This was one of the slowest weeks I have had as mayor, which is typical for this time of year.
Diwali Dance Practice
I attended the first Diwali dance practice on Wednesday. There will be a total of four dances using staff members from Apex, Cary, and Morrisville. All three mayors will be participating in a dance near the grand finale.
NC Legislative Summary
The NC Metro Mayors did not meet Friday due to the upcoming holiday. Here is a summary of legislative action from KTS Strategies:
Budget Update
State budget negotiations continued behind closed doors this week at the General Assembly. The top sticking points between the two chambers remain a tax package and how reserves will be spent on economic development and capital projects. The goal was to have a budget in place before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, but it will likely be mid to late July before the legislature takes a vote. The House and Senate are taking a legislative break next week and will return to Raleigh the week of July 10th.
Veto Override Votes
On Tuesday, the House voted to override six of Governor Cooper’s vetoes. That is the most override votes ever held in a single day. The six pieces of legislation are as follows:
S299, Reimburse Late Audit Costs with Sales Tax Revenue – This bill would authorize the Local Government Commission to withhold a county or municipality’s sales tax distribution if the county or municipality fails to submit an annual audit report.
S329, Retail Installment Sales Act Amendments – This bill would modify the maximum finance charge rates that may be applied to consumer credit installment sale contracts. It would also increase the default charge for past due installment payments from $15 to $18.
S331, Consumer Finance Act Amendments – This bill makes various changes to the statutes in the Consumer Finance Act.
S364, Nondiscrimination & Dignity in State Work – This bill would prohibit discrimination against job applicants based on personal beliefs or political affiliations. The bill would also prohibit concepts related to race or sex from being promoted in the workplace of state employees.
S582, The North Carolina Farm Act of 2023 – This is the legislature’s annual bill that would make various changes to laws pertaining to agriculture, forestry, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
H750, Address ESG Factors -This bill would prohibit state agencies and state pension plan fiduciaries from discriminating in employment decisions based on environmental, social, and governance criteria.
The Senate voted to override S299, S329, S331, and S364 last week. They also voted to override S582 and H750 this week meaning all six bills are now Session Law.
Parents Bill of Rights
This week, the House passed S49, Parents Bill of Rights with a vote of 66-47. One Republican voted in opposition. 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. The Senate voted to concur with the House changes with a party line vote of 26-13. The bill will now be sent to Governor Cooper for consideration. We anticipate he will veto the legislation.
George Washington Reading
Saturday morning, I participated in a small performance at the Page-Walker gardens put on by Katherine Loflin of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). She spent time talking about the area, now known as Cary, during the time of the American Revolution.
I was dressed as George Washington and read excerpts of the Declaration of Independence. It was well attended, including several children.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
On the last day of the fiscal year, let me say how proud I am of the great things we were able to accomplish together. In our effort to keep Cary at the Top of the Arc, we know our work will never be done, and that’s a good thing because every day brings something new to look forward to. With so many people planning to take advantage of the holiday next week and spend time with their family, including me, we will not be doing a Council Weekly Report next Friday. Enjoy your weekend. Sean
Council District Demographic Data
Please find linked district demographic information prepared by our Planning Department.
Nancy Jones House Becomes Cary’s Newest Landmark
Last week, Council unanimously adopted an ordinance designating the Nancy Jones House as a Cary historic landmark. Built in 1803 and Cary’s oldest known residential structure, the Nancy Jones house is historically significant for its Federal-style architecture. In addition, numerous NC governors and even President James K. Polk have visited the house over the years. Further supporting the Council’s initial action to preserve this piece of Cary history, rehabilitation of the house’s interior and exterior is planned to begin later this year.
Green Hope High School Field Trip
On Tuesday, students from Green Hope High School’s Summer Career Accelerator Program visited Town Hall to learn about the Council-Manager form of government. Additionally, they heard about information technology in the public sector and paid visits to the Traffic Management Center and the Emergency Communications Center to learn more about the operations within those areas.
Taking Pride in Training Cary Staff
In alignment with Pride Month, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offered training opportunities in June to equip staff with awareness and skills to be more informed allies to LGBTQ+ citizens and community members. LGBTQ+ Allyship 101 was an introduction that covered the needs and benefits of allyship in action, while LGBTQ+ Allyship 102 featured a deeper exploration of allyship as a journey along a continuum. These well-attended sessions enhanced empathy and understanding among staff of the needs and potential barriers within the LGBTQ+ community.
Middle Creek Disk Golf Course Update
Cary’s Middle Creek Disc Golf course recently completed some much-needed upgrades to bring the course more in line with Cary’s top-rated course, Diavolo, at New Hope. The upgrades included updating tee pads, adjusting hole layouts, adding practice baskets, and improving walking trails with stairs and retaining walls. These improvements, in addition to updates to course signage, are being made in preparation for Cary hosting the 2024 Masters Disc Golf Championship.
Upcoming Meetings
No meetings
Mayor’s Mailbox
A thank you: “Thank you so much for your great leadership, and the love you have for Cary and its citizens!”. (I very much appreciate the compliment)
A complaint about an issue on Petty Farm Road.
A request to meet with a boy scout. (Always glad to do this)
A complaint about pipes and drains in Carolina Preserve.
A concern about safety in Renaissance at Regency.
A candidate’s request to meet. (Always glad to meet with candidates)
A complaint about our decision on the Kanoy property.
A complaint about the fountain at middle creek.
A complaint about not being selected as a vendor for Lazy Daze.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting with a council member, Fourth of July ceremonies, a State of Cary address at Carolina Preserve, and a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, July 9th, 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 night I joined the mayors of Apex, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, and Zebulon for a tour of the Fujifilm’s Diosynth Biotechnologies facility under construction in Holly Springs. Once completed it will be the largest end-to-end cell culture CDMO biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in North America. It is a $2 billion dollar project and will be the largest life sciences investment ever in the state of North Carolina. This massive facility will employ up to 3000 people during construction and is expected to open in 2025.
Council Meeting Prep
Tuesday, to prepare for the week’s council meeting, I attempted to contact colleagues to hear of any questions or concerns about the agenda. There were none. Later in the day I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz and staff to go over the agenda.
Town Manager One-On-One
Tuesday evening I met with the town manager for my weekly one-on-one. We talked about the downtown park opening which is scheduled for November 19th. Other topics included an issue with a resident in MacGregor who is complaining about flooding from a house being developed next door.
Cary One of the Best Places to Live
I was notified Tuesday that Cary was ranked as 6th best place to live in the country by Livability. Their qualifications include communities between 75,000 and 500,000 and median home values of less than $500,000. They based their decision on economy, housing, cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education, and health. Cary ranked #1 for transportation, economy, and health.
Cary High School Imps Ranked #1 Mascot in US
Wednesday I was notified that Cary High School’s Imp mascot, a small green devil, was ranked the #1 mascot in the county. Congratulations Cary High School! To find out more read the N&O article.
CAMPO
Wednesday I attended a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board. The agenda included four consent items, four public hearings, and seven discussion items.
Under public hearings the board unanimously approved Amendment #12 to FY2020-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) which will determine what roads, bridges, etc., projects will get funded and built in the next ten years. The board also unanimously approved Wake Transit FY 24 Recommended Work Plan and Project Agreements even after protest from Wake County Manager David Ellis about losing over $4.5 million in vehicle tax revenue. The board agreed to renegotiate that for the next fiscal year. The 2023 (Section 5310) Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with
Disabilities Program Project Selection was also approved by the board.
Under discussion items the board endorsed the Mobility Management Program Implementation Study and received information on several items including construction plans for the beltline and other roads in the area. To see presentation slides and the entire agenda go here.
Wall of Honor
Thursday afternoon we recognized four new honorees for Cary’s Wall of Honor. This program was created by me and the town manager in 2019. It is the highest level of recognition from Cary government to staff and citizens whose transcendent contributions have shaped our community and are woven into the fabric of Cary forever.
Our four honorees for this year were Karen Mills, Debra Grannan, Howard Manning, and Howard Johnson. Here are the remarks I spoke from at the ceremony:
“… Our first recipient, Karen Mills, joined the Town of Cary as Director of Finance in May 1991, marking the beginning of a transformative era. Throughout her remarkable three-decade career, Karen established an unrivaled tradition of excellence that extended far beyond her immediate sphere of influence. Her visionary leadership not only propelled the finance department to new heights but also played a pivotal role in shaping Cary’s identity as a world-class utility service provider.
Under her guidance, Cary earned the coveted AAA bond rating, a testament to her unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility and strategic financial management. Karen’s expertise in navigating complex budget cycles and her instrumental role in transitioning to a rolling budget process have had a lasting impact on Cary’s financial stability and long-term planning. Let us extend our heartfelt appreciation and resounding applause to Karen Mills for her outstanding contributions, which have shaped Cary into the vibrant and prosperous community we know today.
Next, we have Debra Grannan, whose journey with the Town of Cary began as an inspection scheduler and soared to incredible heights during her 30-year tenure, retiring as Associate Director of Planning in 2022. Debra’s notable achievements include orchestrating major rezoning cases and development projects that have significantly shaped Cary’s physical and architectural landscape in recent years. With strategic vision and meticulous attention to detail, Debra ensured these endeavors seamlessly aligned with the town’s goals and aspirations.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Debra’s theater background and involvement with the Cary Players added a unique dimension to her role. Her commanding presence at Town Council meetings served as an inspiring example for all Cary staff. Let us express our sincere gratitude and resounding applause to Debra Grannan for her exceptional contributions that have played a pivotal role in shaping Cary into the vibrant and prosperous community it has become today.
Our third recipient, Howard Manning, epitomized unwavering commitment to the Cary community during his dedicated tenure as Executive Director of Dorcas Ministries from 2005 until his passing in 2022. Howard’s tireless efforts extended beyond Dorcas, as he actively served on multiple boards, including the Cary Chamber of Commerce, Cary Rotary Club, Western Regional Advocacy Committee, Centre for Homeownership and Economic Development, and the Capital Area Workforce Development Board.
In 2017, Howard’s exceptional contributions were recognized when he was named Citizen of the Year by the Cary Chamber of Commerce. Fueled by his deep-rooted Christian faith, his passion for improving lives served as a guiding force in his endeavors. Tonight, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Howard’s beloved wife, family, and friends for joining us to honor his memory. Let us cherish his legacy, which will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come.
Lastly, we must acknowledge the profound impact of Howard Johnson, whose transformative leadership as Cary Chamber of Commerce President spanned over three decades. Under Howard’s visionary guidance, the Chamber and the local business community experienced unparalleled growth and prosperity. Membership surged from a modest 300 to an impressive 1,200, making it the sixth largest in our state.
One of Howard’s greatest contributions was the establishment of the Chamber’s enduring pillars: Economic Development, Member Business Services, Education, and Governmental Affairs. These pillars have become the bedrock for fostering a thriving business environment in Cary. Howard’s unwavering dedication and expertise played a pivotal role in positioning Cary as an enticing global business destination, attracting entrepreneurs and investors from around the world. Let us express our heartfelt appreciation and resounding applause to Howard, whose influential presence, tireless efforts, and exceptional contributions have been instrumental in creating the dynamic and prosperous Cary business community we celebrate today. …”
We are so blessed to have had these people in our community. They have made a significant contribution to what Cary is today.
Council Meeting
Thursday night the council held its last regularly scheduled meeting of June. The agenda included nine consent items, one public hearing, and three discussion items.
Public Speaks Out had several speakers speaking against a single-family proposal called the Kanoy property. There was also a speaker who spoke against Cary requiring trees that blocked his solar panels, and a speaker that said we should be ashamed for promoting sin by having PRIDE month.
The public hearing was to designate the Nancy Jones House, the oldest residence in Cary, as an historic landmark. That vote was unanimous. This building is now funded in the FY2024 budget to be restored.
The first two discussion items were the annexation and rezoning of the Kanoy Property. This is a one-hundred-acre tract that was proposing up to 1.4 single-family units an acre. After hearing information and recommendations for approval from the Planning and Zoning Board and the staff, the council approved the proposal with a 5 to 1 vote (Jack Smith was the dissenting vote. Lori Bush was attending remotely and wasn’t allowed to vote.).
The last discussion item was the FY2024 budget. Most of the work on this budget has been done in the past several months. So this was a time of staff praise and approval. The budget passed unanimously. The approved budget totals $523.8 million, which is a 17.1% increase from the prior year. This expenditure increase is largely offset by additional sales tax revenue and one-time capital revenue. This budget keeps Cary’s property tax rate unchanged at $0.345 per every $100 of assessed valuation, which is the lowest in Wake County. A 3% utility rate increase was approved to pay for inflationary costs associated with chemicals and maintenance.
The council meeting adjourned after a little over two hours.
North Carolina Metro Mayors
Friday I participated in a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors to hear a legislative summary. The following is a legislative summary from KTS Strategies:
Veto Override Votes
This week, the Senate voted to override Governor Cooper’s veto of the following four pieces of legislation:
SB 364, Nondiscrimination & Dignity in State Work – This bill would prohibit discrimination against job applicants based on personal beliefs or political affiliations. The bill would also prohibit concepts related to race or sex from being promoted in the workplace of state employees.
SB 299, Reimburse Late Audit Costs with Sales Tax Revenue – This bill would authorize the Local Government Commission to withhold a county or municipality’s sales tax distribution if the county or municipality fails to submit an annual audit report.
SB 329, Retail Installment Sales Act Amendments – This bill would modify the maximum finance charge rates that may be applied to consumer credit installment sale contracts. It would also increase the default charge for past due installment payments from $15 to $18.
SB 331, Consumer Finance Act Amendments – This bill makes various changes to statutes in the Consumer Finance Act.
The Senate has successfully voted to override six vetoes from Governor Cooper this session. These bills have been placed in the House calendar for consideration next week.
