Tuesday I was notified that former Mayor Koka Booth passed on Monday, October 14th. Mayor Booth served on the town council for 9 years before being elected mayor in 1987 where he served an additional 12 years. He was born in West Virginia and moved to Cary with his job at Aeroglide Corporation in 1971. During the 1990s Cary became one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country. Mayor Booth was known for many things including his vision of making Cary a more attractive place to live. In the words of North Carolina magazine, he took Cary from the “Bedroom to the Boardroom”. He worked diligently alongside his council colleagues to prioritize various initiatives, such as expanding our park system and the restoration and activation of the Page-Walker Arts and History Center. The following is the press release of my statement:
“As Mayor of Cary, N.C., it is with a heavy yet grateful heart that I acknowledge the death of our 34th mayor – Mayor Koka Booth, who passed away last night. On behalf of the entire Cary Town Council and staff along with the 184,000 citizens who call Cary home, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Mayor Booth’s family and thank them for sharing so much of him with us. We all benefited from his enthusiastic efforts to help make Cary the wonderful place it is today. In honor of Mayor Booth’s service from 1987-1999 and beginning with the day of his funeral, we will lower Cary flags for 12 days – one day for each of his years as Mayor – and proclaim that day to be a day of remembrance in Cary.”
Tuesday, I did interviews with WRAL and WPTF on the life and legacy of Koka Booth. He was our great beloved mayor for 12 years. We will miss him! RIP Koka!
Election Day
Election Day in Cary resulted in two district incumbent council members being defeated and two at-large candidates, including myself, getting re-elected by wide margins.
This was a tough election for me since I view my colleagues and staff as family. So, I am sad that I am not going to be able to serve with Don Frantz and Ryan Eades after December. Don had a HUGE impact on Cary while he was on council. I will miss his expertise, determination, and his passion for Cary. Hopefully, we can stay in touch on a regular basis. Ryan did exactly what we hoped he would do and more when we appointed him in January. He used his experience and knowledge and represented the citizens of Cary well. I got to know him as well and will miss working with him. I hope he will continue to be involved in the town and that we will see more of him in the future.
I look forward to welcoming my new colleagues to the Cary family and working with them on critical issues. I will do all I can to help them in their roles.
For the district D race there is a runoff between two newcomers. I will support each one of them but will not endorse either of them. I have already talked with both and either of them would be a good addition to the council.
SAS Pro-Am
Wednesday and Thursday I participated in the SAS Championship Pro-Am with council member Jack Smith, town manager Sean Stegall, and past chamber president Howard Johnson. They have been part of my foursome for years. This year we had professionals Jason Bohn as our pro on Wednesday and Steve Flesch on Thursday. While we weren’t at the top of the leaderboard, we had a great time. Since my group is made up of great town leaders, spending extended amounts of time with them allows for me to have some good conversations about the town and its future.
Golf Channel Taping
After the Pro-Am on Thursday, I taped a welcome on the Golf Channel. I have done these the past 15 years, so I almost know the welcome by heart. I was able to do the tape in two takes.
NC Metro Mayors
Vetoes Overridden
On Tuesday, the General Assembly voted to override five more of Governor Roy Cooper’s vetoes. Cooper has vetoed 19 bills in total this session, and they have all been overridden by the legislature to become Session Law. The vetoed bills are below.
H600, Regulatory Reform Act of 2023, would amend various laws related to state and local government, agriculture, energy, environment, natural resources, and other regulations. This is an annual omnibus bill from the legislature that aims to modify business regulations in the state to encourage economic growth and development.
S512, Greater Accountability for Boards and Commissions, would change the composition and appointments structure of several state governing boards and commissions, resulting in less positions that will be appointed by the Governor. The bill would transfer some of the Governor’s appointments to elected state officials such as the Agriculture Commissioner, while others would be made by the General Assembly.
S678, Clean Energy/Other Changes, would change the definition of “renewable energy” in state law to “clean energy,” making nuclear energy eligible for that categorization and allowing utilities to count it towards their carbon-free energy goals.
S747, Elections Law Changes, would require absentee ballots to be received by 7:30 PM on Election Day, prohibit private money from elections administration, and give more freedom to poll observers for watching the voting process.
S749, No Partisan Advantage in Elections, would make changes to the structure of both state and county boards of elections. It would increase the number of members on the State Board of Elections from five to eight and decrease the number of members on each of the 100 county boards of elections from five to four. There would be an even partisan split on each of the boards, and all appointments would be made by the General Assembly instead of the Governor.
Diwali Dance Practice
The celebrity dance at Diwali this year included Mayor Cawley of Morrisville and I as well as several staff members from each municipality. The group had practiced every week since May. Due to travel, eye surgeries, and several other reasons I was not able to do most of the practices. However, I was able to do the “Mayors” dance and appear in two other dances.
Diwali Lamp Lighting Ceremony
Saturday started off as a rainy day, but Diwali began as usual. I joined NC State Senator Chaudhuri, Morrisville Mayor Cawley, and Morrisville council member Rao for the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Afterwards I provided remarks including a brief tribute to former mayor Koka Booth. I encouraged attendees to reflect on his legacy as they saw his bust on the way out. I noticed several sets of flowers at his bust as I was leaving. Following my remarks, I read a proclamation designating October 14, 2023, as the 23rd Annual Diwali Celebration in Cary.
Diwali
Saturday afternoon the rains stopped, and the crowds gathered at Booth Amphitheater for the celebration of Diwali. While the crowds this year weren’t as big as some in the past, due to the weather, it was still a full house.
Before the evening performances I made remarks along with Congressman Nickel and several others from Hum Sub. Sponsors and board members were recognized followed by scholarship presentations for several students. The audience included Mayor Gilbert from Apex and council members from Apex and Morrisville.
The evening portion of the celebration started with a dance performance by a senior group. Then I joined the group from Apex, Morrisville, and Cary which included Morrisville Mayor Cawley for the celebrity dance. The group had been practicing since May and put on a spectacular performance. I was proud to be a part of them even though I only participated in three of the dances.
SAS Championships
The SAS Championship started on Friday with beautiful weather. This was followed by a rainy day on Saturday which caused a suspension of play. Play resumed Sunday for the end of round two and the final round. Congratulations to Rod Pampling of Australia who was this year’s winner.
We are proud to host the SAS Championship in Cary. It helps expose Cary to the nation and the world. Thanks to SAS for being the title host for all these years.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
Reflections on Gratitude and Service Just like you, I often get asked, “What makes Cary so special?” And my initial answer, like others, is to quickly respond, “The People.” While accurate, that statement alone may not help much in understanding, so let me explain. Cary’s public servants, elected and appointed, connect with something much bigger than themselves – a common thread that binds us together and helps us form lasting bonds with each other and with our citizens. The common thread: gratitude. As Dr. James Aten notes, gratitude is both a feeling and a personality trait. In both cases, gratitude involves a process of recognizing, first, that one has obtained a positive outcome and, second, that there is an external source for that good outcome. When considering the widely held definition of gratitude, we often see the practice expressed in the affirmation of good things we’ve received and/or through acknowledging the role other people play in providing our lives with goodness. In Cary, that gratitude is acknowledged thru service to others. Cary’s public servants are grateful for what Cary has given to them and to their loved ones. They demonstrate that gratitude through their service to help keep Cary great for the benefit of others who also deserve to be changed for the better by Cary. Koka Booth. Don Frantz. David Ranes. Danielle Mahoney. Ryan Eades: five different people. Five different stories connected by one core value. All of them have given much more than received, and we are all better for that. As we move forward together in keeping Cary great and at the top of the arc, let us never forget that the “who” is just as important as the “what.” In appreciation, Sean
A complaint about the shooting at Amberwood Apartments.
A request to speak at a council meeting about pickleball (anyone can speak at any meeting on any topic).
Several complaints about crosswalks across from Cary Elementary.
A complaint about Cary’s E-Bike program.
A request to stop development to preserve tree canopy (we do not have authority to stop any development – our decisions are on the type of use and that use has to match the Cary Community Plan which was created by Cary citizens.)
A complaint about missing trees in the buffer at Commons Ford Place.
A complaint about lowering flags to half-mast for Koka Booth.
Next Week
Next week’s activities staff meetings, a meeting with council members, a meeting with a council candidate, a Wake County Mayors Association meeting, and a meeting of the CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) Executive Board.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, October 22nd, 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.
As I mentioned in last week’s post, I ran a cross country 5K for Charity. I received results this week and found that I finished 4th in my age group which was surprising to me since I run about once a month. (I used to run a lot more, but aging knees prevent me from frequent runs.) I was glad to participate in that event with my daughter and my son-in-law who still serves in the reserves. Thanks to him and all those who serve our country.
Week in Austin
This week was mostly spent in Austin, Texas at the ICMA (International City/Council Management Association) conference as part of my consulting job. My job was to talk with management from all over the country (and world) about managing resources such as water, wastewater, sidewalks, pavement, facilities, etc. I had a great time seeing representatives from Cary at the event. It was a great week of learning about the latest technologies, software, and strategies.
NC Metro Mayors
The North Carolina Metro Mayors met Friday to get a summary of legislative actions. Here is a report from KTS Strategies on those actions:
N.C. Congressman Patrick McHenry Becomes Interim Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives voted to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) by a vote of 216-210 on Tuesday evening. All House Democrats and eight Republicans voted to approve the measure. This marks the first time in our nation’s history that the House has voted to remove its speaker. When taking office, every speaker creates a list of successions that is shared with the Clerk of the House in the event they vacate the position. Representative Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) was at the top of McCarthy’s list and became speaker pro tempore, or interim speaker, immediately following the vote Tuesday. McHenry is serving his tenth term as representative for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District, a position he has held since 2004. He has not announced if he will join the race for the next speaker. The election to replace McCarthy has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 11th.
Budget Becomes Law
On Tuesday, the state budget officially became law without Governor Roy Cooper’s signature. H259, now Session Law 2023-134, is a $30 billion spending plan that includes 7% teacher pay raises, income tax rate reduction to 3.99% by 2025, $2 billion investment in water and sewer infrastructure, major expansion of private school vouchers, and enactment of Medicaid Expansion. This budget will cover the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. Now that the budget has become law, the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) will certify each agency’s budget in accordance with the appropriations act. State agencies will then begin operating under the new spending plan.
Vetoed Bills
This week, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the following two pieces of legislation.
H600, Regulatory Reform Act of 2023- This bill would amend various laws related to state and local government, agriculture, energy, environment, natural resources, and other regulations. H600 has been added to the House calendar for a veto override vote next Tuesday, October 10th.
S678, Clean Energy/Other Changes- This bill would change references among state statutes from “renewable energy” to “clean energy.” It would also change the definition of “renewable energy resource” to include nuclear resources and fusion energy, among other changes.
Governor Cooper has vetoed 19 bills in total this session. To date, the General Assembly has voted to override 14 of those vetoes.
Oktoberfest
Friday evening I joined Mayor Gilbert of Apex to kick off Oktoberfest. This event was put on by Cary MacGregor and Apex Sunshine Rotaries. Mayor Gilbert and I joined others in making remarks before I tapped the first keg of beer which signaled the start. This event not only celebrated the German culture but raised money for a good cause. The Rotaries designated the Meg’s Smile Foundation as their main beneficiary and charity partner. Their mission is to bring smiles to the faces of children affected by serious illness and their families while they are going through what can be a very long and emotional journey. To find out more visit www.megsmile.org.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
It’s great to be back in Cary! The mayor, staff, and I had an amazing time at the 2023 ICMA Annual Conference in Austin, Texas. We connected with fellow city/county government representatives from all over the country and even ran into some familiar faces from our own region. As you’ll see in the updates below, it was a busy week in Cary. I hope you enjoy your weekend. Sean
Farm to Fork Celebration
The annual Farm to Fork Dinner and Celebration was a sold-out event that attracted 150 guests to Good Hope Farm including Councilmembers Lori Bush and Carissa Kohn-Johnson. Honoring the project’s seventh year of agricultural operations and farmer education, the green gala included farm tours, live music, and a delicious meal harvested fresh from the farm. This unique event celebrates Cary’s agricultural heritage while inspiring guests to join us in building a sustainable future through local food and regenerative agriculture.
Cary Citizenship Scouting Event
Last week, 50 local scouts and a dozen adult leaders attended the Cary Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge Event – an event designed to help scouts complete requirements to earn the Citizenship in the Community merit badge, which is a requirement for scouts interested in earning the Eagle Scout rank. Activities focused on what it means to be a good citizen, the rights and duties that come with citizenship, thinking about services funded by our taxes, and understanding the organization of Cary’s local government. Scouts enjoyed a pizza dinner including a visit and message from Councilmember Jennifer Robinson. Special thanks to staff from various departments who volunteered their time to make this two-day event a success for the scouts.
2023 Municipal Election
As of Thursday, October 5, over 4,000 Cary voters have shown up to vote early in Cary’s 2023 Municipal Election for the Mayor, District B, District D, and an At-Large seat. Following Early Voting, Election Day is on Tuesday, October 10. To look up your Election Day polling place, go to https://vt.ncsbe.gov/reglkup/. For detailed information about the photo ID requirement, go to ncsbe.gov/voter-ID.
Public Safety Honored by Heart of Cary Association
To commemorate First Responders Day, which is October 28, the Heart of Cary Association honored first responders Thursday at The Matthews House with breakfast and generously donated thank you notes and assorted other tokens of appreciation. Fire Chief Mike Cooper and Police Chief Terry Sult both spoke, giving an update on Downtown Cary and answering questions on such topics as safety and parking downtown. State Representative Maria Cervania and Councilmembers Lori Bush, Carissa Kohn-Johnson, and Ryan Eades were in attendance, with Councilmembers Bush and Kohn-Johnson issuing a proclamation.
Parking Summit
Well planned parking management is an essential component of downtown living, working, playing and visiting in Cary. Whether parking is looked at from a business owner, resident, visitor, or municipal employee perspective, proper parking management is crucial to ensure smooth traffic flows, safety, capacity, and accessibility. In March 2022, Walker Consultants created a Downtown Strategic Parking and Mobility Plan for Cary that identified next steps and timing for implementation of various policy, planning, management, and organizational changes necessary to ensure that Cary’s public parking system contributes to the current and future successful growth of downtown Cary. On Thursday staff and parking partners engaged in a Parking Summit to reflect on the history of parking in Cary, recommendations from the plan and engage in a prioritization exercise on the recommendations. This was an excellent kick-off to lots of parking centric work for years to come.
Matt Pentz Recognized as Local Government Fellow
Last week at the annual conference of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, Matt Pentz was recognized as a “Local Government Fellow.” The Fellows program was established in 1999 to recognize attorneys as legal specialists in the field of local government law and to encourage attorney proficiency and competency in the local government law field. Applicants for this recognition must have at least five years of experience in local government law, submit letters of recommendation; and pass a two-part written exam. Matt and Lisa Glover are two of only seven attorneys in North Carolina who have attained this designation.
2023 USTA NC Award Winners
Cary Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Resources Department has been chosen as the winner of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) North Carolina 2023 Outstanding Parks & Recreation Department. The Western Wake Tennis Association (WWTA) has been chosen as the winner of the USTA North Carolina 2023 Adaptive Tennis Award. It is an honor to recognize both the Cary Tennis Park and WWTA for the valuable contributions they are making to tennis in North Carolina.
Friends of the Page-Walker Presents Service Award
The Friends of the Page-Walker, on behalf of AmeriCorps and Points of Light, presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Green Level High School Junior Kriti Peechu at their board meeting on October 4. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities. Kriti received a Gold Award for her volunteer service to the Friends of Page-Walker, the Cary Teen Council, the Red Cross Club, and many other services around Cary. The Friends of the Page-Walker are extremely thankful for her commitment and were honored to present her with a certificate, a letter from President Biden, a pin, and a medallion in recognition of her achievement.
West Cary Pedestrian Safety Updates
In response to citizen requests, staff signed task orders with two consultants this week in support of a continuing effort to improve pedestrian safety in Cary. Kimley-Horn and Associates has been retained to develop a scoping-level design and detailed project estimate for traffic signal and pedestrian mobility improvements along McCrimmon Parkway, associated with Panther Creek High School. Parents and students from Panther Creek High School have reached out to staff and organized a petition with over 80 signatures in support of pedestrian improvements. Staff have collaborated with NCDOT to identify solutions that will have a notable impact on pedestrian safety and vehicle circulation and are now utilizing the Spot Traffic Safety Program resources to further refine options.
