Harold's Blog

Wake County Mayors Association Outing

Monday night I, along with my wife and two friends attended a Carolina Hurricanes game hosted by the Centennial Authority. Mayors from Raleigh, Morrisville, Zebulon, and Rolesville were also in attendance. The Wake County Mayors are blessed to be hosted by the Centennial Authority each year. It was a great time and the Canes won 6-3.

Tour of South Hills Mall

Tuesday afternoon I joined council member Smith, the town manager, and the chief development officer to meet with officials who will be redeveloping the old South Hills Mall. We talked about the vision for the area and the obstacles that would have to be overcome. Phase one of their development will depend on the Center that the council is discussing for that area. The developers plan to make the area a mixed-use development with a focus on walkability. Their concepts showed lots of trees and outdoor areas. Other council members will also be visiting this area in the coming days.

Town Manager One-On-One

I met with the town manager briefly Tuesday evening for our weekly one-on-one. Our topics included the future of town parades and future town elections.

CAMPO

Wednesday afternoon I participated in a meeting of the Executive Board for CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization). This board has 31 voting members from municipalities in Wake, Johnston, and Harnett counties as well as members from NCDOT. The agenda included three consent items, two public hearings, and four discussion items.

The Consent Agenda, approved unanimously, included minutes, 3^rd Quarter Wake Transit Work Plan Amendment Requests, and Mobility Management Program Funding Agreements to allow the implementation of a regional Mobility Management Program.

The first public hearing was for the CAMPO fiscal year 2025 Unified Planning Work Program which had no speakers and was approved unanimously without discussion. The second public hearing was for the 2025 LAPP (Locally Administered Projects Program) which also had no speakers. The LAPP program divides up about $25 million each year among members of CAMPO. Criteria previously approved by the board ranks each submittal from municipalities. The discussion centered around a Raleigh project that didn’t seem ready to move forward which would mean the next ranked project would move forward. The Raleigh representative assured the executive committee that they were moving forward, and it was unanimously passed.

The four discussion items were for information only and included information about the US 401 corridor study, an amendment to Fiscal Year 2024-2033 TIP (Transportation Improvement Program), a draft of the 2055 MTP (Metropolitan Transportation Plan), and a draft memorandum of understanding for the MTP.

As a result from a discussion at the meeting, CAMPO staff transmitted a letter Thursday afternoon to Wake County and GoTriangle outlining the Notice of Significant of Concern called by CAMPO, through the Executive Board, in accordance with the Wake County Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement (ILA) and in response to Wake County’s Notice of Significant Concern. The letter also notifies Wake County and GoTriangle that Vice Chair Lawter and Mayor Cawley have been appointed to serve on the Conference Committee that will be convened by Wake County to discuss the Significant Concern(s) raised by Wake County and CAMPO. Here is a copy of that letter:

“February 21, 2024

VIA U.S. Mail & email: david.ellis@wake.gov

David Ellis

County Manager

Wake County

P.O. Box 550

Raleigh, NC 27602

VIA U.S. Mail & email: clattuca@gotriangle.org

Charles E. Lattuca

Chief Executive Officer

GoTriangle

4600 Emperor Boulevard, Suite 100

Durham, NC 27703

Re: Appointment of Conference Committee Members & Notice of Significant Concern

Dear Mr. Ellis and Mr. Lattuca,

In response to the Wake County letter dated February 21, 2024, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Board (Executive Board) has appointed two members to serve on the Conference Committee being convened by Wake County to address the Significant Concern issued by the County in relation to the Vehicle Rental Tax (VRT) funds allocated to the Wake County Transit Plan and the Wake County Transit Work Plans. The two members of the Executive Board appointed to serve on the Conference Committee are:

Vice Chair and Johnston County Board of Commissioners Chair R.S. “Butch” Lawter

Email: butch.lawter@johnstonnc.com  

Member and Town of Morrisville Mayor T.J. Cawley

Email: tjcawley@morrisvillenc.gov  

In addition, pursuant to Article X of the Wake Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement (ILA), this letter serves as formal notice that CAMPO, through its Executive Board, is issuing a Notice of Significant Concern relating to the portion of the Vehicle Rental Tax (VRT) funds allocated to the Wake County Transit Plan and Wake County Transit Work Plans.

The items of Signfiicant Concern to be addressed are as follows:

1. What “portion” of the Vehicle Rental Tax collected by GoTriangle will be allocated to Wake Transit in Fiscal Year 2025?