Elections Bills
On Wednesday, the Senate voted to approve two bills that would make various changes to the elections process in North Carolina. S747, Elections Law Changes, would require absentee ballots to be received by 7:30 PM on Election Day, require same day registration voters to vote via a provisional ballot if the address on the voter’s photo ID does not match the address on a HAVA document provided by the voter, and prohibit private money from elections administration. It would also require County Boards to utilize signature verification software for absentee ballots.
S749, No Partisan Advantage in Elections, would increase the number of members on the State Board of Elections from five to eight. Members would be appointed by the General Assembly instead of the Governor. The Senate President Pro Tempore, Speaker of the House, and both the House and Senate minority leaders would each have two appointments. The bill would also change the composition of County Boards from five members to four members. Both bills passed along party lines (28-19) and have been sent to the House for consideration.
Fairness in Women’s Sports Act
HB 574, Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, received its final stamp of approval from the General Assembly this week. The House voted to concur with the Senate changes by a vote of 62-43, with one Democrat voting in favor. The bill would prohibit biological males from competing on women’s sports teams. The bill will now be sent to Governor Cooper for consideration. We anticipate he will veto the legislation, but the legislature has the votes for an override.
Cary Night at NC Courage
Saturday night I joined council member Ryan Eades for Cary night at the NC Courage Game. Council member Eades carried out the ceremonial ball and I performed the coin toss. After the coin toss, we posed for pictures with the referees and players. It was a good time and a great match with NC Courage prevailing 1-0.
Town Manager’s Report
Dan’s Message
It was a privilege to join you, Council, at the Wall of Honor celebration last night to recognize Karen Mills, Debra Grannan, Howard Manning, and Howard Johnson as the newest additions to Cary’s Wall of Honor. These individuals’ transcendent contributions have shaped our community and will forever be remembered. To learn more about each honoree, click here. Another highlight from the night was the adoption of the FY 2024 budget at last night’s Council meeting. The adoption of the budget is a signature milestone in our rolling budget process, made possible by the leadership of you, the Council, working with Town Manager Sean Stegall. Throughout the year, I am impressed by the hard work and dedication from the Finance and Budget team, as well as the stewardship of each department. The successful adoption of the budget is made possible by the trust in the process and these strong relationships. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend! Dan
Juneteenth: Celebrate Freedom 2023
Juneteenth: Celebrate Freedom was held at Sertoma Amphitheatre at Bond Park on Saturday, June 17. It was a day marked with celebrations and reflections, commemorating African American freedom, and emphasizing education and achievement. Councilmembers Ryan Eades and Carissa Kohn-Johnson read the Proclamation and welcomed attendees. The celebration included African dance, music, poetry, and powerful historical discussions about Juneteenth and freedom – past, present, and future. Juneteenth: Celebrate Freedom was curated by local cultural historian Darrell Stover.
Cary Night
Staff worked with the Cary Chamber of Commerce and NC Courage to create a Cary-focused night at the NC Courage game tomorrow evening at WakeMed Soccer Park. Cary and Chamber of Commerce employees, along with their families, have been invited to the soccer game. Currently, about 400 attendees have reserved tickets and will be representing Cary. Discounted tickets for Cary residents and Chamber members have been advertised on social media and can be found here. There will be games and activities, food and drinks, special t-shirts, and a Cary Town Council Coin Toss. The game starts at 7 p.m. and can also be viewed on Paramount+ for those who can’t attend.
Waverly Place Rezoning Application
This week, a rezoning application was filed for Waverly Place. The rezoning request seeks new zoning to redevelop the eastern portion of the Waverly Place shopping center. The proposed rezoning would allow up to 700 multi-family units and 30,000 square feet of commercial use, with building heights between 4-7 floors. Staff is reviewing the application for completeness, and final acceptance is anticipated within the coming weeks. A neighborhood meeting could be scheduled for late summer or early fall.
Downtown Parking Deck Traffic Shift
Beginning this Monday at 7 a.m., we’ll be temporarily shifting traffic patterns within the downtown parking deck to allow contractors working on behalf of the Town easy access to various parts of the structure. Our plan is to return to the normal traffic pattern on Thursday, June 28.
2022 Water Resources Year In Review
The 2022 Water Resources Year In Review report is now available and provides meaningful snapshots and historical trends about Cary’s excellent utility service. This year’s report includes a check on Cary’s per capita usage as well as the water demand of the overall service area of the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting on July 12
The Neighborhood Meeting will be held virtually on WebEx from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on July 12. The following cases will be discussed:
A complaint that our 4th of July celebration makes us “agents of destruction for the planet. … People will forget you; the planet will not forgive you.”
A complaint about storm runoff from a house being built in MacGregor calling me arrogant and condescending.
A question about the future downtown trolleys.
A complaint about temporary signs and litter.
A compliment on how Cary has managed growth.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings and a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, July 2nd, 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 Member Guest golf outing. Before play began I made a few remarks to the attendees stating that we are in the beginning stages of positive transformation which should provide them with opportunities.
Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board Meeting
Monday night I met with the board of the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships. We talked about the ATP tournament starting on August 6th and the ATP tournament starting on September 10th. Most of the conversation was on sponsorship.
Cary High School Graduation
Thursday I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz and Council member Johnson for the Cary High School graduation in downtown Raleigh. This graduation class was smaller than those I have witnessed before with only 417 but the ceremony was very well done. I appreciate them giving each graduate the time to walk across the stage rather than having multiple graduates walking at the same time. Congratulations to the Imps class of 2023!
Green Level High School Graduation
Thursday afternoon I joined council member Ryan Eades at the Green Level High School graduation in downtown Raleigh. The graduation class had 480 and was the first class that spent all four years at Green Level. One unique aspect of the ceremony was that the names were not in alphabetical order. Instead, they were read by the homeroom teacher who had been with the students all four years.
After the ceremony all the elected officials including council members from other municipalities, school board members, and county commissioners posed for a picture.
Council member Eades and I posed for a picture with outgoing School Board Superintendent Cathy Moore. It was a great celebration and ceremony for the seniors at Green Level. Congratulations Gators’ class of 2023!
NC Metro Mayors
Friday the North Carolina Metro Mayors met for the weekly summary of legislative actions. Here is a summary of that meeting from the Executive Director:
General Update
BUDGET – Budget negotiations are still ongoing. Members have not shared details of the sticking points between the two chambers. With super-majorities in both chambers, the negotiations are focused on the extent of tax cuts and spending as the two chambers seek common ground. The expected budget timeline has now been pushed back. The earliest we expect to see a final compromise is the last week in June. However, it could be mid-July before the legislature takes a vote. Some of the sticking points include NC Innovation funding, proposed tax cuts and the long-term financial sustainability with reduced tax rates, and lastly, how to spend some of the billions in reserves.
This week the House concurred with the Senate changes returning this to a statewide bill. It was presented to the Governor today.
Governor Cooper has 10 days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law.
Once law, the NC Justice Academy will develop a uniform statewide training program.
THANK YOUfor all of the phone calls and hard work on helping get this across the finish line. It truly was a partnershipofcity leadersand our friends at theNC Association of Chiefs of Police that brought this across the finish line.
Transportation
S-Line Budget Provision Update – Raleigh to Richmond Rail Line
The Metro Mayors Coalition are strong supporters of inter-city passenger rail in our state. A cornerstone of efforts to expand rail service are planned connections to high-speed rail in Washington DC and the Northeast. The S-Line, a planned future high-speed connection from Sanford though Raleigh, Wake Forest and then to Richmond, is a linchpin of the broader program for state passenger rail.
A budget provision for state matching funds for a federal grant for the S-Line was included in the House version but not the Senate.
Based on the input from other partners, we may consider sending a letter on behalf of Metro Mayors to the legislative leadership indicating our support for the S-line funding.
Local Revenues/Local Control
Land Use Clarification and Changes S675 a.k.a. ETJ Bill
This bill is currently sitting in the House Rules Committee after passing through the Senate.
The current version of the bill was much less of an attack on the concept of ETJ as it limits the end of ETJ authority to municipalities in counties with a population of < 25,0000 in 2024 and < 50,0000 in 2025, which means Metro Mayors Coalition cities are excluded from the ETJ section of the bill.
Section 4 of the bill dealing with minimum lot size zoning, requiring no less than 5 units per acre for new construction, was also removed.
This bill would prohibit a public water system owned or operated by a local government unit from requiring installation of backflow preventers not otherwise required by State or federal law, except where a customer’s connection presents a severe hazard, defined as an actual or potential threat of contamination that presents an imminent danger to the public health with consequence of serious illness or death.
The bill passed the Senate in May. Thanks to ongoing conversations with House members, we have been able to successfully suspend movement on this bill for the remainder of the session.
We will continue to keep you updated on conversations surrounding this issue during the interim.
This Senate bill focuses on water treatment systems for new developments and inter-basin transfers. Most significantly, it establishes a 75 gallon per bedroom for wastewater flow rate for system capacity and needs determinations – a calculation closer to modern water use that may avoid expensive capacity expansion and delays for development.
The bill passed the House this week and is awaiting action from Governor Cooper.
Economic Development – nothing new to report
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
With renovations kicking off this week, those of us in the Town Manager’s Office suite have temporarily relocated to the other side of the building. I for one enjoy holding meetings in random rooms and spaces that I haven’t spent much time in lately. I’m seeing and learning a lot. It reminds me of the exercise we did several years ago at a Council-Staff retreat where we each mapped our routes to work every day. We discovered both the strengths and weaknesses of our routine, and we saw opportunities in changing it up. I’m present with that again. As you enjoy your weekend routines, keep in mind all of the special activities we have planned for Juneteenth and that Town Hall will be closed on Monday. Sean
Mayor’s Star Medallion
Last Saturday, Mayor Weinbrecht awarded the first Mayor’s Star Medallion to CORRAL Riding Academy’s horse, River, in recognition of her exceptional qualities of inspiration, perseverance, and courage. The CORRAL Riding Academy is a nonprofit organization that empowers adolescent girls in high-risk situations through a holistic equine therapy and education program, where River plays a vital role as a therapy horse. River, a former racehorse, was honored as “Thoroughbred of the Year” by the Jockey Club, a title given to an outstanding horse that has excelled in a non-competitive career in 2022. The Mayor’s Star Medallion recognizes individuals who embody inspiration, beauty, perseverance, innovation, and courage, celebrating their contributions and achievements in Cary. For more information, visit https://www.carync.gov/mayor-council/mayor-s-star-medallion.
Cary Celebrates the Year of the Trail at the ATT Great Trail Day
Cary joined Durham and Wake County in hosting the American Tobacco Trail Great Trail Day Saturday. This event celebrated National Trails Day and the North Carolina Year of the Trail. Information and entertainment took place at trailheads up and down the 26-mile American Tobacco Trail (ATT). Cary shared information about greenways, parks, and biking and invited several community partners, including Wake Audubon, Triangle Rails to Trails, and others, to engage with the community at the New Hope Church Road Trailhead on the ATT.
All Aboard! Our New Trolleys are Almost Complete
Paul Webster, Jenny Pilewski, and Jorge Salazar are in Wisconsin personally inspecting and test riding the new downtown trolleys. Paul reports that the ride is smooth and quiet. Delivery of the trolleys is anticipated this summer.
NCAA Division II National Baseball Championship
Over the weekend Cary, University of Mount Olive, and Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance hosted the NCAA Division II Baseball National Championship (World Series) for the 13th time. In front of a crowd of around 2000 fans, the 3rd seed Angelo State beat Rollins College 6-5 to win their first National Championship. The weather was beautiful, the fields were perfect, and the crowds were tremendous. About 40 PRCR and PW staff devoted hundreds of hours, making this one of the great feathers in Cary’s cap.
Pimento Cheese Festival
On Saturday thousands of cheese lovers filled Downtown for the Annual Pimento Cheese Festival. Over 25 food trucks served their regular menu and included at least two items featuring pimento cheese. Ten local restaurants joined the fun in our Pimento Cheese Marketplace, where they gave away free samples, and sold tubs of pimento cheese to excited citizens. Once In A Blue Moon Bakery was crowned the winner of best pimento cheese for the second year in a row. In addition to all of the food, the festival also featured the return of Sarah Kaurfmann, who turned a 40-pound block of cheese into a work of art.
Black Creek Greenway Reopened
The Crabtree Creek and Black Creek Sewer Rehabilitation Project is coming to completion. Rehabilitation of sewer lines and manholes along the Black Creek Greenway between North Cary Park and the trailhead at Old Reedy Creek Road is complete. Over the summer, contractors will complete the remaining work, including cleanup and restoration at the Lake Crabtree Dam and adjacent sewer easement and removing the temporary bypass pipe. The good news is this will not require the closure of the greenway, and the trail is now open to the Public.
A complaint about cable contractors leaving a mess.
A complaint about youth baseball coach.
A concern that our “smart cities” will spy on citizens and invade privacy.
A request to do more affordable housing like Chapel Hill and Orange County.
A complaint about problems caused by Google Fiber contractors.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Wake County Mayor’s Association meeting, a meeting with Senator Budd’s regional director, a meeting with a student about mayor’s “overarching agenda and platform”, a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board, a Wall of Honor reception, the last regularly scheduled council meeting of the month, a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors, and a North Carolina Courage game.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, June 25th, 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 council members to hear of any questions or concerns about the upcoming agenda. There were no questions about the items on the agenda.
Later in the day I met with staff members to review the items on the agenda. The meeting was brief.
Town Manager One-On-One
Monday evening I met with the town manager, town attorney, chief strategy officer, and Mayor Pro-Tem for my weekly one-on-one. We spent time talking about a presentation at the council meeting.
Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Task Force
Tuesday I attended a meeting of the Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Task Force. A report on PRIDE events was provided by the DEI manager. The group then revised and finalized their work plan which they would like to present to the council. They also decided to discuss their prioritization chart at the next meeting. As the council liaison, I provided an update on town activities. Our meeting lasted about two hours.