In parallel with this effort, staff are working with consultant VHB to assess the impact of pedestrian safety improvements associated with the Nancy Branch Greenway crossing of Green Level Church Road. Another location that has drawn the interest of citizens in the area, this crosswalk has been identified for additional signage and markings in an effort to increase yield compliance by drivers on Green Level Church. VHB has been contracted to collect data before and after installation of these improvements so staff can assess their impact on the tendency for drivers to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. This study will be used to help evolve Cary’s approach to crosswalk safety town wide.
Morrisville Carpenter Road Traffic Shift
Morrisville Carpenter Road traffic west of Louis Stephens Drive will be reconfigured into a new traffic pattern to support the completion of the Carpenter Fire Station Road Bridge and Intersection Improvements Project. The reconfiguration work is scheduled to start October 11, with a new traffic pattern starting October 14. Traffic will temporarily be routed to NC 55 using a section of the new roadway and Saunders Grove Lane with an all-way stop condition at the intersection of Saunders Grove Lane and Good Hope Church Road. The new traffic pattern is necessary to complete the roadway work along the former alignment of Morrisville Carpenter Road. To learn more, view detour maps, and stay up-to-date on improvements, visit carync.gov/CFSBridge.
North Cary WRF Welcomes Clayton’s Utility Team
The North Cary Water Reclamation Facility (NCWRF) hosted a tour for project managers with the Town of Clayton on September 27. The NCWRF shared valuable insight to assist Clayton with the planning and development of their new Sam’s Branch Water Reclamation Facility. The tour included a walkthrough of our State certified laboratory and operations control center.
A thanks to the Parks Staff that run the tennis center.
Invitations to several events.
A complaint about a gentleman’s club being built next to Pleasant Grove Elementary (The only place we allow a new use of this type is near the airport).
A complaint that the downtown park is being built so that it can be named after me (Not true. The downtown park is named the downtown park.)
A complaint that I am allowing growth (Any property owner has the right to develop their property and we do not have authority to prevent growth).
A complaint that the downtown park is an “overkill”.
A complaint that we destroyed a perfectly good library downtown. (It was a county library, and they made the decision for a new library – which was a good one. We kept the old library site as an open space).
A complaint that we are not prioritizing Chapel Hill Road for improvements (This is a state road not a Cary road. They will need to fund improvements).
Next Week
Next week’s activities staff meetings, SAS Pro-Am pairing party, SAS Pro-Am, SAS Championship TV taping, Diwali dance practices, Diwali lamp lighting, Diwali dance performance, and SAS Championship final round.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, October 15th, 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.
Monday I attempted to contact council members to hear of any questions or concerns they may have had about the upcoming agenda. Concerns were expressed about the proposed Wake County shared cost on ballfields.
Manager One-On-One
Monday evening, I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our topics included council member relationships and the Anthony Blackman memorial.
Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board Meeting
Monday night I met with members of the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships board. We reviewed data from the September tournament and talked about future sponsors. Here is some of the information from that debrief:
With two rainy days, ticket sales were 67% of 2022. However, we had the largest single ticket sale in ATC history on the semi-final Saturday.
There were 171 volunteers and 108 ball people.
We had no line judges and was the first challenger tournament, maybe in the world, to have electronic line calls.
Next year we want to make sure ability tennis night and the Chamber of Commerce night don’t clash.
Our meeting concluded after about three hours.
Cary #5 Safest in the Nation for Treat-or-Treating
Tuesday morning I was notified that Cary is the 5th safest city in the nation for trick-or-treaters ChamberofCommerce.org.
Cary ranked within the top 5 safest cities due to the city’s low crime rate, high number of law enforcement employees and safe streets for pedestrians.
Overall, the study analyzed key safety metrics across 300 cities, including: pedestrian fatalities, violent crime, property crime, number of registered sex offenders, and number of law enforcement employees.
Here are the highlights for Cary:
Number of registered sex offenders: 2.1 per 10,000
Violent crime incidents: 6.7 per 10,000
Property crime incidents: 97.4 per 10,000
Average annual pedestrian fatalities: 1.33 (or 0.07 per 10,000)
Law enforcement employees: 13.2 per 10,000
The top 4 safest cities for trick-or-treating: Naperville, Illinois (No. 1); Gilbert, Arizona (No. 2); Frisco, Texas (No. 3); Sugar Land, and Texas (N).4). The article and full list of municipalities can be found here.
Don Frantz Reception
Tuesday night I attended a reception for the re-election of Don Frantz to the Cary Town Council. Don has served for 16 years and is one of the driving forces for the revitalization of downtown. I believe his greatest attributes are the ability to address tough issues/questions and being brutally honest. He is a key member of the council, and we need him for the next four years which will be transformative.
Cary Chamber Annual Banquet
Thursday night I attended the annual Cary Chamber Banquet held at Prestonwood. The featured speaker was Paula Henderson who is the Executive Vice President and Chief Sales officer for SAS. Awards for business of the year went to Esteemed Coffee, citizen of the year went to Sheila Ogle, and ambassador of the year went to Laura Eischen. In a special presentation, past Cary Chamber President Howard Johnson was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine which is the highest honor from the Governor.
Council Meeting
The council held its last meeting of September on Thursday night. The agenda included a special recognition, four consent items, two public hearings, and two discussion items.
During Public Speaks Out about half a dozen people spoke against a proposed development on Middleton Avenue that would require a road connection. One spoke in favor.
A public hearing to annex 1.5 acres and allow a single-family unit to connect to Cary utilities was passed unanimously. A public hearing for Act 31 of the Land Development Ordinance was forwarded to the planning and zoning board for their review and recommendation.
The discussion items which would receive county money to convert a USA baseball field to turf for use by the future Morrisville High School was tabled until the next meeting.
The council meeting concluded in less than an hour.
NC Metro Mayors
The NC Metro Mayors did not meet this week. However, we did receive a summary of legislative actions from KTS Strategies:
Redistricting
On Wednesday, The House and Senate Redistricting and Elections Committees held a joint meeting to hear from the public about the redistricting process, in which new political maps will be drawn for the 2024 elections. The General Assembly is required to draw new legislative and congressional maps every 10 years in North Carolina based on new data from the U.S. Census. The last maps were drawn for the 2022 election cycle by a bipartisan group of experts after a gerrymandering trial, where the state Supreme Court found the maps from 2021 to be unconstitutional. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger was quoted last week saying he hopes to hold votes on redistricting the week of October 9th.
Elections Bill Vetoed
This week, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed S749, No Partisan Advantage in Elections. This bill would make changes to the structure of both state and county boards of elections. The bill would increase the number of members on the State Board of Elections from five to eight. The Senate President Pro Tempore, Speaker of the House, and both the House and Senate minority leaders would each have two appointments. It would also decrease the number of members on each of the 100 county boards of elections from five to four. All appointments would be made by the General Assembly instead of the Governor. To date, Governor Cooper has vetoed 17 bills this session.
Charity 5K
Saturday I joined my family (daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and wife) at the 9/11 Heroes Run in Holly Springs. This race unites communities internationally with the goal to never forget the sacrifices of all our nation’s heroes, from the first responders who came to the aid of thousands of Americans in New York City, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, to the service members who have served with pride since. Travis Manion Foundation helps organize 9/11 Heroes Run events all over the world. It was a privilege to run in this race with my family.
Candidate Spreads Misinformation
In a mailer sent out to voters this week a candidate for the Cary Council District D stated the following:
“… When a resident prompt 9-1-1 during a medical emergency, help doesn’t get to them in timely manner. In some cases, patients have to travel in their own car in middle of this medical emergency to be able to get to the hospital. Also, I have emails from western Cary residents sharing their concerns, one of them mentioned above. I am committed to working hard to ensure that western Cary residents in Chatham County have the support that they need for better quality of life. Public safety is paramount and if I am elected, the residents in West Cary will see an immediate impact when it comes to ambulance and EMS services in this district. There are solutions and I will work with our town manager, Chatham County EMS and with Cary Fire to find immediate solutions to address these concerns. That’s the type of leadership I will provide in West Cary. …”
I think it is important to understand that EMS service is run by Chatham and Wake Counties and not Cary. According to the Fire Chief there have not been any complaints about EMS responses in over a year. It should be pointed out that ALL firefighters are trained as EMS first responders. Fire stations have been positioned in Cary to have a response time of five minutes. We also share our space, so EMS teams are co-located in all nearby fire stations including Morrisville.
Unfortunately, this candidate is using a problem that originated in a 911 call center from years past and is presenting it as an existing problem giving the perception that Cary has an emergency response issue today. That is not true.
It is extremely important for any candidate to understand that they can do nothing on their own. So, when you see or hear a candidate telling you they will fix this or change that, then they mislead you. Everything is a partnership. Additionally, giving misleading information about current emergency staff and how they perform does not help build trust. Trust is needed in everything we do if we want to continue to be one of the greatest communities in the nation.
Early Voting
Early Voting for Cary Town Council has begun. Here is the remaining scheduled for early voting:
Date
Day
Start Time
End Time
October 1, 2023
Sunday
1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 2, 2023
Monday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 3, 2023
Tuesday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 4, 2023
Wednesday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 5, 2023
Thursday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 6, 2023
Friday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 7, 2023
Saturday
8:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.
Cary Town Council makes decisions that impact on you directly. They are the closest form of government to the citizens. It is extremely important that you are informed and vote so that elected officials can help Cary remain as one of the best communities in the nation.
My Cary Municipal Election Endorsements
During this election cycle I have offered help to all candidates and have stated that I will endorse only incumbents. Unfortunately, some have used my help to mislead the public that I am endorsing them. Just to be clear the following are my endorsements and quotes about them:
Mayor
Harold Weinbrecht (me) – I am fortunate to be unopposed during this cycle and would appreciate your ongoing support and your vote.
At-Large
Lori Bush – “I have known my good friend Lori Bush for decades. She is a caring, compassionate, and committed person and has been invaluable on council. From her tireless work on Affordable Housing, to the greening of our Town, to improving our technological capabilities, she has proven time and time again that she is committed, dedicated, and compassionate in making Cary the best it can be. She has my endorsement and unwavering support for her re-election to the Cary Town Council.”
District B
Don Frantz – “Big ideas often require bold leadership to make the idea a reality and our downtown park is no exception. Don Frantz has been first among equals as the park’s supercharged advocate. Don’s courage, conviction and optimism have been remarkable and his clear focus on the goal has been unwavering.”
District D
Ryan Eades – “Ryan has the knowledge, experience, and leadership we desperately need from our District D representative especially during this critical time in Cary. I’ve witnessed firsthand his ability to bring people together to get things done and his passion for making our community better. I wholeheartedly endorse him and encourage others to elect to keep Ryan on the Cary Council.”
Please vote! Cary’s future depends on it.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
I enjoyed seeing several of you on Wednesday at the Chamber Annual Banquet – one of my favorite events! Something else I’m really looking forward to is attending the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Conference being held this year in Austin, Texas. It’s been several years since I have been able to go. As is our practice, we will be taking seasoned as well as up-and-coming talented staff to learn and enjoy this very special experience. We met on Thursday in our new conference room to talk about what each person was hoping to get out of the conference. We leave tomorrow and return on October 4. Please contact Deputy Town Manager Russ Overton if you need anything. Sean
One Day Wonder
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Councilmembers Lori Bush and Ryan Eades, along with 200 members of the public, visited the One Day Wonder display at the Page-Walker on September 22. The event, held in honor of Constitution Week, featured the original North Carolina State Constitution of 1766 and the 1868 Bill of Rights, along with other supporting documents. Members of the DAR and Sons of the American Revolution were there as guides, dressed in Colonial-style costumes. The event was sponsored by the Samuel Johnston and Asbury Station chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, with documents shared by the North Carolina Archives.
2023 Elected Women of Excellence Award Winner
Congratulations to our very own Councilmember Lori Bush for being recognized by the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) as an Elected Woman of Excellence Award Winner for 2023! We see firsthand the tireless passion she puts into everything she works on. Click here for more information about this prestigious honor.
Certified Master Public Information Officer
Cary’s Assistant 311 Director Carolyn Roman has become one of only 157 FEMA certified Master Public Information Officers in the United States! Please join us in congratulating Carolyn in achieving this amazing designation! Click here to learn more about the program.
Ederlee Drive at Penny Road Safety Improvements
In response to concerns routed to staff via 311 regarding pedestrian safety at the intersection of Ederlee Drive and Penny Road, staff initiated a redesign of the traffic signal. Pedestrians and drivers now have better visibility due to safety improvements.
BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival 2023
BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival returned Sept. 21-24, 2023, for its sixth year celebrating short films from independent filmmakers from around the world. This year, we welcomed 1200+ attendees to The Cary Theater over the 4-day event. This year’s competition lineup featured 22 short films from the U.S., France, and Israel. BEYOND 2023 also included three screenwriting workshops, three free industry talks featuring panelists film studios, and a special live performance paying tribute to jazz legend, Carol Sloane. The 4-day festival culminated in an awards brunch at The Mayton followed by a rescreening of this year’s award-winning films.
Take Action to Make an Inclusive Impact
In recognition of Inclusion Week, Human Resource’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion partnered with the Total Employee Health team to coordinate activities each day this week that helped staff raise awareness, share best practices, and build community around the topic of inclusion. Grounded in Cary’s organizational values, the week was intentionally developed for low impact to schedules, but high impact for the organization, and many departments took time to support inclusion through participating (Anyone Can Lead). The weeklong celebration offered an assortment of options (Working Smart ) – from a community building ‘Inclusion Ice Cream Social’ hosted at Public Works to targeted learning through SafeZone training – alongside more individually focused reflection including an on-site meditation class and a sensory friendly day for reflection on neurodiversity. Each day, staff were empowered with quick and easy to implement resources that can help all of us take action and make and impact, which was the week’s national theme.
Women’s All-American Championships
The Cary Tennis Park is hosting the Women’s All-American Championship for the second year in a row. This event features the best Women’s Division 1 Collegiate tennis players in the country. Play will start this Saturday, September 30, with the finals next Sunday, October 8. Admission is free throughout the event.
Complaints about a missing tree buffer at Fairview Park.
A request to help the Salvation Army with a permitting matter.
A request for a facility to have an indoor running track.
Complaints about a proposed rezoning on Middleton Avenue.
A request to approve the proposed rezoning on Middleton Avenue.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include a trip to Austin, Texas as part of my consulting job. When I return I will have staff meetings, attend the ITA Women’s All-American Tennis Championships, and participate in Oktoberfest ceremonies.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, October 8th, 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.
SmartAdvisor Match ranked Cary #3 in the nation for Job Market and housing affordability. Here is an excerpt from their article:
“… Cary was most affordable studywide, when comparing the median income to median housing costs (15.2% of a $123,857 income). Unemployment here was a bit on the higher side at 5.3%, which tends to be the trend for cities with higher median incomes. More than 41% of the workforce here was remote, and 86% of the workforce had private health insurance. Over two years, income grew by roughly 16.5%. …”
Cary #10 for Cleanest Tap Water
The Travel ranked Cary as the tenth best tap water in the nation. Here is an excerpt from their article:
“… Located near North Carolina’s famed Research Triangle, this Raleigh suburb consistently ranks among the top cities for best-tasting tap water in the US. Cary gets its water from nearby Jordan Lake, minimizing the need for harsh chemical treatment. The town’s water is naturally soft with the perfect balance of minerals for a crisp, clean flavor. …”
Unfortunately, this article views Cary as a Raleigh suburb. That is a couple of decades behind. But at least they are current on the water.
Chatham Estates
On Monday I was contacted by WRAL who was doing a story on the sale of Chatham Estates which is a 37-acre shopping center and trailer park. WRAL wanted to know what the town would be doing for affordable housing. Here is a summary we provided to WRAL:
As owner of the property, Curtis Westbrook recently began marketing the sale of 37.8 acres located at the intersection of E. Chatham Street and SE Maynard Road. Lee & Associates listed it for approximately $50 million, and according to the owner, it is one of the last remaining large assemblages in the downtown Cary area and is 100% occupied.
The property currently has a mobile home park, Chatham Estates, and is directly adjacent to, but does not include, Cary’s other mobile home community, Mobile Estates. The site also includes retail space, Chatham Square Shopping Center, and Maynard Plaza.