2. What “portion” of the Vehicle Rental Tax collected by GoTriangle will be allocated to Wake Transit in the ten-year period from Fiscal Year 2026 to Fiscal Year 2035, effectively setting capacity assumptions for the next update of the Wake Transit Vision

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One Fenton Main Street, Ste. 201 | Cary, NC 27511 | Phone: (984) 542-3601| http://www.campo-nc.us

Plan?

3. The financial outlook for GoTriangle’s Authority-controlled Funds, including the actual Fiscal Year 2023 financial results, Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, and long-range financial projections, which CAMPO understands as the driver for GoTriangle’s plans to recapture all Vehicle Rental Tax Revenues.

This Significant Concern will be addressed in tandem with the Significant Concern from Wake County through the Conference Committee convened by the County in accordance with Section 10.02 of the ILA.

We understand that the Wake County Transit Planning Advisory Committee (TPAC) is in the process of publishing a draft Recommended FY 2025 Work Plan and the decisions made through the Conference Committee process will be timely and helpful in this process.

The Executive Board understands that the duty to engage in dispute resolution is a material part of the ILA and the Board’s joint commitment to implement the Wake Transit Plan. The Board is hopeful the Conference Committee process will result in meaningful discussion and resolution of the concerns outlined herein.

Sincerely,

Chris Lukasina

Executive Director”

Economic Development Committee

Wednesday evening, I attended a meeting of the Economic Development Committee. The agenda included an Imagine Cary Community Plan Interim Update Overview by the Assistant Town Manager, a Quarterly report from the Vice President of Economic Development, a Management Update from the Chief Strategy Officer, and a Development Update from the Chief Development Officer.

An interim update of the Imagine Cary Community Plan was presented to the board. The board was asked to review the plan in detail and provide comments. The plan is available for review and comment to everyone and can be found here.

In the summary of Economic Development activity, I made the following notes:

• Class A Office has a 12.4% vacancy rate and is expected to peak at 16.4% by 2025.
• Regency has a 30% Class A Office vacancy rate compared to 17% in the triangle and 23% in the Raleigh-Durham area.
• Office tenants are looking for more amenities.
• It appears that most companies are using an average of 3 days in the office and 2 days hybrid.
• There is a tremendous amount of interest in the Cary and the Triangle area.
• Verizon may be expanding in Cary.
• Garmin is doing well and may expand into aviation, leveraging co-ops and internships.
• Costs are increasing rapidly, and some projects are 30% to 40% under budgeted.
• There are currently 31 active projects that could result in 6491 jobs, $3.3 billion in capital investment. Our biggest weakness is not having buildings or sites that meet immediate needs.
• North Carolina is the #1 state for Female tech.

The Chief Strategy Office gave a brief update of council-staff activities including our former Director of Economic Development’s move to become the President of Lee and Associates.

Cary’s Chief Development Officer provided a fiscal year 2^nd quarter update (October – December 2023) of activity within the town, and I noted the following:

• 30 rezoning cases came through to staff. The Viridis development was the only one approved.
• There were permits for 174 single family homes, 75 townhomes, 306 apartments, 175 hotel rooms, and 66,000 square feet of commercial space in the 2^nd quarter.
• An application has been submitted to tear down an office building in Weston to build multi-family units.
• Multi-family is very hot in Cary and surrounding areas.
• The entire rezoning process in Cary is taking about a year to complete.

The committee discussed various trends and observations before adjourning. The meeting lasted a little over two hours.

Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Saturday night my wife and I attended a celebration for Dr. Subhash Gumber receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine which is the highest honor in North Carolina. In attendance were Congresswoman Deborah Ross, NC Attorney General Josh Stein, NC Secretary of State Marshall, Sheriff Rowe, Cary Council member Bansal, Morrisville Council member Rao, and several former elected officials. The event was attended by several hundred. I along with about half a dozen others provided remarks.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

It’s been a very productive week, especially in terms of getting ready for the retreat. And speaking of the retreat, we’ll be sending out the agenda and supporting materials on Monday.  
Given that we’ll all be together on Friday, there will be no weekly report on March 1.
Have a great weekend.
Sean

Downtown Cary Park Neighborhood Meeting

Last night, the Downtown Cary Park hosted its first neighbor meeting since the park’s opening. We welcomed nearly 50 neighbors to answer questions and provide information about park operations. Topics of major interest included parking, upcoming programming, and food and beverage. Park staff were joined by Deputy Town Manager Russ Overton, Police Officer Ed Ross, and the team from Cary Park Ventures (the food and beverage operators for the park). The overall sentiment from attendees was very positive.

Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility Annual Disinfection Process Change

The Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility will begin its annual disinfection switchover  on March 1. In accordance with state and federal recommendations, each year, the treatment facility switches from its normal disinfection mixture of chlorine and ammonia to free chlorine, which is more potent. This change, combined with the flushing of Cary’s water lines, cleanses the system and helps ensure safe, high-quality water throughout the year. During the switchover period, which will last until April 11, residents and customers may notice a minor increase in chlorine odor. In areas near active hydrant flushing, water may also appear slightly discolored.  

Proactive Data Collection for Stormwater Planning

In keeping with our adaptive approach to stormwater management, we are utilizing light detection and ranging, LiDAR, technology to collect geographic information within Cary’s urban service area. Through a contracted service, a plane equipped with LiDAR is flying over Cary this week to collect topography, impervious surface, and building footprints data. As our current data is over 10 years old, this proactive initiative will benefit Cary staff and the community. From this collection effort, new datasets will be developed to inform future Cary projects, enhance basin flood modeling, and support community resiliency.  

Presentation to Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau Board

On Tuesday, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Board had their quarterly meeting in downtown Cary. Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Director John Collins provided an overview of Cary’s sports and entertainment venues, as well as other exciting information about Cary. After the meeting, Downtown Cary Park Manager Joy Ennis provided the Board with a tour of the Downtown Cary Park. 

Three Federal Grants Awarded to Cary

Cary has successfully secured federal grant funding totaling $5,520,709 to enhance greenway and transit infrastructure within our community. The grants, approved last week by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Executive Board, represent benefits to citizens and also a vote of confidence in Cary’s transportation vision and commitment to sustainability.

The three projects include  Optimist Farm Greenway, which is currently under design and will improve bike/pedestrian connectivity in south Cary. This project will receive $3,250,000 in grant funding towards construction. Additionally, GoCary will receive $270,709 to upgrade the communications equipment on their vehicles, thereby improving communication efficiency and safety. Lastly, GoCary’s Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility project is currently under design and will receive $2,000,000 towards construction.

Statewide Minority and Business Owned Business Enterprise Board Convenes in Cary

Cary’s Office of Business Inclusion welcomed the North Carolina Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Coordinators’ Network Board to Town Hall Campus on Tuesday for its Annual Board Retreat.  Discussion topics included recruitment and retention of diversity talent, collaboration with the NC Department of Administration’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses, and organizational programming for 2024. Cary staff, Denisha Harris, Assistant Finance Director, and Diamond Branch, Business Inclusion Specialist, both represent Cary on the Board of Directors.

Polar Doubles and Wheelchair Event

Last weekend, the Cary Tennis Park and the Western Wake Tennis Association hosted the Polar Doubles Adult Tennis Tournament. Registration for the event was the highest in almost 20-year history. The tournament also included, for the third straight year, the Up/Down Wheelchair Divisions. These divisions have doubles teams with a wheelchair player and a standing player paired together. There were 21 wheelchair players from across the state that competed in this event.

Citizen Science and Wildlife Protection

Cary’s Great Backyard Bird Count inspired more than 300 residents to join in this international citizen science initiative last weekend. Participants of all ages enjoyed nature education through informational sessions, guided walks, and bird box building events at Hemlock Bluffs, while many others accessed bird watching supply kits at five other facilities in Cary. Along with understanding the valuable role that birds play in our ecosystem, this project provides data that scientists will use worldwide to better understand bird populations, migration patterns, and climate change.

Blasting at Hidden Creek Subdivision

Mid South Drilling has applied for a blasting permit at Hidden Creek Subdivision, located at Yates Store Road and Mother Teresa Drive. The application has been reviewed, and the first blast is planned for Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. Mid South is proposing two blasts per day (morning/afternoon) Monday through Friday for the duration of the permit; however, weather, and other factors could change the proposed plan. The blasting permit is from Feb. 26 through March 26. Sauls Seismic will be providing written notification to neighbors about the upcoming blasting and has offered voluntary pre-blast inspections to all structures within 500 feet of the proposed blasting. Sauls will also be monitoring the blasting with five seismographs located around the site. A representative from the Fire Marshal’s Office will be on-site for each blast to ensure compliance with the applicable requirements.

Black History Month Programs

Each February, Cary celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to our community, state, nation, and world during Black History Month. For a full list of events, click here. 

In-Person Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Rap Session Resume

For the first time in four years, Cary’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosted an in-person Rap Session on Monday at the Herb Young Community Center guided by facilitator Tru Pettigrew. Leading the group in a deep dive discovery on inclusive leadership, participants came away understanding that an inclusive leader shows commitment to meeting people where they are to ensure they feel a sense of belonging while providing them with what they need to maximize their full potential.  Acknowledging Cary’s cultural tenet that anyone can lead, the two-hour discussion focused on the “Five Cs of Diamond Leadership” – Competence, Confidence, Commitment, Consistency, and Care and inspired all present to carry these inclusive concepts forward in their work.