Economic Development Committee
Wednesday I chaired a meeting of the Economic Development Committee. The meeting started with comments from the Chief Development Officer about ongoing actions to update the Imagine Cary Community Plan. This was followed by the quarterly report from the Cary Chamber President. Here are a few points from that report:
There are 7 active recruitment projects with a potential for 1139 jobs and $310 million in Capital Investment
Greenberg Gibbons is now the owner of Park Overlook, which is a 15 acre track off Hwy 55 and Green Level Church Road. They now have a combined 48 acres under their control, with the larger parcel going through their site plan and the rezoning process.
RDU Business Park by Merritt Properties is the other large tract in northwest Cary near the airport. This tract is 142 acres and is planned to have just over 700,000 square feet of flex/industrial space. This project is estimated to have their site plan approved by the Town in the late summer of 2023.
Spectrum Properties is working on the rezoning process with Cary for upgrading their current footprint, along with the redevelopment / repurposing of some existing buildings into more modern office opportunities, along with converting some office space into lab space. They are also working on ideas and some concepts for a potential spec building in the back area of the park, which is about 33 acres.
The Cary Economic Development website and the Small Business Guide are now revised and completed.
We are in the process of updating our Digital Marketing brochure and should have it completed By July 10th.
We will increase our usage of our social media and Linked-In sites to promote our Monthly Economic Development programs, product updates, and company announcements.
The Economic Development Director provided development updates. An interesting part of his presentation was the future visioning process of the Kildaire Farm Road corridor and the Weston Business Park.
The next scheduled meeting of the Economic Development Committee is currently set for September 6th. However, in the group’s half-day meeting a couple of months ago we decided to increase our involvement and have more frequent meetings. So the next meeting might be changed to occur before September 6th.
Council Work Session
Thursday evening the council held a work session on the budget. Presentations were made by staff on recent development, transit, and housing. Council decided to double the funding for the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program from $250,000 to $500,000. The idea being that we can help seniors age in place with improvements. This would also be a strategic step in affordable housing.
Council Meeting
Thursday night the council held its first regular meeting of the month. The agenda included two proclamations, two consent items, three public hearings, and one discussion item.
I read a proclamation for PRIDE month and council member Smith read a proclamation for Women’s Veterans Day.
In the Public Speaks Out portion of the meeting two speakers wanted more funding for Cary Skate Park and one speaker thanked us for PRIDE activities.
There were no speakers for the budget public hearing, the utility system development fee public hearing, and the Carpenter Pointe Phase 3 annexation.
The discussion item was to add Town Code of Ordinances that we, IMHO, should have already had. For example, banning public urination. The rest are available here.
North Carolina Metro Mayors
The North Carolina Metro Mayors met on Friday for a legislative summary. Here is a summary of legislative actions from KTS Strategies:
Sports Betting Bill Sent to Governor
This week, the House voted to concur with the Senate changes to H347, Sports Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering, giving the final legislative approval. The bill received bipartisan support and passed with a vote of 69-44 on Wednesday. This bill would authorize and regulate betting on horse racing and professional, college, and amateur sports in North Carolina. H347 has been sent to the Governor for consideration, and we anticipate he will sign the bill into law.
Budget Update
Legislators are continuing negotiations behind closed doors to reconcile their differences on a final version of the budget. Subcommittee chairs presented their area-specific budget items (Education, Health and Human Services, etc.) to the full appropriations chairs this week. Legislators are expected to continue meeting through the weekend. Some of the major items in disagreement include teacher and state employee salaries and tax cuts. Their goal is to have a budget completed before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
NC Farm Act
On Wednesday, the House passed S582, North Carolina Farm Act of 2023 with a vote of 77-38. The Senate voted to concur with the House changes on Thursday. This is the legislature’s annual bill that makes various changes to laws pertaining to agriculture, forestry, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This year’s bill includes provisions that would allow income from the sale of honey to be considered gross income, create a Class 3 misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an animal waste spill, prohibit the use of an unmanned aircraft near a forest fire, and clarify the definition of wetlands. S582 will be sent to the Governor for consideration. Governor Cooper has 10 days to either sign or veto the bill before it becomes law.
Political Event
Friday night I attended a kickoff event for a Cary Council candidate. I encouraged the crowd to get involved and vote, and thanked and encouraged the candidate.
It has been my practice only to endorse incumbents, but I will help and encourage other candidates.
Corral Event
Saturday I had the honor and privilege to grant the first Mayor Star Medallion. This medallion is a symbol of inspiration, beauty, perseverance, innovation, and courage, designed to recognize and celebrate the profound contributions in our community.
The inaugural recipient of this award was River, a thoroughbred racehorse, who after her career ended moved around from farm to farm until she ended up at CORRAL in Cary. CORRAL matches up at risk girls with horses. This results in both the girls and the horses being helped. I witnessed firsthand the love and affection of the girl, DJ, and her horse River. It was a very special thing to see. I presented the medallion to the owner of CORRAL, a ribbon to River, and a $2500 grant to CORRAL and River.
The following was the press release of the award:
At the CORRAL Riding Academy’s Year End Program, River, a horse honored as the “Thoroughbred of the Year” by the Jockey Club, received the first Mayor’s Star Medallion at a special presentation from Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. River, alongside at-risk girls and other horses is part of the nonprofit CORRAL Riding Academy, which empowers adolescent girls in high-risk situations through a comprehensive program of equine therapy and education. The Mayor’s Star Medallion recognizes those who embody inspiration, beauty, perseverance, innovation, and courage, celebrating their contributions and achievements in Cary. River, an exceptional 21-year-old mare, holds a vital role as a therapy horse within CORRAL. Through a profound bond between participants and horses, River plays a pivotal part in teaching young women the essential lessons of trust and emotional regulation. Prior to joining CORRAL’s herd, River demonstrated her athletic prowess in seven thrilling races, securing two well-deserved victories, as well as an impressive second and third-place finish. Similar to many participants, River overcame challenges, moving between foster farms until finding her permanent home in the welcoming community of Cary. The awe-inspiring qualities of inspiration, perseverance, and courage radiate not only from River but also from her fellow herd mates and the courageous girls actively engaged in the transformative program. These qualities exemplify the deserving individuals recognized through the presentation of the esteemed medallion. “Cary is fortunate to have exceptional nonprofits, with CORRAL Riding Academy shining brightly among them. River’s story, intertwined with the academy’s mission, captivates and inspires both the girls and the CORRAL community. The academy’s leaders and volunteers have diligently fostered an inclusive and nurturing environment, while the unwavering determination of the participants exemplifies their commitment to a brighter future,” said Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. Since its establishment in 2008, CORRAL has made a profound impact on the lives of over 400 girls. Through their comprehensive program of equine therapy and education, CORRAL equips each girl and her community with essential skills, resources, and opportunities, paving the way for a promising future. As a nonprofit organization, CORRAL relies entirely on the dedication of volunteers, grants, and generous contributions from individuals, companies, government partners, and charitable foundations. For more information about CORRAL and their transformative work, please visit their website
This event was one of the most rewarding since I became mayor.
Green Hope High School Graduation
Saturday afternoon I joined council member Ryan Eades for the Green Hope High School graduation in Raleigh. Nearly 500 graduates received their diplomas in just under an hour. Congratulations!
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
We broadcast this quarter’s All Hands Meeting live from the Urban Design Studio. Brittany Edwards hosted for the first time, and she was incredible! In our time together, we focused on one of our cultural values, Evolution, and we talked with John Collins about his first six months on the job. I enjoy rotating our All-Hands locations between the Council Chambers – where we can include several hundred staff in person – and other locations – where we can give staff watching online a better sense of the space and the important work that’s happening there. So, so much effort goes into our All Hands, and I remain grateful to Allison Hutchins for leading it as part of our Organizational Development program. Enjoy your weekend! Sean
Mayton Inn
The $105,000 contained in the FY 2024 proposed budget is the next installment to repay a 2016 $1.4M loan from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to help build The Mayton Inn – a key economic development project, along with the Downtown Cary Park, for kickstarting downtown’s revitalization. The final payment is to be made in 2036.
Cary Action Sports
The 2019 “Shaping Cary’s Tomorrow Bonds” includes $2 million for continued investment in the facility – upgrades to lighting and ramps as well as constructing a cover to increase seasonal use. One of 14 parks projects receiving 2019 bond funding, this project is programmed for our 2025-2029 work period; therefore, there is no funding included in the proposed FY 2024 budget.
The Soccer Tournament
This past weekend, Cary hosted The Soccer Tournament (TST). The 7 on 7 format was unique to this event and generated energy around Cary facilities and soccer. Approximately 35,000 tickets were sold for the seven sessions and brought people to Cary from all over the world. The event was broadcast across Peacock, YouTube, and CNBC live, and will be rebroadcast on NBC this weekend. The CVB estimates a $1.7 Million economic impact for Cary and Wake County.
Walnut Street Closure
With the Kildaire Farm Road Improvements Project nearly 65% complete, Monday the contractor plans to close Walnut Street between Kildaire Farm Road and Walker Street. This closure is planned to begin after the morning rush hour and last approximately three weeks. The closure will allow the contractor to widen Kildaire Farm Road through the Walnut Street intersection, including installation of additional concrete street pavers, new curb ramps, and pedestrian push-button signals. Traffic detours will route traffic to Maynard Road and Kildaire Farm Road.
Citizen Facing External Branding Storefronts
The Cary Branding Team has launched two citizen-facing external branding storefronts. The first is located within Herb Young Community Center, and the second is Cary Arts Center. As a result, citizens can now purchase newly branded merchandise.
NACWA Platinum Peak Performance Award
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has awarded Cary’s three wastewater treatment facilities with their Platinum Peak Performance Award recognition for exceptional performance, achieving over 5 consecutive years of 100% National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit compliance. The North and South Cary Water Reclamation Facilities are celebrating their 10th year at the Platinum Peak Performance level with the Western Wake Water Reclamation Facility receiving their 8th. In addition to excellence in permit compliance, Cary’s Water Reclamation Facilities have been recognized for exceptional performance by providing clean and safe water back to our natural environment.
Dismissal Time for Bioretention Cell
Today, children from Cary Elementary School will stream out of the building for summer vacation, leaving the area available for Cary to begin rehabilitating the stormwater control measure located on Faculty Drive. Roots from bald cypress that have grown in the bioretention cell have damaged the underdrain and clogged the filter media, inhibiting stormwater from effectively infiltrating the ground. The existing vegetation and soil filter media will be removed, and the underdrain system will be eliminated and replaced with a new system and filter media. In addition, the improved device will have an increased capacity to retain stormwater from larger storms and release it slowly, reducing the potential for flooding downstream. It will be planted with native shrubs, forbs, and grasses, including several pollinator species, to help it remove pollutants that enter it from water flowing over the school and arts center parking lots. The project will take six to eight weeks to complete.
Composting Conversations
Cary’s food waste drop-off continues to pique interest as a municipal service model. Waste Strategy and Community Impact Consultant Srijana Guilford presented at Raleigh’s Sustainability, Wildlife and Urban Trees Committee meeting to share about the development and success of Cary’s drop-off service and partnership with local non-profit Toward Zero Waste. Sharing Cary’s experience with food waste collection is helping to inform and support local ideas and initiatives that may grow more opportunities to compost in our region.
A complaint about the 401-bypass decision to be made by CAMPO.
A request to make a PRIDE month proclamation.
A complaint about falling on a sidewalk.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an Atlantic Tire Championship Board meeting, Cary High School graduation, Green Level High School graduation, and a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, June 18th, 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 morning I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz in the Memorial Day ceremony held at Hillcrest Cemetery hosted by Post 67. We heard from legislators, Congressman Wiley Nickel, and their featured speaker who was a decorated veteran. Afterwards I spent time thanking veterans for their service and a gold star family for their sacrifice.
Monday afternoon I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz in the Memorial Day ceremony held at Cary’s Veterans Freedom Park. In addition to hearing from congressional leaders Deborah Ross and Wiley Nickel, Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz made remarks and I read a proclamation. The Cary Town Band was present and entertained the crowd with several patriotic songs and a medley of armed forces anthems. The featured speaker was the VFW Vice Commander. Afterwards, the Cary Garden Club dedicated a Blue Star Memorial marker which is now on display at the Veterans Park. I hope to have a Gold Star Memorial marker dedicated at the park during the next year.
State of Cary at Cary Rotary
Tuesday midday I gave an updated version of the State of Cary address to the Cary Rotary at MacGregor. There were a few dozen people in attendance. I had a limited amount of time, so I had to cut about 10 minutes off the presentation. After my presentation I received questions on environmental issues and traffic.
Town Manager One-On-One
Tuesday afternoon I talked with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one meeting. Topics included the RFQ for town hall campus, the Cary-Apex joint meeting, and advisory boards.
Interview about Soccer with ABC11
Tuesday afternoon I was interviewed via zoom by ABC11 on the impacts of the TST tournament in Cary. This $1 million winner-take-all event is estimated to have created a $2 million boost to our market and region. In addition, there will be some incredible branding exposure for Cary and highlight one of our state-of-the-art sports venues.
Cary Matters with NC Senator Gale Adcock
Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of taping an episode of Cary Matters with long time friend, former Cary Mayor Pro-Tem, and member of the NC Senate, Gale Adcock. We talked about the $29.8 million house budget passed on May 18th and what can be expected. Some of the items expected to be in the budget include funding for the Year of the Trail program, funding for the NC Symphony, funding for floodplain protections, and funding for land acquisition projects, a major investment in parks, trails, and open space. We did one take of the entire episode and did a few more takes of the opening and closing. We were done in about 30 minutes.
News Story About Break-ins
Wednesday WRAL ran a news story about car break-ins in Cary. Here is a response from our police chief:
“… This is a problem being worked at local, state and national levels. We have apprehended a number of suspects, most being juveniles.
We are taking this problem very seriously for obvious reasons by enhancing current efforts and putting in place strategies that are focused upon prevention, enforcement, technology, education, and through partnerships. …”
It is important to remember that crime prevention is a partnership. Don’t be a victim of opportunity by leaving things unlocked and make sure to say something if you see something.