We have a keen eye on the sale of Chatham Square and welcome the opportunity to work with any potential new owners to communicate Cary’s vision and needs as we do with all property in Cary.
This property includes a mobile home park and Cary staff have been in contact with local groups interested in working with those residents. This includes Dorcas Ministries, Taylor Family YMCA, Northwest Cary YMCA, The Carying Place, OneWake, and the Western Regional Housing Action Group.
Since the Council’s approval of the Cary Housing Plan in November 2021, the Town has created several grants and programs to support affordable housing in Cary. This fiscal year, Cary has proposed a budget of approximately $5M to support affordable housing efforts. In addition to this, Cary has set aside $5M of our American Rescue Plan Act dollars to support affordable housing and supportive services, including direct financial support to non-profits working with residents, a non-profit capacity building program to scale up these programs, and emergency utility assistance.
Cary has also utilized Town-owned property to develop affordable housing, notably the 921 SE Maynard site, which is anticipated to be completed by early 2025 and will include 126 units of mixed-income housing, which is physically in the geographic vicinity.
It was my hope WRAL would provide complete and factual information in their story. Unfortunately, they provided very little of the information I sent them in the story.
Hometown Spirit Award Nominations
Cary is currently accepting nominations for the Hometown Spirit Award. If you know someone in the community that you would like to nominate you can do so here. To find out more about the Hometown Spirit Award go here.
Town Manager One-On-One
Monday I talked with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Topics included the tennis center expansion and the professional tennis tournament that just finished, a future mayor-manager workshop, and activities of candidates running for council.
Wake County Mayors Association Meeting
Monday night I attended a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association in Fuquay Varina. We were treated to a private tour of their arts center and a catered meal. Attended were mayors from Cary, Fuquay Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, and Morrisville. Our roundtable discussion included our thoughts on municipal races in our communities. The meeting concluded after about two and a half hours.
CAMPO
Wednesday I attended a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organizations Executive Board. The agenda included 3 consent items, 4 public hearings, and 2 discussion items.
The consent agenda included minutes from past meetings, a resolution on transit asset performance measures, and the FY2024 work plan. These items were approved unanimously without discussion.
The board also held and unanimously approved all 4 public hearing items which included amendment #13 to FY2020-2029 Transportation Improvement Program, prioritization 7.0 of the Modal Candidate Project Lists, a new MPO boundary that now includes Coats and Lillington, and an update to the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Management Plan.
Under discussion, the executive board was provided information on amendment #1 to FY2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Program, and the regional rail subcommittee.
The meeting concluded after about an hour and a half.
Anthony Blackman Memorial
This was a tough week for me and many in our community as we said goodbye to Anthony Blackman who was not only an incredible philanthropist for Cary but a friend to everyone he met. At his memorial service on Thursday, I was honored with the privilege of providing remarks. I spent a few days working on the remarks with dozens of revisions. In the end I felt nothing I said to capture all that Anthony had done for our community. The following are the remarks I spoke from:
“Our community lost one of its most beloved citizens a few days ago. Anthony Blackman was a selfless man with a giving heart, served others with love and humility, and spread his kindness to everyone he met. I will miss him. We will miss him.
I have been involved in local government for over 25 years, 20 years as an elected official, and the last 16 as mayor. During that time, I have met LOTS and LOTS of people. Some wanted to meet me, some wanted to take a picture with me, some wanted to be at events, some wanted to be seen at events, and some even wanted to help Cary if it was convenient for them. But every once in a while, I would run across someone that I call the REAL DEAL. Someone that’s ALL IN and will do whatever it takes to help. Someone that would give you the shirt off their back. And THAT’S who Anthony Blackman was. His unwavering support of our community is one of the reasons Cary is as great as it is today. Anthony supported countless nonprofits, the chamber, business organizations, and was recognized for his leadership many times including Cary’s Hometown Spirit Award in 2019.
There are so many examples of Anthony’s giving. One in particular sticks in my mind, the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships, which Anthony has sponsored since it started. During the pandemic there were very few tournaments throughout the world. And the tournaments that were played were held without spectators. So, if they were not televised there would be little benefit for a sponsor. Anthony sponsored the tournament anyway. This allowed players to play for points that they desperately needed to get into other tournaments, to make more money, to continue their careers. I believe some of their careers might have ended without opportunities provided such as the ATC. So, in that one act of kindness, he changed lives. And there are many more examples of this. Anthony always gave from his heart.
The reason I used this example was to emphasize the ripple effect of Anthony’s kindness and giving. Yes, he touched lives in our community but probably made a difference in other lives of people in the nation or around the world. There is really no way of knowing the impact of his kindness and generosity.
The way Anthony lived his life reminds me of a saying from St. Francis of Assisi said: “Preach the gospel each and every day and use words if necessary.” To me that means LIVE your faith. Know that your faithful actions are more powerful than sermons. And if we live our lives like Anthony with integrity, humility, and loving others, people will notice, and they will want to be more like you. And as a result, you done God’s will.
Ladies and Gentlemen Anthony Blackman WAS the real deal. He blessed so many lives in so many ways.
A wise man once said, “The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.” Anthony’s love for others IS his legacy. His life was well lived, and we were so very blessed that he shared his love with us. Though our hearts ache today, there is good news, heaven has a new angel, Anthony Blackman. Rest in Peace Anthony!”
Anthony loved Cary and I believe his wish would be that others in Cary would model his example and step up to do more for the town they love.
Advisory Board Volunteer Appreciation
Thursday night I attended a town volunteer appreciation event for our boards and commissions. In my remarks I recognized some of the outgoing and incoming members. Afterwards I took time to talk with and take pictures with several people including Ryan Eades from the council. Also attending from the council were Jack Smith, Jennifer Robinson, and Lori Bush. I was a great way to give thanks for their service and welcome the new people.
NC Metro Mayors
The North Carolina Metro Mayors met on Friday to hear and discuss legislative actions. Here is a summary of legislative actions from KTS Strategies:
Budget Passed
This week, the General Assembly passed the compromise version of the state budget in a series of votes on Thursday and Friday. Highlights of the $30 billion spending plan include 7% teacher pay raises, income tax rate reduction to 3.99% by 2025, $2 billion investment in water and sewer infrastructure, major expansion of private school vouchers, and enactment of Medicaid Expansion. The budget did not include the proposal to authorize more casinos or legalize video lottery terminals (VLTs) in North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper announced in a statement that he would let the budget become law without his signature, and he directed the state Department of Health and Human Services to begin the process of expanding Medicaid today.
NC Constitution at Page-Walker
Friday evening I attended an Constitutional event at the Page-Walker. At this event were the NC Constitution of 1776 and 1868, and related original documents (including a letter from John Adams of the NC’s 13th Amendment which ended slavery. These were on loan from the State Archives for just one day. In attendance where several folks from the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution dressed in period costumes. I had a great looking at the historic items, talking with attendees, and taking a few pictures.
Early Voting
Early Voting for Cary Town Council has begun. Here is the remaining scheduled for early voting:
Date
Day
Start Time
End Time
September 25, 2023
Monday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
September 26, 2023
Tuesday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
September 27, 2023
Wednesday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
September 28, 2023
Thursday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
September 29, 2023
Friday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
September 30, 2023
Saturday
8:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.
October 1, 2023
Sunday
1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 2, 2023
Monday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 3, 2023
Tuesday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 4, 2023
Wednesday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 5, 2023
Thursday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 6, 2023
Friday
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
October 7, 2023
Saturday
8:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.
Cary Town Council makes decisions that impact on you directly. They are the closest form of government to the citizens. It is extremely important that you are informed and vote so that elected officials can help Cary remain as one of the best communities in the nation.
My Cary Municipal Election Endorsements
During this election cycle I have offered help to all candidates and have stated that I will endorse only incumbents. Unfortunately, some have used my help to mislead the public that I am endorsing them. Just to be clear the following are my endorsements and quotes about them:
Mayor
Harold Weinbrecht (me) – I am fortunate to be unopposed during this cycle and would appreciate your ongoing support and your vote.
At-Large
Lori Bush – “I have known my good friend Lori Bush for decades. She is a caring, compassionate, and committed person and has been invaluable on council. From her tireless work on Affordable Housing, to the greening of our Town, to improving our technological capabilities, she has proven time and time again that she is committed, dedicated, and compassionate in making Cary the best it can be. She has my endorsement and unwavering support for her re-election to the Cary Town Council.”
District B
Don Frantz – “Big ideas often require bold leadership to make the idea a reality and our downtown park is no exception. Don Frantz has been first among equals as the park’s supercharged advocate. Don’s courage, conviction and optimism have been remarkable and his clear focus on the goal has been unwavering.”
District D
Ryan Eades – “Ryan has the knowledge, experience, and leadership we desperately need from our District D representative especially during this critical time in Cary. I’ve witnessed firsthand his ability to bring people together to get things done and his passion for making our community better. I wholeheartedly endorse him and encourage others to elect to keep Ryan on the Cary Council.”
Please vote! Cary’s future depends on it.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
Staff is monitoring this weekend’s predicted severe weather. Programming changes for outdoor events will be made as needed to help ensure our citizens’ safe enjoyment. In particular, Saturday’s Farmer’s Market Fall Festival will not be held, and the park tour for boards and commissions is being moved to September 30. Be safe, Sean
2023 Volunteer Appreciation Event
On Thursday, Council, staff, and advisory board members gathered at Colletta in Fenton for a night of appreciation for Cary’s Council-appointed advisory board volunteers. During the event, Mayor Weinbrecht shared remarks welcoming new members and recognizing the 20 outgoing members who have terms ending on advisory boards.
Cary Hosts the 8th Annual Asia Fest with Dragon Boat Races
On Saturday, the Cary-based non-profit Asia Focus Inc. produced its 8th annual Asia Fest at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Organizers estimate approximately 10,000 visitors. The festival featured a variety of pan-Asian foods, arts and crafts, cultural performances, and a health fair. The main events, however, were the Dragon Boat Races on Symphony Lake. Cary’s Fire Department members fielded a race team this year with Mayors Harold Weinbrecht and TJ Cawley (Morrisville). They were within hundredths of a second from matching times posted for the top three winners overall!
NY Maynard Road Construction
In October, contractors will begin installing .66 mile of water main and 1,700 feet of sidewalk, and ADA updates between High House Road and Old Apex Road. The 24-inch water main will parallel the existing 12-inch main and reinforce water transmission capacity to the central pressure zone. The project is anticipated to take about 12 months to complete.
Construction will primarily occur in the northbound lanes; however, traffic delays and shifts are expected in both directions. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians can stay updated with traffic delays by downloading the Glance TravelSafely App.
September Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships
Last week, the Cary Tennis Park hosted the second Atlantic Tire Championship Tournament. American Zachary Svajda defeated Australian Rinky Hijikata, who finished in the round of 16 in the US Open earlier in the month. The Men’s Challenger 75, which features $80,000 in prize money, brought in great crowds and some awesome tennis.
Loch Highlands Drive Offset Speed Humps
A new-to-Cary traffic calming device, the offset speed hump, was constructed earlier this year as a pilot along Loch Highlands Drive. Since their installation, staff engaged with community members to better understand how these devices perform. Based on community feedback and input from Cary Police and Fire, staff recommended supplementing the offset speed humps with Zicla lane separators (pictured above). These devices help remind drivers to maintain the proper lane position when approaching the offset humps. Thanks to the staff in Public Works for completing this installation. Transportation staff will continue to engage with residents by collecting feedback on the project webpage to understand how this addition to the project is received.
Year of the Trail – Carpenter Area Greenway Walk
2023 has been designated North Carolina’s Year of the Trail, and Cary has joined in to celebrate our vast network of greenways and showcase our diverse landscapes and healthy urban forests through a series of events. The recent Carpenter Area Trail Walk was held with Good Hope Farm’s Harvest Fest to highlight the outstanding work along a three-mile section of greenway. From the Greenways Booth at the festival, Trail Walk participants started their journey at the farm with a brief presentation about Carpenter Village’s history and agriculture’s role in our community. The trailblazers continued to Carpenter Park to learn about native tree plantings and wildlife restoration work, followed by a presentation on birding. Future greenway plans and neighborhood access points were highlighted and discussed as the walkers walked along the trail.
September’s Harvest Fest attracted hundreds of guests for agritourism, history, and environmental education. This diverse celebration brought together twelve farmers, nine nonprofits, six sustainable businesses, and four of Cary’s environmental initiative areas to facilitate an afternoon of family-friendly fun on the farm. Guests enjoyed purchasing fresh produce and green-themed crafts while they chatted with experts about native plants, solar energy, composting, wetland restorations, and more. Harvest Fests will continue throughout the fall season with additional opportunities for the community to visit, tour, and explore the Good Hope Farm.
Cary’s Composting Efforts Expanding
Construction is underway at Mills Park to host Cary’s second food waste recycling drop-off. Since 2022, Cary residents have dropped off nearly 133,000 pounds of food waste at the first site located at the Citizen’s Convenience Center. The future Mills Park drop-off provides additional opportunities for citizens to have their food waste diverted from the landfill, converted into compost, and used to support soil health in our region. The new facility is expected to open in 2024 and will accept cooked and raw meat, bones, eggs, breads, and more. Staff is working to ensure that future operations, design, and education campaigns will be ready to launch for the continued success of this award-winning service.
Questions about blasting at Providence at Yates Pond.
Questions about student reassignments.
A question about restriping the parking deck next to the library.
A concern about the town’s tree canopy.
Questions about communication between a neighborhood and the police department.
A thank you for helping with obtaining trolleys for a historic tour.
A thank you for the advisory boards and commissions appreciation event.
A complaint about last week’s journal entry.
A congratulation to the Cary firefighters and police officers for winning the bronze metal in the dragon boat races.
A complaint about the timing of a traffic signal at Green Level West and Green Level Church Roads.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an Atlantic Tire Championships Board meeting, a reception for Don Frantz, the Cary Chamber’s Annual Banquet, the last regularly scheduled meeting of September, a NC Metro Mayors meeting, a pre-interview for a mayor-manager workshop, and a charity road race.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Saturday, September 30th, 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.
Monday, I attempted to contact each council member to hear of any questions or concerns about the agenda for Thursday’s meeting. Council members had questions about an appointment to one of the town’s advisory boards. There was also a comment requesting the staff report on replacing water meters be expanded.
Later in the day I met with Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz and key staff members to go over the agenda items.
Manager One-On-One
After meeting with staff, I met with the town manager to discuss our board and commission process and a few other items. Our meeting lasted about 20 minutes.
“Cary, situated in North Carolina, is considered one of the safest cities in the country and is one of the best places to reside in North Carolina. It is a serene suburban area located to the southwest of Raleigh. With a population of 180,338, Cary’s overall crime rate is 1,035 per 100,000, which is 64% lower than the US average. Although Cary is considered a bedroom community, its downtown area has undergone a significant transformation with many new restaurants and parks. Hemlocks Bluffs Nature Preserve and Fred G. Bond Park are two of Cary’s most well-known parks, offering hiking and boating access. Currently, the median home price in Cary stands at $593,705.”
While I am very proud of this recognition, I want to remind everyone that safety is an ongoing partnership between the citizens and the police department. Thanks to all that help keep us safe.
Cary is a Hidden Gem
I was also notified on Monday that WriteUpCafe recognized Cary as a hidden gem. Here is part of what they said:
“Cary, North Carolina, often referred to as the “Technology Town of the South,” has long been a well-kept secret among locals and those in the know. With its picturesque landscapes, thriving community, and a plethora of hidden treasures, Cary is a destination that deserves the spotlight it’s finally receiving. …”
Tuesday I attended a meeting of the CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s) Rail Subcommittee. The purpose of this subcommittee was to review and plan recommendations on future rail to the MPO of the Raleigh area (CAMPO) and the MPO of Durham, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro (DCHC). I was only able to stay for the first half of the meeting and obtained information from other attendees.
At our last meeting we heard that there would be no funding for commuter rail from the federal government due to lack of density along the rail. We decided that we should focus on BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) which gets 50 cents on every dollar we spend from the federal government. We also knew that we would get 80 cents on every dollar spent on rail infrastructure such as bridges.