Upcoming Meetings

Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, February 26
6:30 p.m.

Cultural Arts Committee
Wednesday, February 28
6:00 p.m.

Council/Staff Retreat
Friday and Saturday, March 1 -2 
8:45 a.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A concern about permitting for a business.
• Invitations to several events.
• A question about how fast pickleball courts would be built if there were a bond and it passed.
• A complaint about no overhead cover between the parking deck and the downtown library (Wake County oversees this and is reviewing).
• A complaint about future Christmas parades having the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” and that it is child pornography. (Cary Jaycees, not Cary, has authority to decide who is in the parade).
• Best wishes for the annual staff-council retreat with a request to focus on people and not political parties.
• A concern about a potential future connection of South Harrison and Kildaire.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, council pictures, and the annual council-staff retreat.

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

Manager One-On-One

Monday evening, I met with the town manager for our one-on-one weekly. Topics of discussion included potential bond questions and the retreat. Our meeting was brief.

SkillPointe/NACCE Announcement

Wednesday morning I joined council member Craig at the Cary Chamber for an announcement by NACCE (National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship), headquartered in Cary, of the acquisition of the SkillPointe technology platform. Founders of SkillPointe agreed to donate the technology platform valued at over $6 million, to NACCE, which is a national leader in entrepreneurship education in community colleges.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina’s labor force participation rate continues to face a worker shortage with only 55 workers for every 100 jobs. The SkillPointe platform helps grow the supply of skilled employees that employers need and lists over 1,000 community colleges and their 60,000 training programs organized under 80 in-demand career paths that require a low amount of training, connecting students to jobs with high earnings potential.

Downtown Cary Park Receives TBJ Space Award

Thursday evening I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson, council member Bansal, and several staff members for the Triangle Business Journal Space Awards in Raleigh. These awards were given to the top commercial and real estate projects. Cary received an award for the best State/County/Municipal project, and I was proud to accept the award on behalf of the town. Also receiving awards in the downtown area were SAAP (1^st floor of the Walker) for the best restaurant project, and Mackenan Property Group for the West End beer garden on Chatham Street.

A few weeks ago, I was interviewed by Triangle Business Journal President and Publisher Jason Christie, about the Downtown Cary Park. You can see that interview here.

Cary #2 Safest and Affordable in South

The News and Observer reported that GoBankingRates, a personal finance website, released a list of the 25 safest and cheapest cities in the South based on costs of living and the rates of property crime and violent crime. Cary ranked #2. The website analyzed those factors in the most populated cities in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Washington, D.C. Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

In addition to the stories found below, I would like to thank the staff for their excellent work dealing with two difficult challenges that occurred on Wednesday. Chief Sult and Cary PD, along with Cary FD, were incredibly effective in safely concluding a stand-off in which no one was harmed. In the second example of grace under pressure, Chief Cooper led a large interdepartmental team in resolving a long list of issues related to a power outage on Town Hall Campus. Both of these matters required decisive leadership coupled with supreme technical capabilities, and I am proud of everyone involved. Let us never take them – or each other – for granted.

Sean

Sri Venkateswara Temple Parking Rezoning (23-REZ-09) Discussion 

At the council meeting last week questions were raised about sidewalks and overhead power lines during the rezoning discussion. Regarding the timing of sidewalk construction along the existing Sri Venkateswara Temple site, the sidewalk is a commitment of the approved development plan for the new assembly hall (22-DP-6356) and specifically notes “sidewalk along NC-54 to be completed prior to Certificate of Occupancy issuance.” As for the question about the power lines in front of Bainbridge Cary Apartments (at the intersection of Chapel Hill Road and NW Maynard Road), there are no overhead utility lines along the Bainbridge Cary apartment site on Chapel Hill Road. Power lines are located on the opposite (north) side of Chapel Hill Road at this location.

Mills Park Food Waste Drop-Off Site

To celebrate the first week of service at the Mills Park food waste drop-off, Councilmembers Lori Bush and Sarika Bansal, accompanied by members of the Carolina Preserve Environmental Group, Towards Zero Waste volunteers, and Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar, visited the drop-off site. The group engaged with citizens who are embracing this additional opportunity to compost in Cary, with half a ton of materials already dropped off. Both of Cary’s food waste drop-offs accept food scraps (raw and cooked), including meat and bones, as well as specific paper products such as pizza boxes and paper towels. Citizens are encouraged to deposit their items directly into the bins or in a Biodegradable Product Institute (BPI) certified compostable bag, which is also available free at the site to encourage participation.