Cary Apex Joint Meeting
Thursday evening the Cary council and staff joined the Apex council and staff for a joint meeting. We talked about top priorities for each of our communities which was followed up with various questions. Apex is one of twelve amazing communities in Wake County with great people on their council and staff. In my individual conversations with their council members and staff I found that they are concerned about communicating with the public on development and environmental issues, future transit options, their residential and non-residential mix, and large greenfield development projects. Our meeting concluded after a couple of hours with a photo op.
Meeting TST Tournament Organizers
Friday morning I met with the two organizers of the TST (The Soccer Tournament) which was a huge success at the Wake Med Soccer park. The 7 versus 7 format combined with various rule changes made matches exciting and action packed. In my conversation with the organizers, they were very pleased with the tournament and looked forward to doing this in Cary next year. They mentioned that they might be creating a TTT (The Tennis Tournament) for Cary, which I would love. We’ll see.
NC Metro Mayors
The North Carolina Metro Mayors met Friday morning for the weekly legislative summary. Here is a report from KTS Strategies:
Sports Betting Bill Passes Senate
This week, the Senate passed legislation that would authorize and regulate betting on horse racing and professional, college, and amateur sports in North Carolina. H347, Sports Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering, was approved by the Senate Finance and Rules Committees before being sent to the floor for a two-day vote on Wednesday and Thursday. The bill received bipartisan support and passed third reading with a vote of 37-11 on Thursday. The bill will be sent back to the House for a concurrence vote before heading to the Governor for consideration. Governor Cooper has publicly expressed his support for sports wagering, and we anticipate he will sign the bill into law.
Medical Marijuana Hearing
S3, NC Compassionate Care Act, was heard in the House Health Committee on Tuesday. This bill would legalize medical marijuana for qualified patients with a debilitating medical condition. The bill establishes a Medical Cannabis Production Commission that has the authority to grant 10 licenses to medical cannabis suppliers in the state. To increase access in rural areas, the bill specifies that each supplier must operate at least one medical cannabis center in a Tier 1 county. S3 does not legalize cannabis for recreational use. The bill was for discussion only and did not receive a vote from the committee.
Boards and Commissions Appointments
S512, Greater Accountability for Boards/Commissions, passed the House by a party-line vote of 72-46 this week. 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 members of the General Assembly. S512 will be returned to the Senate for a concurrence vote before it heads to the Governor’s desk.
TST Semifinals
Saturday night my wife and I attended the semi-final matches of the TST which were won by Newtown Pride and SLCFC. These were great matches and the stands around each pitch were packed. Council members Robinson and Eades were also there viewing the action.
Gale Adcock NC Senate Reception
Sunday afternoon I will attended a reception for NC Senator and former Cary Mayor Pro-Tem Gale Adcock. She has served Cary citizens as a council member, NC representative, and a NC Senator for decades. I am honored to call her a friend and feel blessed that she represents Cary.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
I’ve heard from several of you about how well last night’s dinner with Apex’s council went; I agree. The setting along with the informal agenda and set-up combined to create a positive and relaxed event good for fellowship and relationship building and nurturing. I’m told that Assistant Town Clerk Sarah Schubert handled the logistics, including with The Mayton, and she certainly did a great job – thanks, Sarah! Finally – and most importantly – Happy Birthday, Mayor! Sean
Memorial Day Remembrance 2023
Despite a misty rain, over 400 people gathered at Veterans Freedom Park for Cary’s Memorial Day Remembrance. Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Congressman Wiley Nickel spoke briefly followed by a powerful message from the new Vice Commander of the States VFW Helen Nelson. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Mayor Pro-Tem Don Frantz provided remarks on behalf of Cary and read the proclamation. The Cary Garden Club also dedicated the new Blue Star Memorial out at Veterans Freedom Park with the unveiling of the marker and laying of a wreath. It was a wonderful way to honor those that have fallen fighting for our country.
Bike Plan Focus Group
Cary’s Bike Plan Focus Group, with Councilmember Lori Bush in attendance, held its second meeting on Tuesday. The citizen-based group discussed an overview of our plan engagement efforts during April and Bike Month in May, the analysis underway of the existing plans and policies, what Level of Traffic Stress for bicyclists means within Cary, the varying widths of bike facilities and how they impact comfort, safety and use, and bike facility selection process and design guidance.
As we move into June, we invite the public to provide input on the bike plan through our online survey and mapping tool, open until the end of the month. The community’s input is valuable, so please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and ideas.
Cary Academy Students Work Experience Program
Two Cary Academy students, Mason Herr and Roderick McKenzie, chose Cary for their two-week Work Experience Program. While with the staff the rising seniors spent time with a variety of departments learning the ins and outs of local government management. During their time with Cary, they visited the Traffic Center, attended lots of meetings, experienced a walking tour of development in Downtown, and played the BudgetCary Game.
Celebrate Diversity Day
In recognition of Celebrate Diversity Month, Cary’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hosted a program on Tuesday that created opportunities for staff to explore and celebrate our diversity as an organization through creating deeper understandings of others. Dozens of participants enjoyed sampling foods from various cultures and/or ethnicities, playing diversity bingo and winning prizes, exploring a wealth information and resources from the DEI staff, and sharing poetry readings penned by staff. The two-hour drop-in gathering allowed colleagues to engage and learn by flexing Cary’s collective DEI muscle in fun ways while exploring commonalities, interests, and lived experiences.
NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse National Championship
This past weekend, Cary hosted the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse National Championship at WakeMed Soccer Park. Teams traveled from Northwestern University, University of Denver, Syracuse University, and Boston College to participate in the tournament. The teams, their fans, and a local crowd packed the stadium to 7,709 for Friday night semifinals and 6,705 on Sunday for the finals. Northwestern raised the trophy for the 8th time as champions (but the 1st time in Cary).
A concern that recent dog park renovations prevent use by handicapped individuals.
A safety concern about runners on Green Hope Road.
A thank you for what the town is doing for the LGBTQ+ community.
A complaint about people parking in the parking garage next to the library that were not going to the library.
A list of ideas about homelessness.
A thank you to the town’s 311 staff.
A proclamation request for National Gun Awareness.
A complaint about lack of public transit to the TST.
A complaint about a physical barrier on Petty Farm Road.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an affordable housing potential partnership meeting, a Human Relations Inclusion and Diversity Task Force meeting, an Economic Development meeting, a council work session, the first regularly scheduled meeting of June, a Cary Council candidate event, a special award presentation, and Green Hope High School’s Graduation.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, June 11th, 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 morning I presented an abbreviated version of the State of Cary address to the Cary Central Rotary. I didn’t have enough time for questions from the entire group but based on feedback afterwards it was well received.
Candidate Meeting
After giving my address I met with a candidate for office. My practice continues to be that I endorse incumbents and help all candidates.
Council Meeting Prep
Monday during the day I attempted to contact council members to hear of any concerns or questions about the upcoming agenda. There were questions about the Duke Health proposal from one council member. Other than that, there were no questions.
Later in the day I met with staff to go over the agenda items. The meeting was brief.
Town Manager One-On-One
Monday I briefly met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Some of the topics of discussion included the town’s RFQ for the town hall campus, advisory boards, proclamations, and Cary Council candidates.
Wake Mayors Association Meeting
Monday night I traveled to Knightdale for the Wake County Mayors Association meeting. Mayors in attendance were from the towns of Cary, Fuquay Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, and Zebulon. Our topics of discussion included the Centennial Authority and budgets. Our meeting lasted about two and a half hours.
Year of the Trail Ride
Tuesday afternoon I joined council member Bush and about a dozen citizens in a bike ride from Bond Park to the Davis Drive Park as part of the “Year of the Trail” celebration. It was great to participate in the ride and see all the people on the greenway. Cary has about 85 miles of greenways. And if you include trails, we have over 100 miles.
CAMPO
Wednesday afternoon I participated in a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board. There were four consent items and six discussion items. We heard reports on the Triangle Regional Model, Triangle Transportation Choices/Transportation Demand Management (TDM), FY2024 Community Funding Area Program Update, 2023 (Section 5310) Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Project Selection, Wake Transit FY24 Recommended Work Plan, and Amendment #12 to FY2020-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). You can review the entire agenda and staff reports here.
Meeting with Bel Canto Representative
Thursday before the council meeting, I met with a representative from the Bel Canto Asset Growth Fund. I usually don’t meet with developers or their represeentatives, but I thought it was important for me to hear her out and for me to express what the council expects in projects. In my conversation I emphasized the importance of affordable housing, green infrastructure, and mobility. Our meeting lasted about half an hour.
Council Meeting
Thursday night the council held their last regularly scheduled meeting of the month. The agenda had four consent items, two public hearings, and three discussion items.
The first public hearing was for the FY 2024 budget and had no speakers. There will be an additional public hearing on June 8th before the vote on June 22nd.
The second public hearing on the Duke Health rezoning proposal which had a lot of discussion between council, staff, and the applicant about interior roads, stormwater mitigation, kiosk usage, affordable housing, and more.
Friday morning, I presented an updated version of the State of Cary address to about 50 residents and future residents of Searstone. My presentation took about 45 minutes and there were about 10 minutes of questions. I enjoyed my visit and hope I am invited back in the future.
North Carolina Metro Mayors
Friday the North Carolina Metro Mayors held their weekly meeting to hear a summary of legislative actions. Here are the week’s activities summarized by KTS strategies:
Senate Passes Budget
This week, the Senate released their budget proposal. The proposal received approval from the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget, Finance and Pensions Committees before heading to the full Senate. After consideration of 30 amendments, it passed 36-13. Seven Democrats voted in favor. Some highlights of the $29.8 billion spending plan include the following:
Cuts taxes by $1.2 billion for all North Carolina families and businesses over the next two years;
Spends over $17.2 billion on education in fiscal year 2023–24 and over $17.6 billion in fiscal year 2024–25;
Boosts funding for the General Maintenance Reserve, used to help with upkeep of roads, by over $311 million;
Raises pay for State employees by 5% over the biennium;
Raises pay for teachers by 4.5% over the biennium;
Enacts Medicaid expansion.
The House and Senate will now meet in a Conference Committee in the upcoming weeks to negotiate the final budget. Their goal is to have a budget in place before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
Veto Override Vote on Abortion Bill
Last Saturday, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed S20, Care for Women, Children and Families Act. This bill prohibits elective abortions after 12 weeks in North Carolina. Exceptions apply for rape, incest, fetal life-limiting anomalies, and risk of life to the mother. It also includes $160 million for maternal health services, adoption care, contraceptive services, and paid leave for teachers and state employees after the birth of a child.
On Tuesday, the General Assembly held votes to override Governor Cooper’s veto. A three-fifths majority vote of all members present is necessary for a successful override. Both chambers successfully voted to override the veto along party lines. The final vote was 30-20 in the Senate and 72-48 in the House. This marks the second time this session that the General Assembly has overridden a veto from the governor.
School Choice Bill
After a long floor debate and several failed amendment attempts, the House passed H823, Choose Your School, Choose Your Future Act on Wednesday. This legislation expands access to the Opportunity Scholarship Program to all North Carolina families and grant amounts would be based on household income. This bill is co-sponsored by all House Republicans. The bill passed with a final vote of 65-45, with only one Democrat voting in favor.
TST (The Soccer Tournament) Taping
Friday afternoon I did a welcome taping for TST (The Soccer Tournament) which will have 32 teams from all over the world playing for a grand prize of $1 million. Matches start on Thursday, June 1st and the Championship match is on Sunday, June 4th. See you on the pitch!
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
This was a very busy week for our dedicated planning staff. Following the Duke Health rezoning case last night, staff are now focused on the upcoming South Hills Development rezoning case. Letters for the neighborhood meeting, scheduled for June 7, will go out to inform property owners on Wednesday. For the latest information on the case visit the rezoning webpage, here. Have a good weekend. Sean
Celebrating Bike Month and Volunteer Appreciation
On Tuesday members of the Transportation Working Group, Greenways Committee, and Bike Plan Focus Group came together at the Bond Park Boathouse to celebrate Bike Month, the Year of the Trail, and our volunteers. After a proclamation delivered by At-Large Councilmember Lori Bush, the group, which included Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, enjoyed a bike ride along the scenic Black Creek and White Oak Greenways, heading to Davis Drive Park and back.
WWTA Senior Appreciation Day
On Wednesday Western Wake Tennis Association (WWTA) held their spring Senior Appreciation Day at the Cary Tennis Park. This event is held twice a year to celebrate the senior citizens who support the game of tennis in Cary. The event, which had 56 participants, featured a morning of organized round robin tennis as well as lunch and tennis clinics led by Cary Tennis Park pros. The highlight of the event was the exhibition match in which Mayor Harold Weinbrecht played against Tennis Services Coordinator Sean Ferreira during which they were partnered up with two senior volunteers to play in a doubles match. Mayor Weinbrecht also read a proclamation recognizing May as National Tennis Month.
White Oak Conservation Management Plan Public Meeting
Last week Councilmembers Ryan Eades and Lori Bush and residents from Cary and Apex enjoyed an evening of engagement at the White Oak Creek Conservation Management Plan Public Meeting. The management plan is a grant-funded collaborative project including Cary, Apex, the Triangle Land Conservancy, and industry experts. Participants learned about the ecology and hydrology of the conservation area, why Cary is protecting it with a conservation management plan and gave feedback on possible future public uses/considerations of the space.
Early Voting Site in Chatham County
At their meeting on May 16, the Chatham County Board of Elections voted to approve an early voting site for Cary’s 2023 municipal election. This will be the first time Cary has had a designated early voting site in Chatham County. We thank the Chatham County Board of Elections for approving this as Cary’s Chatham County population continues to grow. For more information, visit carync.gov/elections.