At this meeting we heard from a long-time planner that we should consider hybrid commuter rail which is basically shorter trains. GoTriangle made a presentation and said that they would like to apply for a $50 million dollar grant for rail. They need a partner to sign on. Since CAMPO meets before DCHC then we would have to decide if we would want to be that partner. The problem is that GoTriangle has not presented the application for review and our meeting is next week and there is a concern that certain applications could harm NCDOT efforts.
The meeting concluded after close to three hours without a clear sense of direction. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
USTA Past President Dinner
As part of the Atlantic Tire Championship Tennis Tournament, we entertained a special guest in Cary, immediate past president of the United States Tennis Association, Mike McNulty. The following is the USTA bio:
“Michael J. McNulty III of the USTA Southern section is currently serving as Immediate Past President of the United States Tennis Association. He served as Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA from 2021-22, when he also served as Chairman of the US Open.
He was also a member of the International Committee and the ITF Constitution Committee and served two consecutive terms on the Grand Slam Board. He served two consecutive terms on the USTA’s Nominating Committee and the Constitution and Rules Committee, where he served as Vice Chair, and was also previously Board Liaison to the Adult Tennis Leadership Council and a member of the Budget Committee.
McNulty has a long history of volunteerism at the section and district levels. He served as President, First Vice President, Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of the USTA Southern section and as Section Delegate to the USTA. He served three consecutive terms as Chair of the Constitution and Rules Committee, Chair of the Nominating Committee and Board Liaison to multiple Committees. McNulty is the former tournament director of the BB&T Atlanta Open, a US Open Series tournament. He is a recipient of the USTA Southern Jacobs Bowl, the highest volunteer service award given by the Section. McNulty was a long-time USTA Louisiana volunteer where he served as President. He is a member of the Louisiana Tennis Hall of Fame and recipient of the President’s Award.
McNulty was a partner with the law firm of Plauche Smith & Nieset, LLC. He has recently taken Of Counsel status and is considered one of America’s top attorneys in insurance defense with specialties in construction and products liability.”
During our dinner we were able to hear and be entertained by Mike’s stories and information. At the end of the dinner, I felt as though I had known him for years. What a special guest to have here in Cary.
Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Luncheon
Wednesday, we toured Mr. McNulty around Cary to our various venues. He was so impressed that he told his wife that he wanted to move to Cary. She responded she would if he could get his three sons and their grandchildren to also move. I guess we will have to work on that.
Cary Chamber Business After Hours
Wednesday evening, I joined council member Eades and several staff members at the Cary Chamber’s Business After Hours which was held in the covered court area of the Cary Tennis Park. Food was provided by Rey’s and comments were made by the chamber president, me, the tournament director, and the past president of the USTA. There were almost 200 in attendance.
First Council Meeting of September
Thursday the council held its first regularly scheduled meeting of September.
At the beginning of the meeting, we recognized the Carolina Courage Soccer Team who was present with the Challenge Cup they won. We are so proud that they are here in Cary and that they have won the cup multiple times. Congratulations Courage!
Next, I asked the council to name the stadium tennis court at the Cary Tennis Park after Anthony Blackmon, who had not only supported tennis but has contributed and helped our community for decades. As we unanimously approved this motion, we knew he only had hours left with us on earth. So, it was a sad but celebratory moment.
The consent agenda, which is normally unanimously approved, was approved with a 6 to 1 vote with council member Bush voting nay. She had expressed a concern earlier about one of the appointees to the Planning and Zoning Board.
The only public hearing was for an annexation of a property for the Viridis at Green Level. There were no speakers. The decision on this will be made at a future date.
The discussion item was for our AMI Meter Replacement. These automated water meters were first installed almost two decades ago. They have saved Cary and customers millions of dollars by detecting leaks and providing real-time information. About 1500 of these meters are at the end of their service life and will be replaced. The council unanimously approved this expenditure.
A closed session was held for three items and lasted about 20 minutes.
Death of Anthony Blackman
Friday morning, I was notified of the passing of Anthony Blackman. While we knew his death was eminent, it was still crushing. Cary lost one of its greatest ambassadors ever! Whether you knew him or not, he impacted all of us by all he did to make Cary better. We will miss him but will not forget him. Rest in Peace Anthony!
Playing George Washington
Later Friday morning I visited Cary Christian school dressed as George Washington. I was part of a skit from the book about Anna Strong during the Revolutionary War which was played in front of several dozen kindergartners and first graders who have been studying government. Afterward the skit I read a proclamation. I loved watching the faces of the children. What a great group of kids. I hope they invite me back again.
Cary Misses Out on US Soccer
Later Friday I was notified that Cary did not get the training center for USA Soccer. Similar to when we were a finalist to get the US Tennis Training Center, we lost a big city with big donors. In this case a philanthropist gave $50 million to help Atlanta get the center. Nevertheless, we remain the home of the champion, Carolina Courage, many more ACC Championships, and NCAA Division I Soccer Cups on one of the finest pitches in the country. I look forward to many more great years at our soccer park.
NC Metro Mayors
The NC Metro Mayors didn’t meet Friday, but a summary of legislative actions was provided by KTS Strategies:
Budget Update
Legislators did not hold a vote on the budget this week. The House and Senate have agreed on major budget items including tax cuts and raises for state employees. The sticking point between the two chambers continues to be whether to include a proposal that would authorize opening additional casinos and would legalize and regulate video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the state. As reported by the News & Observer, Speaker Moore (R-Cleveland) said casinos “are the only thing holding up the budget now.” Moore was also quoted saying he does not believe that the House can pass a budget that includes gaming, and he will not do so without support from a majority of House Republicans. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) has said he is not interested in voting on a budget that does not include gaming. The chamber leaders are working to reach a compromise and plan to hold a final budget vote next Wednesday, September 20th.
Elections Bill
A proposed committee substitute (PCS) for S749, No Partisan Advantage in Elections, was approved by the House Rules Committee this week. This bill would make changes to the structure of both state and county boards of elections. It would increase the number of members on the State Board of Elections from 5 to 8 and decrease the number of members on each of the 100 county boards of elections from 5 to 4, with all appointments to be made by the General Assembly instead of the Governor. The House has calendared the PCS for a vote next Tuesday, September 19th.
Rowing Practice for the Dragon Boat Festival
Friday afternoon I joined Mayor Cawley of Morrisville and several of Cary’s finest firefighters and police officers to practice for the Dragon Boat race to be held the next day. We learned about technique and commands and practiced for an hour.
Asia Fest and the Dragon Boat Race
Asia Fest began Saturday morning with remarks from me along with Mayor Cawley from Morrisville.
We also showed the crowd our race jerseys and invited them to join us at the docks for our boat race.
Our remarks were followed by Lt. Governor Robinson and Secretary of State Marshall.
Afterwards we went to the docks where the Lt. Governor and Secretary of State “dotted the eye” of the dragons on the boats.
Mayor Cawley and I joined the team of Cary’s firefighters and police officers in the team’s second race (they won earlier in the morning). Our team won convincingly, and I was proud just to be on the boat with them. The team went on to win second overall losing by 200th of a second. What a fantastic performance by our firefighters and police officers especially since there were 30 teams including 3 professional teams.
Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Double Finals
Saturday afternoon and evening I attended the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championship’s singles semi-final matches and the doubles final match which were held on Anthony Blackman court. In the doubles final former UNC player Rinky HijiKata joined fellow Australian Andrew Harris in defeating the team of William Blumberg, also a former UNC player, and Luis David Martinez from Venezuela.
Ryan Eades Campaign Event
Sunday, I attended a campaign event for District D incumbent Ryan Eades. In my comments I talked about how his experience has helped him to contribute quickly as a council member since being appointed in January. I think Ryan is a strong council member who would serve Cary citizens well during the next four years.
As a reminder, I am endorsing all incumbents but will help all candidates.
Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Singles Finals
For only the second time in Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships history, the finals had to be played indoors due to weather conditions. Rain began a little after noon and did not stop completely until after midnight. The Cary staff did an amazing job of setting up the final match indoors. The two-finalist put on a great match that lasted almost three hours with Svajda beating Hijikata 7-6, 4-6, 6-1.
While this was a great week for tennis, it was bittersweet since we lost one of Cary’s greatest ambassadors and tittle sponsor during the tournament.
Pink Floyd Show
Sunday night I joined family and friends at Booth Amphitheater to watch Ausie Pink Floyd. If you are a fan of Pink Floyd this was an amazing show. I am so glad they came to Cary.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
This has been a full week, characterized by high highs and low lows. The one uniting theme has certainly been relationships. From our time together at the Chamber After Hours to prepping for last night’s Council meeting, I’m reminded that our success is based on listening to and understanding each other, always putting Cary’s interests first. To our Jewish friends and colleagues celebrating this weekend, L’shana tova. Sean
Cary Chamber Business After Hours at Atlantic Tire Championships
Cary hosted the Chamber Business After Hours for September at Cary Tennis Park during the Atlantic Tire Championships (ATC) men’s professional tennis tournament on Wednesday. This was the third day of the tournament, and over 180 chamber members attended the event and enjoyed watching the men’s professional tennis matches before and after the Chamber event. The Mayor and Councilmember Eades were in attendance. In addition to the mayor, the guest speakers were Ted Reese (co-tournament director for the ATC) and Mike McNulty (the Immediate Past President of the USTA and presided over the US Open in 2022 & 2023). Speaker discussions centered around Cary, tennis, and the ATC. Rey’s Steakhouse provided delicious food for this event. The tennis tournament concludes on Sunday.
Senator Gale Adcock Visits Cary Police Department
Last Thursday, Senator Gale Adcock and Assistant Town Manager Shelley Curran, were honored to spend the day with the Cary Police Department. Lieutenant Redig did an amazing job coordinating the activities which included, target shooting, handcuffs, a demonstration from Logan, our canine officer, tours, and riding with officers on parole (in the front seat!). It was an excellent learning experience and gave them an even greater appreciation for what our police department does to protect and serve all our citizens on a daily basis. Senator Adcock shared the following email with the team following the visit: “Please let everyone involved with the planning and execution of my CPD visit yesterday know that I had an incredible experience. I came away with an even deeper appreciation for the training, skill, and dedication of every officer I met. I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent the citizens of Cary and to be partners with the CPD in making Cary the best possible place to live, work, play, raise a family, and run a business Each of these depends on our community feeling and being safe. I am personally grateful for the incredible work of very member of the CPD.”
Cary is Awarded USDA Forrest Service Grant to Support Trees
The US Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry- Inflation Reduction Act Grant Program has awarded Cary $1,000,000 for the ‘My Tree, Our Tree Branching Out’ project. This multi-year initiative will establish a comprehensive reforestation program in Cary, focusing on sustainability and resilience in our urban forest. The grant funding will ultimately help staff and citizens inventory planting sites, grow native trees, collaborate with various partners, and train volunteers for tree maintenance. This project is one of only six awarded in North Carolina.
Tidying up the Library Parking Deck
We’re prepping for the Park! Contractors working on behalf of Cary are set to power wash, sweep, and then restripe the parking spaces in the library parking deck over the coming weeks. Windows and elevators will also be cleaned. During work, the deck remains open; only immediate cleaning areas will be inaccessible. Signage will be placed around the deck to let visitors know what we are doing.
US Soccer goes to Atlanta
We have now been officially notified of what we have thought for quite some time: Cary is no longer in contention to the be new home of US Soccer. In the end, the size of the philanthropic and corporate communities along with the availability of international flights have allowed Atlanta to be their first choice. A special “thank you” to Doug McRainey and Shelley Curran, who have led our efforts on this project.
Bachelor Branch Greenway Screening from Proposed Duke Energy Substation
At the September 14 Council meeting, there was a request for information regarding proximity of the Batchelor Branch Greenway within Thomas Brooks Park to a utility substation proposed by Duke Energy at 3150 Green Level West Rd. Since that meeting, staff have researched this question and can share the following update: The Batchelor Branch Greenway will run along the west side of Thomas Brooks Park and will curve to the east to eventually cross NC 540. Each stretch of the Batchelor Branch Greenway will sit at least 1,000 ft away from the proposed Duke Energy substation. The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Facilities Master Plan does show a conceptual greenway alignment that creates a loop within Thomas Brooks Park. The greenway loop was conceptual in nature, and a portion is now proposed to be built as a cross-country course. The design of the cross-country course has not yet been completed but is scheduled to begin in the coming months. Staff will work with the designers for this project to ensure that the course maintains adequate separation (in addition to the buffer provided on the Duke Energy substation site) to provide screening for users of the course. The Batchelor Branch Greenway will be located downslope as it heads south to link to the White Oak Creek Greenway, and thus the substation will not be visible.
Lochmere Drive Sewer Pipeline Repair
Following the installation of sewer system bypass pumps in the vicinity of Lochmere Drive and the Lochmere Lake Dam, Cary’s contractor, Moffat Pipe, began work on a planned sewer pipeline repair and rehabilitation project. Forty-five feet of 20-inch diameter pipe was replaced this week. In addition to the new pipe installation, approximately 380 feet of pipe liner will also be installed over the next few weeks to rehabilitate the existing sewer line to new condition.
Registration for Youth Winter Basketball leagues opened on September 13. Youth sports league participants registered on the TeamSideline platform. TeamSideline is a familiar platform to many sports participants, though this was the first time Cary had used it for youth sports registration. Over 1,100 citizens successfully registered on the first day! The first-day tally was the largest number of registrants on a single day of any sports league registration in the history of Cary Sports. Citizen advocates in 311 and PRCR staff were ready to assist any citizen who needed assistance with the new registration process. Registration continues through October 1, with non-residents eligible to register beginning September 27.
Women’s Soccer Cup Challenge Final
Cary and the NC Courage hosted the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup Final at WakeMed Soccer Park. With only two days’ notice, staff worked diligently to set up and ensure the event went smoothly and exceeded expectations for players and visitors. Just three hours before game time, the stadium field was under two inches of water due to a quick-moving storm. Due to the quality of field maintenance in Cary, the match started without delay.
Aired in front of a national TV audience, the NC Courage won the Challenge Cup for the second year in a row and will share the largest prize pool to date of $1.1 million.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting – October 4, 2023
The Neighborhood Meeting will be held virtually on WebEx from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The following case will be discussed on October 4, 2023:
Complaints about flooding in the Prestwyck subdivision after the severe storm last week. (This neighborhood is one of many built before flood restrictions and building restrictions were in place in the early 2000s)
A thanks for gift bags presented to Lazy Daze committee members.
A complaint that Cary should do more in composting.
A complaint about Google fiber was put in the ground months ago but no service was offered.
An invitation for walk to school day (Unfortunately I will be in Austin, Texas)
A complaint about Cary signing a Gas Utility Franchise agreement.
A complaint about someone disrupting a homeowners meeting.
A complaint about school assignments not being near their home.
Complaints about blasting that disturbs the residents of Providence at Yates Pond (Unfortunately, this is a state regulated activity)
A complaint about grading by a developer on Debra Drive.
A request to move the bus depot to Crossroads.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association, a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board, a memorial service for Anthony Blackman, an Advisory Board Volunteer Appreciation event, a constitutional event at the Page Walker, and a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, September 24th, 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.
Tuesday instead of my weekly one-on-one with the town manager, I spent the time with the Planning Director who was joining me in a presentation to the Home Builders Association the next day. We went over State of Cary slides and quarterly update slides to decide what to present.
Human Relations, Inclusion, & Diversity Task Force (HIRD)
Tuesday night I joined a meeting of the Human Relations, Inclusion, and & Diversity task force. The agenda included three items. The first item was a presentation of “Count Me In, Cary” from Environmental Manager Allyssa Campo. The second item was a discussion on accessibility options downtown park. The task force will be providing feedback before the opening on November 19th. The last item was recommendations for communications as part of a public awareness event.
Home Builders Association Presentation
Wednesday morning, I joined Scot Berry, Cary’s Planning Director, in a presentation to the Home Builders Association. There were roughly two dozen attendees for this talk. I provided an updated and scaled down version of the State of Cary address and Scot gave an update on development activities for the last quarter. There were only a few questions, and the presentation was well received.
North Carolina Association of Senior Citizen Clubs
The North Carolina Association of Senior Citizen Clubs was holding their first annual conference since pre-Covid in Cary and invited me to provide a welcome. In addition to providing a welcome I gave them a few fun facts about Cary and talked about places they might consider visiting. I am grateful they decided to hold their annual conference in Cary.
Economic Development Committee
Wednesday night I joined Council members Smith and Robinson in a meeting of the EDC (Economic Development Committee).