Council Member Bush Named Chair of Jordan Lake One Water

We are pleased to announce that Councilmember Lori Bush has been named Chair of the Jordan Lake One Water Coalition. The membership of Jordan Lake One Water (JLOW) elected Councilmember Bush as Chair of the coalition and its Board of Directors at their last meeting. JLOW works collaboratively with stakeholders and state regulatory officials to envision integrated strategies and water policies for the watershed. This is an especially crucial time for the coalition, as the  State Division of Water Resources is now initiating stakeholder meetings to discuss future regulatory policies within the watershed. Congratulations to Councilmember Bush! We are very thankful for your leadership in this important endeavor.

Councilmember Bryson Robinson Discusses Downtown Cary

This week, Councilmember Jennifer Bryson Robinson was interviewed about Downtown Cary for Morrisville Councilmember Steve Rao’s radio program, Leaders and Legends. In preparation for the show, staff compiled a list of appropriations to Downtown over the last 20 years. 

Symphony Lake Dredging

Symphony Lake dredging is moving forward on schedule. The dredging work will continue through March, prior to the new season at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, with the silt being deposited at South Cary Water Reclamation Facility following removal from Symphony Lake. Council members interested in a tour in March to observe the dredging operations may reach out to Ginny Johnson to schedule. 

Spring 2024 Program Registration

On Wednesday, registration opened for spring programs. Online registration remains popular with citizens, as 93% of the over 5,000 registrations were processed this way.  Registration for non-residents will open on Wednesday, February 21. Additional services in RecTrac are now available online, such as room and shelter reservations, as well as volleyball court reservations. 

Volunteers Help Grow Our Urban Forest

With community support, Cary is growing a more resilient urban forest and providing an adaptive approach to stormwater management through a native plant project. A multi-departmental collaboration utilized community volunteers to install native trees and shrubs including elderberry, sweet bay, and button bush along the edge of the natural wetland at Dunham Park. Staff provided hands-on instruction to the volunteers about the environmental benefits of ecosystem restoration. 

Cary Updates Water Distribution System Master Plan

As part of Cary’s commitment to comprehensive planning to guide the future of our community, Utilities has completed a multi-year effort to update our Water Distribution System Master Plan. This Master Plan update reflects current projections for future water demands and right-sized new water distribution and transmission mains in support of growth and development throughout Cary’s utility service area. The updated plan helps ensure the successful long-term design, engineering, and development of Cary’s water system infrastructure.

American Legion Honors Public Servants

Cary Police Lieutenant Frank Schelah and Cary Fire Captain Zane Franks are the recipients of the American Legion Post 67 2023 Officer of the Year and Firefighter of the Year awards. They were honored on Tuesday at a dinner held at the American Legion. Police and Fire are incredibly proud of these employees and grateful for the service of the men and women of Post 67.

North Carolina State University Student Tour at North Cary Water Reclamation Facility

On February 9, North Cary Water Reclamation Facility (NCWRF) staff partnered with North Carolina State University to provide an opportunity for several future environmental engineers. The students were tasked with developing a Preliminary Engineering Report for a local municipal wastewater treatment plant as part of their senior design project. The students chose to visit NCWRF to see a well-maintained facility with state-of-the-art treatment capabilities. The ‘Pack’ of seniors were engaged, and we look forward to future visits with Dr. Francis de los Reyes III and his students.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meetings on March 6

Two rezoning meetings, 6200 & 6308 Holly Springs Road and Searstone PDD Amendment, will take place virtually on Wednesday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Upcoming Meetings

Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, February 21
5:15 p.m.

Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday, February 21
6:15 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A complaint about “aggressive begging” in Cary.
• A thank you for removing anti-Semitic graffiti from a pedestrian tunnel.
• A complaint about a backhoe tearing up asphalt on Glasgow Drive.
• A complaint that Cary isn’t doing anything about affordable housing.
• A complement on one of our affordable housing initiatives Stable Homes Cary.
• A complaint about a proposed rezoning next to Cameron Pond.
• A complaint about the entrance to the library from the parking deck not being covered. (This is controlled by Wake County not Cary. They have received our feedback on this issue.)
• A concern that improvements to the parking deck are to charge a fee. (Installing gates at the parking deck will help better manager parking within the deck not to charge a fee.)
• A complaint about someone homeless living in a van.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Wake County Mayors Association outing, a tour of the South Hills proposed development, a CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) Executive Board meeting, an Economic Development Committee meeting, and an event for the presentation of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, February 25^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

In preparation for Thursday’s council meeting, I attempted to contact each council member to learn of questions or concerns they may have had. Questions and concerns were expressed about rezoning 23-REZ-09, a rezoning proposal by the SV temple to allow overflow parking. Concerns and questions were related to not requiring the sidewalk along Chapel Hill Road. Later in the day I met with staff and Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson to go over the agenda items.