Cary Senior Housing Symposium
Last week Cary held its first Senior Housing Symposium at the Herb Young Community Center. A partnership between the Senior Advisory Board and the Cary housing staff, this convening brought together regional experts on senior housing affordability to explore current needs, opportunities, and resources to support diverse senior housing options. The agenda included senior demographic data, best practices for constructing and operating affordable senior housing, and models to support aging in place in Cary. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Councilmembers Lori Bush and Carissa Kohn-Johnson, and Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar joined the discussion along with presentations from regional leaders on this topic which includes AARP, Wake County’s Housing Division, Wake County Dept. of Human Services, DHIC, Brick Capital, Rebuilding Together of the Triangle, and Dorcas Ministries.
Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson Presents Creative Placemaking Award
On Tuesday the Cary Chamber of Commerce held the Small Business Excellence Awards Luncheon. Councilmembers Jack Smith and Carissa Kohn-Johnson shared remarks. Councilmember Kohn-Johnson presented the Creative Placemaking Award to Singh Development for commissioning artist Thomas Sayre to create a unique “earth casting” sculpture for their project at Griffin Weston. The Creative Placemaking Award was created to increase public awareness of outstanding public art and to recognize and encourage design excellence in the private development sector.
Upcoming Closure of South Harrison Avenue
Beginning on Monday, the Annual Water Main Replacement project contractor, Carolina Civilworks, will place barricades on S. Harrison Ave between Chatham St. and Dry Ave. to begin construction of a new water main. This project invests in the future of downtown infrastructure by providing additional water supply capacity for our existing community, supporting the development of new projects, and enhancing existing infrastructure within the project area. A larger water main proposed for South Harrison will enhance fire flow protection within the downtown area. Detour routes will be available while S. Harrison Ave is closed to through traffic. During construction, on-street parking will not be available in the work zone.
Transportation Working Group Visits CASSI
The Transportation Working Group utilized its May meeting to learn more about Cary’s experiences with the CASSI autonomous shuttle at Bond Park. Topics of discussion ranged from battery life and laser detection equipment to the vehicle’s video game-like operational system. The meeting concluded with a round trip ride from the Boathouse to the Cary Senior Center.
Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School Career Fair
Coray Davis, Chris Little, and Ernest Ray from the Transportation Department shared insight into their career paths and use of technology and teamwork to design, manage, and provide practical solutions to challenging engineering projects within Cary at the Dillard Drive Middle School Career Day. More than 1,000 students participated in the event, with a select group of eighth graders provided on-site mock interviews.
BRT Western Corridor Station Area Planning Scoping
Cary and Raleigh are actively preparing for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor connecting the two downtown areas. The Federal Transit Administration awarded a grant to support Transit Oriented Development planning work in the station areas along this corridor. Project scoping is currently underway. This week Cary staff hosted Skidmore Owings and Merrill, the consultant selected for this work, on a site drive of the future BRT route. If you have any questions, direct them to Transit Director Kelly Blazey.
Cary Orientation
On Tuesday, 18 new Cary firefighters who were hired May 7 as part of Cary’s 27th fire academy joined 20 of their colleagues from many other departments at orientation, a special day structured by Human Resources to welcome Cary’s newest staff members. This week’s roster was one of the biggest ever, and together participants gained insights into Cary’s story, culture, and current events in sessions presented by our organization’s leaders. This unique day-long experience distinguishes Cary’s commitment to People First by dedicating a welcoming day.
Meet-the-Fleet
Last week Public Works and Fire hosted a homeschool group for a Meet-the-Fleet field trip. There was plenty of sunshine and lots of smiles from the 40 children and 30 adults that attended while they learned about the different equipment, we use to serve the community.
Special Events Around Cary
Cary took the main stage last weekend as we hosted the 19th annual Ritmo Latino Festival and two sold out nights with Grammy Award-winning musician Pitbull. Cary partnered with Diamante Arts and Cultural Center to present the 19th annual Ritmo Latino Festival to celebrate Latino/Hispanic culture through music, dancing, and food. Across town Pitbull had the audience on their feet dancing for the entire show.
Fest in the West
Fest in the West was held on May 6, and the event drew approximately 3,000 people. There was a main stage that showcased a variety of musical acts, pie eating contest, petting zoo, and aerialist. There were local artisans selling their wares to the attendees who enjoyed the good weather and a fun community festival.
Solarize the Triangle a Local Success
Solarize the Triangle 2022 set a national record as the largest Solarize program in the country to date with 1,500 people signing up for free evaluations in a single campaign. As a result, 173 Triangle homeowners executed contracts to purchase new solar energy systems. Of these, Cary had 109 free evaluation sign ups and 12 completed contracts. Based upon 2022 success, a second Solarize the Triangle program kicked off on May 15. Enrollment for a free evaluation of homes, nonprofits, and small businesses ends September 30, and enrollees have until December 31, to decide whether to sign a contract.
Spring Garden Season in Full Bloom
Garden season is in full bloom! Cary continues to grow its pollinator, edible, and native habitats. Recently, staff and seniors renovated two communal garden areas at the Senior Center Community Garden by removing non-native and invasive plants and installing over 32 species of native grasses, shrubs, and flowers. Garden guests of all ages enjoyed the first open house event of the season at the newly renovated Carpenter Park Community Garden. In addition, through our annual sale at Good Hope Farm 385 people purchased a compost bin or rain barrel.
White Oak Church Road Water Main Construction Begins
Part of providing exceptional utility service includes constructing new water mains to support our community’s growing needs. The White Oak Church Rd Water Main Project closes a gap in the water system which will improve operations, water quality, and fire protection for the surrounding area. Cary has contracted with Sanford Contractor Inc. to install about 3200-feet of 16-inch water main along White Oak Church Road, from the White Oak Elementary to Vandiver Way. Construction work started on Monday with mobilization and tree clearing.
2024 Council-Staff Retreat Dates
The annual Council-Staff Retreat weekend is the perfect time to be on the balcony for strategic planning and blue-sky thinking, and on the dance floor team building. Town Clerk Virginia Johnson added a block to your calendars for March 1-2, in Wilmington. We look forward to spending time with each of you there for a second year.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting on June 7th
The Neighborhood Meeting will be held virtually on WebEx from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The following cases will be discussed on June 7:
Complaints to CAMPO about the future path to US 401 Bypass in Fuquay Varina (scheduled for 2050).
A complaint about the Kanoy rezoning proposal 22-REZ-13.
Complaints about the redevelopment of town hall campus.
A request to approve the budget as proposed.
Next Week
Next I will be on a family vacation.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, June 4th, 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 met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Topics included the upcoming quarter meeting, the budget, sports venues, and the DEI task force.
Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Board Meeting
Monday night I met with the board for the Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships. We mostly talked about this year’s tournament and sponsors. We also found out that we will be holding an additional ATP 75 tournament this year starting the week of August 7th. As Cary continues to improve the Cary Tennis Park, we will get more and more opportunities to hold events. Even if you don’t like tennis, the economic benefits help all of us.
Cary Senior Housing Symposium
Tuesday I gave welcoming remarks at the Cary Senior Housing Symposium. Here is an excerpt from remarks that I spoke from:
“…I am honored to be here with all of you today as we discuss such an important topic – providing affordable and accessible housing for our seniors. Also joining us from the Cary Council is Lori Bush.
Our latest census data shows that Cary’s senior population is growing. In fact, out of the top 14 municipalities we are the oldest. It is essential that we find and provide the support that our seniors need, including a diverse range of housing options, to ensure those who love Cary can stay in Cary, in a safe and comfortable place.
I’m glad that this is the topic for today’s event and that you all are here to listen, give input, and share what you learn with others while we tackle this issue as partners. …
Events like today would not be possible without our community partners. Ensuring the aging population is cared for and can thrive in Cary cannot be achieved by only one organization. I encourage you to meet others today, learn about their expertise areas, and look for ways to collaborate on strategies. …”
It will take all of us working together to make a difference in the affordable housing crisis.
Candidate Meeting
Tuesday afternoon I met with a potential candidate for Cary Town Council. My practice is that I endorse incumbents but will talk with and help everyone that is interested.
Honor a Teacher
Tuesday night I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz and council member Eades at Prestonwood for the Cary Chamber Honor a Teacher Program. This program originated in 1991 with the Discovery Award by the Ashworth Family and shortly followed with the Clara Knoll Excellence in Teaching Award by Barry & DJ Mitsch. This program has since grown to awarding over 30 teachers representing Cary Area Schools. The teachers are nominated by parents, colleagues, administration, and the business community leading to five final nominees per school. After the nominations are complete, the representing sponsor has the option to participate in the selection process and/or present the award directly to the teacher at the ceremony on May 9th. I, along with my colleagues from council, awarded a Civic Education Award to a Green Hope Elementary teacher and an Excellence in Teaching Award to a Wake STEM Early College High School teacher. Congratulations to our winners and all the teachers for their dedication and commitment to changing lives and building the future generation.
Senior Appreciation Day at Cary Tennis Park
Wednesday I participated in a Senior Appreciation Day event at Cary Tennis Park. I provided remarks, read a proclamation, and played an exhibition with Sean Ferreira (the Director of Tennis) along with two players chosen from the attendees. It is important to know that the latest research by the Physical Activity Council shows that more than 23.6 million Americans played tennis in 2022. This is a 33% increase in participation from 2019 and is the highest number of players since the study began. I have played tennis for almost 50 years and credit it for my physical and mental health. I would encourage all citizens to take up this lifetime sport.
Thursday morning I attended a meeting of combined MPOs (Metropolitan Planning Organizations) from Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the Capital Area as part of a subcommittee on Commuter Rail. A loan consultant presented funding options to do phase 1 of commuter rail without federal funding since no federal funding was available. According to research, it would cost $1.6 billion to go from Garner to a little past RTP. The consultants recommended RRIF (Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing). The group instead decided to focus on BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) since federal funding was available for that option. In addition, while BRT is being established, infrastructure on rail lines, such as grade separated crossings, could occur. These infrastructure projects could also receive federal funding. This was a big pivot from what the committee was established for but is probably the best use of resources and funding and will accomplish a goal of providing transit options.
Council Quarterly Meeting
Thursday the council met half a day for its first quarterly meeting of 2023. Topics included Capital and Community Projects, a Development Update, an Environmental Update, a Financial Update with the Proposed FY24 Budget, and Potential Ordinances for Public Safety and Quality of Life. The following are some of my notes.
Capital and Community Projects
Higgins Greenway
Meridian
Multi-Generational Community Centers
Cary Tennis Park Clubhouse Expansion
USA Baseball Indoor Training
Higgins Greenway Phase 3 is close to bid. Construction will begin in the fall and will take approximately 12 months.
Higgins Greenway Phase 4 will pick up where phase 3 ends and take it to the downtown park. This will be a 12-foot path that includes a bike path that is separated from the road and pedestrians.
There will be a new crossing at Kay Struffolino Park.
Several downtown roads will have a significant water main, sewer, sidewalk, pavement replacement over the next few years to prevent potential breaks. Projects include Harrison from Chatham to Heater, Byrum, Park, Page, and S. West.
Meridian on Chatham will have road extended to Cedar and major sewer line replacement. The project includes retail, parking, and residential.
PRCR master plan is being updated and will include a public survey, existing system analysis, needs assessment, and community workshops.
The town is planning two multi-generational community centers at Mills Park and South Hills. Next steps include completing base programs for the centers, floor plans, and finalizing budget costs.
Walnut Creek Greenway will be from the downtown park to Fenton and then to South Hills which is about 3 miles. Cary already owns 2 of those 3 miles.
Cary Tennis Park will see expansion of clubhouse and courts to meet community need and to position for higher ranked professional tournaments. Pickleball will be part of the expansion to include 20 to 32 courts. There is also a parking deck proposed.
Connectivity Improvements are being made with the Crabtree Creek Greenway, Black Creek Greenway, and the Pedestrian Bridge for Black Creek Greenway.
USA Baseball expansion will have a 22,000 square foot indoor facility. It is about 75% done and will be completed this year.
Development Update
Only 1 out of 29 rezoning proposals were approved last quarter.
39 site plans were approved.
There are 56 permits for active development this quarter.
Future projects include Duke Health hospital with 500 beds, office, and multi-family.
A GoCary Bus Maintenance facility will be built for $37.7 million funded by Wake grants.
South Hills will have plans submitted soon.
The Crossroads Area is showing interest in redevelopment.
Weston Parkway owners are interested in redevelopment.
Town Hall campus will likely have redevelopment. The process will include developer interviews, select a developer, negotiate a development agreement, and begin the rezoning process. RFQ is to get information from developers. It is not a plan.
Environmental Update
51% of Cary is covered by tree canopy and the canopy is growing. We are focusing on quality as well as quantity.
Downtown Park will have over 600 new trees.
80% of Cary’s tree canopy is on private property and will require help from citizens.
Staff is currently working on an Urban Forestry Master Plan.
We are planting more trees on town owned property.
The Count Me In Cary initiative is underway. It is about stewardship strategies for a sustainable future. Areas include energy, transportation & mobility, natural resources, solid waste, water infrastructure, and community.
FY23 Update
Property Tax Collections are up 3%.
Sales Tax Collections are strong.
Expenditures are up 26% due to inflation, personnel, and new employees.
Proposed FY24 Budget
If a recession were to occur, Cary would likely be insulated from the impacts.
A Smart Asset report that found Cary to be the #1 most resilient economy in the nation.
Cary’s median household income (stated in 2021 dollars) of $113,782 reflects its highly educated citizenry of which 69.5% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
As of February 2023, projections place Cary’s unemployment rate at 2.7%.
Cary is transitioning from a growing community to a maturing community.
The FY 2024 Town of Cary budget totals $523.8 million supporting both operating and capital spending. Operating expenditures of $354.0 million increased 8.1% when compared to the prior year, while capital expenditures of $169.7 million are up 41.9%. It is not uncommon to see significant shifts in capital funding need as different projects are at different stages of progress from year to year.
Property tax collections remained high at 99.8% last year, sales tax collections continued to experience record growth averaging 14.5 percent.