The first item on the agenda was a presentation by Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar on the “Count Me In, Cary!” Initiative. She talked through data related to the environment and trends. While there were several eye-opening statements presented, one interesting statement that popped out is that the number of days reaching 105 degrees in Cary will average about 10 a year by 2035. Wow! Ms. Widmar also presented a set of draft goals, strategies, actions, metrics, and targets for Cary:
DRAFT Sample Energy Actions:
Incentivize energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in existing residential and commercial buildings.
Establish a benchmarking and disclosure policy requiring large commercial buildings to report on energy use annually and make commitments to improve their energy use.
Connect residents with vetted contractors and service providers who can provide individualized recommendations for energy efficiency and electrification.
Implement a community “Solarize” program to reduce the cost of solar through equipment bulk purchasing and streamlined installation.
Promote workforce development and training for clean energy installations and net-zero construction.
DRAFT Sample Transportation Actions:
Invest in pedestrian and bike infrastructure projects such as bike racks, traffic lights at pedestrian crossings, and shade structures.
Launch an on-demand transit pilot project to enhance accessibility and connectivity.
Incentivize the installation of EV charging stations in new commercial, multi-family developments, and single-family developments.
Provide incentives for adoption of electric vehicles and EV charging among residents, businesses, and visitors.
Partner with Wake Tech to establish an EV and charging infrastructure maintenance workforce development program.
DRAFT Sample Solid Waste Actions:
Develop ordinance for multi-family apartments, commercial establishments, schools, and government buildings that phases in mandatory recycling and composting requirements.
Create partnerships to enhance and market reuse programs and services.
Support the growth of a market for reusable materials in Cary, including by partnering with businesses to offer consumer goods reduced packaging.
Establish a public recognition program to recognize and reward businesses and organizations for waste reduction policies and practices.
Explore local action to target use of single-use plastics (e.g., plastic bags, straws)
DRAFT Sample Waste Actions:
Implement technical assistance programs to support residents and businesses to become more water efficient.
Conduct targeted outreach to increase usage of reclaimed water in the private sector.
Pilot a GSI grant program to incentivize commercial and residential properties with no stormwater control measures to implement best practices (e.g., open space, cisterns, rain gardens, basins and green roofs)
Implement public-private partnerships to promote the use and maintenance of GSI.
Enhance tools and resources to help residents and businesses install and maintain GSI on their property.
DRAFT Sample Natural Resources Actions:
Create a best practice toolkit for multiple audiences (e.g., HOAs, renters) to enhance landscaping and other sustainability practices.
Offer incentives to developers to install and maintain privately-owned public spaces.
DRAFT Sample Community Resilience Actions:
Create a centralized online resource hub with information and resources relat4d to emergency preparedness.
The next item on the agenda was a Summary of Economic Development Activity from Jacki Roth who oversees Economic Development for the Cary Chamber. Her report included:
Visits with about half a dozen existing Cary industries
Business recruitment pipeline:
2829 potential jobs
$644 million in potential capital investment
Industries mostly in advanced manufacturing &Life Science, corporate headquarters, consumer goods, and aerospace/aviation
RDU Business Park by Merritt properties is moving forward again.
Meetings with a couple dozen developers, commercial real estate brokers, and site consultants
Meetings with regional collaborators in economic development
The last item on the agenda was a development update from Cary’s Economic Development Director, Ted Boyd. Here are some of my takeaways from his comments:
A few of the fiscal and economic impacts of the Meridian East Chatham Project:
It will generate $1.55 million in development fees.
Development cost is estimated to be $87.5 million.
It is estimated to create 63 jobs.
It should be 70% complete by January 2024 and 100% complete by January 2025.
Weston will experience significant change in the future. We are working with Highwoods Properties on several issues including mobility. The town will do a visioning exercise for the future of Weston.
There is lots of interest in assemblage of properties in the downtown area. We are helping connect private parties together to help with design.
There is interest in Crossroads for redevelopment.
There may be another mixed-use node in Parkside Commons.
The RFQ for the downtown campus produced eighteen submittals.
The EDC will start providing the economic impact of large projects.
In 2024 the EDC meetings will be aligned to occur before the council-staff retreat and council meetings.
The EDC meeting concluded in about 1 ½ hours.
NC Metro Mayors
The NC Metro Mayors did not meet this week, but a summary of legislative actions was provided by KTS Strategies:
Budget Update
Lawmakers returned to Raleigh this week and Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) announced that the House plans to take votes on the budget next week.
Casino Proposal
House Republicans met on Tuesday to discuss outstanding budget items, including authorizing additional casinos in North Carolina. State law currently allows casinos to be built only on tribal lands. As reported by WRAL, one proposal would authorize four new casinos to be built in Rockingham, Nash, and Anson counties, with one allocated to the Lumbee Tribe in eastern North Carolina. When asked about the meeting, Speaker Tim Moore said, “We don’t have anything to report back after the caucus, but probably will in the next couple of days.” Moore was also quoted saying that a proposal will not move forward without support from a majority of House Republicans, who currently hold seventy-two seats in the chamber.
ABC Bill
A proposed committee substitute (PCS) for S527, ABC Omnibus 2023, was heard in the House Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee this week. The PCS would make several changes to state alcohol laws. One of these changes would allow ABC stores to operate on Sundays and select holidays if they are petitioned to do so by the local board. Another change would allow delivery and to-go sales of mixed beverages and wine, as was temporarily permitted by executive orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four amendments were adopted, including one that would allow the sale of beer and wine at community college sporting events. The bill was approved by the committee and has been referred to the House Finance Committee.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
Thankfully, it’s been a long time since Cary has seen significant impacts from a hurricane, but there’s a chance that could change with Hurricane Lee. Staff are actively working together with their emergency management counterparts in our counties, as well as at the State, to ensure that Cary is prepared. Even if Lee stays offshore, its wind and rain could pose challenges for us to be ready for. Because our jobs require us to work during the storm to help keep others safe and the community functioning, our focus right now is to encourage our staff to use this weekend to take steps to prepare themselves and their families for the storm and for the possibility of needing to be here with us rather than at home with loved ones. Council, I know I speak for all of you when I say just how grateful we are for that level of personal sacrifice and commitment to Cary. In appreciation, Sean
Atlantic Tire Championships September 10 – 17
Cary will be hosting the Atlantic Tire Championships at the Cary Tennis Park from September 10 – 17. This is a Men’s Professional Challenger 75 and will be the second one hosted this year. Players in this event are usually ranked in the top 200 in the world. For tickets and more information, please go to the tournament website at AtlanticTireChampionships.com.
Carpenter Fire Station Road Bridge Progress
The contractor has begun staining the textured architectural concrete walls for the railroad overpass that supports CSX Railroad. The new railroad overpass spans the future east-west connector roadway that will ultimately connect Louis Stephens Drive to NC 55 Highway. The textured bridge walls are reminiscent of architectural features within and adjacent to the Historic Carpenter District. Staining is expected to be completed in September, and the new roadway is set to open to traffic in late Fall 2023.
New Signs in Native Gardens
Cary proudly supports native planting projects and more ecologically friendly landscaping practices that are designed to evolve with the changing seasons. These spaces help restore ecosystems, replenish groundwater, and provide habitat all year long even when plants are dormant. To underscore that native gardens look and function differently from traditional landscapes, approximately 30 temporary signs have been installed across town. These signs serve as physical reminders of Cary’s mission to grow resilient natural resources. Each sign has a unique website URL to deepen engagement opportunities.
Cary will be performing an environmental project along the Higgins Greenway Trail from September 11 through the spring of 2024 to support our commitment to healthy urban forests and clean waterways. The project will include removing non-native invasive plants to maintain the best health of the existing native forests that surround the greenway trail. This area is an integral part of the Swift Creek Watershed, and healthy landscapes serve as a riparian buffer that protects water quality in our region. The work will be performed in stages so that portions of the greenway trail will remain open to the public for the project’s duration. The community is encouraged to visit the project page to learn the specific locations of existing closures and to discover how you can join us in growing Cary’s urban forests by supporting native plants and wildlife in their own yards.
Programming for Native Plants and Prairies Ecosystems
Cary residents received an afternoon of tours and tips for protecting pollinators though an engagement opportunity at Good Hope Farm this week. Along with personalized information to transform their own lawns into native ecosystems, participants interacted with prairie habitats and native plant gardens. Live action performances from various birds, bees, and butterflies helped connect the concepts of the class and inspired students to join in Cary’s commitment to urban ecosystem restoration.
Cary Citizenship Scouting Event
In late September, Cary will host a ‘Citizenship in the Community’ Merit Badge experience for scouts. This event will include several activities, starting with an afternoon session on September 28 that explores the concept of ‘what it means to be a good citizen.’ After the session, participants will enjoy a pizza dinner prior to attending the September 28 Council meeting. The two-day experience will conclude with a full-day session on September 30, focusing on covering other badge requirements. Registration for this event is limited to 50 scouts and will open at 9 a.m. on September 12. For further details, please visit the ‘Merit Badge Opportunities’ page or reach out to Rob Wilson for more information.
A request for better street lighting in Fairview Estates.
A request to light the arts center for ovarian cancer awareness on September 30th.
A request to meet with me about implementing C-COPS (I suggested they talk with the police chief and town manager first to learn what we already do in this area).
A thank you for the town center park.
A complaint about the Waverly Place rezoning (council has not seen this proposal yet).
A complaint about the future connection of Middleton Avenue.
A thank you for the signage at Walnut Street and Kildaire Farm Road.
A complaint about I-440 graffiti.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, attending the Atlantic Tire Championships, a CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s) Rail Subcommittee meeting, dinner with the past president of the USTA (United States Tennis Association), an Atlantic Tire Luncheon, Cary Chamber’s Business After Hours, a council work session, a regularly scheduled council meeting, playing George Washington at an event at Cary Christian Academy, a dragon boat festival rowing practice, dragon boat races, a campaign event for council member Ryan Eades, and presenting trophies at the Atlantic Tire Championships doubles and singles.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, September 17th, 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.
I spent most of this week in San Diego at a public works conference as part of my consulting job with a local engineering firm. There were two outings outside of work that I enjoyed.
The first was a dinner party with a couple thousand people on the deck of the USS Midway. That event included parachuters landing at the party and live entertainment on stage.
The second was a private tour of the PetCo Park which is the home of the San Diego Padres.
At the conference I saw all the latest and greatest public works machinery and software. It was very reaffirming that Cary is one of the national leaders in public works equipment and operations.
It was a great trip but absolutely exhausting. Needless to say I was glad to get home.
Mayor of Tampa
Earlier in the year I had met the Mayor of Tampa, Florida. So I felt it was important to reach out to her as they delt with the impacts of Hurricane Idalia:
“Mayor Castor,
I visited your beautiful city in May, and you were gracious enough to talk with us. I am thinking of you and your citizens as you navigate through the clean-up and recovery following the hurricane. While houses, streets, and other infrastructure takes time to be replaced, I know the Tampa community is strong and there to help each other.”
Mayor Castor’s response:
“Thank you Mayor. We fared well through the storm, some flood damage but no wind damage. Sad to see the damage in other areas. Appreciate you checking in on us!”
My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who knew the precious souls that lost their lives in this hurricane. I feel for those who lost property and know what it is like to lose everything to a disaster. It is a life-changing event.
Business North Carolina Magazine Interview
Friday morning I had a brief interview with a writer from Business North Carolina Magazine. Most of the interview was focused on Fenton and the Cary Town Mall site. We also talked about the history of Cary and how it has evolved over the years. The interview lasted about 15 minutes.
NC Metro Mayors
There was no meeting of the NC Metro Mayors Friday but there was a summary of legislative actions created by KTS Strategies:
Legislative Schedule
No votes or committee meetings were held this week as budget negotiations continued. Legislative leaders have said they expect to have a budget vote on the week of September 11th.
Medicaid Expansion Update
NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley was quoted in a press conference on Monday saying Medicaid expansion will not launch by the expected start date of October 1st due to the delay in finalizing a state budget. H76, now Session Law 2023-7, was passed by the legislature in March and would make North Carolina the 40th state to expand Medicaid. Enactment of the program was tied to successful passage of the state budget and DHHS does not have the authority to move forward without final approval from the General Assembly. “It has become clear to us that we will not be able to have a budget passed in time and enacted, so we will not be able to go live with expansion at this time. Depending on how far it slips for them to give us the final authority to move forward, it could be December at the earliest, or it could be in early 2024,” Kinsley said when asked about the new launch date. If enacted, this legislation will increase the eligible population for Medicaid coverage to adults aged 18-64 who have incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. DHHS estimates this would extend health insurance coverage to more than 600,000 North Carolinians.
Vetoed Bills
Last week, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed two pieces of legislation. To date, Cooper has vetoed sixteen bills this session. Below are the vetoed bills:
S512, Greater Accountability for Boards/Commissions- This bill would change the composition and appointments structure of several state governing boards and commissions, resulting in less positions that will be appointed by the Governor. The bill would transfer some of the Governor’s appointments to elected state officials such as the Agriculture Commissioner, while others would be made by the General Assembly.
S747, Elections Law Changes- The bill would require absentee ballots to be received by 7:30 PM on Election Day, prohibit private money from elections administration, and give more freedom to poll observers for watching the voting process. The bill also creates a ten-county pilot program that would implement a signature verification requirement for mail-in absentee ballots.
Cary Environmental Symposium
Friday night I joined council members Bush, Eades, and Johnson at the Cary Arts Center for the first Cary Environmental Symposium. I provided welcoming remarks before the featured speakers. The following is an excerpt from my remarks:
“Good evening! I am honored to welcome you to the 1st Tree Speaker Symposium, an event that celebrates not only the beauty of our trees but the critical role they play in sustaining life on our planet. Trees are not just silent witnesses to our history; they are active partners in shaping our future.
…
Cary takes great pride in its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Trees are not just part of our landscape but are an integral part of our being. They provide us with clean air to breathe, shade on hot summer days, and a sense of tranquility.
We understand the significance of trees and have taken steps to ensure their protection and growth. In Cary we currently have a canopy of just over 50% and we want to increase that with programs like our tree canopy preservation program that encourages responsible development and respects the natural environment. We also engage in tree planting initiatives – Our Tree, My Tree, involving our community members in efforts to expand our urban forests.
This past year, many of you were involved in our Count Me In, Cary initiative – our campaign that explores the impacts of climate change, identifies challenges and opportunities, and implements solutions that work for us. I encourage each of you to stay involved throughout the program. Over the coming months, we will assess potential impacts our community has on climate change and the environment, and then create a strategy for action.
In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers, speakers, and attendees for coming together to celebrate the beauty and importance of trees. I hope you leave this symposium with a renewed sense of purpose, determined to be the stewards that our planet so desperately needs. …”
The event lasted a couple of hours.
North Carolina Youth Classical Arts for Charity
Saturday evening, I attended a charity event at West Cary Middle School held by the North Carolina Youth Classical Arts. They performed classical music from Southern India to raise money those in need. One group in need was a blind school for women in India. It is the only blind school in India and does not receive government funds. Those performing at this event were students from NC State, UNC, and Panther Creek High School. I am grateful that they were not only sharing their talents to enrich our lives but were raising money for a good cause.
Misleading Information from Candidate
Unfortunately a candidate for the Cary Council used the shooting tragedy in Chapel Hill this week as a platform to make promises to improve school security, talk with the police chief, and get more school resource officers. There are several concerns about these types of promises:
It implies that our schools are not safe.
It implies that our police chief and department need direction and are not doing their job adequately.
It does not mention that Cary already funds school resource officers in all high schools and has officers in middle schools and elementary schools.
It does not consider that the school board, not Cary, makes decisions on school resource officers.
It does not mention how additional school resource officers would be funded.
It does not mention that safety is a partnership with the police department and not strictly an issue for the police.
My recommendation is for this candidate to sit down with the police chief now instead of waiting until the election. Our officers will gladly talk about safety measures being taken to keep our town and children safe. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, don’t mislead the public and make them feel unsafe. While we are consistently ranked as one of the safest communities in the nation, that safety recognition means nothing if our citizens don’t feel safe.