Town Manager One-On-One

Later in the day the town manager and I met for our weekly one-on-one. We talked mostly about the Kansas City trip, The Center, and a potential bond.

Umstead #1 Hotel in NC

Tuesday the Triangle Business Journal reported that the Umstead Hotel is once again the best hotel in North Carolina. You can read the story here.

Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force Meeting

The HIRD (Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity) task force met Tuesday night. Presentations were given on potential future center and inter-generational community center at South Hills and the inter-generational community center at Mills Park. The group discussed experiences in the Downtown Cary Park, the two newest parks in western Cary, and DEI education efforts.

Disney Invests $1.5 billion in Epic Games

Wednesday it was announced that Disney will invest $1.5 billion in Epic Games which is headquartered in Cary. Epic Games has included Disney playable characters into Fortnite in the past. The Disney CEO says that they plan to work with Epic Games to create a new virtual reality universe as well as new games and entertainment with more characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and other company properties. I was asked by WTVD to issue a statement. Here the statement I provided:

“I believe Disney’s investment in Epic Games is good news for Cary. We are glad that Epic Games is headquartered in Cary, and we look forward to seeing what impact this new investment will have on Epic and Cary. Hopefully, Epic and Disney will develop a long partnership. Regardless of your place or stage in life, millions of people around the world have found inspiration, happiness, excitement, and joy in the experiences offered by Disney and Epic Games, so collectively we can’t wait to see what comes next for those of us in Cary. We are excited to see how both companies will come together to stay on ‘Top of the Arc’ and what role Cary, NC plays in that.”

Stable Homes Cary

Wednesday staff provided finalized work to Council about a new partnership with Dorcas ministries for affordable housing. This was originally presented to Council at a work session in January and council agreed to move forward. The following is the staff summary of the new program, called Stable Homes Cary, with additional information:

Cary Housing Plan & Support for Housing Initiatives

• Two key foundations of Cary’s housing strategy are Partnerships and People First. Through projects and programs, Cary collaborates with local and regional partners to improve housing resources in Cary. These endeavors help ensure that all Cary citizens can enjoy the high quality of life that Cary has to offer.
• Since the adoption of the Cary Housing Plan in November 2021, Cary has launched several initiatives including Healthy Homes Cary to support those in need with home improvements; Cary’s Nonprofit Capacity Building Program to provide training for nonprofit leaders; and Cary’s partnership with Laurel Street Residential to develop 126 units of mixed-income housing on Town-owned property at 921 SE Maynard.

Stable Homes Cary – Dorcas Partnership

• Over the past year, Cary has been in discussion with Dorcas Ministries and other local groups interested in addressing housing instability, and in particular helping Chatham Estates residents. In addition to Cary and Dorcas, other organizations involved in the discussions include Taylor Family YMCA, Northwest Cary YMCA, The Carying Place, A Doorway to Hope, OneWake, and the Western Regional Housing Action Group.
• Through these discussions, Dorcas Ministries, a major Cary non-profit established in 1968, agreed to serve as lead agency to support the launch of a new program, Stable Homes Cary. Dorcas provides emergency relief and support services to residents experiencing housing instability. Dorcas integrates three key components: short-term emergency relief, case management, and referrals to other area providers.
• Dorcas also administers two existing Cary programs: the Oasis Utility Bill Program which assists residents with utility bill payments, and Play It Forward which provides scholarships to children for Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources activities.

• Stable Homes Cary will allow Dorcas to scale up their current program model to serve more community members in need, while creating capacity and expertise to provide support to residents who may need to relocate due to specific large-scale property redevelopments, such as Chatham Estates.
• Stable Homes Cary assistance will include individual case management to assess each household’s needs, to identify potential housing options, to connect residents with resources, and to administer relocation assistance disbursement. Dorcas’ expertise and data collection through case management will inform and determine relief needs.
• Cary will utilize previously budgeted housing funds to fund Stable Homes Cary and support the administration the Oasis Utility Bill and Play It Forward programs, including:

• a three-year allocation ($500,000 in 2024, $550,000 in 2025, and $600,000 in 2026) to increase Dorcas’ capacity, establish Stable Homes Cary, administer the Oasis Utility Bill and Play It Forward programs.
• an initial allocation of $800,000 to seed a fund for assistance to be disbursed exclusively to residents who need to relocate due to property redevelopment.