The FY 2024 budget assumes that Cary’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $0.345 per $100 of assessed valuation and that 99.8% of that revenue will be collected.
Each penny of Cary’s property tax rate generates approximately $3.4 million.
The General Fund is at $239.9 million which is a 3.7% increase.
Debt Service is at 9.8% of the operating budget, which is well below maximum goals.
The solid waste fee will remain at $22.00 per month and will allow Cary to recover approximately 96% of operating costs.
The FY 2024 budget recommends a 3% rate increase in Water, sewer, and irrigation ratesto support operational costs, capital infrastructure and debt repayment. The average family of four would experience an estimated $2.57 per month increase in their total monthly utility bill.
Potential Ordinances and Changes
There are five changes that are no brainers. Add ordinances to prevent interference with property, public urination, public lewdness, and vehicle trespassing. There will be ordinance recommendations for parking decks as well as unattended property.
There will be ordinances that will be difficult decisions that include charitable solicitation, commercial sales, sidewalk sales, and street performers.
Legislative Summary
The following is a summary of legislative actions for the week by KTS Strategies:
Legislative Activity
It was a very quiet week at the NC General Assembly. Most House members worked in District as there were no committee meetings or floor votes scheduled. The Senate conducted only one committee meeting to handle some local elections bills. No Senate floor votes were held. Senate leadership continued to finalize their budget details behind closed doors which could be released soon. We anticipate legislative activity to pick back up again next week.
Abortion Bill
Last week, the legislature passed S20, Care for Women, Children and Families Act. The bill would prohibit elective abortions after 12 weeks. Certain exceptions apply for rape, incest, fetal life-limiting anomalies, and risk of life to the mother. It also includes $160 million for maternal health services, adoption care, contraceptive services and paid leave for teachers and state employees after the birth of a child. Governor Cooper has announced he will veto the legislation on Saturday. The Senate could consider an override vote as early as next Tuesday.
2024 Elections
This week, Representative Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes) announced his run for Lieutenant Governor in the 2024 election. Elmore adds his name to a growing list of candidates for the position since current Lt. Governor Mark Robinson announced his run for Governor last month. Other Republican candidates include Hal Weatherman and Peter Boykin. Democratic candidates include State Senator Rachel Hunt of Charlotte and former Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey. There are several others that have announced their run for statewide offices in 2024.
For the Governor’s race, current State Treasurer Dale Folwell will challenge Mark Robinson in the Republican primary. Former North Carolina Congressman Mark Walker is also expected to announce his run in the coming weeks. On the Democratic ticket is current Attorney General Josh Stein. Announced candidates for the North Carolina Labor Commissioner race are Republican State Representatives Jon Hardister, Ben Moss, and Democratic Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winston. For the State Treasurer race, State Representative Wesley Harris (D-Mecklenburg) announced his run in March. Another Mecklenburg County Representative, Republican Rep. John Bradford, has mentioned he is considering a run for Treasurer, but has yet to officially enter the race. The candidate filing period for the statewide 2024 elections begins at noon on Monday, December 4 and ends at noon on Friday, December 15, 2023. Primaries will be held on March 5, 2024.
Mayor’s Mailbox
A request to pass an Inclusion and Equality ordinance (Cary did this last summer)
A complaint about the Kanoy Property 22-REZ-13 proposal
A thanks to an officer who helped a lost traveler
Two complaints about town growth (Cary has grown at 2 to 2 1/2 % for the last 15 years)
A complaint about a senior housing development on Lilly Atkins
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, two State of Cary addresses, a Wake County Mayors Association meeting, a Transportation Working Group Bike Ride, a Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board meeting, a regularly scheduled council meeting, and a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Friday, May 19th, 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 I joined over 40 business leaders, 3 council members, and staff members in a Cary Intercity trip to Tampa, Florida. Since this was a day of travel, I spent my time connecting with various business leaders and hearing about their challenges. One important theme was that business leaders were all experiencing strong growth and are moving forward with expansion even though some thought there might be a recession.
Wednesday’s first session was with Craig Richard, the CEO of Tampa Bay Economic Development. One of the first things I learned was that Tampa Bay is not just Tampa but includes other municipalities such as St. Petersburg. Mr. Richard pointed out several things which were like Cary. Tampa has experienced a “Brain Gain” rather than a “Brain Drain”. As a result, companies were following talent instead of what we saw years ago when talent followed companies. That is what we see in Cary as well.
The second session was with Water Street Tampa development. After a brief talk we did a walking tour of phase one of their project which included tall buildings in park-like settings. In addition, they were occupied by high end retail or local restaurants. The tenants reminded me a lot of Fenton in Cary. The spaces between the buildings with trees and water features projected a relaxed feeling rather than a feeling of being in an urban setting. This will be very important to implement in our future vertical projects.
For our next session we traveled to the Tampa Bay Rays stadium in St. Petersburg to visit the Gas Plant District. We saw a presentation on the redevelopment project there, which is being done by Hines, one of the partners at Fenton. Their redevelopment project will include a huge mixed-use area as well as a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. A lot of the discussion centered on public-private partnerships and almost all questions were from our business leaders.
Next we traveled to the St. Petersburg Pier to see the waterfront and development along the waterfront. Having iconic spaces for the public to gather is essential. It is my hope that we continue to add those in the future.
At dinner we were fortunate to hear from the Tampa Bay Chamber President, Dr. Rob Rohlack, and from the Tampa Mayor, Jane Castor. The dinner was held at the Columbia which was founded in 1905 and is the oldest restaurant in Florida. The mayor and Chamber President were a delight to talk to and had a clear passion and love for their community as I do for Cary.
The mayor spoke about the importance of listening to the people, working with businesses, and creating great relationships, which is a big part of what I believe. After the mayor spoke to the attendees, I said a few words and presented her with a gift that had the new Cary logo.
Thursday’s first session was with “rithm”, a group that is creating a mixed-use development at an old mall sight in Tampa. Their plan is to keep about half of the mall space and add mixed use development in the space where the other part of the mall use to be. While they had several good tenants, I am doubtful they will eventually be able to fulfill their dream.
One of their tenants was Vu, a state-of-the-art virtual production studio that gives unlimited creative control. The studio’s main area had a wall that could be changed to be virtually anything. They did several examples for us including some with participants in a hospital setting. Looking at the monitor, you could not tell that it was virtual. They also showed a movie clip that had several scenes which they shot at very little expense in a very short time. It looked very real, and I see this transforming the movie industry because it will allow movies to be made quicker and cheaper. One cool note is that they used Epic Games’ Unreal Engine to build this. Two infamous people that have worked in their studio were Tom Cruise for the Top Gun sequel Maverick, and Tom Brady for an advertisement.
Our next session on Thursday was the CEO of Tampa Bay regional partnership, Bemetra Simmons. She presented a detailed breakdown of data collected for the Tampa Bay area which showed their strengths and weaknesses and how they compare with other metro areas. Cary gets that kind of data from Michael Walden, from NC State, and Ted Abernathy, an Economic Development, Workforce & Strategy consultant. The main difference was that Ms. Simmons and her team were very active with the state legislature working for change.
Our last session on Thursday was in Ybor with developers, brokers, city planners and the chamber president. They talked about the Gas Worx Mixed Use redevelopment project that they were planning. It is a huge project that will take a great deal of public-private partnerships. With Tampa’s growth and the location of this project, I see this as being very successful. It was a great example of redevelopment which Cary will see a lot of in the not-too-distant future.
This was a great trip. Not only did I create new relationships but strengthened others. I carried home a lot of ideas which I am sure we will explore in the future. A HUGE thank you to the Cary Chamber for creating this visit for the business leaders, staff, and a few of the Cary Council.
North Carolina Metro Mayors
Friday the North Carolina Metro Mayors held a meeting to hear a summary of the week’s activities in the legislature. Here is a summary from KTS Strategies:
Crossover Deadline
Thursday, May 4th was the crossover deadline for the North Carolina General Assembly 2023-2024 long session. Crossover is the date by which a bill must pass its chamber of origin to remain eligible for consideration for the remainder of the biennium. Exemptions to the crossover deadline include Constitutional amendments, redistricting, election laws, nominations and appointments, adjournment resolutions, and bills with a finance or appropriations provision. A high volume of bills passed through each chamber this week to meet the deadline. To date, 745 bills have been filed in the Senate and 895 in the House. Only 12 bills have become law so far this session.
Abortion Bill
This week, House and Senate leadership announced an agreement on abortion legislation for North Carolina. S20, Care for Women, Children and Families Act, was released in a conference report Tuesday evening. The bill was heard in a Joint Rules Committee meeting Wednesday morning before being passed on the House floor Wednesday evening with a vote of 71-46. After a lengthy floor debate in which every Democrat rose to speak in opposition, the Senate approved the bill Thursday afternoon with a vote of 29-20. S20 will now be sent to Governor Cooper for consideration, but he has pledged to veto the legislation. Both legislative chambers now hold veto-proof GOP supermajorities after Mecklenburg County Representative Tricia Cotham switched her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican last month. Current NC law bans abortion after 20 weeks gestation unless there is a medical emergency after the Roe vs. Wade decision was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court last year. This bill proposes the following changes:
Abortion permitted for any reason through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy;
Allow abortion through 20 weeks in the case of rape or incest;
Allow abortion through 24 weeks for life-limiting fetal anomalies; and
No limit when life of the mother is at risk as determined by a licensed physician.
The bill also includes nearly $160 million in funding for maternal health services, adoption care, contraceptive services and paid leave for teachers and state employees after the birth of a child.
NC Supreme Court Rulings
Last Friday, the North Carolina Supreme Court reversed previous rulings related to voting maps, voter ID, and felon voting rights. The Court ruled 5-2 that based on the North Carolina Constitution, the courts play no role in determining partisan gerrymandering for voting maps drawn by the NC Legislature. Justice Paul Newby wrote in the opinion, “Our constitution expressly assigns the redistricting authority to the General Assembly subject to explicit limitations in the text.” The Court also reversed a decision on the 2018 voter ID law. A trial court previously struck down the law and ruled it unconstitutional. Additionally, the Court released a ruling reversing a lower court ruling that would allow felons to regain the right to vote once they had finished their prison sentences, even if they had not finished their probation or paid off the fines and fees associated with their punishment.
Read the statements on the rulings from Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland), and Governor Roy Cooper.
Fest in the West
Saturday I joined council member Carissa Johnson at the 7th Fest in the West festival in Brooks Park. My role was to judge the Hillbilly Horseshoe contest. I decided to participate and do commentary. In the end a past champion along with Carissa Johnson defeated me and a police officer. The festival included two stages of entertainment, an arts and crafts village, and a Kids Corral for family activities that included a petting zoo. And there were numerous options for food and beverages that were available. I hope all those in attendance had a great time.
Town Manager’s Report
Dan’s Message
I hope those of you that traveled to Tampa for the Cary Chamber Inter-City trip this week are making your way back safely. On the home front this week things were relatively business as usual except for heightened attention on our water system. As part of routine utility system sampling, Cary received positive confirmation of E. coli bacteria at a water sampling station located on Airgate Drive in Wake County on the afternoon of May 3. Although isolated, because of the detection of E. coli in the water system, utility systems are required to make notification to its customers, which was sent today at 7:30 a.m. As part of meeting regulatory requirements, 311 collaborated with Utilities to create clear messaging for the website, social media, and knowledge articles to assist citizens. 311 increased staffing levels to support a potential influx of calls, while Marketing quickly distributed information through these channels. At this time, 311 has assisted one citizen with additional information and brought the case to closure. Citizens with questions should contact Cary 311 online at carync.gov/311 or by dialing 311 within Cary limits or (919) 469-4000 from outside Town limits. I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday at the Quarterly Meeting. There will not be a Council Weekly Report on May 12, because you will be updated on anything timely at the meeting. Have a nice weekend. Dan
2023 Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival
Cary welcomed more than 15,000 visitors to Bond Park for its 30th annual Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. The event featured a broad mix of high-quality North Carolina arts and crafts, local entertainment, delectable food and beverage options, plus a wide range of specialized activities – from sports games to boat rentals on Bond Lake to high-flying zip lines at the Challenge Course. Hundreds of festival goers, including At-Large Councilmember Lori Bush, cycled to the event and took advantage of the complimentary bike valet program. Major thanks to Cary staff and almost 175 community volunteers for producing another safe, successful, and memorable Spring Daze.
Earth Day Lane Activities
At Spring Daze, children had fun raking in leaves and searching in soil for critters and fungi at the Environment booth along Earth Day Lane. Their explorations and discoveries were guided by staff who helped them understand that the foundation of vibrant plants and ecosystems is healthy soils, and healthy soils are built with compost which can be any decaying organic matter, especially leaves. Additionally, Earth Day Lane celebrated the official launch of Count me in, Cary! Stewardship Strategies for a Sustainable Future. This campaign, available until September 1, was created to educate and generate interest, engagement, and citizen input about their concerns and willingness to act on topics such as supporting the environment and reducing CO2 emissions. So far Cary has received more than 1,000 responses to surveys that will inform actions to create the community’s sustainability and climate action strategy.
Boards, Commission, and Committee Recruitment Opens
Recruitment is now open for our Council-appointed advisory boards, commission, and committee. Cary citizens interested in volunteering their time and expertise to help shape Cary are invited to apply now through June 30 at bit.ly/CaryBoards.
2023 Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony
On Tuesday, the Police Department hosted the 38th Annual North Carolina Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Ceremony at The Shepherd’s Church in Cary. This ceremony is held annually to honor North Carolina’s fallen law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty. This year, officers gathered to honor 11 fallen officers who lost their lives in 2022.
Bike to School Day
On Wednesday, hundreds of students across Cary participated in National Bike & Roll to School Day. This event helps to raise awareness about Cary’s greenways, bike facilities, and sidewalks. It’s also a great start to Bike Month, which has events and opportunities to get involved all month long. Thanks to our partnership with Wake County’s Safe Routes to School, staff distributed water bottles, bike bells, reflectors, maps, bookbags, stickers, and more to six Cary elementary schools who registered for the event.