It is also important to know that our police department will talk with anyone at any time about safety and how you can make yourself safer. We have one of the greatest police departments in the nation and I would put them up against any department anywhere. So if you have concerns just call them.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
This week I had the opportunity to present at a Cary Rotary Club meeting at MacGregor Downs Country Club. During the meeting, I shared our collective vision for Cary and outlined key projects expected to be completed by the end of this year, along with the inspiring concepts that will shape our future. It was a pleasure to engage with the members, address their questions, and discuss Cary’s bright future. Have a great Labor Day weekend. Sean
Thinking of Tampa
As Hurricane Idalia threatened Florida’s west coast earlier this week, Mayor Weinbrecht connected with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to share Cary’s hopes and well-wishes. The two Mayors got to know each other in May during the Cary Chamber’s Intercity Visit. Mayor Castor said that Tampa faired relatively well and that her thoughts are with coastal neighbors who were suffering, and she thanked Mayor Weinbrecht for reaching out.
Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival 2023
What an incredible weekend at Lazy Daze! The record heat couldn’t hold us back, and the forecasted rain stayed away, giving us the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience. With a massive turnout of over 50,000 attendees, the energy was electric from start to finish. The music was on point, the art was inspiring, and the sense of community was heartwarming. From the new Pixel Wall to the Paint by Number, the food trucks to the cultural celebrations, to the hundreds of artists showcasing their work, Lazy Daze 2023 was a great success. Shoutout to everyone who volunteered, visited, purchased art, ate delicious food, sang & danced, and celebrated with us.
Cary Microtransit Feasibility Study RFP
Staff released a Microtransit Feasibility Study RFP this week to select a consultant to analyze the current GoCary service area and offer flexible solutions to provide transit service to parts of Cary that aren’t quite ready for a fixed route. The study will include a robust public engagement component, so stay tuned to GoCary.org for details. Contact Kevin Wyrauch, Senior Transit Planner, with any questions.
Delivering Customer Service
At the Council meeting on April 13, during the Viridis rezoning public hearing, Ms. Kelli Jackson, who lives on K.C. Farm Road just outside of Cary Town Limits, shared concerns about her mail delivery on Green Level West Road. Specifically, she asked if the Town could help her, and her neighbors get the United States Postal Service (USPS) to move their mailboxes. Even though Ms. Jackson and her two neighbors live on the south side of the road, their mailboxes are located on the north side, necessitating that they cross Green Level West Road every day to get their mail. Through the expertise of Assistant Development Services Director Rob Wilson, Jess Stanford who works in Planning and leads Cary’s addressing efforts, and the USPS, the mailboxes were moved to the south side of the street on August 27.
Lake Grove Boulevard Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Transportation staff had been in contact with community members who raised concerns about the lack of warning devices when crossing Lake Grove Blvd. Staff from transportation, stormwater and community projects worked together to identify improvements that enhance pedestrian visibility at the intersections, provide better access for stormwater maintenance, and prepare for a future greenway connection. Staff met with community representatives and garnered support for the project, after which project funding came from the Spot Traffic Safety Improvement Program.
Lake Pine Drive Improvement Project Complete
The Towns of Cary and Apex have been working collaboratively through a Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (CAMPO) Locally Administered Project Program (LAPP) grant to improve Lake Pine Drive from east of Pine Plaza Drive/MacGregor Plaza Drive to the Apex/Cary town limits (northeast of Versailles Drive). This jointly funded project added turn lanes, bike lanes, additional sidewalks, a street-side trail, and a pedestrian refuge island to increase safety and mobility in this corridor. Final pavement markings were added to the newly constructed road to complete the project.
Dig In and Grow Green This Fall with Environmental Outreach
Cary residents are encouraged to Dig In and Grow Green this fall with an extensive lineup of environmental activities now through December. In keeping with our commitment to build collaborative and attainable stewardship strategies for a sustainable future, this campaign has opportunities for residents of all ages and stages. The possibilities abound whether they are interested in natural resources, energy, water quality, waste diversion, or simply enjoying an outdoor activity in our beautiful community! The events, hosted in partnership with regional groups, include diverse hands-on experiences like joining an educational tree walk, learning about native plants, celebrating the harvest with local farmers, art-based children’s programs, exploring residential solar, talking with wetland experts, picking up free compost, and more. Staff are encouraged to help promote the campaign by pointing curious community members to the one-stop-shop web calendar at carync.gov/green.
Compliments to all the town staff and volunteers for a successful Lazy Daze.
A request to introduce someone to the town manager.
A complaint about a proposed rezoning at Waverly Place (council has yet to see anything).
A complaint about multiple yard diggings by communication companies.
Complaints about insurance for volunteer groups. (The town is paying the insurance)
A complaint about granting the gas utility franchise without talking about carbon emissions. (State grants most authority for these utilities)
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting of the HIRD (Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity) task force, an HBA presentation with the town manager, welcoming remarks at the NCASCC (NC Association of Senior Citizen Clubs) Conference, an Economic Development meeting, and a NC Metro Mayors meeting.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, September 10th, 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.
Monday I contacted each council member to see if they had questions or concerns about the upcoming council meeting agenda. Some expressed concerns about the Trinity Road rezoning which was scheduled as a public hearing.
Later in the day I met with staff and Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz to go over the agenda items.
Town Manager One-On-One
My last meeting on Monday was my weekly meeting with the town manager. Topics of discussion included Accessory Dwelling Units, downtown trolleys, the future expansion of the tennis center, the future Mills Park Community and Senior Center, and the future center at South Hills.
Cary 2nd Best Places to Live in Southeast According to Livability
“Nestled between the stunning Western Carolina mountains and the famous East Coast beaches of the Outer Banks, Cary, NC, uses its enviable location to its advantage. Located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Cary is in the center of the Research Triangle Area, which places the city less than 30 minutes from downtown Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. This central location and its proximity to the Research Triangle Park — the largest research park in the U.S. — make Cary one of the best places to live in the Southeast. With a robust job market, the city of 180,341 is known as a hotspot not only for employees of the Research Triangle Park but also for entrepreneurs looking to launch new businesses.
Although Cary has the amenities of a large city, including a great restaurant and bar scene, it retains an affordable cost of living and a small-town feel, reflected in the high safety rating given by background check company GoodHire. In 2022 they named Cary, NC, the safest city in the United States. Locals noted that they feel safe running or walking the quaint neighborhoods and greenways. But the safe, close-knit environment isn’t the only reason Cary is desirable for young families. The schools here are fantastic. According to Public School Review, which analyzes and evaluates the quality of public schools, Cary has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Carolina.
Finally, Cary is a flourishing city that offers a fantastic arts scene (gorgeous public art, galleries and more), a variety of eateries, must-visit breweries and great sporting events. Baseball fans can rejoice as Cary is home to the USA Baseball National Training Complex.”
We are blessed to be recognized as one of the best places to live year after year.
Governor and Tools4Schools
Tuesday I joined the Governor and several elected officials from Cary and the state government in a tour of Tools4Schools in Cary. This store was created by WakeEd Partnership to provide school supplies for 11,000 Wake County teachers for free. If you would like to donate to this great cause, go to their website here.
The Governor arrived and spent time talking and taking pictures with teachers before greeting elected officials. Then he talked with the media before donning an apron and helping the volunteers. The Governor was there a little over an hour.
Downtown Park Tour
Tuesday afternoon I joined council members Robinson and Smith on a tour of the downtown park which is in its final stages of construction. This was the first tour of the park that I have had in months, and much has changed. You can now get a good look and feel at how it will be experienced. I am eager for the opening on November 19th.
Cary Candidates Forum
I attended the Cary Chamber’s Candidates forum Wednesday morning at Prestonwood. Each candidate was asked three questions. Unfortunately, the candidates had basically the same answers for each of the questions on Bus Rapid Transit and Affordable Housing so there wasn’t as much to gain from listening to them as I had hoped. From my seat it appeared that Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz was the strongest candidate with Ryan Eades second. There were candidates that echoed, almost word for word, a party platform on affordable housing. I still believe that party politics in Cary is a great threat to our success.
As a reminder, I am endorsing incumbents in this election so you can take my comments as somewhat biased.
Diwali Dance Practice
Wednesday evening, I joined about a dozen people from Cary, Apex, and Morrisville to practice dancing at Diwali in October. While they have been practicing for months this was only my third practice due to a variety of reasons. I will be dancing three of the dances, one includes a duet with Mayor Cawley of Morrisville.
Lazy Daze Reception with Town Crier
Thursday evening, I joined a few dozen people for a reception to welcome John and Mary Webster from our sister city Markham, Canada. John Webster is an award-winning town crier and has been Cary’s official town crier for the last 19 years. At the reception I gave a few remarks and presented him with a small gift. John also made remarks and presented a letter from Mayor Scarpitti.
Council Meeting
The last regularly scheduled council meeting of August was held Thursday night and included a special presentation, one consent item, five public hearings, and one discussion item.
Our town crier read a proclamation for Lazy Daze and presented a proclamation from our sister city’s mayor in Markham, Canada.
A rezoning proposal for townhomes at Trinity Road and Deerwood Place generated several speakers criticizing the proposal. Concerns included additional traffic, stormwater, and not fitting in with surrounding houses. This will next go to the Planning and Zoning Board for their review and recommendation.
The council meeting concluded after about an hour and a half.
NC Metro Mayors
The North Carolina Metro Mayors met Friday and were provided a legislative update. The following is an update summary from KTS Strategies:
Legislative Schedule and Budget Update
Following a flurry of votes last Wednesday, this week was quiet at the General Assembly. No votes or committee meetings were held by either chamber. A state budget has yet to be finalized and legislative leadership continues to negotiate. Senior House Appropriations Chair, Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth), is one of the leaders responsible for writing the budget. He was quoted this week saying the current plan is to have a budget vote on the week of September 11th. There will not be substantive legislative activity over the next couple of weeks and we may not see any more votes or committee work until after Labor Day.
Casino Proposal
On Monday, Rockingham County Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a rezoning request that opens a 192-acre lot along U.S. 220 for potential development of a casino and entertainment district in the county. State law currently allows casinos to be built in North Carolina only on tribal lands. The General Assembly would have to change the law to authorize this development. One of the items currently being discussed in budget negotiations is whether to allow more casinos to be built in the state. As reported by WRAL, one proposal would authorize four new casinos to be built in Rockingham, Nash, and Anson counties, with one allocated to the Lumbee Tribe in eastern North Carolina. Senate President Pro Tempore, Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), and other legislative leaders have said the state should consider authorizing more casinos, but several members have expressed opposition for expanding gambling in the state. It is unclear at this point if the casino proposal will gain enough support to become law.
Lazy Daze Opening
Saturday morning, I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz, council members Bush, Smith, and Eades at the open ceremony of the 47th Lazy Daze.
The Park Director was the emcee and first introduced the founder, Jerry Miller.
This was followed by a reading of a proclamation from the town crier John Webster. The Cary High School band then played the Star-Spangled Banner, and I followed them with remarks. I noted that there were 250 artists, crafts, and performers from 15 states here. I had a great time talking with people and having my picture made with our special guests.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
Our cocreated culture has produced some amazing results, few more special than when we get to elevate a superstar and help the organization at the same time. It’s through that lens that I share the great news that Heather Whelehan has moved from her role as Principal Planner to the Director of Housing and Community Partnerships. Heather will oversee housing programs, policy, and partnerships to further goals of the Imagine Cary Community Plan and the Cary Housing Plan. Prior to her work in Cary, she served as the Homeownership Director at the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund, a quasi-public housing finance agency in Boston where she led housing efforts with communities throughout the state. Heather holds a B.A. in Public Administration and Spanish from Miami University and a Masters in Public Administration from Northeastern University. She lives in Cary with her husband Tim and their five children: Colin, Norah, Meredith, Sloane, and Finola. Promotions like Heather’s work because it’s never just about one department or program’s gain; it’s also about recognizing and addressing the real impact this has on those who will experience true loss in the change. Chief Human Resources Officer Renee Poole and her staff will be working closely with Chief Development Officer Scot Berry to take full advantage of the opportunity Heather’s move is creating to find new talent to add to our pool of incredible employees. Another highlight from this week is that we surpassed one million cases created through Cary 311, primarily through phone calls but also via our website, email, social media, in-person interactions at Town Hall, and text messaging. Cary’s interest in creating 311 is how Assistant Town Manager Dan Ault and I were introduced to Cary, and I’m so proud of this shared accomplishment that reflects the extensive effort to create a dynamic and responsive platform involving staff from all parts of the organization and our citizens alike. Have a great weekend.
Sean
Tools4Schools Event
On Tuesday, Governor Cooper was joined by Mayor Weinbrecht, Council Members Bush, Johnson, and Eades, Assistant Town Manager Shelley Curran, and other elected officials at the WakeEd Partnership’s Tools4Schools store in Cary. Tools4Schools provides teachers in North Carolina’s largest school district with free school supplies to help ensure that all students in the Wake County Public School system have access to necessary supplies.
ONE Wake New York Housing Tour
Cary Housing & Community Partnerships staff Heather Whelehan and Mary McKay visited the Nehemiah Spring Creek development in East Brooklyn, New York City this week. Representatives from Cary and Wake County joined ONE Wake member organizations to tour the mixed-use development that includes apartments, townhouses, senior housing, a school, several public parks, small neighborhood businesses, and a large-scale shopping center. Silver Creek has grown in phases since the 1990s into a thriving, walkable, urban community with tree-lined streets and solar power. It is known for its mix of affordable residential choices including the Nehemiah homeownership model which has provided opportunity to over 600 first-time homebuyers.
Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival 2023
Staff, artists, vendors, volunteers, and the Cary community are gearing up for an unforgettable weekend at the 47th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival on Cary Town Hall Campus. Exciting new additions are in store for this year’s festival, including an Interactive Pixel Wall and the Lazy Lounge Hammock Grove.
Of course, the returning favorites will also be present, including over 250 artists, professional craftsman demonstrations, 25 food vendors, kids’ areas, and interactive art experiences like our giant paint by number. With an anticipated attendance of 60,000 over the course of two days, Lazy Daze promises an exciting atmosphere of creativity, relaxation, and entertainment.
Reopening of South Harrison Avenue, Dry Avenue, and West Park Street
South Harrison Ave has made significant progress over the last three months: new water mains, new sewer mains, corrected storm drainage, a new sidewalk, ADA ramps and curb, enhanced landscaping, and now a freshly resurfaced roadway. By this evening, the contractor for the annual water main replacement project, Carolina Civilworks, will remove all traffic control measures associated with the closure of South Harrison Ave between Chatham St and Faculty Dr, allowing it to reopen for through traffic. Traffic control measures on W. Park St and Dry Ave will also be removed. The road closure will now shift to the south of Faculty Ave as we continue our infrastructure improvements in the area between Heater Dr and Faculty Ave over the next several months. We have coordinated with Cary Elementary School to ensure a safe carpool queue during the road closure south of Faculty Ave, and Police will be on hand for the start of the school year. Further updates will be provided as we proceed with additional phases of the planned water main replacement project.
ADA Curb Ramp Repairs
Several ADA curb ramp repairs have been successfully completed along Lochmere Drive in response to residents’ concerns. Staff from Public Works, Facilities, and Transportation have collaborated to enhance ten curb ramps at three intersections along Lochmere Drive. These repairs have made the sidewalk facilities in the area accessible to all users.
Bond Lake Dam Improvements and Public Meeting
The Wake County government and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service of North Carolina (NRCS) are planning to make improvements to the Bond Lake dam and spillway. Bond Lake dam has been well maintained and may be eligible for upgrades such as changing the outlet structure on the primary spillway, increasing the height of the dam, and modifying the spillway to help with potential erosion. Because Cary owns the lake, staff will attend an inter-agency scoping meeting to discuss the design, timeline, and site plan approval along with other technical questions. This meeting will be held on August 30 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Cary Senior Center. Wake County and NRCS are also hosting a public informational meeting on August 30 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Cary Senior Center. More information is available at www.wake.gov/ccwp and digital comments can be submitted to gsa.requestcenter@wake.gov.
“Fly Away Home” Gets a Trim
Members of the Public Art Advisory Board gathered for a work meeting at Carpenter Park for their August session to trim and tuck in willow branches on the Patrick Dougherty willow sculpture, “Fly Away Home.” This living sculpture is greatly cherished by residents in the western neighborhoods of Cary. The Board, along with a few additional volunteers, dedicated their time to its maintenance, ensuring doorways and windows remain accessible.