Chatham Estates Potential Sale

• As of February 7, 2024, Curtis Westbrook, owner of Chatham Estates, the 27.25-acre mobile home park located on 607 Cedar Street at the intersection of E. Chatham Street and SE Maynard Road, has listed the property for sale with broker Lee & Associates.
• The Listing currently includes the residential portion of the property. The current owner plans to maintain ownership of the commercial area Chatham Square Shopping Center and Maynard Plaza. There is not an advertised listing price.
• Cary continues to have a keen eye on the sale and welcomes the opportunity to work with any potential new owners to communicate Cary’s vision and needs as we do with all property in Cary. Until then, Cary will continue to communicate with the current property owner as they work to limit new tenancy.

The Stable Homes Cary will be brought to the Council for a vote in March.

Ashworth Drugs Closes

Thursday it was announced that the iconic business, Ashworth Drugs, located at Academy and Chatham, closed its business. This business has been in operation since 1957 and I remember it well as a child. I wish the Ashworth family the best in their future endeavors and hope to see a new business in its place soon. We will certainly miss their iconic presence downtown.

Council Work Session

Thursday evening the council held a work session and discussed retreat topics, the council calendar, connectivity requirements, the potential 2024 bond, and philanthropy.

Topics for the retreat include:

• The 2024 Bond
• Timing of municipal elections
• Development in Cary
• Downtown Issues
• Stormwater
• Cary Events such as the Christmas parade

The council calendar was reviewed, and no revisions were made.

The council asked staff to review connectivity requirements especially considering the Middleton Avenue complaints.

A potential 2024 bond was discussed at length. It was pointed out that most people are not sure what it means (bonds are essentially voter approval of a loan not whether a project should be built).

A discussion on the lack of Cary philanthropy. It was pointed out by a council member that Cary will eventually stop growing and funding could be an issue without philanthropy.

Council Meeting

Thursday night the council met for its first regularly scheduled meeting of February. The agenda included five consent items and one discussion item.

The auditorium was full because the group OneWake asked their members to show up and speak for Cary’s proposed Stable Homes Cary (see above). They had several speakers in the Public Speaks Out portion of the meeting.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

The discussion item was 23-REZ-09 for the SV Temple Parking. This will allow for overflow parking at the temple. In addition, they dedicated land so that the town could build a sidewalk along Highway 54. The proposal was unanimously approved.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

It was so good to be able to spend time with you this week, Council, both individually and collectively. During last night’s work session and after our regular meeting, I heard from several of you just how much you’re valuing the work sessions and the opportunities they bring for thinking out loud and free-flowing discussions. I couldn’t agree more – an excellent prelude to the retreat.
Thanks to you, we’re making good progress toward this year’s retreat, and the staff is fully engaged in making it our best.
Have a good weekend.
Sean

Girl Scouts Learn About Environmental Initiatives

Councilmember Sarika Bansal and Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar visited Girl Scout Troop 2327 to speak with the girls about trees, environmental initiatives, and sustainable practices. The information was well received by the troop, and the girls had insightful questions and engaging discussions.

TBJ Business Persons of the Year

Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson and Town staff attended a February 7 event celebrating Triangle Business Journal’s 2023 Business Persons of the Year, Cary developers Jordan Gussenhoven and George Jordan III. From the stage, both men credited the Town with giving them the confidence to invest in the Cary community. The panel, including several past winners and the 2023 winners, also discussed economic development, entrepreneurship, health care, and community development initiatives for the future of the Triangle region.

Soft Opening of Neighborhood Parks

Two new parks located in western Cary are now available to the public. While each park has some punch-list work remaining, staff has decided to allow soft openings to occur to facilitate the use of most facilities. A celebration for the opening of the parks will be scheduled later this spring.
The Neighborhood Park on McCrimmon Parkway features 12 new courts (six pickleball and six tennis) and hosts walking trails, a community garden, a playground, and public art.
The Neighborhood Park on Carpenter Fire Station Road features ballfields, a basketball/futsal court, a playground, an adult fitness area, dog park, public art, and a connection to the Panther Creek Greenway.

Cary Launches Online e-Commerce Store

This week, the branding team took a significant step in Cary’s rebranding initiatives with the launch of a new online store. This platform extends Cary’s merchandise availability beyond our two existing in-person locations and allows people to purchase branded merchandise from anywhere in the United States so they can represent Cary no matter where they reside. Visit the store and explore the collection at shop.carync.gov.

Downtown Library Parking Deck Gates Project

Contractors are wrapping up the installation of the parking gates at the Downtown Library Parking Deck. Now that the parking equipment and gate arms are installed, the contractor will continue to perform work behind the scenes to commission and test the smart parking system and will install signage before it is activated. This work will occur intermittently over the next month. Once the system is activated, parking will continue to be free of charge to the public. Cary will be able to use this new technology to better understand the use and capacity of the deck to help effectively manage parking. For more information about this work, please visit our website. 