Choose to Lose Concludes
Human Resources announced the successful conclusion of its Choose to Lose Wellness Challenge, Cary’s 12-week program that netted a nearly 400-pound weight loss among the 75 employee participants who completed the challenge. Together, they focused not only on attaining weight goals, but also on prioritizing their health and well-being by harnessing the program’s tips and tools for healthy behavior change.
Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection Pilot
Traffic Signal System staff partnered with CUBIC to learn about the GRIDSMART System that tracks all road users, including pedestrians, as they enter, travel through, and exit the intersection, extending clearance times to accommodate each traveler or giving back valuable time to vehicles. The Fisheye 3 camera is equipped with high dynamic range technology paired with the horizon-to-horizon view, improving the visibility and accuracy of captured footage. The GRIDSMART camera tracks vehicles into and out of the intersection, providing accurate turning movement counts. The system also provides a virtual pan-tilt-zoom, giving you a traffic management center-like view of the intersection. This technology allows staff access to enhanced real-time information to improve signal efficiency and safety. This pilot will run throughout the summer.
FY23 Traffic Calming – Construction Contract Executed
Traffic calming construction has begun in several areas of Cary. The project contractor, Raleigh Paving, has entered into an agreement with Cary to construct speed humps along Park York Lane, Kettlebridge Drive, Glenbuckley Road, and Henderson Road. Residents of each community were notified and updated on the projects using the Traffic Calming Engagement Hub.
Several requests asking for a delay the 401 Bypass (this is a CAMPO decision)
A concern over the new NC House Bill 198 which would allow billboards again in Cary
Complaints about the Kanoy Property Proposal 22-REZ-13
A request to pass an inclusion ordinance (already did this last summer)
An invitation to play in the Senior Tennis Appreciation Day
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships board meeting, a Cary Senior Housing Symposium, candidate meetings, an Honor a Teacher event, Senior Tennis Appreciation Day exhibition, a MPO joint subcommittee meeting on commuter rail, a council quarterly meeting, and a North Carolina Metro Mayors meeting.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, May 14th, 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.
This was a slow week for me as mayor since I had three birthdays and an anniversary.
Cary 101 Reception
Wednesday I joined the council for a reception to meet the Cary 101 students. Cary 101 is a “citizen’s college” that provides the community with a behind-the-scenes look at municipal government structure, culture, and decision-making. Through discussion and hands-on activities, students obtain greater awareness of Cary’s planning and operations. It is my hope that these students will become Cary Ambassadors once they graduate.
Council Candidate Meeting
Wednesday evening I briefly met with two candidates for Cary Council. My practice is to endorse incumbents while offering advice and information to anyone who asks.
Sports Alliance Event
Thursday I joined a few dozen people at a Sports Alliance luncheon. Ted Reese, President of TTS, talked about Collegiate and Professional Tennis Tournaments, programming, and facility upgrades around the Cary Tennis Park. The audience was mostly made up of business leaders with a vested interest in tourism dollars.
Global Horizons Event
Thursday night I attended an event for Global Horizons focusing on the Gillings School of Global Public Health. The featured speaker was Dean Nancy Messonnier. I had the joy of talking with her and hearing about her time at the CDC, especially at the beginning of the pandemic. If you remember she was one of the first warning of a pandemic early on in 2021. Trump replaced her but she was proven correct. We also talked about how the CDC’s work before the pandemic allowed for the quick creation of vaccines. What an amazing person and I am glad she is the dean at Gillings. There were several other amazing doctors (PhDs and MDs) at the event and it was a joy to talk to them all.
NC Metro Mayors
The North Carolina Metro Mayors met virtually Friday to hear of legislative actions. Here is a summary of actions from KTS Strategies:
Lumbee Recognition
In conjunction with the inaugural Lumbee Day at the North Carolina General Assembly, hosted by the KTS Strategies team, the NC House passed HR499, Support Lumbee Fairness Act. The resolution requests Congress to grant the “benefits, privileges, and immunities that accompany” federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe. In February, bills identical to House Resolution 499 were introduced by Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd in the U.S. Senate and by a group of bi-partisan members of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Lumbee Tribe has been formally recognized in North Carolina since 1885 and has fought for full Federal recognition for over a century. Legislation passed by Congress in 1956 recognized the Tribe, but denied benefits that every other federally recognized Tribe receives. North Carolina House Representative Jarrod Lowery (R-Robeson), a member of the Tribe, spoke in support of the measure and called on his fellow members to support the resolution.
School Choice
On Wednesday, House and Senate leaders held a press conference announcing companion bills S406/H823, Choose Your School, Choose Your Future Act. The legislation would expand access to the Opportunity Scholarship Program to all North Carolina families. Grant amounts would be based on household income. It would also eliminate any requirement for recipients to have previously attended public schools. S406 received a favorable report from the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The House bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee next Tuesday. Both bills are co-sponsored by all Republican members of each chamber.
Mental Health Initiative
This week, House members announced a bi-partisan plan to overhaul the State’s mental health system. H855, Strengthening Care for Families and Children, lays out a plan to invest $1 billion of the $1.75 billion bonus the state will receive from the American Rescue Plan for expanding Medicaid. The plan would invest significant dollars to three key areas:
$225 million to improve access to behavioral health services.
$200M to building a statewide behavioral health crisis system; and
$50M for tele-health programs and a centralized bed registry.
The legislature passed Medicaid expansion last month. Implementation is contingent upon passage of the State budget.
Town Manager’s Report
Shelley’s Message
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce 2023 Inter-City Visit & Leadership Conference in Denver, Colorado along with Town Manager Sean R. Stegall and Business Services Manager Bryan Hayes. It was nice to reconnect and strengthen relationships with leaders and business owners within Wake County while observing the business market and community of Denver. I was especially impressed with their Union Station, which is their version of a multi-modal center. The Union Station serves as a great example of a multi-modal hub with train and bus connections surrounded by residential and commercial properties and amenities. I’m looking forward to seeing several of you at next week’s Cary Chamber of Commerce Inter-City trip to Tampa, Florida. I’m hopeful that we can explore best practices as it relates to the areas that are most important to us. Thankfully, the weather should be clear tomorrow just in time for Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival at Bond Park! Enjoy your weekend. Shelley
Cary Matters
Last week, Mayor Pro Tem Don Frantz and Council Member Lori Bush filmed a Cary Matters segment covering Year of the Trail and Bike Month events in May. Be on the lookout for this production which will be released in early May.
Pinwheel Planting
On Monday, Council Member Carissa Kohn-Johnson participated in a pinwheel planting ceremony at First Baptist Church in Downtown Cary for Child Abuse Prevention Month. During the ceremony, she read the Mayor’s Proclamation. Other speakers included Cary Police Lieutenant Ashlee Dean, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina President and CEO Sharon Hirsch, Wake County Health and Human Services Program Manager Jason Mahoney, and Cary Police Detective Rebecca Platz.
Cary Participates in NC State Energy Conference
Staff participated in a unique networking opportunity at the North Carolina State Energy Conference held in Raleigh this week. The event hosted forums that connected participants with technical innovations and highlighted industry opportunities to help move North Carolina’s regional energy economy forward. Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar served as a panelist on a forum focused on municipal environmental opportunities, fostering an innovation culture, and building energy stakeholder relationships. Chapel Hill-based Spotlight Solar displayed an innovative stand-alone, no grid connection required, solar shelter that was a hit among participants. A key objective of Spotlight Solar is to provide a variety of publicly visible and attractive solar structures that engage citizens and complement stewardship initiatives that are otherwise out of view.
2023 Cary 101 Program Underway
The Cary 101 program kicked off last week for a group of 20 citizens who are excited to learn about Cary’s projects, programs, and services. In addition to hands-on activities, facility tours, and presentations, this year’s participants enjoyed meeting with Cary Council members on Wednesday. This event included a unique view of the Downtown Park from The Walker Apartment’s Sky Lounge. Participants will continue attending sessions over the next several weeks before graduating at the end of May.
Fire Participants in Nuclear Plant Emergency Exercise
Fire staff participated in the annual Harris Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Exercise, which is graded by FEMA. Fire’s role was to set up the Apex municipality Area Command Post and Staging Area at Cary Station 5 and provide logistical support for site access, radiological monitoring, and route alerting simulation. The Area Command Post and Staging Areas were run concurrently with FEMA evaluations conducted at Wake County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Joint Information Center (JIC), and a forward Area Command Post near the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant. Initial feedback from FEMA evaluators at the Area Command Post was positive. FEMA will issue a final report next month.
Duke University Student Presents Project Findings
Will Hager, a Master of Public Policy student at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, selected Cary as the client for his final thesis. This week, he visited Town Hall to present his findings to Cary staff. His report titled “Governing a Boomburb: Guiding Cary’s Growth into the Future” analyzes trends and challenges among five rapidly growing communities, or “Boomburbs,” including Cary. Robert Lang and Jennifer LeFurgy characterize “Boomburbs” as suburbs with a population of over 100,000 people, a double-digit growth rate for multiple consecutive decades, and not the largest community in the metropolitan area. Will’s full report includes policy recommendations for Cary to consider moving forward.
West Point Leadership Program Graduates
Sergeant Titus Moore and Corporal David Jones recently graduated from the West Point Leadership Program (WPLP). The WPLP is a 102-hour program through Methodist University, with a goal “to inspire police leaders to develop an informed, systematic, and dynamic approach to leading in police organizations.” The program adapts a military leadership course at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. The course examines and integrates leadership in organizations from four perspectives: the individual, the group, the leader, and the organization.
Cary Launches Shape the Crepe Campaign at Earth Day Celebration 2023
No matter the tree species, pruning in the urban/suburban landscape is an important part of maintaining tree and canopy health. Unfortunately, topping Crepe Myrtles has become so commonplace that people and some landscapers have come to believe it’s the right thing to do. To help debunk that myth and support a healthy urban forest, Cary is launching a multi-year Shape the Crepe campaign Saturday at the tree booth along Earth Day Lane at Spring Daze. Over several years, staff will reach out to stakeholders, including the landscape community, to join us in conversation and practice to stop the chop and Shape the Crepe instead.
ACC Tennis Championships at Cary Tennis Park
The Atlantic Coast Conference Tennis Championships were held this past weekend, April 19 – 23, at Cary Tennis Park. The NC State Wolfpack upset the top-ranked University of North Carolina Tarheels in the Women’s Final. This was the Wolfpack Women’s’ first ACC Championship title. In the Men’s Final, the top-seeded Virginia Cavaliers defeated the Duke Blue Devils for their 3rd straight ACC Championship. More than 3,000 spectators were in attendance, with ticket sales almost doubled from the last time ACCs were hosted in 2019. The new collegiate seating was a big hit with spectators and teams! The ACC Tennis Championships will be back at Cary Tennis Park in 2024.
Children’s Day Festival of Cary 2023
Approximately 2,000 people attended Cary’s Children’s Day Festival last Saturday. After years in Bond Park, the festival moved to the Town Hall campus and, ultimately, Kay Yow Court at Herb Young Community Center due to the weather. Council Member Ryan Eades presented the mayor’s proclamation. Other activities included music and dance performances by more than 100 children, craft activities, food trucks, and booths from community organizations. The annual event celebrates the importance of children, sharing with them the cultures and traditions of their neighbors. Children’s Day Festival is led by the American-Turkish Association of North Carolina, sponsored by Cary Sister Cities, and hosted by Cary.
Coffee, Cops, and Conversation
On Tuesday, staff from the police department held another successful community engagement event of Coffee, Cops & Conversations. We are thankful for our community partnership with Esteamed Coffee, located on South Academy Street, and their hospitality in hosting the event. It was a great day of fellowship, and the next event is scheduled for May 9.
Upcoming Closure of West Park Street
Beginning on Monday, the Annual Water Main Replacement project contractor, Carolina Civilworks, will place barricades on W. Park St. between Academy St. and Harrison Ave. in preparation of upcoming construction. At the same time, Northview Partners, working on behalf of First Baptist Church, will place barricades at the existing exit onto W. Park St. for coordinated paving and construction of the southernmost church parking lot to minimize disruption to residents and visitors. W. Park St. will be closed to through traffic, and on-street parking will not be available. The road closure is expected to last approximately 4 months. Additional updates will be provided as we move forward with other phases of the planned water main replacement project.
A complaint about the Kanoy Rezoning Proposal 22-REZ-13
Several complaints about NCDOT proposal for the 401 Bypass
A complaint about a civil disturbance
A complaint about Google Fiber damage
A thank you for my blog (You’re Welcome!)
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an intercity visit to Tampa, and Fest in the West.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, May 7th, 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 met with the town manager for our weekly meeting. Topics included South Hills redevelopment, the downtown park, and meeting with leaders in Wake County.
Youth Villages
Tuesday morning I joined council members Johnson and Bush at the Youth Villages’ Growing Strong Breakfast. We heard how important it is to help youth that turn 18 and are suddenly out of Foster Care. They find themselves discarding, living alone without support, resources, or guidance of a stable family or network of caring adults. Youth Villages help these youth. If you would like to find our more visit http://YouthVillages.org .
Kingwood Elementary Earth Day Fair
Tuesday evening I attended an Earth Day Fair at Kingswood Elementary in downtown Cary. Kingswood is a STEM school that uses Montessori techniques. The event was well attended with hundreds of people visiting all kinds of booths. I picked up a longleaf pine sapling which I later planted in my yard. Toward the end of my visit, I read a proclamation to the crowd with the help of the junior green team. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to future visits which will include the installation of a solar panel.
South Hills was once home to Cary’s first shopping center, a favorite family-friendly mall that helped propel the town’s growth in the mid-20th century. Today, the future of South Hills is being reimagined as a cultivated urban experience. A thoughtfully planned, walkable community with abundant community gathering spaces, pedestrian pathways, and convenient access to local greenway trails. South Hills promises to become a landmark destination for Cary and Triangle residents and visitors alike.