Restoring the Carpenter Park Hillside
The hillside at Carpenter Park is now another shining example of organic landscaping practices and ecosystem restoration efforts that Cary is exploring. In July, the project began with the identification of the native plants and trees installed in late 2020 (including elderberry, crabapples, mulberry, sumac, and more) and the clearing of overgrowth between and around these plants with machinery, manual labor, and organic herbicide. From there, over 220 cubic yards of a mixture of organic compost, topsoil, and additional amendments were worked into the earth to kickstart soil regeneration and prepare a bed for seedlings to sprout. Having just been watered in and protected with a layer of straw, we now eagerly await the germination of native grasses (like Creeping Red Fescue, Indiangrass, Little Bluestem, and Switchgrass) and 22 native flowers including Yarrow, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Coneflower, Lupine, and Golden Rod. When established, these edible perennials, flowers, and grasses will provide additional habitat and support for pollinators and wildlife while reducing maintenance needs and ornamenting this beloved park.
Pollinator Ecosystem Yield Sweet Rewards
Successful beekeeping at South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF) in 2022 lead to a nine-month trial period beginning March 2023 for staff and volunteers to expand pollinator protection efforts across town and to nurture honeybees at other locations like five of Cary’s fire stations and the Cary Senior Center Garden. While honey in the first year is generally saved for the bees to self-feed during winter, Cary’s hives are doing well with the assistance of dozens of recently installed native pollinator gardens across town. As staff and volunteers enter the next phase of learning about beekeeping, a couple of frames from each hive were able to be harvested this summer for people to share. At the end of July, staff across departments and Senior Center volunteers gathered at Fire Station 2 to be educated on the honey harvesting process by firefighter “Bee Lead” Davis Hodges. The success midway through the pilot has exceeded expectations and staff are moving towards long-term sustainable approaches for these precious golden drops. As honey cannot be harvested again until summer 2024, this time will be used to evaluate existing and develop new policy and procedures associated with pollinator ecosystems, bees, and honey.
2023 Annual Wastewater Report
Cary’s 2022/2023 Annual Wastewater Report is now available online, offering insights into Cary’s wastewater treatment facilities and sewer system. The report provides quick facts about our utility, descriptions of our treatment facilities, system metrics, and tips to keep the system working smoothly and the environment free from sewer spills. A new addition to this year’s report is a graphic about how Cary inspects and manages its more than 1,000 miles of sewer pipelines. We are happy to once again show that our award-winning water reclamation facilities had another exceptional year of performance.
Wake County 2023 U.S. Army Be All You Can Be Clash
On Saturday, Cary hosted American football for the first time ever at WakeMed Soccer Park. Cary, Wake County Public School System Athletics, and the US Army came together to create the first annual Be All You Can Be Clash, which served as the kickoff event for high school football in Wake County. This event, along with TST and NCAA Lacrosse, are showcasing our sports venues as versatile and nimble as staff continues to expand creative uses.
Summer Shape Up
Maintaining an active lifestyle is a key component of preventive care, which can help manage long-term health care and health care costs. To support our employees in their wellness journey, Cary hosted a six-week “Summer Shape Up” fitness challenge led by WakeMed, our wellness partner. The 55 employees who completed the challenge learned healthier habits while increasing their strength, flexibility, and endurance through a host of offerings including instructor-led cubicle workouts, boot camp, and TheraBand classes. With a focus on fitness, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and mindfulness, Cary’s staff sizzled in successfully shaping up this season.
A complaint that a part-time town employee is not allowed to work more.
A request for Cary’s plan for more pickleball courts.
A complaint about power outages in Cary.
A complaint about the Trinity Road rezoning proposal.
A request for lighting up the Cary Arts Center for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
A request for a legacy bench at Regency Lake.
Next Week
Next week I will be in San Diego most of the week for work. When I return my activities include staff meetings, a meeting with Amtrack’s Government Affairs Manager, a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors, the 2023 Cary Environmental Symposium, and the North Carolina Youth Classical Arts for Charity.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, September 3rd, 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.
Monday I participated in the Cary Chamber’s Education Golf event held at MacGregor Downs Country Club. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Educational Programs including Honor A Teacher and First Year Teacher awards. My group was council member Jack Smith and two members from the business community. We had a great time, and it was for a great cause.
Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board Meeting
Monday night I met with the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championship board to discuss the professional tournament that just completed and the one coming up on September 10th. The tournament that just completed had 2,756 attendees, 138 volunteers, 120 ball persons, with $2817 in concession sales. That is not bad considering this was an ATP tournament we agreed to hold in addition to the normal tournament we hold every September. Our tournament starting on September 10th will include the Cary Chamber After Hours with the USTA Immediate Past President Mike McNulty. Can’t Wait!
Candidate Taping for Cary TV
Tuesday I gave my presentation for Cary TV as a candidate for mayor. I decided to do this even though I am unopposed because I wanted voters to know the importance of keeping Cary apolitical. Here are the remarks I spoke from:
“My name is Harold Weinbrecht, and it has been an honor for me to serve as your mayor for the past 16 years. This election cycle I am running unopposed so I would like to take this opportunity to talk about Cary, my colleagues, and highlight the potential danger that threatens Cary’s success.
During my terms as mayor, we have seen Cary become one of the most desirable places to in the country live, work, play, and run a business in the country, all while having the lowest tax rate in Wake County. Cary today is diverse, well educated, environmentally friendly and economically strong and it is my goal to make it even better.
But can’t do it alone. It takes a great nonpartisan council.
Like council member Ryan Eades, who is running in District D. He is fighting hard to make sure district D and western Cary gets the roads, parks, and other resources it needs all while protecting the environment.
And Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz, who was flagbearer for downtown redevelopment. With his leadership we are seeing the citizens’ vision being implemented today.
And council member Lori Bush who is on a mission to create affordable housing in Cary.
As great as Cary is it can change in one election. If partisan politics makes its way into Cary government, we will see divisiveness and gridlock that plagues our state and national government today. And there are partisan candidates in this election! For Cary to continue to be a strong community well into the future we will need a strong, nonpartisan council.
I urge you to research the candidates before you vote on October 10th and keep partisan politics out of Cary. Thank you for voting and thanks for calling Cary home.”
My delivery of this message was not as clean as my usual talks, but it was quickly written and not rehearsed. Again, the main purpose was to get the message out about the potential danger of partisan politics in Cary.
I have a standing practice that I endorse incumbents but support all candidates.
Campaign Misinformation
Wednesday I was sent misinformation being spread by a candidate which is misleading and can have harmful long-term consequences. The candidate said:
“And when people say that schools aren’t a concern for Town Hall – I will say that the decisions the Council makes on zoning and growth directly impacts our schools. …”
There are several misleading implications with this statement. Let try and address some of these:
Schools and Relationship
While the building and operating of schools is the responsibility of the county, Cary partners with the school system in many ways to help. We build roads and sidewalks for them and provide school resource officers at Cary taxpayer expense. We build and share ballfields with them (Mills Park) or build and share community centers with them (Middle Creek). In fact, we bought and saved land for parks, infrastructure, and schools (Mills Park).
Schools are and should be planned based on land use. That information is provided to the county and the school board years in advance of anything being rezoned and built to allow the schools to plan accordingly. Cary’s land use plan is part of the Cary Community Plan which was created by Cary citizens and approved by the council in 2017. It is currently being reviewed for updates.
School overcrowding is simply a lack of funding, not lack of planning. Land values in the county have skyrocketed and so have construction costs. In addition, the school board’s plans must be funded by the county commissioners. It is a mother-may-I situation. County Commissioners are playing catch up and have significantly raised your taxes this year as a result.
Are we in communication with the schools? Absolutely, and have been for decades. To imply that we are creating problems for schools and not communicating with them is very misleading.
Building and Zoning
For anything to be built in Cary it must fit with the Cary Community Plan and have a zoning that matches the plan. If a proposal is reviewed by staff, the advisory board, and the council and is said to match the plan and the rezoning proposal is denied then there is danger of litigation. A denied zoning proposal can be reapplied in one year unless an exception is granted by the council. It should be noted that the population in this region will likely double in the next few decades, so thinking that denying a zoning for a future lower density is unlikely. In summary, the old cliché “be careful what you ask for” comes to mind. The council can deny a rezoning, but it could be something much denser in the future. Does that mean every rezoning should be approved? Of course not. But you should approach every proposal as to what is the best it can be, does it meet the Cary Community Plan, and is it the best use of the land.
It is concerning that this candidate does not possess the knowledge to understand what is going on with schools and how to address the problem. Please know that I will continue to address additional campaign misinformation as I receive it.
As a reminder, I am endorsing incumbents but will help all candidates.
CAMPO
Wednesday afternoon I participated in the meeting of CAMPO’s (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s) Executive Board.
The agenda had 5 consent items which included: the 2025 – 2030 Wake Transit Bus Plan, FY 2023 Period of Performance Extension Requests, CAMPO Personnel Policy, Resolutions of Support for US 1A Designation Removal and US 70 Rerouting, and Locally Administered Projects Program Additional Funding Request. All items were approved unanimously without discussion.
There were four public hearings on the agenda which included: Update to the CAMPO Public Participation, Title VI, and Limited English Proficiency Plans, Locally Administered Projects Program (LAPP) FFY2025 Proposed Changes and Target Modal Mix, 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Amendment Air Quality Conformity Determination Triangle Regional Model Update, and FY 2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Program. All public hearings were held with no speakers and items were approved unanimously.
The regular agenda included four items for information. The items discussed were FY 24 UPWP – Amendment #1, Amendment #13 to FY2020-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Prioritization 7.0 Modal Candidate Project Lists, and the 2020 Urbanized Area and MPO Boundary Update.
One thing to note from the meeting is that demand for funding in our region far exceeds state’s ability to fund transportation projects for the next decade and beyond. It appears to me that the legislature will need to make decisions to help solve this lack of funding. One quote from the meeting sums it up: “I don’t believe division 5 even has enough money to fill potholes.”
The meeting concluded after a little over an hour.
District 16 Update from Senator Adcock
Thursday morning I received a district update from Senator Gale Adcock. The following is an excerpt from her update:
NC prepares to implement Voter ID
Beginning with 2023 fall municipal elections, North Carolinians will be required to present photo identification to vote.
Acceptable Photo IDs for Voting
Any of the following that is unexpired, or expired for one year or less:
Driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)
College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections
State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections
Note: A voter 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday.
Any of the following, regardless of whether the ID contains an expiration or issuance date:
Military or veterans ID card issued by the U.S. government.
Tribal enrollment card issued by a tribe recognized by the State or federal government.
ID card issued by an agency of the U.S. government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program.
How to get a free ID
Registered voters without one of these forms of ID can get a free ID used for voting from their county board of elections. Free IDs are available during county boards’ regular business hours. Voters provide their name, date of birth, the last four digits of their Social Security number and have their photo taken. Most counties will provide the ID on the spot; a few will need to mail it to the individual’s address. The IDs are valid for 10 years.
The State Board has created rules for the implementation of voter ID and has requested funds from the legislature to train poll workers and inform voters of the change.
Help with student loan debt
If you or someone you know has a legal concern about student loan debt, the Economic Justice Clinic at the University of North Carolina School of Law is currently accepting new clients for the 2023-24 academic year.
The clinic represents student borrowers by filing applications for loan discharge through the Department of Education’s programs, including Total and Permanent Disability Discharge, Closed School Discharge, and Borrower Defense to Repayment; negotiating with a loan servicer to accurately calculate a borrower’s debt; counseling clients on repayment options, discharge options, and refinance options; and suing a college or institution for misrepresentation or fraud. There is no cost to the client.
Clinic clients are represented by third-year law students under the guidance of a full-time faculty member who is also a member of the North Carolina Bar. To be eligible for this free representation, a potential client must live in North Carolina, agree to be represented by law students, and be in a financial situation where they would not otherwise be able to afford private legal representation. Ideally the client would be within driving distance of the law school in Chapel Hill.
Use this link to apply. The information will be forwarded to the Director of the Clinic and someone from UNC Law will be in touch with you. While the clinic cannot guarantee legal help, it hopes to make a difference for North Carolinians struggling with student debt.
Morrisville earns its reputation for world-class cricket
Morrisville made cricket history once again as one of only two US host destinations for the inaugural season of the Major League Cricket professional franchise. The new league is comprised of many of the world’s top players who compete on six teams. All seven games held at Church Street Park during July 20-25 were sold out. Learn more about Morrisville’s growing and unique place in cricket.
Apex Community Police Academy
This innovative 10-week program by the Apex Police Department is accepting applications through August 18. Learn more here.
We are so blessed to have former Cary Mayor Pro-Tem Adcock serving Cary and surrounding communities.
North Carolina Metro Mayors
Friday the North Carolina Metro Mayors met to hear a summary of legislative actions. Here is a summary from KTS Strategies:
Legislative Schedule
After nearly six weeks, legislators returned to Raleigh this week to conduct business. The House held committee meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. Both chambers took floor votes on Wednesday including veto override votes. A budget has still not been finalized. Legislators will continue to negotiate behind closed doors over the next couple of weeks to discuss outstanding items. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said earlier this week a budget vote may not take place until mid-September. We anticipate little legislative activity over the next couple of weeks and may not see any more floor votes or substantive committee work until after Labor Day.
Elections Bill
A proposed committee substitute (PCS) for S747, Elections Law Changes, moved through the House this week. The PCS would require absentee ballots to be received by 7:30 PM on Election Day, prohibit private money from elections administration, and give more freedom to poll observers for watching the voting process. Unlike the original Senate bill, the House version removed a two-factor authentication requirement for absentee ballots and allows a retrievable ballot to be cast for same-day registration voters instead of a provisional ballot. The PCS also changed the implementation of a signature verification requirement for mail-in absentee ballots to a ten-county pilot program. The bill passed the House Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform Committee and the House Rules Committee on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Eighteen amendments were offered on the House floor with only two adopted. The bill passed third reading in the House along party lines (69-47). The Senate voted to concur with the House changes with a vote of 27-18. The bill has been sent to Governor Cooper. We anticipate he will veto the measure.
Veto Overrides
The House and Senate voted to override six of Governor Cooper’s vetoes. No Senate Democrats voted in favor of an override for any of the six bills. However, five out of the six bills received marginal support from House Democrats except for S49. Below are the bills that were overridden. All are now Session Law.
H219, Charter School Omnibus – This bill makes various changes to charter school laws including removing growth restrictions and allowing county property taxes to fund charter school capital needs.
H488, Code Council Reorganization and Various Code Amendments – This bill would reorganize the North Carolina Building Code Council to create a new Residential Code Council and would make various changes to the North Carolina State Building Code provisions, land development regulations, and General Contractor licensing laws.
H574, Fairness in Women’s Sports Act – This bill would prohibit biological males from competing on women’s sports teams.
H618, Charter School Review Board – This bill would convert the Charter Schools Advisory Board into the Charter Schools Review Board and shift the authority to approve charters from the State Board of Education to the Review Board.
H808, Gender Transition/Minors – This bill would prohibit medical professionals from performing surgical gender transition procedures on minors and from prescribing, providing, or dispensing puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones to minors.
S49, – This bill would require public schools to provide parents with information regarding their student’s education, as well as provide them with notifications about the student’s physical and mental health. The bill would also require health care practitioners to obtain written consent from the parent of a minor child before providing treatment and would prohibit instruction on gender identity or sexuality in the curriculum of students from kindergarten to fourth grade.
India Independence Day
Saturday I joined several elected officials and hundreds of people at the HSNC temple in Morrisville to celebrate India Independence Day.
Some of the elected officials included the Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, State Senators Jay Chaudhuri and Gale Adcock, Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley, Cary Council members Robinson, Bush, Eades, Johnson, several Morrisville council members, several Apex council members, NC representatives, and others. The event started with a parade on the HSNC site followed by a flag unveiling ceremony. Afterwards everyone headed to the fellowship hall for entertainment, speeches, and food. The Indian American community is a significant part of Cary, Morrisville, and the region and we embrace their culture and friendship.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
As the summer student internship cycle draws to a close, I spent time today reflecting on the value added by those individuals who contributed to our organization during their short time. We are lucky for the interns’ fresh perspectives to our daily work, and I am grateful they chose Cary and wish them well in the new semester. I look forward to seeing each of you at our only regular meeting in August on Thursday. Enjoy your weekend, Sean
Atlantic Tire Championships August 6 – 13
The Cary Tennis Park hosted the Atlantic Tire Championships August 6-13. This Men’s Professional Challenger 75 tennis tournament awarded $80,000 in prize money. The event had over 3,000 in attendance throughout the week. In singles, Adam Walton (AUS) defeated Nicolas Moreno De Alboran (USA) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. In doubles, Evan King (USA) and Reese Stalder (USA) defeated Mikelis Libietis (LAT) and Adam Walton (AUS) 6-3; 7-6 (4). This was the first Atlantic Tire Championships of the Summer Series. The second Atlantic Tire Championships will be hosted September 10-17.
