

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

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

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

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

The meeting concluded after a couple of hours.

Cary Matters Taping

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

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

Rapid Fire Questions:

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

Make sure to watch Cary Matters to see their answers.

Sister Cities Holiday Event

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

Cary Christmas Parade

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Jaycees issued a statement as follows:

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

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

Palestinian Protest

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

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

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

Tree Lighting Video Available

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

Chamber Hosts Annual First Responders Appreciation Breakfast

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

Victorian Christmas at the Page Walker

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

Heart of the Holidays Competition Underway

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

Police & Fire Hosts Heroes & Helpers Event

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

Environmental Education for Climate Action

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

Collaborating on Cary’s Tree Canopy

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

Staff Visits CASSI in Charlotte

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

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

Sergeant Alexander Awarded Public Information Officer Designation

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

2023 NCAA Women’s College Cup

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

Upcoming Meetings

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

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, December 12

6:00 p.m.

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

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

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

Mayor’s Mailbox

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

Next Week

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

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 17^th, 2023. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Manager One-On-One

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

Special Meeting for Staff Reviews

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

CAP Appreciation Dinner

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

CAMPO and DCHC MPO Regional Rail Subcommittee Meeting

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

Cary Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

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

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

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

Cary #8 for Work Life Balance

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

Cary #9 Best College Town

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

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

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

Council Meeting Follow-Up

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

Accessory Dwelling Units Community Meeting – January 17^th

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

Citizens Assisting Police Appreciation Reception

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

Higgins Greenway – Phase IV Public Meeting

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

Visit to Dorcas Ministries

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

Recreation Made Easy

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

2023 Downtown Urban Open Tournament

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

La Farm Sidewalk Update

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

Upcoming Meetings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mayor’s Mailbox

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

Next Week

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

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 10^th, 2023. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

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

Wake County Mayors Association

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

Thanksgiving

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

Mayor’s Mailbox

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

Next Week

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

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 3^rd, 2023. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.