The vision: A vibrant, urban district that hosts concerts, sports tournaments, festivals, and special events year-round. Pedestrian and bicycle-oriented “living streets” lined with bustling coffee shops, local cafés and boutiques, and lively restaurants that serve as a social space to connect and engage. A unique blend of residences, offices, and hospitality that are seamlessly integrated to provide energy and activity throughout the day and night.
The Cary community and sports recreation center will serve as an anchor in the South Hills District.
Mix of retail, food + beverage, residential, office, hospitality,
athletic, and event spaces
Developed by The South Hills Development Company, a joint venture of LODEN Properties and Northpond Partners. Partners include Perkins + Will (planning and architecture), McAdams (civil engineering), Kimley-Horn (traffic engineering), Morningstar Law Group (legal), Redgate (construction management) and Site Collaborative (development management).
CAMPO
Wednesday afternoon I participated in a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board held in their new offices at Fenton of Cary. The agenda included two consent items and five items for discussion. All the discussion items were informational and did not require a vote. Staff reports of the informational items can be found here. The presentation on the STIP (2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program) had significance for Cary. The Trinity Road Grade Separation which was removed has been put back in the STIP. This is crucial as Wake Med Soccer, and Fenton, continue to grow since it will allow access to Chapel Hill Road and I-40.
Cary Chamber Elected Officials Reception
Wednesday night I attended an elected official’s reception held by the Cary Chamber at the Umstead Hotel. I was joined by all the council members. Here is a portion of the remarks I spoke from:
“… I am proud to say that the partnerships we have between federal, state, and local elected officials and our Chamber are very strong and are vital to the success of our community. They enable us to provide the services and programs that our residents need and deserve.
Together, we have been able to invest in our infrastructure, improve public safety, and create new opportunities for economic growth. We have leveraged federal and state funding to build and improve our environment, housing, and transit. Together, we have created a version of Cary that shows a commitment to the environment while welcoming and supporting our business community.
As we move forward, we must continue to build upon our success by being creative, innovative, and inspirational in our efforts to support our economy, our citizens, and each other. …”
Attending the event were elected officials on the state level and local level. It was a great time to build relationships that will benefit Cary in the future.
North Fulton County Georgia Regional Chamber Visit
Thursday morning I participated in a panel discussion for a delegation from North Fulton County Georgia who were visiting Cary as part of an intercity visit. The panel included Cary Economic Development Director Ted Boyd, Cary Chief Development Officer Scot Berry, Cary developer Jordan Gussenhoven, and the President of MacKenan Property Group Kyle Greer. The delegation from Georgia included several chamber and business leaders in addition to elected officials and three mayors. The mayors included Jim Gilvin of Alpharetta, Peyton Jamison of Milton, and John Bradberry of Johns Creek. Their interests included:
How has Cary grown and changed over the years? What were some of the large milestones or catalytic projects or policy changes that spurred this growth?
What processes were helpful when the city was mapping out its vision and focus for growth and redevelopment and comprehensive planning? When did that take place? Who was involved? What did the process look like?
What does your approach to public-private partnership look like across the city?
What are the city’s biggest opportunities and challenges right now?
How are you currently supporting the workforce development and talent attraction needs of your businesses and largest employers? What are your plans for growing and sustaining this in the future? What are your biggest needs/gaps and how are you addressing those?
What are the largest and most influential industries in Cary? How have they grown and changed over the years? What type of public and private support has gone into cultivating those industries?
How is Cary approaching diversity and inclusion?
How much discussion is happening in Cary about affordable housing? What conversations or initiatives may be in the works around this topic?
What are your key economic development priorities in the coming decade?
We spent about 30 to 45 minutes answering these questions as well as a few more before they headed out for a tour of Cary parks and other facilities including Booth Amphitheater, USA Baseball, Cary Tennis Park, WakeMed Soccer, and Fenton.
Indian Ambassador Visit
Thursday night I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Frantz, council member Johnson, and council member Eades at an event celebrating 50 years of business by Singh Development which was attended by the Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu. To have the Indian Ambassador visit Cary was very special and we were honored by his visit. The event included remarks by Sing Development, the Indian Ambassador, Morrisville representatives, and me. I presented the Indian Ambassador with a gift which had our new logo engraved on it. The event lasted about three hours.
NC Metro Mayors
Friday I participated in a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors for a legislative summary. The following is a summary from KTS Strategies:
Bill Filing Deadlines
The House bill filing deadline for any bill without a finance or appropriations provision was this Tuesday, April 18. To date, 840 bills have been filed. Finance- and appropriations-related bills must be filed in the House by next Tuesday, April 25. The Senate bill filing deadline was April 4. The Senate has filed 745 bills. Exceptions to bill filing deadlines include Constitutional amendments, redistricting, election laws, nominations and appointments, and adjournment resolutions.
Over the next two weeks, we will see a large volume of bills passing through the House and Senate to meet this session’s May 4 crossover deadline. Crossover is the date by which a bill must pass its chamber of origin to remain eligible for consideration for the remainder of the biennial session. Exemptions to the crossover deadline are the same as the exceptions for the bill filing deadline. Bills with a finance or appropriations provision are also not subject to the crossover deadline.
Women’s Sports Bills
This week, the North Carolina House and Senate considered companion bills H574/S631, Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. Both bills would prohibit biological males from competing on female sports teams. The Senate version of the bill would apply only to middle and high schools. The House version also includes colleges.
The House bill was approved by the Judiciary and Rules Committees before being heard on the House floor Wednesday. H574 passed on the floor with a vote of 73-39, with three Democrats voting in favor. The Senate bill was approved by the Education and Rules Committees and heard on the Senate floor Thursday. After two tabled amendments, the bill passed along party lines (29-18).
NC Farm Act
S582, North Carolina Farm Act of 2023, was heard in the Senate Agriculture Committee this week. This is the legislature’s annual bill that generally makes various changes to laws pertaining to agriculture, forestry, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This year’s bill includes provisions that would allow income from the sale of honey to be considered gross income, create a Class 3 misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an animal waste spill, prohibit the use of an unmanned aircraft near a forest fire, and clarify the definition of wetlands. The bill passed the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday and has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
ACC Tennis Championships
Sunday I attended the women’s ACC Championships which were held at the Cary Tennis Park. I joined a large crowd in watching two of the best teams in the country battle it out.
In the end, NC State beat Carolina 4-1 for the ACC title. I was especially impressed with the #1 singles match where NC State’s Diana Shnaider beat previously undefeated, and number 1 nationally ranked player, Fiona Crawley in straight sets. BTW Shnaider is no slouch. She is currently ranked #88 in the world and made it to the third round of the Australian Open before losing a close three set match to the #6 seed. Needless to say, I witnessed two great players today.
I am so proud that Cary hosted the ACC men’s and women’s tennis championships and I hope to see many more in the future. It is our goal to grow this sports venue as well as the other sports venues in Cary.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
We couldn’t have more perfect weather than this for Appreciate the Best, which is being held today at USA Baseball. I appreciate the Council’s continued support of events like this that foster fellowship and fun – two important aspects of our culture and creating the local government that doesn’t exist. Tomorrow, several of us will begin our trip to Denver for the Raleigh Chamber’s Inter-City Visit, and since there’s no Council meeting next week, the next time I will see most of you in person will be the following week in Tampa with the Cary Chamber. Have a good weekend. Sean
Indian Ambassador to the United States Visits Cary
Last night many on Town Council and from staff attended a reception honoring the Indian Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Mr. Sandhu offered comments about the Indian Diaspora with the audience, made up of representatives from local municipalities. The evening included a gift from Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, and the attendees enjoyed an evening celebrating cultural diversity in Cary and the surrounding area.
Year of the Trail at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
On Saturday, NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson, North Carolina State Representative Julie von Haefen, Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, and Council Members Lori Bush and Ryan Eades gathered at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve to celebrate NC’s Year of The Trail in 2023 and the completed updates to the Swift Creek Loop Trail boardwalk. North Carolina’s Year of the Trail in 2023 celebrates North Carolina’s thousands of miles of stunning trails, greenways, and blueways. Cary is taking this opportunity to celebrate its 90+ miles of greenways and trails.
Mayor Presents Earth Day Proclamation at Kingswood Elementary
On Tuesday, Mayor Weinbrecht presented the Earth Day Proclamation to the Junior Green Team at Kingswood Elementary School. Kingswood held its annual Earth Day fair that included vendors, food trucks, and activities. Cary It Green also participated as a vendor and handed out material related to the Count Me In Cary initiative.
First Climate Advisory Stakeholder Meeting
On Wednesday, a diverse group of more than 40 staff and citizen stakeholders gathered to participate in the first Climate Advisory Stakeholder meeting as Cary advances towards creating a community-wide Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy . The meeting began with an overview of the signs and predicted impacts of climate change in Cary and transitioned into an interactive presentation about existing conditions, possible pathways, and Cary’s desire to be a national leader in creating a sustainable and resilient community. Breakout groups then discussed and listed opportunities, barriers, and equity considerations to lay the foundation for next steps in creating potential strategies that reflect the future Cary wants to see.
Volunteer Advisory Board Staff Liaison Meeting
On Monday, Sean Stegall spoke at the monthly Volunteer Advisory Board Staff Liaisons meeting. He thanked staff liaisons for their commitment to the boards, appreciation of our volunteers, and how the boards support the overall structure of our government. Organized by the clerk’s office, Cary staff liaisons meet monthly to cover logistic updates, upcoming advisory volunteer meeting topics, and professional development opportunities for liaisons.
Cary Speaker Series with Marshall Brain
The IT Department launched a Speaker Series highlighting local tech entrepreneurs who are disrupting the IT industry and inspiring us to think differently. On Thursday, our inaugural guest, Marshall Brain, Director of the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program at NC State and founder of HowStuffWorks.com, spoke with staff about the importance of identifying gaps and opportunities in the market and creating solutions to address them — often in a way that disrupts traditional business models and ways of thinking. Brain is a well-known public speaker and the author of over a dozen books on various topics.
Meter Replacement Operation Completed
The supply chain for new water meters continues to be challenging, especially for the type of smart water meters required for Cary’s Automated Meter Infrastructure systems. After receiving a new shipment of smart water meters, staff planned and implemented a special operation on April 15 to replace 137 previous-generation meters. In a coordinated effort by staff from multiple departments, including Utilities, Public Works, and Finance, staff installed, programmed, and synchronized the new meters with the appropriate billing cycle in one day.
Duke Energy Lights
North Carolina Football Club and North Carolina Courage fans have a new and exciting way to access WakeMed Soccer Park Stadium. With the opening of nearby Fenton, fans can walk to and from restaurants and bars before and after events at the stadium. Fenton built a new greenway connection that connects to the soccer park. New lights added to a portion of the cross-country trail is a great addition to fans’ game day experiences.
Taste of China
Last weekend, the Chinese American Friendship Association of North Carolina hosted its Taste of China Food & Culture Festival in downtown Cary. Thousands turned out for this inaugural event in Cary, sampling cuisine from more than 45 food vendors and enjoying the various performances and cultural activities. Joining Council Members Lori Bush, Carissa Kohn-Johnson, and Ryan Eades in attendance were more than a dozen other elected officials from the State and Wake County, including Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and NC Representative Ya Liu. The seed for this event was planted early in Ya Liu’s tenure on Cary’s Council in February 2020. After delays due to the pandemic and then a hurricane last fall, we were thrilled to finallysee this event spring to life in downtown Cary.
Housing Conditions
Linked here, please find recent history of affordable housing conditions offered by development. This was a conversation at the most recent Council meeting.
CASSI Open Data Portal Launched
To help better understand how the CASSI Autonomous Shuttle has been operating, survey and operational data were collected by NCDOT and Cary staff over the past several weeks. Data Scientists have crunched the numbers, created graphs and tables, and put them all on display for staff to use. The CASSI Open Data Portal is now live. The portal can be used to find data on popular ridership days or how often and where the shuttle has to disengage its autonomous features. You can find that and more here.
Triangle’s Got Talent 2023
Triangle’s Got Talent returned in 2023 with 14 performances that showcased local teens singing, dancing, jamming, and more at The Cary Theater on April 16. Hosted by the Executive Board of Cary Teen Council, Triangle’s Got Talent recognizes teens in the arts, with all proceeds donated to a local charity group. Last hosted in April 2019, the main event returned, and the beneficiary in 2023 was Read and Feed.
107 East Chatham Street Restaurant
Development plans were submitted for the second round of review for 107 East Chatham Street, currently Gurkan’s Auto Repair. The plans propose expanding the existing building and converting it into a restaurant with outdoor seating. Streetscape improvements will also be included along East Chatham Street from The Center Shopping Center to the corner of Academy Street and from Academy Street to Cedar Street.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
The Neighborhood Meeting will be held virtually on WebEx from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The following cases will be discussed on May 3.
Several cut-and-paste requests to pass an inclusion and equality ordinance (we did that last summer)
A complaint to the town staff notifying someone about state public records laws allowing information: “I see how proud gleeful and triumphant you are to work for a backward S### H### of a place in a state where the government is always right and the citizens always wrong. Where you get to squeeze the citizen and expose the person to the wrath of your political friends. …”
A request to vote against the US 401 Corridor Preferred Route
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Cary 101 reception, a candidate meeting, a sports alliance meeting, a Global Horizons event, and a NC Metro Mayors meeting. The week has fewer meetings and events than normal because of three family birthdays and my anniversary.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 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.
The inaugural recipient of this award was River, a thoroughbred racehorse, who after her career ended moved around from farm to farm until she ended up at CORRAL in Cary. CORRAL matches up at risk girls with horses. This results in both the girls and the horses being helped. I witnessed firsthand the love and affection of the girl, DJ, and her horse River. It was a very special thing to see. I presented the medallion to the owner of CORRAL, a ribbon to River, and a $2500 grant to CORRAL and River.
Harold's Blog 