General Assembly: Bill Updates
On Wednesday, the Governor’s vetoes of several bills were overridden by the legislature, including his veto of H488 “Building Code Council Reorganization, Creation of the Residential Code Council, and Clarify Statutory References to the North Carolina State Building Code.” This bill amends laws and regulations regarding the State Building Code; pavement design standards; and stormwater control devices. This attachment briefly describes some of the aspects of the legislation. Please contact Shelley Curran or Lisa Glover if you have questions.
Introducing Lead for NC Fellow Adrienne Stacy
Cary is proud to host an NC AmeriCorps Lead Fellow, a program focused on developing local government leaders in the state. Adrienne Stacy, a recent graduate of NC Central in Political Science, will be part of Cary’s team for the next year. During her time with Cary, she will work on multiple projects across the organization.
Welcome Home K9 Officer Dakota
The Police Department produced a video on K9 Officer Dakota’s recovery. Thank you to the community for the support and standing with us on this journey.
Monthly Finance Session
Staff from across the organization took part in the first Finance Summer Session. Sessions will be held monthly through November and are designed to provide staff with a better understanding of the factors that drive financial decision making. Dr. Bill Rivenbark from the UNC School of Government led the first session which focused on key metrics and policies to assess a locality’s financial health. Future sessions will focus on capital financing, debt planning and the impact of the economy on local government finances.
Popsicles, Playtime, and Pups
This end-of-summer event was filled with games, crafts, bubbles, and dog fun! It was a hot day with temperatures in the 90s, but that didn’t stop close to 250 humans and 60+ canines from having fun in the sun. The Pup Parade started the event in honor of NC Year of the Trail. Pups donned their costumes and paraded around the sprayground sidewalk. Then kids and adults enjoyed the activities, cooled off in the sprayground, and enjoyed ice-cold POPSICLES!
Six Firefighters from “Hybrid” Academy Begin Shift Work
Fire is conducting a “hybrid” recruit academy for the second year in a row. Excellent candidates are hired without certification requirements, and if enough have their needed fire, EMT, and rescue certifications, they undergo an accelerated orientation and training process while the rest go through the full academy. This method takes a lot of coordination, but it helps to satisfy immediate staffing needs while ensuring a diverse and well-trained future workforce. Academy 27, which began in May, held a celebratory lunch Friday for firefighters Kendrick Campbell, Dylan Groeger, Justin Green, Travon McNair, Robert Morrison, and Tevin West, who reported to their shift assignments beginning Sunday. A graduation ceremony for the whole recruit class is expected to occur toward the end of the year.
Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference
This week several staff members attended the Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference in Raleigh. The conference provided many educational sessions focused on alternative fueling solutions, EV charging infrastructure, and success stories from some industry leaders. During the event, Cary’s fleet was recognized as one of the top 50 green fleets in the country for the third consecutive year. Cary also had two vehicles showcased in the event, a fire apparatus complete with idle reduction technology and our Tesla police vehicle. Both vehicles were requested to display Cary’s innovative thinking and commitment to sustainability technology.
Community Garden Gatherings
Garden Open House events at the Carpenter Park Community Garden continue to attract guests of all ages. These monthly gatherings provide hands-on environmental education opportunities and a chance to chat with Environmental Outreach staff about Cary sustainability initiatives such as Count Me In Cary, Solarize The Triangle, and our upcoming Dig In and Grow Green campaign.
Summer Produce Program Stats from Good Hope Farm
Good Hope Farm’s annual produce pickup program wrapped up after eight weeks of distribution. Through this Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA), twenty-five families enjoyed a total of 200 installments. At the same time, our nonprofit partner, Dorcas Ministries Food Pantry, distributed 112 pounds of fresh vegetables to community members facing food insecurity. Those who missed the CSA signup can still purchase produce from Good Hope Farm via individual pop-up farmers markets onsite or by visiting a Harvest Fest event this fall.
September Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
The Neighborhood Meeting will be held virtually on WebEx from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The following cases will be discussed on September 6:
Cary-Apex Water Treatment Facility 30th Anniversary
This week marks a very special milestone in Cary’s history with the 30th anniversary of the Cary-Apex Water Treatment Facility. The facility opened in 1993, providing 12 million gallons of water daily to our service area. Since then, the facility has seen multiple expansions to accommodate the area’s growth, with the most recent bringing the capacity up to 56 million gallons a day. Over the years, the facility staff has constantly worked to optimize and improve the treatment processes to exceed regulatory requirements and provide high-quality drinking water to our citizens. These efforts have been recognized with multiple state and national level awards. Several staff members at the CAWTF have been working there since day one, and their wealth of knowledge and history has been instrumental in making it such a success.
Thanks for the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships.
A complaint about grass around library due to construction.
Several emails about preventing crime in a Regency neighborhood.
A request to participate in the Diwali lamp lighting ceremony.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a CAMPO Regional Rail Subcommittee meeting, a Wake County Mayors Association meeting, a tour of the downtown park, the Cary Chamber Eye Opener for Council Candidates, a Lazy Daze reception with Sister cities, the only regularly scheduled council meeting of August, a NC Metro Mayors meeting, and the opening of Lazy Daze.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Saturday, August 26th, 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.
Interview with Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors
Monday I talked with about a half a dozen realtors representing the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors. Topics included housing, affordable housing, infrastructure, and how I see the future. Our conversation lasted about thirty minutes.
Boy Scout Interview
Later Monday I was interviewed by a Boy Scout working on his government merit badge. After the interview I showed him and his mother the council chambers and we took a few pictures. It is nice to see someone of that age interested in their local government.
ATP 75 Tennis Tournament
Monday night I attended the first round of the ATP 75 professional tennis tournament being held at the Cary Tennis Park. This is the first of two professional tournaments that will be held at the Cary Tennis Park along with collegiate and other championships.
Tuesday I once again attended the ATP 75 professional tennis tournament. Twenty players out of the thirty-two-player draw were from outside the United States. It was great to see such international talent on display.
Saturday I watched both semi-finals singles matches and the finals in doubles. One player, Adam Walton, played in the heat indices over 100 for three hours before winning his singles match and then played in the doubles championship. I presented the doubles trophies to the winners.
Sunday afternoon, in heat indices of about 105, Adam Walton once again battled for over three hours before winning the championship. I was honored to present him with the Championship Trophy.
Sunday before the tournament began, I took the tournament supervisor to Prestonwood to hit tennis balls for an hour. The supervisor, Jorge Mandl, is from Croatia after living most of his life in Argentenia. It was so nice to meet, talk, and enjoy time with someone from a different county and a different background. Once we were on the tennis court it was like we had known each other a lifetime. It is great to build these relationships and hopefully one day they will help in bringing more tournaments to Cary.
This Atlantic Tire Tennis Championship was a great tournament and had incredible talent from all over the world. If you missed it don’t fret, the second Atlantic Tire Tennis Championship of 2023 will be September 10th through September 17th.
Diwali Dance Practice
Because of recent minor surgery I was not able to practice the Diwali dances on Wednesday as I had hoped, but I was able to watch them learn a new dance. Our group will have several dances with the mayors of Apex, Cary and Morrisville doing their own dance.
General Assembly Update
The following is a summary of legislative actions from KTS Strategies:
Budget Update and Legislative Schedule
It was another quiet week at the General Assembly as legislative leadership continued to negotiate the final version of the state budget behind closed doors. No committee meetings or votes were held by either chamber. While we had anticipated the budget to be completed by the end of August, at this point we do not plan to see a budget vote until September. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) was quoted on Monday after a non-voting session saying there is “zero chance” a budget will pass before September 1st. Speaker Moore and Senator Berger have confirmed an agreement has been reached on tax cuts and raises for state employees, but there are still outstanding items including spending of savings, capital improvement projects, and if they will legalize more casinos in North Carolina. No specific details on agreed upon items have been released. We do expect some legislative activity to occur at the General Assembly next week. The House has calendared several veto override votes for next Wednesday, August 16.
Speaker of the House Race
Speaker of the House Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) confirmed last month he would not seek re-election for Speaker in 2025. Moore is the longest-serving speaker, holding the role for five two-year terms. Three Republican House members have since announced they would run to replace him. Representative Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), Chair of the House Rules Committee, House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) and Representative Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort) have officially confirmed their plans to run for the position. Senior Appropriations Chair, Jason Saine (R-Lincoln), has mentioned he is considering a run, but he has yet to officially enter the race.
When Fenton was about to open a year ago, its then leasing director Dotan Zuckerman told Chain Store Age that locals in Cary would be glad that North Carolina nixed its original plan to turn the empty, 92-acre site between Raleigh and Durham into a storage location for state vehicles.
“Everyone around there compared it to other modern open-air developments,” Zuckerman said then, “but they didn’t know what they didn’t know, and they soon will.”
Now they do.
Today, thousands of residents in this well-to-do suburban enclave in the Research Triangle escape to Fenton to dine at chef-driven restaurants such as M Sushi and Colletta, from which they can exit with their cocktails and stroll through art-lined paseos.
They can pause at two green spaces set with hammocks, fireplaces, cornhole sets, and chess tables. And they and their families can take advantage of the center’s 200-plus annual activations such as Raleigh Fashion Fest, Little Fentonians, and Light the Square—Fenton’s Christmas tree lighting event which drew more than 17,000 visitors in its first year.
“It’s a vibe. It’s an environment,” said Kurt Hartman, a senior managing director at the global real estate power Hines, which developed Fenton in partnership with Columbia Development.
“Most of the other retail centers in the area have been around a long, long time. There is an old mall that has been morphing into an outdoor center. This is the only one created from the ground up.”
Wegmans was the very first tenant to show an interest in the location, and their lease signing shone as a beacon to other top national and local brands.
Fenton’s 345,000-sq.-ft. of retail GLA houses Arhaus, Lululemon, Paragon Theaters, PBR Cowboy Bar, Williams Sonoma, CRU Food & Wine Bar, Club Pilates, and Sephora. Office space and multitenant residential is elevated above the street-level retail deck.
Phase Two of the project is now underway and Phase One’s exceptional debut has caught the eye of many more valuable tenants, according to Hartman.
“Leasing is up like crazy,” he said.
We are so blessed to have the Fenton in Cary.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
I enjoyed meeting several new staff members at our directors’ meeting on Monday. I continue to be amazed by the incredible talent that is currently present within our organization, as well as the talent that we are actively recruiting. I’m looking forward to seeing each of you next week at our only Council meeting of the month. Have a great weekend. Sean
Wake County Sports Facility Funding
Assistant Town Manager Shelley Curran, Community Projects Director Doug McRainey, and Financial Analysis Manager Mike Franks attended the final stakeholders meeting today concerning the distribution of the Hospitality Tax. Staff are currently reviewing the allocation that will be presented to the Wake County Board on August 14 and the Raleigh City Council on August 15. Both jurisdictions will take final action later in the month. At this point in the process, $75M is being recommended for a “Cary Indoor Sports Facility,” an increase from the previously committed $35M for the project. This meaningful increase reflects the County’s continued commitment to the project. Doug McRainey and the Finance Team will work with this number to create architectural and financial models for the project. This will allow the Council to resume its consideration of the project and other sports facility projects toward the end of the year. Finally, Shelley and Doug, along with others, have done incredible work in this arena, and I am so very grateful to them. It is also noteworthy that our decision not to incessantly lobby both the appointed and elected officials at Wake County, as opposed to all the other jurisdictions, was highlighted as an important factor in our success. Once the final allocation has been approved, we will share with the Town Council.
Contested Case/NPDES Permit
Today, Cary filed a Petition for a Contested Case Hearing with the NC Office of Administrative Hearings regarding the renewal of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WWRWRF). We have been working diligently with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on the terms of this permit renewal; however, we have not been able to come to agreement on a few items. To preserve our rights and provide us with additional time to discuss our concerns with DEQ, we filed the petition. The WWRWRF has been in operation for nine years as of this week and has not had any material NPDES permit violations, which is a testament to its state-of-the-art design and to the skill and dedication of the employees who operate it.
Municipal Manager’s Update Meeting
This week, Shelley Curran attended the Municipal Managers’ meeting. The topics included Wake EMS and behavioral health. The group discussed EMS services in Wake and Chatham Counties. Additionally, Shelley learned that youth suicides have been on the rise since the pandemic, and as a result, increased funding is needed for behavioral health. Wake County has been working on a crisis report, which will be released soon.
Candidate Forum
On July 25, Cary Community Candidate Forum invitations were emailed to Council candidates. The five-minute, live-to-tape segments are currently being recorded and the final videos will be shared on Cary TV, YouTube, and the Town of Cary website starting August 21.
Construction of New Maintenance Facility with Solar Rooftop
The new maintenance facility at the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility (CAWTF) is wrapping up final construction. The new facility includes a rooftop solar array of 87 panels, with an anticipated annual production of approximately 57,000 kWh. The expected payback period analysis is approximately six to eight years, which includes the benefit of Cary having received $24,975 in solar rebates from Duke Energy – the solar-only component of the project cost was approximately $90,000. While the project provides a great need for maintenance activities at the site, incorporating the solar arrays into new and existing infrastructure projects continues to support Cary’s emission reduction goals and initiatives. The site is expected to be in full operation by the end of the month.
Chris Simpson Receives Ball-Bluestein Award
Chris Simpson, who retired as Cary’s Town Attorney in December 2020, received the Ball-Bluestein Award for Excellence in Municipal Law. This award, presented by the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys, is named in honor of Ernie Ball, former Cary Town Attorney and General Counsel of the NC League of Municipalities, and Frayda Bluestein, a beloved professor at the UNC School of Government. The award recognizes those who have made valuable contributions to the field of municipal law. Current Town Attorney Lisa Glover was honored to both nominate Chris for this award and present it to her at the ceremony, where Chris was lauded for her intellect, professionalism, mentorship of attorneys across the state, and dedication to family.
Duke International Visit
Last Friday, twelve international officials visited Town Hall to learn about Cary’s financial management. The students’ visit was a part of the curriculum in Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy’s program for Fiscal Decentralization and Local Government Financial Management. High-ranking officials from Africa and Asia attend Duke’s three-week summer program to focus on transferring control from the central government to local officials. The officials enjoyed touring the Council Chambers and hearing from Chief Strategy Officer Susan Moran about Cary’s government and culture. They also engaged in conversations with finance leaders Kimberly Branch, Mike Franks, and Marcelo Olarte, intern Elizabeth McKay, and retired Chief Financial Officer Karen Mills. Cary gifted the officials a copy of Leadership on the Line to reinforce the cultural messages and change management lessons that strengthen Cary’s financial management and citizen satisfaction.
Winding Pine Pump Station Pipeline Construction
Park Construction was awarded a contract for construction of the offsite pipeline for the new Winding Pine Pump Station on August 25, 2022. Park Construction has mobilized to the project site and is expected to be complete with their work by July 25, 2024. Clearing and grubbing along the project corridor from the new pump station site to the existing Kit Creek Pump Station site, is expected to last approximately one month. Pipeline installation is anticipated to begin in October 2023.
New GoCary Digital Displays
As part of GoCary’s expanding outreach efforts, new digital displays were installed at the Cary Senior Center at Bond Park and at Herb Young Community Center. The touchscreen feature allows people to navigate the GoCary website to learn more about the public transit services we offer, including the trip planning tool on our homepage. Our real-time app for fixed route service will also be available on the displays later this fall.
Dozens of emails asking to stop RDU Parking Expansion (Cary is not a decision maker in any RDU issues)
Request to change ordinances regarding Airbnb.
Several requests to lift COVID restrictions (We have no COVID restrictions. Another example of misinformation being spread about Cary.)
A complaint about crime in Regency.
A request for an outdoor swimming pool.
A question about downtown development.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, the Cary Chamber Education Golf tournament, the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships board meeting, a Candidate Taping, minor surgery and recovery, India Independence Day.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, August 20th, 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.
Harold's Blog 