ACC Championship Commits to Cary

Given our deep history of hosting nearly 90 college championships, the ACC views Cary as a great host, especially since we have hosted 49 ACC championships over the past 21 years. We will continue this legacy through 2029 as we have committed to each other to host Men’s & Women’s soccer and tennis over the next six years in Cary.

Cary Marketing Team Visits GRVCB at Tourism Talk Live

The Cary Marketing team attended “Tourism Talk Live” from the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) on Feb. 8 at The Ritz, a live music venue in Raleigh. Members of the GRCVB marketing team shared what they’ve been working on and how they can be a valuable resource to partners, like Cary, in promoting future visitation to Wake County.

Chamber Leadership Tour and Presentations

On Jan. 31, Cary PRCR hosted the Cary Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cary program. The group consisted of 40 business leaders in the Cary area, including Assistant Finance Director Denisha Harris. The group took tours of WakeMed Soccer Park, The Cary Arts Center, and the Downtown Park. The tour ended at the Bark Bar for a great social outside.

Parks at West Lake Meeting

This week, staff met with residents of the Parks at West Lake community to discuss signal and sidewalk projects currently under design in the area. These projects include:

• New signal at Optimist Farm Road and Glade Hill Drive
• Upgrades to the existing signal at Optimist Farm Road and West Lake Road
• New sidewalk along two sections of Optimist Farm Road
• New sidewalk along West Lake Road from Optimist Farm Road to Piney Branch Drive

Staff shared key safety features included in these projects and listened to feedback from the residents. Final designs and permitting will continue through the fall.

Police Training and Awards

Congratulations to six of our leaders (Lieutenant Jenkins, Sergeants Pearson, and Marks, and Corporals Jones, Pyland, and Crossman) for completing the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA) Executive Leadership Institute training course. Furthermore, we are proud to announce that five of them have earned the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award for completing all three leadership institute courses. We are proud of their achievements and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Fire Recruit Academy 28

Fire Academy 28 reported for duty on Monday. These 21 individuals will train rigorously over the coming months to earn their required fire, rescue, hazardous materials, and rescue certifications, as well as immerse themselves in Cary’s culture before joining their fellow firefighters on shift.

Celebrating World Wetlands Day with Service Learning

Cary celebrated World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2 with a service-learning event. In collaboration with our nonprofit partners from the Carolina Wetland Association and environmental science students from Green Hope High School, staff organized an afternoon of litter collection in the wetlands that border the Cary Tennis Park and high school properties. Participants collected 160 pounds of litter and witnessed the wonders of a local wetland ecosystem via a short educational presentation.

Cary’s Compost Comes to Good Hope Farm

Cary citizens are helping to grow future crops at Good Hope Farm with compost generated from material collected at the Food Waste Recycling Drop-off. Through CompostNow’s Garden Partner Program, the farm received almost 40,000 pounds of finished compost this week, and almost 10,000 pounds of that weight was derived from Cary’s Food Waste Recycling program efforts in 2023. Through this partnership, 10% of the annual weight of food scraps collected are delivered back to the community as finished compost for our fields.

Upcoming Meetings

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, February 13
6:00 p.m.

Greenway Committee
Thursday, February 15
6:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A question about a sidewalk project (You can see the status of all sidewalks here).
• A question about how to get involved with a Public Transit working group.
• Complaints 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 request to walk through Taylor’s Pond over the extension of Middleton Avenue. This is related to 22-REZ-21.
• Several comments that support Chatham Estate residents (This property is up for sale and residents have stated they can’t afford to live anywhere else in Cary).
• A request for a ribbon cutting.
• A comment that downtown redevelopment should have a maximum of four story buildings.
• A complaint that the “town, manager agenda, supported by council” to turn Cary into North Hills because of the RFQ submittals last fall for town hall campus. (Part of my response: “The newest building on town hall campus is 20 years old. We are reaching the point of having to rehab many of the buildings. Currently the buildings and the community center are not meeting the needs of the citizens or staff. It makes sense to research to see if it is cost effective to redevelop the area and include a new town hall. An RFQ was issued last year to get ideas of what a developer would do in redevelopment. I haven’t seen any of these to date. We will have plenty of time to provide input of what we think should happen with the town hall campus. One thing for sure, with an acre going for $1 million downtown, it would be foolish not to explore all our options.”).
• A complaint that the library parking deck is not covered.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a SkillPointe/NACCE Announcement event, TBJ Space Awards, and a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, February 18^th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Town Manager One-On-One

Monday 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.